Selective Theology

In 2013 selective theology is inevitable in all the "ancient" faith communities.  Do you get it?
Let me illustrate.
A fellow student (last week in Bermuda) told me about the Orthodox Christian church she visited in Ethiopia.  She was impressed with how they had 'retained' so many Jewish beliefs such as circumcision on a certain day after birth (male babies) and the closeting of mothers for 40 days after giving birth.
In other words, this church has selected from some but not all ancient Hebrew traditions and made what was selected part of their positive theology.
Look at all they have to select from.  The rules in Leviticus and then reinterpreted in Deuteronomy aren't just many in number -- they make the person attempting to sift through them numb-er.  More numb.  Then throw in reinterpretations by the prophets, and the court customs of Proverbs and a community trying to be "faithful" must select.  Every community trying to include these rules as points of theology must select.  At the same time each community of faith must interpret what is selected.

Much the same thing is true in Islam faith communities.  Some communities embrace the peace portions of Islam, others embrace the violent jihad portions of the traditions.  Some Christian faith communities emphasise the peace portions of the Christian traditions, others embrace the patriotic  positions.

Jesus was selective.  His words, "You have heard . . . but I say to you" remind us that he selected portions of his Hebrew heritage to reinterpret.

What do you select?  How do you make your selections?  Does your religious leader tell you what to believe, and do you "buy" what she/he says?  Are you actively involved in sorting and sifting for  yourself?   Do you have the comprehensive knowledge of your scriptures to sift well?

Leave a comment and let us know.

Preaching, Public Speaking and Me

We have good thinkers leading our worship experiences.  They read, think deeply, and preach.  Based on the past six months messages I have come to some insights worth sharing. These are not new, but need restating every once in awhile.

1. A speaker avoiding eye contact puts people off. 
2. A speaker wringing his/her hands looks afraid.
3. A speaker reading a long quotation puts people to sleep.
4. A speaker looking a few people in the eye communicates better.
5. A speaker who tells stories commands attention.
6. A speaker who has one, and only one, purpose for her/his message usually comes across as knowing what she/he is doing.
7. Short is better. 

It really helps if the speaker is excited about what he/she is saying, and comes across as this:  "I can't wait to help you 'get' this."

What do you think?  As a person of faith, if you are, do you find the postlude on the organ uplifting and more active than the sermon?  Leave a comment and let us know.