I’ve been pondering some things lately, and this snowy, shut-in day finally allows me the opportunity to do some writing about it.
Two comments have been on my mind:
Comment #1: At our September Presbytery gathering, Rev. Mickey Shealy commented that rather than spend our time discussing ordination standards, new forms of government, etc. we really ought to be talking about what Jesus has done for us.
Comment #2: At the General Assembly this summer, author Phyllis Tickle[1] met with the Presbytery, Synod and GA staff to share some thoughts about the “Great Emergence” that is the subject of her last book. She commented that any great cultural shifts such as these demands that the church do some deep theological (and re-theologizing) work. One of the most important areas that she believes we need to discuss is the nature of the atonement: what was the cross all about?
I don’t know how often Rev. Shealy & Phyllis Tickle find themselves on the same page, but in this instance, I would agree with both of them. In this era of deep change in the world and the church, we need to be engaged in some deep theological reflection… and especially about the person, ministry and crucifixion of Jesus, so that the next generation may come to know Him.
This theological task was on my mind as I begin to read again the gospel of Matthew in preparation for this year’s lectionary cycle. As I read, I’m noticing the way that Matthew goes about the theological task of connecting the gospel of Jesus with the scriptures of the Old Testament. Clearly for the first century Jewish people, Jesus was not at all what was expected in a Messiah… in fact, rather than work within the religious establishment, he worked around and outside of it, often challenging its leadership, traditions and practices. And yet, despite this dis-continuity with their religious tradition, those who walked with Him, were touched by Him, and learned from Him, knew that in Him, they had seen and been touched by God. Matthew had the task of demonstrating that in spite of this radical dis-continuity, Jesus also represented a radical continuity with the religious texts and traditions of Judaism. As such, I’m thinking that Matthew was faced with much the same situation that we are, in that he was doing the deep work of theology (or re-theologizing).
I wonder if we would be guided in our current theological task if we were to examine and imitate the ways in which Matthew interprets, re-interprets and applies the texts of the OT in order to present Jesus as the Messiah.
I also wonder how we might make opportunities for on-going theological reflection with one another.
Thoughts, anyone???
[1] Tickle, Phyllis; The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why (emersion: Emergent Village resources for communities of faith) published by Baker Books, 2008
Thoughts & Images from the Heart 
The truth is that everyone does theology and to every Religion belongs a certain kind of Theology based on doctrines and standards peculiar to such religion. But whatever doctrine and standards we set must project JESUS CHRIST, his work of Atonement by the CROSS, ministry of Reconciliation, Freedom and Forgiveness from and of sin,and Salvation. These we should proclaim and discuss as Christ’s church on earth. Our attention should be redirected from standards of ordination,traditions,vestments,means to popularity and leadership for selfish interest,prophesy on prosperity as pertaining in my country Ghana.
Seth; It is comforting to know that even in Ghana, Christians struggle with how to faithfully witness to Jesus Christ without the trappings of culture… or at least we need to struggle with an awareness of what in our witness is culture and what is more purely Christ. Since God chose to be incarnate in the world in Christ, I don’t suppose we ever get totally away from inculturating our witness, but I sure do think it is helpful (and challenging) for us to try to sort out what things arise out of our own culture and experience. When I was in seminary, we read a book called “Christianity Rediscovered” by Fr. Donovan, and it was quite illuminating. I don’t know if it’s available in your area or not, but if so, you might enjoy it.