pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: prohibition


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All Are One

Readings: 1st Timothy 2:11-12, 1st Corinthians 14:32-35, Ephesians 5:22-25, Galatians 3:26-28

Galatians 3:27 – “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself in Christ.”

Photo credit: Wylly Suhendra

As we wrestle with the challenging parts of the Bible this week, today we turn to Paul’s words about the place or role of women in the community of faith. As we do so, it is important to remember that these words were written in a specific context and culture, in a time different from our own. This filter can help us greatly in our understanding and application of these words.

In 1st Timothy 2:11-12 Paul begins by stating that women should “learn quietly with complete submission.” This is followed by a prohibition against a wife teaching or controlling her husband. These words are rooted in two beliefs of Paul’s day: women’s minds are weaker than men’s and it was Eve who caused the original sin to occur. Clearly the men should lead and be the decision-makers. Within this context and time.

1st Corinthians 14 echoes these themes. Women are to be quiet in church and to ask their questions at home. Most of the Ephesians 5 passage sounds similar: wives submit to your husbands in everything. These parts of these passages have been and are still quoted in patriarchal settings. Dig deeper though. In Corinthians this is Paul’s practical response to a specific issue in an individual church: the women are curious, they are asking questions as they seek to grow in their faith. The questions, however, are disrupting worship. In Ephesians Paul is talking about submitting to Christ. These verses today apply this to marriage too. The overall theme: submit to one another as you submit to Christ. Don’t miss or skip verse 25: Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, giving yourself up for her.

In Galatians 3:26-28, Paul declares total equality between male and female in God’s church. All baptized into Christ are clothed in Christ. All means all. That’s clear as Paul goes on to remove all lines and barriers, including the statement that there is “no male and female” in Christ. All are one in Christ. May this be so in all ways – in our homes, in our churches, in our society and culture.

Prayer: Lord God, as we read, ponder, think and wrestle through these passages, help us to do so within the overarching core tenets of our faith: love, grace, peace, hope, humility, service. Guide us then to understand how culture and norms influence writing, as does context. Center us always on the calls to love you and others above self. Amen.


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Opening the Commandments

Reading: Exodus 20: 12-20

Verse 13: “You shall not…”

Today we continue with the Ten Commandments. We read the last six today. These govern our relationships with others. The commandment to honor our father and mother is like a connector. The fourth commandment, to keep the Sabbath holy, calls us to honor God, our creator and heavenly parent. The fifth call us to do the same for our earthly parents. Just as honoring the Sabbath will bless our faith and life, so too will honoring our parents bless us and lead to a good, long life.

The last five commandments all begin with the familiar phrase, “you shall not”. These five come in the form of prohibitions. God, through Moses, tells the people not to murder, commit adultery, steal, give false testimony, or covet. For most folks, keeping the first of these five is relatively easy compared to the last couple. Yet even this one can be a thought that crosses our mind in a flash of extreme anger or in a moment of deep hurt. In fact, when one looks at the heart level, at the private thoughts we all have, each of these “you shall not” commandments have and/or will be challenges for us. When one opens up each one just a bit, this truth hits home. For example, Jesus taught that when we look lustfully at another we have committed adultery in our hearts. If one takes more than one should or if one unfairly uses their employees or if one buys from a company known to do so, haven’t we stolen? Gossip, white lies, half truths – all forms of false testimony. And who hasn’t looked at a neighbor’s new car or boat or… and wished longingly that it could be ours? Coveting! On these levels, all of the interpersonal commandments can be hard to keep, just as are the four dealing with our relationship with God.

In our passage the power and glory of God present on the mountain causes the people to fear God. They fear dying. But Moses sees the fear as a good thing. In verse twenty he explains: “the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning”. This fear is not a fear of spiders or heights, for example, but a fear that brings awe and reverence. It is a healthy thing. Knowing the power and glory of our loving and omnipresent and omnipotent God, may we too have a healthy awe and deep reverence for the Lord our God. From that place of love, may we ever seek to walk faithfully all of our days.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your guidance and direction in my life. Your will and ways both hem me in and give me freedom. So great is your love! Bless me today with the presence of the Holy Spirit, leading me to walk your road today. Amen.