Comments on the scriptures for July 12th and July 19th

July 12th

What does one need to believe and do in order to be counted among God's elect? The question has dogged Christians from the very beginning, and answers have spanned a vast spectrum. The strict requirements of all manner of cults provide one option, and the absolute license of other groups gives quite another. It's an especially compelling problem for Christians involved in modern so called "culture wars."

July 12th's reading from Ephesians was a central text for both Augustine and Calvin in the development of their respective doctrines of predestination. A casual glance at its content might even make it the same for us today. God "destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ," we're told, "having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will." All this took place, moreover, "before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1;5, 11, 4).

High Calvinism taught that, while there might be "signs" of individual election, a person's beliefs and actions were immaterial to God's immutable plan. A modern interpretation of this might be the growing universalism of some churches in the western world today. Personal beliefs and actions, so it's held, have nothing to do with faith, since all are honored by God and all people are foreordained to salvation.

A practical problem of predestination is that it obviates any need for the Lord's great commission to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (MT 28:19-20). If the elect are already infallibly chosen, and if their beliefs and actions ultimately mean nothing, then what is the point of evangelism? What's the motivation for ministry to be anything other than chaplaincy to like-minded individuals?



July 19th

Engaging fellow travelers on a plane in conversation about the destination and purpose of their trip is a common way of helping to fill the time. It can also be extremely instructive. On a recent journey, I was told by the fellow across the aisle that he was headed to an Episcopal convent for a silent retreat. An Episcopal convent, of all places!!! What were the chances of that?

Much talk ensued, about the value of retreats in general and about focused contemplation in particular. We discussed how, after a period of particularly intensive ministry, Jesus urged his disciples to "come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest for a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat," (MK 6:31-32).

We talked about the Savior's own 40-day retreat in the wilderness, in the course of which he put focus to his preaching and teaching. And Jesus' renewal of mission in the private mountaintop retreat was discussed to some length. Those seated around us couldn't help but overhear, so we just might have been engaging in evangelism.

Time apart from the business of everyday living has value for every Christian who takes it. There's benefit simply in getting rest, and most of us stay far too busy during vacation times even to begin to do that. There's tremendous spiritual strength to be gained through focused study and contemplation of the scriptures, and doing nothing but that. And the lessened levels of stress and anxiety experienced by those who take regular time to put their lives in perspective can be a gift beyond measure.

The gospel for July 19th urges the disciples to "come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." We, of course, are those disciples in our own time and place.

Tom Gehlsen

Prophets close to home, where the fire is hotter.

It's safe to speak truth to power, but only when that power lies at more than arm's length from out lives. Many Americans have spoken out against Robert Mugabe's reign of terror in Zimbabwe, and more than a few Episcopal leaders have rightly condemned the former Bishop of Harare's public support of Mugabe's atrocities. Some of us have expressed indignation at leaders in the Solomon Islands, which allowed six Anglican religious brothers to be murdered by a mob.

We rail against terrorists and we rant against dictators, and it costs us absolutely nothing. But at least we're faithful to the scriptures: "Whether they hear or refuse to hear, they shall know that there has been a prophet among them" (Ezek. 2:3b-4). And so we've done our part.

For prophets who speak truth to power a little closer to home, it can be quite a different story. Regardless of what the law might say, workers engaged in trying to organize labor unions are usually fired. Clergy who speak out at conventions against dysfunctional diocesan policies can find their future job prospects limited. And parishioners who challenge the priorities of a parish are easily stigmatized as "troublemakers," and even invited to "move on." Our Lord's observation often rings true: "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house" (Mk. 6:4).

Fr. Gehlsen