October 14, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
Barbara Brown Taylor

“Jesus was not killed by atheism and anarchy. He was brought down by law and order allied with religion, which is always a deadly mix. Beware those who claim to know the mind of G-d and who are prepared to use force, if necessary, to make others conform.” Barbara Brown Taylor

“So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.” John 18:12-14

“Beware of those who claim to know the mind of G-d”, writes Barbara Brown Taylor. Taylor is a professor of Christian Spirituality at the Columbia Theological Seminary, the author of many books, but is first and foremost an Episcopal Priest. As pastors and priests, we are called to preach on the Word of G-d –but that does not mean that we necessarily know the mind of G-d. G-d remains so mysterious to us, so “out of our reach” of our understanding because we know so little about G-d. The most we know about G-d is what has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ. And yet we can claim to have an intimate relationship with G-d through Jesus Christ. But we must be careful that our “understanding” of G-d’s will does not stray into the arena of “authorized religion”.

Albert Einstein is famously quoted as saying “I want to know the mind of G-d; the rest is detail.” In his case, I believe Einstein wanted to understand how the mind of G-d works, not claim to know what G-d was thinking. But I am not interested in knowing how G-d’s mind works, I just want to understand G-d’s will in and for my life. For that to happen, I must have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This is where I will spend my time in study, prayer and preparation – the rest I leave up to G-d through the Holy Spirit to point me in the right direction.

Pastor Dave

October 13, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
N. T. Wright

“For too long we’ve read scripture with 19th century eyes and 16th century questions. It’s time we get back to reading with 1st century eyes and 21st-century questions.” N. T. Wright

“…he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” John 9:6-17

Questions. Do you ask enough questions about the bible, about your faith understanding, and about your church’s denominational teachings? A few days ago I wrote a devotion about the silence of Christians – and how, as people of faith, we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice, and in the face of persecution. You may ask, “Are Christians being persecuted?” I believe we are. Every chance the media and other icons in popular culture get to make fun of people who believe in G-d, they take that opportunity, especially poking fun at Christians who believe in a virgin birth, or who believe that Jesus died on a cross and rose again in the resurrection. And, of course, with the controversies that the Christian church has had to endure, like Priests and accusations of child abuse, and televangelists who bilk senior citizens out of millions of dollars each year, it is no wonder people of faith are targets for criticism and persecution.

Still, we cannot be silent. We need to be able to defend our faith – which is why we need to ask questions – many, many questions. We need to seek opportunities for bible study – we need to understand what it means to call ourselves Lutherans, or Presbyterians, or Methodists. And finally, we need to understand that the Bible is the Living, Active, Holy Spirit Breathing Word of G-d that remains the formative word for worship and service. Then, when others persecute us for our beliefs, we have the Word to refute their jabs and defend our faith.

Pastor Dave