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Neither Cave Nor Cling to Culture

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 29  Read: Isaiah 28 Listen: (4:49) Read: Acts 15 Listen: (5:43)

Scripture Focus: Acts 15.5-11

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Reflection: A Garden City

By John Tillman

In the beginning, God made a garden. After the fall and rebellion, humans made cities. But that doesn’t mean cities are always evil and gardens are always good.

Cities are intended to provide shelter, protection, justice, and community. However, not every city is a “shining city on a hill.” (Matt 5.14) Cities often become places of cruelty, violence, corruption, and oppression. Places of darkness, wickedness, and death.

Cities of darkness and death are symbols of human rebellion against God and a declaration of independence and self-reliance. When Cain is cast out into the wilderness, he builds a city (Genesis 4.17). Cain’s city and his descendants become violent leaders and their cities known for violence (Genesis 4.19-24).

When humans began to rebuild society after the flood, they sought new technology to build a city with a tower that reached to the heavens, far above the threat of any flood. (Genesis 11.2-4) This city, Babylon, is both a historical city and a symbol of human pride, sin, and rebellion. Babylon appears historically and symbolically throughout the Bible, right to the very last pages (Rev 18.2). 

In the re-beginning, when God ends evil and restores the world, we will live with God, not in a garden as we did at the beginning, but in a heavenly city (Rev 21.2-3). God scattered the nations after Babel, in the re-beginning, he will gather all nations to his city to live with him forever (Rev 21.23-26). God’s city is a garden where good things grow. God’s garden is a city where every branch provides food, healing, and shelter (Rev 22.1-3).

In the meantime, what are we to do? Plant gardens? Build cities? Should we scatter into the wilderness? Or gather in concrete and glass canyons?

Whether in the city or the country, use scripture’s descriptions of the city of God, like in Isaiah, as examples of the communities we should build. Could we describe our communities the same way Isaiah describes God’s city (Isaiah 25.4-8)?

Is there refuge from the ruthless? Provision for the poor and needy? Peace for the distressed?

Shelter from the storm? Shade from the heat? Windbreaks for the windblown? Silence to escape uproar? Quiet that drowns songs of violence?

No human city or community can be perfect. We can’t build Heaven on earth, but we must not use that to excuse inaction, apathy, or greed. We are called to establish good things in God’s world. Let us strive toward a garden city without excuses.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

For your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you. 

I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful.

I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked.

I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, that I may go in procession round your altar,

Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds. — Psalm 26:2-7

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Retched Leaders

There is vomit covering the tables…like the aftermath of a fraternity party….Israel’s religious elite…were unfit for their jobs and…a nauseating mess.

Retched Leaders
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A Garden City

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 26  Read: Isaiah 25 Listen: (1:59) Read: Acts 12 Listen: (3:49)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jun 27  Read: Isaiah 26 Listen: (2:58) Read: Acts 13 Listen: (7:36)
Jun 28  Read: Isaiah 27 Listen: (2:16) Read: Acts 14 Listen: (3:54)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 25.4-8

4 You have been a refuge for the poor, 

a refuge for the needy in their distress, 

a shelter from the storm 

and a shade from the heat. 

For the breath of the ruthless 

is like a storm driving against a wall 

5 and like the heat of the desert. 

You silence the uproar of foreigners; 

as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud, 

so the song of the ruthless is stilled. 

6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare 

a feast of rich food for all peoples, 

a banquet of aged wine— 

the best of meats and the finest of wines. 

7 On this mountain he will destroy 

the shroud that enfolds all peoples, 

the sheet that covers all nations; 

8 he will swallow up death forever. 

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears 

from all faces; 

he will remove his people’s disgrace 

from all the earth. 

The Lord has spoken.

Reflection: A Garden City

By John Tillman

In the beginning, God made a garden. After the fall and rebellion, humans made cities. But that doesn’t mean cities are always evil and gardens are always good.

Cities are intended to provide shelter, protection, justice, and community. However, not every city is a “shining city on a hill.” (Matt 5.14) Cities often become places of cruelty, violence, corruption, and oppression. Places of darkness, wickedness, and death.

Cities of darkness and death are symbols of human rebellion against God and a declaration of independence and self-reliance. When Cain is cast out into the wilderness, he builds a city (Genesis 4.17). Cain’s city and his descendants become violent leaders and their cities known for violence (Genesis 4.19-24).

When humans began to rebuild society after the flood, they sought new technology to build a city with a tower that reached to the heavens, far above the threat of any flood. (Genesis 11.2-4) This city, Babylon, is both a historical city and a symbol of human pride, sin, and rebellion. Babylon appears historically and symbolically throughout the Bible, right to the very last pages (Rev 18.2). 

In the re-beginning, when God ends evil and restores the world, we will live with God, not in a garden as we did at the beginning, but in a heavenly city (Rev 21.2-3). God scattered the nations after Babel, in the re-beginning, he will gather all nations to his city to live with him forever (Rev 21.23-26). God’s city is a garden where good things grow. God’s garden is a city where every branch provides food, healing, and shelter (Rev 22.1-3).

In the meantime, what are we to do? Plant gardens? Build cities? Should we scatter into the wilderness? Or gather in concrete and glass canyons?

Whether in the city or the country, use scripture’s descriptions of the city of God, like in Isaiah, as examples of the communities we should build. Could we describe our communities the same way Isaiah describes God’s city (Isaiah 25.4-8)?

Is there refuge from the ruthless? Provision for the poor and needy? Peace for the distressed?

Shelter from the storm? Shade from the heat? Windbreaks for the windblown? Silence to escape uproar? Quiet that drowns songs of violence?

No human city or community can be perfect. We can’t build Heaven on earth, but we must not use that to excuse inaction, apathy, or greed. We are called to establish good things in God’s world. Let us strive toward a garden city without excuses.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. — Psalm 108.3-4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Of Temples and Gardens

Gardens are places where nature is maximized and brought to greater, more ordered, and more beautiful potential. Gardens…are places to meet with God.

Of Temples and Gardens—Readers’ Choice
Read more: What Kind of City on a Hill?

In Ezekiel 22, …what should be a shining city on a hill is a city of darkness, blood, and dross. What kind of “city on a hill” do we live in?

What Kind of City on a Hill?
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Listen and Change

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 25  Read: Isaiah 24 Listen: (3:11) Read: Acts 11 Listen: (3:52)

Scripture Focus: Acts 11.1-2

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:…

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

Reflection: Listen and Change

By John Tillman

We’ve heard Peter defend himself to the Pentecost crowds when accused of being drunk too early in the morning. We’ve heard Peter defend himself before the Sanhedrin for healing a crippled man. But now we hear Peter defending himself, not to strangers or Romans or the powerful Jewish leaders, but to fellow Jesus followers!

These Jewish Jesus followers were incensed that Peter had eaten with the “uncircumcised.” He had done something that, according to their interpretation of the Bible and of Jesus, was unquestionably wrong.

Sometimes we must defend ourselves from those who should be standing with us. Sometimes those whose beliefs are the closest to ours attack us more often and with more vitriol than atheists or adherents to other faith systems. However, Peter’s confrontation doesn’t drag on forever like endless Christian-on-Christian attacks on Twitter.

First, Peter explained himself. But then, two things happened that rarely seem to happen today. First, the confronting parties listened to what Peter said. Then they changed their opinion about what he had done.

We can’t get too idealistic about the New Testament church. They were learning how to be the church following Jesus’ ascension. Many things went wrong. Like us, they had scandals, squabbles, and horrible errors. Church history after the canon of scripture includes even greater fights, arguments, and power struggles. There are heresies, councils, excommunications, and, according to tradition, at least one famous punch/slap thrown by Saint Nicolas.

The New Testament church had many of the same problems we do but they did at least one thing better than us by far. They listened to one another and changed. The apostles listened to the neglected Greek widows. And they changed. They listened to Barnabus about Saul. And they changed. The Jerusalem church listened to Peter about the Gentiles. And they changed. Peter listened to Paul when challenged about slipping back into hypocrisy. And he changed.

When was the last time you listened to a brother or sister in Christ…and you changed? I don’t mean abandoning the gospel or losing trust in the scriptures or compromising biblical principles… When have you listened and turned away from an idol? When have you changed your treatment of others? When have you apologized and made amends? When have you repented? When have you admitted you were wrong?

May we, when confronted with truth, be willing to listen and to change.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Turn to me and have mercy upon me; give your strength to your servant; and save the child of your handmaid. — Psalm 86.16

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Cursebreakers 

Cursed is the ground because of us.
Reversed is the curse because of Christ.
God, make us cursebreakers.

Cursebreakers
Read more: Cultivation Means Tending

Cultivation begins with destruction, but continues with tenderness and care…cultivated ground…is carefully controlled.

Cultivation Means Tending
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Abandoned at Sea

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 24  Read: Isaiah 23 Listen: (2:50) Read: Acts 10 Listen: (5:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23:12–13

12 He said, “No more of your reveling,
    Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed!

“Up, cross over to Cyprus;
    even there you will find no rest.”
13 Look at the land of the Babylonians,
    this people that is now of no account!
The Assyrians have made it
    a place for desert creatures;
they raised up their siege towers,
    they stripped its fortresses bare
    and turned it into a ruin.

Reflection: Abandoned at Sea

By Erin Newton

Much like the world today, political alliances were the means of survival for nations in the ancient world. Breaches in agreements resulted in war. When vassal nations wanted to shake off the yoke of submission, they often allied together against the ruling kingdom. Today we have international peace treaties, and there are alliances like the United Nations, NATO, and OSEAN. The understanding is that these nations will help one another through military aid, trade, or simple peace.

But what happens when all your allies are destroyed?

This is the situation that is prophesied against Tyre. Isaiah’s proclamation shows Tyre (Sidon) standing alone. No matter where they look, no one is there to help. Cyprus provides no rest. Babylon is powerless.

The message is bleak. Tyre was the kingdom of the sea, known for its naval power and ability to navigate along the coast and excel in trade. In the ancient world, “the sea” is also a mythic force of chaos. To control the chaos was a token of power. Now they are disowned by the sea, according to Isaiah—“For the sea has spoken: ‘I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters’” (v. 4).

When we read this prophecy, we are invited to see ourselves in the place of Tyre. Our power might seem unshakeable, but Isaiah reminds us that all power will fall before the Lord. Even those we view as allies are not a match against God. So it challenges us to ensure our trust is planted in God alone. It cannot be weapons plus God. 

We also read this prophecy resting in the hope that the powers that oppress others will be torn down before the Lord. We persevere with the hope in the future—a future of God’s kingdom on earth.

We finally read this prophecy as a detached community thousands of years after its relevant audience. We read this as a study of God’s faithfulness to his people. Knowing that God does not change, the prophet’s trust in the future can also be our trust in the future.

No matter how dire things look now, how powerful nations may attempt to portray themselves, we trust in a God who controls the seas. We must lay down all that gives us a sense of power, lest we become like the ruined nations in Isaiah.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Protect my life and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. — Psalm 25.19

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Kingmakers Unmade

Theoretically, wealth is a neutral tool…But…as we shape our world with this tool, it is exceedingly rare that it does not also shape us.

Kingmakers Unmade
Read more: Knocking on Heaven’s Door

During his regular practice of prayer, God’s message came to Cornelius.
Cornelius knocked and Heaven’s door opened.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door
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Spiritual Practices for Politics

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 23  Read: Isaiah 22 Listen: (3:53) Read: Acts 9 Listen: (6:05)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 22.15-25

15 This is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says: 
“Go, say to this steward, 
to Shebna the palace administrator: 
16 What are you doing here and who gave you permission 
to cut out a grave for yourself here, 
hewing your grave on the height 
and chiseling your resting place in the rock? 
17 “Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you 
and hurl you away, you mighty man. 
18 He will roll you up tightly like a ball 
and throw you into a large country. 
There you will die 
and there the chariots you were so proud of 
will become a disgrace to your master’s house. 
19 I will depose you from your office, 
and you will be ousted from your position. 

20 “In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 23 I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. 24 All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars. 

25 “In that day,” declares the Lord Almighty, “the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down.” The Lord has spoken.

From John: We are sensitive (and wary) about politics at The Park Forum. We’ve witnessed the dangers. We’ve seen religious leaders become slaves of a politician instead of slaves of Christ. We’ve seen pastors become promoters of political agendas rather than the gospel. We’ve seen apologists go from defending theology to defending “Western Culture.” This post discusses the spiritual implications of politics without endorsing or condemning specific politicians or parties. See the resources linked at the end of this post for more encouragement about how Christians can faithfully engage in politics.

Reflection: Spiritual Practices for Politics

By John Tillman

Isaiah prophesied that a corrupt official, Shebna, would be thrown out and Eliakim would be brought in.

Shebna was proud of Judah’s Egyptian chariots, and foolishly ignored Isaiah’s warnings not to ally with Egypt. Corrupt and vain, he misused government resources to carve himself an ornate tomb like ones typically reserved for kings. His downfall was good news.

The people hung hopes, glory, and honor on Eliakim, like a peg in the wall. But the peg sheared off and everything crashed down. Eliakim couldn’t hold their hopes.

Scripture warns us not to trust in princes, (Psalm 146) but we keep doing it.

Many times, I’ve hung hopes on the unworthy pegs of political officials (and Christian leaders) whom I thought had character, principles, and class. It’s painful to watch everything crash down when leaders I supported betray what I thought they stood for. Whatever your political tribe, you probably know how this feels. It can make us cynical, jaded, or apathetic. I’ve felt that way.

However tainted we feel politics is, we can’t surrender to cynicism and apathy. We can’t hang all our hopes on the Eliakims of the world, but we can’t let the Shebnas of the world keep abusing their positions. If justice and righteousness are to be established, government and politics are one means God has given us to do so. Politics and politicians are important because policies either help or hurt people whom God loves. Isaiah, other prophets, and the faithful remnant had fewer options than we do. Yet they never stopped working, even in lost causes. Even in exile, Daniel and others were politically involved, seeking the public good. (Daniel 1.18-21)

Spiritual practices for politics should include 1) prayer, 2) principles, and 3) separating the common from the holy.

Through prayer, seek humility. Ask God to change hearts and provide wisdom. Changing leaders without changing hearts changes nothing. (Daniel 6.6-16)

Through scripture, identify defining principles of good communities. Start with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) and interpret the rest of scripture using Jesus’ lens.

Separate moral teachings from common goods. Don’t hang holy things on common pegs. Moral teaching must remain with the church. Good things may be enacted through governments. Secular governments can provide resources, educate, and protect from wrongdoing but they cannot and should not engage in moral instruction.

Engage in politics with the right attitude and with the proper understanding of the limits of human government.

Resources: Here are some resources we feel can be helpful in the topic and practice of politics.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures he has settled me. — The Short Breviary

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Apotheosis of Politics

We must hold our patriotism and our political activism more lightly than our faith.

Apotheosis of Politics
Read more: Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics

We vote with Christ’s hands and feet as we serve and care for image-bearers of God. What does this look like?

Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics
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