ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 12, 2026
Scholars believe that 1st Thessalonians is the oldest (or the earliest) New Testament writing we possess. While the Gospels narrate the story of Jesus, they were written decades after his death. Paul completed his ministry and was executed before the earliest Gospel, Mark, was written. So I find it absolutely fascinating that the earliest recorded statement we have of the Christian movement comes from 1st Thessalonians, where in 1:4, Paul wrote, “My dear friends, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you to be his people.” If you were to walk into some churches today, you would think that the most important thing found in the opening words of our oldest sacred writing would say:
-Only men can preach;
-Trans people will destroy the world;
-Without a blood sacrifice, God cannot figure you;
-All children are born with original sin;
-And 42 other things that I could list…
Christianity has become extraordinarily good at deflecting and scapegoating, and we have raised a generation of people who would list 46 things about Christianity before they’d ever say that God loves us and has chosen us as family. We can have some really investing discussions on certain aspects of the Christian faith, but if the starting place is not God’s unconditional love for all humanity (no exceptions), then you’re probably not preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Keep me focused, Glorious God, on your love and your great desire for us to know that all of us are and should live as your beloved. Amen.
