pSunday Psalms: PSALM 120

A PERSON OF PEACE IN A LAND OF LIES

The first psalm in the collection of “Psalms of Ascent” is not about the journey, but about where the journey begins. In Psalm 120, the pilgrim going to Jerusalem describes where he lives and laments the spiritual conditions there.

The general situation is one of “trouble” (1) and “war” (7). Where he lives, the person of faith feels continually opposed and oppressed. Specifically, he lives in a community that promotes lies and deceit (2-4). He likens his situation to living in “Meshech” and “Kedar,” places known for continual warfare and hostility (5).

In the Book of Psalms, the "Songs of Ascent" are found in Book V, the book of hope for returned exiles from Babylon. Strategically placed in Book V, these psalms call them to look to Jerusalem, the place where God will provide shalom as he regathers his people and establishes his rule over all nations. Ps 120, with its emphasis on the difficult circumstances of the faithful in exile and return, sets the stage for the rest of the collection, which calls God's people to a pilgrimage of hope in Messiah's coming reign.

A third level of understanding comes when we read Ps 120 as “a prayer of the king." In this light we are reminded of the hostile environment to which Messiah Jesus came. “He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him” (Jn 1.12). Hebrews calls us to “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself” (Heb 12.3). Jesus was the ultimate person of peace in a land of lies. Yet ironically, in the midst of continual opposition, and by laying down his own life under a sentence of unjust lies, he provided ultimate peace (Rom 5.1).

Peace, or shalom, plays an important part in these psalms, appearing at key points in the collection to describe what the pilgrim seeks in and for Jerusalem and God’s people. This is, indeed, what all people long for. Shalom means wholeness, health, freedom from all oppression and trouble, relational harmony and complete wellbeing.

The new creation will be God’s Peaceable Kingdom, a place of universal shalom under the Messiah’s rule. No more trouble, lies, deceit, injustice, hostility, conflict. The feasts in Jerusalem enjoyed by the First Testament pilgrims were foretastes of that shalom. As temporary reprieves from the daily disorientation of living in Meshech and Kedar they provided a great hope and hunger for ultimate peace.

The challenge of this psalm for Christ-followers in the NT era is to be shalom-makers in the midst of our troubled world as we continue to await the coming Kingdom of peace. At times we cry out to God and lament our circumstances, yes. However, our daily faith journey with Jesus also calls us to arise, walk out into our world and say, “I am for peace.”

Saturday Scrimmage

The Franklin College Grizzlies traveled to Depauw this afternoon to participate in a warm-up scrimmage in preparation for opening Saturday next week.

The weather was grand, the teams played hard, and we're all looking forward to another exciting year.

Grizzly Cubs Prevail

The Franklin Grizzly Cubs took on Indianapolis Washington in a non-conference matchup for their second game of the season. It wasn't pretty, but Franklin won 28-18 to improve their record to 2-0. A strong defensive effort, combined with a solid running game and some timely passes led to the victory.

Next week Franklin faces a formidable foe in Shelbyville, which has been ranked in the top ten and have two impressive wins thus far this season.

NEW NAME!

I have renamed the blog from "Mike's Studies and Pix" to "otium sanctum," a Latin phrase used by early Christians, meaning "Holy Leisure," the unhurried and unharried spirit by which we best approach life, work, relationships and communion with God.

These have always been among my favorite Christian words, and I felt it would be good to give the blog a name that provokes more thought.

The URL will not change.

Taking it easy for a few days...

Labor Day weekend has become one of the times during the year when I get a bit of a break. So I'll be hanging around the house for the next few days, catching up on projects and enjoying a respite from the normal routine.

And even if time ain't really on my side
It's one of those days for takin' a walk outside
I'm blowin' the day to take a walk in the sun
And fall on my face on somebody's new mowed lawn...

(John Sebastian, "Daydream," © Alley Music Corp/Trio Music Co Inc)

YOU GOTTA READ THIS...

Are you ready for a big helping of in-your-face, honest, direct, controversial, passionate, subversive, countercultural, brass tacks TRUTH?

I dare you to read iMonk's replay of his 2001 essay, "Wretched Urgency."

Comment to him, or start a conversation with me by commenting here. This is something we all need to talk about.

pSunday Psalms

Today I will begin a series of studies, posted each Sunday, on Psalms 120-134. These are known, from their inscriptions, as the "Songs of Ascent." This post explores what that title means, and then gives a brief summary of my interpretive approach to the Book of Psalms.

SONGS OF ASCENT
The following quote from James Limburg in his Westminster Bible Companion commentary on the Psalms, gives a good overview of Psalms 120-134:

Psalm 120 is the first of a series of psalms running from 120 to 134, each of which is identified as "A Song of Ascents," literally, "A Song for the Going Up." This expression appears to refer to "going up" to Jerusalem; the same Hebrew word appears in the reference to the tribes who "go up" to Jerusalem in Psalm 122.4. This group of fifteen psalms seems to have been used for going up to Jerusalem for one of the festivals held there (see Deut 16.16), and thus these have been called pilgrimage psalms. These psalms were likely gathered together as a special collection to be used on such pilgrimages.

The Songs of Ascents are what we might call "folk psalms"—songs that reflect everyday matters like family, work, the seasons and rural life. They paint a picture of spiritual life from the perspective of the common person who experiences God's blessings in his daily routines among his neighbors in his own community. However, he also looks forward to special seasons of festive worship within the larger community of faith in Jerusalem.

READING THE PSALMS
Without offering a full explanation of how I came to these conclusions, here are the principles by which I approach reading and studying the Book of Psalms.

• Psalms contains many individual psalms and collections of psalms that were composed by David and other Israelite worshipers. The headings sometimes clue us in on a historical setting that should guide us in reading the psalm.

• These psalms were also used in worship settings. There are various types of psalms, and understanding the characteristics of these types can help us in our interpretations.
  

• Psalms is a unified book that has a coherent message as a book. The Book of Psalms has five main divisions, and each individual psalm and collection should be read in the context of the whole book and the division in which it is found.

• Psalms 1 and 2 introduce the book and make clear that, in its final form, its primary purpose is to serve as Torah for God's people (Ps 1) and to portray the Messiah as the Son of God who will come to rule the nations of the earth (Ps 2).

• 2Samuel 23.1-7, correctly understood, teaches that David understood himself to be writing about "the man who was raised on high, the Messiah of the God of Jacob" (23.1).
  

• The Book of Psalms, therefore, is a book that sets forth the prayers of the Messiah in order that God's people might receive instruction (Torah) in living under God's rule as they await the day when all nations will come together under his reign.
  

So, based on these principles, when reading a psalm, here is the approach I take:

• Read and understand it first according to its original historical setting and psalm-type.

• Read and understand it in the context of the entire Book of Psalms and see how it contributes to that message.

• Read and understand it as a prayer of the Messiah. What does it tell me about him?

• As a follower of the Messiah, one called to walk with him in his ways and under his rule, what instruction does it give me for my faith journey?

And so we will begin! As always, I'd love to have your comments.

Turning on the Friday Night Lights...

The Franklin Grizzly Cubs started the season on a good note last evening with a convincing 35-12 win over Northview HS in Brazil, Indiana. We had 399 yards of total offense and the defense stepped up with 4 interceptions. Our son Isaac led the team in receptions with 4 for 83 yards.

Great start!

And now...at starting QB...

Helpful Way to Tell the Story

I found something helpful in Bruce Waltke's An Old Testment Theology, something I will use in my teaching and talking about the Bible (the First Testament in particular). I have adapted it somewhat already, but at the heart of what I say here is Waltke's analysis.

When discussing whether there is a "center" to the Bible's message--a core summarizing theme--Waltke points to the petition in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come." For Waltke, the center of the Biblical message is God establishing his rule in the universe he created. This central message is played out via five components:

1. God's people
2. In God's land
3. With God's laws
4. Under the rule of God's king
5. In order to bring God's blessing to all the earth

All these themes are present from the beginning of the Bible, and they run concurrently with varying emphasis throughout. For example, in the "Primary History" (Genesis-Kings):

• Genesis 1-11 introduces all these themes.
  
• The primary function of Genesis 12-Exodus 19 is to identify God's people.
• The primary function of Exodus 20-Deuteronomy is to prepare them for life in the land with God's laws.
• The primary function of Joshua-Kings is to tell the story of their life in the land with God's laws under the rule of God's king.
• All this took place in order that Israel might be God's priests to the other nations of the world (Exodus 19.5-6).
  

Unfortunately, the First Testament ends with failure.

• Israel failed to live up to their calling as God's people.
  
• They failed to keep God's laws.
  
• Their failures led to exile from the land, and though they physically returned, they never regained their former glory or standing.
  
• God's kings had been almost unqualified disasters, leading the nation to ruin.
• Instead of a light, they became a laughingstock among the nations.

What Israel failed to do, the One True Israelite, Jesus Christ did. More to come on that.

Evangelicalism in Chaos?

I recommend that all who are concerned about the state of the church read today's post on Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight's blog, about the book "Finding Faith, Losing Faith." Today, iMonk responds to a chapter on evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism, a matter he is facing in his own marriage. While reflecting on the experience and commenting on the evangelical church that some are leaving, he writes these devastating words:

Evangelicalism today is chaos. Doctrinal chaos. Worship chaos. Ecclesiastical chaos. Prosperity Gospel chaos. Christian media multiplies the options and amplifies the heretics. We are more removed from our common catholic, apostolic roots than ever. We are diseased and we need a St. Francis and a Luther combined.

What do you think? Is the situation as serious as he claims?

Report from the Church's Front Lines, continued

This morning we worshiped at another Lutheran congregation, this time one affiliated with the Missouri Synod. They are more conservative in theology than the Evangelical Lutheran Church and this was apparent in the service. There was a strong Biblical (and Lutheran) emphasis on the Gospel, with particular focus on the inability of humans to keep God's law and the work of Christ fulfilling the law and securing a righteous standing before God for those who come to him by faith alone. The pastor's message was an exposition of Romans 10, challenging the congregation to have "beautiful feet" in sharing this message with others.

In terms of worship style, the service consisted as much of non-denominational evangelical forms as liturgy. It contained liturgical elements—confession of sins and absolution, the Nicene Creed, and communion—however the service was structured around the Biblical text expounded in the message rather than Scripture and sermon fitting into a larger unity.

The building was fairly plain, with banners. The music was led by a small worship team, who sang to keyboard accompaniment and recorded music backgrounds. We sang a contemporary hymn, two praise choruses and a gospel hymn. All service elements were projected on a screen as well as written in the bulletin. One Scripture, the Gospel for the day, was read. The pastor gathered the children to the front for a children's message. During the offertory, a soloist sang and a slide show was projected.

If the pastor had not worn a robe, I could have easily imagined myself in a non-denominational evangelical, Bible-teaching congregation. The atmosphere and actions were all very familiar to us. One characteristic of the congregation that impressed me was the diversity of ages. There were lots of little children, but also a wide span of generations in worship together.

The service we attended was advertised as the "blended" service, while the later one was marked as "contemporary." I'm not sure what that means, because the first was a fairly typical contemporary evangelical worship service...plus the elements of the liturgy. Perhaps they don't sing any hymns at the second service.

More reports and reflections to come...

Beginning of the End, End of the Beginning...

Two new eras began on Wednesday.

Our youngest son entered his senior year at Franklin Community High School and our first grandson entered Kindergarten at Northwood Elementary.

So for Isaac, this is his final humiliating picture out in the yard, carrying the backpack. (See for yourself how excited he is!) However, for Austin, it's just the start!

BookThots

In order to clean up this blog a bit, I have added a new blog devoted solely to BOOK REVIEWS and comments.

You can find it at: http://mikesbookthots.wordpress.com.

Please enjoy, and comment!

Mike

Reports from the Church's Front Lines...

Here's a report of our initial experiences visiting churches over the past few weeks:

• We have been to an Episcopal church, a non-denominational congregation, and a Lutheran church.

• The Episcopal church was interesting to me not only because I have appreciated Prayer Book worship in the past, but also because this congregation runs a free medical clinic that serves our surrounding communities—an attractive missional ministry. We went to the early service, and I think the folks there were surprised to find visitors among them. It was a non-musical service, which in some ways was refreshing. Contemporary Christianity has so identified worship with music that it was nice to see a group that recognized the two are not the same. The rector's message was based on exegesis of a Biblical text and he was a good speaker. Though I wouldn't exactly call the message "evangelical," he communicated some true Biblical wisdom. The leaders and congregation performed the liturgy with order, joy, and a sense of shared community. We stayed for the coffee fellowship and met several folks who greeted us warmly and answered our questions. We liked the building, a quaint, lovely stone church in English country style.
  

• The Non-Denominational church was a congregation where I formerly served, and we went back for Sunday worship on a special day in the life of the fellowship. Worship was led by a praise band—guitars, bass, keyboard, drums. We sang the usual contemporary choruses, until, at one point, the song leader announced with all seriousness that we were going to do a "really old" song that some might not know—and then he launched into "Our God is an awesome God." I'm glad to know we're keeping ancient traditions alive! It was communion Sunday, so we passed the bread and cups in trays. The youth pastor preached, using multimedia to introduce his theme and then exegeting a passage from Ephesians 4 with a strong moralistic emphasis. Their building is casual and utilitarian, plain with banners and a cross in the front of the sanctuary.
  

• Today we attended the early service at a local Lutheran church. Once again, people seemed a bit surprised to see visitors, but they gradually approached and welcomed us. The building was architecturally pleasing, light and airy with a large foyer for fellowship that had a coffee cafe and outdoor patio. The sanctuary was also filled with light and configured so that one's attention was continually directed upward. (See the picture above for an exterior view.) The liturgy was simple, relaxed and refreshing, the music accompanied by piano. The congregation sang hymns and other responses, and a soloist performed as well. The pastor was a fine speaker, with a good sense of humor and connection to the congregation. He spoke on a Gospel passage, and once again, it was not overtly evangelical, but he brought out some of the text's pertinent points with skill and insight.
  

More reports to come...

Where's a Pastor to Go?

How does a pastor find a church when he is between churches? What does his family do when their life has been built around the routines of church life, and then the rhythm changes?

We are between churches right now, a situation I have rarely faced in my adult life. The first time I was a "homeless" believer was when Gail and Abby and I left our first pastorate and moved from Vermont to Chicago to attend seminary. Within a few weeks we were in the fold again, at Waukegan Bible Church.

The second time was when I stepped down from the church in our town of Franklin, IN, but decided against moving from the community. It is not an easy thing for a pastor to live in the same place where he served and find a church home. That was almost four years ago, and we still have not found a permanent resting place.

In the interim I have done some part-time ministry and we have attended churches, but our family has never become intimately connected for any extended period with those congregations. Just recently, I completed my pastoral duties with a small group here in town and now we're looking again.

What are we looking for? Apparently something hard to find!

• A TEACHING CHURCH. A church that is strongly evangelical but not doctrinaire; one that teaches the Bible with depth and insight, but which also allows discussion, diversity of conviction, and room to grow in areas where Christians differ.
  

• A WORSHIPING CHURCH. A congregation that understands the centrality of worship, and which appreciates traditional as well as contemporary forms and styles of praising God and celebrating the Gospel.

• A SIMPLE CHURCH. A fellowship that is not built around complex organization, spiritual technologies and extensive programming, but one which keeps things down to earth, encouraging and reinforcing relationships forged and lived out in the daily routines of real life.
  

• A MISSIONAL CHURCH. A service-oriented group that equips its members to honor Christ and share his love and Good News in real-life situations, with their neighbors and in the community, not just in the "holy huddle" of the church building or program.

These are the emphases I crave in a church. How about you? Any suggestions for us?