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.