'What am I doing here?' 'Are we in the right place?' These could be the questions of a Christian in the public sector, trying to tread delicately but truthfully during Pride month. Or the Christian minister in a church that is resistant to Biblical truth. Or Christians in a village in India actively hostile to the precariously small Christian community.
Peter’s first letter is addressed to 'God’s elect, exiles scattered'. It seems almost a contradiction. To be God’s elect may bring to your mind associations with honour, glory, status, privilege. Exile has associations with shame, suffering, being overlooked or looked down upon. Peter brings both together throughout the letter, right the way to 5:15 where greetings are sent from 'she who is in Babylon, chosen together with you'. Exiled in Babylon, yet chosen, elect.
This tension runs through the whole letter yet it is not really a tension because, in our crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ, God has united suffering and glory, rejection and honour, servanthood and privilege.
Why holiness is beautiful
A few months ago, I met with a local pastor who had known my aunt about 20 years ago. When …