The kingdom of God is where God "rules". Starting first in our "hearts" as we seek to have the attitudes and motives we atribute to God. Things like: love, mercy, compassion, equality in the sense of social justice, peace, and anything that rises above the "human condition" of selfishness.
Jesus imbodied these things and so can be an example to us. Someone we can "follow". Starting from the right attitudes and motives we can live as citizens of God's kingdom.
The Kingdom of Heaven begins with our own personal transformation and centering in God. It involves our participation to live together under God's will and way of living - with compassion, love, justice, and peace. It is not a worldly view of life but rather a spiritual and passionate way of living under God.
Jesus serves as our example of God's character and passion as a living participant in the Kingdom of God. We are to strive to be like Christ as we mature as a Christian.
My question is what was so special about the Roman Empire that God sent Jesus to that place and time.That inspired the writers of the Bible to record it so that it became our "Bible". What/why was it so unique. Was it because it was so big? Why hasn't God sent another Jesus to other big controling empires. If Borg thinks Jesus was just a regular guy who got the message better than anyone else it almost makes the Bible a story of local politics. Or does God think I showed you once how big empires can get it so wrong I'm not gong to tell you again.
First question Kingdom of God. The best way I can articulate the concept as I understand it is the areas under God's direct span of influence. This may include people if they have given themselves to God. Particularly living as Jesus demonstrated. In fact Jesus was a guide to show us the path to the kingdom via loving God and our neighbors as we do ourselves.
Nancy -- interesting questions and here are my thoughts for a response. I think Jesus was sent and inspired because the people needed hope. When things are good we tend not to listen even if someone's speaking. It is probably much of why the bible says the poor will inherit the earth. Not that the rich's money stops them but because it is easy for them to be distracted by the prosperity. I'd say the same with cultures/communities. Now that things are harder in the US they already show church attendance is up in many places. We are less distracted by the frivolous because things are harder and we can better focus on the important. Under the Roman Empire things were tough and maybe more so in the rural ares where Jesus had the greatest following.
Jesus didn't take off and wasn't a "big" deal until well after his death -- as people passed those seeds of hope his impact spread. Without oppression would they have continued to pass the seeds? Since we have free will for Jesus story to take on like it did many things had to fall into place to include a long oppression/depression giving the seeds time to take root. While a "local" story it's theme is consistent in our history and the needs and path that were expressed/understood because of the timing are applicable throughout the world/time.
Also, largely the success of Jesus wasn't him giving the message, it was his disciples strong adherence to continuing on his preachings even at the cost of their lives. And the fact people still needed wanted to hear the message because of the political/economic environment. To me one of the things that make Jesus unique is the "team" he built. What we see of other prophets seem largely solo shows and therefore self-limiting. Which combined with fertile ground laid by the Romans allowed our religion to blossom. Interestingly the Roman Empire is usually considered to be from around 50BC to into 300AD -- enough time for the birth and childhood of Christianity.
As for your question about why hasn't God sent another Jesus. I tend to be of the mind he has -- at least as prophets/guides to us and to other cultures as well. The question is whether we've noted and/or been profoundly impacted. Nowadays we live by sound bytes and flash so we might not even notice or listen.
And, I think Jesus WAS an ordinary guy who for whatever reason was divinely touched or could see clearer when it came to the impact of decisions and how one should live. To me, for Jesus to be more than ordinary would make trying to follow his path futile. If you were taking the same path as superman would you not have reason to give up when you hit a obstacle -- yah superman can do it but you can't fly so why bother? Jesus had to be mortal and an ordinary man to show us it can be done and we can attain the Kingdom of God and should strive for that.
"Why hasn't God sent another Jesus to other big controling empires?"
Consider Romans 8:14 - "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God [same Greek word used for Jesus]."
The point, I think, of Jesus' teaching was the "team" aspect, as Dawn pointed out, working TOGETHER for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. The Spirit is that uniting force that makes us be the people God wants us to be and leads us to do what God wants us to do.
So, I think ALL of us have the potential of being that "sent one" to face all sorts of problems in the world, but maybe we aren't listening or are afraid!
Whether one likes Obama or not, it is important to ask, had there never been a Rosa Parks or a Martin Luther King, Jr., would Obama have even had a chance? It is also interesting to consider that in the United States, since most citizens have a voice through voting and contacting Senators & Representatives, they can stand up against the government non-violently as Jesus did! Luckily, we won't die for that act of resistance - though some in other parts of this world would!
Thanks to two days off of school, I'm finally getting around to doing this! I too, agree that God has sent others in response to need in the world. How about Ghandi (British Imperialism), Martin Luther King (Civil Rights), William Wilberforce (slavery)? As Dawn so eloquently stated, when there is a need, there is someone who comes along to respond to that need and, more importantly, to inspire others. No one can do it alone. That is why the teachings of Jesus live on to this day and why is death didn't stop his movement.
The kingdom of God is where God "rules". Starting first in our "hearts" as we seek to have the attitudes and motives we atribute to God. Things like: love, mercy, compassion, equality in the sense of social justice, peace, and anything that rises above the "human condition" of selfishness.
ReplyDeleteJesus imbodied these things and so can be an example to us. Someone we can "follow". Starting from the right attitudes and motives we can live as citizens of God's kingdom.
The Kingdom of Heaven begins with our own personal transformation and centering in God. It involves our participation to live together under God's will and way of living - with compassion, love, justice, and peace. It is not a worldly view of life but rather a spiritual and passionate way of living under God.
ReplyDeleteJesus serves as our example of God's character and passion as a living participant in the Kingdom of God. We are to strive to be like Christ as we mature as a Christian.
My question is what was so special about the Roman Empire that God sent Jesus to that place and time.That inspired the writers of the Bible to record it so that it became our "Bible". What/why was it so unique. Was it because it was so big? Why hasn't God sent another Jesus to other big controling empires. If Borg thinks Jesus was just a regular guy who got the message better than anyone else it almost makes the Bible a story of local politics. Or does God think I showed you once how big empires can get it so wrong I'm not gong to tell you again.
ReplyDeleteFirst question Kingdom of God. The best way I can articulate the concept as I understand it is the areas under God's direct span of influence. This may include people if they have given themselves to God. Particularly living as Jesus demonstrated. In fact Jesus was a guide to show us the path to the kingdom via loving God and our neighbors as we do ourselves.
ReplyDeleteNancy -- interesting questions and here are my thoughts for a response. I think Jesus was sent and inspired because the people needed hope. When things are good we tend not to listen even if someone's speaking. It is probably much of why the bible says the poor will inherit the earth. Not that the rich's money stops them but because it is easy for them to be distracted by the prosperity. I'd say the same with cultures/communities. Now that things are harder in the US they already show church attendance is up in many places. We are less distracted by the frivolous because things are harder and we can better focus on the important. Under the Roman Empire things were tough and maybe more so in the rural ares where Jesus had the greatest following.
Jesus didn't take off and wasn't a "big" deal until well after his death -- as people passed those seeds of hope his impact spread. Without oppression would they have continued to pass the seeds? Since we have free will for Jesus story to take on like it did many things had to fall into place to include a long oppression/depression giving the seeds time to take root. While a "local" story it's theme is consistent in our history and the needs and path that were expressed/understood because of the timing are applicable throughout the world/time.
Also, largely the success of Jesus wasn't him giving the message, it was his disciples strong adherence to continuing on his preachings even at the cost of their lives. And the fact people still needed wanted to hear the message because of the political/economic environment. To me one of the things that make Jesus unique is the "team" he built. What we see of other prophets seem largely solo shows and therefore self-limiting. Which combined with fertile ground laid by the Romans allowed our religion to blossom. Interestingly the Roman Empire is usually considered to be from around 50BC to into 300AD -- enough time for the birth and childhood of Christianity.
As for your question about why hasn't God sent another Jesus. I tend to be of the mind he has -- at least as prophets/guides to us and to other cultures as well. The question is whether we've noted and/or been profoundly impacted. Nowadays we live by sound bytes and flash so we might not even notice or listen.
And, I think Jesus WAS an ordinary guy who for whatever reason was divinely touched or could see clearer when it came to the impact of decisions and how one should live. To me, for Jesus to be more than ordinary would make trying to follow his path futile. If you were taking the same path as superman would you not have reason to give up when you hit a obstacle -- yah superman can do it but you can't fly so why bother? Jesus had to be mortal and an ordinary man to show us it can be done and we can attain the Kingdom of God and should strive for that.
Whew that was almost a dissertation.
"Why hasn't God sent another Jesus to other big controling empires?"
ReplyDeleteConsider Romans 8:14 - "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God [same Greek word used for Jesus]."
The point, I think, of Jesus' teaching was the "team" aspect, as Dawn pointed out, working TOGETHER for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. The Spirit is that uniting force that makes us be the people God wants us to be and leads us to do what God wants us to do.
So, I think ALL of us have the potential of being that "sent one" to face all sorts of problems in the world, but maybe we aren't listening or are afraid!
Whether one likes Obama or not, it is important to ask, had there never been a Rosa Parks or a Martin Luther King, Jr., would Obama have even had a chance? It is also interesting to consider that in the United States, since most citizens have a voice through voting and contacting Senators & Representatives, they can stand up against the government non-violently as Jesus did! Luckily, we won't die for that act of resistance - though some in other parts of this world would!
Thanks to two days off of school, I'm finally getting around to doing this! I too, agree that God has sent others in response to need in the world. How about Ghandi (British Imperialism), Martin Luther King (Civil Rights), William Wilberforce (slavery)? As Dawn so eloquently stated, when there is a need, there is someone who comes along to respond to that need and, more importantly, to inspire others. No one can do it alone. That is why the teachings of Jesus live on to this day and why is death didn't stop his movement.
ReplyDeleteSo how come none of them were resurected? Dr. King's movement didn't stop with his death but he wasn't resurected.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the fact that Dr. King's movement didn't stop with his death is, in a sense, a resurrection.
ReplyDeleteBut that's not quite the same as rolling the stone away and appearing to people for days and the accending into heaven.
ReplyDeleteParable?
ReplyDelete