S - 1 Corinthians 8:1, 4-6, 8-9 (NRSV): "Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. … Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. … "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."
O - In the previous chapter it is establish that circumcision (religion/culture) is nothing and so is uncircumcision (religion/culture), that everything is obeying God's commands. This section affirms commands and presents cautions in culture. Religion/culture is weak on the commands and very strong on the culture. The commands are:
1. Love more than/over knowledge.
2. One God and one Lord who made all and for whom all exist.
3. Food (culture) is never the point.
Religion makes culture the point and does not love. It will "affirm" what it considers to be right performances but not love those who so perform. Love does not fail, but one who fails the culture/religion is no longer affirmed. Religion engages this passage with a focus on "not stumbling the weak" and uses as its only measure the current cultural taboo list. This list is not about commands (Scripture) but other opinons and ideas. It uses this cultural concern to enforce its religious rigor and to mercilessly judge and reject any who do not publically hold to "the company line." This cultural concern is misused to take and hold hostage any and all who succumb to its pressure. It speaks very plainly and loudly where the Scripture is silent AND sets aside (ignores) where God's written voice (Scripture) speaks plainly. This is more than tragic … in the spirit it is criminal because it makes the focus that which, ultimately, is nothing and does not really affect ones standing with God.
A - Stumbling block items in American culture/religion have included bowling, movies, make-up, smoking, drinking, dancing, motorized vehicles, while often supporting or allowing segregation, greed, gluttony, genocide (Native Americans) and gender discrimination. It is more than interesting to note that the written voice is, in fact, silent on the religious stumbling block list and speaks very directly on the items ignored. The law, and therefore the cultural concern, is summed up in one directive: love your neighbor as yourself. This is the point. This is how Jesus lived among us and how God showed or demonstrated his love to us. In this all people will know that we are disciples of Jesus -- if we love each other. This failure is why the holiness movement was not holy. It is why all religion ultimately fails and it is why the followers of Jesus will not. Jesus, friend of sinners. Religion, friend to no one. Jesus, fulfills the commands. Religion, ignores them. Jesus, loves forever. Religion never truly loves.
P - Dear Jesus,
Thank you for highlighting the concern of love and to be aware of my culture. You lived in this awareness and refused to cave into the company line. You said that the commands are two, fulfilled only in real love and even at their most difficult demands are life securing, life producing, life protecting and life sustaining. Please enable me to love. Help me shed the pressure and refuse the deception of this tragic and brutal human miscue. Let me be life giving and holy as you intend … quick to forgive, starting at mercy and leading with love. I ask in the authority of your name.
Steve
O - In the previous chapter it is establish that circumcision (religion/culture) is nothing and so is uncircumcision (religion/culture), that everything is obeying God's commands. This section affirms commands and presents cautions in culture. Religion/culture is weak on the commands and very strong on the culture. The commands are:
1. Love more than/over knowledge.
2. One God and one Lord who made all and for whom all exist.
3. Food (culture) is never the point.
Religion makes culture the point and does not love. It will "affirm" what it considers to be right performances but not love those who so perform. Love does not fail, but one who fails the culture/religion is no longer affirmed. Religion engages this passage with a focus on "not stumbling the weak" and uses as its only measure the current cultural taboo list. This list is not about commands (Scripture) but other opinons and ideas. It uses this cultural concern to enforce its religious rigor and to mercilessly judge and reject any who do not publically hold to "the company line." This cultural concern is misused to take and hold hostage any and all who succumb to its pressure. It speaks very plainly and loudly where the Scripture is silent AND sets aside (ignores) where God's written voice (Scripture) speaks plainly. This is more than tragic … in the spirit it is criminal because it makes the focus that which, ultimately, is nothing and does not really affect ones standing with God.
A - Stumbling block items in American culture/religion have included bowling, movies, make-up, smoking, drinking, dancing, motorized vehicles, while often supporting or allowing segregation, greed, gluttony, genocide (Native Americans) and gender discrimination. It is more than interesting to note that the written voice is, in fact, silent on the religious stumbling block list and speaks very directly on the items ignored. The law, and therefore the cultural concern, is summed up in one directive: love your neighbor as yourself. This is the point. This is how Jesus lived among us and how God showed or demonstrated his love to us. In this all people will know that we are disciples of Jesus -- if we love each other. This failure is why the holiness movement was not holy. It is why all religion ultimately fails and it is why the followers of Jesus will not. Jesus, friend of sinners. Religion, friend to no one. Jesus, fulfills the commands. Religion, ignores them. Jesus, loves forever. Religion never truly loves.
P - Dear Jesus,
Thank you for highlighting the concern of love and to be aware of my culture. You lived in this awareness and refused to cave into the company line. You said that the commands are two, fulfilled only in real love and even at their most difficult demands are life securing, life producing, life protecting and life sustaining. Please enable me to love. Help me shed the pressure and refuse the deception of this tragic and brutal human miscue. Let me be life giving and holy as you intend … quick to forgive, starting at mercy and leading with love. I ask in the authority of your name.
Steve
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