The Difficult Sayings of Paul | Rev. Adam Hamilton | Church of the Resurrection

About this sermon

*The Difficult Sayings of Paul* Welcome to this week’s sermon, where Pastor Adam guides us through The Difficult Sayings of Paul. The only person more influential in the growth of Christianity than Paul is Jesus, and yet some of Paul’s writings have been deeply controversial. How do we wrestle with the difficult sayings of Paul and uncover what they mean for us today? Join us as Pastor Adam walks us through the controversial topics of slavery and women's roles in the church to the often-misinterpreted passages about gay/lesbian people. *Slavery in Paul's Letters* Paul's instructions to slaves and masters have been used to justify slavery in the past. However, Pastor Adam examines the cultural context of slavery in the Roman Empire and guides us to consider how Paul's words might be interpreted differently today. We also ponder how Paul himself might have responded to the use of his writings to perpetuate slavery. *Women's Roles in the Church* Paul's statements about women's roles have been contentious to say the least. Pastor Adam explores the patriarchal society of Paul's time and discusses how Paul’s views might have been progressive for the Greco-Roman era. We also consider how these passages have been interpreted and used throughout history and how they might be understood in today's context. *Homosexuality and Paul's Writings* Paul's letters have been used to condemn gay/lesbian people. Pastor Adam teaches us the historical context of these passages and guides us to consider how Paul's understanding of sexuality might have been limited by his time. We also reflect on how these texts have been used to harm the LGBTQ+ community and how we can use love and compassion to guide us today. *Reading Paul in the Light of Jesus* Pastor Adam emphasizes the importance of reading Paul's letters through the lens of Jesus' teachings, focusing on the overarching themes of love, compassion, and justice. Pastor Adam encourages us to approach Paul's writings with an open mind, seeking to read them through the light of Jesus and the clear, major themes of his letters. ••• Find ways to connect at https://cor.org/next ••• At the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, our purpose is to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. We have a vision to be used by God to change lives, strengthen churches, and transform the world. And we are on a journey to know, love and serve God.

Topics

• Church & Fellowship
• Resurrection
• The Church