
- Christ Carrying the Cross – El Greco
The picture of Christ Carrying the Cross is by Spanish Renaissance Painter El Greco. I used the image to open up a class I’m co-teaching at Columbia Presbyterian on Early Church History. Something about the eyes filled with despair, longing, acceptance and the slap of cold-reality brings to life the impending death of Jesus. His fingers (looking rather feminine) seem to stroke the beam of the cross with tenderness, as one gently grazing the strings on an instrument, so too this is an instrument…and death will be played on it.
Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God. (Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language – Pg. 3)
My screenwriting instructor always said to start the story at the beginning. And that’s exactly what Shelley does in his sweeping epic of the Church moving through History like a rolling river rather than the usual depiction of a stagnant pond. In this first chapter he aims his arrow at the center of the center: How is Jesus of Nazareth to be understood?
First & foremost, Jesus was a Jew, not a Christian. Understanding Jesus devoid of Judaism (and somehow detached from his cultural, political & religious spheres) is impossible. Jesus has often been misunderstood (historically speaking) or reinterpreted in a manner vastly different from the person we meet in the New Testament. And so as not to beg the point (concerning the validity of the ancient texts), Mr. Shelley has written a book about the Historicity of the Holy Scriptures that is worth the price. Depending on the interest in this blog, that might be another completely different road to take together, always with the goal of traveling towards wisdom & enlightenment. Some journeys are worth taking.
So for the rest of the tour, the Jesus of the Bible is our protagonist. His character development, audience, message, ministry and lasting influence on the church will provide the dramatic narrative. And speaking of plot points, there isn’t a better story on which all things…turn.
Pharisees (the ‘separated ones’ composed of religious scribes enacting the Law to the Letter), Sadducees (the Aristocracy that controlled the High Jewish Court, the Sanhedrin), and Zealots (ushering in the coming Messiah’s rule with the sword) were all part of the infra-structure of Jesus’ world. For the scholar you’ve probably noticed one group missing; an often overlooked group called the Essenes (not even listed in the spell-check of my word processor).
The Essenes were an isolated Monastic community that participated in ritual washing which visually explained their stance of repentance and turning back to God.
In my opinion (and outside the realm of historic fact) I believe John the Baptist was an Essene and Jesus was attracted to his mission statement of repentance and turning to God in mercy… as well as the high-traffic corner where he set up camp (the ford north of the Jordan).
The Baptist had the great privilege of uttering the greatest theological statement in human history: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” If you don’t know what that means, then there really is a purpose in blogging rather than creating an internet presence built on volume & exposure. Let’s discuss, argue and find Truth together…shall we?
This really matters. John attributed Jesus to the Jewish Passover Lamb. The Lamb to be slaughtered so the Lord God might passover your household marked by the blood of the Lamb. Potent stuff…and the audience that John was speaking to would get it; the trick now is for us to ‘get it’ too.
And now for something completely different (thank you, Monty Python…) The Ministry & Message of Jesus, which for many Christians may seem somewhat foreign as we usually think Jesus went about talking in depth of the crucifixion and atonement. Remember Jesus was a Jew (the Christian church did not exist yet) who had not died on the cross as of yet (the atonement) and therefore rising from the dead would be a cart before a huge stallion. Shelley reminds us that one of Jesus’ catch-phrases throughout the New Testament is “Behold, the Kingdom of God is at hand…” and this is His primary Ministry. Shelley realizes the tension created by Jesus’ words:
“Did he believe in a dramatic intervention of God in the history of the world – or – did he mean the Kingdom is already here in some sense?”
Shelley responds by using an account in Scripture to show how it can be both. “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” Dramatic, Divine intervention fused with signs & wonders…here…& now! It’s almost as if Jesus was saying, “The Kingdom of God is at hand because…God is at hand.”
What about Jesus’ message? If his Ministry was to reveal the Kingdom of God to the world then His Message (Shelley concludes) is to explain how radically different His Kingdom rule is compared to the religious establishment of the day.
Take a second and read Luke 18: 10-14 aloud. If you’re a non-believer or atheist I think this passage may speak to you as well. I’m convinced in every chapter Shelley will bring forth what I call a ‘Keeper’ quote. Take this one with you…it’s essential in the Church’s understanding of this New Covenant Jesus proclaims.
“The contrast between the piety of the Pharisees and the attitude of the Jesus movement could hardly be greater. One was based on the observance of the hundreds of religious laws of the Jews, the other rested upon a denial of self-righteousness and a trust in the mercy of God.”
So ends chapter one of early church history: Jesus came to show us a new realm; a realm based on mercy, not performance…and forever turned religion (Man’s attempt to merit divine favor) on its head. Only 48 chapters to go.
Look back to the picture, look in his eyes…all the emotions are playing out and in the coming days as we travel the road with Mr. Shelley…I’m sure some of ours will hopefully find their way to this page. We are free to disagree, agreeably…so let’s act as adults and state our differences with finesse & respect.
The New Covenant is the forgiveness of sin (the Baptist got it right) and the long awaited fulfillment of God’s promise to a people crippled by sin and separated from God. “By His striped we are healed;” Now, that’s a good story worth telling. Another chapter is right over the hill.
Wineskins: Old & New
Blessings,
Darren