TODAY IN MISSION YEARBOOK
Mission Yearbook: Dr. Rodney Caruthers II covers Paul’s reconciliation take
During a recent episode of “Leading Theologically,” Dr. Rodney Caruthers II helps the show’s host, the Rev. Bill Davis, find themes around reconciliation in two of Paul’s letters. Listen to their 37-minute conversation here.
Caruthers is assistant professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and chair of the seminary’s Biblical Studies Department. Davis, the senior director of Theological Education Funds Development for the Presbyterian Foundation, has in earlier episodes focused the broadcast on exploring themes of reconciliation, repair and reparations.
The two first turn to 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, where Paul argues we are ambassadors for Christ, “since God is making his appeal through us.”
“In a broad sense, we have this idea of the God of Israel sending Jesus of Nazareth to reconcile a people — humanity,” Caruthers said. But because of sin, “there’s a great divide between God and humanity theologically.” The relationship is broken, “and God is proactive in saying, ‘I am now going to reconcile these people who are now separated from me and restore the relationship.’”
Of course, “all these divisions” are present today “for a variety of reasons, political and religious,” Caruthers said. “We all need to find a way to be reconciled back together and restore broken relationships.”
Davis wondered: How might Paul’s understanding of reconciliation differ from our present-day understanding?
The Greek word for “ambassadors” is close to our understanding of presbyters, Caruthers said, people who carry out reconciliation in community. God “cares enough to want to restore” our broken relationship, since “for the most part, humanity is not in a position to do the restoration on its own. It needs a more powerful entity to carry that out.”
And so, Jesus is sent by God “who has this message of reconciliation,” Caruthers said. In a sense, “we as ambassadors are essentially little Christs. Just as God sent Jesus with this message, with his work Jesus sends his learners, his disciples, out. If you’re sent out as a learner by Jesus, you are now an apostle, a sent one. We are sent out with the same idea, the same message: The kingdom is near. Believe, repent and be baptized.”
And if we’re going to represent God, “not only do you need to know the company message, but you also need to think and behave like you’re one of the company. You have to be in line with what God … stands for,” Caruthers said. “It all falls back on the ethical teaching of Jesus of Nazareth — my care for the poor, for the sick, for the incarcerated and people I disagree with. How do I interact with them? Do I simply just give them a piece of my mind every time, or do I say, ‘OK, we have disagreements, but how can I find a way to still treat them with humanity?’”
What’s more difficult, Caruthers said, is showing our selves as God’s ambassadors to people who view us as enemies, but we are challenged to pray for and show love to our enemies.
The next text the two discuss is Romans 5:6–11, a passage that reflects Paul’s understanding not only of the Mosaic Torah and the commandments given on Mt. Sinai, “but also the wider covenants — the Old Testament understanding of God’s covenants,” including promises made to Abraham, David and others. As the prophet Jeremiah points out, God’s new covenants will be written on our hearts.
“This is God saying, ‘I’m going to bring this closer to bridge the gap. I’m not going to leave you out there when there’s this divide because of sin,” Caruthers said. “I’m going to initiate reconciliation with this new covenant, and Jesus is central to this.”
The ”while we were enemies” phrase here in Romans “is meant to sting,” Caruthers said. “You’re separated enough that you can still be described as an enemy. … Paul is essentially saying, God saw us in that state and said, ‘I’m going to show love, reconcile and change their status through my son.’”
View previous editions of “Leading Theologically” here.
Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)
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Let us pray:
Precious Creator, we thank you for faithful witness. Bless us and guide us by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.