Ladies Luncheon
The
sermon was over. It was one that
featured the story of a man born blind and the judgmental assumptions made
about him because of his blindness. From
it our pastor reminded us that, “being analyzed often feels like abandonment.”
The
meal was over. After the service the meeting
room had been transformed into a dining room with the variety of food from
chicken nachos to salad to egg rolls to desserts.
Now
I approached the table where my wife sat with a group of ladies. “We’re being segregated today,” I said and then
asked, “What is the ladies’ table talking about?” A variety of answers came back at me along
with a question of their own, “What should we be talking about?” For the fun of it, I replied, “Something philosophical.” “And if we were going to discuss something philosophical
what might that be?” one of them asked.
Not
wanting to disappoint I posed this question, “Is the motivation for salvation only for individual benefit or can it also be for collective benefit?
(Individual benefits might include personal forgiveness of sin, a personal relationship
with Christ, heaven, deliverance from my sinful struggles, receiving a new
life. Examples of collective benefits
might include a community flourishing because someone is present who has an intimate
relationship with Christ, blessings to others because of the person’s
salvation, ongoing harmfulness to family being broken and restoration of relationships,
an open invitation for others to receive this same forgiveness and salvation.)
Is
it possible for the motivation of salvation to be primarily for the community
and secondarily for the individual? What
about cultures like Mexico that place greater value on the collective group ahead
of individualism? What does Paul mean
when he tells the Philippian jailer “you
will be saved—you and your household?” In the biblical culture was a father’s decision
impactful to the whole group?”
Lots
of conversation ensued. It was insightful and interesting to say the least. I
can hardly wait for the next segregated luncheon discussion.
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