Sunday, November 26
Simply Christian...
I am reading a book called ‘Simply Christian’ by N.T. Wright as part of a book club I’m in.We meet at the ‘Church of Panera’ for a couple of hours early each Tuesday. Those mornings are, for me, about community, growing in understanding of Jesus, and worship.
This morning as I read chapter 8 of the book…I worshipped. And I just have to share some sections of the book that brought me to this place…
The meaning of His crucifixion…
The meaning of the story is found in every detail, as well as in the broad narrative. The pain and tears of all the years were met together on Calvary. The sorrow of heaven joined with the anguish of earth; the forgiving love stored up in God’s future was poured out into the present; the voices that echo in a million human hearts, crying for justice, longing for spirituality, eager for relationship, yearning for beauty, drew themselves together into a final scream of desolation.
Nothing in all the history of paganism comes anywhere near this combination of event, intention, and meaning. Nothing in Judaism had prepared for it, except in puzzling, shadowy prophecy. The death of Jesus of Nazareth as the king of Jews, the bearer of Israel’s destiny, the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people of old, is either the most stupid, senseless waste and misunderstanding the world has ever seen, or it is the fulcrum around which world history turns.
Christianity is based on the belief that it was and is the latter.
The reality of His resurrection…
The best explanation by far for the rise of Christianity is that Jesus really did reappear, not as a battered, bleeding survivor, not as a ghost (the stories are very clear about that), but as a living, bodily human being.
The impact on our lives…
I am not suggesting that this (or any other argument) can ‘force’ anyone to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.
Believing Jesus was raised from the dead requires that we exchange a worldview which says that such things can’t happen for one which, embracing the notion of a creator God making Himself know initially in the traditions of Israel and then fully and finally in Jesus, says that Jesus’ resurrection makes perfect sense when seen from that point of view. Faith can’t be forced but unfaith can be challenged.
Mark Nelson at 11:06 AM 0comments