Clothesline #10

Greetings to all on 20 NOV 2005

Word for the Day

Misogyny - Having or showing a distrust or hatred of women. [1]Please note Jesus’ acceptance of women as people worthy of honor and dignity, even the ones known as sinners (eg. John 4 & Luke 7).

Quote for the Day

“Absolute truth is an enemy ... that imagines the final answers are already in. Such posture leaves no room for surprise or for the reconfiguration of reality through fresh utterance. In the church, as outside the church, such absolutism takes two highly visible forms, conservatism of an authoritarian kind and liberalism of a strident, shrill variey. The effect of such absolutism always silences dissent and excommunicates those who do not consent, submit, and conform.” Walter Brueggemann [2]

Website for the Day
http://www.gal328.org

This site promotes gender justice in the churches of Christ. Some good articles can be found here.

Thought for the Day

Last month I used the story of Jesus with Simon the Pharisee as a discussion starter about hospitality. Now, let’s consider another lesson from this story. When was the last time you were contemplating some Bible passage that you had studied before but suddenly a fresh though leapt out at you like, “Wow - why didn’t I see that before?”

Years ago in a children’s class, or maybe even an adult study, we read the Luke 7 story and probably focused on the part about “those who are forgiven much will love much” or maybe we used the story to “beat up” on Simon the Pharisee. (Which, ironically, turned out to be self-mutilation) Now, I read the same story but see a lesson about hospitality. Did the passage change? No, but hopefully I have grown and matured spiritually in those past 5-10 years. The spirit directs our thoughts and is a revelator according to our ability the handle the truth. [1COR 2.11-16]

Another verse that connects with this process of growth is Hebrews 4.12 which, in part, tells us that, “the word is living and active.” This is one of those verses that I had read numerous times but then a few years ago its meaning struck me; the word is alive and active - living and powerful - pliable and dynamic. Viewed from that perspective, it is not surprising that we can harvest new insight and application as we continue to mature and study. In fact, we can do so with an expectancy of revelation.

Now back to Luke 7; what if we generalized this story beyond a party host? To whom could this apply? As I reflected on this passage the connection between host and leader occurred to me. Consider that in this story the official host has a name, prominence and authority but fails in his duties. The real host is unnamed and marked as a sinner and yet fulfills the role of hostess. Sometimes the uninvited guest can become the host. Where there is a vacuum of leadership, someone else will step in. Even five years ago that message would never have occurred to me.

It is my hope that we will remain dynamic rather than static in our journey of spiritual growth. May we neither quench the Spirit within us nor despise the prophet among us. [1THE 5.19-20]

May God Bless

Mike Toole

clw, ed.

1. Carroll Osburn, Women In The Church, ACU Press, Abilene TX, 2001, p.xvii

2. Dave Bland & David Fleer, eds. Performing The Psalms, Chalice Press, St. Louis MO, 2005, p.35