Wow. Lately it's been like pulling teeth getting myself to sit down and read the stinkin' bible. Seven more days! I love you, bible, but it's been going on a long time. I think I am ready for this relationship to end.
Paul's letter to the Romans doesn't provide us with anything too scandalous or different from yesterday; he tells people not to concern themselves with judging others, to believe in God/Jesus, etc, etc. He emphasizes that God is not abandoning the Jews by allowing Gentiles into the church, but that they are "cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree" (Romans 11:24). Sounds good. I can get on board with this.
Chapter 12 contains a very nice little verse, reminiscent of the Beatitudes and ending with the line, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). That's so nice! Why can't the whole bible be like that?
Whatever good will I was feeling towards Paul after chapter 12 evaporated in chapter 13, when he tells his readers to submit to authority, because human authority figures represent divine authority figures... or something... "One must be in subjection," he writes, "not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience" (Romans 13:5). This chapter ends with a teaser of things to come; Paul bids that we "walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy" (Romans 13:13).
There'll be a lot more where that came from in Corinthians!
He wraps up Romans by telling his readers to respect their friends' opinions, and to not "make another stumble" (Romans 14:20). Then he bids that his reader say hello to ALL HIS FRIENDS IN ROME, who he lists by name and occupation, and says sayonara!
Paul's letter to the Corinthians provides us with one of our earliest depictions of the Christian church; here we get our first glimpse at the Eucharist, the resurrection, and assorted other fun teachings from that motley crew of apostles. Let's dive right in!
In chapter 1, Paul makes an interesting cultural distinction between Jews and Greeks: "For Jews demand signs," he writes, "and Greeks seek wisdom...but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, [we preach] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). In other words, Jesus is fun for the whole family!
Paul talks about his role in the Christian tradition, explaining that "though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers" (1 Corinthians 4:15). He considers himself to be the "father" of the church and bids that the people obey him as children. He also emphasizes that he has little significance as an individual because although he "planted... only God... gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Another big theme here is the separation of the physical world and the spiritual world. Paul makes his point by warning against assorted impurities of the flesh, particularly SEXUAL DEVIANCE. Oh yes, this is pretty fun. Although he just got through telling us that we're not supposed to judge each other, he changes tact and says that any kind of sexual immorality should not be tolerated, and perverts should not be associated with! In fact, they should be "deliver[ed]... to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:5). Geez Louise.
Transgressors who will be subject to this treatment, by the way, include "the sexually immoral... idolaters... adulterers... men who practice homosexuality... thieves... the greedy... drunkards... revilers... [and] swindlers" (1 Corinthians 6:9). I think this is the second time in both Testaments that homosexuality has been explicitly labeled as a sin, if you Westboro Baptist Church members out in the audience want to jot down some notes for when you make your next set of signs.
Paul explains that just as a man and a prostitute "[become] one body" (1 Corinthians 6:16), a pious man can be joined to God as one spirit. That's kind of a neat (and weird) metaphor, I guess.
If you think this is fun now, just wait. It gets even better! Paul explains that because men are so feeble and lacking in self control, if they must succumb to base instincts, they are permitted to take wives: "Do not deprive one another," he writes, "except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come back together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self control" (1 Corinthians 7:5). Paul forbids divorce, and mentions that in general it's better not to get married at all. He seems convinced that the "end of days" is approaching, noting that "the present form of this world is passing away" (1 Corinthians 7:31) and it is therefore pointless to get married when so little time remains.
Some other points, before I sign off: Paul tells people not to get circumcised if they aren't already, and rather to "remain in the condition in which [they were] called [to Jesus]" (1 Corinthians 7:20). He also says that if you are married to a nonbeliever, your belief "saves" them, and your children are "holy." It's sort of like how if a wizard or witch marries a muggle, their kids can still go to Hogwarts!
That's it for today. I'm bored and we've covered pretty much everything of interest.
ONE WEEK LEFT OF THIS!!! STAY GOLD PONYBOY!!
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