Library: Sorted by Grace

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God --- what is good acceptable and perfect.  (Rms. 12: 2)

 

Because of government funding cuts, five libraries in the Annapolis Valley were to close. This week a donor gave a substantial gift to keep them open. On multiple platforms people are talking about the value of libraries. Conversations considered the freedom to learn, share, explore, feel, and dream. Much was said about curiosity and imagination, new ideas and new directions of thinking. It was strongly noted that tyrannies and dystopias do not have libraries: books are burned and free thought or expression are banned.

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God --- what is good acceptable and perfect.

 

When I teach the books of the Bible to confirmation classes, I begin with a picture of a bookshelf, filled with books. On the top shelf are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – the books ascribed to Moses and called Torah by our Jewish siblings. There is a shelf with history books like Kings and Chronicles. There is a poetry section with the books like Psalms and Proverbs. There is a shelf holding lots of books written by prophets. The library includes four gospels and a section filled with letters.

The literature spans thousands of years. The books are abundant with diversity of cultures, peoples, geography, empires, situations, perspectives, styles, and intended audiences. When one puts the books together in one place, readers will note that between the books there are contradictions, disagreeing timelines, differing details, a variety of theological perspectives, and descriptions of God that don’t easily sit side-by-side. We have put this whole bookshelf together into one. The Bible is a library.

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God --- what is good acceptable and perfect

 

Paul, in his book Romans, sets out in the first 11 chapters his argument for salvation through Christ. Paul draws from various books in the library just mentioned, as well as some others, to craft his argument. This morning we enter the book of Romans at chapter 12, where Paul turns the script and gets to the ‘therefore,’ or the ‘now what?’ of what he is trying to say.

Paul does this by creating a new shelving system, a new structure to organize the items in the library. Items are now placed by the structure of grace.

Because of Christ, righteousness is no longer to be understood as a way to earn God’s favour, but rather the response to divine grace given. The structure of grace is living in gratitude for release from the bondage to sin. This is done in holy living that exhibits and grows the grace of God.

 

New Testament scholar Paul Achtemeier, in the Interpretation series Commentary on Romans, says this of the structuring power of grace, Living the power of the Spirit, and accepting the gracious lordship of God, the Christian’s world has been made new; and the task is now to let the structuring power of grace transform that world into the shape of grace. -pg. 195

Chapter 12 of Romans is an exhortation for holy living driven by experienced grace. Paul’s appeal continues through chapter 16. The book calls Christ followers to common life that exhibits and grows the grace of God.

Not to miss at this turning point are three key points: by grace, in Christ, one body.

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God --- what is good acceptable and perfect.

 

Through the book of Romans, Paul is addressing an immediate concern: how to live lives of grace in the political and cultural situation of the time. And as faith community to discern the will of God, for them in that time and place.

Jews had been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius in 49CE. This included Jewish Christians like Prisca and Aquila, characters we read about in the book of Acts. Half a decade or so later, under the reign of Emperor Nero, they return to Rome as do others. The returnees, who had lost property and community ties find a church that is now predominately Gentile Christians (no Jewish background whatsoever). Paul sets out his argument in chapters 1 -11 with a summary of the gospel of salvation in Christ. He asks, pleads, that Gentile Christians not boast over Jews, and not participate in antisemitism that is once again on the rise in Rome. Paul’s letter is concerned with animosity and friction between faith groups and house churches, and fears that Rome will consider this as civil disturbance warranting policing and persecution measures.

 

So Paul writes: By grace, in Christ, one body.

Paul uses the full library to convince the faithful to live accordingly. Specifically, to Christ followers that it is by God’s grace, through Christ, that there is one body. Unity whose heart is Christ. Now unity does not mean uniformity like a group think model where everyone states belief exactly the same way or believes exactly the same things. In talking about the individual parts of one body, Romans describes the diversity and multi-faceted abundance of parts, enacted in a variety of expressions of living grace and enacting faith.

 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God --- what is good acceptable and perfect

 

We are a library.  

Since the beginning of the Reformation, Lutheranism has followed a way of being. Education, reading, curiosity, questions, teaching (not just by the pastor), studying scripture, participating in liturgy, hymn writing and singing, and theological conversation for all, by all have been encouraged and practiced. Each week we step aside so as not to be conformed to this age. We come to church to read a different book, to hear a story from a perspective not our own. The practice of worship exercises our hearts and minds such that they are transformed. When leaving this space, we are not the same as when we arrived. We have new ideas, prayers, hopes, and a renewed spirit. All of this, and as a collection of people from a variety of experiences, we are uniquely equipped as a community to discern the will of God for this community.

 

This week I found September’s Bible studies. They are from Canada Lutheran World Relief and are on the theme of education. Each study includes specifics about how education plays an important role in the work that CLWR does around the world. As we explore the biblical texts we will see the passing of God story through learning, curiosity, and conversation. I noted how much I take for granted – free education, ability to read, liberty of expression, access to information. Sunday School, Bible Study, confirmation, summer camp, faith community, my own Bible  …

Today I give thanks for libraries – traditional library, school library, the Bible, church as library – I see grace working through all forms of library. I give thanks for the gift of libraries, for the gift of grace.

May this library keep our minds discerning and our hearts living that which is good acceptable and perfect.

By grace, in Christ, one body. Amen.