Reading Together: Recent Episodes
Richard Heyduck
We talk about books and articles across a wide spectrum of subjects. I read from the context of being a disciple of Jesus, though much of what I read has nothing to do with religion.
We ask questions of Mark 3:7-12, a story of Jesus trying to withdraw with his disciples but being followed by the crowds seeking healing and deliverance.
We look at Mark 2:18-22 and the conversation Jesus has with questioners about the fact that his disciples aren't fasting like the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist are.
We ask questions of Mark 2:13-17, the story of Jesus' call of Levi the Tax Collector and subsequent visit to his house for a dinner party.
After Jesus's ministry in the synagogue at Capernaum he ministers to the crowd, escapes the crowd, and heals a man with leprosy.
We look at the beginning of Jesus' ministry from his baptism, through his temptation, to his first proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
In this series of the Reading Together podcast, we'll be reading through the Gospel of Mark. My approach is ask interpretive questions of the text, trying to understand what it says. This is the first episode of this series.
In this last session on George Yancey's book Beyond Racial Gridlock, we get into his analysis of what Christians have to contribute to dealing with racism. He doesn't offer any platitudes or simple solutions. It's going to take work on our part, work that includes our recognizing our sin, repenting of our sin, having our hearts broken over the ways our sins and the sins of our ancestors have hurt others, and a deep commitment to love one another.
In his book Beyond Racial Gridlock, Baylor sociologist identifies four models on offer in our culture for dealing with racism. In this episode we look at the central claims, strengths, and weaknesses of each. Yancey finds each ultimately inadequate. His objective is to learn from them and bring the resources of the Christian tradition to bear on the problem.
George Yancey, a sociologist who teaches at Baylor University, wrote this book several years ago. He's looking for a Christian approach to the problem of racism. In this first session we look at the introduction and first chapter, where Yancey makes two important claims. First, racism is a sin problem. We're not going to understand it or deal with it successfully until we recognize that. Second, we see that "racism" has two competing definitions. The first (and oldest) sees it in individualist terms. The second (predominant in recent discussions) sees it in structural terms.
In this final chapter Dallas Willard looks at the "worldly good" that comes from the life of disciples of Jesus. Our world suffers from Christians setting out to "transform the world" without first becoming disciples through the transformation that God works in us through the spiritual disciplines.
What is the proper Christian practice when it comes to riches and wealth? In this chapter Dallas Willard argues for a proper use (and stewardship) of wealth that avoids trusting wealth. He believes we are called to use resources at our disposal to bless others and advance God's purposes.
In chapter 9 of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard presents some of what he calls "disciplines of engagement." By taking up activities like study, prayer, service, worship, and fellowship, we give God room to work in our lives.
In this episode we turn to Dallas Willard's discussion of what he calls "disciplines of abstinence." These disciplines are various ways in which we learn to say NO to ourselves, to our desires, to our flesh, and to the world. These disciplines are focused not on saying NO to bad things, but to good things so that we can be more fully aligned with God in all dimensions of our lives.
Dallas Willard begins examining the spiritual disciplines in depth. He distinguishes between disciplines of abstinence and disciplines of engagement. This episode sets up that distinction which will be developed in the next two episodes.
In chapter 8 Willard looks at some of the history of spiritual disciplines in the Christian tradition, exploring monasticism, asceticism, and responses to each. His emphasis is on the disciplines as means to the end of life in Christ.
In chapter 7 Willard looks at Paul's teaching on how we train ourselves to take up the way of Jesus by use of spiritual disciplines.
In chapter 6 of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Willard continues to emphasize the role of the body in spirituality. Christian spirituality is rooted in our creation as a psychosomatic unity. We are not separable into bodies (which are unspiritual, even bad) and souls/spirits (which are good). God made us physical beings. As bodily beings, spiritual disciplines work on our bodies to bring our total being - including out bodies - into alignment with God and his kingdom.
Willard brings together the nature of human life and spiritual life. By taking up the "spiritual disciplines" we give God room in our life to transform us and connect us to his Reality and what comes with it.
Dallas Willard looks at our calling & purpose as humans. Working from Psalm 8 and other texts, he claims that God made us a little lower than "god" - elohim in Hebrew. From a biological perspective we may not be very impressive, but God made us - all humans - to share in ruling over creation. Our theories of redemption/salvation need to account for this purpose and not just for getting us forgiveness or entrance to heaven.
In chapter 3 of his book The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard addresses the role of the body in salvation. Biblical teaching on salvation is much more than mere forgiveness of sins or translation (someday) to an existence that is purely spiritual. God made us embodied beings and the salvation he gives us in Christ includes our bodies.
We find what's been called "The Great Commission" in Matthew 28:18-20. In those last verses of Matthew's gospel, we hear the resurrected Jesus say to his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Surely I am with you, even to the end of the age." In this chapter we encounter a theme Willard later developed into his book The Great Omission. The church has neglected, Willard claims, to practice that bit of the Great Commission about "teaching them to obey everything" Jesus commanded. Neither the church nor individual Christians have taken seriously enough the work of planning to obey Jesus.
In chapter 1 of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard works from Jesus' invitation to take "his yoke" upon ourselves. Additional teaching on this subject can be found in my messages on the Yoke of Christ and Outdoors with Jesus: Solitude, Silence, Prayer.
Some people knew Dallas Willard as a professor of philosophy. Others knew him as a teacher on spiritual disciplines in the Christian tradition. This episode begins a discussion of the content of his book The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives.
