A Fresh Perspective

In Acts 2, the Spirit fills the disciples gathered in Jerusalem . Language barriers are broken as Jews from “every nation under heaven” (a bit of hyperbole) hear the good news in their native tongue. One obvious intention of this account is to show that the work of the Spirit is designed to reconcile, include, gather up and bring together diverse people to form egalitarian communities. In explanation of what took place on the Day of Pentecost, Peter claims fulfillment of a passage in Joel that says the Spirit will be poured out upon “all flesh”— no distinctions, exceptions, or exclusions. It is poured out on the old and young, men and women, slaves and free people; everyone receives the gift of the Spirit. In the Spirit immersed community there is no hierarchy—no elevation or subjugation of any gender or group. Paul depicts the first churches as egalitarian communities. In his letter to the Galatians he says that “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or fr...

It takes spiritual eyes to read the Bible in a healthy, transformative way. The Bible can be (and has been) employed as an instrument of oppression and evil, as well as an instrument of change and transformation. All Christians who debate public and faith issues among each other or in a public forum use Scripture to support their arguments. Whether the issues relate to sexual orientation, women pastors or deacons, the role of government, the right to wage war, the role of the military, divorce, the nature of Jesus, or the nature of judgment and salvation, Scripture is quoted and interpreted by all Christians engaged in the debate. The critical question concerns how we use Scripture, how we interpret the Bible, what framework and guiding principles we use to make sense of Scripture and apply it to our lives and communities. Some years ago, I, along with three other pastors, tried to change the policy regarding women’s participation in an Eastern Kentucky Baptist Association of the Sou...