Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (After a long introduction, the letter gets around to the advice and "instructions" that are promised to help the church leaders keep their churches true to their purpose. And the first thing that's advised is to pray -- in whatever way is appropriate in any circumstance, for the political rulers and leaders of the day, so the church can go about its business freely and quietly.)
The prayer for safety and freedom in practicing one's religion is common to almost all religious groups at some time in their history.
Christians in 1st-century Rome. Jews and Christians in 12th-century Spain. Anabaptists in 16th-century Europe. First Nations' peoples in 17th, 18th, 19th and even 20th-century Canada. Jehovah's Witnesses and Quakers in war-time North America and the Confessing Church in war-time Germany. Buddhists in China and Tibet. Christians and Muslims today,in different parts of the Middle East and the Western world, respectively.
The reading says the Christian church has an important role in society because of our belief in the reconciliation of all the world by Christ.
But does the Christian church deserve a "special place" or "special protection" different from that given to any other community of faith today?
Also, the prayer focuses on kings and leaders in authority as the key to whether the church is safe and free or not. In recent years this has become relevant again even in Canada, as various governments have tried to curtail the activity and mission of religious groups when they become "political" -- i.e. engage in, or support activities contrary to the government's agenda.
But is political ill-will and interference the only -- even the greatest, threat to the church's vitality and survival as a community of faith? Or is the survival of the church as a relevant and vital witness to God's healing of the world threatened in other ways? Are there other powers and forces that rule our culture, that maybe we need to pray not to be subverted by?
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