Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Lesson 10 - Notes for Preaching and Devotions

lipne, "before the face," can remind us of the Latin phrase used by the Reformers, "Coram Deo," "before the face of God," which reminded them that all of life was lived for, and watched over by, God. (more here)

• "Continue your love to those who know you ..." (Ps.36:10); "leyode 'eka," "those who know you." Note the third person plural throughout this verse. Much can, and has, been written about individual vs. communal awareness and expression in the Psalms (see, for starters, Witvliet p.26-27, including notes and references). But suffice it here to say that while the Psalms are remarkably personal and intimate in tone, the relationship they sing about is truly personal but never private. In today's hyper-individualistic culture--especially one that insists that your spiritual life is only a matter of personal experience and individual relevance--we can guard against an overly privatized spirituality by affirming our collective faith as the body of God's people. And we can realize that Scripture says that "knowing you," knowing God, is a collective (plural) as well as a personal (singular) act. (more here)

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