In my latest posts I have dealt with the issue of Biblical hermeneutics and I have concluded that as Christians we must consider Christ himself to be the key with which we can unlock the true Christian message. However, this doesn’t solve all problems since people throughout church history has regarded it as appropriate to twist and turn the Biblical accounts of Christ to mean basically whatever they deemed profitable for their own purposes. Hence, I regard it as necessary to say something about the life and message of Christ that I believe gives our hermeneutics even more precision.
The Jewish Messiah was expected to be a liberator who would defeat the powers of occupation and take over the throne of Israel. This is what James and John, the sons of Zebedee, had in mind when they came to Jesus and asked: Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. However, Jesus answered them: You don’t know what you are asking . . . Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? James and John answered Yes, but Jesus responded: You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared. The narrative continues by Jesus telling all his disciples that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you, Jesus says, instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10.37-45)
This story highlights the point that I want to put forth in this post: Jesus kingdom is of another kind than what was expected. However, this message seems to have been lost by many since history shows that the church all too often has used power, force and coercion to lord over people rather than to serve them in humble submission. I am convinced that if we have any intentions of actually following Christ, then his life must constitute the pattern that we desire to live by. What this mean is that his willingness to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many should be understood as a model for our lives, both individually and communally. This is the centre of the message about Jesus and it reveals a king that is different from the rulers of the world; a king whose crown is made out of thorns and who calls his followers to serve the poor, forgive their debtors and love their enemies. Hence, if we want to receive the message revealed in Scripture because we desire for it to shape our lives, then I believe that the message of Christ’s crucifixion must be regarded as the centre by which everything else is understood.
Using force and coercion as you mention in your blog above is something I have been pondering and discussing with others recently.
Some catholics I have been speaking to have said that a hierarchical and authoritarian church (which is how catholicism is structured) is what Christ intended.
Is having that structure alone using force and coercion?
I don’t think so since it is necessary to have some kind of structure to be organized, efficient, and so on. The problem I see is when the structure itself is used by the powerful to defend unjust behavior like oppression and exclusion. If Christ is Lord and the church is his people, then the organizing structures of the church should represent Christ, which means that the structure should exist in the service of others rather than the ones in power. As I have pointed out before, I believe this might be a larger problem in the ‘free churches’ than in the historical churches: http://freestylechristianity.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/exposing-ideology/
True But,….
The Truth Of The Matter Of Really Living This Out, Is Through The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit,…The Bonifide Evidence Of Being ‘Born Again’.
The Christian Life Is Not Possible To Be Lived Like A Shopper Looking Through The Menswear Window. You Actually Have To Go In and Put The Suit On! There Are Many Window Shoppers. Some Are On The Fence Because They Believe There Might Be A Sale On Down The Street.
The Only Way This Suiting-Up Is Possible, Is Through True Submission.
This Is What The Entire Teaching Of Christ’s Were To The Apostles…The Day Of Pentecost Began That Event.
Being Born Again, Is Not A Mental Ascent…”Jesus Is Lord. Ok. Got That. Check”….The Bible Teaches Quite Clearly That Those Who Have Truely Changed Because Of The Work Of The Holy Spirit Working In Their Lives Will Be Very Obvious To Others Around Them By Their Godly Conduct And Behavior…(Mimicing Jesus Obviously)…But Without Natural Effort,…Because It Is The Work Of The Spirit Within You Is Making Those Changes.
There Are Many Who Speak Christianese…Becoming Christian/God-Like (But Not A God, To Clarify For Any New Age Bents) In Your Inner-most Parts Is The Obvious Revelation That Your Spirit Is Truly Aligning With Christ. That’s How He Knows You Are His.
Gary
Well, this is fundamentally a text on Biblical hermeneutics so I don’t really understand why this ‘suit up’ theology is relevant to what I have just written?
.”…Hence, if we want to receive the message revealed in Scripture because we desire for it to shape our lives, then I believe that the message of Christ’s crucifixion must be regarded as the centre by which everything else is understood…”
True, I was agreeing with you…but my comments were really focused on your last sentence. Many understand the message of the crucifixion, and look at it adoringly, but the ability and desire for it to shape our life is more accurately found in the work of The Holy Spirit working in ones life.
Gary
Okey. Generally speaking I agree with you but my claim is still that the work of the Spirit within the community of believers should be understood through the lens of the Christ-event.
Okay…were even!
Brilliant J.G. Thank you for a well argued post. It is at the Cross were everything else makes sense.
I once asked one of my religious friends that without the resurrection, did he believe that Christianity would hold as much measure. He assured me that the very event that causes us to celebrate Easter, is one of if not the most important event in Christian history.
So on this end your in agreeance with probably a multitude of Christians, however this community feeling appears to be skin deep. The term Christian doesn’t apply to the entire multitude of the congregation. Even in the same isle, listening to the same sermon, the messages of Jesus get spouted out by individuals with as a unique of an interpretation as the owners of the ears listening.
I do agree, and hope the church starts to agree with your “True Christ” view-point. The Christ who would rather sit on the road with the poor handing out bread and fish, than to be seated at a table with esteemed guests. Jesus of Narazeth who loved common humanity. The poor that embodied humility. Maybe because they never learned the greed that is the bed fellow of having wealth.
Religion is not inherently evil, it is a well established social structure that just needs a little oil and refinement to get it working good again. It’s weathered of the years and needs a revamp to get back on track. Not only of it, only that which impedes on humanity and the positive progression of everyone, God’s children or not, for it was Jesus who said love thy neighbor as thy self.
-TMF
it is wonderful to find a true emphasis on the actual fundamentals of Christ’s Life and legacy for us!