"Old Time Religion" [Reflections On Book The The Book Of Philippians (Phil. 3:1-11; Heb.4:12-13; Rev.21:1-6)
“Of course, ‘Theology’ we have and hold,
Is right – we’ve held up high these tenets old
Through thick and thin; we’ve lived exclusively
With treasured bonds of steel – we’re family.“We’re not the whole; but rather just one tribe;
And if you tow the line, you may abide
Nearby our group – if not, it’s off you go;
Come seek our help if you would Yahweh know.“Our tribal boundaries are quite closed to all;
We have a Book we love ’bout Adam’s fall –
It’s by one’s birth one enters life within
Our blessed tradition – ‘Sacrifice for sin’.“Our faultless ones we hold in high esteem;
One’s righteousness is based on what we’ve been
(At least on surface – ‘wrong’ is ‘getting caught’;
And how to live such life, as kids we’re taught).“The afterlife’s like life we’ve had to date;
Our absent kin for us beyond now wait;
We’ve hired a teacher, who at death performs
A sacred blessing – holding high our norms.“He also does inclusive tasks for tribe
As gigolo; his love lets us abide
In sure and certain knowledge we are one
With all humanity – salvation’s done.”So said the folks when Paul abode with them;
Whatever words he spoke they’d take and bend
Into their convoluted way of thought,
As they maintained the myth which they had wrought.“Paul is a flake, back from some mission gig;
Don’t pay him heed ’bout how one can be rid
Of bonds and fetters we hold dear to us;
He’ll soon ship out – ignore his little fuss.“For faith, we know (as he defines that word),
Is nonsense – trusting God is quite absurd;
It’s ‘how one lives; for God maintains the faith’
That counts – We hold – In righteousness now state.”Thanks Lord for this.
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