October 16, 2009

Texts:
1 Kings 3-5
Galatians 1

Kings:
The message from Samuel--that neither God's steadfast love nor the sword would never depart from David's house continued to play out in Kings. But by chapter 3, Solomon is king. What do you think of the portrait being painted here of Solomon by the Deuteronomistic Historian? Why do you think he talks about Solomon this way?

Galatians:
I love this letter! Paul is annoyed over many things and you get a sense of that in this letter. People have come along after him and are preaching a "different gospel". Paul is annoyed by these people who are trying to undo his work in Galatia. Paul had preached a message of radical grace, acceptance, and love, and these guys come in and say, "yes, what Paul said is nice, but you still have to be circumcised and follow the laws of Judaism".
Paul is also annoyed with the Galatians for seeming to fall for these "circumcisers". And, as we've seen before, Paul makes clear from just where, his authority and the gospel he preaches come from. And it is NOT from the church in Jerusalem. It is from God himself.

Have you ever had to write a letter to someone you love and yet with whom you were very angry? How do you think Paul does here?