PROPERS: PROPER 12, YEAR C
TEXT: COLOSSIANS 2:6-15, (16-19)
PREACHED AT ST. PAUL’S, MOBILE, ON SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2025.
ONE SENTENCE: Our actions and teachings as Christians should be grounded in the teachings of Christ and virtues described by Paul, and not in transient, popular movements.
There is an oral tradition which circulates in this part of South Alabama that describes a somewhat cynical approach to human motivations.
It is said that the late restauranteur Oliver Wintzell, founder of Wintzell’s Oyster Bar, once ran for sheriff of Mobile County. It is said that his campaign slogan was “I’ll stand for whatever the people will fall for.”
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Regardless of your theological orientation, I suspect you can identify with that philosophy being used by some folks – past or present. Various movements have claimed adherence to the truth, but there have been times when those movements were nothing more than theology du jour.
When I first preached here last November, I mentioned a book, The Kingdom, the Power, and Glory, written by Tim Alberta. As well and thoroughly as anything I have read he describes the golden calf many congregations are worshiping today. I suspect, while they flourish today, they will pay an enormous price in the future.
False gods turn to dust.
Our patron saint, Paul, issues a warning to the church in very clear terms in the lesson from Colossians today: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.”
That’s good counsel. And fair enough. But here’s the rub. One person’s treasure is another person’s trash. Sometimes there is a difference between which course should be taken. Look back over history. Ample examples abound. Wherever two or three gather, there are four or five opinions.
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But I am not a nihilist or a relativist.
Our choices are not the equivalent of options at Morrison’s Cafeteria. We are not left to guess about what we should do. There are guideposts along the way.
First and foremost are the essential teachings of Christ, also known as the Summary of the Law – to love God, ourselves, and one another with all our being. We affirm that wisdom in our liturgy. It is the core Christian admonition. These are more than words in a prayer book.
Secondly, we have the scripture. There are motivations that are verboten for us. Our lesson from Galatians four weeks ago quotes Paul: “fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.”
That’s a pretty good start. But the church – over the centuries – has designated seven deadly sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth.
In addition, we Anglicans can draw on tradition, reason, and experience.
Can we agree that – regardless of our perspective – these directions and prohibitions are significant? That we can guide our ministry and lives on these directions and these barriers? Does your life and philosophy align with these?
If not, you better think again. Or you may need to look in a mirror and do some personal moral accounting. Not because I say so, but because Christ, Paul, and the church say so.
On which side of that ephemeral moral line do you wish to reside?
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But here’s the upshot: No matter how despicable a person’s approach to life is… no matter how much you disagree with that person’s philosophy… no matter how liberal or conservative they may be… that person is still a child of God.
We are under Christ’s most explicit directive to love them and love ourselves. Not with pride or a sense of superiority… not with condescension or judgement… but with humility. Just as Christ loved and loves us.
