Epiphany and the Evangelical Church
I've discovered Epiphany - the season and celebration of that season. Oh, I've known about Epiphany for many years... that it had something to do with the end of the Christmas season and the visit of the magi to the Christ child (which, if you notice in the scriptural text, took place at a house Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying at and not in the manger where he was born). But I never paid close attention to it. After all, I AM a proud (but pious) Evangelical Anabaptist - or, at least I was.
Epiphany is about what the word means - a revealing. In the liturgical calendar, Epiphany is about the revealing of God to the world, and, more specifically the message that God's revelation is for all the world - not just "God's chosen people" but for all. The Magi, men considered to be gifted in wisdom from a culture and custom totally outside of the Jewish faith; men who, possibly, were steeped in Zoroastrianism and astrology, and were moved by their own customs to seek out a unique person - one whom they understood to be a "new king." And they were guided, according to their own understanding and wisdom (as flawed as it may be as a reliable guide for making life decisions), to discover this "new king." Little did they know he was "new" not only chronologically but also in kind - a king who rules not simply by decree but by humble service to all.
Epiphany is a reminder to the Church of her mission in the world - that just as Jesus was sent into the world to reveal himself as the light of the world (represented by the magi), so is the Church to go into all the world to reveal Jesus. It's not just about the words the Church speaks but the life the Church demonstrates - just like Jesus.
Epiphany has got to be at least as important to the Church as Christmas and Easter (and, I would include, Pentecost). It seems to me that Epiphany is perfect for the Church in terms of its emphasis (and, for some, its hyper-emphasis) on evangelism, outreach and missions.
So how come so much of the Evangelical Church skips over Epiphany?
posted by Jim at 10:39 PM
7 Comments:
I think it's skipped over because in some traditions (and the popular culture related to them and which has influenced them) Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany have been rolled up all into one package. Regarding the establishing of Church Tradition/liturgy, you might find these pieces of interest Christian History Corner: Why December 25?, The Christmas Season, The Season of Epiphany (came home from the class on Epiphany). Bonus feature: check out what else Theresa brought home from the class on Epiphany . . . Hymn XV from Ephraim Syrus: Fifteen Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany.
Evanglelicals skip over Epiphany because they skip over so much other great stuff of the historical, ONE TRUE CHURCH JESUS FOUNDED. Rather than deal with verses that confound them, and their weak theology in places, they gloss over them. They would have to admit they've been wrong, which is so hard to do, but yet so liberating!
I'm grateful to admit that I came to admit I was wrong about the CC and now that it's been 3 years since I've been HOME, I've not looked back with any regrets except "Too late have I loved thee."
~PAX~
Actually, my question was intended to be rhetorical but your responses have caused me to consider a "real" answer to the question.
In terms of what the Evangelical Church has been doing with Epiphany - as well as Advent and Christmas - I am concerned that those three observances are NOT rolled into one. I agree, Tom, that the pop culture has, indeed, influenced (infected?) much (most?) of the Evangelical tradition(s). In fact, i think that is one of the things that keeps Evangelicals from, as JC mentioned, from admitting they've been wrong to ignore (or at least "forget") Advent and Epiphany. It seems to me that one of the reasons so much of ancient church tradition and practice is ignored is because it's "too Catholic." Something else, then, takes its place. The world "system" has no lack of ideas of things with which to replace Christian tradition. If the Church or any part of the Church forgets, ignores and walks away from Church tradition (that which the Church teaches even if her practice is, at times and among some, inconsistent with and even contrary to dogma and doctrine) she leaves wide open to the spirit of anti-Christ. It is this that concerns me, now.
Now we're talking ;-)
But I have too much on my mind. I'll attempt to break it up into several posts so that more easily facilitate further conversation.
1. In addition to the earlier links consider New Advent's piece on The Church Calendar with regard to how the complex Church calendar has developed over a significant period of time. I would point out, that similar to Israel, the Church has never been immune from cultural, 'religious,' or demonic influences . . . even during the initial formation.
My 2nd post was lost by blogger. It was long :-0 Not sure when I'll get back to it or if it's recoverable.
My main point was that local assemblies which focus upon Spirit-led, expositional preaching through books of Scripture in the context of the larger Biblical narrative/story provide valuable instruction which when fed upon opens the eyes of the People of God to the One who is already present with us.
You're right, Tom, that even the early Church was not immune to those influences. But then we have to ask the question of the scriptures themselves. Is what we have truly God's revelation to us? If yes, then have those writings been affected/infected by the same influences you mentioned (as the Muslims would claim)?
This is getting off from the topic of the post but i'm glad to pursue this with you.
Note: I consider this a refreshing dialogue and I am stimulated by it. Here's my 'off the cuff' response to your most recent question. I stopped when I realized I was rambling . . . push back, challenge ask for further clarification. I'll be back ;-). Lord, draw us closer to you.
Yes, but I hold to the Word of God in some mysterious way being both human and divine. How the Word of God has been applied and taught by various institutional churches/schools raises questions similar to how the prophets, priests, kings, and disciples used the Word of God before and during our the Lord's earthly ministry . . . even those which claim clear, indisputable lineage and right doctrine.
In some manner, which includes human obedience/agency but cannot be simply explained in these terms, the Spirit of God as individuals and as the People of God opens our eyes to the Word of God and the Person of Christ Jesus who returns us to right, intended relationship of obedience to the Father. Our first love is God, not the structures which have emerged over time to point us in the direction of more Christ-likeness.
As we are given sight, we embrace the elements of the church (and more broadly the people of God) which are aligned with the will of God as given by the Word and Spirit AND we reject the elements which do not. In between we find a number of secondary items which cause more 'heat than light' . . . in some manner, out of this gritty process the Body of Christ lives and breathes upon the earth, awaiting full re-creation.
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