Biblical Role of the GodBetween Biblical definition of
Biblical Role of the Go(d)-Between • Biblical definition of “mediator”: One who speaks to both, puts himself “in the middle” • Greek krinei ana meson (“middle”), Isa 2: 4 LXX. 1
Definition Continued • One who provides access to a just resolution • … thereby to God’s justice, • … where God’s justice is not a matter of punishment so much as of mercy. 2
Definition Continued • Paraclete (Holy Spirit) = “Mediator” in role of helper, truth bearer, intervenor (Romans 8), intercessor • “Comforter” is too limited to be sufficient translation. • “Judge” also to restrictive. 3
Why the Bible? Cultural and legal influence, for example: – Incest (Lev 19) – Abandonment, ancient Rome vs. Bible people – Divorce: Contradiction between Jesus and Moses? Are you prepared to explain basis of, and misconceptions of, divorce and remarriage rules in the denominations, particularly the RCC? 4
Mediation a Common Expectation • • • Amos 5: 10: the "judges" in the gate hated by the ones who lost. Gen 31: 37: let our kinsmen decide between us (Jacob and Laban, re who stole Laban's gods) Job 9: 33: there is no umpire between us… expectation of mediation as normative. Lev 19: 17 : REALLY TRY to reason with your brother/neighbor. James 5: 15: ordinary people intercede for the sick, expected to do so. Jesus as human: Luke 10: 40, tell my sister to help me… 5
Examples • God – Sin of the world: • Romans 3: 24 -26: God creates a covering, a bridge to God • Isaiah 11: 34: God mediates between the people and the poor • Job 13: 3: Job invokes God as mediator between himself and his “friends. ” 6
Examples #2 • God, continued – Between persons, directly: – Isaiah 2: 4; Micah 4: 3: God mediates between the peoples of the earth… swords into plowshares – God mediates between Abraham and Sarah on the issue of banishing Hagar and Ishmael, Genesis 21. – Genesis 24: 14, 44 re Rebekah: God between Rebekah and Isaac – Using others to do his mediation – King Hezekiah (Isa 36); Isaiah (Isa 37); Jesus, Matthew 18: 15 -20 gives formula for dispute resolution (out of court!). 7
Examples #3 • People – Isaiah 36, 37 – Acts 7: 26 f describes Moses’ attempt to mediate between fighting Israelites – Jesus between Mary and Martha, Luke 10: 39 -40 – Man to Jesus: “Lord, help my son…” Luke 9: 38 and other such passages – The Word mediates between people and God, I Timothy 4: 5 8
How Can the Mediator Use This Information? • Be more aware of universality and timelessness of dispute; insights into systems like families • Develop one’s own spirituality • Find models of mediation 9
Models of Mediation • “Judging between” • Bestowing mercy upon all alike (be a catalyst; provide opportunity for clients to see they can and want to bestow mercy upon one another) • Being Spirit for them, a God(d)Between! Make peace possible by calm presence, vulnerable, yet self assured. 10
The Mediator’s Spirituality • Matthew 18: 15 -20: you are not alone • Trust the process • Assume more is occurring than you can accomplish humanly and solely by yourself. • …? Suggestions? 11
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