Here's an excerpt from "A Jesus Manifesto", which is newly-written by authors Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet. Thought I'd post it, since it echoes so well some of the stuff we talk about on the show. Can't hurt to have someone else say it...
It is possible to confuse an academic knowledge or theology about Jesus with a personal knowledge of the living Christ himself. These two stand as far apart as do the hundred thousand million galaxies. The fullness of Christ can never be accessed through the frontal lobe alone. Christian faith claims to be rational, but also to reach out to touch ultimate mysteries. The cure for a big head is a big heart.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with CliffsNotes for a systematic theology. He leaves his disciples with breath and body.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with a coherent and clear belief system by which to love God and others. Jesus gives his disciples wounds to touch and hands to heal.
Jesus does not leave his disciples with intellectual belief or a “Christian worldview.” He leaves his disciples with a relational faith.
Christians don’t follow a book. Christians follow a person, and this library of divinely inspired books we call “The Holy Bible” best help us follow that person. The Written Word is a map that leads us to The Living Word. Or as Jesus himself put it, “All Scripture testifies of me.” The Bible is not the destination; it’s a compass that points to Christ, heaven’s North Star.
The Bible does not offer a plan or a blueprint for living. The “good news” was not a new set of laws, or a new set of ethical injunctions, or a new and better PLAN. The “good news” was the story of a person’s life, as reflected in The Apostle’s Creed. The Mystery of Faith proclaims this narrative: “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.”
The meaning of Christianity does not come from allegiance to complex theological doctrines, but a passionate love for a way of living in the world that revolves around following Jesus, who taught that love is what makes life a success . . . not wealth or health or anything else: but love. And God is love.
"Christians don’t follow a book. Christians follow a person, and this library of divinely inspired books we call “The Holy Bible” best help us follow that person. The Written Word is a map that leads us to The Living Word. Or as Jesus himself put it, “All Scripture testifies of me.” The Bible is not the destination; it’s a compass that points to Christ, heaven’s North Star."
AMEN!
Posted by: Melissa Baxter | June 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM
That totally makes sense I mean every time my bible teacher at school goes in to some deep theological teaching the entire class ends ups nearly falling alseep but when we have basic simple talks that make Jesus sound like a normal person. It makes so much easier for us to understand who Chirst is and what he meant to do. I also find it simpler to explain Christ's teach when you just Keep It Simple!
Posted by: Jordan | June 25, 2009 at 12:21 AM
See I'm not so sure, because the Bible does offer a plan and/or blueprint for living. Jesus gives us many parables about what to do during our lives. They're not hard. They're really quite simple when you think about them.
Also the good news was not only a story of a man's life, it was a new and better plan. Instead of going to the temple or making an alter and burning an animal every time you sinned, Jesus died once for all. So now all we have to do is ask forgivness and repent. Sounds like a plan to me!
Posted by: Katrina Russell | July 03, 2009 at 08:20 PM