January 31st - Transfiguration Sunday
2nd Peter 1:16-21, Mathew 17:1-9
"For We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitness of his majesty." 2 Peter 1"16
"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 2 Peter 1:20-21
Jesus takes the three disciples up on the Mountain where they see him transfigured. This is to show, in the gospel lesson for today (Mathew 17:1-9) that Jesus was the "real thing" just like Moses and Elijah.
Questions for this week
1. In Bemidji there are least 25 or 30 churches. There are even 5 or 6 different Lutheran and Baptist churches. Only one "United Methodist Church." Methodists say we are united but we don't all agree - unless you think Hilary Clinton and George Bush are on the same page!
Why are there so many churchs? Do they all believe the same thing? Which one is right?
In the first three centuries after Jesus there were all manner of "denominations," religions, philosophies, mystery cults, etc. There were many diverse interpretations of the meaning of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Even now, some are taking an interest in so-called "gnostic itnterpretations of Jesus. Witness, for intances, the popularity of the DaVinci Code and Beyond Belief (Elaine Pagels).
This diversity was eventually ended in the famous "councils" which produced the Apostles and other creeds. After that, you were either in or out. If you were out, you were a heretic and could be excomunicated or burned at the stake. This lasted until the Reformation which broke down the authority of the Catholic Church - now we have numerous sects and denominations and all the rest again.
Is at the bottom of it all some general core value or belief? John Wesley tended to think so ... and he abhorred divisions in the church over minor details, liturgy, etc.
So, the big question for this Sunday is: What is the difference between belief (ie. truth) and opinion? What are the unalterable ideas that form the basis for Christian belief and what are they based on? Is the idea that abortion is wrong or right based a matter of opinion? Or is based on some unalterable creed, Scripture, church authority? What about homosexuality? Both those in favor of accepting homosexuality and those oppposed use scriptural passages to support their positions. Is this interpretation, is it opinon? Or is it belief?
The passage in 2 Peter raises the question when it says:" no prophecy of scripture is a matter of ones own interpretation." What do you think are you basic "beliefs" and what are your "opinions?" Can, for instance, both Republicans and Democratics "believe" in the same God and yet hold different opinions on matters of religion and politics? Who is right? On what do you base your opinion? How you deal with those who disagree with you? More, later ....
"For We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made know to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitness of his majesty." 2 Peter 1"16
"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 2 Peter 1:20-21
Jesus takes the three disciples up on the Mountain where they see him transfigured. This is to show, in the gospel lesson for today (Mathew 17:1-9) that Jesus was the "real thing" just like Moses and Elijah.
Questions for this week
1. In Bemidji there are least 25 or 30 churches. There are even 5 or 6 different Lutheran and Baptist churches. Only one "United Methodist Church." Methodists say we are united but we don't all agree - unless you think Hilary Clinton and George Bush are on the same page!
Why are there so many churchs? Do they all believe the same thing? Which one is right?
In the first three centuries after Jesus there were all manner of "denominations," religions, philosophies, mystery cults, etc. There were many diverse interpretations of the meaning of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Even now, some are taking an interest in so-called "gnostic itnterpretations of Jesus. Witness, for intances, the popularity of the DaVinci Code and Beyond Belief (Elaine Pagels).
This diversity was eventually ended in the famous "councils" which produced the Apostles and other creeds. After that, you were either in or out. If you were out, you were a heretic and could be excomunicated or burned at the stake. This lasted until the Reformation which broke down the authority of the Catholic Church - now we have numerous sects and denominations and all the rest again.
Is at the bottom of it all some general core value or belief? John Wesley tended to think so ... and he abhorred divisions in the church over minor details, liturgy, etc.
So, the big question for this Sunday is: What is the difference between belief (ie. truth) and opinion? What are the unalterable ideas that form the basis for Christian belief and what are they based on? Is the idea that abortion is wrong or right based a matter of opinion? Or is based on some unalterable creed, Scripture, church authority? What about homosexuality? Both those in favor of accepting homosexuality and those oppposed use scriptural passages to support their positions. Is this interpretation, is it opinon? Or is it belief?
The passage in 2 Peter raises the question when it says:" no prophecy of scripture is a matter of ones own interpretation." What do you think are you basic "beliefs" and what are your "opinions?" Can, for instance, both Republicans and Democratics "believe" in the same God and yet hold different opinions on matters of religion and politics? Who is right? On what do you base your opinion? How you deal with those who disagree with you? More, later ....
posted by Anonymous at 10:04 AM
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