Members:
The old saying “Life goes on” rings true for the letter of Jude. Scholars are not certain of Jude’s date — late first or second century. The one thing that remains clear is the author’s concern because the faithful are mixing culture, other religious beliefs, and values beyond those Christ proclaimed. This is a time to reestablish roots.
Jesus had four brothers (see Mark 6:3), including James, who became head of the church in Jerusalem, and Judas, who is believed to be the author of the letter of Jude. In the opening of this letter, Jude mentions that he is the brother of James, but — probably out of modesty — calls himself the servant of Jesus.
In the oldest gospel, we find words of guidance: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:31). The problem at times is we may practice loving with soul, heart, and strength and leave behind the mind part when we enter the church doors.
A few guys sit around a table having drinks on a Monday night at Boscos, a restaurant near Vanderbilt University in Nashville. One man is an architect, another a small-business owner, another a Disciples minister. Are they looking for some man-to-man talk on boys’ night out? Getting together for men’s ministry? Are the two the same thing?
Yes and no. The gathering was one of two a month for a small group of men from Vine Street Christian Church, with Monday night talk complemented by a Tuesday morning Bible study at a well-known Nashville breakfast spot.
