CON (text)

The other night I was watching Punk’d, you know that Ashton Kutcher show where he sets up his celebrity friends to be put “on the spot”, in awkward situations. Often he places them in situations that seem innocent enough, until the weird twist happens, and then while they are uncomfortably facing the situation, he secretly films them. He basically plays pranks on them…totally setting em up to make fools of themselves for all the world to see. Fortunately, at the end of each episode Kutcher shows up laughing, letting his “victim” know its all a joke and they’ve just been “punk’d”. It’s funny how a normal day to day situation can go so haywire, when something twisted drops into its context. Its funny to watch a prank...but not when its regarding something important like when it happens in how scripture is presented. All too often scriptural “ideas” are presented as “fact”, when in actuality they’ve been oh so subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) taken out of context. Many "not-yet-believers" and believers alike, see this discrepancy and feel like some big "con" is going on. The result is a lack of trust in the one delivering the message, and in some cases a lack of trust in the very book being used. Ya know, they are right...you have to admit that we often are sloppy and mis-represent what scripture says. Often "our ideas" take precedent over God's...and it should not be. Sadder yet, is presenting "our concepts or preferences" as if they are God's...that's wrong...very wrong. One of the first basic rules of proper reading of “anything” is to read the sentence or passage in “context”. In other words, read it, taking into consideration the full environment in which it was being spoken. Read not just the line you are highlighting...but the paragraph before and after is a good start. Sometimes there is a back story to the context, as in why was this being written, and to whom. Too often, one phrase is pulled out and used as a “stand alone” statement, and becomes distorted in its meaning. The listener has been “punk’d”…the “con” is on…they’ve been misled (whether un-intentional or deliberate). We often see this in politics or news sound bites…but it happens in day to day living as well…even in how scripture is taught and understood. It’s quite one thing to say he said, “that’s dope”…but the context means everything. Was he pulling a bag of pot out of his pocket when he said that? Or was he looking at a cool car with a custom paint job? Or was he pointing at you? The context helps you understand what was being said. It is of particular importance when we read scripture. Too often people believe things based on a statement in scripture taken out of context. For example, some would suggest the early church met in homes, not large church gatherings…so, they would say, we should do the same today. Some would say that meeting in large groups in “church” is not even biblical and that meeting in “homes” is the only biblical way to gather. Out of context, yes the bible says they met in homes. But in context, it also says they “met in homes AND gathered in the Temple courts”. In context, meeting in homes (in smaller gatherings) was to go hand in hand with the large gatherings in the Temple courts (and these gatherings involved thousands by the way). Unfortunately many will speak the “they met in homes” out of context and lead people astray in understanding it properly. It should also be noted that the early church was radically persecuted by the Roman Empire and in 70AD the Temple was destroyed…so the gathering in homes in those early centuries was as much out of necessity, as it was out of community. That is part of the context as well. When the Roman Empire became friendly to Christianity about 400 years later, churches began to be built as gathering places for the masses. So understanding context gives you a more accurate glimpse into what a sentence or passage means. It is vital, or we’ll get “punk’d”…so to speak. Another example puts me "at risk". It involves one of Jesus' favorite topics...money! You see as a pastor who has been paid full time...part-time...and even volunteer...over the years...talking about money is a quick way to get people defensive. "You're only talking about it cause you're a pastor who wants to be paid!", they'll say. That's the normal assumption. But its funny how two of Jesus' most commonly taught subjects make us real uncomfortable...money... and...hell. Pastors who address either get "targets" painted on their backs...but teaching on Jesus' top subjects should be rather safe territory, don't cha think? Oh well. I'll go for it anyway. Consider this "money" passage. It is one of the typical and glaring "out of context truths", that people throw around. Perhaps you've heard it mentioned? It is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. This is a passage that has Paul, the apostle, speaking about how he is a tent maker, a working man paying his own way, and how he preaches for free, cause the gospel is a free gift. People love to mention that Paul was a “tent maker” to justify why pastors should not be paid…even suggesting that pastors who get paid are even un-biblical. It’s usually a way for a believer to get around their responsibility to “tithe” or financially give to the church they attend etc… but I digress. What is fascinating about 1 Corinthians chapter 9, is that Paul actually lists many reasons why pastors should be paid. In verse 3 through 6, he is saying, ‘hey don’t I have a right to eat? Don’t we have a right to take our wives with us? Or is it only me and Barnabas who must work?” Now that doesn’t sound like a guy saying “pastors shouldn’t get paid”…in fact it would suggest that it is perfectly appropriate to pay pastors. In fact, it almost sounds as if Paul is protesting a bit when he says, “hey why am I the guy who’s got to work?” He goes on in verses 7 through 10, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is trending out the grain’. Is it about oxen God is concerned? Surely He says this for us, doesn’t He?” Paul is saying, hey its perfectly appropriate to pay people…its appropriate that the worker share in the benefit of his labor…even an ox, he says shouldn’t be muzzled. The idea there is if a muzzled ox can’t eat while he works, he’ll eventually get hungry…weak…even frustrated…and eventually lose energy and stamina…and won’t work as effective. The same thing happens with people. But most amazing is in verse 14 where Paul says, “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” What? This isn’t a man made scam to get money? You mean Jesus, the Lord, COMMANDED that those who preach & teach scripture, should be paid? Amazing how the context of this chapter has changed the discussion. It isn’t so much about Paul working so he can preach for free…its that he chose to in this circumstance with the Corinthian church, to further the spreading of the gospel…even though it is perfectly appropriate that he get paid for it! There may be various reasons why. Maybe this church had not matured to the point of faithful giving yet? Maybe their giving wasn't sufficient? But Paul kept serving them...even though, they could not pay him...as they should. His tent making on the side was necessary for this church, in this season of time. Would Paul have accepted their offerings? Well lets look at another passage. In fact, Philippians 4:18, the same Paul, the apostle thanks the Philippine church, for their generous support. “I received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied…now that I have received the gifts you sent.” So why did Paul contradict himself (assuming pastors are not to be paid?). It appears Paul did live off offerings at times. At other times he worked to survive. It may even be the Corinthian church was the unique exception...not the rule. But he makes it clear that it is appropriate…even a command from Jesus Himself, that those who teach the scripture should be paid. Paul says it’s “an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God”. Isn’t it amazing how “context” makes the picture clearer. At ECHO, we do not want to “con” anyone by presenting scripture out of context…we’re not here to “punk” people into some personal opinion on the Kingdom of God. Our goal is to properly look at scripture, in context, as best we can…so we can learn God’s ways…His way…so we can try to live it out together in proper context with God…and with each other!

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO