Our opening prayer is taken from Keri Whelander’s Joy is our Banquet, UCPH, 1996.
The Spirit seeks us: calling each name with compassion. “Fear not,” she sings, scattering seeds of promise on every timid heart’s soil. The Spirit leads us forth: teaching us new geographies, and uncommon mercies. Each step weaves grace and justice into the fabric of our actions. The Spirit befriends us: Strengthening tender hopes and weary dreams. “Courage,” she murmurs, unbinding fear’s knot and breathing us into resurrection. Amen
Chapter Three of our study book is called: The life of a long-distance apostle. Borg and Crossan offer some insights into how they understand the background and context of Paul’s ministry and how it shaped his vision.
They describe the community of Tarsus, where Paul was supposed to have been raised, in terms of 3 important qualities:
VISTA – Tarsus was at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, and was influenced by Eastern and Western philosophies, cultures and politics.
LABOUR – It was a community that was known for its hard work, ambition, and creativity in solving problems.
EDUCATION – Both Jewish and Greek educational institutions were established in Tarsus and Paul would have been exposed to the highest level of learning from both.
Question for Reflection: What kind of community culture affected the shape of your life today?
One interesting fact about Tarsus, which may also have affected Paul’s life, is a high incidence of malaria – it boasted the kind of warm, humid climate and poor drainage that mosquitoes thrive on! Borg and Crossan suggest that Paul’s references to physical infirmity in Galatians 4:13-15 might have been symptoms of malaria, also 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. Check different translations of those passages and see if they provide any better understanding! Other theories include epilepsy, blindness, bipolar disorder, etc..
Chapter 4 is called Jesus Christ is Lord:
Borg and Crossan suggest that Paul deliberately contrasted the “lordship” of Christ, crucified and risen, with the arrogant “lordship” of Caesar, who also coincidentally considered himself to be the Son of God. Both claimed to bring peace.
Caesar’s peace was brought about by believing that Caesar was God, or Son of God, defending his honour and expanding his frontiers in war, and through victory, bringing about the “peace” of political suppression.
In contrast, Jesus’ peace is modeled after God as householder, the “father” of a household who ensures that each member of the household has the nourishment, resources and love that they need to flourish. Faith in Jesus’ God would lead to a commitment to non-violence (their explanation for Romans 13:1-7), and justice, which would lead to peace by participation, not suppression.
By playing up the stark contrast between Jesus and Caesar as “Lord”, Paul revealed himself to be the truly radical revolutionary.
Question for Reflection:
How do we as Christians today stand in contrast to the values and “empire” of society around us? How do we live in a society when our gospel challenges many of its values?
Closing Prayer: (also from Joy is our Banquet)
O God, where hearts are fearful and limited; grant freedom and daring.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening; grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door and window; grant imagination and resistence.
Where distrust reshapes every understanding; grant healing and transformation.
Where spirits are daunted and dimmed; grant soaring wings and strengthened dreams,
Amen.
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