Notes for Bible Talk: June 15, 2005	Putting Things in Order Genesis 1:24-31 Matthew 28:16-20 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Bible Talk is an informal discussion of biblical passages, ideas, and related material. The discussions are on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, following the Service of Word and Table. Occasionally, they will not be held due to special events. These Notes help participants to think about the passages and some of their implications prior to the gathering. Usually, the Notes are prepared and the discussion is led by Rev. Peter L. DeGroote	These three are traditional readings early in the Season after Pentecost, The Season’s focus is on living the Christian life; i.e., living as disciples or followers of Jesus. Each of the three has a central core that can lead us to thoughts about who we are, what God’s intentions for us may be, and about how we are to live together. 1. In Genesis are the words “let us make humankind in our image..." Among its several meanings, the idea of having been made in God's image reflects the human effort to understand the fundamental difference between humans and all other forms of life. We know of our ability to dominate other forms of life, even though we remain vulnerable to both physical danger and disease that has its origins in other life forms. We are able to observe relationships and consequences; we can discover causes and effects. We are able to store up that knowledge in memory and communicate it in language and in records, first written, and now in the form of electronic codes. That record is the foundation of civilization, what some call culture. Very early humans came to understand that creation rests on relationships of interdependence. We depend on other forms of life for food, medicine, and materials for living. Also, all of life is dependent on the seasons whose benefits are sometimes disrupted by cycles in floods, earthquakes, and other disasters, although they also have a role in the scheme of things. Having the ability to observe and take advantage of these relationships of interdependence has made human survival possible. But we have also been created with both the ability and need to discover purpose. We ask the purpose of creation; we ask our purpose. The answer has always rested in describing some form of relationship with the Creator, with God. The biblical description of humanity being created in the image of God provides us with the insight that we have been made to relate to both creation and to the purposes that God has for creation. On its face, it can seem an arrogant statement, but it has usually been used to point out how far short we fall from God's purpose, how often we fail at using our immense skills and abilities to live in harmony with God and God's creation. 2. In Matthew are the words "Go and make disciples of all people." Called the Great Commandment, it is often understood to mean we are to make all people believe certain theological ideas and beliefs that the church has developed over the years about who and what Jesus was and is. Consequently, we have often thought it more important to convince people to believe in these ideas than it is to live in Jesus’ Way. It was in living what he taught that made Jesus such a powerful teacher. A frequent result has been to ignore Jesus' Great Commandment, which is to love God and others. Jesus' reassertion of this fundamental principle of Hebrew scripture connects him, and us, to that ancient goal of living in harmony with God and God's creation. Any attempt to pursue the Great Commission without a sincere desire to follow the Great Commandment seems a futile path. 3. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is pursuing the goal of harmony within a congregation. He told them to "Put things in order…agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." The goal is to live in peace with each other, which is the result of loving God and others. That goal rests on two understandings. First, God is present in creation. Second, we can learn to experience and live in harmony with God and God’s activity, which inevitably will involve us in the task of loving others. For Jesus, the love of God is inextricably bound up with the love of others. Jesus rule of love (the Great Commandment) fully acknowledges and depends on that complex system of interdependence on which human life and its survival depend. In telling the Corinthians to put things in order, Paul urged acknowledgement of this essential fact of creation. When he told them to agree with each other, he did not call for unanimity in all opinion but for agreement on the basics that are necessary for meaningful and purposeful human life. We must always be careful about taking Paul’s call for peace in the Church too far—it has often been used to suppress honest dissent, open discussion, and acknowledgement of the diversity of opinion that is possible in God’s Presence. 4. The Corinthian church was in upheaval and Paul’s letter urges them back to basics; everything else will then take care of itself. Not only was it of great importance to their survival as a community, the continued teaching of Jesus good news depended on them. Who would believe anything about loving God and each other if love could not be seen in their own behavior? It was true then; it remains true today. Peter L. DeGroote	All biblical quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version.