Today our fellowship studied Romans 12 with it's wonderful word-picture of what Christian community is to look like.

Afterwards, it occurred to me that since the section starts with a call to "not be conformed to the world" that the positive commands that follow are probably setting up the contrast with what "the world" might say is the way to live. So, in the spirit of C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters*, here is my version of what "the world" might suggest as the way to live if "it" wrote a note about how to live in contrast to Romans 12:3-23:

"Above all, remember the status you have achieved and how hard you worked to get it (and how much more you would have achieved by now if those others hadn't blocked you).  Keep watching out for yourself since no one else will; you are responsible for your own destiny. Don't let others get in the way of your goals.  Remember that relationships are valuable only in so far as they are useful for your ends.

Learn to be pragmatic. What works is more important than worrying about obtuse issues of  right and wrong. Be focused on your goals and make connections with the people who can help you achieve them. Make connections with those who can make you look good and don't waste your time with others. Be driven, move fast, and trust only yourself.  Don't worry about other people; let them take care of themselves. 

Make sure you get back at those who oppose you so everyone knows they can't use you. Beware when others are rejoicing because it probably means they know something you don't.  When others are having a hard time, that's the time for you to smile because you can benefit from that.  Remember that the important thing is to get your way.  Take advantage of your status, look for ways to manipulate circumstances for your ends, and don't hesitate to use underlings for your purposes. You are #1; you are superior! 

If someone messes with you, get back at them fast.  Make sure everyone knows you won't be pushed around.  As far it depends on you, don't hesitate to stir up trouble if it can help you gain power.  When your enemy is down, that's the time to pounce and crush him so you come out on top. 

Whatever you do, don't be overcome by "kindly sentiments" but suppress them in order to get what you want."

Thanks be to God we are called to a different vision!

*http://www.squidoo.com/screwtape-letters?utm_source=google&utm_medium=imgres&utm_campaign=framebuster

The Time Has Come

Last night the Yale Graduate School Christian Fellowship had our first meeting for the new academic year.  As part of setting the context for who we are and what we are about, we looked briefly at Mark 1:15-17:

"The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said,“and I will make you fishers of men.”

There were two main "take aways" for us from that.  

First, in a time of transition, it's important to remember what is foundational. For Christians, that foundation is that we believe that in and through Jesus the reign of God is breaking into the world such that the long anticipated promises for renewal, restoration and redemption are coming to pass in the world. To "repent and believe" in this context is not a matter of what we often think of when we hear the word "repent."  It's not about stopping doing something bad and/or feeling badly about what we've been doing. No,in this context to repent is a call to align ourselves with God's purposes - to leave behind lesser loyalties and get on board with what God is doing.

That is borne out in the next two sentences. Jesus calls the two fisherman to follow him and then makes a promise to them.  As they follow, they will become "fishers of men." They are called to follow and they will be sent on a mission.

And so are we.

These two fisherman had no idea what Jesus was actually up to, but they saw and heard enough to know that they wanted to be part of what he was about. We too don't know just what it will mean to follow Jesus here at Yale.  But the call to them and to us is to align ourselves with God, follow the way of Jesus, and see what he will do in and through us. 

One other point we considered last night. This call was to "you" in the plural.  As the story goes on, Jesus gathers a community and keeps sending them out.  We have a fellowship so that we can learn together how to follow Jesus in this place and so that we together can be agents of God's work here and now, blessing others and reflecting the reign of God in how we live.  

Welcome to the adventure!