Inspired: Church Stories

1) I can't recall any quotes from the Epistles being used against me or a loved one. But I can recall strong sermons against gays/lesbians, especially when we were attending TFC (Episcopal) during the Eugene Robinson turmoil (openly gay priest elected bishop). This caused a huge rift in many congregations. The Falls Church (TFC) lost it's historic church and other properties, and are just now, 15 years later, able to build a new church. The schism was deeper than just gay/lesbian issues, but that can't be overlooked. I remember a pastor denouncing gay relationships because "the bodies don't fit together properly (naturally)".  I really appreciated RHE's clarification of "natural" and "unnatural" in Paul's world, how it was about abdicating one's proper role as a man (active) or woman (passive). Also, people engaging in same-sex behavior did so out of an excess of lust that could not be satisfied. They were not, as we understand it today, gay. "The Bible says very little about same-sex behavior and arguably nothing at all about committed same-sex relationships." "Do we apply the same rightful condemnation of pederasty and rape in ancient Rome to loving, committed same-sex relationships today? My experience loving and engaging with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender friends has convinced me that the Bible has been unfairly used against them, often with tragic results..."

2) I have always liked and respected Paul. I have never felt oppressed by his views. I can remember over 30 years ago encouraging a female assistant pastor with Galatians 3:28: "... in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female." I was trying to affirm her and her necessary role as a female pastor in our church using the "misogynist" Paul's own words.

1) RHE's adding context to Paul's "oppressive" instructions really helped. "Did X help or hurt the advancement of the gospel and in the preservation of unity?" Every X is situational and contextual and not blanket instructions for everyone everywhere. Every X must be weighed in every culture and in every century.

2) Again, being raised RC, there was no discernible emphasis on Paul. Post-RC, Lutheran/Episcopal theology, to me, sees Paul as brilliant and timeless (though there are some troubling bits). For me, if Paul wrote nothing else, Romans 5:8 and Ephesian 2:8-10 lifts him above all theologians (except Jesus). "But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10). These verses to me, encapsulate the whole gospel.

3) I recall this phrase from the Wisdom stories chapter: "Wisdom isn't just about knowing what is true; it's about knowing when it's true." The epistles, like wisdom literature, is best understood contextually. There are nuances and subtleties to every circumstance, and rarely is there a universal application of a principle or religious law. Both seem to be case-by-case, though some truths may be applicable to our own time and circumstances. 

4) "The Epistles were written for us, but not to us."  The Epistles show how the early church struggled with the many challenges it faced, and 2000 years later, we still have struggles. At all times we need to remember Paul's advice in Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgives you."