Colossians RemixedColossians Remixed

Subverting the Empire: Subverting the Empire: Session 2Session 2

Opening Prayer: For Sound Opening Prayer: For Sound GovernmentGovernmentO Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our

land, that we may be a people at peace land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.Lord, keep this nation under your care.To the President and members of the Cabinet, To the President and members of the Cabinet,

to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.Give grace to your servants, O Lord.To Senators and Representatives, and those To Senators and Representatives, and those

who make our laws in States, Cities, and who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.community of nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

Opening Prayer Cont.Opening Prayer Cont.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.Give grace to your servants, O Lord.And finally, teach our people to rely on And finally, teach our people to rely on

your strength and to accept their your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.honor your holy Name.

For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen. are exalted as head above all. Amen. (BCP, p(BCP, p. . 822)822)

Reading ColossiansReading Colossians A letter written to small group A letter written to small group

in city that disappeared after in city that disappeared after earthquake in 60-64 A.D.earthquake in 60-64 A.D.

Written in a different eraWritten in a different era What questions will help us What questions will help us

understand the letter?understand the letter? Issues of the cultureIssues of the cultureDominant worldviewDominant worldviewNearby citiesNearby citiesCultural events and symbolsCultural events and symbols

Letter to Colossians in Letter to Colossians in Context of EmpireContext of Empire ““Empires areEmpires are

Built on systemic centralizations Built on systemic centralizations of power,of power,

Secured by structures of Secured by structures of socioeconomic and military socioeconomic and military control, control,

Religiously legitimated by Religiously legitimated by powerful myths andpowerful myths and

Sustained by a proliferation of Sustained by a proliferation of imperial images that captivate imperial images that captivate the imaginations of the the imaginations of the population.” (p. 58)population.” (p. 58)

Systemic Centralizations of Systemic Centralizations of PowerPower Power revolved around the Power revolved around the

paterfamiliaspaterfamilias Father controlled and directed economic Father controlled and directed economic

resources and upheld the cultural valuesresources and upheld the cultural values Laws explicitly granted the father control Laws explicitly granted the father control

over the financial resources of their sonsover the financial resources of their sons Even freed slaves were legally bound to Even freed slaves were legally bound to

their masterstheir masters Caesar was the ultimate father-figure of Caesar was the ultimate father-figure of

the Empirethe Empire ““Thine age, O Caesar, has brought back fertile Thine age, O Caesar, has brought back fertile

crops to the fields.” crops to the fields.” The emperor “has wiped away our sins and The emperor “has wiped away our sins and

revived the ancient virtues.”revived the ancient virtues.”(Horace, as quoted on(Horace, as quoted on p. 54)p. 54)

““The ultimate patron” (p. 59)The ultimate patron” (p. 59) Does Paul uphold or undermine the Does Paul uphold or undermine the

paterfamiliaspaterfamilias in Col. 3:18-4:1? in Col. 3:18-4:1?

Discerning Empire Discerning Empire Purpose of games and Purpose of games and

festivals to celebrate the festivals to celebrate the emperor and the empire’s emperor and the empire’s victoriesvictories

Role of morality in the empireRole of morality in the empireUnmarried people were penalized Unmarried people were penalized

by lawby lawProduction of children was Production of children was

rewardedrewarded

Socioeconomic and Military Socioeconomic and Military controlcontrol Rome first conquered and then Rome first conquered and then

exploited its territories for economic exploited its territories for economic gaingain ““So what Rome needed in order to exploit a So what Rome needed in order to exploit a

province economically was above all the province economically was above all the provision of an infrastructure, though this provision of an infrastructure, though this was tailored to its own needs. If the term was tailored to its own needs. If the term ‘development aid’ had already been in ‘development aid’ had already been in existence it would have been just as much a existence it would have been just as much a euphemism for exploitation as it is today.” euphemism for exploitation as it is today.” (Klaus Wengst, p. 60)(Klaus Wengst, p. 60)

““If the empire elevates economic greed If the empire elevates economic greed and avarice into civic virtues, while and avarice into civic virtues, while Paul dismisses such a way of life as Paul dismisses such a way of life as idolatrous, then how does a Christian idolatrous, then how does a Christian community shaped by Paul’s gospel community shaped by Paul’s gospel live its life in the empire?” (p 61)live its life in the empire?” (p 61)

The Myth of Pax RomanaThe Myth of Pax Romana According to this myth Rome broughtAccording to this myth Rome brought

PeacePeace Fertility Fertility ProsperityProsperity New age of blessingNew age of blessing

In Colossians, Paul speaks of a Christ In Colossians, Paul speaks of a Christ that is a victim of the empire, but who is that is a victim of the empire, but who is in reality its sovereignin reality its sovereign Gospel bears fruit in the whole world (Col. Gospel bears fruit in the whole world (Col.

1:6)1:6) Rescue from the power of darkness (Col. Rescue from the power of darkness (Col.

1:13)1:13) Makes peace through the blood of his cross Makes peace through the blood of his cross

(Col. 1:20)(Col. 1:20) Treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col Treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col

2:3)2:3)

Imperial ImagesImperial Images ““Soon political symbolism could be Soon political symbolism could be

seen on every imaginable object seen on every imaginable object made for private use, indeed on made for private use, indeed on virtually everything that could be virtually everything that could be decorated at all: jewelry and decorated at all: jewelry and utensils, furniture, textiles, walls utensils, furniture, textiles, walls and stuccoed ceilings, door jambs, and stuccoed ceilings, door jambs, clay facings, roof tiles, and even on clay facings, roof tiles, and even on tomb monuments and marble ash tomb monuments and marble ash urns.” (Paul Zanker, as quoted on urns.” (Paul Zanker, as quoted on p. 54)p. 54)

Paul’s letter to Colossians says that Paul’s letter to Colossians says that Jesus is the image of the invisible Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15)God (Col. 1:15)

In the Shadow of EmpireIn the Shadow of Empire One thematic approach to the One thematic approach to the

Biblical narrative is living life Biblical narrative is living life in the opposition to empirein the opposition to empireEgyptEgyptAssyriaAssyriaBabylonBabylonPersiaPersia

In the Shadow of EmpireIn the Shadow of Empire Two foundational stories of the Hebrew Two foundational stories of the Hebrew

BibleBible CreationCreation

Humanity is made in God’s imageHumanity is made in God’s image

ExodusExodus God defeats the army of the empire to free its God defeats the army of the empire to free its

slavesslaves Israel, now freed, is called to be a light to the Israel, now freed, is called to be a light to the

nations (Isa. 49:6)nations (Isa. 49:6) Israel’s laws run counter to the laws of empiresIsrael’s laws run counter to the laws of empires

Care for the foreigner, widow & orphan (Ex. 22:21-24)Care for the foreigner, widow & orphan (Ex. 22:21-24) Gleaning (Lev. 19:9-10)Gleaning (Lev. 19:9-10) Prevent interest charges (Ex. 22:25-27)Prevent interest charges (Ex. 22:25-27) Wages for work done (Deut. 24:14-15)Wages for work done (Deut. 24:14-15) Sabbatical year and slave redemption (Deut. 15)Sabbatical year and slave redemption (Deut. 15)

God is the king of Israel & seeking a king “like God is the king of Israel & seeking a king “like other nations” leads to trouble (I Sam. 8:4-18)other nations” leads to trouble (I Sam. 8:4-18)

Exile for IsraelExile for Israel Israel’s exile the result of a Israel’s exile the result of a

failure to live up to her callingfailure to live up to her calling Even in exile, God has a planEven in exile, God has a plan

Jer. 29:5-7Jer. 29:5-7Hebrew Bible’s equivalent to “Pray Hebrew Bible’s equivalent to “Pray

for your enemies”for your enemies”““This is a call to be God’s people by This is a call to be God’s people by

bringing shalom and healing to bringing shalom and healing to places of brokenness and despair. places of brokenness and despair. And what could be more broken and And what could be more broken and more in need of healing than the more in need of healing than the place of oppression, the heart of the place of oppression, the heart of the empire?” (p. 68)empire?” (p. 68)

Luke – The Gospel of the Luke – The Gospel of the Colossians?Colossians? Paul’s greetings to the Colossians Paul’s greetings to the Colossians

from Luke may indicate that some from Luke may indicate that some form of this gospel known to the form of this gospel known to the church at Colossaechurch at Colossae

Luke’s gospel pointedly states who is Luke’s gospel pointedly states who is the power occupying Israelthe power occupying Israel Luke 1:5Luke 1:5 Luke 2:1-4Luke 2:1-4 Luke 3:1-2Luke 3:1-2 Mary’s song speaks of a God who brings Mary’s song speaks of a God who brings

“down the powerful from their thrones “down the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly” (Luke 1:46-55)and lifts up the lowly” (Luke 1:46-55)

Jesus proclaims a kingdom in which Jesus proclaims a kingdom in which the master serves and the cross is a the master serves and the cross is a thronethrone

Fruitfulness in the Face of Fruitfulness in the Face of EmpireEmpire Colossians 1:5-6, 9-10Colossians 1:5-6, 9-10 Colossae part of an empire Colossae part of an empire

Claiming responsibility for Claiming responsibility for fertility & prosperityfertility & prosperity

Surrounded its citizens with Surrounded its citizens with symbols of the empiresymbols of the empire

Used its military power when Used its military power when necessary to retain powernecessary to retain power

Counterclaims to EmpireCounterclaims to Empire Israel’s God, Yahweh, is the true Israel’s God, Yahweh, is the true

provider for all the earth, bringing provider for all the earth, bringing a fruitfulness affiliated with justice a fruitfulness affiliated with justice and righteousness (Ps. 146:5-9)and righteousness (Ps. 146:5-9)

Year of jubilee brings restoration Year of jubilee brings restoration (Lev. 25)(Lev. 25)

Sabbath is the proper antidote to Sabbath is the proper antidote to conspicuous consumption (Is. conspicuous consumption (Is. 58:13-14)58:13-14)

Prophets exhort Israel to Prophets exhort Israel to remember who provides for their remember who provides for their needs (Hos. 2:8)needs (Hos. 2:8)

Counterclaims to EmpireCounterclaims to Empire Jesus echoes and enriches all these Jesus echoes and enriches all these

themesthemes Parable of the sower (Mt. 13:23)Parable of the sower (Mt. 13:23) A tree is known by its fruit (Lk. 6:43-A tree is known by its fruit (Lk. 6:43-

45)45) What sort of fruit? (Lk. 6:27-28)What sort of fruit? (Lk. 6:27-28)

““Love your enemies”Love your enemies” ““Do good to those who hate you”Do good to those who hate you” ““Bless those who curse you”Bless those who curse you” ““Pray for those who abuse you”Pray for those who abuse you”

““This is an image of overflowing This is an image of overflowing abundance growing out of abundance growing out of generosity—a generosity of heart generosity—a generosity of heart as well as possessions.” (p. 74)as well as possessions.” (p. 74)

Subverting the EmpireSubverting the Empire ColossiansColossians

God creates the God creates the world & provides world & provides for all creaturesfor all creatures

Gospel Gospel ((euangelioneuangelion) is ) is bearing fruit in bearing fruit in the peoplethe people

Fruitfulness is Fruitfulness is justice and justice and faithfulnessfaithfulness

The EmpireThe Empire Empire bestows Empire bestows

abundance and abundance and blessings on its blessings on its citizenscitizens

Gospel Gospel ((euangelioneuangelion) ) announces military announces military victories and victories and emperor’s emperor’s proclamationsproclamations

Fruit of the empire Fruit of the empire is…is…

Hearing with Old Testament Hearing with Old Testament EarsEars

““Paul’s language would have Paul’s language would have evoked a whole other way of political evoked a whole other way of political and economic being in community, and economic being in community, rooted in Torah and God’s calls to rooted in Torah and God’s calls to justice and care for the disfranchised. justice and care for the disfranchised. This path of covenant faithfulness This path of covenant faithfulness leads to a fruitfulness for the whole leads to a fruitfulness for the whole earth that God alone can provide. For earth that God alone can provide. For those who knew the story of Jesus, those who knew the story of Jesus, Paul’s language suggested a call to an Paul’s language suggested a call to an alternative ethic in the face of the alternative ethic in the face of the empire, an ethic rooted in Jesus and empire, an ethic rooted in Jesus and his act of reconciliation on the cross.” his act of reconciliation on the cross.” (pp. 75-76)(pp. 75-76)

Subversive Poetry-Subversive Poetry-Colossians 1:15-20Colossians 1:15-20 Empires keep their stranglehold on Empires keep their stranglehold on

society throughsociety through Monopoly of marketsMonopoly of markets Military muscleMilitary muscle Holding hostage the imagination of their Holding hostage the imagination of their

subjectssubjects

Ancient Hebrews understood life Ancient Hebrews understood life under the tyranny of empireunder the tyranny of empire

Early Christians lived surrounded by Early Christians lived surrounded by the imagery of the Roman Empirethe imagery of the Roman Empire Caesar’s portrait on variety of objects & Caesar’s portrait on variety of objects &

buildingsbuildings Empire became the only way to imagine Empire became the only way to imagine

lifelife

Subversive Poetry-Subversive Poetry-Colossians 1:15-20Colossians 1:15-20

““In a world populated by images of In a world populated by images of Caesar, who is taken to be the son of Caesar, who is taken to be the son of God, a world in which the emperor’s God, a world in which the emperor’s preeminence over all things is bolstered preeminence over all things is bolstered by political structures and institutions, by political structures and institutions, an empire that views Rome as the head an empire that views Rome as the head of the body politic in which an imperial of the body politic in which an imperial peace is imposed—sometimes through peace is imposed—sometimes through the capital punishment of crucifixion—the capital punishment of crucifixion—this poem is nothing less than this poem is nothing less than treasonous. …Paul subverts every treasonous. …Paul subverts every major claim of the empire, turning them major claim of the empire, turning them on their heads, and proclaims Christ to on their heads, and proclaims Christ to be the Creator, Redeemer and Lord of be the Creator, Redeemer and Lord of all of creation, including the empire.” all of creation, including the empire.” (pp. 83-84)(pp. 83-84)

Subversive Poetry-Subversive Poetry-Colossians 1:15-20Colossians 1:15-20 Caesar’s “image” in the ancient Caesar’s “image” in the ancient

world (p. 90)world (p. 90) SaviorSavior Said to have “put an end to war and … Said to have “put an end to war and …

set all things in order”set all things in order” ““god-manifest”god-manifest”

Thrones, dominions, rulers & powers Thrones, dominions, rulers & powers all created by Godall created by God Refer primarily to earthly powers, not Refer primarily to earthly powers, not

spiritual powersspiritual powers Powers (exousia) the way to speak of Powers (exousia) the way to speak of

earthly authorities exercising powerearthly authorities exercising power Governors and caesarGovernors and caesar Clients and patronsClients and patrons Slaves and mastersSlaves and masters

Think about the kind of spiritual power Think about the kind of spiritual power behind this earthly power structurebehind this earthly power structure

Questions for Postmoderns Questions for Postmoderns (p. 93)(p. 93) ““What are the images that What are the images that

(Paul) is confronting in his (Paul) is confronting in his imperial context?”imperial context?”

“ “What are the images that we What are the images that we confront?”confront?”

““What is it that seeks to What is it that seeks to captivate our imagination?”captivate our imagination?”

““What are the imperial forces What are the imperial forces of our existence in the twenty-of our existence in the twenty-first century?”first century?”

Targum on Colossians 1:15-Targum on Colossians 1:15-2020 Walsh & Keesmaat challenge Walsh & Keesmaat challenge

our imagination with their our imagination with their “targum” on this Colossians “targum” on this Colossians poempoem

Special guest – Jan MacNally Special guest – Jan MacNally reads the targumreads the targum

Toward a New CreationToward a New Creation All earthly authorities are subject to All earthly authorities are subject to

ChristChrist Purpose of subverting this misuse of Purpose of subverting this misuse of

power is to bring these earthly power is to bring these earthly authorities into reconciliation with Godauthorities into reconciliation with God

Biblical story addressed “oppressive Biblical story addressed “oppressive social structures”social structures” ExodusExodus JudgesJudges ProphetsProphets JesusJesus

Purpose of the church is to give Purpose of the church is to give embodied form to work of new embodied form to work of new creation that God began in Jesuscreation that God began in Jesus

Closing Prayer:Closing Prayer:

““You who command”You who command”

By Walter Brueggemann, By Walter Brueggemann, Awed Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth,to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, p. p. 2929

BibliographyBibliography Background Clipart. Microsoft Office Background Clipart. Microsoft Office

Online. Online. http://http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.asoffice.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lcpx?lc=en-us=en-us (16 Jan. 2005) (16 Jan. 2005)

Brueggemann, Walter. Brueggemann, Walter. Awed to Awed to Heaven, Rooted in EarthHeaven, Rooted in Earth. Minneapolis: . Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003. Augsburg Fortress, 2003.

Walsh, Brian J. & Keesmaat, Sylvia C. Walsh, Brian J. & Keesmaat, Sylvia C. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Colossians Remixed: Subverting the EmpireEmpire. . Downers Grove, IL: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004. InterVarsity Press, 2004.