Bible Study on May 29 - Paul/corinthians

Men's Tuesday morning Bible study, May 29, 2012

<> The marvel of transmission of books, letters, gospels, etc. from the time of 1^st century A.D. until NT (and OT?) canon formed at Council of Nicaea. Some was on paper/papyrus/velum, but other via oral tradition among house-churches. Somehow the Word spread, was wrestled with, was recited, was interpreted for meanings that applied to people of the particular place and time, and comprised part of the personalized relationship to one's brothers/sisters in Christ and to one's maker.

<> Doing right by peers (audience/point of reference: what will people say or think of me; at least I'm a little better relative to so-and-so; wanting to meet so-and-so's expectations of me/make merit in their eyes) versus doing right by The Creator. Your integrity should strengthen your relationship (mutual respect and aid; concern and effort made on the other's behalf; getting to know the other) to God. And so when there appears to be a conflict, think first of doing right by God and in so doing things will eventually be right with peers: ask, "Who is my audience; who am I trying to impress and find favor with."

<> "The Way" of Jesus as 'a promotable brand' in the marketing language of today: one can often be most effective as God's hands and feet in the world by standing up for integrity and righteousness (but not self-righteousness or lording one's feeling of moral superiority over someone else). In other words it may be that the greatest influence is one on one, rather than publication or public speaking opportunities. By being true to one's relationship to God, actions and words will follow. It is a personal struggle (one's Jihad in the basic sense) to stick to the relationship to one's maker. It is not a political plank of one's promised platform. It can be declared or come out as the answer to questions being thrown in one's path. But one does not lead with this badge of identity. One is first of all a child of God (looking there for direction and comfort) and then also a brother/sister in Christ. To be spokesman for God is a rare thing, indeed, not an everyday position.

<>Paul's letters perform a spiritual audit among the several churches that he knew and nurtured. He diagnoses or addresses specific wrongs in each congregation. Today, too, there are hierarchies among some denominations that have a similar functionary to point out the shortcomings and to help to restore the right way. Surely this pastoral role of the flock continued from Paul's time to our own time. But the writings we study are limited to the decades around the time of Jesus the mortal Christ. This spiritual audit is something needed then as it is now, but when we study the Bible, it is as if those Biblical Days were different to now and only in those decades would such assessment and guidance be possible.