1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Epiphany 5 - Year C

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Tricky brother Paul tests the Corinthians on "good news" - is it creedal or experiential?

He begins with Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, according to the scriptures. Key here is the straitjacket of scripture. Meet this criterion and the next and next. That's it. It's all about the dying (Romans) and burying (Arimathean Joseph) and raising (G*D). These are all external matters. It seems not to be about the living, just the matching with predetermined outcomes.

Second, I am what I am. Key here is a relationship (with a few prideful comments about working harder that those other apostles) with grace.

So, Corinthians, are you going to stake your good news on interpretations of scripture or experience of grace? Are these strictly equal or are we to decide which trumps which? By and large, the church institutional has come to bet on control of interpretation. That has grown old and is being seen through. To be one's self, maturing in one's gifts and responses to opportunities, is an important edge of new growth - good news.

What did Paul intend to remind us of? If he wasn't dazzled by his own footwork, I'm betting it was that grace is still open.