Jesus Walks With Them
“He comes as yet unknown into a hamlet of Lower Galilee. He is watched by the cold, hard eyes of peasants living long enough at subsistence level to know exactly where the line is drawn between poverty and destitution. He looks like a beggar, yet his eyes lack the proper cringe, his voice the proper whine, his walk the proper shuffle. He speaks about the rule of God, and they listen as much from curiosity as anything else. They know all about rule and power, about kingdom and empire, but they know it in terms of tax and debt, malnutrition and sickness, agrarian oppression and demonic possession. What, they really want to know, can this kingdom of God do for a lame child, a blind parent, a demented soul screaming its tortured isolation among the graves that mark the edges of the village? Jesus walks with them to the tombs, and, in the silence after the exorcism, the villagers listen once more, but now with curiosity giving way to cupidity, fear, and embarrassment. He is invited, as honor demands, to the home of the village leader. He goes, instead, to stay in the home of a dispossessed woman. Not quite proper, to be sure, but it would be unwise to censure an exorcist, to criticize a magician.” – John Dominic Crossan
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Can’t begin to say how thankful I am for the Southwest Central Church of Christ in Houston and the Cole Mill Road Church of Christ in Durham — the church homes for Matt and Jenna (and then Reese) since they left Abilene in 2004. It’s a great ministry of churches when they reach out to young couples whom they know probably won’t be there a long time.
Thank you, thank you, dear brothers and sisters at these churches!
Of course, Crossan’s group might deny that any of that actually happened. *wink* qb
Ok, qb, there’s that! Small technicality. Was waiting for someone to point that out. Still . . . . Beautiful statement. You and I can just imagine that the Bishop of Durham said it!
Yes, it is beautiful indeed. I loved reading it. All the more beautiful for being historical fact, or so I take it. qb
BTW, Mike, if I were going to take my bride to one good, perhaps upper-end place for dinner in/around Abilene whilst our son and his friends are at HSU for football camp, where would you recommend? qb
In town probably Copper Creek on the 322 loop. Of course Perini’s is ranch “upper end” and just incredible.
The Beehive downtown and Shechuan on s 1st are also both nice.
For a big treat check rancholoma.com. About an hour away.
Isn’t Crossan one of the founders of the Jesus seminar? And of course, the Lord Jesus is no mere magician. Crossan’s group may not deny that any of that happened, just twist the Scriptures to deny that He’s the Son of God.
Mike, I am very impressed that you quote J. D. Crossan, really.
Jp in Ca: Of course the Jesus Seminar (“Crossan’s group”) would question–and likely deny–that “any of that happened”. And with good reason (at least to a truly reason-loving person) because no fragment of any of the NT exists that is older than 125 AD. If one doesn’t rely on supernatural powers, then one must question oral narratives that are nearly 100 years old. But if you believe that supernatural things occur, then anything goes.
Martin – Good point. Much of this is a presupposition, isn’t it? I begin with the possibility of more-than-just-nature. I can’t prove the resurrection. Not prove prove. But I believe it is true and that it is the defining moment (the cross-resurrection event) of history — validating the way of the kingdom that Jesus announced.
Hi Mike,
You’re writings have helped me many, many times. Enjoy your blog.
I wrote a few months ago asking whether or not RIGHTEOUSNESS INSIDE OUT might go into a third printing. I direct a non-profit discipling ministry known as Timothy Network. Have used your book extensively as a companion study with Sermon on the Mount. Also used it for years in working with college students when I served in campus ministry. That said, do you know more about whether or not your book with be printed again?
Last thing…I’ve linked your blog to our website. I wonder if you might look at our work and possibly link Timothy Network to your blogsite. http://www.timothynetwork.org Just asking
Thanks, Mike Stroud
Mike – Thanks so much for asking about Righteousness Inside Out. I just checked with Leonard Allen, who said there are 1200 copies currently available through ACU Press/Leafwood. He tells me that when those copies are gone, he plans to reprint.
Thanks very much. I’ll try ACU Press. I’ve been purchasing through Amazon.
Our joy to journey with Matt, Jenna and then to welcome Reese.
Martin: There is external and internal evidence that places the Gospel accounts (and other NT writings) well before 125AD. 1 Clement (in around AD96) cites two of the synoptic Gospels and equated them with the Scriptures. He also identified 1 Corinthians from Paul and showed knowledge of Hebrews, Romans, Acts, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter, James, and Colossians. Additionally, 2 Peter 3:15-16 refers to Paul’s letters as Scripture (validating authority) and 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Jesus’ words in Luke 10:7 as Scripture. Dating 1 Timothy in the early 60s, this puts Luke even before that (though, still could be early 60s). Additionally, most believe Luke used Mark in some way, therefore putting Mark into the 50s.
Point being, if we want to use the modernist god of Reason to judge the Scriptures, we must recognize all the evidence. Even liberal theologian Hengel promotes that the Gospels had titles(!) prior to the 90s (and even argues, with various reason-based arguments, that they had to be original to the author).
As to the cross-resurrection event: I am filled with joy that Jesus took on the wrath of God due to sin so those who believe, trust, and hope in Him will be reconciled to a Just, Holy, Loving, and Righteous God – even while they are blind, sick, hungry, and thirsty. Redemption and justice may not be today, but it will be completed when He returns.
As for Crossan, should we accept him as a brother? He has rebuffed any and all loving correction in regards to his false teachings. We know that God has ordained false teachers to be in our midst for the purpose that correct teaching will be seen (1 Cor 11:19, 1 John 2:19, 2 Pet 2:1-3, etc.) so this is not an argument against his purposeful existence. But Paul and the 1C church suffered, were imprisoned, and died standing for just the opposite of the falsehoods he promotes. I’m not asking for burning at the stake or book burning; but sensible, faithful, and biblical discernment (Heb 5:14) in regards to men like these. These are not arguments about debatable issues but about the very core of our faith that is essential in belief.
Grace to you-
Thanks for posting this Jr. I knew there was historical evidence to date the NT writings earlier than 125 AD but hadn’t managed to find & check my notes (I’m a housewife, not a scholar). And when I think about what the Jesus seminar folks claim I can’t help but think of 2 Tim 3:5.