I have struggled with the letter to the Galatians this time round. I usually love the strong affirmations of faith and love as the way to God, as opposed to legalistic following of rules. I find release in the freedom that is preached and hope in the promised fruit of the Spirit. But today, before rereading Galatians, I was reading about the resolutions passed in Kansas City at the Mennonite Church USA assembly and some of the reactions. I also read a Facebook post by someone I care deeply about but whose opinions sadden me. They are so caught up in the "law" he was raised with. As I turned to Galatians I hear Paul expressing his frustration with us. Don't we know any better? Are we still caught up in trying to be pure and holy or, more accurately, trying to make others pure and holy, instead of being followers of Christ? Are we still clutching our measuring sticks to judge who is good enough to be a part of our congregations, and in the process raising "enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions" - in other words "works of the flesh" (Gal 5:20)? I know many people point to Paul as one of the writers who would definitely be anti same sex marriage/relationships. But I really wonder. Paul says "Take care that you yourselves are not tempted." (6:1) not "Take care that no one who has been tempted joins your community." Most of the concern for righteousness is a challenge for each person to work toward it - not that it be legislated or a prerequisite for belonging to the body of Christ. We are to bear one another's burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ (6:2) - and not "nullify the grace of God" by placing law/legalism first. "For if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."( 2:21)
The resolutions that passed in the USA, in my understanding (which may be flawed), are basically to keep their official documents the same (that is prohibiting pastors from officiating at same sex marriages for example) but also to "forbear" with each other - work with, tolerate, maybe even dialogue with, people and congregations that believe differently. Even before the votes on these resolutions a new coalition of churches was formed - one with a great website that claims to truly follow the right reading of Scripture - in other words that is opposed to same sex relationships (even though it never outright says that). Basically the people forming this network have said that anyone willing to even consider a gay or lesbian church member, let alone pastor, is not reading the Bible correctly. (You need to be circumcised/straight to belong). Also before the vote Pink Menno's were gathering for a hymn sing and staged a demonstration - basically calling out the whole assembly as prejudiced, entitled and oppressive (You have to be circumcised/believe as we do to be true Christians). Those who care about the conference/church and were trying to find a way to help keep it together and keep people talking were attacked from both sides. I don't hear a lot of love, joy, peace, etc in the whole affair. Who has bewitched us? Did we receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what Jesus (and Paul) taught? (from 3:1 & 2).
Why do we keep making life in Christ a difficult thing? It should be wonderful. We no longer have to worry so much about following a strict set of rules - we are saved through the work of Jesus Christ. Yes we need self control - but if we are filled with love joy peace we can demonstrate patience kindness goodness, thoughtfulness, gentleness AND self control. I'm not saying Christians don't face hardships - there is real persecution out there, and health and economic (and other) problems that can be overwhelming - but for those of us who's choices are not life and death but about how to conduct ourselves and how to treat our fellow travelers on this road of life, we have Christ's example to follow. He didn't shun the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the fishermen, the Samaritans, the rich, the poor, the children. Why do we let people, like the "Judaizers" of Galatia, lead us astray and turn our focus from God, the three in one, to the law, or whatever do's or don'ts are the talk of the day. Back then Circumcision was the huge divider - along the way the issues have changed - dancing, alcohol, form of baptism, form of communion, working on Sunday, divorce, women in ministry - but it seems there is always one more thing to divide us. Now it is homosexuality. I can't help but think both Paul and Jesus would be more appalled by the church's treatment of each other and of those who want to be a part of it than of most anything else.
I really like Paul's analogy of the underage heir: "Heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property;" Just like children have stricter rules - like bedtime, vegetables before dessert, no hitting/biting, etc. to keep them healthy and teach them principles - ancient people needed guidelines, rules, to stay healthy and learn. Jesus came and said, good - you have learned the laws now lets move on to abstract thinking, to applying the principles behind the rules to make decisions appropriate to our current age. But we don't learn. We are like twenty somethings that still throw tantrums because someone else got to stay up late or have ice cream before dinner. What is wrong with us? Why, after all these years and all this scholarship can we not yet learn to talk with each other, work and pray with each other in a respectful atmosphere to discern God's will? Why do we think it is OK to call into question another person's personhood/faith because s/he believes something different?
I am very discouraged - and feel personally chastised by Paul. I pray, with Paul, that I can be true to these words:
"May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and i to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision [or any specific sexual orientation] is anything; but a new creation is everything!"
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