Unfortunately I am unable to be present for the discussion this week as the group talks about Philippians 2:1-11 and the Article 2 - Jesus Christ, Son of God, Prophet, Teacher, faithful High Priest, King & Savior of the world.
According to Leonard Beechy (p28, Dig-In, MennoMedia 2013) the context for the letter to the Philippians is conflict within the church - or more specifically between two women who were co-founders of the congregation. Each had a clear vision of what was right, of the way to follow Christ - they just didn't agree with each other. How often does this happen in The Church and in various churches throughout history? Why do you think there are as many denominations and as many versions of denominations as there are?
We understand things differently. When someone speaks with authority, like the Church leaders from Jerusalem who truly believed a person had to be a Jew in order to be Christian, many feel inspired to follow. They speak with logic and passion and make it seem so right. It is no wonder many follow. But when the opposing argument is presented or has been presented with equal authority, logic and passion, by someone like Paul, who truly believed that Christ was enough - that Jewish religious rites were not required - many will also believe that. When the authorities and political powers that be around you have a different view yet - and power to physically intimidate - that plays into the discussion as well. The argument that you just go to Scriptures doesn't always help because, in spite of what some believe, we always read with the filter of our lives and experiences and existing beliefs and biases. Many times all these factors combine to make both arguments seem sound. So when you have earnestly discerned and come out with different answers - what is THE answer?
Paul's answer (ignoring the fact that he would know that he was obviously right) is that we are to have the mind of Christ who allowed himself to be humbled, even to death on the cross. This is so opposite what we see in history with leaders talking over and even yelling at each other, not to mention excommunicating and/or, even persecuting each other to death. Even in this day and age and continent we have preachers condoning violence to people who believe differently. Greg Boyd, Pastor of Woodland Church, in his message "From Baptist to Anabaptist"(The Meeting House, June 23,2013) speaks of how it is a greater blasphemy/heresy to kill a heretic than whatever heresy s/he was promoting. This does not appear to be commonly accepted. How do we have the mind of Christ? How do we make decisions within a church or congregation (or other group) when opposing ideas are seen as absolutely right by different people within the group?
Well I don't see an answer in the material. The focus of the lesson is not decision making but treatment of each other. The focus is developing the mind of Christ. Christ could have chosen to force his views on others. He could have rained down fire on the court that sentenced him to death - or risen to heaven in defiance of their authority. He had the power to do that. He chose, instead, to allow the others to ridicule and humiliate him. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross (the lowest of the low). We are called to stay true to what we believe - to what we have been called, but not to force it on others or bully others into agreeing with us. Jesus actually did know he was right, yet he let those in authority beat him up and even kill him because they didn't agree. He didn't give in and agree with them, and he didn't bluster his way through. He quietly and constantly held what he knew was true and allowed the authorities to bluster and bully,
How do we develop the mind of Christ? How can we imitate Christ? How do our lives reflect Jesus'? Often society's notions of power & influence are so different from the humility displayed by Jesus, how can we make a difference while remaining humble? I hope there are some answers in the group - right now I just have more questions.
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