tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post1423073609766193626..comments2024-03-24T07:56:33.811-05:00Comments on Allan R. Bevere: You Don't Get Strung Up on a Cross for Running Around Telling Everyone to Love One OtherAllan R. Beverehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-6364285636533884432012-04-12T15:26:45.979-05:002012-04-12T15:26:45.979-05:00Thanks for the helpful comments, folks.
Yes, all ...Thanks for the helpful comments, folks.<br /><br />Yes, all of us are guilty in using Jesus for our own agendas. My response here was targeted to more liberal manifestations because I have read such accounts lately, some of them making into popular periodicals. Moreover, I was attempting to jump off from the Dunn quote at the beginning of the post.<br /><br />You should note, however, I do take a quick swipe at right-wing promotion of violence in the post as well.<br /><br />As far as the liberal/conservative spectrum not being helpful, I agree. In fact, I have said on this blog time and time again that the modern liberal/conservative division distorts the nature of Christianity and Jesus' Kingdom ethic. Nevertheless, I am responding within those parameters because most Christians place their own arguments along that spectrum.Allan R. Beverehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07903011101108437513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-12228961961939447192012-04-12T12:10:05.149-05:002012-04-12T12:10:05.149-05:00Interesting stuff. However I don't think it ma...Interesting stuff. However I don't think it makes sense to say that the liberals use Jesus in a 'loving incarnation' to get what they want. I think right wing thinkers do it too. Every Christian does. When we hold a moral view we do it because we believe it to be right, and interpret the Bible as fits in with our understanding. We cannot help but have our interpretation coloured by everything around us. <br /><br />Diving Christians up into right and left wing doesn't help us to get closer to the truth of God. <br /><br />Also, as to the why Jesus was crucified -was it not also that he was crucified because it was God's plan for that to happen? Not just because he rocked the boat, but it had to be to allow God's plan for forgiveness to happen.OrigamiGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13363693347175865326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-79055174682432181282012-04-12T12:03:49.547-05:002012-04-12T12:03:49.547-05:00"we first demythologize Jesus and then we rem..."we first demythologize Jesus and then we remythologize him after our own image and our own expectations. Jesus now becomes safe to follow."<br /><br />You use Bishop Spong and John Crossan as examples of this process. And I would agree. But I would say that this demythologizing and remythologizing process happens across the theological spectrum. The image into which Jesus in made varies, but the process is the same.Gary Lynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-82352053133566738002012-04-12T11:08:05.068-05:002012-04-12T11:08:05.068-05:00In any case, the Lion of Judah is not a tame lion....In any case, the Lion of Judah is not a tame lion. Dr. Allan is correct in pointing out that whatever may have been the mindset of those in the 1st century, those of us in the 21st don't always, if ever, get it right. Yes, the claim that Jesus was "King of the Jews" put him on the Roman radar. They were the instrument of execution. But, Jesus life and message of God's kingdom ticked off the Jews who threw him to the Romans.Mike Helberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09840386155818967920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19733180.post-71091377382066967482012-04-12T10:16:49.247-05:002012-04-12T10:16:49.247-05:00I hate to demythologize and everything, but the on...I hate to demythologize and everything, but the only way to get yourself crucified is to threaten the Romans. Even demanding that people radically change their lives won't do it. <br /><br />Now, if your followers get the idea that you are going to drive out the legions and usher in a new kingdom, you're toast!Scott Fhttp://donttakemyword.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com