The Thursday After

WMB’s Sunday service (notes, service) today was a continuation of the sin and wrath discussion started last week. If you haven’t read last week’s post, start there. I took my own advice and spent some time this past week going down the “Character of God” rabbit hole. Totally worth it. The series uses Exodus 34:6,7 where Yahweh describes his own character, as the jumping off point. The whole series is good. For our purposes, I especially recommend two short videos: the visual commentary on Exodus 34:6,7 and then skip a few episodes (come back later!) and watch slow to anger which speaks specifically about our Roman’s chapter.

Undoubtedly the takeaway from today’s service will be Shawn’s reflection on Paul’s sharp words on homosexuality, and undoubtedly there will be more shared words about what Paul wrote and Shawn said. Its natural for these words to be particularly amplified in our time.

God’s original Eden and his plan to partner with humans to bring about the recovery of creation is a big ambitious plan. The biblical story makes it plain that Yahweh wants us to know him and act as his representatives (image bearers). If I imagine that entire context (who God is and how he wants us to trust him and then “be” as humans) as the canopy of a tree, I think of today’s takeaway on homosexuality as a tiny part of that canopy, like the red box in the illustration. Doesn’t mean its not important, just that its not the biggest part of the canopy.

So what is the biggest part of the canopy? Fortunately, we have some help to summarize the canopy. “Love God and love your neighbour” (Mark 12:29,30) and “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). The context of both of these quotes is fascinating. In Mark 12, there’s a debate about some religious idea, and then a trick question about the most important commandment. Jesus answers the trick question in a “there’s nothing more to say” sort of way (brilliant and cool that he starts with the Shema): love 2x (God and people). The Micah quote comes in the middle of an argument: Israel is following religious form, but is not in covenant with the heart of God, as demonstrated by the lack of justice, mercy and humility.

What if we get the “homosexual thing” right (whatever that means), and we mess up on the love x2, justice, mercy and humility bit?

I don’t know the “right answer” to the homosexual thing. I see passionate arguments, I read scripture, I read books, listen to podcasts and I hear claims of deep study. I see indignant people and angry people. I see scared people and hurt people. I do know that we humans, since Genesis 2, have a long history of ignoring God’s role and deciding for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. Recently we’ve managed to one-up that: in our individual age, we now decide individually what is right and what is wrong. And the natural consequences play out for all to see (ref the wrath of God from last week).

Some years ago a friend was interested in debating the moral positions of the church. It was a ridiculous discussion on at least two counts: i) how can you debate morality without a higher authority and ii) the church, in spite of convincing appearances, is not a group of people united around a particular set of morals — the church is the bride of Christ to focus on love x2, justice, mercy and humility. I guess one could add point iii): as an institution, the church has usually messed up on its own morality!

I am looking forward to working it out with my community, in deep reverence and fear (Philippians 2:12), focused on love x2, justice, mercy and humility. Glad I have a lifetime!

Wanna join me?