Distractions take our eyes away from a focus on what's important. In matters of faith, whole theologies can consume the faithful with distractions. On Trinity Sunday, a doctrine that is in itself a struggle, we can review some great distractions.
When God creates humanity in the First Creation Story in Genesis 1, historically problematic phrases arise about 'having dominion over' and 'subduing' the earth. Used by preachers and politicians and other apologists to justify and make sacred the wanton destruction of our environment for the sake of power and greed.
A more careful reading makes it abundantly clear that those phrases don't mean what those advocates for exploitation, pollution, and destruction. Distracted by reckless ambition married to convenient scripture, we lose sight of the sacred responsibility for the creation given to humanity upon human creation.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28, Jesus' final words of instruction to his disciples, we find another distraction from what disciples should be doing. The instruction to "make disciples of all nations" has been construed by (too) many as an order to convert everyone they encounter into a Christian.
Of course, making disciples (literally students) is entirely different from making Christians. If that crusading thought can be set aside long enough to read the last part of the instruction - "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," then you can see how students/disciples matches nicely with the idea of teaching. In no way does it suggest a convert-the-heathen ideology preferred by (too) many.
Rather than following the humble way of Jesus, the way of arrogant empire gets chosen. Forgotten amid the distraction of crusade is the actual ministry of Jesus to the least, lost, forgotten, excluded, and suffering. Nice distraction.
Get the whole picture and check out the sermon video below, and note the downloads available below the video panel.
When God creates humanity in the First Creation Story in Genesis 1, historically problematic phrases arise about 'having dominion over' and 'subduing' the earth. Used by preachers and politicians and other apologists to justify and make sacred the wanton destruction of our environment for the sake of power and greed.
A more careful reading makes it abundantly clear that those phrases don't mean what those advocates for exploitation, pollution, and destruction. Distracted by reckless ambition married to convenient scripture, we lose sight of the sacred responsibility for the creation given to humanity upon human creation.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28, Jesus' final words of instruction to his disciples, we find another distraction from what disciples should be doing. The instruction to "make disciples of all nations" has been construed by (too) many as an order to convert everyone they encounter into a Christian.
Of course, making disciples (literally students) is entirely different from making Christians. If that crusading thought can be set aside long enough to read the last part of the instruction - "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," then you can see how students/disciples matches nicely with the idea of teaching. In no way does it suggest a convert-the-heathen ideology preferred by (too) many.
Rather than following the humble way of Jesus, the way of arrogant empire gets chosen. Forgotten amid the distraction of crusade is the actual ministry of Jesus to the least, lost, forgotten, excluded, and suffering. Nice distraction.
Get the whole picture and check out the sermon video below, and note the downloads available below the video panel.
| 06-11-17-ff-answers.pdf |
| 06-11-17-distraction_from_discipleship.pdf |