Tuesday Musings March 12, 2019

                This is the season on Lent. Somehow, I was distracted and did not do a musing last week. Some of that was due to continuing to reflect on the General Conference held in February. Some of that was due to not feeling well as my winter cold morphed into my spring sinuses. Today, I feel on the mend and am finishing up the medications. Also, the bitter cold and snow has affected my mood as well. Be that as it may, I wanted to get back on track.

                During this time of Lent, we spend a lot of time reflecting on scripture through daily devotions or other devotions. What I noted last week though I did not write, was the concept of scriptural holiness. One can get on Facebook and see articles that claim God’s Word as the source of all they believe. The United Methodists look to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as we reflect and understand how God is active in our world today. These four points are scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Scripture is the foundation but needs to be examined in the context of the other three parts. Augustine, one of the prominent theologians, talks about understanding scripture in “On Christian Doctrine” the following, “he simply teaches that we are all free to read Scripture and take from the text whatever the Holy Spirit inspires for our good. But we must neither claim to know the author’s intention nor assert a universal and definitive meaning of any text. The former is known only by the Holy Spirit.” He had also asserted that one can read scripture literally, but much of scripture is allegorical and metaphorical. And to best understand the intent of scripture one would be best to reflect on all levels as guided by the Holy Spirit and the tradition of church. John Wesley would include as well to read based on our experience and our reason.

                Where I stand regarding scripture, I try to read scripture first in prayer and then look at the context of what was happening when the writers of scripture put pen to paper. Scripture consists of 66 books written by numerous authors in differing times and to people who were in need of hearing about God and God’s relationship to us. I believe that scripture is divinely inspired and that is why it still has relevance today. In the 39 books of the Hebrew scripture and the 27 books of the Christian scripture, we can find an understanding of how God was during the history of Israel and of the church. In the small group that Nancy and I attend, we are studying Revelation. From the start, we have talked and read that this book of the bible was never meant to be taken literally. There are parts, especially the letters to the seven churches, that speak to the cultural concerns of the author. The rest are visions and dreams that are to be looked as allegorically. Is there truth to what is written? There are aspects that are still relevant to us today about accommodating with cultural and societal norms.

                As I continue to look at this and whether we are to take a literal view of scripture, I cannot but wonder where we would be if Jesus did that. One of the main charges against Jesus, who was Jewish, was his disregard of the scripture and laws of Moses. He healed people of the sabbath. He touched lepers. He ate with sinners. These were all violations of the faith at that time. He even spoke to those outside of the people. He was willing to become unclean in order to reach out to the marginalized and those who were ostracized by the society. He was guided by the scriptures particularly the prophets of Israel. What he declared in the gospel of Matthew, was that he was not to do away with the scripture but to fulfill it. For me, that is to look at the heart of scripture. During the Sermon on the Mount, he stated “you have heard, but I tell you” several times.

                Another concern I have about reading scripture, is what is called proof texting. One prevalent proof texting involves what Jesus says about marriage found in Matthew 19. Many who use this scripture as pointing out that Jesus opposed same sex marriage quote Mt. 19:4-6. By pulling out these verses without the context of the first part of Chapter 19, one seems to say that marriage is only between a man and woman. Unfortunately, that is not what Jesus was answering. The question was posed to him about divorce. Jesus was opposed to the divorce laws of that time which allowed men to divorce their wives without any reason. Jesus never said one way or another about same sex relationships.

                So, as we continue our Lenten journey, as we do our devotions, take time to not just read the verses, but also look at the context especially the verses before and after to better understand. May God bless our journeys together.

Eldon

               

Tuesday Musings 2/26/2019

                Today in my Tuesday Musings, I would like to discuss my feelings about what is happening in the special called General Conference of the United Methodist Church. The General Conference is the only official body of the church that can speak to the order that we live by. The conference meets every four years to determine the rules of our Book of Discipline. In 2016, there was such a debate regarding human sexuality and what is accepted that the conference asked our episcopal leaders to form a Way Forward to help discern what we as a church would do regarding the inclusion of LGBT+ members and to reach out to all of God’s children. There was a committee formed from all over the world to present plans to then be voted on at the special called conference. The committee presented three plans to be considered. These included basically no change in the current thoughts, a one church plan, and a connectional plan. Later a fourth plan called the simple plan was added. The Council of Bishops felt the One Church planned seemed to be their choice, but it was still up to the general conference to vote on these four plans.

                Fast forward to the present day. In the process of legislative groups, the plan that was approved yesterday was the traditional plan with modifications. Rather than seen as a way forward, it was to maintain the status quo. At stake for many of the delegates is how we interpret scripture that would support maintaining the restrictions of disallowing ordaining clergy who live in a committed same sex relationship, allowing the clergy to perform marriage between same sex partners, and to punish clergy who violate the Book of Disciple (BOD).

                I supported the One Church plan which would allow local churches, annual conferences, and clergy to follow their own understanding of what God is doing in our world today. This would give room to those who oppose sanctifying same sex marriages whether at the church level or at the clergy level and for those who sought full inclusion. This would have addressed delegates from outside the USA to not have the feeling that they could not remain opposed to same sex relationships which in many countries carries a death sentence. Needless to say, that was not what happened. I don’t feel that this is a step forward but one step backwards and will lead to endless debates before the next General Conference in 2020.

                I know that there are many sides to this issue. There are many, who based on their understanding of scripture, feel that same sex relationships are an abomination and therefore cannot be sanctioned by the church. Equally there are many who look to their understanding of scripture and God’s grace who feel the opposite. The same concerns have risen over many of the issues in the past regarding slavery and women clergy to name a couple. I recognize the concerns of both sides and even if I support full inclusion of all people, I know many who do not. And you know that is okay. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

                As such, I am reminded what Jesus had to say to the Luke 10:25-32 the parable of the Good Samaritan. The question that was put forth by a follower of the law (likely looking for an easy answer that would either test Jesus or support his view of the law) about inheriting eternal life. Jesus then asked him how he would interpret his understanding of the law and the scribe stated to Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and all your might, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. The follow up question was then who was his neighbor.

                The crux of the story was who is included and excluded to be loved. I would suggest rereading the parable. Here is how I look at it. When the priest and the Levite saw the injured man who appeared dead they walked right by him without offering aid. They did this obeying rigidly the laws of their faith. Touching a corpse, would have made them unclean. What they did was certainly understandable for them at that time. So who did offer aid? It was a Samaritan who was an outsider and not part of the law as understood by the religious thoughts of the time. The scribe had to reluctantly state that the Samaritan was the neighbor who showed love. Jesus then told the young man to do likewise.

                I see the concern that holding to law religiously can become heresy. The opponents of Jesus, the pharisees, were such a group. Their understanding of law was to be upheld without regard to the heart of the law. I believe in scripture that loving God and loving neighbor is not one over the other. I believe Jesus invites us all to the table. For me. the one church approach gave the flexibility to live one’s conscious as well as inviting all into the church. So, I lament. Will I leave the church, or will I stay to continue to raise the need for inclusion? I choose to stay.

                A side note. In reading the gospels, Jesus did not say one way or another regarding same sex relationships. He did talk about marriage but often it was in response to questions about divorce. He was certainly opposed to divorce and especially remarriage. Somehow, I don’t see the church splitting on this issue.

                Another side note. I had read that the One Church plan would redefine marriage. I don’t see where that idea came from. There could be a lot of debate what scripture says about marriage particularly having multiple wives and concubines. Actually, it is the state that defines marriage. The concern would be what one would find acceptable about that definition.

                There will continue to be debate regarding human sexuality no matter the vote today. I would hope that the continued dialog between us would help us continue to discern God’s Will. To close, I want to share what Wesley stated about the Good Samaritan. I found this in my Wesley Study Bible page 1257 in the footnotes. “Let us renounce that bigotry and party-zeal which would contract our hearts into insensibility for all the human race, but a small number whose sentiments and practices are so much our own, that our love to them is but self-love reflected. With an honest openness of mind, let us always remember the kindred between man and man; and cultivate the happy instinct whereby, in the original constitution of our nature, God has strongly bound us to each other” (Notes 10:37).

Peace to all

Eldon

               

Tuesday Musings and Wednesday Wanderings Feb. 20 2019

                Another Wednesday wanderings for my Tuesday musings. Somehow, yesterday was a difficult day to become motivated. Some of that due to the fact that I thought I had misplaced my phone Monday and I did not sleep well. Some of that due to the once again storm coming into Nebraska. We are approaching the most snow for February in a long time. I am not sure that spring will arrive as predicted. I hope so.

                I want to finish talking about love and relationships. The last leg of the stool is that of compassion and caring. I know that is two C’s but bear with me. I have always found that the root of compassion goes back to Latin and means “suffering with.” It reminds me of the traditional vows that often used in marriage ceremonies, “to have and hold in sickness and health.” Compassion is that ability to be present with the other no matter what is going on. I have seen in my lifetime several couples that hang together in the most difficult of situations and never complain about what they must do for the other. They care for their loved one doing all they can to hold them in their times of need.

                Compassion also, in my opinion, means standing with others. There are people who are voiceless and powerless, who need others to stand with them to help find a voice and justice. Compassion incorporates that. That can occur within a relationship as well. I find that reading John 3:16, God sending Jesus to us is an example to learn from. It was not for judgment but for us who were in need of someone to stand with us. So we are to do the same for others, even those we do not know. Jesus was willing to suffer with us to show us a better way.

            Compassion is all about caring and sharing with others. It is best when it is mutual, wants the best for the other, and is able to let go of our wants to edify and encourage others. It means working through differences rather than judging others who have different ideas, languages, sexual orientation, gender, racial and ethnic differences. Caring and compassion is the willingness to not hide from conflict but to approach it with love. Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” has this paraphrase on 1 Corinthians 13.                                                                   “Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.”

            As we approach the season of Lent and as we pray about our churches, especially the United Methodist Church, we come back to the relationship God has with us and creation that the foundation is built on love. In a world that seems to be built on fear and hate, let us go back to our roots of the love God and Christ has for us. Je t’adore.

Eldon