Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 104:1-35, 41; Proverbs 8:22-30; John 13:2-20; 1 John 1:1-9
Over the years I’ve learned that each of us has a particular challenge when it comes to putting our beliefs into practice. Some of us who come from evangelical backgrounds, for instance, often get uncomfortable with comprehensive bible studies that use historical and cultural tools since they believe Scripture is the inspired word of God and – by its very nature - is above the use of such tools. Some of us from Pentecostal backgrounds struggle mightily with contemplative prayer experiences since such practices don’t fit easily with our highly expressive ways of connecting with God. So what is one of the growing edges for those of us in progressive faith communities? Finding a theology of sin. Progressives stumble with this because many of us were raised in faith communities that went to such lengths emphasizing the sinfulness of humanity that they lost sight of some of the wonderful aspects of human nature. This lack of balance between the good and bad aspects of our nature caused a loss of credibility among many progressives. Today’s reading from 1 John challenges us to find a theology of sin as it says: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8 – NIV). The question for today, then, is “How can we find a way of understanding sin that honors the whole part of our being in such a way that it simultaneously acknowledges both the good of which we are capable AND the need for the One who can help us transcends our moral and spiritual limitations and become the person God calls us to be?” Instead of answering that question for you, I’ll leave you to wrestle with it for yourself in coming days as you seek to find your own understanding of this thing called sin. Rather, I should say I'll leave you alone with God to work out your understanding knowing that you're in GREAT hands. Til next time…
Over the years I’ve learned that each of us has a particular challenge when it comes to putting our beliefs into practice. Some of us who come from evangelical backgrounds, for instance, often get uncomfortable with comprehensive bible studies that use historical and cultural tools since they believe Scripture is the inspired word of God and – by its very nature - is above the use of such tools. Some of us from Pentecostal backgrounds struggle mightily with contemplative prayer experiences since such practices don’t fit easily with our highly expressive ways of connecting with God. So what is one of the growing edges for those of us in progressive faith communities? Finding a theology of sin. Progressives stumble with this because many of us were raised in faith communities that went to such lengths emphasizing the sinfulness of humanity that they lost sight of some of the wonderful aspects of human nature. This lack of balance between the good and bad aspects of our nature caused a loss of credibility among many progressives. Today’s reading from 1 John challenges us to find a theology of sin as it says: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8 – NIV). The question for today, then, is “How can we find a way of understanding sin that honors the whole part of our being in such a way that it simultaneously acknowledges both the good of which we are capable AND the need for the One who can help us transcends our moral and spiritual limitations and become the person God calls us to be?” Instead of answering that question for you, I’ll leave you to wrestle with it for yourself in coming days as you seek to find your own understanding of this thing called sin. Rather, I should say I'll leave you alone with God to work out your understanding knowing that you're in GREAT hands. Til next time…
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