Epiphany 9 / Ordinary Time 9 / Proper 4
Devotional
Water From the Rock
Lectionary Devotional for Cycle C
Object:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel ...
-- Galatians 1:6
Unlike all of the other letters of Paul, following his opening greeting (1:1-5), Paul did not offer a thanksgiving for the work of the church in Galatia. Instead, he immediately launched an offensive against those whom he believed were distorting the gospel. In an age when we are so accustomed to a variety of interpretations of the gospel among the churches, it is challenging to hear this direct attack of Paul's against those who suggested another way of understanding the gospel. The issue quickly became one of authority. In fact, most liberal Christians would hear Paul's approach as very authoritarian. Convince us by your arguments, if you can, but by what authority do you claim to have the only perspective on the truth? It is somewhat ironic that this strong approach from Paul was expressed in Galatians, which is normally spoken of as a letter that emphasizes the freedom of Christ.
At the same time, even in our post-modern world that emphasizes truth is in the eye of the beholder, some of the most rapidly growing communities in the name of Christ are those whose leaders speak with full confidence in their authority. Perhaps it is because we live in a very confusing world that people are attracted to people who can speak with authority. For most Christians, the issue is how we can recapture the authority of our proclamation without succumbing to an authoritarian approach. Paul made very clear that what he was proclaiming was more than a philosophy of life taught to him by others. He was absolutely convinced that what he was proclaiming was a revelation of truth received directly from God. At the same time, he made clear that his gospel was not an individualistic understanding but was one that had been tested with the community (Galatians 2:1-2).
As you approach the season of Lent, it is perhaps important that you take time to reflect on the message that you believe you can proclaim with authority and allow it to be tested by the community. What are the basic truths about which you have no doubt? Paul's central understanding of the gospel returned again and again to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
-- Galatians 1:6
Unlike all of the other letters of Paul, following his opening greeting (1:1-5), Paul did not offer a thanksgiving for the work of the church in Galatia. Instead, he immediately launched an offensive against those whom he believed were distorting the gospel. In an age when we are so accustomed to a variety of interpretations of the gospel among the churches, it is challenging to hear this direct attack of Paul's against those who suggested another way of understanding the gospel. The issue quickly became one of authority. In fact, most liberal Christians would hear Paul's approach as very authoritarian. Convince us by your arguments, if you can, but by what authority do you claim to have the only perspective on the truth? It is somewhat ironic that this strong approach from Paul was expressed in Galatians, which is normally spoken of as a letter that emphasizes the freedom of Christ.
At the same time, even in our post-modern world that emphasizes truth is in the eye of the beholder, some of the most rapidly growing communities in the name of Christ are those whose leaders speak with full confidence in their authority. Perhaps it is because we live in a very confusing world that people are attracted to people who can speak with authority. For most Christians, the issue is how we can recapture the authority of our proclamation without succumbing to an authoritarian approach. Paul made very clear that what he was proclaiming was more than a philosophy of life taught to him by others. He was absolutely convinced that what he was proclaiming was a revelation of truth received directly from God. At the same time, he made clear that his gospel was not an individualistic understanding but was one that had been tested with the community (Galatians 2:1-2).
As you approach the season of Lent, it is perhaps important that you take time to reflect on the message that you believe you can proclaim with authority and allow it to be tested by the community. What are the basic truths about which you have no doubt? Paul's central understanding of the gospel returned again and again to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
