A few thoughts on 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8

1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; 3 but anyone who loves God is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." 5 Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? 11 So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. 12 But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

I realize this might sound strange, but I'm not sure there's a better chapter in the Bible for mainline congregations to dwell in than this one. Yes, Paul is talking about an archaic issue--eating food sacrificed to idols. But the implications are the same for every issue pertinent to life in the church. Paul knew the difference between good theology and good practice, and firstly he knew that the two are not always the same. Being in the right on an issue is not necessarily justification for acting upon it.

The implications here are diverse and I plan to stay in this passage for more than this Sunday. But a few questions come to mind right away: what are the stumbling blocks for the people? What am I willing to give on? Who are the weak ones? How about the strong ones? How am I to know?

There's some good food for thought here--pun probably intended. Right now I'm substituting "food" for bulletins, staff positions, communion practices, synodical support, the lectionary, the list goes on and on. How much of what is deeply embedded is also a stumbling block?

I'm not so ignorant as to believe that these things, even if stumbling blocks, are as easily malleable as Paul makes it. Nonetheless, I think there are fruits here worthy of discussing. Time to think...