Exploring challenging passages and ideas (continued)
While it can seem
that the old and new testaments offer very different perspectives on justice
and mercy and God’s will, I believe that further study and consideration
reveals the insight in St. Augustine’s statement that “The new is in the old
concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” The challenge is in discovering and
appreciating all the ways that is true—they definitely can feel very different
in places.
And we must be
aware that translations can matter. For instance, Christ is generally quoted as
telling the thief on the cross, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in
Paradise,” from which most denominations conclude that Jesus was in Paradise on
Good Friday. But it has been pointed out that the original Greek likely had no
comma, and so the statement might instead have been (and the textual,
linguistic, and other evidence might actually point towards it being), “‘Truly
I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise’,” which no longer indicates
when they will be in paradise. It is easier than ever to look up the Greek,
Hebrew, or other words in original writings upon which the translations are
based, which can be really valuable. But for me, this is a matter of dispute
over which different opinions may exist that should not prevent our unity. And
it is a caution that translations matter. There are several free online
resources available (Bible Hub, Bible Gateway, etc.) that allow you to study
the various translations of words in the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic,
Greek) in which Bible passages were written. They are amazing and helpful.
Is Christianity
different? Many people say and think
that all religions are very similar or the same, but Christianity is different
from other religions in some fundamental and important ways. There are many,
many writings on this, but a few key differences were described by Timothy
Keller and include,
•
“Christianity offers a unique view of salvation.
We are saved by sheer grace and Christ’s work, not ours. We cannot contribute
to salvation with moral effort, religious observance, prayers, transformed
consciousness, etc. A finished salvation is received, not achieved.” This
means,
•
“Christianity uniquely offers a non-performative
identity — not constantly ebbing and flowing based on your accomplishment and
conduct.” This means,
•
“Christianity offers a contentment and joy not
based on changing circumstances.” Jesus did not come to make an end to bad
things, but to allow us to deal with them—as Paul attests while in a Roman
prison waiting to die (Philippians 4: 12-13), “12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it
is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who
gives me strength.” And Jesus told us that faith calls us to a better, richer
freer life: “I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” He
didn’t say happy or easy, he said abundant.
•
“Christianity offers a unique view of power.”
Some other religions do that to a degree, but the Christian message really
centers on it, from birth in a manger to washing disciples’ feet, to triumph
through death—Christianity turns the world upside down, elevating service and
self-sacrifice over personal success and domination.
Related to the
last point, but distinct and really important, is that Christianity and Judaism
are unique in believing that each person is made in the image of God, which
means that every person, no matter their standing in any regard, deserves love
and respect. That belief was nothing less than odd and radical 2000 years
ago—and even now there are many who would dispute it, despite Christianity’s
influence on our culture. It was this belief—that those they served were all
made in the image of, and loved by, God—that led early Christians to care for
poor, sick, imprisoned, and homeless people they didn’t even know, when all
others shunned them. Jesus specifically called his followers to see others that
way in his parable of the sheep and the goats, saying, “to the extent that you
did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it
for me.”
(to be continued in subsequent posts)
Sections in this chapter:
- The heart of faith
- The core message and goal for your life
- Seeking to trust God and become more like Jesus
- Knowing your role—and God’s
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Managing our priorities and our praise
- Identity, the creeds, and unity
- The struggle of finding and holding faith
- Faith must be our own
- Levels and types of faith
- Faith vs. knowledge
- Faith and the Law and Works
- Free Will and The Fall
- Seeking to understand the Bible and life through discernment
- The challenge of discernment
- Handling different discernments
- "Our own words"
- Exploring challenging passages and ideas (which includes many posts)
- The importance of prayer
- Personal reflections
- The importance of living the life
- It’s not too late
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