When you read the Sermon on the Mount you find the most original and timeless insights into the real mind and message of Jesus. This is before the church gets to him and makes him a theological construct instead of a real breathing person.
I don't think the church 'got' to Jesus-He remained who He was regardless of what the church contructed. I think it's more like the church 'got' to us reading and theologizing it.
Peace is an important concept for Christians and a difficult one sometimes to deal with. I always related to Pope John's comment, "If you want peace, seek justice," but sometimes justice is an even more difficult concept to grasp. It seems very Old Testament but Jesus spoke of and demonstrated justice but it was always tempered with love. I look forward to your thoughts. Susan.
James, Great idea on the blog. One of the interesting exercises our hermeneutics class participated in during alesson on the sermon on the mount, was to try to interpret the text through various different "lenses". For instance, how different is the perspective of seeking peace from the P.O.V. of an Isareli solider occupier as opposed to a young Palestian (the occupied).
Peace on a personal basis is so much more than the absence of conflict.
When "peace activists" become angry and take on the actions of their opponents, they undermine their cause, it seems to me. Exploring what peacemaking really is will be very interesting.
5 comments:
So you're saying that theology can get in the way of seeing Jesus?
Sue
I don't think the church 'got' to Jesus-He remained who He was regardless of what the church contructed. I think it's more like the church 'got' to us reading and theologizing it.
Great idea having a blog!
Linda
Peace is an important concept for Christians and a difficult one sometimes to deal with. I always related to Pope John's comment, "If you want peace, seek justice," but sometimes justice is an even more difficult concept to grasp. It seems very Old Testament but Jesus spoke of and demonstrated justice but it was always tempered with love. I look forward to your thoughts. Susan.
James, Great idea on the blog.
One of the interesting exercises our hermeneutics class participated in during alesson on the sermon on the mount, was to try to interpret the text through various different "lenses". For instance, how different is the perspective of seeking peace from the P.O.V. of an Isareli solider occupier as opposed to a young Palestian (the occupied).
Peace on a personal basis is so
much more than the absence of
conflict.
When "peace activists" become angry
and take on the actions of their
opponents, they undermine their
cause, it seems to me. Exploring
what peacemaking really is will
be very interesting.
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