FB14 – If Thy Brother Offends…
My Reads… on If Thy Brother Offends…
There have been not a few times in my life when I was in need of correction. Most of us recall times when parents, most often Mother for me, attempted such correction. But what about those instances when others have attempted to correct us, or we have sensed the need to correct others. What was the style of it, and what was the effect?
It’s not surprising that the Christian scriptures use the metaphor of family as a context for discussing correction. The Family of God idea is full of references to its members being brothers and sisters under the fatherhood/lordship of Christ/God. Hence the ancient teaching of being “my brother’s keeper” is echoed in the New Testament on “… if thy brother offends you, go to him….”
A recent critique on Evangelicalism claims that Christ emphasized discipleship to a degree that many today choose to ignore. What, then, might be some critical components of Discipleship? How does the teaching on feeling of offence and the admonition to engage in correction fit with this call to engage in discipleship?
A quick online search produced a well-articulated message on the topic by the Rector of St Paul’s Cathedral in Birmingham AL. It could be of relevance to all Followers of Christ. Just a 5-minute read:
https://stpaulsbhm.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/23rd-sunday-a-2020.pdf
First published on Facebook page (My Reads and Views):
https://www.facebook.com/RonInRegina/posts/247112220491003
First published here: 2021/04/27