Christianity as a Living Tradition

"The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But thie is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31.31ff, NRSV).

"What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "'The parents have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge'? As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel" (Ezekiel 18.2f, NRSV).

It is interesting to note that even though God's law, his covenant with the people would "stand forever," and yet change is very fascinating to me. If I'm not careful, I'd say this is a contradiction all unto itself. I realize, though, that nothing can be farther from the truth. In fact, it is imperative that God does change the promises, if and only if, the people are "ready" (whatever that could mean!) and could use something even better. Christians see this as being fulfilled in Christ.

Traditions do not have to be stale and unchanging to remain true to their foundations. Notice language, for instance. A "living" language will change over the course of time, as the language is being used. English speakers do not speak the same English as written in the King James Bible, though at one time, they did. Traditions can be the same way. We will see how later on in this post. Christianity is a living tradition, therefore is allowed to change within time, not expected to remain the same and die out because it doesn't answer to the needs of humans living in the here and now. The proof is in the pudding, so here I will serve.

Note the change in the use of a proverb: "The parents have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." Now before, this proverb did adequately describe the consequences of disobedience... when God would punish those people down to the third and fourth generation. That was part of the Law covenant with Moses. (Give me a couple of days, I will find that passage and post it up.) Now they are to no longer use that. Why? It seems apparant that such a proverb will no longer accurately describe the wrath of God. We are instead told, in the same chapter, that the one who breaks the law will be the only one who will pay. This is true in dealing with God in the New Testament; for example Romans chapters 1-6.

Note too, Acts 15, where the newly formed Christian Church decided that the Gentile followers need not to convert over to Judaism, need NOT to have circumcision. Part of that reasoning was that the Apostle Peter witnessed the Spirit of God dwelling with uncircumsised Romans, who had the gifts of the Spirit, and showed adequate grace. If the Holy Spirit comes and visits such people, then circumcision must no longer be a requirement. This was a historical move for the church; because instead of choosing exclusion, "It's us against them," they chose inclusion, "We might be different, but we stand together." Even though Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and even Moses and all the prophets had to be circumcised, worshippers of God today no longer have to be. (As I type this, I hear a lot of men shout "AMEN! Hallelujah!)

The Christain Church of today may want to revisit this and reconsider their stand on allowing women to join the ministry. Perhaps even consider what the Church has traditionally seen as outcasts, and attempt reconciliation with these people, like those who have a different sexual orientation than those of the majority. After all, does not the Spirit of God visit these people as well? The Christain Church has broken off from traditional Judaism as evident in Acts 15. The Christian Church, led by the Holy Spirit, may want to take further action. I would encourage all Christains to at least, consider it; using the formulae: Does God's Spirit visit so and so?

The Bible I quote here is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Gras agus sith oirbh

(Grace and peace on you),
Alasdair Seoc Dughlas

Let It Begin With Me

HOPE FOR TODAY
Today is Saturday, May 22, 2010

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Anticipating enjoyment is a good way to begin my day. If I lose my place. I'll remember I can start my day over at any time.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
"I haven't succeeded in changing my past, of course, but the present is filled with promise, and, amazingly, I am discovering that it is fun to be me" ("From Survival to Recovery," p. 185; Virginia Beach, VA).

SEOC's SHARE FOR TODAY:
I have often wondered why I most often than not choose to be safe rather than try something new. It is hard for me to learn something, because I always seem to have this feeling that I should know everything and to do anything efficiently. I find that I have little patience for myself. Why is all this?

Again, it stems from my childhood. There were plenty of times that I had not done as well as others had expected of me and so I withdrew, not wanting to do anything, out of fear of disapproval. I discovered that FEAR was the real culprit. Now, I must ask myself, "Does this fear profit me anything?" Sometimes, yes. Most of the time, no. There is a whole world out there that I'm missing out on and at the same time, the whole world out there is missing me.

So what do I do? I climb out of my shell, the one I created and explore all my possibilities. Easier said than done, right? You bet! It takes a lot of courage for me to try new things, to encourage myself to become a little creative and experiment. Wouldn't you know? Sometimes, the world sees me as someone very special. But then again, if the world fails to see my gifts and appreciate them, at least I can see, acknowledge and celebrate the gift of my inner child.

That's all I got today. I'm Seoc, a gratefully recovering Adult Child. I'm glad we're here.

Hope for Today is a daily meditation book published by Al-Anon Family Groups and focuses on isuues faced by Adult Children of Alcoholics.

The Stuff I Call Serenity

"Hope for Today"
Today is Thursday, May 20, 2010.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Serenity is not about the end of pain. It is about my ability to flourish peacefully no matter what life brings my way.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
"I felt utterly at peace with life and at the same time filled with joy. At that moment, I realized this was serenity, and I laughed out loud for the sheer; glorious pleasure of it" ("From Survival to Recovery," p.268; Virginia Beach, VA).

SEOC's SHARE FOR TODAY:

Once, one of my favorite all-time comic strip characters, Hagar the Horrible, was offered three choices.

1) Become all-powerful and rule the world.
2) Get all the money and become the richest man in the world.
3) He could have "true happiness."

My hero choose option 1. His reasoning was that if he could rule the world, he'd take all the money and be truly happy. Of course, I smile when I see logic go in that direction, but deep down, I know that happiness doesn't work like that. Isn't it true that the richer one becomes, the more stress one has?

Education, financial success, respectability, good health, loving families... sure they all can contribute, set the stage for one to be happy. They are not, however, the source. The source of true happiness, the stuff I call Serenity, that peace of mind, comes from within. Take away all those good conditions, and one can still have Serenity. This is something so real that not even conflicts, commotions and chaos can make it fall. They can make an impact on our peacefulness, but only if we allow it to. The choice is ours and ours to make. This is what true happiness is and so I smile every time I think of Hagar's choice.

When I have Serenity, it doesn't matter what happens in the day to day, dog eat world. I still have the strength to carry on and keep what's left of my sanity. I trust that something good will come out of anything, even though I may not see how it will come to be. I trust that someone is looking out for me and has my back. Whether for good or ill, it doesn't matter. Things will always work out in the end. Now that's Serenity!

Gras agus sith dhut, (Grace and peace to you)
Seoc Dughlas

"Hope for Today" is a daily meditation book published by Al-Anon Family Groups and is focused on issues faced by Adult Children of Alcoholics.