Can we learn from the past?
Ah history. The bête noir of many students. I was never one of those. To the best of my recollection I have always liked history. I didn’t like it when it was taught poorly (you junior high and high school teachers know who you are . . . if you are still alive) but that only makes sense.
Part of my liking or even love of history is the context it can give to current events. Much of what we do or experience every day makes more sense when we know the history of it. It also makes a lot of things even more infuriating, yes, I’m looking at you pockets-in-clothing-made-for-women-or-female-presenting-people.
So what can we learn from history in today’s Lectionary readings? For this Sunday, I am looking at the epistle lesson, namely 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. In this text, Paul rehearses some of the experiences of the Israelite people and then says these things happened as examples for us, “so that we might not desire evil as they did.” (1 Cor 10:6b NRSV) He then goes on to tell his audience, and by extension us, not to become idolaters or several other things. Needless to say, without Paul giving some context his statement about examples makes no sense. We need to know what happened if we are going to not do it again.
The difficulty is when we narrowly define what Paul says so it doesn’t apply to us. We might say, “we don’t have any idols in our house” meaning statues to which we bow and worship or whatever. There are more idols than that. Even worse, we can improperly define what Paul says and then tell other people they are committing some sin.
The sermon breaks open some of these themes and issues. I hope it makes sense to you. As always, let me know what you think as you are able and inclined. I do want to hear what you think.
Blessings,
