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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Opus 2013-141: Studies: The Called Out Ones

As I begin a study in II Corinthians we come across some of the standard terms used by Paul in his letters.  One of them is the word “church.” 

The word in Greek is ekleisia, spelled many different ways, which is the root for our English term ecclesiastical.  It is a compound word, a combination of “out” and “call.”  Thus the church is literally “the called out ones.” 

If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ you might wonder why Christians sometimes seem different and weird.  It is because we are, or at least we are if we are genuine.  We are called out of the pagan world to serve a new Master.  We are called out of a way of living and told to be salt and light.

That does not mean we do not care.  It means that we are to care more than before.  Salt brings savor.  Salt preserves.  In some people salt brings high blood pressure.

Light illuminates.  It lets people see the warts.  It shows people the things they might trip over.

So if you are part of the called out ones, don’t be arrogant.  Be salt and light.

homo unius libri

1 comment:

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.