Wednesday’s thoughs
There are two approaches to anger I would like to address with this sermon. Both are creative and important and there is much we can learn from them.
The early church had a problem on two levels; they had a problem with the Jewish leaders who felt the Christian movement was not authorized. They couldn’t accept the idea that Jesus was the Messiah and they couldn’t believe you could be a person of faith without obeying the laws of faith that had formed their identity for centuries.
The other problem was more serious, however. The Roman government was concerned about the emerging Christian Church. There were two Roman Governors who were especially difficult.
1. The first was Nero who was in power about the time the Gospel of Mark was written. Nero did many unsavory things to acquire power. He killed his father and anyone else who got in his way. What was a problem for the Christians was Nero’s preoccupation with athletic events and the staging of chariot races and battles with wild animals. When a major portion of Rome burned (the rumor that Nero started the fire) Nero blamed the Christians in order to divert attention from himself. Mark was written in this context and the writer did whatever it took to position the Romans as friends of the church. In fact, at the time of Jesus’ death it was a Roman soldier who was at the foot of the cross and was the first to identify Jesus as the Son of God.
2. Domitian ruled Rome at the time of the writing of the book of Revelation. He was concerned about the failing economy resulting from some of his unwise military campaigns and he initiated a temple tax from the Jews and he extorted money from the Christian Church. The early church was concern about what Domitian would do to them and it was in this context that Revelation was written. Domitian didn’t do so much to the church but there was concern that he would. Revelation was written in code so as to get past the Romans and so as to maintain the idea that, when the persecution comes, Christians must “keep the faith”.
The writer of Revelation reflected upon the age to come and suggested they could look forward to a time of peace and God is the “alpha and omega”.
These two approaches to a similar enemy come down to this:
1. Can we find something in common with them and dwell on the positive between us?
2. Can we think about the presence of God and the future when we have this fear of the present. Can we survive it and live through it on to victory?
“The Art of Being Angry” could learn from those two examples, don’t you think? If you have suggestions, examples, or ideas write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. (click on the space of the email address does not appear).
If you would like others to read your ideas click on the ‘comments’ box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
