Chained to Roman soldier, imprisoned for his faith, the Apostle Paul uses a soldier’s equipment to describe the virtues Christ’s followers must “put on” in order to fight the good fight of faith. Christ’s followers wage a different kind of war than the world expects – a spiritual battle of truth, righteousness, and peace. All are facets of love. Paul concludes by…
Last week we covered the first three components of the “armor of God” – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of peace. In this week’s session, we consider the other three components – the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. These three components all share an outward-orientation, for we stand…
Paul begins his description of God’s subversive and counter-cultural “armor” by speaking of the importance of truth, justice, and peace-making. He is opposed to fighting the world’s powers in the world’s way. Instead he calls us to follow in the way of Christ and be a “soldier of truth, justice, and peace” in a world of deception, injustice, and division. Join us…
Chained to Roman soldier, imprisoned for his faith, the Apostle Paul uses a soldier’s equipment to describe the virtues Christ’s followers must “put on” in order to fight the good fight of faith. Christ’s followers wage a different kind of war than the world expects – a spiritual battle of truth, righteousness, and peace. All are facets of love. Join us for…
Paul subversively undermines the patriarchalism and slavery of his day by calling all people – male/female, young/old, slave/free – to “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ”. By doing this, Paul lights a fuse that will undo the oppressions and injustice of his culture by working within the cultural institutions and applying the Gospel to societal norms. Join us…
In addressing how the Gospel should be implemented in family structures, Paul subversively transforms the dominant culture’s perspective by calling for mutual submission guided by love and respect for the other. Though his culture is patriarchal, he sows the seeds of equity and justice by calling on all to stand by, for, and with the other, instead of capitulating to controlling and…
Paul continues his discussion of Christian living by calling believers to “imitate God, as God’s beloved children”. He speaks of three ways in which believers do this: (1) by walking in love, (2) walking in light, and (3) by walking wisely. Paul is not interested in setting forth a series of rules as much as he is interested in speaking of a…
Having informed his readers that they must experience a complete spiritual fashion makeover by “putting off” old behaviors and “putting on” christlike behaviors, the Apostle gives practical advice on what must be removed and what must be appropriated in order to wear the “wardrobe of Christ.” Join us tonight for our “After the Through the Bible Zoom Chat” https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89826000792 Password is the…
When the Apostle sets out on developing a Christian ethic, one might expect him to put out a philosophy or set of rules, but instead he puts forward the person of Christ. He invites us to “learn Christ” because “truth is in Jesus”. He also develops what it means to live our baptismal identity by dying to old ways and rising to…
Paul calls the church to walk worthy of God’s calling by dwelling together in the unity of the Spirit. During his earthly ministry, Christ promised to build his church. The risen and ascended Christ has put us together and equipped us with gifts for the common good of our life together. By sharing life and gifts together, the church grows into christlikeness.…