Muses

Musing on what is church for?

What is church for?

I’ve been slowly making my way through 1 Corinthians. Taking Paul’s letters in chronological order. I’ve read Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

Then came his letter to the Corinthian church. Do you know how beautiful Corinth was? And that it was on an isthmus? Do you know what an isthmus is? I learned.

This is a shot from space. Corinth stood in that 4 mile stretch of land (the isthmus) connecting Greece — Athens in the north and all the other wonderful parts of Greece in the south.

Now here’s the cool part. There were two sea ports on either end.Instead of traveling around the southern end of Greece which was dangerous, the larger ships would unload cargo and have it transported across the isthmus to another boat waiting at the other port.

Get this.

Smaller ships would be placed on rollers and dragged across the land to the other port to head out again into the Mediterranean. I just need to that job for a few months. No need for personal trainer after a day of pulling boats 4 miles, no way.

This mean lots of sailors everywhere…if you get my drift.

Other than pulling boats and eating, sex and all assorted debaucheries reigned.

No wonder Paul was fearful of going there. (Can you believe Paul was apprehensive about anything?)

“I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,” 1 Cor. 2:3.

But it all worked out…yay. Those Corinthians were a randy, prideful lot. Kind of reminds me of our Western culture —

I’m over my 250 word count so must leave thoughts on what church is for — till tomorrow.

One reason I get into studying these books is because I’m a closet history geek. It’s much more fun when you don’t have to study for a multiple choice test on Friday.

Nero, the Roman Emperor, tried to build a canal across the ithmus but failed. One was completed in 1893.