Strength In Diversity: Some Shabbat Theology in Paul
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: Christian hope, Church, Ephesians, Kingdom, Ministry, Mission, Politics
Every Shabbat Jesus would likely sing Psalm 92, the “Sabbath Psalm.” James, Peter, and Paul would have this Psalm imprinted upon their DNA. Psalm 92 reinforces the theological meaning of Shabbat for the people of God: the God of Israel displayed his infinite Hesed/steadfast love/grace and his infinite wisdom in creating and redeeming. When we see Creation we see the beauty of the Lord. One cannot read Genesis 1 without being overwhelmed with the sheer diversity, and “very goodness,” of what Hesed and Wisdom has wrought. These are radical differences … diversity:
– Night & Day
– Objects as different as the sun and moon
– Water & Land
– Creatures that breath air and Creatures that do not
– Creatures that walk and Creatures that fly
– Males & Females different but equally imagers and rulers of God
– Every bit of it bathed in Hesed, the display of Wisdom and every last atom of it … very good
And as Psalm 92 notes … a world that calls for worship and most of all JOY in the Kingship of the God of Israel
Diversity testifies to three profound truths: God’s Hesed, God’s wisdom and God’s beauty.
Lately we have had some political pundits, TV commentators and even followers of Jesus who want us to believe that diversity is actually bad if not outright dangerous. “Strength in diversity” was literally declared “stupid” by a prominent political appointee.
Anyone who buys into this rhetoric seriously fails to understand the biblical message of King Jesus. Our God is Trinitarian: Father, Son and Holy Spirit – diversity is the core of Christianity. Jesus the Incarnate Word became an Olive-brown Jew who is elder brother of a family of every tribe and nation. Jesus is the King of many/diverse nations. Diversity is at the heart of the church. Paul who was shot thru with shabbat theology, the apostle to the diverse nations, put it like this:
“God who created all things, so that through the church the wisdom of God in its RICH VARIETY might be made known …” (Eph 3.10, NRSV).
The old KJV uses the term “manifold wisdom.” This is just an adjective that means many, numerous, multifarious, various. Other translations of this familiar text read:
“The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God” (NET)
“his wisdom in all its different forms.” (GNB/TEV)
“God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom” (CEB)
The Gathered People is the display case of Yahweh’s creational wisdom, the focus of his creating and redeeming Hesed, the reflection of God’s beauty itself. That is what it is supposed to be. That is the purpose according to Rabbi Paul in Ephesians.
Diversity is the very wisdom and beauty of the Creator God beloved. Those who deny this, like these politicians, TV personalities, and even supposed preachers are the very “rulers and authorities” the church exists to proclaim that truth to.
It is no surprise the “powers” deny God’s wisdom, beauty and goodness in diversity. They have a different agenda for God’s creation. Their power is threatened by diversity but Jesus the Messiah is the King of Diversity.
The church is the restoration of God’s original “very good” creation in diversity. Oneness in Diversity. Strength in Diversity. Do we understand our own message to the world? God’s renewed creation preaches as holy and blood bought diversity that is united under the Jewish Messiah – whose very reign depends upon differences. Think about it.
“In this way, the wisdom of God in its infinite variety might be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers” (NCV).
Shalom
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