Archive for month: February, 2017

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2017, March 5 ~ Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 & Romans 5:12-19

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Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

The Book of Genesis is an amalgam of religious traditions, some of which are dated to about 950 BCE and some of which were developed as late as 450 BCE. Today’s reading is part of an early tradition. One clue to the date of today’s reading is that God’s name is printed in the New Revised Standard Version as “LORD” in all capital letters. LORD is the translation of YHWH.

Today’s reading is part of the Second Creation Story (the First is in Genesis 1 and recounts creation in six days and God’s resting on the seventh day).

The earliest written tradition presented God anthropomorphically – a God who formed “adam” (the Hebrew word for “earthling”) from the fertile earth (adamah in Hebrew), breathed life into the earthling, and placed him in a garden to till it and keep it (2:15) showing that productive work was part of the original blessing.

The complex myth-story of the serpent, the woman (not yet named Eve) and eating the forbidden fruit by the woman and adam (who was “with her” – 3:6) has been interpreted on many levels. Some see the story as the beginning of disorder in human relations (as opposed to good order inherent in creation). Others see the development of human consciousness and the loss of innocence from knowing “good and evil” and having one’s “eyes opened” (3:7).

Although the story is often taken by Christians as an account of “Original Sin,” the word “sin” does not appear in the story. “Original Sin” was a concept developed by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE).

Romans 5:12-19

Paul’s letter to the Romans is his longest, last and most complex letter. It was written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) – at least ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written – to encourage respectful and supportive relationships between the Gentile Jesus Followers and the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome. In today’s reading, Paul (who remained a Jew all his life) interprets Adam’s disobedience as introducing “sin” into the world. Through sin, death spread to all (v.12) – just as the LORD had told Adam would occur (Gen.2:17).

For Paul, the good news is that the obedience of Jesús the Christ brings to all the gifts of “righteousness” (being in right relation with God and others) and grace so that life now has dominion over death (v.17).

2017, February 26 ~ Exodus 24:12-18 & 2 Peter 1:16-21

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Exodus 24:12-18

The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible, and covers the period from the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.

Today’s reading recounts Moses’ first time going up Mount Sinai to receive the Law written by YHWH. While there for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses had a “theophany” – a direct appearance of God (v. 17).

In the Chapters that follow today’s reading (25 to 31), God gave explicit instructions about actions for Moses and the Israelites to take to enable them to travel with YHWH to the Promised Land.

But because Moses was away from the Israelites for a long time (in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, the number “40” is a euphemism for a “long time” – whether in years or days), the Israelites built the Golden Calf (Ch. 32). When Moses came down, he smashed the tablets of the Law given to him by God. When Moses went up the mountain a second time and had a face-to-face meeting with God, his face shone so brightly that it had to be covered with a veil when he came down (34:33), a story that forms a basis for the Transfiguration of Jesus in today’s Gospel.

2 Peter 1:16-21

In the First Century, it was not uncommon to write something in another person’s name so that the writing would have extra “authority” – particularly when the writer believed he knew what the “authority” (in this case, Peter) would have said. This practice is called “pseudepigraphy.”

The Second Letter of Peter was likely written around the year 100 CE (Peter died much earlier) and it is written in the popular Greek rhetorical style of the age. The letter is presented as a “testament” by Peter based on his own experiences.

In today’s reading, “Peter” claims he was an eyewitness to the Transfiguration of Jesus where he heard the voice of God declare that Jesus was God’s Son and God’s Beloved. “Peter” concludes that prophesy comes from God to humans who are moved by the Spirit to speak for God.

2017, February 19 ~

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Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

Leviticus is the third book of the Torah and is mostly concerned with laws and the worship of God at his sanctuary. The book gets its name from the priests who were of the Tribe of Levi. It is part of the Priestly writings and is dated to the time of the Exile (587-539 BCE) and after the Exile.

Today’s reading is part of the “Holiness Code” written after the Exile that comprises Chapters 17 to 26. The opening verses call for the people of Israel (and us) to be “holy” – which is understood as being “separate” (that is, not OF this world and its values, even though we are IN this world).

The next part of the reading sounds very much like the Ten Commandments, but sets up higher standards: not leaving food and drink for the poor is tantamount to stealing; one needs to care for the handicapped; taking vengeance and bearing a grudge are wrong. The reading concludes with the verse quoted by Jesus of Nazareth as the Second Great Commandment.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians that they should be unified. He asserts that he laid the foundation for their faith and this foundation is Jesus the Christ (v. 11). He tells the Corinthians that they are “God’s temple” – even though the Temple in Jerusalem was in full operation during all of Paul’s life. (The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE). Today’s reading concludes with Paul’s continuing attack on the “wisdom/values of the world” and his affirmation that these values are “foolishness to God.” The final verse describes the “Cosmic Christ” that draws all to itself and to God.

2017, February 12 ~ Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Sirach 15:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy is the fifth (and last) book of the Torah and is presented as Moses’ final speech to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. The word “Deuteronomy” comes from Greek words that mean “Second Law.” The book is structured as a “restatement’ of the laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Although there were revisions to Deuteronomy as late as the 5th Century BCE, the bulk of the book is generally dated to the 7th Century BCE.

It is also the first book of the “Deuteronomic History” – a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness to the Babylonian Exile (589 BCE) and includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

In today’s reading, the Deuteronomic authors portray the covenant with YHWH as conditional. If the people (and particularly the king) love the LORD and “walk in his ways” (v.16), good things will happen for them. But if they “turn away” by worshiping other gods, they will perish. Their choice was whether to “choose life” or not (v. 19).

The Revised Common Lectionary for today offers a choice between Sirach and 1 Corinthians.

Sirach 15:15-20

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (a person of learning).

In today’s reading, Sirach reiterates the theme of Deuteronomy 30 that the Jewish people must choose whether to obey the commandments or not. Consistent with today’s reading from Deuteronomy, the choice is between life and death (v.17).

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians. He asserts that he cannot speak to them as “spiritual people” and they need to be fed spiritual “baby food” because they are “still of the flesh” (exhibiting “human inclinations” by quarreling and being jealous). Growth in faith comes from God, not particular teachers, including Paul and Apollos.