As I continue to post on Jones’ Embodying Forgiveness, I will share various reflections sparked by the book, quotations, and questions for further conversation. One question that is central to Jones’ thesis is this: Does Jesus in his teachings and actions concerning issues of repentance, teach and emobdy a forgiveness that makes too much difference? This is a question we most certainly should turn on ourselves. Does our gospel teach and embody so much forgiveness that it cheapens the sacrifice of the Son?

A second question is this: when we sin, should our first step be to be reconciled with the offended party or to be reconciled to God? If we grieve or offend a friend or spouse, have we neglected the path of true reconciliation to make amends with that friend or spouse first, and only then turn to confess our sin in repentance to God?

The story of Joseph’s temptation to have sex with his employer’s wife introduces the God-centered nature of our sin. He responds by saying he could not do it an sin against God, not his employer (Gen 39.9)! On the other hand, Jesus told his disciples that when they remember an offence when worshipping God, to leave God and be reconciled with man (Matt 5.23-4). Add to this the fact that in the OT, God forgave only Israel after they forgave one another and made restitution (Lev 6.1-7; Num 5). I believe part of the answer is in carefully discerning between intentional and unintentional, high-handed and cleanliness code sins. However, the question remains To whom should we be reconciled first?

Embodying Forgiveness Part I

The Lausanne Theology Working Group recently convened in Africa to discuss various issues facing the global Evangelical church. A “radical incarnational ecclesiology” was proposed as a way forward.  Read the summary here.  Here is a list of issues they have chosen to address:

1. Following Jesus as unique Lord and Savior in the context of pluralism
2. Following Jesus as his community in the context of ecclesiology and ethnicity
3. Following Jesus in the context of power and violence
4. Following Jesus in a world of suffering and disaster
5. Following Jesus in the globalized marketplace
6. Following Jesus as the truth in the context of postmodernity and relativism.

The current issue of the Lausanne newsletter is contextualization.  Check out the articles by some great thinkers and practioners.

The following quote is excerpted from Bonhoffer’s ruminations on reading the Scriptures in community in Life Together, particularly as a family.

As a whole the Scriptures are God’s revealing Word. Only in the infiniteness of its inner relationships, in the connnection of Old and New Testaments, of promise and fulfillment, sacrifice and law, law and gospel, cross and resurrection, faith and obedience, having and hoping, will the full witness to Jesus Christ the Lord be perceived.

He concludes that readings from Psalms is not sufficient. In addition, he argues for chapter length readings from both Old and New Testaments. Aversion to such lengthy readings, he claims, should “fill us with profound shame” and that “both adult and child wil never finish aquiring knowledge of its (Scripture) story.” Agree or disagree?

These are days of lean community, and singles are in search of ways to connect. I recently sat next to the creator of Pimp Your Friend at a local coffee shop. Her desire is to ultimately create couple connections that last. She includes various venues for connecting points, including churches.

Would you post your website/singles ministry on Pimp Your Friend? Why or why not?