Further discussion on how the diversity of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to followers of Christ makes a unified body of the Church.

This coming summer the world will observe the centennial of the ?Guns of August,? historian Barbara Tuchman?s phrase for the beginning of World War I. Most historians would argue that this was a war that should never have been. A few weeks ago, I read historian Margaret MacMillan?s gripping The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914. She charts quite methodically the events and culture that produced the outbreak of World War I in the summer of 1914, which ended nearly 100 years of peace. (The last major European war had been the Napoleonic wars, which ended in 1815.) How could the major European powers permit one of the most horrific wars in history to occur?

What was once unthinkable, becomes debatable, and gradually becomes acceptable. That proverbial statement captures more than anything else what has been occurring in the realm of human sexuality over the past few years. Once personal autonomy and self-gratification take center stage in all matters sexual, most boundaries fall. The next boundary being tested in American culture is that of polygamy. This stunning and rapid cultural transformation did not begin with the same-sex marriage boundary falling; it began with the culture?s embrace of sexual libertinism.

Paul teaches that spirituality is not about self-elevating gifts to glorify the individual; rather, spiritual gifts are given to believers for the purpose of edifying & building up the Body of the Church.

In President Obama?s State of the Union address it was one of the primary themes. It is the centerpiece of almost everything MSNBC features in its cable news coverage. The Democratic Party is banking on this as the cornerstone of its 2014 campaign to retain control of the Senate. Income inequality is once again a ?hot issue? in American politics. Talk of increasing the minimum wage, taxing the wealthy to fund additional programs for the poor, and extending unemployment insurance are all examples of federal programs being discussed. More specifically, significant tax-the-rich proposals are being suggested to fund pre-Kindergarten educational programs. That there is income inequality is a given in America; in many ways it has always been so. There is a growing gap between the very wealthy and the very poor.

Speaking of the detached nature of higher education, we often hear of the ?ivory tower? or of the ?absent-minded professor.? Both metaphors communicate a separation from the real world, even an intentional detachment from reality. Usually, we use such figures of speech with humor or even mild criticism. But, the American Studies Association (ASA) and its recent actions concerning Israel reflect a deep-seated academic bigotry, not a detached pursuit of academic freedom. Why would a group of American scholars bitterly attack Israel? Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. Further, as columnist Charles Krauthammer observes, Israel has ?the freest press in the Middle East, a fiercely independent judiciary and astonishing religious and racial diversity within its universities, including affirmative action for Arab students.?

Paul instructs the Corinthian people regarding the Lord’s Supper, and the importance of focus & remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

In terms of the Middle East, President Obama?s major goal has been US withdrawal and disengagement from this region. This is evident in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Syria and in his negotiations with Iran. Many foreign policy specialists are lamenting Obama?s policy decision. . . That disengagement from the Middle East is defining Obama?s foreign policy is seen by most as a given. However, we are now beginning to see the consequences of this foreign policy decision. What are some of those consequences?

Paul continues his lesson on Christian liberty in worship & at the Lord’s Supper as it related to the troubled Corinthian culture, with additional commentary from Dr Eckman on God’s Divine Order.

The terms ?liberal? and ?conservative? are a part of our cultural and political language. Each has taken on an ideology that is often rigid and uncompromising. Each has champions in the media and there are even two cable networks devoted to the opposing positions: Fox News represents the conservative viewpoint and MSNBC the liberal viewpoint. Neither is objective, for each presents its position on the cultural and political issues of the day as the only reasonable and possible position to hold.