Sociologists explain that religions serve several social functions to maintain the society. For example, religions mark the boundary between the sacred and the profane, thus the sort of behaviours proper to the respective spheres. Some aspects of the sacred become taboos, untouchable under certain circumstances. Thus a kind of power structure is sustained in a society where a minority would control and define what are out of bounds for the profane, the ordinary. They enjoy great authority in a society and think up all sorts of rituals to monopolize this authority etc.
Of course, religion is more than just a social institution to maintain power. It is also the source of morality for some societies. While some religions provide only security, some carry with them a set of moral principles. Christianity belongs to the latter category. The First Epistle of Peter gives us such a set of moral principles.
Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12).
The gospel of Matthew echoes the same principle (Matthew 5:16). Good deeds of Christians make Gentiles glorify God.
For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (1 Peter 2:15).
Christians do good not for good's sake but to silence foolish men and make them glorify God. Well, it sounds a bit negative, but pragmatic.
Christians are free but they should not abuse their freedom. They do not earn their freedom but obtain it free from the redemption of Christ. Christ has won them over with his death and resurrection such that Christians are now servants of God.
Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).
Christians are servants of God on earth. Therefore, they should conduct themselves honourably on earth.
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
When the author wrote this epistle, Christians were still protected by the Roman Emperor. Similarly, Matthew advised Christians to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar (Matthew 22:21). Systematic persecutions from the Empire had not yet begun.
What if Christians are persecuted? Endure persecutions patiently. God will reward.
For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval (1 Peter 2:19-20, 3:17).
The author continues to expound it with the patience Jesus showed in his sufferings, quoting the Song of Suffering Servant in Isaiah (Isaiah 53:5-12).
Turning to the relationship between husband and wife, the author taught like Paul did. Quoting the example of Sarah, the author told wives to be submissive to husbands (1 Peter 3:1-6) and husbands to be considerate towards their wives (1 Peter 3:7). There is only one single verse. It is rather unfair to wives.
What virtues should Christians exhibit?
Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).
Still unable to leave the attitude of suffering behind, the author continued further to bring home a life of perfection echoed in Matthew.
Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing (1 Peter 3:9, Matthew 5:38-48).
Here, the author quoted the Psalm (1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalm 34:13-16).
Return again to the example of Christ, we find the author explaining what Jesus did between his death on the cross and his resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus went down to Hell/Hades/Limbo to release those waiting there for his coming since Noah.
in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison,
who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3:19-20).
Why Noah and not Adam? The author was trying to establish the symbolic link between Noah's Ark and the Church.
These verses from the epistle are a good piece of moral theology. The text outlines the moral principles of Christian life and gives it a theological basis. Christian life is to be perfect by following Jesus' example of suffering patiently unfair treatments.
Dear Lord, may we continue to keep our eyes on the model You have set before us so as to lead a perfect life. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment