Sunday, February 22, 2009
Chapter 11: A New Time
In order to better understand the teachings of Jesus, we must recognize his views about time, particularly concerning the present and/or future of the “kingdom”. The Western way of thinking focuses on time as a measurement. This view of time with regard to clocks and calendars is called quantitative time. However, the Hebrew spoke of time as a quality, expressed in the Ecclesiastes passage seen on the right of the blog. The prophets of Israel told people that the meaning of the particular time in which they lived was in view with a divine act, and God defined the times. This builds on the idea of an eschaton, or an ultimate event. Both John and Jesus had very different ideas concerning time because of the events they each looked towards-- John towards the judgment of God while Jesus towards the salvation of God. For John, metanoia (or a conversion) means doing penance for one’s sins but for Jesus metanoia means accepting an invitation. Along with this new idea of time, Jesus also presents a new image of God. He uses images such as the prodigal son and the sign of Jonah in the whole to point to a forgiving, compassionate God. Jesus addresses God as abba, an intimate family name, which further emphasizes the image of a liberating God in solidarity with us.
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I think that in our society we do see time as quantitative because or lives are based around a very strict schedule of going and being at places ata certain time. When I read the post i thought of a soccer mom and how her schedule must be and then I realized that she must also value the time that she has becasue her family depends on her to keep them running. Time today might also be seen as a way of keeping everyone together which in some light is a quality which is very hard to do these days with all of the tecnolgy and activities we have.Everyone one in the world follows the same clock therefore linking us all together by a common thread. I think that Jesus tried to do the same in relation to his inviation to all of us. He was welcoming the entire people to his family through one common thread, metanoia.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Hebrews believed that God decided an event for any length of time. i also think that there is a big difference between what is said in John and what Jesus said. The main difference is that in John God watches over us and judges us based on our actions because he created us. On the other hand, Jesus showed us that God loves us and uses the parables to show us this and that God is more like a father figure than just a creator waiting to judge us
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting to note the difference between John’s and Jesus’ views. John seems to evoke a more “Old Testament” God. In the Old Testament, God is depicted as more wrathful and much less forgiving. Take, for example, the flood in the story of Noah. God insists on penance for one’s sins. However, Jesus’ view is much different. God is all-loving, forgiving, and compassionate. It shows how important it is to remember how different views are portrayed in one’s writing. Because man wrote the Bible, it may be somewhat biased in ways.
ReplyDeleteI think it is inaccurate to characterize John and Jesus as having incompatible views. As compassionate as Jesus' teachings are, He does not discard the ideas of John. It must be remembered that, although God is forgiving, He is also just. For example, if a murderer were on trial, would a just judge let him get away with his crime?
ReplyDeleteJesus actually makes it more difficult to get into the Kingdom:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(Mat 5:17-20)
And so, Jesus' purpose is to bear the punishment at our "trial" in our stead, not to do away with it altogether, because only absolute perfection would merit the absence of a "trial".