BYOT at the sol cafe
On Sunday, January 14, 2007, the sol cafe met at Cafe Dabar around 5ish for a "Bring Your Own Topic" night, open discussion based on our readings for the week. The verses on tap for this Sunday from the Revised Common Lectionary were as follows:
January 14 - Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
We were blessed with music from Kyle and an active discussion on a variety of topics, including the nature of Truth and what message lay in the Master of the Banquet saying "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." Further comments may or may not be forthcoming, but we hope you'll join us next week!
January 14 - Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
We were blessed with music from Kyle and an active discussion on a variety of topics, including the nature of Truth and what message lay in the Master of the Banquet saying "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." Further comments may or may not be forthcoming, but we hope you'll join us next week!
1 comment(s):
Truth and Good News
Tonight some of us talked about where to place the emphasis in the Christian life: on the Character of Christ, or on the Truth of Christ. And because these are not opposites (the character of Christ speaks the truth, and the truth of Christ is made evident by his character), it is indeed a difference only of emphasis. Even in the gospel reading today, we were presented with the Character of Christ: caring for others (and having a good time doing it!) by turning water into wine. The story immediately after this, however, connects more closely to Christ's passion for "the Truth," if you will, as he clears out the temple. That was, generally, how one part of the discussion went, and that's what I want to consider now.
The following is a bunch of hypotheses, questions, and impressions that I have. I'm not trying to assert any of it dogmatically.
In the Bible, those most notably concerned about truth are the prophets, and their concern for truth is always related to how people should behave, not what they should believe. For example, belief in the God of Israel as the "One True God" (Truth) is practically synonymous with the "ethics" of that God - essentially social justice (Character).
In the New Testament, the entire story and meaning of Jesus' life and death is proclaimed not as "truth" but as "good news." Once again, these are not exclusive terms, but the difference has to do with the framework in which this story is proclaimed. What is true may be good news, and what is good news may be true, but how we speak truth and how we speak good news is very different.
The term "gospel" or "good news" itself is borrowed from the Roman empire; in that context it was used to proclaim the birth of a new king or emperor. Similarly, in that context, I cannot imagine that Roman messengers went around trying to "convince" people that such a baby had been born, and especially not punishing them if they failed to believe it - they merely proclaimed it as good news.
All this talk of kings reminds me, once again, that we are in the season of Epiphany, when the kings from the east journeyed to pay homage to the King of kings, whose birth was proclaimed as good news.
I guess that, for me, my problem is with those forms of Christianity that have changed the emphasis from "good news" to "truth." The most infamous of those offenders, to me, are the crusaders, who forced people to receive the "truth" at the point of a sword. ("It's kinder to threaten them into Heaven than let them roast in Hell!") Other, less violent, but possibly just as harmful, forms of "spreading the truth" include all types of fear tactics and forced conversions. Although they may be speaking the "truth" (even that is debatable) they are definitely not proclaiming "good news."
Where DOES the Bible draw the line, then? Where does Scripture take a hard stand, surrender nothing, and make no excuses? The only places that I see it, is in regards to character.
"Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself,” but if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law... Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
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