Devotion - Wednesday, October 10

Most of us know the line from Robert Frost' poem "Mending Wall" which reads, "Good fences make good neighbors."  We repeat the line, and in doing so we think we have offered the summation line for the poem.  But the poet is saying exactly the opposite.

Twice in the poem (in the opening line and mid-way through) the voice of the poet says, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall."

We uncovered a tendency to pick one line from a writing and give it undue weight in last night's Bible study. We were looking at a passage from Amos 5.  The prophet is building to his point (verse 24) and along the way he points to the religious practices which the people think are most important.  He speaks of their worship services and of their piety.  But, this section of Amos says, what God desires is mercy and justice.

Our discussion last night exposed how one line catches our eye and we fail to get to the verse which gives the section it purpose.  Much as with Frost's poem, we repeat a memorable line, but fail to grasp the whole of what is being said.

I suggested last evening that this tendency might arise out of the awful habit which is often called "proof-texting."  We find a verse of scripture to support our thoughts and we repeat that verse as if the matter is settled.  If there is but one verse which supports our thinking, we need to be careful.  And, even when we find several verses we need to check to be sure that we are not using them out of context.

Frost used a proverb which had been around for a century or more in his poem.  But his poem was an attempt to call into question an assumption made by too many.  His hope was to challenge quips, particularly those which misguide us or contribute to simplistic interpretations.  Being a student of the Bible means learning not to do the same.

Devotion - Tuesday, October 9

Last Wednesday's visit by Bishop Yoos was well received by the students (and their campus pastor).  Bishop Yoos spoke to us about Baptism; providing images and opportunities for us to consider this sacrament and how it continues to animate our faith.

This morning I was reading from Luke 3.  Here we have the story of Jesus' baptism, in the river Jordan.  John presides over this baptism.  

I was also reading from Acts 18, where Pricilla and Aquila confront a man named Apollos in Ephesus.  They help him to understand the difference between the baptism of John, and the baptism which is offered in the name of Jesus.  If only we were allowed to hear the particulars of what they tell Apollos.

The baptism offered by John was similar to those offered by many in that time.  It was a baptism of repentance.  It was a pledging to turn one's life around and strive more fervently to do better.  This is the baptism John offered to those who are sometimes referred to as a "brood of vipers."  We are not completely sure why Jesus received this baptism, in one of the Gospel accounts John says as much and balks at the request of Jesus to be baptized.  Books have been written about this, quite interesting reading, actually.

For now, let's move on to say a few things about the difference between John's baptism and the baptism in the name of Jesus.  Here is where Pricilla and Aquila's words would be helpful.  When we are baptized, there may be an undercurrent of repentance.  Repentance is a continual practice for Christians.  But in a Christian baptism, the prime actor is God.  God is the one who accepts us and makes us his own.  God is the one who welcomes us and promises to remain in our lives.  The baptism of John spoke of what we intend to do; the baptism of Jesus is about God's actions.

I pray that on this day as with every day the living out of your baptism will result in repentance, and good works, and righteous living.  But as you wash your face this morning and declare "I am baptized!" remember that it is the work of God which brings salvation.

Devotion - Monday, October 8

If you are unfamiliar with the book of Esther, I encourage you to read it during these next days,  It is the appointed Old Testament readings in my lectionary, and my love of the book is likely to mean several posts about it.

Esther is a Jew.  Even so, when the Queen disobeys King Ahasuerus, she is taken into the King's palace and becomes one of his wives. 

In an unrelated course of events, Esther's uncle Mordecia (who had cared for Esther during her youth), gets caught up in an ego trip of one of King's rulers.  A death warrant is put forth for all the Jews.

Mordecia sends word to Esther, asking her to speak to the King about these matters.  Remembering what had happened to the Queen, Esther repeats the law to Mordecia, stating that no one can approach the King, unless sent for.  And the King has not sent for her in these thirty days.

Mordecia warns Esther that she should not presume the palace to be a safe place for her.  That eventually, the edit will eventually make its way to the King's very court and regardless of her statue, she too will be put to death.

So often, when we see the misfortune of those around us, we develop the tendency to lower our heads and hope to be spared. We think it unfortunate that someone is being treated unjustly, but allow ourselves to be preoccupied with ourselves.  We fail to act or even to speak up for those being treated badly.  Our palaces (our comfortable apartments) seem to be a shield from hunger or poverty or treatable disease.  Last night we were discussing the Malaria Campaign.   There has been a marked indifference to mustering energy to educate our group and mobilize activity.  Like Esther, we hope to slip into the shadows and avoid the ill that has fallen upon others.

Mordecia says to his niece, "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time such as this?"  He points out that great acts arise out of the most common of events.  Moses got his start when protecting an unnamed slave from a beating.  David's march to the lead of Israel started with carrying lunch to the soldiers.  Steven was making sure that the widows and orphans of the foreigners were fed when he was singled out for God's service.

"Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for a time such as this?"

What will it take to jolt us form our indifference?  How close will the sharp end of the spears needs to be before we feel compelled to act?

Esther is a short book.  It is a very interesting story.  Read it for two purposes:  1 - to learn the story; and 2 - to be challenged to think for what purposes God might have brought you to the kingdom.

Devotion - Thursday, October 4

Job seems to be an interesting book.  I have received a higher than usual number of replies to these offerings when Job was the subject matter.  Today is the final reading from Job, so I thought it prudent to make one last post.

In Job 28 there is a wonderful image; particularly for those of us who live and pray in an academic community.  The writer starts the chapter with a list of where it is that we go to obtain all the things considered valuable or precious.  "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold... Iron is taken out of the earth... As for the earth, out of it comes bread."

Job underscores the value of all these things.  But he turns his attention to the treasure which is to be sought above all others.  "But where is wisdom to be found?  And where is the place of understanding?"

My favorite prayer, offered at the opening of each academic year, is for the furtherance of useful knowledge.  This is the precious commodity unearthed in our classrooms and labs.  And it is a treasure of great value.  "Useful knowledge" is to be sought and it is obtainable.

Wisdom and understanding  come to us by slightly differing means.  Like useful knowledge, they merit our hard work and attention.  There is a link between them and focused effort.  They come as a result of teaching ourselves to turn to God and seek God's counsel. 

Hear the last words from Job:

"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

and to depart from evil is understanding."

Devotion - Wednesday, October 3

It is often said that polite conversation should never include religion or politics.  I suppose the reason is that these issues too often divide us.  And I guess I can see how they might, or do.

But this is not the way it ought to be.

In last night's bible study we came to the conclusion that it is only a sub-set of the family of God for whom "sharing the good news" means berating and belittling.  We know that God's Word is a word of acceptance and grace.  It is only impolite to speak of our religious convictions when our religious convictions are narrow and defensive.

Similarly, politics divide us when we pit ourselves against the other, when we fail to see the perspective of the other or fail to acknowledge the liabilities associated with our own.  The encouragement not to speak publicly about politics means we only whisper our thoughts to those with whom we know we have a high level of agreement.

We are hosting a viewing of the first of the presidential debates tonight, in the LCM Lounge.  It is an intentional effort to use the Lounge in the the same way it was used last night - to train us to speak publicly about those things which matter to us all.  We are sure that among us there is diversity of opinion.  We want to learn to speak about our shared future in a way which does not demonize the opposition, but allows compromise and cooperation.  

Eventually, Jesus' political opponents condemn him.  But he never condemns them.  He remains for us a model of how one remains true to God.

Devotion - Tuesday, October 2

I probably should have told you, when making my first post on Job, that the seminary professor who made scripture come alive for me was a Job scholar.  He spent his entire professional life working on a commentary of Job.  The choice of this book probably had much to do with the effect he had on me (and other students as well.)

As I said yesterday, God does not really answer any of Job's questions.  In fact, God tells Job they are the wrong questions to be asked.  Job wants to know the "why", while God is providing the "who".

Nietzche is quoted as saying, "He who knows the why can bear any how."  If we can see the purpose beyond the route that lies before us we can pass through even the most difficult of events.  Job moves deeper.  While he still does not know the why, he learns to accept the how, because he knows the Who.

God is the Who that lies behind, beyond all things.  God is the Who that loves us and cares for us, no matter the why's or how"s.   As William Hulme wrote:    "Know the Who without knowing the why leaves room for faith.  It brings security without having answers.  The experience of love makes pressing questions less pressing."

In the end, Job does not get answers, but he is allowed to encounter God.  He does not hear anything which changes his mind, but he sees God's hand in all that happens.  Seeing God and understanding God's presence is sufficient.  Job's trust in God will enable him to bear all things.

Perhaps this is the reason why those often reported discussions with skeptical roommates or friends never reach a satisfying conclusion.  The reports of those conversations most often depict attempts to discover the why or the how - while Christian faith is mostly about the Who.  As we discussed on the weekend retreat, when in such discussions it is not always so helpful to find the perfect proof text.  Most often the best response is to share an experience, a sighting, and encounter with God.  This is what sustains Job.

Devotion - Monday, October 1

I am reaching the end of the book of Job.  Job's friends have made their case; Job has refuted their insistence that he must have done something deserving of God's punishment.  While we may wish that Job had a differing answer to the question of why bad things happen to us, in the end the only response given is that God understands such things - and we do not.

During the discourse, the notion that God has some plan or purpose for the suffering is also rejected.  Job continues to ask God why all this suffering has come to him.  

In the 40th chapter, God answers Job:  Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me."

There are answers for many of the questions we ask.  There are replies to most of those questions in our Bibles.  When there are replies, but no answers, the reply is typically a reminder that God is God and we are not.  While some will kick and punch at the barrier which separates the two, those of us who have come to trust in God are more likely to be grateful that the items which lie beyond our comprehension are in the hands of our Master and Lord.

Today, in your classes and in your labs you will discover many things which were previously unknown to you.  It is God's gift to you, to provide opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and broaden your world view.  Tonight, as you say your prayer and prepare for your rest, be thankful for all that you have been able to learn.  Then rest comfortably in the assurance that the unknown is unknown to you, but carefully monitored by the God to whom you offer those prayers.