*Just a couple thoughts… only scratching the surface so look forward to your thoughts. I’m sure posts will evolve over time, but you have to start somewhere.
I am glad we are reading this book together. One of the reasons it intrigued me was the author. I have not read a N.T. Wright book from beginning to end and thought I need to make that happen (which is the reason I suggested the accountability). Another reason is the importance of continuing the ongoing dialogue surrounding the person of Jesus. As Wright says in regards to being a minister, “I couldn’t do it with integrity unless I had faced the hard questions for myself.” (4)
- “Ignorance is bliss.” This phrase comes from an 18th century poem. It popped into my head when reading the first chapter. I think people in general would rather live in ignorance (and I use this word in the best light possible; I have fallen into this trap at times). When it comes to understanding who Jesus is and what the kingdom He came to set-up is really all about, I believe our fall and/or resort into ‘ignorance’ is two-fold. (#1) It is easier for us to live within assumption and find comfort in a kingdom that may not even resemble the Kingdom of God. As Wright says, “We want a ‘religious’ leader, not a king! We want someone to save our souls, not rule our world!” (5) Once we find a Christianity that is easy to live, it is easy to stay there and see no need in continuing to explore the depth and reality of the kingdom. (#2) We think we have it all figured out and therefore there is no reason to listen to ‘outside’ voices; differing views that may stretch our understandings. I believe this is dangerous territory. “After all, just as it’s quite possible for skeptics to be mistaken, so it’s quite possible, as church history shows in plenty, for devout Jesus-followers to be mistaken as well.” (17)
In Jesus, the glory of God was/is revealed and the people that were waiting for him, expecting and anticipating his arrival, missed it. (John 1:11, 14) The Psalms and prophets painted a picture of God’s return and ultimate rule as king. Yet, God’s kingdom was not what they expected. Therefore, they missed the very embodiment of the kingdom when it was right in front of them. The difficulty in seeing and understanding Jesus continues today. I had a teen tell me two weeks ago, “If I lived when Jesus was walking on earth, I know I’d follow Him because then I would know God is real.” I chuckled and politely responded with, “Probably not.” Wright says, “Neither Simon nor the crowds nor the other displies nor Jerusalem itself have any idea what power is. They don’t understand what glory is. They simply haven’t a clue.” (38) I asked myself, ‘Do I?’ Probably not.
- How do we combat ignorance? It begins with a desire to truly know Jesus. Will we ever ‘pin-it-down’, figure him out completely? No. Do we give up on trying to understand ‘who he was, what he did, and why he matters’? Certainly not. God told Moses, "I am who I am." (Ex. 3:14) He is completely other than us. There is mystery that we will never know; and that is ok. Yet, the other part of the mysteriousness of Jesus lies in what we do know. (9) How do we keep from living for a kingdom that is contrary to the Kingdom of God? It begins with humility. Humility creates a willingness to listen to others. I think we lose that ability when we begin to think too highly of ourselves and/or we quit considering the mysteriousness of Jesus.
- It’s dangerous, slippery ground to apply Jesus words to our context without first considering his context. Wright says this discipline is “almost as corrosive to genuine Christian faith as skepticism itself.” (21) We must understand Jesus lived and spoke within specific culture and time. Does his words and life mean something for us today? Absolutely! The process of considering what that might be begins with understanding Jesus’ world. Furthermore, Jesus life is more than about teaching us about religion. “This is about everything: life, art, the universe, justice, death, money. It’s about politics, philosophy, culture, and being human.” (11) Later on when talking about Jesus’ coming, he says, “It involved everything, from power and politics to culture and family.” (54) Jesus was not just a ‘religious’ figure that has an impact on our faith. Rather, Jesus’ life and words have much to tell us about life; all of it.
A few other questions...
- Do you know any sources to help reveal first-century mindset, worldview, culture? (I think Jesus Wants to Save Christians is a good resource for first-century Jewish worldview)
- How do we engage with the modern day perfect storm? Particularly, the conservative and skepticism mindsets (as defined by Wright) in others (without creating a stormJ)?
Mark
*I am looking forward to Part 2 to seeing how he unpacks the ramifications in Jesus’ words and actions in light of first-century context. I found myself already considering Jesus’ claims against the backdrop of Roman rule, Jewish hope and the reality of God’s kingdom breaking through in Jesus.