Pastor John Wright

We live in an era where action -- to use the fancy word, praxis -- is seen as everything for Christians. Whereas a generation ago Christians may have been too heavenly minded to be of a any earthly good, now it seems that we're easily sucked into a system that is so earthly minded that we don't dare think of God. In becoming "incarnational," we risk forgetting that there is really only one incarnation, the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. We easily reduce God to movements within history; in good intentions we, to quote Henri de Lubac, naturalize the supernatural.

As I read through our readings for this Sunday I found a very different view. The view is not one that reduces the significance of our earthly existence, nor the existence of the world. Yet the world, and ourselves within it, find their significance in light of God -- God does not find God's significance in light of the world. There is a strong sense of what Christians use to call providence running throughout the texts.

We don't talk about the Providence of God very much today. At most we see God as our "co-pilot" or as "co-authors" of our lives in relationship with us to extract evil from our lives and the world. Of course, there is a sense that this is true. But the real mistake is thinking that God's "piloting" or "authorship" is like ours, except bigger -- God dances just like us with us, but God just wants to be in the lead. Instead, we have to understand that God's "authorship" in our lives is wholly unlike ours, but nonetheless, we participate in God's authorship through ours -- though we may never know fully what that means. It is this mystery of the contingencies of our lives that Christians call Providence. God is not the author of evil -- for evil is a deprivation, a lack, not something real, though it's impact on what is real is manifest to us. Nonetheless, God in God's mercy brings forth life from nothing, and therefore, can use evil, the worst evil, the crucifixion of the Son of God, to bring about the redemption of the world.

As you read through the first two passages, discuss how God in God's providence is described as working. What do the characters in the story see? How does that differ from the greater perspectives in the passages? Who is initiating the action throughout? What are the human responses? Where is God going in these stories? Why is it important for Sarah to have a son? Who delivered the Colossians from their evil? What role is Paul playing in the wider Providence of God?

Genesis 18:1-14

Colossians 1:21-29

Now, having spent some time reflecting on God's providence, particularly as found in the Elect One, Jesus Christ, read the Gospel passage. Talk about the words of Jesus and why they are significant.

Luke 10:38-42

In light of these Scriptures, what dangers happen if one separates one's active life as a follower of Jesus from contemplation, what the Father's called "theoria" -- reflection upon God, particularly God as revealed in Christ. What is the role of adoration of Christ, devotion to Christ for us, even as we engaged the world that God has created from nothing in Christ? What does this do for understanding the contingency, the arbitrariness, or even the evils that we have experienced in our lives? As we confront evil, in ourselves and in our world, why may it be important to regain a sense of God's providence rediscovered and constantly deepened in our devotion to Jesus?

Have a wonderful study!