[Onebrother] Wedding Dress

Tue Apr 19 15:50:03 EDT 2011

Inez, I agree that these discussions are very helpful.  What was it that you
listened to or read from Keller?

I think the younger son does give a model for repentance.  There is an
awareness of his sin and a turning from it - he saw his miserable state in
the pig sty and got up and left.  And there is a turning towards something -
he remembered what home was like.

I think Jesus also goes to pains to show the inadequacy of the younger son's
approach to the father in that his basic orientation to the father was the
same as the elder brother.

The elder brother says to the father - "All these years I have been serving
(literally "slaving") for you . . ."

The younger son is planning to say - "Make me your hired servant."  I will
pay it back.  I will make up for what I have done.

But Jesus has the father cut the younger son's repentance speech short.  The
younger son wants to make up for what he's done, but the only way back into
the family is through the unmerited grace of the father.

I think #4 - planning to make restitution - is a biblical model for what
repentance looks like with other people.  And in our approach to God there
should be a resolution to change our sinful patterns of life.  But we also
need to see that the "make me a hired hand" approach to God is clearly not
the way back in.  Keller highlights this in the Prodigal God and his sermons
on this text.  There is a great cost that must be paid to re-instate the
younger son - but he isn't the one to pay it.

David

On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 2:29 PM, Inez Cobb <icobb at swmail.sw.org> wrote:

> Too bad they left the BUT out. It really does change the way you look at
> it.
> So great to be able to have these discussions. My mind is so small it
> really needs to get good thoughts from all of you guys and others on things.
>
> Here is something I got from Keller this week. It is in regards to our
> thoughts on if the prodigal son was really sincere about his repentance.
> Keller says that the prodigal son gives us the perfect model for true
> confession. So guess he believes it was sincere. He says that a true
> confession should include four things.
> 1. To realize your sin. "When the younger son came to his senses."
> 2. To confess those sins to the right persons.  "Father I have sinned
> against heaven and against you.
> 3. To realize and acknowledge that the relationship may not be put back as
> it was. Example of this was if you
>     have betrayed a close friend you may not have tea as often as you use
> to and you may not be sharing as
>    much. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
> 4. To state what you are going to do to make things right. "Make me one of
> your hired men." (So I can pay
>    you back)
> Just thought that was interesting. Keller made the commented that the
> forgiver had certain responsibilities also but that was another lesson. Sure
> wish I had that lesson.
>
> >>> David Rapp <david at redeemerprestemple.org> 4/19/2011 1:26 PM >>>
> Good thoughts on Wedding Dress.  I think they are on the mark.
>
> I actually think the song has a little ambiguity partly stemming from the
> way two sentences in the chorus are understood.
>
> The actual printed lyrics read:
> "I am a whore I do confess
> BUT I put you on just like a wedding dress . . .
>
> I'm a prodigal with no way home
> BUT I put you on just like a ring of gold and I run home to you . . ."
>
> However, none of the recorded versions include the two BUTs.
>
> With the BUTs it could be understood as confessing that we are the whore
> running from our husband and the prodigal running from our Father, BUT we
> are received back by the Bridegroom who gives us a wedding gown of HIs
> righteousness and by the Father who gives us the ring designating full
> status in the family.
>
> Without the BUTs it reads more like our putting on a wedding dress and the
> ring are part of our insincere and inadequate responses to God.
>
> I really like the imagery of the first interpretation, but I don't think
> that is the intended meaning of the artist.
>
> I think what Derek Webb is focusing on is the way that we buy the lies that
> are often communicated by some parts of the church - that what God really
> wants is for us to have lots of material blessings.  We try in so many ways
> to use God to get the comfort we desire from Him while still avoiding Him.
>  Jesus becomes our meal ticket.
>
> This approach and attitude really serves to undermine the gospel, to
> minimize sin and the lavishness of the grace that can receive wayward
> sinners like us back.  It's a less offensive version of the
> gospel/Christianity that really doesn't need the cross.
>
> Derek Webb actually explains what the song is about in a recorded
> introduction to the song.
>
> You can find it on iTunes by searching Derek Webb Wedding Dress.  It's
> called "Introduction to Wedding Dress" on the album "The House Show".
>
> David
>
> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 12:27 PM, Jolene Bean Lijewski <
> beanski at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> > That is kind of what I was thinking - like we get all pretty and put him
> on
> > and we feel great but we kind of put him on and take him off - but I
> still
> > don't get parts of that song.  Maybe the songwriter has weighed in on
> utube
> > or something.
> > I am wondering about this Sunday...what's the plan?  Are we bringing
> stuff
> > to the party?  Where is it?  I want to volunteer to bring dessert...
> > Jolene
> >
> > --- On *Tue, 4/12/11, Inez Cobb <icobb at swmail.sw.org>* wrote:
> >
> >
> > From: Inez Cobb <icobb at swmail.sw.org>
> > Subject: [Onebrother] Wedding Dress
> > To: onebrother at midnighthour.org
> > Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 8:33 AM
> >
> >
> > Just a little reflection on our group discussing. I think maybe the
> wedding
> > dress symbolizes how we feel when we put on Christ. We see ourselves all
> > pure now. We are "Christians" But it does not take long for the world to
> > come in and woo us back. Buy us back into the sins we thought we had left
> > behind.
> >
> >
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>
>
> --
> Rev. David Rapp
>
> Redeemer Presbyterian Church
> Temple, TX
>
> david at redeemerprestemple.org
> 254-760-4246
>
> www.redeemerprestemple.org
>

-- 
Rev. David Rapp

Redeemer Presbyterian Church
Temple, TX

david at redeemerprestemple.org
254-760-4246

www.redeemerprestemple.org
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