Tag Archives: Dialogue

Discernment not Disagreement

Kingdom Building

October 11, 2019

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. –2 Timothy 2:13-14

I invested much of my career wrangling over words. I remember submitting a federal grant application for something, I do not remember what. We were applying to do both services described in the announcement. The response said we could only do one. I wrote back and said that the announcement and even more importantly the enabling legislation used the word, “or” which means we could do one or the other or both. If it were limited to one, they needed to include the word “either” with the word “or”. Grammatically I was correct, (at the time at least; grammar has changed so much in recently years I am no longer sure what is correct) They had the power to interpret it the way they chose, and we had to pick one. There is probably even more wrangling over words in theology than in the government.

Because we each interpret words not only by their dictionary meaning but also by our culture and education, I do think we need to discuss with our fellow faith participants so we can gain a richer and more meaningful understanding of the ways of God. I understand the Bible better when I understand what it means to people of the Jewish faith. Learning from history, what something implies in its chronological use makes a lot of difference in understanding scripture.

The word translated here as “wrangling” could also be translated “quarrel” and most likely means to argue that one is right and the other is wrong. The implication that results is that if one does not believe like the other, they do not have a correct understanding of God. I fear we have a lot of that going on in our world today.

Listening with the intent of learning does not mean we must take sides and argue nor does it mean we must judge another person’s viewpoint and perhaps assess their status in the eyes of God. Having to reckon with another opinion as objectively as possible may strengthen our stances or may broaden our understanding.

Prayer:
Teach us, O Lord, your lessons,
as in our daily life
we struggle to be human
and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people,
for all – not just for some,
to love them as we find them
or as they may become*. Amen.

*Second verse of Help Us Accept Each Other by Fred Kaan see at https://www.hopepublishing.com/find-hymns-hw/hw3521.aspx

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Reconciliation

Sending Off disciples two by twoLiving in the Spirit
July 2, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” –Luke 10:5-11

Living in diversity dates at least back to the early stories of Genesis where we see Abram dealing with the people of the new land to which he had immigrated. The story of Moses is one of oppression and servitude as the Israelites lived among the Egyptians who once had welcomed them. The battles of the tribes from Jericho to King David are some of the most brutal reading one could ever explore. Following the relative peace of David and Solomon, Israel fails and falls once again into slavery.

Jesus revolutionized the ways God’s people dealt with diversity. He recognized the image of God in all people and encouraged his followers to do the same. The story in our scripture today does not tell us if the ones sent out were only interacting with other Jews or just any people with whom they came into contact. After experiencing the factions and fractures among the Jews, reconciliation within that community of faith may have been a first step. I dare say reconciliation is needed among those of us who call ourselves Christian today, if we are to bring about the oneness for which Jesus longed.

In the final analysis doing the battle to determine who is right and who is wrong does not help. Dialogue that helps us all grow in spirit and in truth does help.

Prayer: Lord gives us ears to listen from our hearts, and mouths to speak from Yours. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.