After a study week I am back with Praying through the Proverbs. This week’s chapter is rather provocative, and there needs to be some unpacking. Also in light of Toronto Conference’s settlement with one of their Ministers, it can seem prescient. However, I encourage you to read the passage with a heart open to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, setting aside issues that might be occupying our minds at this time.
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=409116239
First let us make clear what the author is talking about here, because while there may be teaching regarding promiscuity in many places of the Bible, this is not necessarily the case. As with the personification of Wisdom as a woman whose voice is to be heeded, the author is likewise giving body, shape,and personality to teachings and practices that go against those of the teacher, of the parents, of God, of Wisdom.
Specifically the author is referring to the teachings, practices, and ways of strangers, of aliens, of other cultures. The loss of custom and culture was a great fear to the Israelites, a people who have often been scattered. The teaching that one maintain the traditions passed on to them by their parents was an important one. That said, because the people were often so scattered, they often interacted with other cultures: Babylonians, Assyrians, Romans, gentiles to use a generic term. The fear of assimilation into these other nations was great, and so the call to hold on to culture had to be greater.
As we shine the light of this passage on to our own time, we realize that in many ways we might not have the same fears as those Israelites that the Proverbs originally spoke to. We as Christians might be scattered throughout the world, but not in such a way that we can’t gather, explore,and deepen our faith. Here in Canada we live in a widely diverse culture, with many communities from differing faith backgrounds. We should not live in fear of our fellow children of God, but neither should we hesitate to shine the light of Christ in the midst of deeper dialogue. As we engage with, for example, our Islamic and Jewish brothers and sisters, we should be just as dedicated in our faith as we would expect them to be. In this way we are not walking a road to assimilation, but integration as we come to better know the tapestry of faith in this world, this country, and in our own communities.
All that said, it is all well and good to have those inter-faith dialogues, but what about the conversations we are having in the home of our own faith: Christianity. We exist as a denomination among denominations, all of whom name themselves as “Christian” because for each of us, Christ stands at the center of our respective faith journeys. The differences exist around interpretations of His teachings, but in common we claim and are claimed by Jesus Christ. Again, ecumenical conversation can only help us deepen our own faith.
Lastly, what about divergence within our own denomination? Where Christ becomes no more than a good teacher in history (if he existed at all) rather than the in-breaking of the divine into a specific time and place and a constant companion in our lives? The United Church of Canada in particular has been the center of a fair amount of media because it has been and continues to be a place where its leaders in one place may name themselves as Christ-centered, while others name themselves quite explicitly as atheists. While I celebrate the “big tent” that is often a phrase used to describe the inclusive nature of The United Church of Canada, I cannot waiver on the fact that at the center of that tent must be Christ, so that no matter how near or how far we are from that center, our focus is on Jesus, his teachings, and in-breaking of God that he represents.
I continue to hold my brothers and sisters with whom I disagree in pray.I would ask that you also pray for the church, for Toronto Conference, for West Hill United and their minister. Pray for the movement of the Holy Spirit in these places, the in-breaking of God, and the revelation of Jesus Christ.May we offer this pray for our church:
You are our Shepherd, O God. Help us to hear your voice. Remind us of who and whose we are as we explore, deepen, and share our faith. Remind us of the light that you have placed in our hearts, and help us to shine, reflecting your love. AMEN