[Part One,
Part Two,
Part Three]

Per his request, I excitedly elaborated that one of the two letter-writers in the book was a historian named Luke, the same Luke who authored two manuscripts found in the New Testament. I explained that his letter exchange was between him and a wealthy benefactor to the Roman Empire, Antipas.

I shared how Antipas intelligently challenged Luke about the validity of the seemingly subversive claims of the man named Jesus, but instead of responding with a plethora of propositional arguments, Luke rather encouraged that Antipas do no more than take part in the house-gatherings of these who followed Him with their entire existence-corporate. The only true apologetic for whether or not the claims of a Leader are true is the extent to which his followers carry them out in praxis. [Come and see].

Even in the face of heavy persecution – I went on – this people-group remained faithful to their Leader by embodying his life and actions, and by doing so they made the same bold and unique proclamation with their radical, communal behavior. As Antipas’ interacted with Luke, his manuscripts, and these people who were dangerously committed to this New Way of Life, Antipas became increasingly convinced that this must be The True way to Live. Soon enough, Antipas had converted his allegiance from Caesar to the True Emperor, and was eventually martyred for it.

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Now sure I’d overwhelmed him, Steve surprised me when he said, “I want to read that book.” Apparently, Clear over Cute is Steve’s angle.

He said he has an invested interest in anything sociological, and I acknowleded, then, that this book would likely be a good fit for him, especially since it depicts a group of people who radically restructured their lives in deep contrast to the larger culture. I said I’d found it most interesting the way their behavior was clearly governed by a Realm Other than Rome, and, that after a good deal of searching myself, I’d realized [with Help] that I have an less-increasing desire for loyalty to anything else myself.

I told him I did not think this First-Century communal ethos was unique to the first century, but rather that it was possible to embody in the twenty-first century as well. Together we could do a great Work to heal the sick, feed the hungry, provide shelter to the weak, to exchange present evil for future Good, and to make all things New. I explained these are the purposes for which the leader of these people walked the earth, and that just as he, the Son, was sent by the Father to make things Right again, he now has enabled and sent all people to continue this purpose.

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Steve gave his number even though we both knew our phones would be inoperable inside the house. Knowing this gesture is a valuable relational step among Twenty-First Western culture, I was honored that he would extend it.

He said he would like to get a ale sometime to exchange books that have been important to us. Another collection of Letters immediately came to mind, but I vowed to wait before I said anything more.