Hopefully this discussion continues. My reply to the post is down in the comments (#3). It's really hard to get into the mind of how Israel and, by extension, the early church read her Bible when we focus first on what (we think) they read. Narrative theology and "criticism" attempts to get at the how question first and then apply it to the what question. Biblical authors were not primitive cavemen; they were artists. A narrative approach to Bible reading recognizes the incredible nuances behind and within the text; things we often miss. More to come, I hope.
“Narratology”, “narratological”
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Among Exiles
First, Ezekiel and John embodied the situation of the people, before they spoke to the people. Ezekiel was present physically with his exiled people, no doubt feeling the sting of their solitude and disorientation. John wasn't present with the people he served, but his state, the state of "exile", no doubt paralleled that of the people he attempted to reach. Second, both Ezekiel and John developed a theology of exile and wove that theology into their message. Not only this, but they lived a theology of exile, embodying a faithfulness sustained by hope.
Is our context too different to warrant a connection to the example and exile theology of Ezekiel and John? Different, but not completely dissimilar. God's people today, no matter their setting or geographic location, are in a sense in "exile". It may not be a forced exile as in Ezekiel's day, or an imposed exile as in John's case, but as we long for the fullness of God's kingdom on earth, we realize our present circumstance is tainted by "exile". This present world doesn't completely align with God's promised reality and God's certain victory. Exile theology also places (sometimes thrusts!) God's people into the situation they are sent to address. Both Ezekiel and John saw the horrors a world in exile can produce, which no doubt gave them both the perspective of their God and the compassion necessary to talk to people in a compelling way.
"Exile" is disorienting and unsettling. By nature it is uncomfortable. However, it is where we sit. But, will we grumble about our vantage point, or recognize the blessing of our vantage point. Both Ezekiel and John used their position as exiles to powerfully speak to the powers set at odds with God's kingdom, using any means necessary to reach exiles in the grip of those powers. May God help us to do the same.
A Better Plan to Save the Astrodome
HT: New Geography
A Better Plan to Save the Astrodome
Google I/O via Fast Company
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Summer League - Week 1
Some observations on the opening night of the North Seattle Community College summer league.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
What Politicians Are Really Saying on Arena Proposal
The SoDo arena proposal is now mired in political rhetoric from political politicians - the worst kind! What are they really saying?
- What about Key Arena? - The Key is a dead-end cul-de-sac of a facility. We can't solve it, so we want someone smarter than us (read: you, Chris Hansen) to solve it!
- What about Bellevue? - Gosh, I wish those rich eastsiders would take this off our plate!
- What about a public vote? - I'm too chicken to make a tough decision...
- Mr. Hansen is in it to make a profit. - He has evil motives and is an evil man.
- I haven't seen the plans. - I haven't seen the plans, but I'm too stupid to know that plans are not required at this point and will be coming in due time.
- Will create too much traffic. - I just don't want this "gift" from Chris. I just don't want it.
- The Port will create 100,000 jobs. - The Port is bleeding jobs and needs a rhetorical dagger.
In the end, I don't think political rhetoric will win out; common sense will. But, political rhetoric can certainly log-jam even the most well laid plans.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
2012 Recruiting Class - Total Bust?
The Huskies have effectively closed the books on the 2012 recruiting class after unsuccessfully attempting to land William Howard and Mouhammadou Jaiteh. The Huskies did add two transfer recruits, only one of which will play this season. Is 2012 then a bust?
Pay it Forward
Closing 2012 with one scholarship remaining, means it can essentially be rolled over to 2013, the class that Romar and his staff have their sights set on. Romar’s off to a great start in landing a bona fide leader in Nigel Williams-Goss, who has also stated a desire to attract other 2013 recruits to UW.
McLaughlin...Fill it Up, Son!
It seems that every year national writers and fans alike are asking, “Where will the Huskies turn to replace the scoring that left?” due to graduation, or in the case of this year, the draft. 32 points per game walked out the door as freshman phenom Tony Wroten and sophomore sharp-shooter Terrence Ross declared early for the NBA draft. The answer, in part, to that pressing question is Mark McLaughlin, a transfer from Tacoma Community College, where his 27.5 points per game lead the nation. Long recognized a D-1 talent, expect McLaughlin to make an immediate contribution at the wing. McLaughlin is also an above average passer and has respectable handles for a guard with his size, 6’6” and right around 200 lbs.
Turn to the Returning
Recruiting classes are only part of the equation, which is strange, I know, to assert in an article on the same topic. Recruiting classes make for good national discussion for sure, but what about what a team returns? Keep in mind that Scott Suggs will be returning for his final season - treat him as a one and done! I think Husky fans will see immediately why he was sorely missed last season - sharp shooting, calm and collected, knowledge of the Husky way. The aforementioned departure of Ross and Wroten and the need for backcourt scoring and able defense will also be filled by C.J. Wilcox. The Huskies perimeter game will put enormous pressure on opposing defenses, which creates other lanes and looks for others.
No Fronting on the Front Line
With the Huskies unable to land Howard or Jaiteh, another member of the frontcourt will need to step up. Aziz N’Diaye returns for his senior season and it’s reasonable to expect what he’s already proven - an intimidating 7 footer clogging the middle and windexing the glass. However, there are minutes to be had at the small forward spot, and while Desmond Simmons has the advantage returning after an effective freshman campaign, it remains to be seen who else can contribute at that position. Perhaps Romar will opt for a “by committee” type of rotation, but there are viable candidates in Breunig, Kemp and Jarreau. See the great analysis on the matter by John Chase.
Time will tell how the 2012/2013 team gels, but I believe the pieces are there, even if the 2012 recruiting class was a bit “thin” in terms of numbers. As such, the stage is set for those who have played in the system for a few years to contribute in a big way and the “newcomers” - including redshirt freshmen - to carve their own important niche.
Pay it Forward
Closing 2012 with one scholarship remaining, means it can essentially be rolled over to 2013, the class that Romar and his staff have their sights set on. Romar’s off to a great start in landing a bona fide leader in Nigel Williams-Goss, who has also stated a desire to attract other 2013 recruits to UW.
McLaughlin...Fill it Up, Son!
It seems that every year national writers and fans alike are asking, “Where will the Huskies turn to replace the scoring that left?” due to graduation, or in the case of this year, the draft. 32 points per game walked out the door as freshman phenom Tony Wroten and sophomore sharp-shooter Terrence Ross declared early for the NBA draft. The answer, in part, to that pressing question is Mark McLaughlin, a transfer from Tacoma Community College, where his 27.5 points per game lead the nation. Long recognized a D-1 talent, expect McLaughlin to make an immediate contribution at the wing. McLaughlin is also an above average passer and has respectable handles for a guard with his size, 6’6” and right around 200 lbs.
Turn to the Returning
Recruiting classes are only part of the equation, which is strange, I know, to assert in an article on the same topic. Recruiting classes make for good national discussion for sure, but what about what a team returns? Keep in mind that Scott Suggs will be returning for his final season - treat him as a one and done! I think Husky fans will see immediately why he was sorely missed last season - sharp shooting, calm and collected, knowledge of the Husky way. The aforementioned departure of Ross and Wroten and the need for backcourt scoring and able defense will also be filled by C.J. Wilcox. The Huskies perimeter game will put enormous pressure on opposing defenses, which creates other lanes and looks for others.
No Fronting on the Front Line
With the Huskies unable to land Howard or Jaiteh, another member of the frontcourt will need to step up. Aziz N’Diaye returns for his senior season and it’s reasonable to expect what he’s already proven - an intimidating 7 footer clogging the middle and windexing the glass. However, there are minutes to be had at the small forward spot, and while Desmond Simmons has the advantage returning after an effective freshman campaign, it remains to be seen who else can contribute at that position. Perhaps Romar will opt for a “by committee” type of rotation, but there are viable candidates in Breunig, Kemp and Jarreau. See the great analysis on the matter by John Chase.
Time will tell how the 2012/2013 team gels, but I believe the pieces are there, even if the 2012 recruiting class was a bit “thin” in terms of numbers. As such, the stage is set for those who have played in the system for a few years to contribute in a big way and the “newcomers” - including redshirt freshmen - to carve their own important niche.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Summary of the People of God
With that as a long introduction, I found this quote today in one of his recent posts - "From Abraham onwards the people of God is a community of new creation in the midst of the nations and cultures of the world." Well, said Andrew...well said.
Slick Watts on KJR
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Patent Crazy
I wonder if the fact that the majority of the public would find this ridiculous means anything. Probably not, but it should.
http://androidandme.com/2012/06/news/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-gets-a-reprieve-from-potential-u-s-ban/
http://androidandme.com/2012/06/news/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-gets-a-reprieve-from-potential-u-s-ban/
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Election, Damnation and Pharoah
I'm a fan of Tim Gombis. He has a way of explaining things in a "tight" fashion as to literary, theological, narrative and linguistic context. Basically, he's great at teaching people to be better readers of the Bible - seems like, in part, the "movement" or push to get people to read their Bible has forgotten to tell people how to read their Bible. In addition to formal teaching, Tim maintains an active role in his church and those in need within his community.Here's his latest in a series of blog posts on the doctrine of election. This post covers the idea of election to damnation and Pharoah, both vexing problems for the average Bible reader who has been taught double pre-destination or have stumbled upon the Pharoah narrative in either Exodus or Paul's recalling in Romans. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Draft Boards, Updside, And Terrence Ross
Here's a piece I wrote for Husky Haul on Terrence Ross and what the national draft experts are saying...oh, and my take too!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Wayne Shorter's First Album
Paul's Purpose for Romans
One of the most celebrated Biblical books is with out doubt, Paul's letter to the Romans. Typically Romans is thought to be Paul's theological manifesto, a sort of a systematic sketch of the Christian faith. To be sure, Romans is rich with theological insight, depth and doctine; would we expect anything different from one of history's most profound thinkers? I once knew of a man that read Romans once a day for a number of his adult years. No doubt he gained insight into the depths of the time honored doctrines of faith, justification, sin and redemption. Perhaps, however, what he gained in insight, he may have lost or lacked in practice.
Paul's purpose for Romans is not primarily doctrinal - to pass along a system of believe - but "pastoral". In other words, his desire is to shape the community to whom he addresses his letter - faithful Jews and Gentiles - and influence their practice. In Romans, doctrine is front and center, but it never supplants faithful practice; neither does it assume it. In Romans, and I would argue the rest of the Bible, the point of doctrine is to inform and shape the community.
"Community" leads me to a final point. Spiritual communal formation is much more than a few application points after a theological dissertation (read: sermon). "Application" as it is typically termed in the church, focuses too much on the individual and not enough on the community - to whom Paul was speaking (separation of years, context and original audience not withstanding). The problems with this approach are legion, not the least of which is creating the notion that the Bible is about us (the actors) and not primarily about God (the author and main character).
In the end, Paul's words stand - "I am writing to you, all those loved by God in Rome" and "I want you all to know how often I've intended to come to you, so that I might have some fruit among you...I am a debtor to all...thus I am eager to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome."
Gospel Sketch: Galatians
Often overlooked and overshadowed - for sure - by it's longer counterpart, Romans, Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia certainly holds it's own when it comes to understanding Paul (especially so), and more importantly the Gospel he preached.
Following is a short sketch of the Gospel from Galatians, chapter by chapter:
Chapter 1
- The Gospel is announcement, needs to be preached and needs someone to 'announce" it.
- Preach = to announce good news; apostle = ambassador, delegate or representative
Chapter 2
- The Gospel is for all people.
- An outworking of the Gospel is "table fellowship" between those that are justified.
- Justified = declared to be in the right with God
Chapter 3
- The Gospel works by faith through promise; it doesn't not work through law and curse.
- The Law, Torah, is not, however, opposed to the Promise (Gospel).
Chapter 4
- The Gospel produces heirs that have the full benefits of "sons", not household "slaves".
- The Gospel, as well as being based on Promise, is guaranteed through Covenant.
Chapter 5
- Love is the language of the Gospel and love fulfills the intent of the Law.
- The Spirit leads God's people into the Gospel life.
Chapter 6
- Jesus is the pattern of Gospel (and Law, i.e. God's word) love, in both his life and sacrificial death.
- Gospel love is others centered.
The Jazz Session #344: Tim Berne
Interview with Alto master Tim Berne. Informative insight into his music and approach. Thanks Jason Crane!
Jesus, Exile and the Old Testament
Jesus from the Deesis Mosaic (Photo credit: jakebouma)
Read through a paper last night by Doug McComiskey, "Exile and the Purpose of Jesus' Parables" - 29 pages of goodness! His basic thesis was that Jesus thought the Jews of his day were still in exile and his parabolic teaching was used in part to underscore that fact to his audience. McComiskey draws on the work of NT Wright, understandably so, but does his own heavy lifting in connecting Jesus' words/parables to the original Old Testament texts. In doing so, he makes two significant points: 1) The original context/meaning of the OT was broad enough to include the generation of Jesus (and beyond). Therefore Jesus did not have to pour some "new meaning" into the older text. 2) Jesus saw himself connected tightly to the OT story and didn't simply use the OT to "proof text" his point.
These two points run contrary to much of the scholarly discussion today which leans more heavily on finding a deeper meaning in the OT text, on the one hand, and reducing Jesus' appropriation of the OT to simply prooving theological points on the other (proof texting - having a point and attempting to find a verse for support, usually without respecting the context). For McComiskey meaning and context work together to form a narrative, organic whole with Jesus at the heart of the story.
The Beginning of the Gospel (Luke's Version)
Working my way through the Gospel of Luke, I have been struck by many of the comments in Darrell Bock's IVP commentary (part of the IVP New Testament Commentary Series); but what else is new? I've been challenged by his work for numerous years, and was oh so close to having him come out to speak at a church I was co-pastoring afew years back, and the plans just simply fell through. I always find Bock to be about as balanced an exegete as you'll find and what's more, he's a churchman and has managed to keep one foot in the academy and one foot in the church; oh, and one foot in the culture, even though he doesn't have three feet.
In his introduction, Bock talks about Luke's narrative strategy and how he builds his readers' appreciation of Jesus by starting where they're at, with concepts familiar to them, and taking them to deeper levels, revealing a Jesus that confounds and often out rightly defies categorization. At one point, Bock uses the term "seeker-sensitive". An apt term I think and one that has been misused in popular church culture and probably under-used in theological circles. Luke was far from "watering down" Jesus; he was building his case with that which was commonly shared, commonly understood.
Another interesting point for consideration is Bock's analysis of Luke's contribution to Atonement theory/theology. One would expect Luke's primary input to be centered on the classical, penal substitution model; in fact, knowing a bit of Bock's roots, that's exactly what I expected him to state. However, true to form, Bock goes where the text (in this case Luke) goes (it's what I appreciate about him and so many other careful exegetes God has gifted to His church) and makes the case that Luke's primary concern is to underscore Jesus' victory. In Bock's words, "he (Luke) highlights the victorious, exalted Lord who emerged from that death, along with the opportunity for forgiveness he provides" (pg. 23).
Romans as story
When we read sacred Scripture, we are not only reading someone else's mail, we're ready someone else's story. However, it is a story that the reader - who believes it's message and Central Star - is a part of. (Fortunately, this sort of "participatory union" doesn't occur when the mailman puts my mail in my neighbor's box; a regular occurrence in my neighborhood!)
If we believe what we read, we become a participant, not a bystander, in the greatest story ever told. But, it helps to remember it is a story - with a plot, characters, a beginning, middle and end, etc. But, what about the parts of Scripture that are not in story form, like Romans, for instance?
In his first chapter, Paul the Apostle ties the life of Jesus (a story in itself) to the story of Israel (specifically David), as if he wants to ground all he's about to say in the Biblical narrative. In fact, the Jesus story is a story within a story, but that's another post for another day.
Not only does Paul ground what he's about to say in the Biblical story, it continues to inform the whole letter. So, his letter to the Romans doesn't narrate a story, the story narrates his letter. You can see this in full play with his allusions to David, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Israel throughout the letter. The more we become familiar with the story(ies), the better we can plumb the depths of a letter, like Romans.More to come...
Oliver Lake on SoundCloud
Nice Oliver Lake piece that balances groove, composition, space and, of course, improvisation as only he can do.
http://soundcloud.com/oliver-lake/maasai-moves
Context, Audience and The Gospel in Romans
Expecting to jump into a cultural context and ecclesial context which he was not familiar with first hand experience, the Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church (or churches) at Rome. It seems that the churches in Rome were disperate, spread out and theologically diverse at least in terms of their practice, if not their belief. And since Paul seemed to have wanted the church at Rome to be a base for his mission to Spain - since he was not one to be the renegade apostle he's sometimes portrayed as - he had a lot of work to do if he was to "unite" them under the Biblical vision of what God had done in Christ; the message he sought to preach.
Considering this "diversity" and Paul's desire to link it all together, it's interesting to see what Paul hones in on as he develops his story-informed letter. Is there a lesson for us, who live in diverse times, cities and places?
The central concern of Paul, I believe, is to get down to the narrative which unites all of God's people. That narrative is the Good News, or the announcement that Jesus is the Lord's Messiah and the rightful ruler of all of God's creation. This is Paul's greatest concern as he unfolds his letter and I believe we can read Romans as a sustained defence of God's narrative, the gospel. This is, above all else, what Paul wishes for his readers to grasp. His "if you don't get anything else I say, get this!" type of moment.
If the gospel - God's narrative - is the common thread of unity among this diverse groups of believers, how much more for us?
Loop Collective
Interesting indie jazz site - never would've happened had Algore not invented the inner-tubes - some stuff is way "out", some not so much like this recording from a new-to-me Tenor player, Sam Crockatt. "Flood Tide" is immediately reminiscent of Ornette Coleman and Dewey Redman. Good stuff!
http://www.loopcollective.org/records/Other-Releases/Sam-Crockatt-Quartet-Flo...
The Narrative of Romans 2
Too often - perhaps out of just plain 'ole bad reading habits - we apply Romans 2 as a moralistic lesson about judging; why we shouldn't and the eventual fate we'll surely face if we fall prey to this most insidious sin. True enough. However, can this chapter be reduced in such a way? No, this section of Romans is much more than a moral lesson about not judging others. Chapter 2 is inextricably linked to Chapter 1 (keep in mind that chapter divisions were not in the original copies of Scripture; the intent for the original audience was either longer sustained readings - if they could in fact read and had a personal copy - or long sustained hearings) and we do well to try and catch Paul's flow of thought.
What makes Romans 2 much more than a moral lesson on judging is the group it was (is) addressed to. Here again, we need a gentle correction. It's common for our English Bibles to have the chapter heading - on a chapter division that was not contained in the original - of something like "God's Judgment Against the Moralist". If the chapter divisions inserted hundreds of years later than the original autographs were not inspired, then what can we say of chapter headings which came more than a millennium later?!
The shocking power of Romans 2 lies in the fact that Paul, as he had done in Chapter 1, is narrating a story about a people group. The difference is the people group of Romans 2 is the Jewish nation, who had been entrusted with a vocation to be the world's light, God's ambassadors sent into a "Romans 1" type of world, where darkness and sin reign, where human beings, created in God's image, flounder and fail. Despite possessing everything to fulfill their vocation, Israel largely failed - historically - and in Paul's day, had become somewhat of secret society as far as "outsiders" were concerned. In short, they prized their privileges above their calling, their unique status as God's people above the plight of the nations. This led Paul to summarize his kinsmen's vocational plight thusly - because of you, God's name is blasphemed among the nations.
Similarly, Christians - followers of Christ - pick up on essentially the same vocation as our spiritual ancestors Israel, to be a light to the world. However, by extension, Romans 2 asks us, will fall into the same trap as our ancestors? If the world of Romans 1 walked into our church gathering, would we require them to be just like us before we loved them?
One People of God
In Romans Paul's concerns are arguably as pastoral as they are theological. Certainly the two work together and feed one another, but throughout the history of the Church, the more common focus among theologians has definitely been the latter over the former. However, even if that be the case - Paul is more concerned with a theological "treatise" (theoretical theology) than praxis (practical theology) - Romans 4, as an example, can never be read apart from Paul's aim, or goal.
Paul begins by asking what advantage Abraham - the father of the Jewish people - has and whether or not he's justified in boasting before God? Two primary points lay in the backdrop of his question: 1) Paul's kinsmen may be prompted to boast about their lineage and connection to Abraham and 2) In their thinking if anyone can boast it would be Abraham, as he enjoyed such a lofty and promise-filled relationship with God. So, what follows the introductory question in chapter 4, is not simply a theological explanation of justification or faith, but a defense of the "one people of God" view that Paul fought tooth and nail to uphold. If exclusive allegiance to Abraham meant the believing Jew could boast, or that Abraham himself could boast, those so inclined would feel justified in prizing their special relationship with God over those (Gentiles) less fortunate, and an unnecessary schism in the Church results, since by definition the point of the Church is to reflect the "one people of God", Jew and Gentile together under one King (Jesus), reflecting to the world what the Prophets were pointing to.
Today, boasting of one's pedigree, privileges and status is no less a common occurence, however, it's never based upon Abraham! The church in America is not healthy when it comes to reflecting the "one people of God" vision of Paul. In fact, it's downright sick. I know of a pastor who is famous for saying, "Sunday at 9am is the most segregated hour in the week." I think he's referring to race, primarily - that each ethnic group worships independent of the other, at their own congregations - but the principle and sentiment can certainly, and should be, applied from race to culture and back again. Increasingly, America is becoming sub-culture, culture whereby groups are organized around affinity as well as race. I say that not to diminish abuses that are (still) clearly prevlent around race matters, but to simply point out that the church has to welcome all of God's children, rich, poor, black, white and everything and everyone in between.
To realize this robust "one people of God" vision, take some time to first be aware of your surroundings. You may attend an affluent church; be aware that the person next to you on Sunday morning in the pews, may be flat broke. Welcome them, love them, give them dignity, and for the sake of the gospel and it's Architect, do not "boast" in what you have, as if that matters! You may be aware of your church neighbor and her plight - great! Maybe you need to begin to move outside of your four walls then and serve alongside a church of a different ethnic group, for instance. Learn their gospel "flavor" if you will. Listen. Learn. Serve and then praise your God who desires to make "one people" out of many, spiritually, without making them the "same" robotically.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Current Playlist
Albert Ayler - Vibrations / Spiritual Unity
Always amazed by Ayler; raw emotion, blues roots and extends the late-Coltrane era freedom, though in overtly simple forms.
John Coltrane - Live at the Villiage Vanguard Again
What can I say? Coltrane and Pharoah blowing over two of 'Trane's greatest "hits" Naima, My Favorite Things. Pharoah's solo on the former is simply stunning as he displays an uncanny ability to pay homage to the melody, yet stretch it, not beyond recognition, but perhaps beyond the original intended limits. Wow...Oh, and...Rashied Ali...that is all.
World Saxophone Quartet - Requiem for Julius
Stumbled upon this one, dedicated to Julius Hemphill, one of the founding members of WSQ who passed away too early. Vintage WSQ, with John Purcell taking Hemphill's chair admirably. Highly recommended.
Always amazed by Ayler; raw emotion, blues roots and extends the late-Coltrane era freedom, though in overtly simple forms.
John Coltrane - Live at the Villiage Vanguard Again
What can I say? Coltrane and Pharoah blowing over two of 'Trane's greatest "hits" Naima, My Favorite Things. Pharoah's solo on the former is simply stunning as he displays an uncanny ability to pay homage to the melody, yet stretch it, not beyond recognition, but perhaps beyond the original intended limits. Wow...Oh, and...Rashied Ali...that is all.
World Saxophone Quartet - Requiem for Julius
Stumbled upon this one, dedicated to Julius Hemphill, one of the founding members of WSQ who passed away too early. Vintage WSQ, with John Purcell taking Hemphill's chair admirably. Highly recommended.
The Concern of Romans
In Romans Paul's concerns are arguably as pastoral as they are theological. Certainly the two work together and feed one another, but throughout the history of the Church, the more common focus among theologians has definitely been the latter over the former. However, even if that be the case - Paul is more concerned with a theological "treatise" (theoretical theology) than praxis (practical theology) - Romans 4, as an example, can never be read apart from Paul's aim, or goal.
Paul begins by asking what advantage Abraham - the father of the Jewish people - has and whether or not he's justified in boasting before God? Two primary points lay in the backdrop of his question: 1) Paul's kinsmen may be prompted to boast about their lineage and connection to Abraham and 2) In their thinking if anyone can boast it would be Abraham, as he enjoyed such a lofty and promise-filled relationship with God. So, what follows the introductory question in chapter 4, is not simply a theological explanation of justification or faith, but a defense of the "one people of God" view that Paul fought tooth and nail to uphold. If exclusive allegiance to Abraham meant the believing Jew could boast, or that Abraham himself could boast, those so inclined would feel justified in prizing their special relationship with God over those (Gentiles) less fortunate, and an unnecessary schism in the Church results, since by definition the point of the Church is to reflect the "one people of God", Jew and Gentile together under one King (Jesus), reflecting to the world what the Prophets were pointing to.
Today, boasting of one's pedigree, privileges and status is no less a common occurence, however, it's never based upon Abraham! The church in America is not healthy when it comes to reflecting the "one people of God" vision of Paul. In fact, it's downright sick. I know of a pastor who is famous for saying, "Sunday at 9am is the most segregated hour in the week." I think he's referring to race, primarily - that each ethnic group worships independent of the other, at their own congregations - but the principle and sentiment can certainly, and should be, applied from race to culture and back again. Increasingly, America is becoming sub-culture, culture whereby groups are organized around affinity as well as race. I say that not to diminish abuses that are (still) clearly prevlent around race matters, but to simply point out that the church has to welcome all of God's children, rich, poor, black, white and everything and everyone in between.
To realize this robust "one people of God" vision, take some time to first be aware of your surroundings. You may attend an affluent church; be aware that the person next to you on Sunday morning in the pews, may be flat broke. Welcome them, love them, give them dignity, and for the sake of the gospel and it's Architect, do not "boast" in what you have, as if that matters! You may be aware of your church neighbor and her plight - great! Maybe you need to begin to move outside of your four walls then and serve alongside a church of a different ethnic group, for instance. Learn their gospel "flavor" if you will. Listen. Learn. Serve and then praise your God who desires to make "one people" out of many, spiritually, without making them the "same" robotically.
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