Big time small group

This morning our small group finished up in Romans 1. As if that was not challenging enough, we tackled the first verse of Romans 2, or rather it tackled us, kicked us in the teeth, and then proceeded to laugh about it... or something like that.

After Romans 2:1's admonition against judgment, we recalled the introduction of Bonhoeffer's Ethics, in which Bonhoeffer warns against judgment, both POSITIVE and negative. We all have understood from our youth that judging another person's sin is wrong, but judging in the positive is also wrong? According to Bonhoeffer, when we judge what is good from what is evil we make ourselves out to be gods. Instead, we should rely on YHWH alone for knowledge of good and evil (shout out to Eve and Adam).

We are no more able to tell that which is good than a baby is able to know which foods are healthy and which are not. We then asked the question, "Well, what are we supposed to think?" Having grown up understanding that certain actions are "good," and others "bad," we are used to making these judgments; they are conditioned parts of our interactions. The only answer we found is to respond with unadulterated praise to YHWH.

"Is homosexuality, as it is practiced today, wrong?"--Glory to God
"Is it right to ordain women in ministry?"--Glory to God
"Should Christians participate in politics?"--Glory to God

If we, in ALL things, give glory to YHWH, then we rely on His wisdom, His understanding, His perfect love and judgment.

How then do we read Scripture and understand perfectly what He has told us is good, and what He has told us is evil...? That is a HARD question.

Glory to God.