I like this. I literally just caught that word in a commentary I was reading on Sunday. Sadly, English translations sometimes don't convey the force or cultural context of the passage.
You might like William Stringfellow's "Impostors of God:Inquiries into Favorite Idols". It's part of a long intellectual tradition that is absolutely wrenching.
Presently reading through a review—looks like a great recommendation! The charges he levies against modernity are pretty damning but not at all untrue.
We're not all that dissimilar from the Israelites who were repeatedly condemned to the status of remnant, to be ruled by unjust kings, conquered and displaced by other nations, yet forever snubbing the will of the Most High. We've just swapped more obvious idols (on occasion) for ones less so (except money).
Rabbi Tarfon said, “Where there is no bread, there is no Torah; where there is no Torah, there is no bread.”
it’s an interesting book that tells you to put the book down and go out and check in on your neighbor. So don’t let your backlog get in the way of that virtuous cycle.
I've been tossing around the idea of doing a topical Bible study night/meal once a month with some neighbors who are interested (or at least tangentially so) along with some folks from Sunday school. A friend of mine who has been struggling with sin and faith suggested it. I feel a sense that your comment is being used to prod me a bit further.
One of the fears I've had (just tossing this out there for advice I probably already know but need to hear/read from someone else) is stepping on toes. I KNOW that if I just teach from the word it isn't a problem—or rather it isn't a problem unrelated to conviction, but going back to your earlier recommendation we all have difficulty with the idol of self-perception. I probably need to re-read 1 and 2 Timothy, because I've sometimes had issues with timidity in the face of those who are older and dealing with scripture.
An example: Explaining the nature of the word "elohim" as an ontological term (I'm a Southern Baptist) to a church elder who was convinced it's strictly another name for God was a good exercise but somewhat difficult, even with a Hebrew-English interlinear in hand to show him precisely how it is used in situ throughout the text. I managed, but my comparative youth against an elder and his obstinate refusal to see the word for what it was set me back somewhat in deciding whether to go forward with, shall we say, giving bread to the spiritually hungry.
I guess the only way to feed anyone is to start by making a meal. Thank you for the encouragement!
> I guess the only way to feed anyone is to start by making a meal.
if there’s one thing that echoes down through the line of prophets, it’s this seeking out of a hospitable way of neighborliness in a world which is stubbornly uninterested in it.
“So I called my Jesuit friend, Tom, who is a hopeless alcoholic of the worst sort, sober now for 22 years, someone who sometimes gets fat and wants to hang himself, so I trust him. I said, "Tell me a story about Advent. Tell me about people getting well."
Well said, and there's certainly a dearth of hospitality today. Surely that's true of all times, I realize, but through the ebb and flow of thoughtfulness and kindness it seems the West is at something of a local minimum (depending on where you live, of course).
The human condition is broadly uniform post-Fall, subject to the natural and elementary forces satisfied only by destruction.
Thank you for being a blessing and inspiration to do better!
