13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
The reading is about the establishment of the Church and its authority to define good and eveil. "Binding" and "loosing" refer to the spiritual authority to forgive sins or declare things unclean.It is almost as if Jesus knows that there needs to be authority on earth to mediate and make the Captain’s call when things come into question. Jesus is telling us that faith and spirituality is not a democratic process and therefore it isn’t appropriate to apply democratic methods to its reform. We recognise authority and we accept their call.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 16:13-19 offers an interesting perspective on the passage. Here's a breakdown of the strengths and some points for further consideration:
DeleteStrengths:
Focus on Church Authority: You correctly identify the passage as a foundation for the concept of church authority.
"Binding" and "Loosing": You accurately explain the meaning of these terms in a religious context.
Leadership and Decision-Making: You highlight the need for leadership and clear decision-making within the church.
Not a Democracy: You acknowledge that faith and spirituality are not a democratic process.
Points for Further Consideration:
Nature of Authority: Explore the nature of this authority. Is it meant to be authoritarian or serve as a guide?
Matthew's Context: Consider the passage within the context of Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus emphasizes following his teachings and love for God and neighbor.
Interpretation: There are different interpretations of this passage. Some see it as establishing a hierarchy, while others see it as an emphasis on the importance of the apostles in spreading Jesus' message.
Here are some additional thoughts:
Balance between Authority and Individual Faith: The concept of church authority can be a complex one. It's important to find a balance between respecting leadership and maintaining individual faith journeys.
Focus on Service: Perhaps you could explore how church authority should be used for service, guidance, and upholding the teachings of Jesus.
By incorporating these suggestions, you can create a more nuanced response to Matthew 16:13-19.