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Wesley's avatar

I think another important dynamic at play is that the tax collectors and sex workers in the Gospels are not just "sinners" in modern Western parlance - they are working with the Romans - in many ways because that was their best option to have food to eat. In choosing Jesus, they were not only "turning from sin" in a personal, checklist sense, but giving up their livelihoods and likely inviting the anger of their former Roman patrons. What Jesus offered them was clearly so immense that it made that entire social system seem worthless to them. I don't think the vast majority of the American church, either liberal or conservative, is offering people 1% of what Jesus offered the "sinners" he called in the Gospels. In my experience, "liberal" churches might offer someone social services, which are nice, but only serve to reinforce the divide between the upper middle classes and working poor and don't allow for real relationship. "Conservative" churches might offer someone friendship, but completely ignore the material struggles many have to undertake to survive in our society. Of course we in the church are so consumed with our "conservative" vs "liberal" battles we fail to realize each does have an important aspect of Jesus' ministry to offer to each other and to the world.

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Carlin Brooks's avatar

Dr Beck, you are on to something most profound here. And, it was Providential for me to read it this morning, having just received another most profound and important book: “Come Out My People” By Wes Howard-Brook. This book is for today. It is called “Remarkable” by Walter Brueggmann”. It points to answers to the mystery of living in the Chaos of today in America. I would love to have a cup of coffee with you. - Carlin Brooks - carlintbrooks@gmail.com.

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