Chronos - 1 Corinthians 9-11 Series

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.

This week we also continue in the book of the first Corinthians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. Corinth is the original sin city. It was a transitional city and as such there was a lot of anonymity. As a Coastal town people were always coming and going. Some for vacation, most for business. The community was know for their worship of the goddess of sex. They had one of the largest temples devoted to her and the idea of fertility. You can see why when you called somebody a corinthian back then, you were saying they were living without morality. After his 1 ½ years planting the church, Paul left behind Apollos who was an amazing preacher/teacher and yet, we can see from this book the people still had questions. The immorality of the culture was so rampant that Paul had to address everything from why church potlucks should not turn into drunken frat parties and worship of the one true God should not look like a kids first birthday party at a chuck e cheese restaurant.

Last Sunday, Paul encouraged us to remember in the gray areas of scripture to use love, knowledge and our conscience as a guide to decide what the best course of action would be as a Christian. After a few more examples, Paul summarizes his point the best at the end of Chapter 10 and at the beginning of 11 where he says:

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 11-1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

From this vantage point, Paul begins to address two more cultural issues the new followers are struggling with. The first one has to do with head coverings and the second with Lord’s supper.

Women in the first century eastern mediterranean culture covered their hair when they got married. Hair was the chief element of female beauty in that culture, so only a husband should see his wife’s hair. Uncovered hair was associated with seduction. However, wealthy women would often leave their hair uncovered as a way to tell the world they were part of the upper class and therefore always desirable.

Because the Christian message appeals to both the rich and the poor, exposed hair was a distraction to some in worship. Some feared, lower class girls might begin to think it was okay to "let their hair down." An action that might bring dishonor to the entire family. Remember, in an eastern context people were concerned about how individual actions reflected on the family and the extended family.

This concept of collective “shame and guilt” is hard for us in the west. We have taken personal responsibility to a whole new level so we don’t discount entire families because of one person. However, in many parts of the world, it is still this way. The family unit is more important than the individual. The extreme that we in the west hear most about is: honor killing. The killers justify their actions by claiming that the victim has brought dishonor upon the family name or prestige. In patriarchal societies, the activities of girls and women are still closely monitored. Paul was swimming against the culture in the next few verses….

7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.

Wait? Angels?! Paul was making a point from the creation account in scriptures. Angels were part of the story and if they knew their place and showed respect in worship by bowing and covering their eyes (Isaiah 6:2), shouldn’t we be as subservient? Additionally, since angels share in our worship wouldn’t it be best to keep some decorum of respect. Paul continues…