06-09-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
June 9, 2021
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17-18
Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh.

Thought for the Day: Recently a member sent me a publicity piece from Chalice Press, our denominational Publishing House. In it was a snippet about a new book entitled, “True Inclusion,” by Rev. Brandan Robertson. According to the information, Brandon defines true inclusion as:

“The radical embracing and incorporating of all people, in all of their diversity, into every aspect of our lives, families, communities, and societies.”

One word in particular stood out to me in that definition. The word: incorporating. It is one thing for the faith community to embrace someone, and depending on the situation, just embracing might feel like a real stretch. But in rather homogenous churches, to have those who might not fit the local ecclesiological type will often mean those who are different will struggle to be incorporated into the life of the church and its ministry. I have many examples of that very thing happening, and without being incorporated into the life of the church there is never any sense of belonging.

1 Peter is, in my opinion, an example of the early church trying to figure out faithfulness while also trying to placate the Empire and societal norms. First, we read how we are to honor “everyone,” which means everyone. This is a good summary of the Jesus message. It goes on to instruct us to love the family of believers, which included slaves. This is another good rendering of the Jesus message. Yet how do we honor and love someone by telling that individual to enjoy slavery, even if the master is harsh? For me, this is a very good example of where the Bible exists in one moment of time and reveals very clearly the sinfulness of the church in that moment and every moment of time. We can talk a good game about honoring human life and loving people, yet how often do words like honor and love slip from our actions? Our attempt at appeasing the powers and institutions is often done at the expense of the very Gospel we claim to believe. The Bible reveals the sinfulness of the church, not as an example of what we should do, but what we are to loathe with every bit of life and energy we have.

Prayer: Continue to guide me as I navigate scripture, tradition, the failures and successes of the church. Continue to guide me, Holy Spirit, in finding and living your Kingdom vision. Amen.

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