Lectionary for 5/5/09

Today has simply escaped from me.  I look at the clock and see that the day is almost over and no post is written about what I read this morning.  Well, here it goes.

Today's readings are Leviticus 10.1-20 and Luke 9.37-62.  We see the Lord giving gifts to be received responsibly and with rejoicing.  How, then, are we to receive those with whom we have theological disputes but who are engaged in proclamation of the Gospel?  This is a frequent issue in my life personally since I teach at a Christian school which has a very diverse population.  So how do we decide whether matters of the faith are of primary doctrinal importance or not?  Isn't it all important?

Without a doubt we should realize that the law of non-contradiction does hold.  There are issues in which to disagree indicates that in matters of life and salvation one party is decidedly wrong.  These are issues on which genuine believers should not budge.  This is one of the reasons I like the use of historic creeds and confessions.  They lay out the most critical matters of the faith.  Are there matters of disagreement which are important and are not dealt with specifically in the ecumenical creeds?  Certainly.  We need to be careful and exercise wise and charitable discernment.

Let us continue to look to our Lord and Savior who has given us this most precious Gospel by which we are saved.  Let us focus on him, the author and finisher of our faith.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com