CHRIST CHURCH MORNINGSIDE
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • SERVICES
    • Return to church
    • SERMONS
    • WORSHIP
  • COMMUNITY
    • PASTORAL CARE
    • CHILDREN & FAMILIES
    • GROUPS
    • LIFE EVENTS
    • BEYOND CHRIST CHURCH
  • LEARNING
    • BELIEVING IN THE EVERYDAY
    • BLOG
  • BUILDING
    • HALL HIRE
    • REFURBISHMENT
    • OUR PULPIT
  • CONTACT
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • SERVICES
    • Return to church
    • SERMONS
    • WORSHIP
  • COMMUNITY
    • PASTORAL CARE
    • CHILDREN & FAMILIES
    • GROUPS
    • LIFE EVENTS
    • BEYOND CHRIST CHURCH
  • LEARNING
    • BELIEVING IN THE EVERYDAY
    • BLOG
  • BUILDING
    • HALL HIRE
    • REFURBISHMENT
    • OUR PULPIT
  • CONTACT
Picture

PENTECOST IX (Proper 14) 2019

6/8/2019

0 Comments

 
  • Genesis 15:1-6 and Psalm 33:12-22  • 
  • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16  • 
  • Luke 12:32-40
PictureGiotto -- 'Faith'
Nowadays, faith is commonly contrasted with knowledge, and construed as belief in propositions or theories that can't be 'proved'. Religious people use the concept in this way to reject what they see as rationalistic demands for argument and evidence. Religious sceptics employ the same concept in their rejection of what they see as groundless irrationality.
    Though this concept of faith is widespread, as this week's readings make clear, it is not the biblical concept. In the episode from Genesis, and the reflection upon it in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we find an importantly different idea. Abraham’s faith related to the future. By the nature of the case, the future cannot be known since it hasn't yet happened! Nevertheless, our lives have to be built around this unknown. Faith about the future is not as abstract speculation on what might happen; it is the essential basis for our plans, careers, aspirations and adventures.
    Faith properly so called, then, is in a different category to both belief and knowledge. It is allied to hope and trust -- and its contrary is not lack of evidence but fear. Fearful mistrust would have prevented Abraham from setting out, and would have stopped him from hoping for descendants, despite his age and difficulties. It was faith in God, not theological knowledge or belief about God, that guided and sustained him.

PictureNicholas Roerich -- 'Treasure of Angels'
The author of Hebrews uses this as a model for a new generation, to help them see that with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, a truly faith filled orientation to the future is enlarged. We can now set our hopes on a promised land far richer than a stretch of territory, and on belonging to a 'family' far greater than innumerable tribal descendants. Hebrews effectively echoes the words of Jesus in the Gospel passage from Luke - 'Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom'.
    Faith in this promise implies a different attitude to the present -- one that focusses on the truly important (because 'Where your treasure is, there will you heart be also') and shows a constant readiness to respond to the call of Jesus (because 'Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes').

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

CONTACT DETAILS
Christ Church Morningisde
6a Morningside Road
Edinburgh  EH10 4DD
Tel: 0131 229 0090 or 
​
07718 278 145​
OFFICE HOURS: MON-FRI 9AM-3PM
SERVICES
SUNDAYS
​
8am  - Holy Communion
10am - Sung Eucharist
6.30pm - Compline (Zoom)

WEEKDAY SERVICES
MONDAY-FRIDAY
8.30am - Morning Prayer with Holy Communion
WEDNESDAY
11am - Holy Communion

LEGAL INFORMATION
Scottish Charity SC003009
Terms of Use
​Privacy Notice
Cookie opt-out

aCCESSIBILITY

Accessibility Statement