I love that, Sonia! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’ll definitely be thinking about the idea of “leaving people feeling fed” as I interact.

I was just talking to a friend about how Christians in the West have reduced the definition of “loving people” to “being truthful about their sin,” and we got to talking about what “loving one another” as described in Corinthians really might look like.

And I remembered something a priest had said once: that time and time again, Jesus referred to Himself as the bread of life because, in that comparison, you can find what it means to love people. Loving people means that every person you interact with leaves feeling “fed.” Like you left them with something real to get them through their day/week/month. And sometimes “loving people,” means saying absolutely nothing, and just being there with them.

Like St. Francis said: Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary: use words

Appreciate you guys!

Agreed on the interesting aspect of interpretation and acting upon it. Because even as you list, “pick any command in Scripture…outdo one another in [showing honor]…”, that command cannot be taken out of the context of the rest of the chapter, or the book of Romans, or the Bible, or even the natural world and wonders around us He created that also shows us. NIV interprets this command as “Honor one another above yourselves.” Seems like a pretty good interpretation especially when reinforced with the other verses in chapter 12; also, a less competitive interpretation. You know I’m into competition; just in the right context.

One could interpret (falsely, I believe) “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” as radically as literally knifing yourself on a literal altar without the right context and interpretation of that verse. Or maybe a slightly less radical version, a person could decline to eat anything not grown in a non-industrial garden. This, I believe, would still be a very poor interpretation, since it doesn’t affect the lives of those around them; which I believe Romans 12 is driving. Of course, in the context of this article too, the overall great forgiveness of our God would likely forgive each of these even though acting out of poor interpretation.

I have no right to point fingers at others without first checking myself. I am making slow progress through Bible Study and prayer and reminders like this one.

Thank you for posting this and sharing.

Great question, Tony! Of course this is only Kierkegaard’s parable, so it doesn’t matter a ton, but my guess is that he’d say that an earnest attempt to obey what they understood would have been praiseworthy. I think the thing he’s critiquing is deciding that interpretation was more important than obedience. But this is a great question. It’s got me thinking.

I slightly misquoted Rom. 12:10: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” I take that to mean we should keep working harder to honor/love the people around us even more than they honor/love us. I like to imagine how could it would be to live in a community where everyone is competing to honor the others the most.

I’m so glad this was helpful, Frank! I love it. Keep it up! If you want a slightly more accessible starting point with Kierkegaard, his Works of Love is stunning. For a cool overview of his thinking based on excerpts from his writings, try How to Read Kierkegaard by Caputo. Or for a good overview of his life that includes a rundown of his works, Backhouse’s biography is really accessible and well done.