05-11-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 11, 2025
In John 8:2-5, we read:

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

In spite of what Christians have been taught over the years, according to Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, there are no examples in Jewish history of someone being stoned for adultery. Yet I believe the question is still relevant. I think most of us are generally opposed to the act of stoning, yet the question asked of Jesus is an important one for Christians. They asked him, “Now what do you say?” The religious leaders were probably trying to stir up a public argument in an attempt to make Jesus look bad. We have a tendency to take the bait, offering a critique of culture as if it were a runaway train and everything is going to hell. We then shake our heads with an attitude of judgment, acting as if all is lost. This does not create an opportunity for a true conversation to occur. I tend to think that the culture is regularly posing tough and important questions to us, yet we ignore their invitation to dialogue. Let us respectfully listen, and then offer (with a bit of humility) our thoughts in light of our faith experiences. In doing so, we just might shape the culture toward grace and justice, instead of appearing irrational and hypercritical. 

O Gracious God, may I be attune to the heartfelt inquiries of those around me as they seek meaning for their circumstances. Amen.