Ancient Anglican

Within 2 Corinthians 5, Paul uses the analogy that our present bodies are but temporary tents, whereas our eternal dwelling is a building constructed by God.  Think through how this analogy is similar to that employed in John’s Prologue.

In verse 18, Paul reiterates that we must look beyond the literal and the sensible which are easily seen and comprehended but which are transient and perishable.

Within this chapter, Paul continues his analogy that only those with a veiled mind have rejected the light of Christ.

These setbacks in Cornith and Ephesus appear to have sent Paul into a depression, and out of this depression, Paul has a different perspective on the troubles of the Corinthian church, or at least a different tone. 

To read the Old Testament as simply an historical narrative misses its entire purpose which is to point to the coming of Christ and the Church. Further, a rejection of the letter frees us from the dictates of the biblical law.

Have some thought about how our own witness to the gospel can be shaped by our particular circumstances, and how we might take some of the treasure of Paul’s letter(s) and apply it in our daily discipleship. 

Above all, though, we will pay close attention to how and why Paul’s experience of the resurrected Jesus led him to be such an effective evangelist. 

This year we will be reading through 2 Corinthians. The study this summer will be led by Rob Donahue. Rob is a native of Grace Church in Charleston and is a rising third-year seminary student at Sewanee.

In looking at the Cross as the example to follow, the Cross is no longer something that happened a long time ago in a land far away but is something that happens to us in the here and now on a daily basis. The Cross is not only the promise of a transformed life in the hereafter but a transformed life today. 

Throughout the book, á Kempis tells us that we will always have difficulties and always fall short.  His intention, however, is not to dissuade us from seeking Christ, but rather to let us know that our difficulties and failures are common to all so that we should not lose heart. 

Throughout his meditations, á Kempis keeps returning to the theme of having an intimate friendship with Jesus.  An aspect of that friendship is the art of knowing how to converse with him. 

The first step towards Christ is not to worry about the state of someone else’s soul but ours.  If we only attend to ourselves and our own shortcomings, we will lack the energy to correct others and will be unable to judge others too harshly.