The approach is important

How we approach a job is important.

This past year Callum wanted a computer and I needed one.

When I bought my computer I shopped around looking at various machines. I considered the options, processing speed, memory size and the things I would interface with (keyboard, mouse, screen and drives). All I really cared about was if the computer would do the job.

Callum on the other hand - he couldn't believe what I'd done. When he wanted a computer he found the best tower, then the best power supply, then the best cooling system, then the best mother board, then the best CPU and on-and-on it went. He researched how it would all work together and wanted to max out the processing speed for the least amount of money. Small boxes containing bits and pieces arrived at our door by Purolator, UPS and FedEx from all over North America. Callum was concerned with structure, wire management, speed, temperature, and assembly. He cared how it all went together; he had the skills to ensure it went together well, and He had the tools to complete the task.

For most of us, when we read the Gospels we engage it the way I do a computer. It is a finished product and I use it. Most people relate to, engage and experience the Gospels as Scripture - a finished book. Like my computer in my accounting practice, Scripture in life is central to what we do and how we do it and it shapes our practice. We should know more about a bible, and should know more about my computer.

However, Scripture is too important to be handled in this utilitarian way. Why? Well because as we learn it's structure it reveals unexpected and awesome aspects of its function and nature. As we examine and locate the production of its various parts we read with eyes that see and ears that hear. As we consider how our Scripture was formed we come to respect and value its authority.

We will need to develop a skill set for careful reading and precise listening.

I will talk about these next. Have you any questions so far?

be blessed,

The needs of the many ... love they neigbour

For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example,
so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Today is Sunday. As you gather together to hear God's Word, to sing God's praise, and to pray, this is my prayer. I am asking God to begin to shake our contexts - to reveal those presuppositions, presumptions and pretexts which shape how we see, hear, reason and understand. 

Admit it or not, like it or not, each of us is shaped by the 'west.' The west has become synonymous with influence, individuality, independence, capital, consumerism, and consumption - the self has taken center stage in the west; the individual has usurped the communal in our western mindset and our western worldview. Many would ask 'so what?' Well...

When the ways of "I" usurp the self sacrificing ways of The "I AM" the needs of the one override the needs of the rest. It is this shift that enables my wealth to stand in comfortable juxtaposition to their poverty. Our enlightened post-Christian society claims to be driven by knowledge and reason ... yet Spock, this geek icon of rationalism, modern-wisdom and human-reason speaks God's truth into modern life: love others as Jesus loves you. Jesus gave all He is for everyone else.

Look around you. Ask "what do I need?" As I write, I sit in a room surrounded by thousands of dollars worth of things I bought which I barely notice now - I spent from want, thinking of me and without even considering others or their needs. Ask "how will I spend my day? Count the cost. What could those resources have done in the lives of others?" 

This song opens stating truths - when Christ returns, or when we breathe our last breath what value remains in our riches? But do we hear this truth and sing "I surrender all to You" authentically and truthfully?

Probably the biggest question we will ever ask ourselves: Do I really surrender all to God our Father, God our Saviour and God our comforter?

Let us pray - let us ask God to reveal His will and shake our contexts. Holy Spirit move in us to reveal our presuppositions, presumptions and pretexts. Our Father in heaven, break our hearts for what breaks Yours - help us lay down our lives, our lusts, our wants and our worldly desires and take up the cross and truly follow You. Thank You Jesus for your work to restore and redeem us. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

The Good News

"Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified,

and the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you

good news of great joy

for all the people." Luke 2

What I propose here is that we follow a curriculum that will lead us through the study of Jesus who is the 'Good News.' We will ask who is Jesus? What is this good news? Since gospel means 'good news" we will actually be moving from consideration of THE GOSPEL (that is Jesus Christ) to the four canonical Gospels.

I hope this is OK?

What I am hoping is that we will learn to read the Bible very carefully. As we read together we will consider each of the four Gospels and try to imagine their place and purpose in the Bible. We will also try to imagine the social and historical context within which each book was written. So we will ask:

• why did the author write this book?
• how would the text have been heard in the early Church?
• what is the focus or purpose of the text?
• what is function of the text within the Bible?
• how do the four Gospels relate to each other? and
• (most importantly) what does the text say about Jesus?

It is great to hear you have got both books we will use! I really like Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology [Paul J. Achtemeier, Joel B. Green and Marianne Meye Thompson (eds.)] and I find Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels [Burton H. Throckmorton, Jr. (ed.)] intriguing.

I will usually quote Scripture from the NRSV translation.

Ok - let's get started.

For next week read:

Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology pages 1-13

thanks