The Chronicler continues to rewrite history, and Corinth...ah, Corinth (shaking head...) 

 

Dear Bible Challenge participants,

 

As we continue to hear a retelling of the history of Israel and Judah a'la the Chronicler, we've entered new territory in the Psalms and New Testament.  But first: note how the Chronicler rewrites Manasseh--the Assyrians hauling him off to... Babylon?! and his fox-hole conversion?? Wow. Manasseh had a fan in the Chronicler, clearly... such a different rendering from that in 2 Kings.

 

Meanwhile, we've been enjoying the Psalms of Ascents lately. I find these Psalms less troublesome than the angry or vengeful Psalms we've encountered along the way.  Psalm 126 is one of my favorites, and is thought by some to be from the time after the Exile, when indeed the Lord has restored the fortunes of Zion, and God's people have been returned to Jerusalem by Cyrus of Persia... that story's just around the corner for us as we begin Ezra and Nehemiah... though their accounts may not strike you as lovely as this Psalm.

 

And we've begun our visit with the Corinthians... This is a difficult crowd for Paul-- and I would expect for any pastor trying to pastor from afar.  It's helpful as we read these letters to particular communities, to remember that they are letters to particular communities, with particular vices, challenges and gifts.  We will hear Paul seemingly contradict himself (in spirit if not in word) along the course of his letters-- and when we do it helps to recall, "yes... this is the word that this community needed to hear at this time..."  For example, Paul references women leaders within some churches, and admonishes other women to be quiet and stop being so distracting in others... Particularities, my friends...

 

As an aside, the fellow we read about in Chapter 5?  My New Testament professor, J. Paul Sampley, is a Pauline scholar. Over the years he decided that character who slept with his father's wife (even the pagans don't tolerate that!) needed a name... so Dr. Sampley dubbed him "Charley."  

 

In my office is a copy of Dr. Sampley's "Pauline Parallels," much like the Gospel Parallels, which shows how the different evangelists share the story of Jesus' life, ministry and teachings. If ever you want to borrow it, or just come in and look and see how Paul addresses themes similarly and differently in various letters, don't hesitate.

 

And thank you, all, for being on this journey!

 

Peace,

Paige+ 


Contact Us

 

the Rev. Paige Blair

Office (858) 755-1616 Ext. 101 * Cell 858-248-7247