Why "St. Cuthbert's Island"?

Saint Cuthbert was a Celtic monk who lived in the 7th century.
He received visitors at his monastery in Northumbria and was even appointed a bishop, but he yearned for the life of an ascetic. While living at the monastery on the island of Lindisfarne, he sought to spend time with the Lord whenever possible. Early on, he practiced solitude on a small island that was linked to Lindisfarne by a land bridge when the tide was low. This tiny island, known as Saint Cuthbert’s Island, was a training ground of sorts—a place to grow in faith and in love for God.

I chose to name my blog after this island for two reasons:
1) I hope that it will be a place where I can spend time alone with God, growing in my love for Him.
2) Perhaps, when the tide is low, others may find their way to this tiny island
and, by God’s grace, be blessed by what they find there.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Witherington Quotes from his 1 Corinthians Introduction

A few more jewels from this week's class:

  • The past is like a foreign country—they do things DIFFERENTLY there.
  • A text without a context is just a pretext…for whatever you want it to mean.
  • Paul did not live in a culture of texts. Texts were documents that would make sense to only a minority of people. They did not function then as they do today.
  • People in antiquity read OUT LOUD. Texts were written to be heard!
  • If you don’t want “half-converted converts” you have to give them the whole Gospel. Stop watering it down; start boiling it up. Stop settling for sponges. Mind, heart, will, experience need to be renewed. Stop putting the cookies on the bottom shelf. The goal: holy people, wholly dedicated to Christ.
  • You have to start with people where they are. Paul realizes that this is a process. He was satisfied with small victories, yet increasingly held them to higher standards.
  • Talent does not equal maturity. Gifts should be exercised in the fruit of the Spirit. The Corinthians were engaged in spiritual gymnastics! “My gift’s better than your gift! My gift’s better than yours!” They took a fleshly approach to being spiritual.

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