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the teaching of the 12 - epilogue reflection

We Protestant Christians have a funny relationship with ancient texts. Our entire living and understanding of God hinges upon one ancient text, the Bible. Yet at the same time, many of us enjoy taking jabs at those who site “extra-biblical” ancient books. (Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I heard what you said about the Apocrypha.)

Tony Jones addresses one of those unfamiliar, ancient volumes, the Didache (pronounced, di-dah-kay), in his book, The Teaching of the Twelve. The Didache is one of the earliest writings we have of Christians after Pentecost. And as Jones explains, this little book was to be, “a handbook for those new to Christianity.” But what might a book written by and for Christians in the first couple of centuries be of value to Christians today?

Christianity in the West is within the throes of major shifts–amidst the Church and surrounding culture. Within the upheaval, many Christians find themselves agitated by all the hoopla that is church. Why must we do this? Why do we need that?

Simultaneously, there are those that have stripped away all that seems unnecessary, yet find themselves asking, “What now defines us and binds us? And how do we go about our life together?”

For all those unsettled and searching, Jones’ new book brings a fresh, yet age-old perspective to the conversation. As he says, we aren’t the first to find ourselves faced with such challenges:

“Of course, we’re not the first generation to quest after a raw, primitive version of the faith. At various stages over the past two millennia, Christians have questioned the traditions of “church” and “religion” in an effort to follow Jesus more authentically. ... And all along, a manual of primitive Christianity sat hidden, right in front of us.”

In The Teaching of the Twelve, Jones provides intelligent and accessible background, commentary, interpretation and reflection on the Didache. While his book is thoughtful, it is equally practical–just as the text he writes about is.

But the reader is not left with just the opinions of another Christian academic. As Jones writes, he walks alongside a Christian community in Minnesota (Cymbrogi) that has reflected on the Didache for some time. His commentary is paired with that of this rural house church and it’s truck-driving leader, Frank. The inclusion of a contemporary community attempting to interpret and apply this ancient book only makes Jones’ take even more approachable.

I found the Didache to be a refreshingly uncluttered yet challenging reflection. And I'm a bit dissapointed that I haven't been thoroughly exposed to the Didache until now. As Jones says in the first chapter, “The Didache is the most important book you’ve never heard of. ” This may be true for many of us. Today we live with countless options and opportunities, we are never short of information. In the midst of that, following Jesus can become quite complicated. The Teaching of the Twelve encourages us to get “back to the basics.” As Jones says in his Epilogue:

“Our brothers and sisters in the faith who lived in the Didache community call us away from the marginalia that consumes us today. They call us to simple community in which righteous living is taught and expected, sharing life is a way of life, visiting preachers are welcomed but not given any power in the community, baptism and Eucharist are practiced regularly, and Jesus’ return is expected and hoped for. Just a few activities, done well, shaped the Didache community.”

I like that: just a few activities, done well. Is it that simple? It never is. But maybe this little book can help you and your community focus on the essentials in order that a life may grow out of that which can better manage the complications that come along. Pick up Tony’s book and give it a shot. And check what others are saying on the book's blog tour.

advent: second sunday reflection

Anticipating the arrival of the (un)King
This is my second in a series of Advent reflections this year. You can read the first one, along with some notes, here.

Second Sunday of Advent • Luke 3:1-6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

For Reflection
In first century Palestine, I’m pretty sure that hearing or reading this passage would bring Rome’s highway system to mind. The Roman empire is credited for it’s roads. It’s system of highways spanned across the empire. These road systems impacted everyone. It made goods and services more easily accessible. It exposed different cultures to each other. It gave Rome’s military force quick access to it’s many territories.

Could it be that God’s liberation was coming in the form of empire?

But those hearing or reading this passage in first century Palestine would also have remembered the prayers of their ancestors as well: that God would provide a clear and quick path for those dispersed among other nations to come home.

Was God going to free Israel from occupation; establish a self-governing Israel?

Still, others may have seen John’s (referenced above) ministry–calling people to change their thinking and living, to initiation into another way of life (personal repentance and baptism). For those people, maybe they heard this passage in a much more personal way.

If I don't ‘clean up my act’ will I be excluded from God’s plan?

Jesus’ entire life would be a confrontation with empire. Even as an infant, authorities tried to hunt him down. And his closest friends grew perturbed when it became clear that Jesus wasn’t going to establish a free Israel. So, it seems unlikely that the first two questions were what John the Baptist intended. Yet, I doubt the third is wholly accurate either. Jesus frequently associated with people that neither lived the right way or believed the right things.

The passage makes clear that liberation is coming. But do we know how to look for it? Am I the type of person that is so concerned with myself that I miss the kind of crowd Jesus’ is inviting into this liberation? Or am I the type of person that gets so swept up in the agenda of 'my people' that I miss the bigger picture? Or can I be so enamored with the advances of empires (whether commercial, political or digital) that I just don’t notice that something grander might be happening?

Christ Conduit Podcast, Monday December 7, 2009

(download)

Opening Song: I Will Follow Thee

Savior, I will follow Thee;
Thou art all the world to me;
Tho’ the way I cannot see,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Follow Thee, I will follow Thee,
Follow Thee, I will follow Thee;
Follow till the day is done,
Follow till the crown is won,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Savior, I will follow Thee,
Tho’ it lead me to the cross;
Counting all things here but dross,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Follow Thee, I will follow Thee,
Follow Thee, I will follow Thee;
Follow till the day is done,
Follow till the crown is won,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Savior, I will follow Thee,
Tho’ it lead through toil and tears;
Through the long and weary years,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Follow Thee, I will follow Thee,
Follow Thee, I will follow Thee;
Follow till the day is done,
Follow till the crown is won,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Savior, I will follow Thee
Till the toils of life are o’er;
Till I reach the golden shore,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Follow Thee, I will follow Thee,
Follow Thee, I will follow Thee;
Follow till the day is done,
Follow till the crown is won,
Savior, I will follow Thee.

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

57 As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord."
58 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
59 He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."
60 But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God."
61 Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house."
62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Message

Jesus is asking each one of us to follow Him today. But we all need to know that when we choose to follow Jesus, we won't be in a perpetual place of comfort. He tells us in our scripture today that He has no place to lay His head, meaning that Christian life is a long, hard journey. He also tells us in six different places in the Bible that we are to each take our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:21, Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:27.) And most of those six times, He's telling us that we must deny ourselves, which means we all have not only a long, hard journey ahead, but that we are locked in a constant battle to the death with our own selfish motives and with the devil who is fighting us at every turn as we try to walk more closely with Jesus. So as we follow Jesus each day and try each day to walk more closely with Him, we must deny ourselves, spiritually crucifying our sinful nature, just as Jesus Himself was crucified to free us from sin. It's a long journey and a hard-fought battle, but the reward in the end is eternal life in the Kingdom of God in Heaven.

So as Jesus calls you to follow Him today, what will you do? Will you tell Him you have to bury your past before you can follow Him? Will you tell Him you have to look back and spend time saying goodbye to things that are far behind you before you can follow Him? Or will you deny yourself, crucify your sinful nature and follow Jesus right away? The choice is entirely yours to make, but the consequence of that choice will last forever. Choose Jesus today. Choose life in His Kingdom forever. It's a hard road, but He'll be there to help you, and you'll be following Him, so you can always look to Him when troubles come.

Prayer

LORD Jesus, I hear you calling me to follow You. I understand the choice I have to make. I choose to follow You now. I choose eternal life with You in Your heavenly Kingdom. LORD, I have a lot of sin in my past, but I don't need to go back and bury it, because I know that You died for me. Cover my sin under Your powerful Blood to be washed away forever. I spiritually crucify my sinful nature, just as You were crucified to free me from sin. I'm fully Yours now, LORD. Take me where You will and use me for Your holy work. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Further notes

Unless otherwise specified, scripture passages in this podcast are quoted from the World English Bible, a copyright free modern English translation of the Holy Bible. The translation is reliable and accurate, but it is still in progress. Please visit the web site and consider helping where you can if the Holy Spirit moves you. If you feel unable to contribute to the translation, please pray for the translators, the editors and all those who contribute in other ways.

If you were blessed by this podcast, please help me share it with the world. Freely you received, so freely give. Matthew 10:8. Have a blessed day in the name of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, and may His Light shine through you wherever you go.

Ladies' Dessert Night goodies

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With mom, Viv, Aunt Hayes & Viv's friend at my home church's Ladies' Dessert Night

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Joyful Feast of St. Nicholas

Nothing Like A Cheerwine Before Church.

Sunday's Set List

Set List - Sun Dec 6

I Will Boast (P. Baloche)
Today is the Day (L. Brewster)
Everyone (G. Packiam)
Beautiful Jesus (K. Stanfill)
Endlessly (J. Egan)

11 Thoughts (plus Subthoughts) After a Week in Penang for a Spiritual Conference

Why is there a burger cover here?