give a penny, take a penny

Alrighty. So I'm going to start something a little different here. I like what I've got with pictures and a little recap of my week and such, but I'm going to mix it up. One thing that I've been thinking about lately is spiritual growth. Last year, as I new year's resolution I said I wanted to be more intentionally spiritual in my friendships. Here's a small step toward that. As a forum or outlet, I'm going to put thoughts I have about the scripture I'm reading. Feel free to write or email me or call to tell me your own thoughts. I'd love to hear and learn and grow! If nothing else, even if noone responds, it gives me a chance to really put some thought into what I'm reading and allows you to better understand how I think. With that disclaimer/explanation, here I go!

Last night, I read Titus 2 which is about what should be taught to different groups. I've basically just been moving through the New Testament by reading a chapter each night. In Titus 2, the first thing that struck me was the apparent strangeness of some of the teachings. Like verse 3 says older women should be taught not to be addicted to much wine. I would have thought surely it'd be the men, especially the younger, who needed to be taught such things. Not that any group is above any particular sin, but I wonder if the stereotypes or groups acted differently then. Why did he group them in such ways?

The second big thing that kind of struck me was the instructions for slaves. Why doesn't the Bible denounce slavery? I realize it was a different time. Slavery looked differently than my pre-civil war connotations might picture. The Bible doesn't necessarily encourage slavery, but how can equality and community be real when there are slaves? Also, Paul gives the instructions for slaves so that, "they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." That just makes me cringe a little. Once again, this may just be a misunderstanding of slavery at that time, but it just makes it sound like Christianity's dirty little secret. "Keep your slaves under control so we don't scare anyone away."

Lastly, and this is a whole different can of worms but I'll throw it out there, the passage made me think about the ever present distinction between men and women in the Bible. Should women be allowed to teach? What distinctions, if any, should be made between men and women in the church? Maybe I'm a fiery liberal, but I just don't see a need for the divide. Sure I see passages in scripture that clearly delineate boundaries, but are they normative? I realize men and women are different. They often have different needs, personalities, the list goes on. Yet, what makes their capacity for ministry so different. I mean, nearly a millenium has gone by. Slavery existed then. The society was definitely more patriarchal than now. People have learned, grown, improved. Why should we uphold standards that reflect a past time and mentality?

Wow, this has been entirely longer than I thought it would be. Please, please, please share your thoughts. If xanga's too public for you email me or call. Heck, even facebook message me if you have to. I'm looking for answers. I want to know how you think about this stuff.

Goodnight. Thanks for putting up with my new outlet.