What happens when two trained theologians—one a pastor and one a literary scholar—work together to preach a text?
Calls for cross-disciplinary and cross-vocational projects like this one have recently been issued by thinkers like N.T. Wright and Miraslov Volf because, in reality, they don’t happen all that often. As Wright points out, while careful scholarship is necessary, in the academy “specialization turns into isolation” far too easily. And as Volf argues, academic theology has lost touch with the lived experiences and concerns of the church.
Within the academy, theology needs to be in conversation with biblical studies. But those of us who spend our lives studying literature know that even the best biblical scholars don’t read like literary critics, which is why people like Robert Alter have been so important in helping scholars think about the Bible as a literary work. And, as Volf suggests, the demands of reading well look very different when faced with a church full of real people with real problems and questions. While scholars and parishioners might share a desire for understanding, most people in the pews want something more than understanding…they want an encounter with God through the text that speaks to their lived experience.
So, what happens when the academy and the church get together to preach a hard text?
A few weeks ago, Jason Miller (the lead pastor at South Bend City Church) and I started just such a project on the household codes in Colossians. The passage is not an easy one. The writer’s terse calls for submission and obedience by wives, children and slaves stand in stark contrast to the overabundant language and visionary theology that characterizes the rest of the letter. And the codes seem to directly contradict the writer’s vision of Christian community. Engaging the text together, Jason and I uncover new possibilities, deep grace, and a vision for real redemption within these difficult verses.
The result? A collaborative, conversational sermon where we wrestle with this problematic passage together as part of the Thursday night and Sunday morning gatherings. I’m deeply grateful to Jason for giving me the opportunity to be part of this compelling conversation.
Stream the conversational sermon through the podcast stream above (the conversation starts at the 7 minute mark).
grace & peace,
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Photography credits to Jeff Myers – thank you!
I loved the way you set up and then unfolded the three readings of the passage and Jon and was moved to tears by the enormous grace inherent in “what if the passage means exactly what it says” and all of the implications inherent in that. It was lovely that you were so clear to make a distinction between the context and now, in that women can and should seek out help now, but then in returning to the context of the pater familias and the slave owner, showing that “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.” Amen! So much freedom and grace extended to the powerless individual against evil systems and structures.
It was also SO beautiful to see you showing the way in which the later chapters of the very same letter show the impact of that good news and the freedom and new life that it brings as shown in the treatment of Onesimus and the mention of Nympha and her role. I love how you dealt with the inherent “contradictions” to show that these weren’t contradictions at all but signs of the gospel at work in the community and God’s kingdom breaking in and transforming their lived and known reality to expand known modes of operation and resist cultural limitations!
As soon as you said, “It’s not your fault” I was overcome. I came away from these texts, which have stabbed my spirit anytime they are read or preached on and thought – of course – it’s about the bigger picture and the text as a whole! How have we missed this? It’s the ultimate call of love and reconciliation which is at the core of Christ’s ministry and purpose for His church. Essentially saying, “Even though it’s hard, love and respect each other. Society places hierarchal distinction where I do not, that is not your fault, but love anyway.” This is our mandate and praxis as the Body. Thank you Jessica & Jason, two exegetes I have come to truly respect. Your interpretation of the script needs to be shared.