This refers to the Temple which is, of course, long gone. A later Temple built in its place is long gone as well. And so I wondered, if the psalm calls for my prayers on account of a non existent Temple, is that psalm now invalid?
I found myself wondering about Scripture and its authority. Historically we Protestants have invested a great deal of authority in Scripture. Doctrinally that is still the case for Presbyterians although I know my share of church folks for whom this is far from true. Authority is given on a case by case basis, and only after considering what the particular verses say. They'll allow a text to make its point, and then decide if it did so convincingly.
The question of authority comes up in today's gospel reading. Some of the Jewish authorities want to know by what authority Jesus says and does what he does. Jesus refuses to answer after his opponents refuse his similar question about John the baptizer. But I wonder what sort of answer from Jesus would have been acceptable. Was there some paperwork that would have granted him such standing? What if some prominent, well-to-do Jerusalem families had vouched for him?
Where does authority come from? How about Scripture's authority? What about Psalm 122? Can I cull it because it speaks to a non existent situation?
Do we recognize authority beyond ourselves? I think the persistence of religion points to an innate human need to connect to something bigger than self. We seem to need an authority beyond ourselves. But at the very same time, we seem to be extremely suspicious of such authority. Much of America's celebration of liberty, freedom, and individualism arises from a distrust of authority. Traditionally this was balanced by a certain allegiance to a greater community good and to faith, but these allegiances have seemed to have weakened while distrust has grown.
There is an old Bob Dylan song entitled "Gotta Serve Somebody." I take the lyrics to be pretty good theology. We have to serve somebody. It's just a matter of whom. However, as a reasonably good Calvinist, I also know that we most often prefer gods of our own design. Not surprisingly, liberals often serve a god who is remarkably in step with their liberalism while conservatives serve a god remarkably in step with their views.
That brings me to a final bit of wondering. If no authority outside ourselves brings us face to face with a God who challenges and transforms who we already are, can we really encounter God?
Click to learn more about the Daily Lectionary.
No comments:
Post a Comment