This Sunday is about slavery. The readings this week lay out some of the
background around the passages on slavery, about how this issue falls into a
broader context in the life of God’s people.
Sun., Oct. 23, 2016: Lev. 25: 39-46; Ephesians 6: 5-9; Titus
2: 9-10; Galatians 3:28-These are the verses from Sunday’s service.
Mon., Oct. 24, 2016: Leviticus 25-The context of this
passage is the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee, the seventh and fiftieth
years in the Jewish calendar that trigger special observances, celebrations,
and a ‘rebooting’ of ownership-of land and slaves. Everyone was always to have a place in the
Promised Land.
Tue., Oct. 25, 2016: Ephesians 6: 1-19-Here we find, side by
side, one of the ‘oppressive’ passages of Paul alongside one of the most
inspirational passages for people seeking to live the Christian life, putting
on the whole armor of God.
Wed., Oct. 26, 2016: Titus 1-This is one of Paul’s shortest
letters, written to a man and not to a church.
Its content and focus are a little different. At three chapters, we shall read the entire
book. Chapter 1 is a contrast of proper
leadership for the church versus what is occurring at the church on Crete.
Thu., Oct. 27, 2016: Titus 2-Paul offers a wide range of
behavioral advice for different segments of the church community.
Fri., Oct. 28, 2016: Titus 3-Paul finalizes his advice and
says good bye. Note how he writes this
on the fly, in the midst of the rest of his work, trying to fix what people are
complaining about.
Sat., Oct. 29, 2016: Galatians 3-It seems the church in
Galatia is also causing Paul headaches.
It seems to be a question over the place of the Gentiles in the
church. So Paul wonders if they are
squandering the Holy Spirit, reviews the life and theology of Abraham, then the
law, before centering everything in Christ and offering us the full freedom
that comes with being in Christ Jesus.
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