Sturtz Stuff

 This sermon was preached on April 18, 2013, in Goodson Chapel for closing convocation at Duke Divinity School by Stanley Hauerwas. Original post from Faith and Leadership . In this time -- a time called modern, a time when those that bear the name Christian always seem to carry the burden of proof … In this time when the church seems consumed by scandal and self-doubt … In this time when those going into the ministry are unsure what that may entail or, indeed, whether they will even have a job after graduating from seminary … In such a time, it is difficult to avoid a defensive posture when asked why we persist in being Christian. God knows we try. Let us show you, we seem to say to anyone polite enough to listen, why we think believing in God makes all the difference. Let us show you why participating in worship may be refreshment for the soul. Let us show you why the Christian way of life is good for Christian and non-Christian alike. Let us show you how being a Christian ...

Read 1 Kings 3:16-28 If you don’t yet you will soon sense the need for wisdom. If you haven’t yet you will soon take a job you should have never taken. Hire somebody you never should have hired. Say something that you never should have said. Gerhard von Rad , an Old Testament scholar, suggested that the definition of wisdom in the Bible is competence with regard to life’s realities. Why does your life blow up when you date the wrong person? What happened that made you take that wrong job? You underestimated that, you over estimated this and you didn’t understand that. Why do our lives blow up? Life blows up when you do something without wisdom. There was a young man who at the age of 20 becomes King of Israel. His name is Solomon. He gained wisdom and exercised wisdom in a way that shows us how to get it as well. Two stood before Solomon and he will need wisdom. Just like us we come to forks in the road. Should I marry or not marry? Should I go to this school or that school? S...