This is a quote from my friend and fellow PCUSA pastor
(Boise, Idaho), Andrew Kukla. Think
about what he writes here, in the context of how we sort out all the stuff
coming in toward us from all sides, and how we make our decisions.
Remember, Paul urges us.
"Do not let the world shape you into its mold, but be transformed
by the renewing of your minds." (Romans 12)
"[Barth]...upon leaving Bonn, is rumored
to say something to the effect of, “I have three words for you: exegete,
exegete, exegete.”
Exegesis means literally “critical interpretation or
explanation of a text”. More than that
it breaks down to mean “to draw out of”… as opposed to read into a text our
meaning (eisegesis). Barth knew we had to be such interpreters not only of
ancient texts… but of our everyday world.
And as we get fake news…. As we get radical mistruths masquerading as
reality… I repeat those words:
Exegete my friends. Cultivate the ability of critical
thinking.
Ask who benefits… and who is protected.
Look for the words behind the words.
Break down and analyze the surface, the underlying,
and the intent.
And evaluate it all…
The world needs us to do this hard work EVERY day.
There is no objective reality. But the reality of more
people than I count needs you, and me, and all of us, to care to spend every
day… exegeting!"
Exegete Another
way to say think critically!
I love the question WHO BENEFITS?
And I will add this thought. Too often our only concern is whether it
benefits us. But if that is our only
criterion, and we do not think about the impact of our decision on vulnerable
people. Immigrants, for example. People who are LGBTQI+. Then we still may end up in the wrong place.
My faith system, most faith systems, asks us to think
about others.
To pay attention to the pain around us, and to pay
particular attention to those who are vulnerable.
Psalm 82:3 - “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold
the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
Psalm 140:12 - “I know that the Lord secures justice for
the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 - “Speak up for those who cannot speak
for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge
fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
James 1:27 - “Religion that God our Father accepts as
pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Luke 14:13-14 - “But when you give a banquet, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they
cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Isaiah 1:17 - “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove
the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”
Is it OK for me to make a choice that perhaps benefits
me, if it leaves vulnerable people fearful, neglected, oppressed, or abused?
I would add one more thought. It is not the end until it is the end. I love what John Lennon is purported to have
said: “Everything will be okay in the
end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.”
I believe in what is sometimes called repentance. I also
believe in redemption and reconciliation
Repentance is a recognition that we are not on the right
path, and a decision to turn around and go a different direction. We need to constantly let the Sacred touch our
hearts and minds and show us how we need to change our beliefs, values, and
yes, our actions.
God never gives up on us.
That God can and will restore us, and God can and will draw us back
together. Somehow. Someway.
If our hearts are open.
We can't quit trying to be God's people
Thoughts for today, precious souls!
