Andrew Walls: Ephesians Moment

Chris Rice's blog, Reconcilers recently highlighted the following work by Andrew Walls. It examines the book of Ephesians as a compelling argument for the importance of diversity in the church, way beyond forced integration for PC's sake.

It takes a little time to get to the aspects of diversity, but is rewarding once he ties it all together. His emphasis on interpersonal interaction (ie joint fellowship, sharing meals) is so key. As I have written before, ‘Hit and run’ diversity encounters just don’t cut it–not even close.

The image of the body of the church (Eph. 1:19-23) is often used in the context of church diversity, but Walls does a particually solid job of emphasising our culture-specific perspectives on God as necessary to our complete understanding of the Father, and our requiring one another in this way for the sake of our salvation.

So check it out:

Andrew F. Walls, “The Ephesian Moment,” The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian  History (Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2002), pp. 72 – 81. 

Minor point:

The one moment that sat werid with me was “poor peoples, with few gifts to bring except the gospel itself.” I get what he is trying emphasize–that money often gets in the way of the gospel and that, without clutter of privledge, the poor are at an advantage when it comes to understanding and conveying passion for the gospel.

But it felt a bit like he was back handely suggesting that, in general, the poor have nothing to offer. I honestly don’t think this is what he is trying to say. It was just an awkward phrasing that could perpetuate the misconception that when we hang out with folk with fewer dollar in their pocket, WE are the benevolant benifactors rather than mutual edifiers. Maybe I am overacting, though, as it is something about which I knowI am hypersensitive.

See Also: 

Why it is Important

Health Care Reform

Why I love the Church for All People
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