I don't usually spend much time reading 1 Peter, so I found this reading intriguing (at least in reference to reading through all the census taking, names, and numbers that fill up the whole book of Numbers!) I didn't really like the whole "Fear God. Honor the emperor." idea of 1 Peter. It doesn't seem very loving or freeing, but I read in my bible commentary notes that the author was probably anxious that Christians not appear to be opposing or threatening to the state, making things harder on them. The emperor is to be honored, but God is to be feared, a profound respect due to God alone.
I also find the idea of servants of God being identified as aliens and exiles. Aliens and exiles aren't held in much esteem these days, yet this is what we are to strive to be: aliens - never fully at home in our surrounding culture, and exiles - belonging ultimately to another homeland with God. So here's to all the exiles and aliens - servants of God!
-Melanie
(Notes from The New Interpreter's Study Bible)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment