What is the story so far?

A promise. Learned obedience. Centered in relationship.

We move into the heart of Greek Scriptures, which we call the New Testament to find it is full of letters. Letters written by people to other people, written nearly two thousand years ago.

Week Four: Interpret + Practice

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In the first part, we reflected on the promise God made to the people. In the second part, we saw how the people responded to that. In the third part, we explored the the turn toward relationship through Jesus.

Now we focus on life after Jesus.

Prompt: The epistles are full of people asking a simple question: what do we do? Given the challenges we are facing in our communities, our world, what are the things that make us ask that simple question? Take note of what you feel like you can’t answer on your own. Consider that your question for the moment.

Suggested Readings: Paul’s two recorded letters to the people of Corinth are the epitome of “what do we do?” letters. Read 1 Corinthians for sure. Then, if you want the follow-up, read 2 Corinthians.

Assignment: As always, take notes in your journal as you read. Remember that, in the case of the Corinthians, Paul is not only writing to people he knows, but writing to address situations that have happened. Try to imagine what prompted this letter. What was going on at the church? What were people doing or saying to one another?

If you were to write a letter to your church, what would it say? What does your community need to address? Maybe try your hand at it. And make sure to include your best copy of Paul’s flourish (“I think of you always!”). What would it be like to write letters to other churches with encouragement?

A Note About Reading: While the gospels reveal a kind of obvious authority because they record a pretty direct image of Jesus, epistles are anything but so straightforward. However, it is hard to read these without granting them a deep sense of authority. We consider it, nonetheless, sacred.

We ought to consider them with a similar eye to one with which a historian considers letters she reads for research. They are primary source material. But they aren’t answer books. They may answer questions: just not your questions. They are letters written by people to other people a really long time ago to address particular concerns. Concerns that may be familiar to us. Or at least relevant to some of our own concerns.

It is helpful to read from a study bible, such as The Oxford Annotated or the Harpercollins Study Bible. Either can help highlight the context and guide you in hearing what is behind the questions the epistles wrestle with.

Lastly, not all epistles are created equal. Much like the prophetic books in the Older Testament, the Epistles are presented in a sort of ranked order, with the more authoritative and highly-regarded ones coming first. There are also quite a few controversial epistles that are troubling to modern readers. The best thing we can do is keep asking questions.