Wow…what a context
That has been my context over the last several decades. Into those sets of experiences come the words of Paul. I have already quoted his words as creatively re-rendered by Eugene Peterson in his “sort-of-Bible” The Message. Probably you picked out that Ephesians passage. Let us now read through Paul’s words from the English Standard Version.
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this
gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (Ephesians 3:4-13–ESV)
Red flags all over the place
- You can understand my insight – verse 4
- Not made known to other people, other generations – verse 5
- This mystery is…
new way of God connection – verse 6 - I was made a special minister – verse 7
- God’s power did a special thing in me – verse 8
- I am to bring to light things hidden for ages – verse 9
If we hear these things now or see them in the foundations of religions which we are not a part of what do we do? Do we blindly accept them? I don’t think so, but others accept them. They probably do not consider it blind acceptance and many labor through the details behind their faiths.
But, how do I answer the fellow at my anatomy table? How do I confidently consider my vantage point a proper one? Is the exclusivity of Christ’s claims just another set of claims people in the world make? These are the rumblings my spirit feels when I read a passage like this one in Ephesians. I believe in Jesus Christ and am confident of his reality, his truth, his statements. I also am familiar with the teachings of this type of passage and the structure it gives to the Christian faith. How, though, is Paul and his statements any different than the statements of other, follow-along religions? I am just another dogmatic follower of another faith? Or, is there something different about the things in Christianity?
So I began writing, and a list began unfolding. The next section will have that list. Let me put a bit of a disclaimer here. Many of the following examples will each have their weaknesses. With careful consideration, many if not most will have exceptions to the rule. Some say exceptions prove the rule. Well, maybe. For me, each of these things brings a little bit of weight to the whole package. When the totality is drawn together it is convincing enough to me to put my hat in Christ’s ring.
Never forget that religious vantage points always have their facets of faith. A reach will always be required. I am comfortable with the reach of Christ. I am uncomfortable with the reaches other religions and secularisms propose for truth. We all have to take our picks. We do well to study to the bottom of those picks and be amicable in our faith picks. I have read a lot, and for me, Christ has been and continues to become all that I never imagined.
Richard Ulrich says
Our aims rise or fall on our claims; and so it is with others. Initially we are told what is “right,” but later on imagination, training, and life’s realities frame our moral and pragmatic foundation of purposeful choices. Emotional and reactive choice may well be more reflexive and less defensible in retrospect.
Charlemagne’s minister of education, Alcuin, in the 800s advocated a basic foundation of the Ten Commandments, The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostle’s Creed. I think he added the Beatitudes, too. Even illiterate individuals could memorize these as enduring, dependable rules of life.
St. Paul’s life changed when Christ became his Foundation. Whether we grow up and into that Foundation (as I did from early childhood) or whether it is dramatic as in John Newton’s life (of Amazing Grace), that is crucial to life now and to eternal life. There are many competing claims and convictions, and it is well we have a reliable core of them.