Inasmuch as the Lectionary has to do with scripture and commentary has to do with an interpretation of scripture a basic question needs to be asked about Process Theology in relation to scriptural interpretation. Should scripture be understood differently than in the past if we are to receive the greatest possible enlightenment from it? Yes! A literal interpretation will not "cut it". The reason for the answer is more complex and is dependent on a variety of variables. Acquired knowledge changes. Cultures change. Expectations from religion change.
In this regard it should be noted that the traditional explanations of Jesus as sacrifice, his crucifixion, resurrection, etc. made perfect sense in relation to the belief systems of many religions contemporary to early Christianity. A spiritual interpretation of Jesus makes sense in the world of today whereas a literal interpretation made perfect sense at the time the New Testament was in formation. It can be argued that the idea of religion requiring the sacrifice of a life to appease a god is primitive, outdated and contrary to many God-concepts which make sense to us today. In Process Theology, Jesus becomes an important part of the "process", but not the only point of focus. We are also part of the "process", having the advantage of Jesus as mentor, example, and major source of inspiration.
Let's assume that in pre-scripture times, our spiritual ancestors were at least as sincerely and dynamically interested in "truth" as we are. It is clear that the understanding of their world made an impact on how they related to the world, just as our understanding of our world impacts our relation to it. For example, they feared going too far out on the ocean for fear that they would fall off the edge. We explore the world with no fear of falling off the edge. We have expanded the "envelope" and are engaged in exploring space. The basic principal of this example can be applied to most areas of life that were important to them and that continue to be important to us.
Growth in knowledge of our world impacts how we relate to the world in matters that are important to us. Apply this idea to a comparison of their life and ours in relation to transportation, health care, communication, education, technology, etc. and the need for discernment in scriptural interpretation becomes evident. Growth in knowledge should also impact our system of religious beliefs!
Our interpretation of any scripture should always be in several parts. First, our best understanding of why it was written. Second a determination of why the writer believed his or her statements to be true and important. Third, an exploration of whether or not the meaning of that which was written has a functional and positive application to our lives today as it did to theirs then. Fourth, is there a nugget of truth in that which was written which can be expanded to have even greater meaning to us than it had to our spiritual ancestors. Are there factors in our contemporary world which increase the need for an application of some truth which has it roots in the past?
Assuming that our interpretations can be equally as sincere and honest to us as theirs was to them, differences become clear and be absolutely legitimate. First, their concern and response may be identical to ours. Second, subject matter of major concern to them may have no functional application for us. (Matters related to slavery no longer give most of us great concern.) Third, a nugget of truth may be addressed which needs great expansion in the world of today. Finally, there may be contemporary concerns which are not addressed by our spiritual ancestors but may be important to any functional and healthy religious approach to life in the world of today.
While it may be enlightening and of interest to determine ancient needs and responses, the greater concern of this Commentary will be an application to present day needs in our world as we understand it to be.
June, July, August, 2004
- Gone Fishin'!
May, 2004:
- May 30: Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17
- May 23: Acts 16:16-34; Revelation 22:12-14, 16, 17,20, 21; John 17:20-26
- May 16: Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:10, 22-22.5; John 14:23-29
- May 9: Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
- May 2: Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30
April, 2004:
- April 25: Acts 9:1-6, 7-20; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
- April 18: Acts: 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31
- April 11: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49
- April 4: Luke 19: 28-40; Psalm 118:1,2, 19-29
March, 2004:
- March 28: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
- March 21: Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
- March 14: Isaiah 55:1-9; I Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
- March 7: Genesis 15:1-12, 17, 18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36
February, 2004:
- February 29: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
- February 22: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36(37-43)
- February 15: Jeremiah 17:5-10; I Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26
- February 8: Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13); I Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
- February 1: Jeremiah 1:4-10; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30
January, 2004:
- January 25: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; I Corinthians 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21
- January 18: Isaiah 62:1-5; I Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
- January 11: Isaiah 43:1-7l; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21, 22
- January 4: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12
December, 2003:
- December 28: I Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
- December 21: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:39-45, 47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10
- December 14: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 3:7-18; Philippians 4-7
- December 7: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79 3:1-6; Philippians 1:3-11
November, 2003:
- November 30: Jeremiah 33:14-16; I Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36
- November 23: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; John 18:33-37; Revelation 1:4b-8
- November 16: I Samuel 1:4-20; 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
- November 9: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
- November 2: Ruth 1:l-18; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34
October, 2003:
- October 26: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 10:46-52
- October 19: Job 38:1-7, 34-41; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
- October 12: Job 23:1-9, 16-27; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
- October 5: Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:1-16
September, 2003:
- September 28: James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
- September 21: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
- September 14: James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
- September 7: James 2:1-10, 11-13, 14-17; Mark 7:24-37
August, 2003:
- August 31: James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
- August 24: Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69
- August 17: Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58
- August 10: Ephesians 4:25-5:2; John 6:35,41-51
- August 3: Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
July, 2003:
- July 27: John 6:1-21; Ephesians 3:14-21
- July 20: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; Ephesians 2:11-22
- July 13: Mark 6:14-29; Ephesians 1:3-14
- July 6: Mark 6:1-13; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
June, 2003:
- June 29: Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
- June 22: Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:12-13
- June 15: John 3:1-17
- June 8: Acts 2:1-21
- June 1: Psalm 1, John 17:6-19