Today’s Readings: Psalm 132; Genesis 17:15-27; Matthew 26:26-35; Romans 7:7-12; Psalm 128
The notion of sin isn’t something that we talk about much in progressive faith communities. If we do, it’s usually in a corporate context (i.e. Enron & Halliburton) rather than an individual context. Why is that? Ever since the days of first the Renaissance and then the Enlightenment, many of us have chosen to focus more on our perfectibility and less on our shortcomings. Being a both/and person rather than an either or person, I don’t like to get pushed 100% into either camp – either arguing in favor of the Reform notion of the total depravity of human beings or in favor of the Enlightenment notion of humanity’s perfectibility. Instead, I like to use a phrase that bridges this gap. I like to talk about “what human beings are capable”. I believe that phrase reminds us of both aspects of our human nature. So why am I talking about sin today? Well, the issue came up for me in Today’s reading from Romans. That passage talks about the unexpected work of the law (or what Peterson paraphrased as “the legal code”): “The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me. Without all the paraphernalia of the law code, sin looked pretty dull and lifeless…” (Romans 7:9 - The Message). So what was Paul getting at? Well, for me when you reduce the notion of sin simply down to whether or not you follow the rules, you entirely shift the focus from human nature (“what human beings are capable”) to self-will. How does that happen? If sin is only a matter of following rules, our response to breaking a rule is to redouble our effort and try harder not to break the rule. Little - if any - thought is paid to the larger issues that lay behind your violation of the rule (i.e. motivations such as greed, self-will, lust, etc). In short, sin becomes all about me and my inability to follow a rule. Of course we think we are strong enough to correct any matter so we move on on our own – “seduced” by the notion that we alone can overcome it. When we look at sin from a larger perspective, however, (the “what we human beings are capable”) the issues become larger, and outside help is needed. That outside help would be God. And instead of exclusively turning inward, this perspective would lead you toward God as well. So what is your perspective on all of this? Do you see sin as simply an individual short-coming, or do you see aspects of sin as being larger than just yourself? How you answer those questions will strongly shape not just your sense of perspective on life, it will determine the direction your spiritual life leads you as well (inside, outside, or some combination of both). Til next time…
The notion of sin isn’t something that we talk about much in progressive faith communities. If we do, it’s usually in a corporate context (i.e. Enron & Halliburton) rather than an individual context. Why is that? Ever since the days of first the Renaissance and then the Enlightenment, many of us have chosen to focus more on our perfectibility and less on our shortcomings. Being a both/and person rather than an either or person, I don’t like to get pushed 100% into either camp – either arguing in favor of the Reform notion of the total depravity of human beings or in favor of the Enlightenment notion of humanity’s perfectibility. Instead, I like to use a phrase that bridges this gap. I like to talk about “what human beings are capable”. I believe that phrase reminds us of both aspects of our human nature. So why am I talking about sin today? Well, the issue came up for me in Today’s reading from Romans. That passage talks about the unexpected work of the law (or what Peterson paraphrased as “the legal code”): “The law code, instead of being used to guide me, was used to seduce me. Without all the paraphernalia of the law code, sin looked pretty dull and lifeless…” (Romans 7:9 - The Message). So what was Paul getting at? Well, for me when you reduce the notion of sin simply down to whether or not you follow the rules, you entirely shift the focus from human nature (“what human beings are capable”) to self-will. How does that happen? If sin is only a matter of following rules, our response to breaking a rule is to redouble our effort and try harder not to break the rule. Little - if any - thought is paid to the larger issues that lay behind your violation of the rule (i.e. motivations such as greed, self-will, lust, etc). In short, sin becomes all about me and my inability to follow a rule. Of course we think we are strong enough to correct any matter so we move on on our own – “seduced” by the notion that we alone can overcome it. When we look at sin from a larger perspective, however, (the “what we human beings are capable”) the issues become larger, and outside help is needed. That outside help would be God. And instead of exclusively turning inward, this perspective would lead you toward God as well. So what is your perspective on all of this? Do you see sin as simply an individual short-coming, or do you see aspects of sin as being larger than just yourself? How you answer those questions will strongly shape not just your sense of perspective on life, it will determine the direction your spiritual life leads you as well (inside, outside, or some combination of both). Til next time…
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