Episode 3: Cross-contamination

If you were a fan of Alton Brown’s Good Eats, you know the danger of cross-contamination in the kitchen—of letting bacteria spread from one food or surface to another. But there can be a kind of theological cross-contamination as well. Reading between the lines, something like this was probably part of Paul’s reason for writing to the Colossians. Their newfound faith was being contaminated by worldly ideas; what could he say to them to keep it pure?

What is Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Colossians?

The church in the city of Colossae had recently been founded by one of the apostle Paul's colleagues; he had never met them personally. But he had heard of their faith and of some of the challenges that threatened to undermine that faith, including what seems to be the presence of false teachers who were leading them astray. Paul therefore writes to them from prison, lovingly encouraging them to realize the treasure they already have in the gospel. In so doing, he paints a magnificent and cosmic portrait of the Christ in whom they've already believed, and in whom they've been given a new and transformed nature. His words should help remind believers of every time and place that the Christ we worship is supreme. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages will be read from the New International Version.)