tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post1366663812495019960..comments2024-03-28T13:59:11.445-07:00Comments on Left Behind and Loving It: Pity the FoolsD. Mark Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-78444364275061015482023-11-11T14:13:58.399-08:002023-11-11T14:13:58.399-08:00I don't think I said that very clearly...
Amos...I don't think I said that very clearly...<br />Amos...I hate your empty worship, I will not see them, I will not accept them, I will not listen to them...this is what I want...tend to the poor and needy, let justice roll down like water<br />Matthew 25:1-13...I hate your foolishness, tending to unnecessary things, you missed it, you missed me, you missed the party...I don't know you<br />Matthew 25: 31-46 (goats and sheep)...Depart from me, you "foolishly" did not know me (see me) in the the stranger, the hungry, the imprisoned.<br /><br />I don't like the separation and rejection theme but maybe it is not about being rewarded for what we do or not do, but it is about a state of intimacy with God that Matthew describes as knowing and being known by God.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912787652806288527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-58373537367044314832023-11-11T13:05:41.415-08:002023-11-11T13:05:41.415-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01912787652806288527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-4712607922874308922023-11-10T06:52:23.387-08:002023-11-10T06:52:23.387-08:00Thanks!Thanks!Tobi Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430505705398433732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-63641020690477016982023-11-10T06:47:05.006-08:002023-11-10T06:47:05.006-08:00... and the terms ἐγείρω and γρηγορέω certainly lo...... and the terms ἐγείρω and γρηγορέω certainly look like they are from the same family.<br />MDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-8913977679580948372023-11-10T06:45:52.497-08:002023-11-10T06:45:52.497-08:00Hi Tobi, thanks for the question. The few verses I...Hi Tobi, thanks for the question. The few verses I can think of that speak about waking up, tend to use the word for "rise," ἐγείρω, to indicate waking out of sleep. (It's the same term for rising from the dead.) One of the tertiary definitions for γρηγορέω is "wake," to perhaps this could be translated as "wake up," but it seems that the other term is preferred. And there are times when γρηγορέω definitely is pointing to a condition of keeping watch, rather than starting to wake up. So ... I don't think "wake up" is a strong translation. I'm not an expert here either, just an information gatherer.<br />MD Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-26159722523444912272023-11-08T08:23:34.770-08:002023-11-08T08:23:34.770-08:00Is there the possibility of reading 'keep awak...Is there the possibility of reading 'keep awake' as 'wake up?' Not sure where I'm going with that, but I was curious since my Greek is more than a little rusty.Tobi Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430505705398433732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-64371869238772268622020-11-07T07:19:02.267-08:002020-11-07T07:19:02.267-08:00It's an artist's right to present a story,...It's an artist's right to present a story, even if that grace does not seem apparent in the text itself. I just cannot help but imagine that these first two parables are not actually "Reign of God" parables, but "here's how the Reign of God is presented" parables, with the last parable (sheep and goats) overturning it all. <br />Ah well. <br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-59994797737494357662020-11-07T07:16:57.750-08:002020-11-07T07:16:57.750-08:00Yay!
MDYay! <br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-48936789902935727642020-11-05T08:00:22.965-08:002020-11-05T08:00:22.965-08:00https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0c4YeABTshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0c4YeABTsNicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371108523896248366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-23963120123693766482020-11-04T13:07:45.143-08:002020-11-04T13:07:45.143-08:00I must admit I am not familiar with Barth's in...I must admit I am not familiar with Barth's interpretation. I will have to look into it. Don't get me wrong I do appreciate history of interpretation. I think the beauty of the living word is that God can reveal new levels of understanding in different generations.<br />I think contextually when we look at the beginning of chapter 24 Jesus is talking about the destruction of the temple then he goes onto talk about persecution of believers and false prophets it seems he is trying to communicate the turning of tables and understanding. It just seems appropriate for Jesus to speak a parable that requires the hearer to consider turning typical imagery on end. Parables are not generally straight up allegory. And in this reading it would challenge us who think we are wise and prepared to consider our arrogance and selfishness that clearing is not inline with the Gospel message. When we think we have it together often we end up closing the door on Jesus himself.<br /><br />WOW I am not in the same place I was when I read this scripture in October lolNicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371108523896248366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-79731578706998178992020-11-03T05:17:43.261-08:002020-11-03T05:17:43.261-08:00That's a thought worth considering, Nicole. Ar...That's a thought worth considering, Nicole. Are you familiar with Karl Barth's interpretation of the prodigal son? He reads the son, going to a 'far off country' as the incarnation of the Christ. It's mind-bogglingly different at first, but it brings the story into a whole new meaning and - perhaps this is due to the carefulness and sheer force of Barth's writing - makes a ton of sense. <br />What if this is telling the story of Jesus? What if he is not "wise" in the ways and habits of ... the Empire, for example, which gets him banished from the party? It may be a line of thinking that is promising. <br />I don't want to trash a long history of interpretation in order to pursue novelty, but it strikes me that everyone who hears this parable senses a fundamental injustice or unkindness about it that seems to make it unfit as a parable about how God is. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-1221781571819594782020-11-02T18:55:59.752-08:002020-11-02T18:55:59.752-08:00ooohhh I just had a thought....could the 5 morons ...ooohhh I just had a thought....could the 5 morons be telling the story of Jesus? He is rejected...the disciples couldn't stay awake and Peter claims he doesn't know him. Maybe a convoluted approach to the parable...lolNicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371108523896248366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-69245752419833318792020-11-02T18:26:58.385-08:002020-11-02T18:26:58.385-08:00Mark I hear ya. As I listen to the context and all...Mark I hear ya. As I listen to the context and allow it to speak now, I hear Jesus challenging those of us who are hearing to be willing to sit in dark if we have to in order to be present when He arrives. How profound it would be to not be coaxed by others when they tell us we have failed and we need to go away to get fixed in order to be in the light. I think there is interesting imagery when we remember that Jesus is supposed to be the light we rely on.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371108523896248366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-75099695078970050852020-11-02T12:27:27.145-08:002020-11-02T12:27:27.145-08:00Years ago, I attended a preaching seminar on this ...Years ago, I attended a preaching seminar on this and other parables. The presenter was an artist who depicted the parables in relief sculpture. In the sculpture for this parable, you could see the party going on inside and the 5 'morons' outside. And you could see the door was closed but not locked or bolted. All the 'morons' had to do was open the door. The artist said it was his way of depicting some sort of grace into the story.Erik Olsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-1582264311689871682020-11-01T06:52:24.194-08:002020-11-01T06:52:24.194-08:00I wonder that, too, Nicole, but I do so knowing th...I wonder that, too, Nicole, but I do so knowing that we are far exceeding what the parable itself addresses. There seems to be no argument from the morons over whether a little bit of oil can be shared, whether the virgins can travel in pairs, etc. At some point we've to to let the parable have its way and set its terms - maddening though it may be. I'm still stinging from someone who once told me, "If you don't like the story, go get another story." Ouch. <br />Where are are invited to join the fray, I think, is in the interpretive community, trying to understand what the parable meant to Matthew's community and what it might mean to our own. <br />Great to hear from you.<br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-76814736824781890642020-10-22T08:39:26.843-07:002020-10-22T08:39:26.843-07:00I'm curious to think about what if the morons ...I'm curious to think about what if the morons had decided not to leave in search of oil but stayed and shared the light already burning?Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17371108523896248366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-10055334832895439622017-11-12T13:51:09.315-08:002017-11-12T13:51:09.315-08:00I preached about how this is really a parable abou...I preached about how this is really a parable about what the kingdom of God is not like. It looks more like the kingdom of privilege where serving women can be asked to work impossible hours and still be bright and alert for whenever they are needed. It is about how the need to please can divide rather than unite. Whereas the kingdom of God is already here and still (be)coming and Jesus is present whenever we gather in peace and love. Thanks for giving me a new insight into this problematic passage/trudy lebanshttp://voicesinthetrees.menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-16367369013393210002017-11-09T00:02:06.468-08:002017-11-09T00:02:06.468-08:00I’m wondering if this is a story about intimacy an...I’m wondering if this is a story about intimacy and commitment. Someone once said, “Intimacy without commitment is cheep grace.” Perhaps the wise want the intimacy that comes from being a part of the wedding party; therefore, they come prepared. The unwise desire the intimacy but do not prepare and therefore are not fully committed. The kingdom of heaven will grant us intimacy when we are fully committed to Christ’s mission within it.Father Brandon Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04407915137651844733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-18819978907911773992017-11-08T14:17:13.325-08:002017-11-08T14:17:13.325-08:00See Douglas Hare, Interpretation: Matthew, for a c...See Douglas Hare, Interpretation: Matthew, for a corrective to the death/resurrection interpretation.Leland Seesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02274807378866482008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-61853749809285334612017-11-08T12:45:26.866-08:002017-11-08T12:45:26.866-08:00I'm beginning to think that there is one simpl...I'm beginning to think that there is one simple point to the parable (obviously, v13) and to focus on allegorical interpretations of details such as the oil is to run the risk of missing that one, crucial, point. The story itself has no other function than to shock the audience. Almost nothing in the story is what would 'actually happen'. That's what people (us too?) also think about the coming/arrival ('return' is a misleading term). It's no more likely to happen than a groom rocking up in the middle of the night, bridesmaids running out of or not sharing oil, the 'Lord' of the wedding shutting the door etc. Well, says, Jesus, you're in for a shock. The Son of Man will arrive, there will be a separation/judgment,so be prepared by being faithful, bearing fruit, feeding the hungry etc. The Groom is already here but we don't recognise him in the hungry, thirsty et al. Don't lose sleep over it but be watchful for him.<br /><br />Probably, that's my preaching line for Sunday!Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-19986387569852509062017-11-08T06:55:28.250-08:002017-11-08T06:55:28.250-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Chewingthecudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16266705362586639762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-32990600684694398952017-11-08T06:05:23.723-08:002017-11-08T06:05:23.723-08:00Hi Rick,
I've not thought about death/resurrec...Hi Rick,<br />I've not thought about death/resurrection with this parable before. Hmm... <br />Thanks for the note,<br />MDD. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-62051836850838867102017-11-08T06:04:12.793-08:002017-11-08T06:04:12.793-08:00I've run across some commentaries that want to...I've run across some commentaries that want to make the oil in this parable symbolic of the Holy Spirit, and then run with it. Matthew uses the word ἔλαιον three times in this parable, and nowhere else. D. Mark Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12016377712982292924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320313747187588188.post-4611361664776509632017-11-06T19:22:28.936-08:002017-11-06T19:22:28.936-08:00As usual, thanks for your comments and observation...As usual, thanks for your comments and observations. <br /><br />I'm also struck by the language of death/resurrection in the parable. Delay/absence a la Jesus and Laz, sleep, the call/cry, the girls are raised (passive), they are invited to go out for the meeting/arrival, and they go 'with' the Groom. <br /><br />It's a typical Matthean parable: various responses, but a sorting out in the end. Are the moros those who go off looking for something else instead of waiting? Do the goodies in the community encourage the morons to go off because they are not as good as us in the watching game? Does the story, as story, in fact get more and more ludicrous? And does that also include the shut door? I too think the Judgment Parable later is a useful key to this one. All intriguing really.Ricknoreply@blogger.com