Sunday, June 15, 2008

Arguments

Somewhere in 1 Corinthians, Paul writes that it is not our practice to be contentious.

Does that mean he automatically agrees with my or your personal opinion on the argument at hand? No I think, guessing at the Greek - philoneikos, that love of conquest is not our practice.

So there is a new book on the Psalms out by Amy Cottrill and Jim Davila and with him, Loren Rossen, both highlight the 'bellicose' nature of the Psalms. The psalmists, praying for the destruction of the enemy, their troubles, the wicked, etc may be desirous that God would implement their notion of such a solution, but do they see only such a rationale as God's necessary response in covenant to their prayer? Or does God see that 'bellicose' solution as the required response to their prayers? There was dialogue about reasonable faith some time ago. Why do the psalms work so well? Perhaps it is because the prayer is to God and the implementation of the answer, whether yes or no, is not in human hands.

2 comments:

Iyov said...

It is a long established Jewish tradition that Torah scholars increase peace. Babylonian Talmudic tractates Berachos, Nazir, Yevamos, and Krisos, as well as the Sabbath morning and evening liturgy end with the following narrative:

Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Chanina: Sages multiply peace in the world, as it says (Isaiah 54:13), "And all of your sons (BaNaYiCH) are disciples of God and the peace of your sons (BaNaYiCH) will be abundant." Do not read "BaNaYiCH (your sons)," but rather "BoNaYich (your builders)." "Those who sincerely love Your Torah have abundant peace and they do not stumble in sin. Let there be peace in your walls and tranquility in your palaces. For the sake of my brothers and friends I will wish you peace. For the sake of our God's Holy Temple I will seek your good. God will give power to his people, God will bless His people with peace [Psalms 119:165, 122:7-9 & 29:11]."

I'll make a post about this soon

Bob MacDonald said...

Thank you - I will look forward to your posting as I always do. Blessed are the peacemakers. It is a difficult but beautiful task that is at hand.