idols and knowledge

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Our section for today is full of quotes that scholars believe came from a letter to Paul from the Corinthian church. The issue discussed is whether it is OK for Christians to eat meat sacrificed to idols or not. The letter to Paul seems to make the argument that since Christians know that idols aren't really gods it is fine to eat food sacrificed to them. Paul agrees in part, because he thinks it's true that strong Christians won't be hurt by eating food sacrificed to idols, since idols aren't real.

At the same time, he reminds them that not everyone in the church is so firm in their knowledge. In fact, many Christians are recent converts from idols, and though they now know that Jesus is Lord, they are still used to idols having power. If these newer Christians see strong Christians eating food sacrificed to an idol they might think that idolatry has a place in the church, which would risk leading them back to the idols they left behind. While idol worship isn't such an issue in the church today, the bigger principle is important. Christians are free in most things, but we are also called to think about the impact of our actions on others. When we think about how we will act we have to consider not just whether it is OK in itself, but also whether it might hurt someone else's faith. In all things we are called to seek love, which builds up the community.

God bless,
Sam

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.


7It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8“Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

food for idols, protecting the other's conscience

The reason I started this blog was to provide a forum to discuss these daily readings. When you read the reading on the blog you can leave comments after it and others can respond to them. I think this could be a cool opportunity to talk with each other about what the passage says to us. I also send these readings out to my congregation and others by email, which is less interactive but puts the readings in front of you each morning. If you'd like to be added to the distribution list, feel free to send me your email.

Today Paul wraps up his discussion of food sacrificed to idols with a summary. The basic principle he lays out here is that everything is God's; so we can eat whatever we want as long as we do it with praise and thanksgiving for God. But because eating something someone else tells us has been sacrificed to an idol sends them the wrong message we should not eat something when someone tells us it was sacrificed. The goal is to always look out for how our actions can affect others.

The big principle here is very useful in thinking about what we do. It seems like Paul is saying, "Do whatever you want." In reality he's encouraging freedom with a very helpful test: "Do everything to the glory of God." I think if we find ourselves with a tricky decision to make and we use the question: "How does this decision glorify God," it will shed a lot of light on the problem. The same goes for his advise to avoid giving offense to anyone.

Sometimes we think of avoiding offense as keeping our beliefs to ourselves so no one knows we disagree with them. That's not what Paul means at all. We've seen him be very outspoken about his beliefs in this letter, and when we read Acts we see that he's equally outspoken with non-believers. Paul means being careful in our behavior and speech so we don't seem immoral or weak in our character. That way our actions strengthen our witness to God's love in Christ and we live our lives with integrity. That sounds like a good goal to me.

Blessings on the weekend,
Sam

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

23“All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.” 27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

28But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— 29I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 32Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. 1Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.