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Bible Study
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| Testimonial: Hi! I found your site on the web – doing Google research for Bible study materials. I am a Southern Baptist pastor (30 yrs) now serving in Oregon 8 miles from the Pacific. I was particularly captivated by your “Head Trip vs. Gut Trip” approach – I really like it. I shared a thumbnail sketch of the concept to my people yesterday morning (giving you credit) – they really seemed to respond to the “head” / “gut” contrast. Testimonial: Thank you for a great job you did for
us. Your efforts are revitalizing our church. It was great to see
you again. Vernon Nikkels.
Testimonial: Pastor Bill, your "Gut-Trip-Analysis" teachings have helped me in my spiritual walk. Thank you! It makes sense out of scripture that I didn't understand. I experience the peace, At-One-Ment, when I am spiritually awake, sadness and "gut" ache when I fail and I am spiritually asleep. I do want to do my part in making God smile. Pat Baker Testimonial: I am now going back to some of my lessons
and redefining and understanding further from the present and future
materials that you are and will be providing regarding the book of I
Corinthians. Thank you for continuing to make those available to me.
Likewise, my husband continues to use your Sermon Starters just for
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TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IHOP BIBLE STUDY
According to our Study Chart
During the last two weeks our IHOP conversations started in Section II. This seems appropriate as this part of our study material summarized the material in Section I. Consequently, there is more input from our participants in Section II than in Section I. Pastor Bill
In fact our first question began with Vs. 25, “What does a “Holy Kiss” look like? When have you experienced it? One IHOPer noted the traditional Eastern greeting of everyone literally kissing each other’s cheeks on both sides. The suggestion was made that our Western Churches have reduced this to a liturgical process of, “Please stand and greet each other.” Another IHOPer suggested that a Holy Kiss might come about by a special bond that occurred during an activity or conversation. “There is more emphasis on ‘the giving” than on ‘the receiving.’ Interesting.
ABOUT THIS LESSON!
I. Read the assigned verses in one reading: Thessalonians 5: 12 to 28. A. Vs. 12, explain the phrase “in the Lord” WS: “Those who work among you in the Lord.” Implied is Paul’s statement are those professionals and para-professionals who were assigned to the work of the community. The term to work “in the Lord” is what drew our attention. Gut Trip Analysis treats this phrase as “those who are the awakened.” In Salina, the pastor who manages our Rescue Mission is my example of living the Awakened life of service.
B. Vss. 13 – 16, What kind of life is Paul asking the Thessalonians to embrace? WS: Paul provides us with a wonderful list of activities that support the notion of Gut Trip Analysis that the intended purpose of humans is to live the humane and gracious life in At-One-Ment. One IHOPer observed that embracing these characteristics is, “Life as it should be!” Another added that this is being, “good neighbors.”
C. Vss. 17 – 20, Reflect on the significance of these spiritual resources. WS: Honestly, as I prepared this lesson, I believed that the IHOPers would struggle with the phrase, “Pray and give thanks in all circumstances. This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I phrased the question to them, What does it mean “all circumstances?” However, the IHOPers immediately saw through to the notion that Paul’s emphasis here is on doing God’s will in Christ Jesus. When we view all of life’s circumstances through Christ Jesus it means that 1) we learn to die to the barriers preventing us from effectively handling life’s circumstances, and 2) that viewing our circumstances through Christ we experience being victimized, but that we have a choice to either be victims or victors. GOOD JOB, IHOPERS!
D. Vs. 21, What is the “good” and what is “the test?” WS: The “good” that Paul refers to is living the humane and gracious life. The “Test” is WWJD. For more on this topic, see Section II.
E. Vs. 22, How do we go about avoiding “evil” when we are uncertain what “evil” is? WS: The IHOPers continue to get stuck when it comes to their experience of evil. My question fed off of “C” above. I asked, “How do we give thanks in all circumstances if some of those circumstances are evil? As has often been said before, when evil is given the power of being an object that comes to us, then we find ourselves at its mercy, and we end in hopelessness because it can not be defeated. The only defeat comes in the relationship that Jesus demonstrates. We have to die to the barriers preventing us from living the humane life. If evil is an object, there is no way we can die to its influence! When evil is considered a relationship, then it is experienced as the Big Lie. Those who come to us to remind us there is no hope is The Big Liar. This is a relationship. What needs to be embraced is the notion that the human circumstances representing the mean, cruel things we can do to each other are just The Way Life Is (TWLI). If it can happen to us, it will. Or, as the bumper sticker suggests, “Shit Happens!” Circumstances can become the antithesis of what God created us to be, but this does not make them evil, just the antithesis of living the humane and gracious life. The continuum is that on one end is “Shit Happpens” while at the other end of the scale is “Love Happens.” There is no Evil in between—Just The Way Life Is. Unless this relationship is understood and embraced, then Evil has won the battle. Because the very fact that it can be said, “There are Evil circumstances,” is evidence of The Big Lie itself. We come to believe an Illusion about life, and the Demon smiles. The illusion is that evil is objective. This is the Big Lie. For more on this topic, I’m adding summaries of additional conversations on the topic of evil. Keep pushing yourself to understand the enormity of the human degradation as being Just The Way Life Is, so that you do not get let astray by The Demon of Hopelessness.
F. Vs. 23 – 24, What is the experience of being “sanctified” by God? WS; It is helpful to keep these three relationships in mind: Justification equals being Awakened usually by some event; Sanctification equals embracing the Awakened life; Glorification equals surrendering all that we are, and have, to live the Awakened life. The Caveat in all of this is that Glorification is not a moral activity; we are NOT nicer or better while we live the Glorified Life. Glorification is an ontological experience; it does mean that all of our humane activities, and all of our mean-streak activities, and all our forgetfulness, etc., are dedicated to God’s use. This does mean we practice becoming NOTHINGS so that CHRIST BECOMES EVERYTHING.
II. Reflect on the following:
Part 2 is an exercise in reflecting on the assigned reading through a method of identifying the “Deep Problem” faced by the early church. Sometimes this is known as identifying the underlying contradiction. This is usually hidden behind some particular manifestations. Paul usually addresses this hidden agenda in his “solution” that he offers. Consequently, it is necessary for us to examine his solutions, and then back up to reflect on what is the deeper problem actually being addressed. Usually, this reveals some new insights.
A. What is the surface problem that is manifested in the Colossian church? In light of the message is these few verses, speculate on what the surface problem may be. What is obvious? Using your intuitions, what do you suspect is the surface problem Paul wishes to address? WS: Vs. 12, The church did not have respect for those working among them. One IHOPer noted that they were ready for the 2nd Coming, they had given up on their jobs, and Paul’s advice was for them to get back to work. Another IHOPer noted that the church membership was easily swayed by false prophets. There was little “community” spirit among them.”
C. What is the deeper, more hidden, agenda that Paul seeks to address with his solution? Use your intuitions to identify the deeper problem. WS: Vs. 19, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” The IHOPers turned to the significance of the 2nd Coming. One IHOPer noted Tim La Hay’s “Left Behind” series. Another IHOPer noted that many Christians accept the Bible uncritically and turn to literal interpretations. Unless church people have a strong background in relational experiences in living the Awakened Life, what people are left with is often connected to suffering. Another added that we all have a need for hope; a hope that is tied up with eternity. The term “eternity” turned my attention to the Gut Trip Analysis that this phrase is not an object to be achieved; rather eternity is a relationship we have with God who is experienced as Perfect At-One-Ment; only God is eternal and we participate in God’s eternity—which always is with us—when we Awaken to it. What does this have to say about the 2nd Coming? It is my suggestion that we already live within the 2nd Coming, and that we experience it whenever we awaken to living the humane and gracious life! Jesus comes to us all the time.
WHICH OF THE FOUR MASTER PROBLEMS DOES THIS ISSUE REPRESENT?** _?_False Teachings _?_ Moral Decay _?_The Corrupt World ___ Church Division
B. What is the solution Paul offers? Speculate on what Paul is suggesting the solution is to the deeper problem. WS: Vs. 16, Paul’s solution is experienced in the statement, “God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” One IHOPer noted the old song, “It is well with my soul?” Vs. 21, Paul’s statement, “Test everything.” The IHOPers decided that the test could be WWJD, or to ask the question, “Is it humane and gracious?” Other IHOPers added, “Paul encouraged an open mind, and the model for them to follow is Jesus Christ.” Another added, “Getting to know Jesus Christ is why we study the Bible.” Vs. 18, might be summarized, “Hang in there!” Another added, “Paul wanted them to live authentically; i.e., to have an inner sense of the truth and righteousness that could be shared.”
WHICH OF THE THREE MASTER SOLUTIONS DOES THIS ISSUE REPRESENT?** _?_ Create Authentic Ministry __Use Spiritual Weapons __ Utilize Consciousness Raising
Now, reread Paul’s solution to see if it makes sense.
Alright folks, talk to me!
** Use the “Problems and Solutions” chart previously sent to you. This chart is available in the archived materials at www.triumc.org/web1/biblestudy. Look for the Chart link. WES
THE FOLLOWING ARE SUMMARIES OF PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EVIL. Enjoy? ALSO, NOTE THE STATEMENT ON “The Holy Kiss” at the very end of this document. Smooch! SUMMARY CONVERSATIONS ON EVIL For Earthrise May 2007 Evil and TWLI The experience of The Way Life Is (TWLI)-- One of the lessons I’ve learned can be summarized in the statement, the way life is is “The Way Life Is” (TWLI). What I’ve discovered is that our natural and human state of being is capable of far more dirty work than originally attributed to us. First, human beings live in a state of being separated. Paul Tillich observed that separation is a relationship that traditional Christian theology calls “the state of sin.” His point is that our human predicament is a state of being, we are fated to live separated. Sin is more than doing nasty stuff; Psalm 58:3 affirms that sin is inescapable because we are born sinners; our gender separates us, our race separates us, and our culture separates us. We exist at the point of victimization without hope. Second, the holocaust is not evil; rather it is a manifestation of TWLI. What Seung-Hui Cho did on the campus of Virginia Tech is not evil; it is a horrible revelation of the depths of what is possible through TWLI. When we name whatever manifestations of mean-spirited reality are possible, then we name the depths of what we humans can do to each other. Using such reflections we have some idea of the significance of The Way Life Is.
The experience of Evil-- Evil is best understood not as an object to which we are subject, but rather as a relationship or an experience. I think of evil as The Big Lie. The anthropomorphic manifestations of The Devil I identify as The Big Liar. Evil is a liar because it comes to us through the voices that tell us we are hopeless; there is “No Exit.” This is patently untrue; there is a choice to be made. For example, while our 20 year old son was dying of leukemia in Rochester, Minnesota, it was common for me to run every day for emotional therapy. One day while running I was passed by a man wearing a leg prosthesis; I never was very fast! Later, I had the occasion to share a YMCA shower with this gentleman, and I asked him, “Why do you run?” My respondent said, “I use my running time to pray.” I affirmed what he said, and then asked, “Doesn’t it hurt to run on your prosthesis?” His response was revealing. He said, “Yes, it does hurt, but I use the pain to remind me to pray.” Was this man a victim because he only had one leg? No, he decided that he could be the best one-legged runner. Was his one-leggedness the result of evil? No not at all. Had someone told him he’d never run again, then that would be evil, The Big Lie. Was our son’s leukemia evil? No it was the result of TWLI. Evil is never our human situation. The voice of evil always is out to convince us there is no hope. This simply is not true. Humans always have the choice on how to relate to their human situation.
Bill and Beverly Salmon served E.I./ICA for eleven years. Our two daughters, Jana and Julie, both had positive experiences in the Youth House. We are now retired and I manage a church consulting business Mutual Ministry Methods. Also, I publish a weekly on-line IHOP Bible Study and a weekly SermonStarter. Check the web.
A dialogue on Evil Just a further thought about Evil--- Like all theological words evil is not an object to be experienced. Rather, evil is the relationship we take to reality. It is so easy to slip back into an objectification. If evil is an object that is out there, then why can’t it be said that “love” is an objective reality? Couldn’t they be two ends of the same spectrum? My point—badly stated in our conversation because I let this slip—is that evil, like love, is a relationship we take toward reality that is no more, nor less, than just The Way Life Is (TWLI). The bumper sticker I find useful is, “Shit Happens” just as, “Love Happens.” If love or evil is objective then how can we control it; our only response is that it happens to us; I am a victim of love or evil. Evil is the Big Lie! I am victimized by reality, but reality is not my enemy. I am my own enemy! I have the choice to believe The Lie, or chose not to believe. If I choose to believe I am a victim then my life ends in hopelessness. If I choose to believe I am a victor then my life is open to new possibilities and hopefulness. My story about the Bus Stop is illustrative. The sign on the corner says “The bus stops ever 15 minutes.” After waiting an hour, a neighbor comes by to ask, “Are you waiting for the bus? Well, I have good news for you. It doesn’t come by here any more.” Observe the primary intention of the bus company is not to inconvenience me, although it does. The intention of the company is to schedule the equipment to serve the most people; some along the way are going to be inconvenienced. Why is this “good news?” Because we can stop waiting for reality to change! We can begin walking! The same is true about the axiom of, “Waiting for our ship to come in.” The Good News is, “Our ship already is in!” This doesn’t change our reality, but it changes the way we relate to reality. The same is true concerning 9-11. While the intention of the pilots was to hurt me I’m not in charge of the motivations of others. I am, however, in charge only of my own choices and responses. How can such a horrific event take place? It just does; it is part of a terrible reality. To be told I am a victim is A LIE! While I am frequently victimized, I choose to either remain a victim or to live in the freedom of my choice. Isn’t this what Jesus demonstrated in his choosing to die to the victimization of his situation? Because he intentionally chooses to die then the question becomes, “How can you kill a dead man?” The end result is the resurrection; we die to being victimized, and are raised from this death into new life. In this way, Jesus’ story becomes my story.
The question raised in dialogue: I hear what you are saying, I am just not there yet. You remind me of Peck’s book, “People of the Lie.” Are you trying to say that people are never victims. What is the difference between being victimized and being a victim? Are we a victim until we choose to respond differently? Where I am stuck is in the way life is. Things happen in this world and some of those things bring us closer to God and some alienate us. I am still willing to call those things that alienate us from the humane life as evil.
My Response: The difficulty is objectification. Is God an object, or a relationship? Until this is resolved the only alternative is to live in limbo. Yes, of course, reality victimizes us, and the reality is we all are victims. Even my choice to say that my reality is not my enemy doesn't negate the pain of reality. My choice to live as a victor doesn't alter reality. I have a story about a one-legged runner who used prosthesis. I asked him if it hurt to run on it. He replied, "Yes, but I use the pain to remind me to use my running time for prayer." Is he victimized? Yes. Does his choice to find his pain useful make his leg grow back? No. Does his choice transform his situation? Yes. Does his one-leggedness alienate him from God? Of course not. You know he could choose to be a grouchy one-legged runner. BUT DOES HIS CHOICE TRANSFORM HIM SO THAT HE BECOMES MORE HUMANE? Living the humane life fulfills his intended purpose as a spiritual being, and in this way he experiences a closness to God either in spite of his circumstances, or even because of his situation.
More on Evil-- Evil is The Lie that convinces us that reality is our enemy, and therefore we have no choice. Not true! Our choice does not alter reality, MY CHOICE ALTERS ME! Is one-leggedness evil? No, it is only reality. TO BE CONVINCED IT IS EVIL, OR THAT I HAVE NO CHOICE, ends in hopelessness. And this, my friend, IS EVIL. It has little to do with my circumstances and everything to do with how I relate to my circumstances. But to surrender (believe) that my circumstances are evil robs me of my choice; I've given up. Because I've given up I'M robbed of my human-ness and of the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of my intended creation. When this happens it can be said that I'm not close to my Creator. (I hesitate to say "God" because of this word's association with making God an object.) Bill
More on Evil – Reflections on a sermon This same principle underlies the nature of evil. My being an ass-hole judge, or a grabby old woman, is just TWLI (The Way Life Is.). When someone is out to convince me that I’m hopeless, this is the work of The Big Liar, because Christ always is at work within me. The work of Christ is the Jesus-demonstration that I can die to being an asshole in order to live the humane and gracious life. Isn’t this exactly what happened to the asshole judge in this scripture? Isn’t Christ already at work in his life and he is sleeping through it? Is it justifiable to conclude that the judge IS evil? Are his acts evil or just the inconsiderate stuff of which we all are guilty most of the time? If he is evil, and if his acts are evil, then we have no hope because evil is a palpable objective presence and not a relationship of which we can be convinced. THE HOLY KISS Keith-- Your October "Ripples" moved me, babe. Thanks for the reflective thoughts as only you can write. The changing seasons and our changing experiences were beautifully described with the admonition that we "may choose to embrace those changes while others may struggle to stem the tide. . ." Well said. It was your paragraph on the changes brought about by the Holy Spirit that nailed it to the wall. All of this got me to brooding (surprise! surprise!) about the "Holy Kiss." Paul uses this phrase in 1 Corinthians 16, (and again in 2nd Corinthians 13) "Greet one another with a Holy Kiss." Some churches once to practice this ritual and perhaps some still do. I suppose it’s been watered down in our UM ritual, "To stand and greet one another." However, my experience is that it is meant to be more than this, and I'm uncertain it was intended to be a physical kiss. Although, those in the Near East and in Europe still greet each other with a physical kiss on each cheek. What you experienced in the fall camp-site, and in your interaction with the VIM member, is a Holy Kiss. The experience has elements that are human and natural but also transformational. Recently, this happened to me during a jail interview with a 20 year-old woman. Because this was her first time in jail she was frightened to be in a women's cell block with women far more worldly than she; one individual was in for murder. She was scared and wanted to talk to a chaplain. Usually my conversations with prisoners fall into one of three or four categories and I'm clear on my role and message. This conversation perplexed me. Later, as I reflected on this encounter I learned three things. First, she needed my ear just to listen as she shared her fears. Second, discovering she was a long-time Christian and a praying person, I asked permission to put my hands on her head, which was granted, in order to be spiritually in touch with her in a sacred moment. At the conclusion of our conversation, I asked if she was a hugger, and she turned with open arms to be embraced; she needed to be appropriately touched physically, and so did I. This was a holy moment, and I believe this is what Paul meant by the term a "Holy Kiss." What do you think? |
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