Colossians RemixedColossians RemixedSubverting the Empire: Subverting the Empire: Session 5Session 5

Opening Prayer: Our true Opening Prayer: Our true homehome(By Walter Brueggemann, (By Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Awed to Heaven, Rooted in

EarthEarth, p. 21), p. 21)

Brief Recap Brief Recap Our spiritual worldview is Our spiritual worldview is

revealed most in how we live revealed most in how we live in this worldin this worldOur carsOur carsWhat we consumeWhat we consumeHow we use our timeHow we use our time

Not about new rules, but an Not about new rules, but an attempt to see what the attempt to see what the liberation of Christ might look liberation of Christ might look likelike

Keep in MindKeep in Mind““This is a story of restored This is a story of restored

relationships, a love story that calls relationships, a love story that calls forth an alternative community forth an alternative community characterized by compassion, kindness, characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude and forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude and wisdom. This is a story of creational wisdom. This is a story of creational restoration, a renewal to full humanness, restoration, a renewal to full humanness, in the image of the Creator. This is a in the image of the Creator. This is a community in which the word of Christ community in which the word of Christ dwells richly. This is a community that is dwells richly. This is a community that is shaped as a countercultural force shaped as a countercultural force through the subversive worship of a through the subversive worship of a subversive Lord.” (p. 200)subversive Lord.” (p. 200)

Colossians Household Code: Colossians Household Code: Col. 3:18-4:1Col. 3:18-4:1 Initial reading of textInitial reading of text

Seems to reinforce the hierarchical Seems to reinforce the hierarchical structure of the empirestructure of the empire

Seems to maintain the lower status Seems to maintain the lower status of slaves, women and childrenof slaves, women and children

End result of Jesus as Lord?End result of Jesus as Lord?Contradicts any impetus toward Contradicts any impetus toward

liberation found in the previous liberation found in the previous parts of Colossiansparts of Colossians

Does Paul intend to undercut the Does Paul intend to undercut the subversive aspects of the rest of subversive aspects of the rest of Colossians?Colossians?

Household Structure in Household Structure in AntiquityAntiquity

““For the male is by nature better For the male is by nature better fitted to command than the female…fitted to command than the female…and the older and fully developed and the older and fully developed person than the younger and person than the younger and immature…All human beings that immature…All human beings that differ as widely as the soul does from differ as widely as the soul does from the body…are by nature slaves for the body…are by nature slaves for whom to be governed by this kind of whom to be governed by this kind of authority is advantageous…For the authority is advantageous…For the free rule the slave, the male the free rule the slave, the male the female, the man the child in different female, the man the child in different ways; for the slave has not got the ways; for the slave has not got the deliberative part at all, and the female deliberative part at all, and the female has it but without full authority, while has it but without full authority, while the child has it but in an undeveloped the child has it but in an undeveloped form.” (Aristotle, as quoted on p. 203)form.” (Aristotle, as quoted on p. 203)

Household Codes in Household Codes in AntiquityAntiquity Patriarchal structure the Patriarchal structure the

foundation of the empirefoundation of the empireOther structures were inherently Other structures were inherently

treasonoustreasonous

What is Paul Saying Here?What is Paul Saying Here? Notice that Paul does not simply Notice that Paul does not simply

address masters, husbands, and address masters, husbands, and fathersfathers

Slaves, wives, & children have the Slaves, wives, & children have the authority to respond as individuals in authority to respond as individuals in control of their own actionscontrol of their own actions

Rights of the privileged (masters, Rights of the privileged (masters, husbands & fathers) are unique to husbands & fathers) are unique to PaulPaul Masters are to “treat (their) slaves justly Masters are to “treat (their) slaves justly

and fairly” (Col. 4:1)and fairly” (Col. 4:1) Husbands are to “love (their) wives and Husbands are to “love (their) wives and

never treat them harshly” (Col. 3:18)never treat them harshly” (Col. 3:18) Fathers are “not to provoke (their) Fathers are “not to provoke (their)

children” (Col. 3:21)children” (Col. 3:21)

Resonance with Hebrew Resonance with Hebrew BibleBible Recall that one of the primary Recall that one of the primary

stories is the exodusstories is the exodusGod liberates a group of slaves God liberates a group of slaves

from another empire, Egyptfrom another empire, EgyptGod instructs these liberated God instructs these liberated

slaves to remember who they slaves to remember who they were prior to God’s activitywere prior to God’s activity

God instructs these liberated God instructs these liberated slaves to translate this slaves to translate this remembrance into an ethic of remembrance into an ethic of care for the poor, the widow, the care for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the resident alienorphan, and the resident alien

Resonance with the Story of Resonance with the Story of JesusJesus We are to forgive others as God We are to forgive others as God

has forgiven ushas forgiven us Jesus initiates his ministry (in Jesus initiates his ministry (in

Luke’s gospel) by reading a Luke’s gospel) by reading a passage from Isaiah 61:1-2 & 58:6 passage from Isaiah 61:1-2 & 58:6 (Luke 4:14-30)(Luke 4:14-30)Notice how this reinforces the Notice how this reinforces the

resonance with the biblical theme of resonance with the biblical theme of the exodusthe exodus

It also echoes the theme of the year It also echoes the theme of the year of jubileeof jubileeSlaves were freedSlaves were freedPrisoners were releasedPrisoners were released

Slaves Who InheritSlaves Who Inherit Inheritance and forgiveness are related in Inheritance and forgiveness are related in

the biblical storythe biblical story God speaks to the mountains of Israel in Ez. God speaks to the mountains of Israel in Ez.

36:8-1236:8-12 Slaves are to know that they “will receive Slaves are to know that they “will receive

the inheritance as (their) reward” (Col. the inheritance as (their) reward” (Col. 3:24)3:24)

Masters “have a Master in heaven” (Col. Masters “have a Master in heaven” (Col. 4:1)4:1)

Paul here joins the major themes of Paul here joins the major themes of Exodus (freeing slaves to inherit land) Exodus (freeing slaves to inherit land) with themes of the jubilee that Jesus with themes of the jubilee that Jesus himself recalled at the start of his ministryhimself recalled at the start of his ministry

Sabbath rest forms an undercurrent here – Sabbath rest forms an undercurrent here – rest for everyone including slaves and rest for everyone including slaves and animals (Ex. 20:10)animals (Ex. 20:10)

Role Reversals for Masters Role Reversals for Masters and Slavesand Slaves Jesus uses this role reversal Jesus uses this role reversal

(Luke 12:35-38)(Luke 12:35-38) Why isn’t Paul explicit about Why isn’t Paul explicit about

this role change for the this role change for the Colossians?Colossians?Letters weren’t necessarily Letters weren’t necessarily

private in the ancient worldprivate in the ancient worldDangerous and subversive Dangerous and subversive

themes had to be couched in themes had to be couched in language that appeared language that appeared harmless, at least on the surfaceharmless, at least on the surface

Paul on Women & MarriagePaul on Women & Marriage Wives are to “be subject to (their) Wives are to “be subject to (their)

husbands husbands as is fitting in the Lordas is fitting in the Lord” (Col. ” (Col. 3:18)3:18)

Who is the Lord of wives and husbands Who is the Lord of wives and husbands alike?alike? Note that even in Hebrew, the normal word for Note that even in Hebrew, the normal word for

husband is baal or lord, masterhusband is baal or lord, master Sabbath law applied to all, male and femaleSabbath law applied to all, male and female Early Christian communities often had females Early Christian communities often had females

in leadership roles – the church at Laodicea in leadership roles – the church at Laodicea met in Nympha’s house (Col. 4:15)met in Nympha’s house (Col. 4:15)

Compare Col. 3:11 with Gal. 3:28Compare Col. 3:11 with Gal. 3:28 Paul’s teachings encouraged early followers of Paul’s teachings encouraged early followers of

Jesus to flout the Roman law requiring Jesus to flout the Roman law requiring widowers and divorcees to remarry in a month widowers and divorcees to remarry in a month while widows were to marry within a year after while widows were to marry within a year after the death of their spouse (from the Leges the death of their spouse (from the Leges Juliae) Juliae)

Slaves? What Slaves?Slaves? What Slaves? What if we heard Col. 3:22-4:1 What if we heard Col. 3:22-4:1

like this:like this: What would a Christian position What would a Christian position

on the economy look like?on the economy look like?What sort of labor conditions would What sort of labor conditions would

reflect more closely the kingdom of reflect more closely the kingdom of God?God?

If laborers & employees generally If laborers & employees generally were treated as those who bear the were treated as those who bear the image of God, what would a image of God, what would a workplace look like?workplace look like?

How would corporations live within How would corporations live within the environment?the environment?

Can We Expect Business To Can We Expect Business To Work Like This?Work Like This? Some management leaders have Some management leaders have

given thought to these issuesgiven thought to these issues Robert Greenleaf wrote Robert Greenleaf wrote Servant Servant

LeadershipLeadership to explore very similar to explore very similar themesthemes Managers become the “first among Managers become the “first among

equals” & work in cooperation with their equals” & work in cooperation with their teamsteams

In order to lead the manager must be a In order to lead the manager must be a servantservant

Sendjaya and Sarros (2002) noted Sendjaya and Sarros (2002) noted that Jesus Christ embodied servant that Jesus Christ embodied servant leadership, best seen when Jesus leadership, best seen when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples washed the feet of his disciples

Characteristics of Servant Characteristics of Servant LeadershipLeadership Spears identified these qualities Spears identified these qualities

of leadersof leadersListeningListeningEmpathyEmpathyHealingHealingAwarenessAwarenessPersuasionPersuasionConceptualizationConceptualizationForesightForesightStewardshipStewardshipCommitment to the growth of Commitment to the growth of

peoplepeopleBuilding community Building community

Essentials of ColossiansEssentials of Colossians The Image Poem--Col. 1:15-20The Image Poem--Col. 1:15-20

A recap of creation that points to the new A recap of creation that points to the new creation in Christcreation in Christ

Uses the images and terms of the wisdom Uses the images and terms of the wisdom traditiontradition God created through wisdom/JesusGod created through wisdom/Jesus

Caesar’s image was spoken of in terms Caesar’s image was spoken of in terms of a mystery by the priests of the of a mystery by the priests of the empire’s cultsempire’s cults

Paul revealed the violence and Paul revealed the violence and oppression beneath the image of oppression beneath the image of CaesarCaesar

The Christian mystery is revealed in The Christian mystery is revealed in JesusJesus

Essentials of the New Essentials of the New CreationCreation New creation is accompanied New creation is accompanied

by a new kingdomby a new kingdomAll are God’s childrenAll are God’s childrenThose in need receive careThose in need receive care““Forgiveness & love are Forgiveness & love are

practiced” (p. 224)practiced” (p. 224)Peace of Christ permeates the Peace of Christ permeates the

landland““No Lord but God” (p. 226)No Lord but God” (p. 226)““Jesus is Lord”Jesus is Lord”

Christ is Embodied in the Christ is Embodied in the ChurchChurch The church is shaped by the The church is shaped by the

reconciliation of Christ on the crossreconciliation of Christ on the cross ““This reconciliation travels the path This reconciliation travels the path

that leads to a cross. It is therefore that leads to a cross. It is therefore not surprising that to be a servant of not surprising that to be a servant of this gospel, to proclaim this this gospel, to proclaim this alternative sovereignty in a world of alternative sovereignty in a world of violence, would entail suffering. If the violence, would entail suffering. If the hope of Israel’s story is to be found in hope of Israel’s story is to be found in a suffering servant (Is 53) and Jesus is a suffering servant (Is 53) and Jesus is that suffering servant, it is not that suffering servant, it is not surprising that suffering is integral to surprising that suffering is integral to the life of anyone who embraces this the life of anyone who embraces this story as their own.” (p. 226)story as their own.” (p. 226)

A Curious Statement by PaulA Curious Statement by Paul Col. 1:24Col. 1:24 Christ was not the first or last to sufferChrist was not the first or last to suffer Church as “body of Christ” implies an Church as “body of Christ” implies an

intimate relationshipintimate relationship Paul uses “affliction” to speak of his Paul uses “affliction” to speak of his

sufferingsuffering Different from word used to speak of the Different from word used to speak of the

suffering of Christ on crosssuffering of Christ on cross Suggests that Paul is saying that as part of Suggests that Paul is saying that as part of

Christ’s body, the church will suffer, not Christ’s body, the church will suffer, not that Jesus’ suffering on the cross was that Jesus’ suffering on the cross was incompleteincomplete

““As Christ did battle with the ‘principalities As Christ did battle with the ‘principalities and powers’ at the cross, so also the church and powers’ at the cross, so also the church continues to bear the fury of these powers continues to bear the fury of these powers in anticipation of their final subjugation to in anticipation of their final subjugation to Christ at his return.” (p. 229)Christ at his return.” (p. 229)

A Question to PonderA Question to Ponder

““If, as Paul asserts If, as Paul asserts throughout his letters, we are throughout his letters, we are called to share in the called to share in the sufferings of Christ, and if sufferings of Christ, and if such suffering is for the sake such suffering is for the sake of the body of Christ, where of the body of Christ, where does that leave a Christian does that leave a Christian community that seems to community that seems to avoid any sort of suffering?” avoid any sort of suffering?” (p. 229)(p. 229)

The Challenge of the GospelThe Challenge of the Gospel

““This gospel challenges This gospel challenges the principalities and powers the principalities and powers of our own age. This gospel of our own age. This gospel proclaims that reconciliation proclaims that reconciliation and peace come not through and peace come not through the power of unilateral the power of unilateral military force but through the military force but through the blood of the cross.” (p. 232)blood of the cross.” (p. 232)

Closing Prayer: Loss is Closing Prayer: Loss is indeed our gainindeed our gain

(By Walter Brueggemann, (By Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, Earth, p. 153) p. 153)

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Brueggemann, Walter(2003). Brueggemann, Walter(2003). Awed to Heaven, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in EarthRooted in Earth. Minneapolis: Augsburg . Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress.Fortress.

Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Greatness. New York: Paulist Press.New York: Paulist Press.

Sendjaya, S. & Sarros, J. C. (2002). Servant Sendjaya, S. & Sarros, J. C. (2002). Servant leadership: its origin, development, and leadership: its origin, development, and application in organizations. application in organizations. Journal of Journal of Leadership and Organization Studies,Leadership and Organization Studies, 9(2), 57- 9(2), 57-64.64.

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