Letting Go of our Theological Baggage

I am not as organised for Sunday as I would like. Here are my very rough thoughts  on the Gospel reading for Sunday. I hope a sermon emerges out of them.

Epiphany 2, 2014

 Gate Pa –

Readings:

Hebrew Scripture:                 First Reading:  Isa 49:1-7                   

Psalm:                                     Psalm: 40:1-11                                   

Epistle:                                    1 Cor 1:1-9             

Gospel:                                    John 1:29-42                          

What I want to say:

I want to talk about the theological politics in John’s gospel, and how we play theological politics. I want to suggest that epiphany time us to be reawakened to what Jesus teaches us about nature of God, through life, ministry and teaching. Using “lamb of God” and Jesus is way, truth and life, want to explore how our theological glasses blind us to what Gospels teach us.

What I want to happen:

People to be freed from some theological biases and made more open to what Gospels might teach us about God.

The Sermon

1. Introduction:

season of epiphany – second half Christmas (two combined make 40 days)

Season centred on theme - theophany – manifestation of God to humanity

manifestation begins with coming magi to infant Jesus – recorded in Matthew

includes baptism of Jesus by John Baptist (last week)

concludes with presentation of Jesus at temple – recorded by Luke

put it another

-          God is revealed in person, life, ministry and teaching of Jesus

this Sunday leave Matthew hear story baptism from John

- not sure why

that’s ok

quite different from other three versions of story

-          what are differences (look up)

theological politics

one authors read describes this passage playing theological politics

no one dispute Jesus and John Baptist are linked

            taken for granted

significant enough group that think that John – elder, first, was the senior and most important

still groups today who think this – Mandeans – ethnoreligous group comes out Iraq state John Baptist is their chief prophet

So John playing theological politics at this point

            establishing divine manifestation comes through Jesus, not Baptist.

our theological baggage

before followers Baptist could get what Jesus was about

first let go of their preconceptions

let go Baptist

be open what Jesus was about

just as true for us today

we all carry theological baggage hinders our full engagement with story Jesus

prevents us receiving divine manifestation contained in life, ministry, teaching

miss big chunks

seems to me one invitations of Epiphany is to ask what theological baggage do we need to let go of to really engage with all offered in life Jesus?

2 examples

1. Lamb of God

in gospel passage heard today Baptist refers Jesus several times as “Lamb of God”

what comes mind when hear that phrase (ask)

            -sacrificial lamb – died sins

                        - thanksgiving offering

                        - Passover lamb – aid remembering God’s great acts liberation in past

            - lamb or ram also symbol of messiah

                        one who would act in strength and power God,

                                    drive out all death, sin, darkness

                                    bring in reign God – marked by God’s peace and justice.

which do you think both Baptist and gospel writer thinking of when use phrase?

trouble is most us in some way carry atonement theology

            whole point of Jesus was that came to die on cross for our sins so that we might have eternal life with God

            two comments about that

            number ways understanding what that phrase means

            not whole point. if ti were, John, Matthew, Mark and Luke wouldn’t have bothered writing Gospels.

2^nd example

Jesus is way, truth and life.

normally understood as very exclusive saying

            especially if atonement theology

            eternal life only found in Jesus, and in no-one else.

what happens if I ask this question?

            how would you describe the way of Jesus based on what is said in four gospels? (ask)

                        generous and hospitable

                        ate with outcast

                                    honoured and blessed those regarded as beyond God’s love

                        taught that we are to love all people as ourselves (Good Samaritan story)

                        taught true follower is one who feeds hungry, frees captive, welcomes stranger, (Matthew 25)

            if that is the way, then what truth about God are we taught in all this?

            where are we to find life?

Jesus is way, truth and life,

            but that way, truth and life is way more unsettling and radical than most of us are ready for.

trouble is our neat and tidy theologies usually prevent getting close to that answer.

Conclusion

so what is epiphany about?

taking time let go of our theological baggage that prevents us receiving image of God offered us in Christ

and as our understanding of nature of God and life in god grows

            ask where see God at work in our world today.

            how might we join in that?