Good Friday all, At our last class meeting, Dr. Parrott closed his lesson entitled “Paul’s Leadership Crisis” with a recap of Paul’s message to the church in Galatia: “Galatian people, I love you. We are family. I am your [spiritual] mom, but salvation by grace is nonnegotiable” (my paraphrase). Paul had not disowned them. He had not acquiesced; nor had he agreed to disagree. He had, in fact, restated the emotional intimacy of their relationship—calling them “my dear children” (4:19)and claiming, “you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me”(4:15)—while confidently concluding, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery” (5:1). Dr. Parrott explained that when both the issue and the relationship are critical, conflict resolution requires vulnerability and confidence. The Galatians’ core values had shifted, and Paul is the concerned parent/missionary perplexed by their return to legal-mindedness. He pleads that they become like him—unmistakably dependent on God’s promise of grace. To affect change, Paul needs the rhetorical equivalent of a walk-off homerun. He chooses to stand his argument in the same old-covenant topography used by the agitators. He takes them back to Mount Sinai and the familiar story of God’s promise of a child to Abraham. Isaac was the miracle child God promised, and he was born of the free woman. Ishmael, the child conceived with the handmade/slave Hagar, represents, in Paul’s analogy, a famous historical moment when God’s plan was short-circuited by misguided human effort. Paul demonstrates that any alternate to God’s plan will necessarily fall short of the glory God intended. The lineage of Christ follows from Sarah not Hagar. What is righteous is, and has always been, doing things God’s way. Alternatives amount to apostasy. There is, however, more to Paul’s argument. For one, he shrewdly acknowledges his detractors and the value of being zealous; but, Paul is quick to cry foul at any attempt to alienate him from his spiritual children. In 5:7, Paul states, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” Also, there are implied suppositions. For instance, not only does recounting the Galatians amazing hospitality serve to rebuild trust (rhetorical ethos) and re-establish their emotional bond (rhetorical pathos), but it also highlights an earlier leap of faith. In effect, he says to them, if you enjoy the compliment of “You welcomed me as if I were an angel, as if I were Christ Jesus” (4:14), then you acknowledge “the faith that counts” (5:6). Such faith, writes Paul, “expresses itself through love” (5:6). He adds, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.” In other words, say “No” to the dot and tittle zealots and become fully Christ-like. Paul’s argument further suggests that it was his illness that brought them together. His care was a burden; it was “a trial to you” (4:14). Strangely perhaps, he is suggesting those were the good old days—days of less sleep and more financial strain, but also days of spiritual growth and fulfillment. He then holds up a mirror before them by asking, “What has happened to all your joy?” (4:15). This question deserves a second look. We might unpack it as Paul saying they were joyful even though he had been needy, an inconvenience, and possibly even unclean. Or we might interpret it as saying their current bent toward legalism had created unhappiness. Paul’s letter claims Christians in Galatian are worrying about “weak and miserable principles” [codes of conduct, politics?], “observing special days and months and seasons and years” [holidays, feasts?], and fulfilling Jewish laws like circumcision (4:9-10; 5:6). The faith required for the Galatians to see Paul as Christ’s emissary and to label their time together as a divine appointment is the same faith that now must throw out the yoke of slavery to the law. With 20/20 hindsight we would say it was no accident that he came to them needing care. Here, Dr. Parrott pointed out that God used Paul’s sickness and their merciful care as a chance to give posterity the letter we now study. Did Paul succeed in changing their thinking? The answer may lie in how we would answer the same question. Does Paul’s inspired argument win the game? Does it at least hit the refresh button? Pastor Ulmet described how the illusion of “me and mine” taints our world’s version of generous. We see generous in terms of big contracts, over the top rewards, and successful relationships. He asked, “To whom do I [we] surrender control?” He closed with communion and the reminder, “Don’t forget to do good and share with those in need.” Paul admonishes, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). I would repeat, “What happened to the joy?” As our class time concluded, prayer concerns and announcements were shared. Lisa Smith mentioned that it was time again to collect money for the chocolate bars given to the women in prison as a Christmas gift. Karen reported, with a big smile, that the Women of Virtue fund raiser had raised $15,000. PTL! Pastor Jon mentioned his final Marriage 101 class of this series. ELL and Emmaus ministries were lifted up. The Wiggs celebrated having sold their house in answer to prayer. We passed around an announcement that Karen Taylor’s mom was turning 95. Karen Bryant asked us to be in prayer for Doug’s next legal step toward full exoneration. Shirley’s legal battle was discussed. [See her email about how amazingly wonderful it turned out!] We also heard about Renee’s next checkup and scan, which is actually today. We also ask that you remember Chuck’s family, Wes’ mom, Jedonna’s work environment, our dear Eddie, the Inman family, Wayne Monk, Doug Arden, James, Cowboy’s widow, and all the unspoken needs around the room. Also, our church is helping Room in the Inn and is in need of innkeepers, men that stay all night every other Thursday. Prescribing Paul’s joy, Michael
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 17:08:50 +0000
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