progressive christianity

Ruth

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ruth1

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 57; 145, Ruth 1:1-14, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12

Ruth is a short book, containing only 85 verses across 4 chapters. The book focuses on Naomi, a Jewish widow, and her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. The Israelites considered the Moabites a cursed people because they were the descendants of an incestuous union between Lot and his older daughter (see Genesis 19 for the lurid details). As an ancestor of David (and therefore Jesus), Naomi is the focus of the tale but Ruth is its heroine.

This book explores interesting themes. First is the notion that God can be present in the world through anyone – even the “cursed and unclean.” While the Bible is full of instruction on how to be a proper Jew, and to a lesser extent how to be a proper Christian, many texts illustrate God’s unbreakable connection with all people. Beyond this story of a godly Moabite woman, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan (a contradiction in terms for most of his contemporaries), Jonah explores God’s love for the reviled Ninevites, and Paul subjects himself to personal peril to extend Christ’s ministry to the Gentiles. As much as the Bible may be used to exclude people, it is also contains stories of radical inclusion, even in the Old Testament.

A second theme is the role of women in ancient cultures. The story springs from the lack of property rights for Israelite women, and the solidarity required to survive under such societal conditions. As we read Ruth, we can reflect on how things have changed for women, and how they still need to change.

A third theme is sexual behavior some might consider ungodly. In the pursuit of begetting a male heir for Naomi, Ruth instigates a sexual relationship with a man who isn’t yet her husband. Despite Jewish prohibitions around sex, there are no negative consequences for this action. Like inclusion of the outcast, this theme navigates an understanding of faith that is less black and white than we tend to make it. The book of Ruth challenges our understanding of what it means to be and to behave in the community of the faithful.

Comfort: Faith does not constrict us, but frees us.

Challenge: Pray for people you don’t like.

Prayer: Loving God, creator of this world of diversity, help me see you in all people. Amen.

Discussion: Have you ever been surprised to see God at work in someone?

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Hearing The Voice

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child-s-ear-1307271-1919x1284

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 67; 150, Isaiah 66:7-14, 1 John 3:4-10, John 10:7-16

One of the most popular images of Jesus is The Good Shepherd. Shepherding was a central part of his culture, so his audience would have been familiar with how tended their flocks. He contrasted the role of the true shepherd – who would lay down his life for his sheep – to the role of a hired hand, someone likely to flee if things got dangerous. He also spoke of the thief and the wolf, who scatter and harm the sheep out of greed and selfishness. Jesus is confident his own flock will hear and know him and be led to safety.

Sheep are not bright, but the constancy of their shepherd helps them come to know him as a companion, protector, and guide. They won’t survive long without listening. We, on the other hand, are free to follow our shepherd or not, to listen or to ignore. How can we learn to discern our shepherd’s call the hired hands and thieves who may be wolves in shepherd’s clothing?

We can know his words. Reading the Gospels ourselves is different than trusting others to interpret scripture for us. Many a thief has used scripture to bilk well-meaning sheep from their money and eventually their faith. Regularly studying the Gospels and reliable sources of instruction help us understand them in context and teach us to recognize that voice.

Our shepherd will lead us to abundant life. Any message that leaves us feeling diminished or unloved by God is being delivered by an inept hired hand. Our shepherd will challenge and correct us for our own good, but only in loving ways. Christ always calls us out of the wilderness onto the path of life, not into a tangle of thorny condemnation.

Finally, we can pray. Not long, bleating prayers to fill up the silence, but quiet prayers which leave room for the divine voice to reveal itself. If we are out of practice it may take us a while to hear that voice, but we’ll know it when we do.

Comfort: Jesus calls us home with a familiar, consistent voice.

Challenge: Make a point of regular scripture reading and prayer time to train yourself to hear the voice of Christ.

Prayer: God of Grace, thank you for calling to me, even when I try not to hear. Amen.

Discussion: Have you ever been mislead by spiritual thieves or wolves?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

What Counts

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Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 56; 149, Isaiah 66:1-6, 1 Timothy 6:(1-5) 6-21, Mark 12:35-44

“It’s the thought that counts.”

If someone selects what they think is the perfect gift, but we don’t care for it, that’s probably true. On the other hand, if someone spends a month intending to visit us in our sick bed but never shows up … not so much.

Christians are taught actions do not save us, but we are also taught we must think the right things – namely that accepting Christ as our savior is the only way to salvation. However, we are far more comfortable with rules than abstract ideas so we often reduce that acceptance to a set of “correct” words, pronouncements, and expressions. This creates a paradox: we are freed from the law of actions by reinventing it as a law of belief. The danger is that adhering to this new law becomes just as meaningless if it bounces off our tongues without ever piercing our hearts.

Regarding its religious practices and sacrifices, Isaiah told the nation of Israel:

Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human being;
whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck.

The Lord was angry because the people of Israel made their prescribed sacrifices and said the required prayers, but practiced no compassion for the widows, orphans, and outcasts among them. Is hiding an unloving heart behind a law of actions substantially different from hiding one behind a law of religiously correct thought and speech?

When a poor widow dropped two all-but-worthless coins into the temple treasury, Jesus told his disciples hers was the greatest gift, because others had “contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had.” Our own abundance may be measured in more ways than finances. It may also be measured in privilege, freedom, comfort, etc. If we believe the “right” things, but give only from abundance, have we really embraced all the implications of accepting the sacrificial love of Christ? True acceptance motivates us to acts of compassion and sacrifice not because we must, but because loving Christ is more than a thought.

Comfort: Christ invites us to relationship, not religion.

Challenge: Examine where you have abundance. Could you give until you feel the pinch?

Prayer: I seek to love as Christ loves, to share the abundance of his grace. Amen.

Discussion: What do you think about but never seem to get around to?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

Our Neighbors, Our Selves

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loveyourneighbor

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 130; 148, Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Tim. 5:(1-16) 17-22 (23-25), Mark 12:28–34

When the Jewish scribes asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, he replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” He also volunteered the second most important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The scribes hadn’t asked him for the top two, so he probably felt strongly about how we love our neighbors. We should note that in this statement is an implicit assumption that we do indeed love ourselves. As Christians, we are not always comfortable expressing a healthy love of self.

When we proclaim “I love my neighbor!” most people approve that sentiment. If we proclaim just as boldly “I love myself!” we can expect considerably less enthusiasm. If God wants us to love our neighbors extravagantly, and we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, doesn’t logic say God wants us to love ourselves just as extravagantly? God loves us as much as he loves our neighbors. Should we do less?

Sadly, overt love of self is often dismissed as pride. We are allowed to celebrate the gifts and talents of others, but expected to be unnecessarily demure about our own. Why wouldn’t we celebrate the gifts and talents our Creator has bestowed upon us? We don’t want to boast or elevate ourselves above others, but neither do we want to engage in self-talk that tells us we are less worthy, less beautiful, or less loved in our creator’s eyes than is anyone else. Quite the opposite: if we are to love others as God commands, we must understand what it is to be loved.

Sometimes loving ourselves means being honest about our own shortcomings, but in a way that builds us up rather than tears us down. For instance, if we need to improve our health we don’t do it by telling ourselves how terrible we are, but by recognizing our bodies are divine gifts that deserve the proper care and maintenance. Loving ourselves means unashamedly appreciating the gifts we have, and doing our best to honor and tend them.

Comfort: God wants us to love ourselves, because God loves us.

Challenge: Make a list of qualities you like about yourself.

Prayer: God of Strength, thank you for all my gifts. Amen.

Discussion: Are you able to accept compliments with grace?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

Spiritual Exercise

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handstand-girl-1250986

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 36; 147:12-20, Isaiah 65:1-12, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Mark 12:13-27

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul encourages the disciples to “train yourselves in Godliness.” The Greek word translated as “train” is also the word for physical exercise. Like physical health, spiritual health is something we can improve with the proper nourishment and exercise.

A good doctor steers people away from fad diets and workout regimens that promise much and deliver little – or worse, cause damage. As our spiritual doctor, Paul warns the disciples to avoid fads like asceticism and celibacy which distract from true spiritual well-being. Instead he prescribes the basics of scripture, the teaching and conduct that will nourish them best. Today we need to be equally as careful to avoid trendy practices and beliefs that distract us from what Jesus really taught us. Just as there is no magic body wrap that will melt away love handles in your sleep, there is no substitute for regular spiritual discipline.

Spiritual and physical fitness have other similarities. Both result in incremental improvements over extended periods of time. As one-time (or even one-time-a-month) trips to the gym won’t turn your fat into muscle, neither will isolated or sporadic instances of prayer or other disciplines develop your spiritual muscles. Furthermore, exercise of either variety is performed to develop strength and endurance. No one who begins a marathon without first putting in the proper time to train will make it to the end, and no one who waits until a crisis to pray is likely to endure spiritually. We exercise not for what we need today, but for what we plan to accomplish in the future.

Finally, we must exercise for the right reasons. Wanting to look good for others is a bad motivator for working out, and rarely leads to sustained success. Practicing spiritual disciplines to impress others or to get God to love you more is also poor motivation. You can’t make anyone love you, and God already loves you as much as He ever will. Diet and physical exercise are about developing healthy relationships with our bodies, and spiritual exercise and discipline are about healthy relationships with our God.

Comfort: Spiritual health, like a marathon, begins with a single step.

Challenge: Find a spiritual discipline (prayer, meditation, scripture, etc.) that works for you, and practice it regularly.

Prayer: God of strength, I dedicate myself to developing spiritual health. Amen.

Discussion: How do you feel about exercise?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

The Spin Class

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swirl-1419873

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 15; 147:1-11, Isaiah 63:15-64:9, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Mark 11:27-12:12

Have you heard of the “unpology?” It’s what many celebrities and politicians do instead of actually apologizing. For instance, after getting called on the carpet for saying something insensitive, they say “I’m sorry if anyone was offended by what I said.” Subtly but distinctly different from “I’m sorry I said this offensive thing,” isn’t it?

The unpology is just one method of avoiding honest communication. Not an outright lie, but more a method of speaking yet delivering no content whatsoever. When the chief priests, scribes, and elders demanded to know by what authority Jesus said he would answer them only if they first answered a question from him: “Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” They conferred among themselves because they weren’t sure what to say. They were afraid to say “from Heaven” because Jesus could ask why they didn’t believe him, but they were also afraid to say “of human origin” because the crowd, who regarded John as a prophet, would turn on them.

They settled on, “We do not know.”

Mark’s Gospel gives us no indication that what they truly believed even factored into their answer. So they said essentially nothing, because that’s how they had learned to maintain power.

Our society has an entire class of people who rise to prominence by declaring not what they believe, but what people want to hear. This class includes a regrettable number of politicians, lobbyists, executives, and clergy. Things like speaking bold truth and owning one’s mistakes get sacrificed on the altar of spin when we value power more than integrity.

We could point fingers at examples, but it’s more important not to get drawn into these behaviors ourselves. It’s tempting to make ourselves look as good as possible, and easy to rationalize why we should, but no true prophet worried about his or her image. No matter how well intentioned, once we start spinning the facts, it’s hard to stop. Speaking honestly and simply may not always move us up the ladder, but it keeps us grounded in our faith.

Comfort: Being honest saves a lot of effort.

Challenge: Be truthful, even when it’s not to your immediate advantage.

Prayer: God of truth and life, fill me with an abundance of both. Amen.

Discussion: Regardless of whether you actually do, when are you tempted to fudge the truth?

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Sunday Best

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Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 123; 146, Isaiah 63:7-14, 1 Timothy 1:18-2:8 (9-15), Mark 11:12-26

Like much of the world, church has become more casual. Not long ago it was a place most people dressed up for. People attended in a tie, a fancy dress, shined shoes, or a beautiful hat – their Sunday Best. Dressing well was a sign of respect for the house of God. Yet in his letter to Timothy, Paul instructed women not to wear anything gaudy to worship: no braids, jewelry, or expensive clothes. He didn’t mention men’s clothing, but he did tell them to pray “without anger or argument” – behavior they could put on as external signs of exaggerated, manly self-righteousness. He wanted people to practice modesty and humility rather than displaying the sort of religious spectacle Jesus had so clearly denounced.

in Mark’s Gospel, a hungry Jesus spied a fig tree that had sprouted leaves, a sign that it was bearing fruit. Upon closer inspection, the fig tree bore no fruit at all (which wasn’t terribly surprising since figs weren’t in season), so Jesus cursed it and it withered. This story bewilders a lot of people who wonder why Jesus would hurt an innocent fig tree. Perhaps it makes more sense if we remember the tree was representing itself as something that it was not – a valuable resource to the community. Jesus cursed the tree right before he cleansed the temple of money changers – people who pretended to be working in the service of the temple but were really in it to exploit the faithful for their own gain. The money changers and the fig tree both promised something good but delivered only physical and spiritual starvation.

Both passages point to a trait Jesus emphasized many times: authenticity. Only by being our true selves before God and humanity can we hope to bear healthy fruits of the spirit. Pretense is like a fig leaf out of season and doesn’t survive close inspection. Whether in a three piece suit or a sackcloth, each of us should present ourselves as a humble servant. Our Sunday Best is not what we put on our bodies, but what pours forth from our hearts.

Comfort: Your authentic self is your best self.

Challenge: Look beyond people’s appearances to the fruits of their spirit.

Prayer: O God my creator, teach me to love your creation as it is, not as I would have it be. Amen.

Discussion: When do you feel most authentic? Least authentic?

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Unlocked

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Old Key

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 135; 145, Isaiah 63:1-6, 1 Timothy 1:1-17, Mark 11:1-11

Paul had many words of advice for his young colleague Timothy, a budding evangelist carrying on Paul’s mission to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. He warned Timothy to speak out against the heresies that were gaining popularity among the church at Ephesus.  One of these heresies was Gnosticism, or the belief that a few special people were privileged to learn secret knowledge about the true nature of God and Christ. Some people also obsessed over genealogies and myths because they believed these contained hidden messages and information.

We don’t really have Gnostic cults today, but there are still those who insist the Bible somehow contains secret knowledge that waits to be unlocked. We can read about alleged “Bible codes” which reveal ambiguous messages that can be found in any sufficiently long text, or special prayers that are cobbled together like magic spells to achieve specific results. Some churches even have levels of access that are supposedly revealed with spiritual maturity but seem directly related to the size of one’s donations.

These distractions from the true Gospel message have one thing in common: the illusion of control. For some people, knowing the secret codes gives them a sense of power over their own lives or the lives of others. In some cases, it even gives them a sense of  power over God, like having the PIN to a divine ATM.

One of the beauties of the Gospel is that it is free and accessible to all who would accept it. There is no monetary price of admission and no inner circle to penetrate. It is worth our lifelong study, and it is certainly to our benefit to seek wisdom from others who have studied it, but true bearers of the Gospel know it demands to be shared indiscriminately.

Some people – from conspiracy theorists to serious theologians – get so caught up in controlling the Gospel message that they forget to surrender to it. Of course we want to understand the Bible, but Jesus didn’t invite us to become Bible trivia experts; he invited us to follow him in loving one another.

Comfort: Jesus is eager to be revealed to you, not hiding in code.

Challenge: Don’t be seduced by the fads of faith.

Prayer: Thank you God for revealing yourself to us through Christ. Amen.

Discussion: What things do you try to control?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

In the Light

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sankt-hans-1247171

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 19; 150, Isaiah 62:6-12, 1 John 2:3-11, John 8:12-19

In his first epistle, John tells us any believer who hates another believer is no believer at all. We can claim to walk in the light of Christ, but if we hate a brother or sister we are still in the darkness. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” True commitment to Christ leaves us unwilling to hate our fellow believers, no matter how strongly we may disagree with them (and we can disagree plenty).

It’s possible to say we’re following Christ, and maybe to believe that, without it actually being true. Let’s think of the light of Christ like a bonfire on the beach. We can remain within its direct light where we can feel its heat, see clearly by it, and easily reach those who would share it with us. Or we can dispassionately observe it from a little further down the beach or farther out at sea. From a distance, we see the bonfire and believe it exists; we can study it through a telescope to describe it and theorize about it and analyze it; maybe we use it as a rough guide to navigate … but it has no real impact on our lives. Even if we can hear the songs and laughter of those gathered around the bonfire, and smell the food being roasted on it, we don’t actually share the light, warmth, and proximity they do.

Successfully staying within the bonfire’s influence requires cooperation among those gathered. For example, we can all agree not to throw gasoline on it, but we may disagree on what species of wood is most fragrant. Some of us may be choking on smoke while others breathe easily (and obliviously), but the wind will always change. We may argue and develop resentments over these differences, but it’s not our business to push people out or storm off ourselves. Christ tends this fire; he will make sure all who stay within its glow are cared for.

Comfort: When you walk in the light, hate burns away.

Challenge: Try thinking of the light as a communal gathering, not a solo walk.

Prayer: God of light and love, I will seek to follow in Christ’s footsteps. Amen.

Discussion: Sometimes we throw something on a bonfire and experience unintended and unfortunate consequences. Have you ever unintentionally caused strife in your faith community?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!

Stop or I’ll shoot (my mouth off)

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listen

Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 104; 149, Isaiah 61:10 – 62:5, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Mark 10:46-52

“Tone policing” means dismissing someone’s message by condemning the tone in which it’s delivered. Frequently used by groups in power to silence those who seek equality, an example of this tactic might be telling a woman who seeks equal pay, “I can’t listen when you’re so shrill and angry.” Tone policing prioritizes politeness over justice.

The term is relatively new, but the behavior is not. When Jesus was leaving Jericho, a crowd was following him. Buried in the crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus began shouting for Jesus’s attention. The crowd ordered him to be quiet. Though we don’t know their exact words, they essentially told him to know his place and not to speak out of turn. Never mind that no one had the basic decency to offer help him or push him forward – it was his “rudeness” they made an issue.

Like many who are silenced, Bartimaeus only wanted access to the same things other people had. In his case, these things were the mercy and healing offered by Jesus. Fortunately for Bartimaeus, Jesus stopped in his tracks and called him over.

Jesus asked Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” Now Jesus certainly knew the man was blind, but he made no assumptions about what the man wanted based on his most obvious characteristics, and instead allowed Bartimaeus the dignity of speaking for himself. Bartimaeus asked for his sight, and Jesus told him: “Go; your faith has made you well.” Note that Jesus did not say “I have made you well.” Jesus may have facilitated it, but acknowledged Bartimaeus had within himself the resources for his own wholeness.

When we ally ourselves in seeking justice with people who are less advantaged, let’s follow the example of Christ. Let’s relinquish social and political space for people to speak, rather than speaking for them. Let’s listen to what people tell us they need, rather than assuming what’s best for them. We don’t always need to cast ourselves as the creators of justice; a lot of the time we just need to get out of its way.

Comfort: God hears all cries for justice.

Challenge: When listening to people, try to concentrate on what they are saying more than how they are saying it.

Prayer: God of justice, grant me the wisdom to speak and listen justly. Amen.

Discussion: Under what circumstances do you find it difficult to listen to people?

Join the discussion! If you enjoyed this post, feel free to join an extended discussion as part of the C+C Facebook group , visit comfortandchallenge.tumblr.com, or follow @comf_and_chall on Twitter. You’ll  have the opportunity to share your thoughts with some lovely people. Or feel free to comment here on WordPress, or even re-blog – the more the merrier!