Cultural Relevance
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. 1 Corinthians 9:19 NASB
A slave to all – This verse is probably the bulwark of religious relevance. We are taught that if we want to get the message out to the masses, we must embrace the environment of our pagan targets. We don’t mean that we take on the morality of the masses. We still hold on to Christian values. But we have to be where the non-believers are if we are going to “save their souls.” The problem, of course, is how we engage.
“In Acts 17:28 Paul debates with philosophers and quotes a local philosopher, Aratus from Phaenomena 5; in Titus 1:12 he quotes Epimenides; in 1 Cor. 15:33, he quotes Meander. (Hegg 40) but this Hellenism makes him no less Jewish in his own eyes or in the eyes of the Jews around him. He still declares that he, like James, still lives according to the law (Acts 21:24), has a zeal for Torah (Acts 22:3), declares himself to be a Pharisee (Acts 23:6), a Hebrew of Hebrews (Phil 3:4-6) and at the end of his life, recounts that he served God ‘the way my forefathers did…’ (2 Tim 1:3)”[1]
What does Paul mean when he says “a slave to all”? Does it mean we accommodate to the cultural modes in order to gain entrance and acceptance? Paul’s life says, “No!” Paul knew his opponent’s positions. He knew their thinking, their assumptions and their lifestyles. But knowing is not accommodating. Becoming a slave (doulos) is not the same as becoming a proponent or even a tolerant observer. Paul never stopped living according to Torah. But he understood the perceived reality of those outside Torah.
Some time ago one of my graduate students refused to take a class I offered on prayer because I assigned Henri Nouwen’s book, The Way of the Heart. In his mind, Nouwen’s work was tainted by the fact that Nouwen openly admitted to homosexual feelings. There is no evidence that I know that Nouwen ever acted on those feelings, but this student rejected Nouwen simply because he had the feelings. I was reminded of Paul’s statement. If I don’t know what the world looks like from the perspective of someone who struggles with homosexuality, what do I have to offer as consolation and forgiveness? If my worldview of God’s order excludes even reading thoughts about prayer from a man who struggles, then point me to the monastery. Paul knew his Greek philosophers and playwrights because he wanted to address their world. But Paul didn’t change his practice one bit. His foundation remained firm. It had to if he was going to speak truth into the lives of those who were lost.
I am amazed when I encounter individuals who refuse any contact with non-Christian thought on the basis that the thinking of non-Christians can’t be true because the authors aren’t believers. Any short course in the history of doctrine will convince you that believers are just as much subject to error. The secret is constant renewal and review. Keep going back to the text and asking, “Do I still understand this passage as I once did?” Become a slave to all by understanding what they believe. Only then can you ask the most telling question, “How’s that working out for you?”
Topical Index: slave, doulos, 1 Corinthians 9:19
Hmmm. I just left a comment/testimony about this in Thursday’s TW “A Little History.”
This TW is precisely how I’ve felt regarding my environment for the past few years while attending that place we call church. It seems Paul took the time to read the material my Baptist friends would label in the vetted and discarded for non-compliance category. How else could Paul understand his opponents positions except to expose himself to them for awareness sake. To me, it would be like heading out to fight a battle having absolutely no idea as to the nature, strength, weapons and force the enemy possessed. It could fairly be called planned suicide. No self respected fighter/military person would allow it.
Also, I remember reading Nouwen’s book, “The Way of the Heart The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers.” His Solitude, Silence and Prayer sections were very interesting, very insightful and very enlightening, especially as it related to people who inhabit the world of desserts and it’s accompanying characteristics, challenges and lessons of life and survival and personal growth. Now I want to go back and read it again! Thanks, Skip. It’s not like I don’t already have a dozen or more books I want to digest. Now I’ve got to review this one again. (Only kidding. Skimming it again brought to mind many cool things. Particularly my highlighted parts from my reading and your class.)
I am amazed at the freedom I’ve experienced in my walk with my Sage, Yeshua Ha-Mashiach since understanding some very simple concepts from a more inline perspective of the Hebrew culture, history, language and worldview. All the many burdens that were heaped on me have been shaken off. His yoke really is easy and His burden is light. That is, if you understand the real meaning of easy and light even as it contains struggle, suffering and challenge each and every day. The way of Torah is doable and full of only life. When we take our eyes off the back of His sandals as we follow His trail, the more of Torah I put in me the clearer I hear Him say, “Hey, this way. You’ve gotten off my trail. Come back.” It’s only a matter of choice then. Stop. Turn around. Get back on the trail. Let Him know you know you messed up. And keep walking. His way.
Paul knew the way of Yeshua. He also studied the ways of people that lead to death. Paul’s willingness to take the time to understand those preverted ways allowed him to be a reliable guide to them and say like Yeshua, “Hey, this way. You’ve gotten off the right trail. Come this way.”
I forgot to ask. Is there any way to gain access to Donna Dozier’s work, “Losing Your Religion”? I’d be very interested in reading it.
It will become available in the future, God willing.
Kewl!
~ Serve one another in love ~ (for) ~ we now have the mind of Christ ~ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many ~
Is not our Savior and our God wholly “other?” ~ He saved “others”- Himself He cannot save.. ~ So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, He took water in a wash basin and began to wash the feet of His disciples and He wiped them with a towel which He had tied around His waist ~ (John 13.4,5)
~ Let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus ~ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus ~Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah Jesus ~
Yeshua HaMashiach- our Sovereign-Servant-Shepherd-King. And Adam.., always abad ADONAI- amen! (Abad-work-worship-love-serve). ~ Serve one another in love ~
This “Servant-Heart,” -this desire to serve is not ours from natural birth. One of the first words to proceed out of the mouth one of our “little ones” (besides “McDonald’s) is “mine.” Selfish little creatures we are. We have to be taught to share our toys. Some adults living among us still need to know this portion of the Torah of YHWH- the Law of our LORD, ~ in love serve (abad) one another ~
This “other-mindedness” is the mind of Christ. “How may I serve you” is the question I must ask of every person I will encounter today, no matter my physical location. If I am to be an imitator of Christ- I must also “take the towel- and wash the feet of the talmudim.” How is this possible?
Humility. There are no medals for washing feet, neither newspaper headlines. Servants serve behind the scenes. But friends, it was the servants who witnessed the water transformed into wine!
How about you? Are you like me? Do you (also) love “servant-hearted people?” I do. And the Messiah (who lives in me) “connects” with the “Servant-King” who lives within them and I say (to myself)- “you are pleasing to our Master and in His eyes.” Adam, abad ADONAI.
~ He has shown you, O (mortal) man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God ~ (Micah 6.8) We (who are His) have our assignment for today. ~ To take up our cross and follow Him ~ He must increase, but “I” must decrease.
(note to “self”..) “Shema the Savior..” ~ and whatever He says unto you- do it ~
What if? – “What if” today we lived in a world full of “servant-hearted” people? What a wonderful world this could be. I am not “in charge” of you, neither can anyone (in tHis army of volunteers) be made to serve. This is voluntary servitude motivated by what He has done (and is doing daily) for us. ~ “Let” this mind.. We must make the choice to serve, for love is a choice. ~ Choose you this day who you will serve ~ “Self” or the Savior? We may serve God by serving others. Is this “mind-set” pleasing to Him?
Bob Dylan was right: “You gotta serve somebody..” The Torah-teaching found in Romans chapter 6 is an excellent instruction in our “learning how” to serve.
🙂
Reminding me of ‘You gotta serve somebody,’ I searched You Tube for Bob Dylan singing it and there are only cover bands, not him doing it. 🙁
I like these words and the vision from Leonard Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’;
“And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said “All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them”
There is an embedded video of images to the lyrics of ‘Suzanne’ appropriate to the lyrics above you might enjoy.
OSCAR AND THE IDOLS OF THE PEOPLE
February 28, 2011
http://ray032.com/2011/02/28/oscar-and-the-idols-of-the-people/
A simple way to grow in understanding is to ask questions–good questions, simple and sincere questions. Most people appreciate someone honestly trying to understand what they believe. Of course, that means listening. Thank you, Skip, and thank you fellow servants in this community, for helping me to understand what all of you believe.
I’m with you Thomas. I struggle with discovery of meaning so much. I read one author and he/she sounds very convincing. Then I read another that states just the opposite, also, very convincingly. It has and is a long, hard struggle to learn and master tools and skills to approach a competency such that a judgement of value can be made. Often times I might have something before me for 9-12 months before I can even begin to decipher any meaning. I’ve often thought of archeologists as having a boring profession. Digging, digging and more digging. Moving dirt one grain at a time. However, after digging of my own and searching for an answer for so long and then making a discovery, no matter how small, my appreciation for the energy and motivation of an archeologist grows with admiration. I can relate to that point of true discovery finally arriving. It’s energetic, rewarding and strengthening.
I’m thankful to Skip and the others as well. Nice to be in the company of fellow diggers.
And the best part is that after all the digging it is YOUR answer
to find a flake of gold- you’ve got to sift through a lot of soil
~ I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart ~ (Jeremiah 24:7)
~ if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God ~ (Proverbs 2.4,5)
With Jesus as my Banker, I’m a Millionaire.
This is embedded in an article in my Blog, but I see from the stats that does not raise much interest. Here is the direct YouTube link. If one is on the right track in the Inheritance of Abraham, these words apply;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0cAlE-MzOLs