I decided I wanted time to digest what I’d read to some degree
before moving on to the next Gospel. So
I skipped ahead to the letters of Paul. Paul
was a devout Jew who experienced a life changing conversion to Jesus Christ. His missionary work and writings transformed
the religious beliefs and philosophies in the lands around the Mediterranean
seas. It’s largely thanks to Paul that
Christianity became the faith of Gentiles.
This is evident in the letter to the Romans in which he both emphasizes
the debt the Gentiles owe to the Israelites, as well as grieves for what he
feels was the ultimate lost opportunity, in that his own people did not
recognize the promised Messiah. Next came 1st Corinthians, with its
well-known passage on love in the thirteenth chapter. Now, I’m reading 2nd Corinthians.
But still, where to begin?
I thought maybe I would summarize by weighing in on a few of my favorite
verses, but even that seemed daunting. Then I got to thinking about all those book
reports I wrote years ago in grammar school. Maybe I could
write little book reports! I can give each book a title, summarize each one
in a sentence or two, and follow it with a brief critique. Probably leans towards the flippant, but here
goes:
Gospel of Matthew: “The Messiah has Come.” This is the jaw-dropping story of how the Old
Testament promises of a Savior, known as “King of the Jews,” were fulfilled in Jesus. Fantastic parables. Dramatic finish.
Romans: “The Gift of Faith Comes from The Jews.” Paul
waxes on about the deep roots Christianity has in Judaism, and shows himself to
be quite the theologian. A tad judgmental in tone.
1st Corinthians: “Knuckle-rapping in Corinth.” Paul takes the Christians of Corinth to task
on a number of different matters. Some sections
make one Raise the Brow, like 1 Cor.14:36: “It is a disgraceful thing for a woman
to speak in a church meeting.”
That last one makes me want to get a t-shirt that says, “Disgracing
the Church on a Regular Basis.” How
about you? What would your t-shirt say?
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