First thing I would like to do is give you the list I am working from for reading the epistles this summer. The list does include the gospels, in case anyone wants to know where they fit, but I was thinking I might skip them as we studied them this year in Bible Study. I'll see how I feel when I get there. According to Marcus J. Borg, the writing of the New Testament began around the decade of the 50's (yes that is 50's not 1950's) - so even the earliest parts were written decades after Jesus's life, death and resurrection. The Gospels weren't written until around the year 70. There is some debate about the actual dates but, to the best of his knowledge (according to Evolution of the Word), here is the chronological order:
I Thessalonians 50's
Galatians 50's
I Corinthians 50's
Philemon 50's
Philippians 50's
2 Corinthians 50's
Romans 50's
Mark 70's
James 80's
Colossians 80's
Matthew 80's
Hebrews 80's
John 90's
Ephesians 90's
Revelation 90's
Jude 100's
I John 100's
2 John 100's
3 John 100's
Luke 110's
Acts 110's
2 Thessalonians 110's
1 Peter 110's
1 Timothy 110's
2 Timothy 110's
Titus 110's
2 Peter 120's
As I began reading with such anticipation of inspiration, I found I Thessalonians not overly forthcoming, at least to me at first read. It seems to be a fairly formal " thanks for hosting me, I really appreciate it, you are great, hang in there" kind of note. Aside from the eschatological talk at the end of the fourth chapter, there isn't a lot that is controversial or that jumps out as a verse or principle to be remembered. But at second thought, this may be exactly the kind of encouraging message we may need.
While we may be muddling along, not always confident that what we are doing is the right thing, and sometimes wondering if those we love who are suffering or taken from us are not being spared because we haven't prayed hard enough or been good enough, it sometimes helps to know someone thinks we are doing OK. It's a funny thing that, even while we know that the opinion of others doesn't change anything, that our spiritual journeys are not in any way dependent on what others think, a word of appreciation can make the load lighter. Sometimes it does help to know that someone you respect appreciates you and your efforts. I sense that Paul's words about how others have talked so positively about the Thessalonian church, and how attached he felt to them would have bolstered their confidence. I know a simple comment about something I did right can help turn around a down day for me. So many times an off hand comment from one of the amazing women I know will help lift me up. Knowing they had, in even a small way, helped Paul, someone who had risked so much for them, would probably have brought much joy (and a little pride) to the Thessalonians. I think this is a reminder to me to pass on my appreciation; to let people know when they have done something that has touched me in a positive way. Sitting in the pew thinking "wow" doesn't really help the people at the front know that their efforts have paid off, and God has spoken through them. I have to actually tell them. Thinking what a wonderful job someone did hosting an event doesn't encourage them and let them know their gifts and efforts have made a difference. When someone shares or does something I find meaningful and/or special I should let them know. Saying thank you and letting them know what a blessing they have been may make a difference to them and their spiritual journey.
The other point I hear Paul making is "Don't rest on your laurels." I often get tired. I don't feel like doing anything worthwhile. I can usually find someone else who isn't doing much at that time and think, "See, I'm doing as much as she is". But that really isn't the point. We are to continue to grow in our relationship with God and Christ. We are to continue to practice right living. As "Children of the Day" we are to be looking to Christ as our example and listening to hear what God wants of us - not whether we are "better" or "worse" than anyone else. There is always some amazing person who seems to know how to say and do the right things and who just exudes the love of Christ to all kinds of people. It can be discouraging for us mere mortals. We don't know the toll that may take on that person, nor the joy that she or he may get from the activities we see. It's not our business. There is also usually someone, who we can't see doing a lot - not necessarily even attending church or Bible study regularly. But we don't know what service or worship or study he or she is doing when we are not around to see. We don't know what struggles might have to be overcome to do something we take for granted. Again - that is not our business. Our business is to find the path which will best help us to become more of what God wants us to be, whether or not that is like someone else we know.
The eschatalogical verses don't really grab me. Many people get all caught up in timelines and whether we go to heaven when we die or have to wait until we are raised after the second coming or whether we actually just come back to life here on earth or..... When I read this I hear Paul just trying to reassure the Thessalonians that a time will come when it will all be put right. God will triumph in the end. Even those who die now, will be happy and we will all be together some day. It is hope Paul is selling - not a map or timeline. This is what I need to hear when I am missing my parents who have both died while I have been miles away. This is what the Thessalonians may have needed to hear as people died from illnesses and, even harder take, from persecution for their faith. How and when it will happen is not for me to know - for me it is enough that God is in control and, in the end, will make all things right.
So the messages I got were: to encourage others by letting them know when they have amazed me; to keep building on my relationship with Christ; and to trust that God will make things work out some day. Not earth shattering - but useful messages none the less. What did you learn/read?
It is time to bring this super long and not overly scholarly blog to a close. Galatians has a lot more that has touched nerves in me - but that will wait for another day. In the meantime... "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances...May the God of peace himself santify you entirely." (I Thessalonians 5: 16-18a, 23)
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Monday, 22 June 2015
June 22, Getting Started
This summer I plan to read through the epistles of the New Testament. I have read them before - at least I think I have read them all before - but thought it would be a good exercise in Biblical literacy, and a good reminder.
My daughter (who is also often my reference for good books to read) has shown me a book by Marcus J. Borg, titled Evolution of the Word, which I am going to use as a reference so I can read the books in the order they were written - at least that's the plan today. Borg states that there are 7 letters prior to the gospels and about 9 documents following Revelation - so chronological order is quite different than canonical order. It should be interesting. His theory is that, reading the New Testament this way shows more clearly the evolution of the themes and development of the church and its understandings of what it means to be a Christ follower.
Some interesting points Borg makes are that placing the documents (he says they are mostly relatively short letters written to people the author knew, not public tomes written for strangers and so should not be called books) in chronological order brings some new insights. The fact that Paul wrote 7 letters before the Gospels were even written shows us that that there were vibrant Christian communities around the Roman Empire even without them. We see that the gospels were a response to a need in the church of that time, not the start of a movement. It is also apparent that that each gospel is different, as was its time. He also states we can see, for better or worse, some of the developments of early Christianity through the 1st and 2nd century as we read the documents in the order they were written. In theory, this also allows the reader to get a better feel for the historical context of each document and, in Borg's opinion, a glimpse into how it may have been read in the time it was written. I am hoping this works for me. Enough scholarly introduction, though.
I am quite excited for this project and hope it will go well. This week I am planning on reading the introductory material from Evolution of the Word and I Thessalonians. If I have enough time I will move on to Galatians but I'm thinking that may be a bit much for one week. I hope and pray that this challenge will help me become, in some way, a better me. I also hope and pray that my musings will act as a catalyst for your thoughts and for God to speak to you through your Bible reading.
On a somewhat unrelated note: I read a quote in another book I was reading and I really wanted to share it and leave it with you as a kind of blessing. It is from Father Solomon as quoted by Michael Yankoski in The Sacred Year. When questioned whether practicing spiritual disciplines was actually like trying to work our way to God, trying to make God love, or at least like, us, Father Solomon replied:
"You needn't put that much faith in your own strength, for your strength is a mere atom beside an ocean of God's unending love. God is the Source. The Origin. The Ground of All Being. The One from whom and through whom and to whom are all things. You can't 'make God love you,' anymore than you make a star or a planet or even a human being....No, you can't make God love you. You can't make God like you. But nor do you need to; he already does. Never forget that that is why he made you -- because he wants you to exist. And not just exist. He wants you to live life in all its fullness."
I am hoping the discipline of reading through Scripture will open us to this possibility. Something to think about as we head into this summer's Bible reading challenge.
May God be with us and speak to us throughout this endeavor.
My daughter (who is also often my reference for good books to read) has shown me a book by Marcus J. Borg, titled Evolution of the Word, which I am going to use as a reference so I can read the books in the order they were written - at least that's the plan today. Borg states that there are 7 letters prior to the gospels and about 9 documents following Revelation - so chronological order is quite different than canonical order. It should be interesting. His theory is that, reading the New Testament this way shows more clearly the evolution of the themes and development of the church and its understandings of what it means to be a Christ follower.
Some interesting points Borg makes are that placing the documents (he says they are mostly relatively short letters written to people the author knew, not public tomes written for strangers and so should not be called books) in chronological order brings some new insights. The fact that Paul wrote 7 letters before the Gospels were even written shows us that that there were vibrant Christian communities around the Roman Empire even without them. We see that the gospels were a response to a need in the church of that time, not the start of a movement. It is also apparent that that each gospel is different, as was its time. He also states we can see, for better or worse, some of the developments of early Christianity through the 1st and 2nd century as we read the documents in the order they were written. In theory, this also allows the reader to get a better feel for the historical context of each document and, in Borg's opinion, a glimpse into how it may have been read in the time it was written. I am hoping this works for me. Enough scholarly introduction, though.
I am quite excited for this project and hope it will go well. This week I am planning on reading the introductory material from Evolution of the Word and I Thessalonians. If I have enough time I will move on to Galatians but I'm thinking that may be a bit much for one week. I hope and pray that this challenge will help me become, in some way, a better me. I also hope and pray that my musings will act as a catalyst for your thoughts and for God to speak to you through your Bible reading.
On a somewhat unrelated note: I read a quote in another book I was reading and I really wanted to share it and leave it with you as a kind of blessing. It is from Father Solomon as quoted by Michael Yankoski in The Sacred Year. When questioned whether practicing spiritual disciplines was actually like trying to work our way to God, trying to make God love, or at least like, us, Father Solomon replied:
"You needn't put that much faith in your own strength, for your strength is a mere atom beside an ocean of God's unending love. God is the Source. The Origin. The Ground of All Being. The One from whom and through whom and to whom are all things. You can't 'make God love you,' anymore than you make a star or a planet or even a human being....No, you can't make God love you. You can't make God like you. But nor do you need to; he already does. Never forget that that is why he made you -- because he wants you to exist. And not just exist. He wants you to live life in all its fullness."
I am hoping the discipline of reading through Scripture will open us to this possibility. Something to think about as we head into this summer's Bible reading challenge.
May God be with us and speak to us throughout this endeavor.
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