Paul - a Man, a Super-Saint, a Male Chauvinist?

There seems to be not shortage of opinion about the Apostle Paul. To some he's a hero, to others he be cited as a male chauvinist, to others he's criticized as changing (ruining) what God had planned through the Old Testament - making Jesus something he's not and to some he's but a historical figure - just a man! I wonder what Paul thought he was or did he even care.

I doubt that as he wrote his second letter to Timothy, (all scripture is God-breathed) he realized that it would one day be canonized into the whole of scripture. This leads me to believe that although God foreknew the potential of his writings, Paul himself wasn't writing to be remembered, rather Paul was communicating truth to the 'hear and now' of the early church. Unlike Moses who knew he was about to record history (certainly before his time) and his notes would set the pattern of worship, law and revelation for the Jewish people for centuries, Paul was writing to share his new-found faith in Christ for what was taking place at that time.

In my opinion, Paul was a man who hadn't realized the depth of his theology, but knew how to live it out. He was the ultimate 'experiential theologian' - which I believe makes him as relevant today as he was in the first century. Based on the current cultural that lives for the 'experience', Paul lived out his experience and faith in a way few Christians really understand or follow! It's certainly not my place to judge, but I am allowed to make an observation! For Paul who writes "For me to live is Christ" it not only impacts his belief, but it changes everything about his life - Christ is his experience! He [Jesus] is not an add-on or a show one day a week, but he is 'only'! No doubt, that ties into God's holiness - 'being set apart' for the Gospel.

Relating to this relationship with Jesus, Paul uses a word to define the power that he now lives within - that Greek word 'dynamis' - root word to our English: dynamite. His conversion to follow Jesus was nothing short of explosive. It changed everything. It's interesting for Paul to use such a word, after all he lived under the 'powerful' Roman empire where Roman Caesars were consider to be 'god's' as well. Biblical commentor Robert Jewett writes: "In contrast to the Roman imperial cult, which fancied the Caesars as saviours and benefactors of the universe, Paul offers a counterclaim. The gospel shatters the unrightous precedence given to the strong over the weak, the free and well-educated over slaves and the ill-educated, the Greeks and Romans over the barbarians . . . The theses of Paul's letter to the Romans therefore effectively turns the social value system of the Roman Empire upside down."

Although there is much debate on the topic of woman within Paul's writing, especially as it relates to minitsry, I believe Paul was doing something no other had done before, but Jesus - That being - the valuing of women to a place of importance - again something that had not been done before (even within scripture we see very little of this). How quick we are to quote a single verse and decide that the theology within it is sufficient to treat others (woman, different races & cultures) as second-class and 'less-then' ourselves. Paul, I believe when taken within the entirity of his writings is actually elvating woman to a respctable and valued place 'beside' men - not above, nor below. I'll leave it there at this point!

As I think about the world we live in, I wonder what could happen if everyone who claims to follow Christ lived in the prespective of Paul (and of Jesus) when we look at how he viewed the value and priorities of this world and his expience in Christ. I wonder how things might have be different throughout the ages. And I wonder if tomorrow will look any different?

For me, Paul was but a man! A man who just like ever other person created had/has the opportinity to know and expeience Christ. I don't believe his revelation of Jesus was anything less or more than any one of ours, yet his experience sure looked different! If not a different God, perhaps it's what we as men and woman do with that knowledge that detemines our experience as well.

Interesting . . . a Letter to Rome changes the World?

If I seem a little presumptuous in my title, I can only imagine the joys and struggles of men like Martin Luther and John Calvin when they re-read the familiar words of Paul's letter to Rome (the book of Romans) and were somewhat awestruck not with what they had read, but what they had missed previously in their studies. When you consider the amount of study these two man actually did through the volumes of writings and the influence that followed . . . well, let's just say it makes 'War and Peace' seem like a very short, short story!

As I share from my own thoughts and journals over the next number of weeks and as our church goes on this journey through the book of Romans, I realize that what can be said through a message might only touch the surface of what is contained in this letter. I'm hoping to use the technology of blogging as a way to 'go deeper' in the things I choose not to share in the message from each Sunday.

Let me begin by stating that it's hard not to imagine Paul's intent in the writing this letter. After all, it must have been one of the most concise and informative theological thesis ever written to this point in time and without sounding sarcastic to the more recent writers of commentaries, it certainly stands alone in both its content and style. Yet, we get a sense Paul's heart was never to be a scholar, nor teacher (although he certainly attained greatness in both), rather he was consumed with a passion to share his relationship with Christ to the world. He was an evengelist (thank goodness, TV hadn't arrived yet)! I would suggest before us is not a work or theology, but a work of evangelism - i.e. Church Planting, Sharing one's faith, Missionary Work, etc!

Paul articulates his background well in Acts 22 but in his encounter with Christ he becomes a new man; a transformed individual. Everything Paul considered valuable to that point in life was now being observed through a new set of lenses - a lens of eternal signifiance. This of course altered the way he cared for himself and the way he viewed others. Paul had moved from night to day, from enslavement to liberty and from murderer to lover! For Paul, there was but two ways to view this world: the one he had held on to for so long, but provided no fullness or completeness to life (as he defines it - the rule of sin and death as given through Adam as the first of creation) and the freedom he now expereinced in Christ (the rule of grace and life through the declartion [justification] of Christ).

When a follower of Christ is able to not so much understand that (the intriacies of justification), but is able to accept them, it too changes the way in which we view ourselves and others. The problem so often comes in trying to process the details, we loose sight of the effect. For example, I (and you) breathe without thought, nor complete understanding of the process of oxygen, neither it's origin or the complete process of photosynthesis (at least I sure don't) in reproducing it, yet we apply it's effect on us ever second of our life. Paul is calling the disciple of Christ to this outcome and effect, where instinctivelly our life responds to the divine nature of Christ, rather than the human nature of humanity (Adam). This is what a Christ-follower [Christian] looks like!

If I could sum up the letter in short, I would suggest the heart of the author wants to re-affirm to his reader that the life that is found in Christ and the response thereof changes the way in which we live . . . and die! He has written an invitation to any who would read the words to consider the liberty and joy he has found in Christ over the enslavement and brokeness found in themelves. It is a letter of hope! As he states in Romans 1.16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

I look forward to opening up the thoughts of Paul in a fresh way as the gospel is not bound by time or personality, but enlightens every generation to know Paul's God.

I will also try to suggest some further reading for your own study . . . If you're looking for a great and exhaustive commentary on Romans, one of the best in print currently is written by Leon Morris (not the cheapest, but a treasure to be opened often)

Worship . . . Understanding the heart of Awe!

It seems lately I've run across some 'odd' and what I'd call 'weird' thoughts on worship, thus my message this coming Sunday (Sept 6) on Worship. No doubt everyone has an opinion on the subject and probably everyone has a piece of the truth at least at some level. I certainly don't believe I've figured it all out, by any means. After living through the 'worship wars' of the 90's and in devouring everything written on the subject, I still think as 'the church' we often miss the point, or more importantly the purpose of what God is doing through us as it relates to this subject.

For many, 'worship' is what the church does in a set time frame (usually on a Sunday morning) allowing us to feel and express ourselves in love and awe towards God. It is often expressed best (we think) during music. Yet there is where it kind-of ends. Others sense worship can happen anywhere at anytime as meditation or reflection dwell up inside of us and we're once again in awe of our creator. In directing his thoughts to worship within the community or church, Kiekegaard defines the process and our role within worship as: Leaders (worship leader, worship team, song leader, organist, choir) are the prompters of worship; the Congregation are the performers; and God is the audience. Personally I am OK with all of these expressions but sense there is so much more.

All too often the worship of God through music becomes more focused on us and our feelings become the audience rather than the focus of our worship: God. I, like many have fallen into this trap as I reflect often on a Sunday morning service stating "that was good" or "not" based on how the "performance"went. If I'm the prompter or even the performer, the real statement of my worship has to be based on what the audience thought! And the audience of one (God) knows whether or not, I truly worshiped. I'm always reminded of Cain & Abel at this point. Only God could have really known the heart of these two worshipers.

As I said, I believe there's more than simply a song at the heart of worship (as Matt Redmond articulated in his song - Heart of Worship).

Worship I believe may be best sum up in a small and remote scripture text - Micah 6.8

He (God} has showed you, O man, what is good.

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God

Although it's recorded in the midst of God's anger towards Israel the prophet Micah pauses and outlines the call of one who truly seeks to know (and may I suggest - worship) God. Worship is a life surrendered completely to God. Once again as with Cain & Abel "What does the LORD require of you?" Isn't worship what God requires of us? YES! And so in defining worship, does not Micah outline through "justice" (doing what's right, also called integrity), "mercy" (a reflection of God's response to us, also given as grace) and "humility" (surrendered before God also know as the absence of pride) all within the intentional act of walking with God (following in relationship with God).

I have often heard it said that the preoccupation of heaven with be the worship of God and I believe it will be, however I have a great difficultly in seeing us gathered in a circle singing Kum-Ba-Yah (and even feeling really close to God) as the eternal pastime of eternity. Rather I see the creator finishing what he started in the Garden of Eden with all of it's fulness being enjoyed as we live in harmony with God and with each other underscoring the relationship through these values Micah shares as our worship before God.

Our worship is more what happens outside of our circle of "church" and "worship services". We have been called to be the church, not attend it! Worship as the apostle Paul states in Romans 12.1-2 "in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^ act of worship . . ." Worship is how we live!

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