Bringing Scripture to Life
In light of all the conflicts with certain groups of the concerned, I thought this passage of scripture Acts 21:40-23:35 was particularly relevant. Because it might seem that I am looking for scripture to justify myself, you are more than welcome to look through my daily devotion that I write each day you my teens and young adults at http://norwinnazdevotions.blogspot.com/. Today happened to cover this section.
One of the commentaries I consult is the New Interpreter's Bible. Reflecting on today's scripture, Robert W. Wall says:
"What is the reader of Acts to make of the passionate and violent responses within Israel to Paul's declaration that God's Messiah has called him to go to the unclean Gentiles? Why do pious people conspire together to kill God's prophet? In part, the hostile response to Paul is due to the parochialism of his opponents, who define God's salvation in nationalistic terms. Had Paul claimed that the Lord sent him with a word for Israel alone, his Jewish auditors may have continued to listen to him. Had he included the purification requirements of the Sadducees in his message of the resurrected Messiah, the Sanhedrin may have united behind him instead of dividing because of him. The danger of the gospel is that it makes particular and absolute claims of who God is, what God does, and to whom God belongs; and these claims sometimes challenge our current beliefs and traditional sensibilities. Paul's Jewish opponents disagree with his sense of vocation, as they also disagree with his interpretation of Scripture, because these are particular expressions of an absolute truth that imperil their own social requirements and religious beliefs. It is hard for any of us, no matter how spiritual-minded and intent we are, to embrace a version of "the truth" that includes those we exclude and grants access to God's liberating grace via a different route than the one we have taken."
Words to encourage, sharpen, and shape us. Thanks be to God.
One of the commentaries I consult is the New Interpreter's Bible. Reflecting on today's scripture, Robert W. Wall says:
"What is the reader of Acts to make of the passionate and violent responses within Israel to Paul's declaration that God's Messiah has called him to go to the unclean Gentiles? Why do pious people conspire together to kill God's prophet? In part, the hostile response to Paul is due to the parochialism of his opponents, who define God's salvation in nationalistic terms. Had Paul claimed that the Lord sent him with a word for Israel alone, his Jewish auditors may have continued to listen to him. Had he included the purification requirements of the Sadducees in his message of the resurrected Messiah, the Sanhedrin may have united behind him instead of dividing because of him. The danger of the gospel is that it makes particular and absolute claims of who God is, what God does, and to whom God belongs; and these claims sometimes challenge our current beliefs and traditional sensibilities. Paul's Jewish opponents disagree with his sense of vocation, as they also disagree with his interpretation of Scripture, because these are particular expressions of an absolute truth that imperil their own social requirements and religious beliefs. It is hard for any of us, no matter how spiritual-minded and intent we are, to embrace a version of "the truth" that includes those we exclude and grants access to God's liberating grace via a different route than the one we have taken."
Words to encourage, sharpen, and shape us. Thanks be to God.
posted by Mike W. McVey @ 9:03 PM
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