Ephesians

Ephesians is another of the disputed letters.  Many scholars aren't convinced Paul wrote it,, or even that it was written to the Ephesians (as some of "the best ancient manuscripts lack the words 'in Ephesus' in verse 1" (Borg, Evolution of the Word, p351)).  Some feel it was addressed, not to a specific congregation, but to Christians in general, or at least several church communities, by someone who was trying to follow Paul's teachings and letter writing style and format. Apparently, in the Greek,  the sentence structure is very different - with long sentences (1:3-14, 1:15-23 for example, are each one sentence in Greek). The content, however, often echoes Paul's teachings, though strays when it goes off to speak of Households  and 'the Church' in general.

Earlier this week I attended a webinar with Greg Boyd.  One of the things he talked about is how we bring our culture into our Christianity.  Some of this has been recognized as criticism of western missionaries has arisen.  Too often western culture was taught instead of Christianity.  But even in subtle ways in North America we bring baggage to our worship, to our beliefs - As Mennonites we see it in some places where Christianity is almost equated with Low German, Borscht and faspa. Boyd cites this as a reason we need to be constantly challenging each other to bring our focus back to Jesus - especially when dealing with issues.  Reading Ephesians after attending that webinar makes me think that the writer of Ephesians may have, without realizing it, been bringing in the culture of his (or her) day.  This would explain why, instead of "in Christ there is neither male nor female" (Gal 3:28) we have "Wives submit to your husbands" (Eph 5:22),  Instead of "in Christ there is neither slave nor free" (Galatians 3:28)  we have "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling"(Eph 6:5). To the credit of the author, the admonitions are not only for the less powerful - there are obligations for the husband, and for slave owners - but they are not equal.  There is no push for owners to free their slaves.  There is no expectation of equality or mutuality in the marriage relationship.  This author may have pushed the boundaries a little, but was still firmly within them, in my (uninformed) view.

Having said all that, I still enjoyed and felt uplifted by the reading of Ephesians. The central theme is that of unity and inclusion.  I am accepted.  In this day and age where churches are struggling with whether or not to include people with different sexual orientations (or how to keep them out and still be seen as loving) - and some still fighting to keep women silent in the church, while still wanting them to feel included and volunteering - it is heartening to hear "at one time you Gentiles by birth....were at that time without Christ...But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near..." (From Ephesians 2:11-20).  There was a time just not being Jewish was enough for your presence to be controversial in a church.  Now there are other issues we use to divide and separate- but there is still hope that, some day, all will be "brought near".  Somehow I feel a strong encouragement every time I read that.

There is also help for those "fighting" for inclusion - put on the full armor of God: The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (6:13-17).  As I read articles or facebook posts against various people, as I hear stories of the incredible hurt caused by Christians and Christian institutions, I tend to get discouraged and wonder where God is in all this.  Have we totally lost our focus on Jesus and the greatest commandment?  What happened to love your neighbor as yourself?  But this passage says to fight on. Put on the belt of truth - protect against the lies of those defending the way things were, instead of the way God wants them to be.  Put on the breastplate of righteousness - don't fight dirty - do the right thing.  Put on the shield of faith - believe in the love and the example of Jesus who included people believed to be unclean and of less worth in his day. Trust the sword of the Spirit to help you discern God's will and to help you speak/do the right things. We have help - we need to accept it to make a difference.

So, yes, I am a child of my culture.  I refuse to believe that, other than to keep the peace, there is much of value in admonitions for wives to be submissive or slaves to obey masters as they do Christ. I believe the writer didn't want the Christian church to be seen as destroying society - and was also trying to encourage people (wives and slaves) who didn't have much choice - while at least putting some onus on those in power. So I tend not to dwell on these passages.  Instead I pull encouragement and strength from the main theme - that even though at one time I would have been nothing, in Christ I am a part of an amazing family, the child of a powerful God that provides what I need to work for what is right.  I hope and pray I will have the courage and faith to put on the armor and fight for those who are still being seen as worth less, that they, too, may experience the joy of being brought near and included in God's loving arms.