In a time when there seems to be a deluge of people questioning the relevance and sacredness of the biblical text, I find myself gasping with wonder again and again at not only the stunning strata within the tome of scripture, but the uncanny germaneness of its content generation after generation, epoch after epoch.

In particular, right now in my journey, I find myself utterly mesmerized by Paul's instruction in the letters to the Corinthian believers. Both epistles are examples of the apostles' deft ability to move from grand, sweeping theological and philosophical treatises, to laser-like, poignant application to the most grass roots of lived experience. Stunning pastoral work.

Here's some context.

The Way of Jesus was proving to be an upstream swim and a path less travelled more than anyone could've ever imagined. Corinth was a prominent, wealthy, and cosmopolitan city, known for its thriving trade, wealth and cultural influence. Being a strategic crossroads in its time, the city had become a melting pot of peoples, languages, art and thought. It was gaining a reputation as well for being a party town. What "happened in Corinth stayed in Corinth," where the elite came to work and play hard.

While experiencing a measure of impact and growth, the community here is under constant duress with the force of such strong cultural winds. It's taking its toll. It is no wonder two epistles from Paul were needed to help them circumvent and navigate their way as believers in Christ Jesus.

Under this constant barrage, a partisan spirit was creating fissures and fractures between people in the church as rivaling opinions about influencers and leaders within and without the faith community were becoming heated. The threat of law-suits, arguments regarding sexual conduct and disagreements were fomenting. Everything from the place of marriage, to what you could and could not eat, to the "how and what" of worshipping together, was under fierce debate. Even coming together around the Lords Table for what was once a beautiful expression of Christian love and community - the Agape Feast -, has become a place of favoritism and gluttony. The feast had become a farce.

Somewhat bewildered, most certainly concerned, Paul attempts to cut through the noise in 2 Corinthians 11:1-4,

"I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning,your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough."

Yowzers, so much to unpack here. I don't know about you, but I feel like this could have been Paul's apostolic blog post for June '25, let alone reasoning that articulates my very thoughts - and concerns - in this current moment.

The church had become vulnerable. In the midst of cleaving and disunity, Jesus is getting lost. Voices other than that of the Good Shepherd were disorienting and misleading people. Voices from within. Voices from without.  Perhaps the saddest thing of it all - whether from weariness, lack of discipleship, a warped sense of freedom in Christ, or just plain ol' selfishness - many were putting up with it "easily enough."

Question after question. Scenario after scenario. Query after query. And so many opinions swirling around it all. Even some "super apostles" are amassing significant influence and followership based on their approaches to these, and many other, questions

"Can you eat this or that - what's pure what isn't?", we can talk about this.

"Can I sleep with whomever I please?", well we certainly need to have some dialogue around this topic.

"How do I know which apostle is in the "super" category, and who is just, well, plain?", ok. I'm not sure it really works that way and how you came up with this line of thought, but let me give you something to think about.

"Hasn't Christ set me free? What about my rights here?", really - we need to discuss this?

Like a deep sigh, buried in the midst of all Paul's attempts at bringing some sense of clarity and orthodoxy to the Corinthian cacophony of conversations, he exhales,

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
1 Corinthians 11:1
.

"Look, after all is said and done, really there is just one plumbline - one point of reference," Paul seems to be saying here, "It is the Jesus Way. In fact, it is Jesus Himself." It can feel quite foolish (to quote Paul) to keep revisiting something so basic. So simple. Yet it does require some effort, a whole lot of intentionality, and a decent amount of spiritual discipline and reflection to come back to the "simplicity of devotion to Jesus." Although not complicated it can be somewhat complex, this thing called "Christology."

Dust off the gospels. Throughout church history and most particularly in more liturgical settings, central to what is known as the three year lectionary cycle, the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are key to understanding and interpreting all other readings from the lectionary. The stated goal across many traditions is that the community can "walk with Jesus Christ" as they journey through the scriptures with the Gospels as their guide.

Make room in your devotional rhythms to simply gaze upon Christ. Ask for, and allow, the Holy Spirit to reveal the Son. Jesus promised that the Spirit would "teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)

Ruthlessly assess where ways you are thinking, habits you have embraced, modes of behaviour and attitudes you have adopted, are not in sync with Jesus as He is portrayed in the Gospel accounts. Each of the four writers has a bit of a different take on Jesus given their experience with Him, who they were as people, and the ways they too were needing to adjust their whole way of being to begin to come in line with Jesus and His Way. Allow these four memoirs of being with Jesus to give you a clearer and ever unfolding picture of who Jesus is.

"It's so easy to separate the teaching from the teacher and live as though we don't really need Christ, we just need the teachings. Everything is actually embedded in the person and the story of Christ. His story needs to become our story."
Stanley Hauerwas.

I began this reflection today mentioning how I continue to be captivated by Scripture. I still am, but our ultimate authority is Jesus. He is the Living Word. He is our lens. He is our hope. He is, quite frankly, our life.

Wherever we're heading. Whatever we're facing. However we walk this thing out together. Adhere to - follow - embrace - align with what we're up to together in best practices, policies, protocols and governance - only in as much as it is a reflection of Jesus. Full stop.

Step by step.
David Ruis