Pluralism, syncretism and institutionalized idolatry are as challenging today as in the days of Ahab

The lessons for the Second Sunday after Pentecost raise some questions and challenges about pluralism, syncretism and institutionalized idolatry.

To begin with, pluralism, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, is 'a condition of society in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups coexist'. Syncretism is defined as 'the attempt or tendency to combine or reconcile differing beliefs, as in philosophy or religion'.

Institutionalized idolatry is best illustrated in the First Reading from 1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39.
Because of his wife Jezebel's strong influence, King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel led his people into the idolatry of Baal worship. 1Kings 16:30-31 says, "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him...He also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him".
Rulers like kings, and leaders in general, provide a moral compass for those they lead. The people of Israel strayed away from the Lord because of Ahab's leadership.
Earlier, in 1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43, which is the alternate First Reading for this Sunday, King Solomon had dedicated the temple he built for the Lord. 1 Kings 8:22-53 is the most inspirational dedication service in the whole bible. In its conclusion, Solomon "rose from before the altar of the Lord where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven...and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: 'Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised"

Here are, therefore, two pictures of two different kings and two different leadership directions. The first typifies syncretism. In the opposite picture, Solomon prays: "Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name – for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm – when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven, your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built".

Simply put, in our own day, how do we distinguish between Baal worship and worshiping the Lord? Think of power, prestige, recognition, materialism (and consumerism).

Pluralism is probably even more challenging. Solomon prayed for the inclusion of the stranger. In the Gospel Reading too, from Luke 7:1-10, Jesus ministered to a Roman military leader, who, in turn had built a synagogue for the Jews. It is a picture of our own pluralistic society. Add to that our desire for free thinking, free from dogmas, free from conformity.

One can argue that there are two different issues involved here: Service to the whole world on the one hand, and our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and even inviting others into this faithfulness, on the other. Indeed, the Epistle Reading from Galatians 1:1-12 stresses the one gospel of Christ.

We would emphasize too, that the ultimate goal of all our endeavors and thinking ought to be the glory of God. In the words of Psalm 96, "Declare God's glory among the nations and God's wonders among all peoples...Ascribe to the Lord honor and power. Ascribe to the Lord the honor due to the Lord's Name".