journey towards holiness: a way of living for god's nation
TRANSCRIPT
title: JourneyTowardsHoliness:AWayofLivingforGod'sNation
author: Kreider,Alan.publisher: HeraldPress
isbn10|asin: 0836134230printisbn13: 9780836134230ebookisbn13: 9780585180625
language: Englishsubject Christianlife--Mennoniteauthors,Holiness.
publicationdate: 1987lcc: BV4501.2.K71987ebddc: 248.4/897
subject: Christianlife--Mennoniteauthors,Holiness.
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JourneyTowardsHolinessAWayofLivingforGod'sNation
AlanKreider
ForewordbyHowardA.Snyder
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataKreider,Alan,1941Journeytowardsholiness.Bibliography:p.Includesindex.1.ChristianlifeMennoniteauthors.2.Holiness.I.Title.BV4501.2.K71986248.4'89786-22838ISBN0-8361-3423-0
ThepaperusedinthispublicationisrecycledandmeetstheminimumrequirementsofAmericanNationalStandardforInformationSciencesPermanenceofPaperforPrintedLibraryMaterials,ANSIZ39.48-1984.
JOURNEYTOWARDSHOLINESSCopyright©1987byHeraldPress,Scottdale,Pa.15683PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanadabyHeraldPress,Waterloo,Ont.N276H7.Allrightsreserved.LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:86-22838InternationalStandardBookNumber:0-8361-3423-0PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmericaCoverbyAnnGraberCoverphotofromStreano/HavensDesignbyPaulaJohnsonGraphicsbyLondonMennoniteCentrestaffwithPriscillaTrenchard
999897969594109876543
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ForAndrew
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QuotationsfromtheBible
IhaveusedtheRevisedStandardVersionoftheBibleasthebasisofmystudy(copyrighted1946,1952,©,1971,1973).WhereIhavesupplementedthiswithothertranslations,Ihaveindicatedthis.
ScripturereferencesmarkedNIVarefromTheHolyBible:NewInternationalVersion.Copyright©1973,1978,1984bytheInternationalBibleSociety.UsedbypermissionofZondervanBiblePublishers.
ScripturereferencesmarkedTEVarefromtheGoodNewsBible.OldTestamentcopyright©AmericanBibleSociety,1976;NewTestamentcopyright©AmericanBibleSociety,1966,1971,1976.
ScripturereferencesmarkedJBarefromTheJerusalemBible,copyright©1966byDarton,Longman&Todd,Ltd.,andDoubleday&Company,Inc.Usedbypermissionofthepublisher.
ScripturereferencesmarkedNEBarefromTheNewEnglishBible.Copyright©bytheDelegatesoftheOxfordUniversityPressandtheSyndicsoftheCambridgeUniversityPress,1961,1970.Reprintedbypermission.
IhaveoccasionallymadechangesintheRSVtext.Attimesthisistoavoidsexistlanguage(e.g.,"allpeople"insteadof"allmen");andattimesitistorendermorefaithfullytheforceoftheoriginaltext.Forinstance,inonecase,Iprefer"justice''over"righteousness"(seechapter2,note3).Otheralterationsinclude:"Yahweh"for"theLord";"Lordofarmies"for"Lordofhosts";"shalom"for"peace";nations"for"gentiles";and"holyones"for"saints."
ALANKREIDER
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CONTENTS
ForewordbyHowardSnyder
9
Author'sPreface 11
PartI:SurveyingtheTerritory
1.Holiness:ThreeSnapshots
19
2.TowardstheHolyCity
27
3.FourfoldHoliness
37
PartII:TheOldTestamentLandscape
4.Protection,Provision...andWorship
51
5.HolyLiving...andWhining
67
6.LosingHoliness:TheMonarchy
87
7.TowardsCatastrophe
103
8.HopefortheNation
124
PartIII:TheNewTestamentLandscape
9.HolySolutionsforanUnholyMess
137
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10.Jesus,theHolyOne
148
11.HolyOnes:Breakthroughs
176
12.HolyOnes:LivingLikeJesus
187
PartIV:ComingCloserHome
13.BetweentheTimes
209
14.JourneyintoHoliness
221
15.NationalHoliness
232
16.SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamilies
240
17.SocialHolinessfortheChurch
259
Notes 271
SuggestionsforFurtherReading 288
IndexofScripturesandOtherAncientWritings 290
GeneralIndex 297
TheAuthor 303
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FOREWORDOnceinawhileabookcomesalongwhichbreaksnewgroundormakesnewconnections,helpingusseemoreclearly.JourneyTowardsHolinessissuchabook.
WesleyanshaveoftenbeenintriguedbyJohnWesley'swordsthatthegospel"knowsof...noholinessbutsocialholiness."Butwhatis"socialholiness"?WesleymeantthatonecanexperiencetrueChristianityonlyinfellowshipwithotherbelievers.Theidealofholinessisnotsolitarysaints,Wesleyargued,butaholycommunity.
ItisthisthemewhichKreiderexploreswithinsight,passion,andhighinterest.ThebookdevelopsinsomedepththisaspectofholinesswhichWesleyalludedtoandpracticedbutwhichhasreceivedinadequateattentionfromWesleyanscholars.
AsaMennonite,Kreiderwrites(ashemakesclear)fromanAnabaptistperspective.TheAnabaptists,embodyingwhatissometimescalledtheRadicalReformationofthesixteenthcentury,feltthattruereformationandrenewalmustinclude
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holinessnotonlywhatChristiansbelievebutalsohowtheylive,andspecificallyhowtheylivetogetherasacommunity.ManyAnabaptistsdiedfortheirfaithatthehandsofbothProtestantsandRomanCatholics,buttheirwitnesshasimpactedsubsequent"believerschurches."Wesleyhimself,inhistheologyandpractice,showedacloseaffinitywiththistraditionasIhaveshowninmybook,TheRadicalWesley.
ButthisbookisnomererestatementoftheAnabaptistviewofthechurch.Kreiderbreaksfreshgroundbothinhisoverviewofbiblicalhistoryandinhisapplicationofsocialholinesstothecontemporarychurch.InhisexcellentsummaryoftheBiblestory,Kreidershowswhatitmeanstodaytobeapeoplewholiveaccordingtothebiblicalwayofholiness.
Contemporaryreaderswillfindmuchheretoponderanddigest.The"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequalitywillhelpusexamineourlifestyles.ThewaysGodprovidesourbasicneedsofprovisionandprotectionraisequestionsaboutthesourcesofoursecurity.Andthediscussionofholinessintermsoflivingforce,separateness,godlikeness,anddynamismhelpusseeholinessinfreshways.
KreideriswritingprimarilyaboutthesocialexperienceofGod'sholinessintheChristiancommunityandintheworld,notabouthowonepersonallyexperiencesholinessofheart.Butthetwoarepartofonegreattruth,notconflictingemphases.IhopethisbookwillhelpmanybelieverstodayWesleyans,Anabaptists,andthosefromothertraditionsbecomemorefullyandauthenticallypartofGod's"holynation"intheworldtoday.
HOWARDA.SNYDERIRVINGPARKFREEMETHODISTCHURCH
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AUTHOR'SPREFACEIneverthoughtI'dwriteabookonholiness.Abookonchurchhistory,yes.OroneonChristiandiscipleshiporevenonthedebateaboutnuclearweapons.Butonholiness?
Holinesswasrealtome,alright.Ithinkbackespeciallytoexperiencesinprayergroupsintheearly1970s.Or,morerecently,Irecallanoccasiononwhich,togetherwithadearfriend,Iwasinaspecialplace,aplaceofprayer.Myfriendturnedtomeandsaidsimply,"Thisisaholyplace."WewerebothmovedtobeinthepresenceoftheHolyOne.
SomeEnglishBaptistfriendsmusttakeresponsibilityformybeginningtothinkseriouslyaboutholiness.Whentheyaskedmetogiveanaddresson"socialholiness"atthe1984MainstreamConference,Ipondered,prayed,andaccepted.LittledidIknowthatbytakingonthisassignmentIwouldbedealingwithsomethingthatwouldintegratemylifeandthinkinginanewway.Holiness,Ibegantodiscover,isaboutlife.Everyareaoflife.ItissupremelyaboutGod,butthenGodisinvolvedintheworld.
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AsIproceededtostudywhattheBiblehadtosayaboutholiness,asuspicionofminewasconfirmedthateverymajorChristiandoctrine,iflookedatcarefully,hastodowithlifeintheworld.Itisnotonlyholinessthatissocial.
Inwriting,Ihavebeenconsciousthatmyinsightsareoftennotnewones.SometimesIhavefeltlikeacardplayershufflingafamiliarpack!IalsoamawareofhowmuchIhavehadtoleaveout.InmyattemptnottowriteanendlessbookIhavehadtoomitimportantdoctrinesandfavoriteBiblepassages.Butthen,Ihaveremindedmyself,Iamnotwritingabookofsystematictheology.IamtryingtoretelltheBiblestoryinsuchawaythatI,andanyonewhoreadsthis,willfeelcalledintonewdimensionsofholyliving.
WhatisitthenthatIhavetooffer?Onething,Ihope,issimplicity.IhavetriedtowritesothatthemajorityofChristianreaderscanunderstandwhatI'msaying.ChristiansocialstrategyhowweliveourworkadaylivesasdisciplesofJesusisnotsomethingforthe"professionals"alone.Itisforusall.Iwanttocommunicatewithlaypeoplewhoaresobusywithjobandfamilythatitishardtofindtimeforchurch,tosaynothingoftimeforreading.Equally,Ihavetriedtowriteinsuchawaythatbusypastors,whoarebesiegedbyfuneralsandgrowthgroups,willbeabletoreadthisinbed!
Second,Iwanttowriteprimarily,notaboutthecontemporaryworld,butabouttheBible.MostpeoplewhowriteaboutChristianinvolvementintheworldassumethattheirreaderswillknowtheBible'sstoryinsideout.MostofthemalsoassumethattheirreaderswillhaveabasicknowledgeofChristiantheology.Afterdevelopingaparticularbiblicalimageortheme,suchasjustice,peace(shalom),orsaltandlight,theythenproceedtoanalyzetheworld'sproblemsandtopresentaChristianapproachtothem.Iwouldliketostartfartherback.It'snotthatIdoubtthatmanyofyouwillknowbiblicalhistory
orteaching.ButIthinkthereisvalueinretellingthestoryofGod'sdealingswithmenandwomen.
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Notthewholestory,ofcourse.Thereisn'tenoughspaceforthat.Butallofustellthestory.Wetellittoourchildrenandinwardlywetellittoourselves.Andaswedothis,wearestandinginatraditionofbiblicalstorytellerswhohaveretoldthestorytoemphasizesignificantthemesanddevelopments.ThatiswhatMosesdidashepreparedtosaygood-byetotheIsraelites(Deut.29).ItiswhatJoshuadidinhisfarewellspeech(Josh.24).ItiswhatthescribeEzradidashechallengedtherepatriatedJewishexilestofaithandfaithfulness(Neh.9).ItiswhatStephendidashedefendedhimselfbeforetheSanhedrin(Acts7).Noneofthesepeopletoldthewholestory.ButtheytoldenoughtomakesenseofwhatGodhaddonesothathispeoplecouldrespondfaithfullytohisnextactions.Ihopeitisnotarrogantofmetotrytostandintheirtradition.
Third,Iamwritingasahistorian,notasaformallytrainedtheologian.Inabookaboutpracticaltheologythishasitsobviousdrawbacks,butitcanhaveitsadvantagesaswell.Thehistorian'sperspective,itseemstome,isnotabadonewhenitcomestostudyingtheBible.Historians,likebiblicalscholars,aretrainedintheanalysisoftexts.Butmoreimportantly,wearetaughttotellastoryandtoseesignificantblocksoftimeinit.Allofusrecognizethesetime-blocksinourownlives.BeforeIgotmarriedmylifewasdifferentfromwhatit'sbeenlikesince.MovingfromonejobtoanotherchangedwhatIdowithmytimeandhowIthinkaboutthings.Soitiswithhistorybiblicalandsecular.Thehistoriancallsthis"periodization"(Iwon'tmentionthewordagain!).Andasweproceedthroughthisbook,wewillsee,intheebbandflowofthefaithfulnessandfaithlessnessofGod'speople,distinctpatternswhichcanteachusagreatdeal.
Fourthandfinally,Iamwriting,notasamemberofoneofthedominantChristiantraditions(Reformed,Catholic,Orthodox,Anglican,etc.),butasarepresentativeofa450-year-oldrenewaltradition,theso-called"Anabaptist"(re-baptizer)tradition.This
movementbeganin1525inSwitzerlandand
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GermanyasaresultofasearchforamoreconsistentlyrenewedformofChristiandiscipleship.TheAnabaptistleadersthoughtthatEuropeanChristians,throughtheiralliancewithstatepower,haddevelopedsomebadhabitswhichhaddepartedfromtheconvictionsandlifestyleoftheChristiansofthefirstthreecenturies.TheyfeltthatGodwasgivingthemsomeinsightsabouthowthingsmightbechangedtoreturntothoseearlypatternsoffaith-filledliving.
PartlybecausetheAnabaptistleadersthemselveswereattimesstubbornintheirnewinsights,theyencounteredalotofdefensivenessfromtheleadersoftheestablishedchurches.Notonlydefensivenessbutalsodespitetheirdesirefordialogueexcommunicationandpersecution.AcrosstheEuropeancontinentinthesixteenthcenturythousandsofAnabaptistswereeitherbanishedorexecuted.EveninEngland,atSmithfieldinLondonwheremanyProtestantshadearlierbeenexecuted,twoAnabaptistsin1575wereburnedontheordersofProtestantQueenElizabethI.Eversincethen,mosttheologiansandchurchhistorianshaveignoredtheAnabaptistsordismissedthemassectarians.
Thingsarechangingtoday,however.Withinthepastseventy-fiveyearslinealdescendantsoftheAnabaptists(Mennonites,BrethreninChrist,Hutterites)havespread,throughmission,persecution,andmigration,tooverfiftycountries.Inrediscoveringtheirhistory,manyofthesepeoplehaveregainedasenseofpurposeandpeoplehood.Theyhavealsoexperiencedspiritualrevitalization.Manyofustwentieth-centuryAnabaptists,whileunderstandingwhyourforebearswithdrewfromthe"world"inresponsetopersecution,donotwanttogothatrouteourselves.InmanyplaceswehaveemergedasparticipantsinthelifeofthesecularworldandthewiderChristianchurch,beingcommittedtoservice,mission,scholarshipandprofessionalinvolvement.
Butamongtoday'sChristianstherearemany"nonlineal"relativesoftheAnabaptistsaswell.Aroundtheworldmanybe-
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lieversareencounteringideaswhichtheAnabaptistshelddear:thechurchasthebodyofChrist,simplicityoflifestyleandeconomicsharing,nonviolenceandenemylove,andJesusastheheartofGod'srevelationofanappropriatelifestyleforGod'speople.Moreover,theyareadoptingtheseideas,notbecausetheAnabaptistsheldthem,butbecausetheyarediscoveringtheirownrootsintheearlychurch.Inaworldinwhichtraditionalanswersseemexplosivelyirrelevant,manyChristiansarewillingtoconsider"new"alternatives.
ItwillbeobvioustothosewhostaywithmethroughoutthisbookthatI,asamodernAnabaptistChristian,cannotstandalone.IhavelearnedmuchfromAnabaptist-Mennonitemenandwomenfromparents,pastors,andfriends,andalsofromscholars,mostnotablyfromJohnHowardYoder,WillardSwartley,RonSider,LarryMiller,andMillardLind.Thelattertwoareespeciallydearfriends,andtheirbiblicalvisionandexpertisehavebeenaninspirationtome.RepeatedlyovertheyearsWilbertShenkoftheMennoniteBoardofMissionshasprovidedmewithatheologicalvisionformission.Thistimehiscommentsatanearlystagehelpedmetoseethewayforwardinwritingthisbook.AndtheBoard'sfinancialsupportmadeitpossible.ButmuchthoughIowetoMennonites,IhopethatmydebttoChristiansofothertraditionswillbeequallyapparent.SomeoftheseIhavenevermet.WithothersIhavesharedlifeandworship.JimPunton,KimTan,LesslieNewbigin,StanleyHauerwas,NeilSummerton,JimWallis,JeanneHinton,RichardMouw,HerbertButterfield,AndrewKirk,BobGoudzwaardhowmuchmylifeandthinkingowetothem!
Christiancommunitiesaresaidtobepoorplacestowrite."You'vegottogetawaytogetanythingdone,"I'vebeentold.Thisistosomeextenttrue.AsIhavewrittenthisbook,sistersandbrothershavehelpedtoprotectmefrominterruptions.Ihaveenjoyedthesetimesofsolitude.Butinmanyways,thisbookisaproductofmyinvolvement
withseriousChristianswhohavecometogethertohuntforalternativeformsofchurch
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life.SpirituallyIhavebeenstretchedbythesepeopleandbytheexperiencesofGod'sgracethatwehavehadtogether.FromthemIhavealsolearnedalotabouttheworldandtheBible.WithoutmyexperiencesinanumberofChristiancommunities,Iwouldneverhavewrittenthisbook,forIwouldhavehadnothingtosay.
ItwasinacommunityinSwitzerlandthatIbeganworkonthebook.TheSistersofGrandchamp,acommunityofProtestantsistersnearNeuchatel,taughtmemuchaboutworship,work,andlivingingenuineunity.ThenextstagesofworktookplaceinYork,England,undertheumbrellaofthechurchofSt.Michael-le-Belfrey,whoprovidedmeandmyfamilywithhousingandwithinspirationandministry.MydebttoGrahamCrayandSharonStinsonisimmense.InnearbyLeeds,membersoftheAslanEducationUnithavealsobeenhelpful.BillPhelps,PaulLangley,andCathyMagnallhavereadchaptersandmadesuggestions.ThesupportofPippaJulings,friendandspiritualandintellectualcomrade,hasbeenmagnificent.
Mostofthewriting,however,IhavedoneinLondon,England,withinthesphereofsupportofmyhomechurchtheLondonMennoniteFellowship.Manymembershavehelpedme.Overtheyears,IhavelearnedmuchthroughconversationswithWallyFahrer.WillNewcombandPeterOlsenhavehelpedininnumerableways.SomemembershavereadeachchapterasIhavewrittenitandmadeperceptivecriticisms.JudithGardiner,DavidNussbaum,KathyNussbaum,AndyPotter,SallyWelch,ChrisMarshallallhavebeenhelpfultome.Mymostlong-sufferingcriticshavebeenEleanorKreiderandAndrewKreider,mywifeandson.Bothhavereadthemanuscriptwithpainstakingattentiontodetail.BothhavesuggestednewwaysforwardwhenIwasinamentalcul-de-sac.AndAndrewhaspreparedtheindex.Iamgrateful.
ALANKREIDER,
LONDONMENNONITECENTRE,HIGHGATE,LONDON,ENGLAND,JULY1986
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PARTISURVEYINGTHETERRITORY
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Chapter1Holiness:ThreeSnapshots
Holiness,Snapshot1
Thescene,arefugeecampontheeasternshoreoftheRedSea.Date,approximately1280B.C.Documentaryevidence,Exodus15.
Itisasceneofsomeconfusion.Peopleofallagesaremillingabout,interminglingwithanimals.Inmostwaystheirlifeisprettyprimitive.They'vegotafewleaders,butverylittleorganization.Andtheyhavepracticallynopossessions.Asrefugeestheyhaveonlywhattheycancarrywiththem.Theydon'tevenknowverywellwhotheyareorwhattheirhistoryis.
Buttheydoknowtwothings.TheyusedtobeslavesonthewesternsideoftheRedSea,inEgypt.Butnowtheyarefree.Andtheyarefree,notbecauseofanythingtheyhavedone,butbecausesomethingamazinghasjusthappened.
Whentheyhadbeenpursuedbythemightiestmilitarymachineoftheirday;whentheyhadfoundthemselvespinnedinbetweenitandthedeepbluesea;whentheyhadbeenpowerless,utterlyoutofideas,andfulloffearSomeoneElsehad
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acted.AGodwhosenametheyhadjustlearned,whosecharactertheyhadjustbeguntodiscover,hadsavedthemfromforcedlaborinthebrickyard.
1Hehadkeptthemfrombeingwipedoutasapeople.TheSea,whichhadpartedtoallowthemtopassthroughdry-shod,badswallowedtheirpursuers.Whatanact!Itboggledtheirminds.Anditfrightenedthem(Exod.14:31),fortheysensedthatanAwesomePowerhadbeenunleashedintheirexperiencewhichtheycouldn'tbegintounderstand.Theyhadnocategoriesintowhichtofitactsofconcrete,tangiblegrace.But,despitetheirfearandbewilderment,theywereimmenselyrelieved.
Sotheygatheredinthankfuldisarraytosinganewsongsonewinfactthattheywerelearningitastheysang.Moses,theirleader,ledthesinging.TheprophetessMiriam,hissister,wasinchargeoftherhythmsection,brandishinghertambourineandleadingthewomeninanunrehearseddance.
Whatweretheysingingabout?TheyweresingingabouttheirKing.Indeed,theyweresingingtotheirKing,whosenametheyhadjustlearned.
IwillsingtoYahweh,forhehastriumphedgloriously;thehorseandhisriderhehasthrownintothesea.Yahwehismystrengthandmysong,andhehasbecomemysalvation....Yahwehisamanofwar;Yahwehishisname.(Exod.15:13)
Whysing?BecauseofwhattheirKinghaddone.Whentheenemy,withhischariots,hisarmy,andhispickedofficers,hadsaid,''Iwillpursue,Iwillovertake...Iwilldrawmysword,myhandshalldestroythem,"theirKinghadacted.
Youblewwithyourwind,theseacoveredthem...Whoislikeyou,OYahweh,amongthegods?Whoislikeyou,majesticinHOLINESS,terribleingloriousdeeds,doingwonders?(Exod.15:1011)
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Intheirrejoicing,theyweregivenavision,aninspiredpremonitionoftheplaceoftheirrescue,andoftheirownexistenceasapeople,inamuchlargerstory.
Youhaveledinyoursteadfastlovethepeoplewhomyouhaveredeemed,
youhaveguidedthembyyourstrengthtoyourHOLYABODE....
Youwillbringthemin,andplantthemonyourownmountain...yoursanctuary,OYahweh,whichyourhandshaveestablished.(Exod.15:13,17)
Theimplicationsofthisweremorethantheyintheirexuberancecouldanticipate.Theycouldnotknowthattheywouldbecalledtobeaholynation.TheycouldnotcomprehendthattheirnationallifestylewouldbeoneofholydeviancewhichwouldsetthemapartnotjustfromtheEgyptiansbutfromallpeoples.Theycouldnotknowthatthisholinesswouldrequirethemtogoonlivingprecariously,trustingintheirDelivererfortheirprotectionandprovision.
Buttheydidsenseonethingthattheirexperiencewasnotrandomormeaningless.Historywasgoingsomewhere.Althoughitwasoutoftheircontrol,itwasnotoutofcontrol.TheywereinthehandsoftheirownKingonewhowasinvisiblebuttangiblypowerful.
"Yahweh,"theyshouted."Yahweh[notPharaoh,notanyCanaaniteorIsraeliteking]willreignforeverandever."
Holiness,Snapshot2
Thescene,thetempleinJerusalem.Date,overfivehundredyearslater,742B.C.Documentaryevidence,Isaiah67.
Isaiah,aneducatedman,wasinthetemplethefocalpointofhisnation'sreligiouslife.Theeveningsacrificewastakingplace,but
Isaiah'sattentionwasfarfromtheliturgy.Intenselyconcernedaboutpolitics,hismindkeptflittingtoplanswhichwerebeingmadeelsewhereinthecapitalcity.
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Itwasatimeofpoliticalcrisis.Twocenturiesearlier,theIsraeliteshad,despiteYahweh'sprotest,chosentohavekings.Sincethen,thingshadn'tgoneverywellmostofthetime.Withinlessthanacentury,thekingdomhadsplitintwo.ManyofthekingsofbothIsraelandJudahhaddone(intherecurrentphraseinthebooksofKings)"whatwasevilinthesightofYahweh."
Uzziah,kingofJudah,hadbeenabetterkingthanmany.Hewasmarvelouslyhelped,tillhewasstrong"(2Chron.26:15).Buthisstrengthhadmadehimproud,andhehadjustdiedasaleper,excludedfromthetemple.Hisson,Jotham,wasuntried,andthestormcloudsofmultinationalwarfareweregathering.Judahwasatinystate,alienatedfromIsraelandSyriatothenorth.Inherweakness,shewasinclinedtolookaroundforallies,perhapstothegreatpower,Assyria,whichwasamassingitsforcestotheEast.Everyone,includingIsaiah,wasuncertainwhatwouldhappennext.
SuddenlyIsaiah'spoliticalmusingswereinterrupted.Inaterrifyingmoment,hesawYahweh.Atanyrate,hesawYahweh'svestments(his"train").Heobservedtheactionsofhiscelestialcourtiersandheardhisvoiceandthoseofhiscourtiers.Theexperiencewasoverwhelming.Theseraphimflew,callingtooneanother,
Holy,holy,holyisYahwehSabaoth(theLordofarmies);thewholeearthisfullofhisglory.(Isa.6:3)
Thegloriousspacewasfilledwithsmoke,andthetemple'smonumentalfoundationswereshaken.
SowereIsaiah's.Inhisfear,healmostcameunstuck.Inthefaceofholiness,heknewthathewasunwhole."WhatawretchedstateI'min.Iamlost!"Moreacutelythaneverbefore,heknewthathewasasinner.Hewasunabletoenterintotheangels'song,unablewithhisuncleanlipstospeaktothepoliticalsituationofhistime.Hisfellow
countrymenwere
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assinfulashewas,confusedandmuteinthefaceofcrisis.Hisunderstandings,hisverybeing,hadbeencalledintoquestionbywhathehadseen.ForintheyearthatKingUzziahhaddied,IsaiahhadseentheKing,theLordofarmies.
TheKingdidnotleaveIsaiahcringingonthefloorofhisthroneroom.Athiscommand,oneoftheseraphimtookalivecoalfromthealtar.WithithetouchedIsaiah'slips.Isaiah'ssinwasforgiven.Hisuncleanlipsbecameholy,fittobeamouthpieceforthemessageoftheKingtohispeople."HereIam!"saidIsaiah."Sendme."
ThemessagewhichtheKinggavehimwasanuncomfortableone.Itwasnotageneralcalltowithdrawtothetemple,whereallthepeoplecouldexperiencethestaticsanctityofGod'sholiness.Instead,itwasawordofjudgment.God'speoplehadforgottentheircallingtobeaholynation.Nolongerweretheylivinginholynonconformity,trustinginGodtoprotectandprovide.Instead,theirlifestylehadcometobeoneofunholyconformitytothepatternsoflifeofthesurroundingnations.
Liketheirbellies,theirearshadbecomeheavy.NotonlyweretheyunabletospeakthewordofGod;theycouldn'tevenhearit.Onnoaccountwouldtheyturnaroundandbehealed(becomeholyagain).Asaresult,themilitaryforcesthatwerebuildingupwouldsweepoverthem.Their"largeandbeautifulhouses"(Isa.5:9)wouldbedevastated.Theircitieswouldbedepopulated.Whentheyceasedtobeaholynation,God'speoplewereoncourseforcatastrophe.
Unless...unlesstheywouldtrustintheirKingYahwehagain.Theycouldstillturnto"theHolyGod[who]showshimselfholyinjustice"(5:16).TheycouldstilltrustinGodinsteadofinmilitaryalliances,asIsaiah(7:9)shortlythereaftersaidtoKingAhaz,"Ifyouwillnotbelieve,surelyyoushallnotbeestablished."Ifhispeoplewouldliveinholytrust,relyingonhiminsteadoftheAssyrians,Yahwehwould
onceagaindemonstratehispowerinworldevents.
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Holiness,Snapshot3
Thescene,aroominJerusalem.Date,early30s,A.D.Documentaryevidence,Acts4.
Thereistensionintheair.AsmallroominJerusalemispackedwithmenandwomen,manyofthemunsophisticatedvillagersfromtheNorthCountry(Galilee).Thepeoplearetenseforgoodreason.Theirmovementisanewoneandtheauthoritieshavedecidedthatitisdangerous.Interrogationsandsuddenarrestshavefollowed.Rumorsofsystematicpersecutionhavebeenrumbling.Andnow,whilethepeoplearehavingtheireveninggathering,twooftheirleadersPeterandJohnarebeinginterrogatedbytheauthorities.Willtheybereleased?Whatfutureistherefortheirmovementwhichisconstantlyunderthreat?
Despitetheseuncertainties,thepeopleintheroomknewthatinthebrieftimesincetheirmovementhadbegun,theyhadexperiencedanewdimensionofreality.Itwasadimensionsoearth-shakingthattheyhadleftthepettysecuritiesoftheirformerlifeandcometotheirpresentpositionofrisk.ItislessthanayearafterthedisappearanceofJesus,thebuilder-rabbifromGalilee.Althoughtherulingregime'spartylineisthatheisdead,hisbonesstolenbyhisdisciples,thepeopleinthisroomknewbetter.Fortheyhadseenhim.Theyhadtouchedhisrisenbody.Theyhadeatenwithhim.TheyhadheardhimreinterprettheScripturesinlightofhimselfandGod'skingdom.TheywatchedashehadascendedtobewiththeFather.And,mostimportantofall,theywereall"togetherinoneplace"whenholinessburstinuponthem.Jesushadkepthispromise:theSpirithadenvelopedthemandequippedthemwithdynamicpower.
Thingshadnotbeenthesamesince.Theyhadbeenlivinginhope,notinconfusionanddespair.Theyhadbeenworshipingwithrenewed
eagerness,bothinthetempleandinhomes.Theapostleshadbeenteachingthem,andthekindofwondersandsignswhichGod's"holyservant"Jesusperformedhadbeenoc-
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curringintheirmidst.Intheirloveforeachother,theyhadbeenovercomingtheirfearandgreed,andhadbeenredistributingtheirgoodsaccordingtoneed.Andbecausetheycouldn'tkeepquietabouttheLordandMessiahwhohadlovedthemsomuchandwasturningtheirlivesaround,theyhadrepeatedlybeeninthebadbooksoftheauthorities.
SuddenlyPeterandJohnentertheroom.Everybodyclamorstoheartheirstory."Theauthoritiestriedtoimpressuswiththeirsophistication.Thentheytriedtobullyuswiththreats.Buttheycouldn'targueagainstthefacts.Here,leapingaboutus,wasthiscrippledbeggarwhohadbeenatthetemplegateforyears.HewasevidenceevidenceofGod'spoweratwork.Itwaswonderful.SomeofthemevencommentedthattherewassomethingaboutusthatlookedlikeJesus.But,brothersandsisters,whatshouldwedo?Werespondedtotheirthreatsbysayingthatwecouldn'tliterallycouldn'tstopspeakingaboutJesus.He'smadeourlivescompletelydifferent.Butwasthattherightthingtosay?Afterall,thestakesareprettyhigh,andweallknowwhathappenedtoJesus."
Thegatheredcompanydidnotdiscussthesequestions.Insteadtheyturnedtotheonewhowasincharge."SovereignLord,"theyaddressedhim.Theirminds,steepedinScripture,weredrawntoPsalm2:"Whydothenationsrage?...Thekingsoftheearthsetthemselvesinarray,andtherulersweregatheredtogether,againsttheLordandhisMessiah."ItwassoclearthattherulersandnationshaddonetheirworstagainstGod's"holyservantJesus."Andnowtheywerethreateningtodothesametohisdisciples.WiththeScripturesringingintheirhearts,thecompanybeganitsintercessions.
Andnow,Lord,lookupontheirthreats,andgrantyourservantstospeakyourwordwithallboldness,whileyoustretchforthyourhandtoheal,andsignsandwondersareperformedthroughthenameofyourholyservantJesus.(Acts4:2930)
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Suddenlythesamemysterious,overwhelmingthingthatIsaiahhadexperiencedinthetemplehappenedtothemintheirdomesticsetting.Theroomwasshaken,andtheywithitbutinjoy,notfear.TheywerefilledwithGod'sHolySpiritandtheirtongueswereloosenedtospeakwithboldnessthegoodnewsaboutJesus.
AsGodacted,theirlifestyleschanged.UnliketheJerusalemitesofIsaiah'stimewhoseliveswereimprisonedbymaterialismandmilitarism,theseearlyChristianswerebeingfreedbytheHolySpiritforanewkindofliving.Theholyimpetuswhichtheyreceivedfromworshipexpresseditselfineconomics.TherealitywhichtheywereexperiencingintheSpiritwastherealityofOldTestamentJubilee,inwhichlandswereredistributedandpovertywasabolished.WhattheLawhadrequired(Lev.25)andJesushadreinstated(Luke4:1618)wasbeinglived.And"greatgrace"concrete,tangiblegracewastheexperienceofthemall.
Theseearlybelievershadmuchtolearn.Theyhadnotyetmetthechallengeoftheoutsiderandtheenemy,whomtheHolySpiritwouldsoonbringintotheirmidst.Theyhadn'tworkedoutfullywhattheiridentitywasasanewpeople.Itwouldtaketimefortheirteacherstocometoanunderstandingof"newcreation"andthe"holycity."
ButtheydidknowthatGodwastheirKingandsovereignLord,fortheyhadexperiencedthedynamicgreatnessofGod'sholiness.TheyknewthatJesus,God's"holyservant,"wasalive.AndtheyknewthattheHolySpiritwasshakingtheirlivesandovercomingallthebarrierseveneconomiconeswhichpreventpeoplefrombeing"ofoneheartandsoul."
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Chapter2TowardstheHolyCityOurthreesnapshotsarefascinating,aren'tthey?EachoneshowsameetingbetweenindividualsandtheirKing.IneachtheKingisrevealinghimselfasnoordinaryruler.Heismysteryandpower,someonewhofitsintononeatcategories.Todescribehim,ordinaryvocabularysimplywon'tdo.
TheKing'sbehaviorisunpredictable.Intwoofoursnapshots,hewasshakingthefoundationsofhispeopleandsendingthemoutintoconflict.Inthethird,hewasrescuingthemfromtheirenemies.Butineachhewasshowingsomethingofhimself.Andwhatheshowedisunlikeanyotherreality.Meetinghimisthereforeunlikeanyotherhumanexperience.Fromaveryearlydate,hispeoplecametocallhisrealityholiness.OftentheyhavecalledhimtheHolyOne.Andtheyhaverespondedtohiminaweandworship.
Inthesesnapshotsotherthingsstrikeusaswell.Onethatimmediatelyseizesourattentionisthatholinessisnotatallprivateorotherworldly.Infact,theholinessintheseepisodesispractical.Itrelatestopeople'simmediate,"unreligious"needs.
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Asthepeopleexperiencedhisholiness,Godinvadedtheirlivesasindividualsandcommunities.Hebegantochangethem.Hispresencecouldbeprettyterrifying,asheshookthepeople'sspiritsandjarredtheirapproachestolife.WhenGodtouchedthem,theirattitudesandtheireconomicsbegantotakeonadistinctivecharacter.Theirlifestylebecameunconventional.Theirwaysofdoingthingsbecamedifferentfromtheways"normal"peopledidthem.ButsomehowwhattheywerebecominganddoingborethestampoftheHolyOne.Bylivingalifeofholynonconformity,theywerecomingto"sharehisholiness"(Heb.12:10).
Holiness,however,wasnotonlysocial.Itwasalsoonthemove.Thepeopleinoursnapshotsdidn'thavethechoiceofstayingwheretheywereandbaskinginholiness.Forholinesswasdynamic.Whenpeopleexperiencedit,Godinvitedthemindeed,propelledthemintoanewkindofliving,akindoflivingthatwasrisky.
Whatwasthewayahead?Muchthoughthepeopleinoursnapshotsmighthavewondered,itwasimpossibleforthemtoknow.TheirKingwasinvitingthemtosetoutonajourneyajourneyintotheunknown.Hedidn'tprovidethemwithanymaps.Wouldtherebeoasesinthewilderness?Whatwouldhappenwhenpowerful,heavy-earedpeoplerejectedtheKing'smessage?HowcouldGod'speoplegoonlivingalifeofeconomicsharingwhentheauthoritieskeptharassingthembecausetheycouldn'tkeepquietaboutKingJesus?Oursnapshotpeoplecouldnotbesure.
Butonethingtheyweresureof.IneachcasetheyknewthatmeetingtheHolyOnehadthoroughlyupsettheir"businessasusual."Notonlythat.TheHolyOnehadalsoledthemintosituationsofuncertaintyanddanger.Theycouldsurviveinthese,butonlyiftheykeptrediscoveringsomethingabsolutelybasictrustintheconcrete,everydaygraceofGod.
Thesesnapshots,ofcourse,havetheirlimitations.Theeventswhichtheyrecordare"frozen"andoutofcontext.
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Naturallywewantmoredetailthantheyreveal.Buttobegintogetafeelforholiness,theyareprettyuseful,fortheyprovidearecordofimportanteventsinafamilyhistory.Theymarkpointsofprogressinalongjourney.Theygiveusgeneralimpressionsaboutthekindofpeoplewhoareontheroad.And,mostimportant,theygiveusglimpsesoftheonlyonewhocankeepthemgoingtheirKing.
Butonethingthesnapshotsdon'ttellus.Whereistheroadgoing?Thesnapshotpeoplethemselvesdidn'tknowandcan'ttellus.Thegoalalwaysremainedamystery.
God'sProject
It'samysterytous,too.TheHolyOneinvitesyouandmetobefellowwalkersontheroad.Butwhatisitsdestination?TherestoftheBibledoesn'tgiveusamap,either.Butitdoesgiveussomeclues.
TheBiblemakesitclear,forexample,thatGodisacriticofthewaythingsare.Godknowsthatwehumanshavedistortedcreation.Godisintenselyawareofhowmuchwesufferasaresult.AndGodgrieves.Notonlyforthespoiledcreation.Alsoforandwithoppressed,hurtinghumanity.Whentheprophetswailed"O,mypeople"onecanhearGod'sanguish.AndwhenJesusweptovertheHolyCity(Jerusalem),bewailingthatbecauseitdidnotknow"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42)itwouldbesmashedbytheRomanarmy,hewasintunewiththecryofGod'sheart.
ButGoddoesn'tsimplyempathizewithsufferingmenandwomen.Ourdeparturesfromwhatwasintendedincreationhaven'tparalyzedGod.Infact,theBiblemakesitclearthatGodisdeterminedtochangethings.PreciselyhowGodisgoingtochangethingsitdoesn'tmakeclear.Butfromoneendtotheotheramessageofhopeblazesout:Godhasnotgivenuponthecreationthatwehumans,inourrebellion,havespoiled.AndGodisdeterminedtorestoreit.
TheBible'swordforthisisamodestoneGod'sproject(or
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''plan"[Eph.1:10]).
1Butthereisnothingmodestabouttheproject.Itisnotoneofbringingindividualstoheaven.Itspurposeandtimescalearevastlygreaterthanthat.ThelasttwochaptersoftheBible,Revelation2122,depictthegoalofhistoryasanactofre-creation.Inthisgreatact,Godisredoingeverything:"Behold,Imakeallthingsnew"(Rev.21:5).Allthings!
Tobegin,thereisanewheavenandanewearth.Andaholycityaholysocialorderisgiventomenandwomen.Fromit,Godhasabolishedsufferinganderadicateddeath.EventheareasinwhichhumanshavemostpersistentlyresistedGod'sauthoritywealthandpowerhavebeenbroughtundertheunchallengedcontroloftheHolyOne.Thecityisthereforeaplaceofcompletewholeness.Andofhealing.Byitsriverthereisatreewhosefruithealsthenations.Andthroughoutthecity,ascreaturesrespondtotheirCreatorandRe-creator,thereisworship.
Ourglimpseoftheholycityisimportant,foritletsusseehowlarge,howlife-embracing,andhowbeautifulholinessis.Butitisimportantforanotherreasonaswell.Ithelpsusputourselvesandourexperienceoflifeintoperspective.Ifwe'reatallintouchwithwhatisgoingonaboutus,weknowthatourworldisinagony.
Buttheholycityshowsusthatitdoesn'thavetobelikethat.Godisnotthegodofnoalternative.God'sprojectisspecificallytosay"no"tothedeformingstatusquoandtosay"yes"toanalternativesocialorder.
SoGod'sprojectisbig.Godisaimingatnothinglessthananewcreation"(2Cor.5:17;Gal.6:15),areconciliationofallthings(notjustallpeople)inChristJesus(Col.1:20).Unimaginablethingswill
happen!Wolvesandlambswilllivesidebyside.Infantsandsnakeswillplaytogether(Isa.11:68).Godisgoingtocompletehiscreation,whichwasmarredbyhumanrebellion.Godwillmakeallthingsnew.Godwillmakeeverythingwhole.2
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ActiveWaiting
Buthowdowegettotheholycity?Ourcitiesareunholy.Theyaremarkedbybrokenness,notwholeness.AsPaulsaysinRomans8:22,the"wholecreationhasbeengroaning"andthemoreintouchwearewithwhatisgoingonintheworld,themoreweknowhowrighthewas.BetweentheworldthatweexperienceaswewalkthestreetsandwatchourTVspeoplelinedupatsoupkitchens,starvingAfricans,anepidemicofdrug-taking,newerandbetterweaponsandtheholycity,thereisagreatchasm.Nothingseemsabletobridgeit.
AccordingtotheBible,thischasmisunbridgeable.Humanengineeringcannotcatapaultusacrossit.Noraretheremapstoguideusdownonesideandbackuptheother.Inshort,wehumans,forallourcleverness,can'tengineertheholycity.OnlyGodcanestablishtheholycity.OnlyGodcanbringusthere.
ButhowwillGoddoit?JustwhenwewouldmostliketheBibletobeclear,itcharacteristicallyisn't!Infact,whenittalksaboutfutureeventsitoftensoundslikeourdreamsfullofbizarreevents,fantastichappenings.
ThedayoftheLordwillcomelikeathief,andthentheheavenswillpassawaywithaloudnoise,andtheelementswillbedissolvedwithfire,andtheearthandtheworksthatareuponitwillbeburnedup.(2Pet.3:10)
Wecanreadtoomuchintopassageslikethis.Butwewillbeintroubleifweignoretheircentralmessage.ItisGod'saction,notours,thatwillbringtheholycity.Hewilldosoonhisday,whenhisSonJesuswillreturninjudgmentandmercy.MightGodallowushumans,byourpervertedprowess,tobringaboutthedaythatwillmarktheendoftheworldasweknowit?Noonecansay.Butifso,itwouldn'thavesurprisedJeremiah,whounderstoodGod'sjudgmentlikethis:"Iambringingeviluponthispeople,thefruitoftheirdevices"(Jer.
6:19).
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ButtheBibleishopeful,notdoom-ridden.Evenwhenitswriterswerefacingthedestructionoftheircivilization,theywereconfidentthatGodwasgoingtodosomethingnew.Godisjudge.ButGodwillalsobetheRe-creator.PeterknewthatonthedayoftheLordtherewouldbeburningandnoiseandcolossaldestruction.Butimmediatelyafterrecognizingthat,hestatedhishope:"Accordingtohispromisewewaitfornewheavensandanewearthinwhichjusticedwells"(2Pet.3:13,myemphasis).
3
Thegroaningoftheoldcreationisnotsenselesspain.Itisthegroaningof"onegreatactofgivingbirth"(Rom.8:22,JB).Andthebiblicalwritershadevidenceforthis:theHolySpiritwasequippingthemwith"thepowersoftheagetocome"(Heb.6:5).This,tobesure,wasnotconclusiveevidence.Butitwasenoughenoughtofeedtheirfaithandtoconvincethemthattheywerenothopinginvain.
Untilthen,theywaited.Butwhatanactiveformofwaitingitwas!4Theyoftencalledthispatience(Rom.8:25).Butitwasastanceofvigorouscommitment,notofresignation.Theydidn'tknowthewayforward.OnlyGod,theybelieved,knowsthat.Theywerenotincontrolofevents.Godwas.Theyweresurethattherewouldbealotofpainandturbulencebeforetheholycityarrived(Acts14:22).Inthemeantime,theyweredeterminedtolivetheirlivesinlightofthesocialorderofthecomingcity.
Thecomingcitywouldberuledinpeaceandjustice.Sotheyandtheircongregationswouldbeginlivinginpeaceandjusticenow.Alreadytheywouldexperiencereconciliationwithnationalenemiesandaneradicationofpoverty.Sincethecomingcitywouldbeaholycity,theirlifenowwouldbemarkedby"theholinesswithoutwhichnoonewillseetheLord"(Heb.12:14).Inpoliticalterms,theseearly
Christianswereweak.Buttheysetabouttheirlifeofactivewaiting,confidentthattheywereparticipatingin"anadventurewhichisnothinglessthanGod'spurposeforallofcreation."5
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ConfidenceinWeakness
TheconfidenceoftheNewTestamentwritersisbreathtaking.Weren'ttheyrealisticenoughtotellthattheywereafringeevent,thattherealperformerswereplayingonthemainstage?SurelywhatwasreallyimportantwashappeningintheSanhedrinandPraetorium,tosaynothingoftheimperialcapitalofRome.HowcouldtheyimaginethattheirfellowshipswerevitaltoGod'sproject?Couldn'ttheysensetheirinsignificance?
Attimestheycould.TheapostlePaulwascandidaboutit.NotmanyofhisCorinthianbrothersandsisters,headmitted,"werewiseaccordingtoworldlystandards,notmanywerepowerful,notmanywereofnoblebirth"(1Cor.1:26).Butthatdidn'tdiscouragehim.Forsomethingmomentoushadbeentakingplaceamongthem.Godhadchosen"thingslowandcontemptible,merenothings,tooverthrowtheexistingorder"(1Cor.1:28,NEB).
Thiswasnothingnew.Timeandagain,theHebrewScripturestestifiedthatGodchoosestoworkthroughtheweak.Withthatkindofhistorytolookbackto,theearlyChristianssensedthattheircongregationswerejustthekindofplacethatGodwouldact.
ButtheyknewthatGodwouldactelsewhereaswell.FortheOldTestamenthadmadeitclearthatYahwehwastheGodnotjustof"churchhistory"butofworldhistory.Indeed,herevealedhimselfthroughhistoricalevents.Andtoachievehispurposesofbringinglifeandfreedomtotheworld,Godusednations.
GodUsestheNations
Godusedtwoclassesofnation,tobeprecisethe"nations"andhisholynation.Ontheonehand,Godoftenemployed"thenations"thatdidn'tknowhimtodohiswork.Wasjudgmentnecessary?"Iam
rousingtheChaldeans,thatbitterandhastynation"(Hab.1:6).Didexilesneedtobereturnedtotheir
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nativeland?"ThussaysYahwehtohisanointed,toCyrus,whoserighthandIhavegrasped,tosubduenationsbeforehim...'Iwillgobeforeyou...Igirdyou,thoughyoudonotknowme'"(Isa.45:15).Yahwehcalledthispaganmonarchhisanointed(messiah,inHebrew)anexaltedtitleandrole.
Onanumberofoccasions,GodevencommissionedtheenemynationsAssyriaandBabylontodohistask.ThreetimesinthebookofJeremiahhecalledtheBabylonianking.Nebuchadnezzar"myservant"(Jer.25:9;27:6;43:10).
6Tobesure,theOldTestamentwriterswerewaryofoverstressingtheimportanceofthesenationsinGod'spurposes.ToGodtheywere"likeadropfromabucket"(Isa.40:15).AndalthoughthenationsmightbeGod'sinstrumentofjudgment,theythemselveswouldbejudgedaswellandpunishedfortheirviolenceandinjustice.
TheearlyChristianswerewellschooledintheseOldTestamentunderstandings.TheapostlePaulwasatpainstoremindthemthatthepagannationoccupyingthePromisedLandandoppressingtheChristiansinRomewas"God'sservant"(Rom.13:4).TheChristiansalsorecountedJesus'responsetotheRomangovernorPilate"Youwouldhavenopowerovermeunlessithadbeengivenyoufromabove"(John19:11).
God'sHolyNation
ButtheearlyChristiansalsosensedthattherealactionwasnottakingplaceamongthenations.ThehistorianLukereflectedtheirattitudeaccurately.Inthefirstsentenceofchapter3ofhisGospel,hementionedfivenationalrulersandtworeligiousleaders.Toeachofthemhegaveafractionofasentence.ButtoJohn,thehairymaninthewildernesstowhomthewordofGodcame,hegaveanentire
chapter!Thenations,therefore,werenotunimportant,Godcouldusetheminhispurposes.ButGod'smostimportantworkonhisprojectwastakingplaceelsewhere.ByhisWordandSpirit,Godwasforminganewnation.
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IntheOldTestament,itwasthissecondclassofnationaclassofonethatwastheheartofthestory.FromGenesis12onwarditwasasolitarynation,thedescendantsofonecouple,whomGodwasusingtobringhisblessingto"allthefamiliesoftheearth"(Gen.12:3).Itseemsbizarre.Whycallapairofwell-heeledcitizensoftheChaldeancityofUrtoleavetheircomfortablehomesandtoheadintotheunknown?Andwhyformtheirdescendantsintoa"holynation"(Exod.19:6)?
TheOldTestamentwritersdonotexplainfullywhyGodshouldbesocuriouslyselective.InDeuteronomy79,however,Mosesaddressedhimselftothesubject.Yahwehhadnotchosenthem,hetoldtheIsraelites,becausethereweresomanyofthemortheybehavedsowell.Itwasbecauseofsomethingelse:"Yahwehlovesyou"(Deut.7:8).Becausehelovedthem,hewantedthemtolivedifferentlyfromtheothernations."Lo,apeopledwellingalone,andnotreckoningitselfamongthenations"(Num.23:9).
Buttheyweretobedifferentfromtheothernationsnotjustbecausedifferentnesswasbeautiful!ItwasbecauseGodhadalargerpurposeforthem.Bybeingdifferent,theywouldhavesomethingtocontribute.Throughtheireccentriclifestyle,Godwouldbringsalvationandblessingtoallofhumanity.TheprophetIsaiahgavethisideaitsclassicalexpression:"Iwillgiveyouasalighttothenations,thatmysalvationmayreachtotheendoftheearth"(Isa.49:6).Inthisvisionofnationaldistinctivenesstherewasnothingselfish,nothingintroverted.
The"holynation,"itwasclearintheOldTestament,wastobetheprimaryvehicleofGod'spurposesinhistory.TheNewTestamentwritersknewthisaswell.Tobesure,theeventswhichtheyrecordedintroducednewdimensionsinthestory.Thearrivalofthelong-awaitedMessiahJesusinevitablychangedthings.Soalsodidthe
incorporationoftheGentiles(literallyinGreek,"thenations")intothe"newhumanity"whichGodwasforming(Eph.2:15),andtheirempoweringbytheHolySpirit.Yet,despitethesechanges,amongbothJewish
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andnon-JewishChristianstherewasstillastrongsenseofbeinga"holynation"(1Pet.2:9)."Youarethelightoftheworld,"Jesushadtoldthem,echoingIsaiah.Therefore"donotdoasthenationsdo"(Matt.5:14;6:7).Peterputthesamethoughtindifferentwords:
Asobedientchildren,donotbeconformedtothepassionsofyourformerignorance,butashewhocalledyouisholy,beholyyourselvesinallyourconduct;sinceitiswritten,"Youshallbeholy,forIamholy".(1Pet.1:1415)
Thisiswheretheactionis.Mysteriouslybutpotently,Godisusingthispunybutholytransnationalnationtoblesshisentirecreation.Othernations,includingthemightyRomanEmpire,couldbehistoolsforatime.Buthehasentrustedhisprojecttothe"holynation"thathehaschosen.Throughithewillpreparethewayfortheholycity.
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Chapter3FourfoldHolinessButwhatisholiness?Ihavebeenusingthetermquitefreelybecauseitisanessentialpartofthebiblicalstory.ButitisnotatermwhosemeaningintheBiblecanbestateddictionary-fashioninaphrase.Furthermore,itsmeaningquicklyleadsontoterrainwhereprophetshaveliterallyfearedtotread."Donotcomeanycloser,"GodwarnedMoses."Takeoffyoursandals,becauseyouarestandingonholyground"(Exod.3:5,TEV).WhenIattempttodefineholinessIamnotthereforeexplaininganidea.IamtryingtoapproximateinwordsthecharacteroftheInexpressibleOne.Asaresult,Ishallwritethefollowingparagraphsintrembling,andbecauseofmyownencounterswiththeHolyinhumility.
Holiness(I):LivingForce
What,Irepeat,isholiness?Tobegintoanswerthisquestionwestart,notwithlanguageorideas,butwithexperience.Fromthebeginningoftime,humanshaveencounteredaliving
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force,unseenbutveryreal.Thisforceisamysteriouspower,anawesomerealitywhichfitsintononormalhumancategories.Todescribeit,peoplehavecomparedittophysicalsubstanceslight,fire,smoke,power.Theyhavedescribeditsqualitypowerful,pure,radiant,sublime.Theyhavereportedtheirownemotionalresponsestoitfear,joy,awkwardness,awarenessofguilt,fascination,reverence.Buttherealityofholinesshasalwaystranscendedlanguage.Itis"amysteryinexpressibleandaboveallcreatures...thatwhichisbeyondconceptionorunderstanding,extraordinaryandunfamiliar."
1
TheLivingForce,JewsandChristianshaveconfessed,istheHolyOne,theYahwehoftheBible.Heitiswhohasbrokenintothehumanstoryandgraciouslyallowedhiscreaturestoexperiencehischaracter.Wemustneverforgetthis.Thereare,asweshallsee,otheraspectsofholiness,andtheseareindispensable.ButtheexperienceofGodasLivingForceaslight,power,joy-giverisliterallylife-giving.Thisputsotherthingsinperspective.HowpureandlovingGodis!Whenwe,likeIsaiah,haveseentheHolyOne,wewillalsoseeourselvesaswearebothunholyandinfinitelyloved.WithoutthisexperienceofGodasLivingForce,"holiness"canproduceareligionthat,althoughrationalandmoral,iscrampedanddessicated.
Alltoooften,ChristianswhohavetriedtofollowJesusradicallyhavestumbledatthispoint.Theyhavebeenunabletointegratemoralzeal(withwhichtheyareatease)withtheawesome(fromwhichtheyremainestranged).Indeed,Iamconvinced,onthebasisofmyreadingofboththeBibleandsubsequenthistory,ofageneralrule:genuinelysignificantinitiativesinitiativeswhichleadtonewdeparturesinfaithfullivinggrowoutofapowerfulexperienceofGod'sawesomeotherness.FrancisofAssisiandJohnWesley,likeIsaiah,knewthatan
experienceofGodisthesourceofendlessreservesofenergyandimaginativepower.
Butthereismoretoholinessthanpersonalexperience.Thereareevilformsofothernessaswellaslife-givingones.Andmany
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ofthesecanbequiteawe-inspiring.Wemustthereforedefinetheholybythemeasuring-stickoftheHolyOne.Hischaracterisrevealedinthe"holywritings"(Scripture;2Tim.3:15).ItisexpressedperfectlyinJesus,whoalsoiscalledthe"HolyOne"(Acts3:14).Anditisexperienced,throughtheworkoftheHolySpirit,assearinglove.
Furthermore,theholinessrevealedintheBibleisneveranendinitself.Howmuchwesometimeswishitwere!Thereissomethingfascinatingabouttheholywhichtemptsustoclingtoit,totreatitlongingly,aesthetically.Asthetwentieth-centuryEnglishcomposer,GeraldFinzi,commented,"Thereisagreatresemblancebeteweenthestaticandtheecstatic."
2Butnobiblicalwriterwouldhaveapprovedofthisstatement.WhenPetersuggestedsomethingsimilarbuildingvacationcabinsontheMountofTransfigurationJesusstronglyrebukedhim(Luke9:2836).Forholinessisonthemove.Itisageyserofspiritualenergy,transformingpeopleintotheimageoftheHolyOne,andadvancinghisruleonearth.
Holiness(II):Separateness
Thisawesomeothernessisbasictoasecondaspectofholiness-thestatusofseparateness.TherootoftheHebrewwordfor"holy,"qadosh,meansjustthatsetapart.AnythingthatisassociatedwiththeOnewhoistheLivingForceisunlikeotherthings,whicharecommonandunclean.Thesetwocategoriesholyandcommonwerenottobemingledorconfused."Youaretodistinguishbetweentheholyandthecommon,"commandedtheLeviticalLaw(Lev.10:10).Andtomakesurethatthishappened,theLawestablishedelaborateregulationstopreventcontactbetweenthetwo.
Somethings,suchastheSabbathandtheJubilee,wereholysimply
becauseGoddecreedthattheywere.Butotherthings,commonthings,couldbemadeholy.Byproperceremonytheycouldbe"sanctified"or"dedicated"tohim.Theythuswouldbelongabsolutelytohimandbesuitableforhisuse.For
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example,vestmentsandaltarsandpriestswereholy.BootycapturedinwaranddevotedtoGodwasholy.
SoalsowereGod'speople.IntheOldTestament,theyweremadeholybyobeyingGod'svoice,bykeepinghiscovenant,andbyobservingtheprescribedritualsofatonementandpurification(Exod.19:5,10ff;Lev.20:78).AfterthecomingoftheMessiah,thingschanged.God'speopleweresanctifiedbyJesus'definitivesacrifice(Heb.10:10).ButinbothTestamentsthereisasensethatthestatusofholinessandtheseparatenesswhichitentailsissomethingwhichGodbringsabout.''YouareapeopleholytotheLordyourGod...[whohas]chosenyoutobeapeopleforhisownpossession,outofallthepeoplesthatareonthefaceoftheearth"(Deut.7:6).
Holiness(III):God-Likeness
Holinessisnot,however,simplyanexperienceorastatus.Ithasathirdaspect,adistinctiveGod-reflectingquality.Trueholinessmustalwaysbemorethanoddity!Itmustneverbeeccentricityordevianceforitsownsake.Instead,holinessisawayoflivingwhichrevealstheOnewhohascalledtheholynationintoexistence."IamtheLordyourGod;consecrateyourselvestherefore,andbeholy,forIamholy"(Lev.11:44).Thisisasummonsnotjusttobedifferent,buttobedifferentinacertainway.ItwasasummonstobecomelikeGod,toenterintoGod'scharacter.
ThereissomethingabouttheexperienceofGodwhichenablesustobecomelikehim,tobetransformed.Anditseemsespeciallytohappeninworship.AsOrthodoxtheologianPaulEvdokimovobserved,"Thepowerofdivineholinessisadevouringflamethatconsumesallimpurity;whenittouchesamanitpurifieshimandmakeshimholy;itbringshimintoharmonywiththeholinessofGodevenintohislikeness."
3Thisisaboldclaim,butitisabiblicalone.ThroughtheHolySpirit,accordingtotheapostlePaul,"weall...beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeingchangedintohislikenessfromone
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degreeofglorytoanother"(2Cor.3:18).ThenewcreationisadisplayoftheCreator'scharacter.
AsGod'sholynationwehavealongandexcitingjourneyaheadofus.Aswetravelit,theHolyOnewillbechangingussothatwemoreandmorereflecthischaracter.Thisistoolargeareality,certainly,formetodescribe.Itisalsosomethingthatnoonecanlegislate.Butitisrichandbeautiful!
ForGod-likenessiswholeness,andGodhasapassionforwholenessineveryareaoflife.Fromanearlydate,Yahwehwascalled"theGodofshalom"(Judg.6:24).InmodernEnglishtranslations,thiswordhasgenerallybeentranslatedas"peace."Thebiblicalwriters,however,hadsomethingricherinmindthantheEnglishwordcancommunicate.Forthem,shalomwas''enjoymentinone'srelationships,"inallthedimensionsofhumanexperiencewithGodthroughworshipandservice,withotherhumanbeingsincommunity,andwiththenaturalworld.
4Itis,therefore,notsurprisingthattheall-embracingwholenessofshalomisbehindagreatdealoftheOldTestamentlaw(especiallythe"lawofholiness,"Lev.1126).Sacrificialanimalsweretobeperfectspecimens.OnlyunblemishedpriestscouldofferbreadtoGod.Weightsandmeasuresweretobefaultless(Lev.23:1820;21:17;19:36).Afterstudyingthislegislation,anthropologistMaryDouglasobserved,"Tobeholyistobewhole,tobeone;holinessisunity,integrity,perfectionoftheindividualandofthekind."5Holiness,inshort,isthewaythingsoughttobeand-whentheholycitycomesthewaytheywillbe.
Holiness(IV):Dynamism
Ourdefinitionofholinesswillnotbecomplete,however,untilwe
mentionafourthaspectitsdynamism.Holiness,accordingtotheBible,isonthemove.Thereissomethingpropulsive,forward-lookingaboutit.ItistherealizationofGod's11unconditionalwill,hisroyalrule."6Holinessshowsitselfinaction,shatteringallresistancestohissovereigntyandliberating
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womenandmenfromallformsofbondage.IntheExodus,Godshowedhimselftobe"majesticinholiness"(Exod.15:11).TheExodusisapatternforhispeople(Lev.11:45).JustasGodinviteshispeopletoenterintohischaracter,soalsoGodcallsustotakepartinhisholyactions.
God'sholinessisthusnotsomethingthatischangelesslysublime.Itisnotlegalisticallyseparate.Itisnotself-preoccupiedinitsconcernforitsownwholeness.Anyoftheseonitsownisadistortionofholiness,foritisstaticandsmall-minded.God'sholiness,incontrast,iscosmicinscopeandalwaysinmotion.Itishistorical,inworldaswellas"church"history.Itisunderstandable,therefore,thatwhentheHolyOneconfrontedIsaiah,hedidnotjustcallhimtobeamissionary("HereamI!Sendme."[Isa6:8]).Therewastobesomethingdistinctiveabouthismission.HewastospeakYahweh'swordinthepoliticalrealmwhereYahwehwouldunfoldhishistoricalplan.Similarly,whenPeterhadarooftopvisionofcommonanduncleanfoods,GodwasnotsimplytryingtochangePeter'sdiet.Godwasdoingnolessthanpreparinghimtobemidwifeatthebirthofatransnational,holynation(Acts10).
God'sholinessisthusenroute.Itisanenergizerofallactionsthatpointtothecompletionofhisproject,thecomingofarecreatedcosmos.
Whatavision!God,thoughtranscendently"other,"isrevealinghimselftomenandwomen.Godiscallingustooccupyaspecialplacethatofanationunderhiskingship.Godisimplantinginusthevisionandrealityofwholeness.AndGodisenergizingustobeparticipantsinhisownall-embracinghistoricalplan.Oneisspeechlessatthemagnificenceofit.
Response(1):Worship
Awestruckwemaybe.Butoncewegetaglimmeroftrueholiness,ouralmostreflexiveresponsewillbepraiseandworship.InGod'spresencewewillseeourselvesasweare,asflawedandfinite,yetinfinitelyloved.AndourspiritswillleapinresponsetoGod.
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God'sholinesswillcollidewiththewoundednessoftheworld.Butinthemidstofthestrugglehewillshowhimselftobehealerandshalom-maker.OurworshipwillrespondtowhatGodisdoing.Againandagainwewilltellthestoryofhisactions.Andwewillconstantlybeaddingnewchapters!FortheHolySpiritwillgoonbreakingdowninnerandoutwardbarriers,bringingspirittobreathlesspersonsandlifetothedespairing.InourworshipwewillgetglimpsesofthegloryofGod'spresenceglimpsesoftheholycitytocome.Andwe,unworthythoughweare,willpraisetheKing.
Allyourworksshallgivethankstoyou,OLord,andallyourholyonesshallblessyou!Theyshallspeakofthegloryofyourkingdom,andtellofyourpower,tomakeknowntothesonsofmenyourmightydeeds,andtheglorioussplendorofyourkingdom....MymouthwillspeakthepraiseofYahweh,andletallfleshblesshisholynameforeverandever.
(Ps.145:1012,21)
Response(2):Change
Asecondresponsetowhattrueholinessislikeisalsoessential.Itistheresponseoftransformation."Youshallbeholy;forItheLordyourGodamholy."Thisphrase,repeatedmanytimesinbothTestaments,isnotsimplyabitofadvice.Norisitapredictionofourultimateperfectionintheafterlife.ItisacommandacommandtoallowourselvestobechangedintothelikenessoftheOnewhowillchangeus.
Godhimselfhastakentheleadinchangingus.ByJesus'pouringoutofhislifeblood(Heb.9:1314;13:12),bytheFather'spouringoutoftheHolySpirit(Rom.15:16;1Pet.1:2),Godhasalreadysanctifiedus.Hehasmadeusholy.Butwehaveaparttoplay,too.Weare
calledtoliveinanewway,toobeyJesus.Tobelikehim.
Holiness,infact,iswhatJesuswasabout.ForJesusisthe
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HolyOne(Rev.3:7).HeisthetheperfectimageoftheFather,theHolyOne.Healsoisthestandardforhumanwholeness.Paulsawthegoalforallofustobe"thestatureofthefulnessofChrist"(Eph.4:13).PsychiatristFrankLakewasdeeplyconvincedofthis.Jesus,hewrote,is"theonenormalandunspoiltspecimenofhumanity."
7Onlyaswecontemplatehimandattempttofollowhimdowerealizehowmiserablyunwholeandneedyweare.
ButJesusalsorepresentsourtruenatureanddestiny.Nowwearepurifyingourselves,walkinginhissteps,notjustbecausetheBiblesayswemust,butbecausethen,whenheappears,"weshallbelikehim"(1John2:6;3:23).ItismenandwomenwhoareexperiencingthistransformationwhomtheearlyChristianscalled"holyones"(saints).
Howmuchthereisforhimtochange!ForGod'scalltoholinessdoesnotallowusneatlytocompartmentalizeourlivesandtoconfineholinesstothe"religiousdepartment.""Ashewhocallsyouisholy,"Peterwrites(1Pet.1:15),"beholyinallyourconduct.''Inallyourconduct!Inourlifeofprayerandworship?Yes!Inoursexualmoralityaswell,forthisisanareainwhichwearevulnerabletothewaysandvaluesofourmilieu(1Thess.4:36).Alsoinotherareaswherewearejustasvulnerable.Forexample,ourdiet,savings,work,andrecreation,whichwehaven'tgenerallythoughtofintermsofholiness.Godcallsustoholyliving.Hecallsustolivedistinctively,unlikethenationsandlikeJesus.Andhiscallappliesespeciallytoournitty-grittyconcernsforeconomicwell-beingandphysicalsecurity.Godcallsustosocialholiness.
Thisisnottheplacetoprovideevidenceforthisclaim.Therestofthebookwilltrytodothat.ButIcanmentiononeortwothingswhich
willenableustoseeitinbroaderperspective.Holiness,Ihaveshown,iswholeness.Godissatisfiedwithnothinglessthancomprehensive,all-inclusiveholiness.Sincethisisso,itonlymakessensethatGodisconcernedaboutthepartsofourliveswhichwehabituallyprotectas"private",as
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"ourbusiness."Itisnot,byimplication,anybodyelse'sbusiness,notevenGod's.Wearesecretiveaboutourincomeandinsurancepolicies,forexample,becausefinancesraisewithinusaprimalsenseoffearandinsecurity.Intheseareas,especially,wesensethedrivetocontrolourlives.Inthemweflexourmuscles,putupabravefront,orcowerinourimpotence.Innootherareaarewelessinclinedtotakechances.Powereconomic,political,personalhasalwaysbeenfraughtwithspiritualsignificance.ButthesadfactisthatChristianshaverarelybeenawareofthis.Wehaven'trespondedtoGod'scalltobedifferent.Alltoooftenwehavelivedjustlikeeveryoneelse.
ProvisionandProtection
Themostimportantofthesepowerconcernshavetodowithourneedsforprovisionandprotection.Weareconcernedabouttheseforgoodreason.AccordingtopsychologistAbrahamMaslow,theseareourprimaryhumanneeds("themostprepotentofallneeds").
8Forpeoplewhoare"extremelyanddangerouslyhungry,nootherinterestsexistbutfood."Whenthatinterestissatisfied,theirattentiontransferstotheirnextmostacuteneed,thatofphysicalsafety.Thereafter,accordingtoMaslow,humanconcernwillshifttootherneedsbelong-ingness/love,esteem/prestige,andself-fulfillment.9
AsChristianswemaybeuncomfortablewithMaslow'srankingofneeds.SurelythegraceofGodisourmostimportantneed.Butisthisborneoutbythewayweorganizeourlives?What,forexample,doourinsurancepoliciesandinvestmentssayaboutourday-to-daysecurity?IsGod'sgracesocentraltoourexistencethatwebaseourarrangementsforprovisionandprotectionuponit?
Howeverwemayanswerthesequestionsforourselves,itisclearthattheBibleviewsprovisionandprotectionasproblemareas.Indeed,
fromtheExodusonward,nothingcausedGodmoreoftentowrestlewithhispeopleandtodespairof
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themthantheirapproachtothese"prepotentneeds."God'speoplewereoftenwillingenoughtoacknowledgehislordshipinthetemple,butwhenitcametotheireconomicinstitutionsortheirwayofdefendingthemselves,theyweremoreinclinedtofollow"thedevicesanddesiresoftheirownhearts!"
PatternofUn-GracefulLiving
Inthisbook,aswesetouttorereadtheBibletogether,wewillobservearecurrentpatternthatgoessomethinglikethis:
(1)Godrecognizeshischildren'sneedforprovisionandprotectionforthephysicalnecessitiesoffoodandshelterandforsecurityfromphysicalharm.Lovinglyheprovidesforthemwiththebountyofhisgoodcreationandwithsafetyfromthosewhowouldmolestthem.BothProviderandProtector,Godshowshisgracebyacting(attimesmiraculously)fortheirprovisionandprotection.
(2)Godalsoprescribesforhispeopleapatternofholyliving.Thiswayoflivingcanberisky.TobefaithfultoittheymusttrustinGod'sconcretegrace.Butitistheonlywaytorightrelationshipsamonghumans,betweenthemandtheirnaturalenvironment,andbetweenthemandtheirGod.Itisthewaytowholeness.
(3)ButGod'speopleprefertoavoidtherisks.Theyoftenchoosetoadapttheirlivesoftenverygraduallytothepatternofthesurroundingnations.Thisrisklesslivingisunholyliving.Leavinggraceintherealmof"theology,"God'speopledecidetobasetheirdecisionsaboutthe"realworld"uponcalculationsofself-interest.
(4)God'speoplefindthemselvestrappedbytheirfalsesecurities.Unanticipatedriskssuddenlyappear.Somehowtheyaremoreinsecurethantheywerebeforeandmoreafraid.Indeed,theyfindthemselvesgivingtheirultimateloyalty(intermsoftimeand
resources)totheirnewsourcesof"security."Inboththeareasofprovisionandprotection,theyhavebeenensnaredbyidolatrythroughanescalationofprivatewealth(ma-
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terialism)andaproliferationofarmaments(militarism).
10
Thispatternraisesquestionsofultimateimportance.IsGod'sgracesorealthatwecantrusthimevenwhenourlivesandpossessionsareatstake?Canlifereallybetransformedlikethis?IsGod'spowersogreatthatwecanriskbeingfaithfultohispatternforholylivingevenifitmeansourbeingpowerless?IsitGod'splanthatthepowerofhisSpiritshouldcometothosewhohaveotherforms(e.g,economicandmilitary)ofpower?Ifsocialholinessispossible,whatdoesitmeaninpractice?
Aswefacethesequestions,allofuswillattimesfeelprofoundlyalone.Buttheyarenotmeanttobeansweredbyisolatedindividuals.Forultimately,thetransformedlifeofholinesscannotbeaprivatematter.IntheBible,the"holyone"(saint)isnotanindividualwithahalo.Infact,exceptforGodandJesus,thetermneveroccursinthesingular.
Onthecontrary,holinessisalwayssocial,somethingthatweultimatelymustenterintoalongwithothers.JohnWesleywaswellawareofthis:"ThegospelofChristknowsofnoreligion,butsocial;noholiness,butsocialholiness."11
Notonlyarewemeanttobeinthecompanyofotherstogrowinholiness,thefamilies,races,andnationsthatresultfromourbeingtogetheraretoolsdesignedbyGodtoimplementhispurposes.Godcallsus,youwillrecall,his"holynation."Byourholylifestyle,whichbearsthe"peacefulfruitsofjustice"(Heb.12:11),wenowstandincontradictiontothewaysofthenations.Ourorientationistowardsthefuture.Ourlifeisananticipationoftheholycity.
Response(3):Mission
AwestruckbyavisionofGod'sholinessandempoweredforchange,wefindGodimpellingusintoathirdresponsetoholinessmission.ThegoalofGod'sprojectisall-embracing.WhenthetimeisripeGodwill"uniteallthingsthingscelestialandthingsterrestrialinJesusChrist(Eph.1:10).No
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morewilltherebehurtingordestroyingin"allmyholymountain,fortheearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLordasthewaterscoverthesea"(Isa.11:9).Intheholycityallthingswillbemadenew(Rev.21:5).
TowardsthisgoaltheHolyGodisnowworking,andhecallsustobepartnersinhisproject.AlreadyGodhasgivenallauthoritytohisSonJesus.AndJesushascommandedus,hisfriends,to"makedisciplesofallnations"(Matt.28:1819).Thereisnothingsmallaboutthisvision.WithjoyfulanticipationweinviteotherstofollowJesus.Andwhenwedoso,weinvitethemtocarryanewpassportthatoftheholynationwhichGodisforming.Thisnationlivesinholynonconformitytothepatternsofothernations.Itslifeissustainedbyconcretegrace.Anditscitizensareparticipantsinadramainwhichthefutureshapeoftheworldisatstake.
ForfollowingJesusiscomingtobelikehim(Luke6:40).Andthatmeansjoininghiminhiswork.Jesuswasthemediumofcreation.Jesusisthepioneerofthenewcreation.Jesusindicateswherehistoryisgoing.AstheobedientSon,heperfectlydemonstratedwhatlifeunderGod'skingshipistobelike.Andsomehow,throughourcorporatelifeinhim,wewillfindalifeofsocialholiness.Aswejourneytowardtheholycityinwhichhisrulewillbeunchallenged,hewillneverletusdown.
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PARTIITHEOLDTESTAMENTLANDSCAPE
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Chapter4Protection,Provision...andWorshipHolinessisdynamic.TheHolyOneisonthemove.TheHolyOneisLordofhistory.Glorious,resplendent,majestictheseconveysomethingofthecharacteroftheHolyOne,ButinordertoreallyknowGod,wemustwatchhimatwork(Exod.14:13;John5:17).
HistoryisGod'sworkshop.SowelearntoknowGodbytelling,retelling,andretellingagainhisstory.WewillwatchhimatworkfromthetimethatGodliberatedhispeopleintheExodusuntilGodsavedthemandreshapedthembytheMessiahJesus.Icannot,ofcourse,tellthewholestory.IntheBibletherearetoomanysubplotsandtoomanydetailsforthattobepossible.Infact,itcanbedangeroustogetsopreoccupiedwiththisincidentorthatideathatwelosetrackofwhereweareinthestory.Thestory,wemustremember,hasanoverallshape.Ithasebbsandflows,aclimax,andaconclusion.
Inwhatfollows,Iwillconcentrateonthepeople,eventsand
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characteristicswhichIfindmostsignificant.Iwilltrytoseethemintheperspectiveofalarge,unfoldingstory.HolinessisthelensthroughwhichIhavechosentolook.AndIhavechosentoobserveeventsfromapeculiarvantagepointanaerialballoon!
Liketheballoonist,Iwanttobeabletotravelhighenoughtoseetheoverallcontoursofthecountryside.ButattimesIwillneedtoswooplowenoughtoexaminesomefeaturescarefullywiththeaidofatelescope.AndIdon'twanttomovesoslowlyorsofastthatthingsgeteitherstalledorblurred!Inlookingatthingslikethis,I'minagoodtradition.LikeJoshuaandStephen(Josh.24;Acts7),IcontendthatGod'sstorycanbetoldbriefly.Andwhenitis,ithaspointandpower.
IntheBrickyard
Aswebegin,ourballoonishoveringoverthewell-irrigatedfieldsofnortheasternEgypt.Thecalendarreads1300B.C.However,thestorywhichwillpreoccupyusisonlyincidentallythatoftheEgyptians.Ofgreaterinteresttous,becauseaccordingtotheBibleitwascentraltothepurposesofGod,isthestoryofanextendedfamilyofimmigrantslivingonthefringesofEgyptiansociety.
Theimmigrantshaddescendedfromapairofsturdynonconformists,AbrahamandSarah.AtwhattheytooktobeGod'scall,theyhadleftaculturalcenter,UrinMesopotamia.Livingintheimprobablelifestyleofnomads,theyhadcometomoveaboutintheunculturedplaceofCanaan.Butthefamilyhadn'tstayedinCanaan.Toescapefamine,theirgrandson,Israel(originallyknownasJacob),hadmovedtoEgyptwherehissonJosephhadbecomeaseniorcivilservantmuchinfavorwiththatcountry'sking,Pharaoh.
Sofar,sohappy.ButrelationsbetweentheIsraelitesandtheirEgyptianhostssoonsoured.Thereasonsforthisarenothardto
understand.TheIsraelites,afterall,wereimmigrants.Likemanyimmigrants,theywerehardworkerswhosoonbe-
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camerich.Theirtendencytohavelargefamiliesledtoapopulationexplosion.Itseemedthat"thelandwasfilledwiththem"(Exod.1:7).
"Whosecountryisthisanyway?"influentialEgyptiansbegantomutter.Josephwaslongdead,andthecurrentPharaohhadnotiesofsentimentorself-interesttotheIsraelites.Whynotclipthewingsoftheseimmigrantsbeforetheybecometoonumerousandtoowealthy?TheymightevenbeopentoliaisonwithEgypt'senemies.
SoPharaohchangedtherules.Resortingtoracialdiscrimination,hebothpunishedtheIsraelitesandprofitedfromthem.Heforcedthemtodohardlabor,someon"statefarms,"othersinpublicbuildingprojects.Stillothersheforcedtoworkinthehot,repetitive,exhaustingtaskofmakingbricks.Thesupervisorswhomheplacedoverthemmadethemwork"withrigor,"establishingimpossiblequotasfortheIsraeliteworkerstomeetandbeatingthemwhentheyfellshort.Pharaoheventriedameasureofpopulationcontrol.Inagenocidaldecree,heorderedtheIsraelitemidwivestokillallboybabieswhowereborntoIsraelitemothers.Thingswerebadinthebrickyard.
Whatshouldbedone?Onealternativewascivildisobedience.MidwivessuchasShiphrahandPuah,outoftheirfearofGod,conspiredtoprotectthenewlybornboys(Exod.1:1522).SoalsodidtheIsraelitemothers,andsomeEgyptianscouldn'thelpsympathizingwiththem.Ononeoccasion,whenanIsraelitemotherhidherbabyboyinapitch-coveredbasketfloatinginthereedsalongariver,anEgyptianprincessdiscoveredthechild.Butshehadnothoughtofkillinghim.Withthemother'spermissionshetookthechildtocourtandraisedhimasanEgyptianaristocrat.
Anti-Egyptianviolence,whentheprovocationbecametoogreattobear,wasanotheralternative,TheBiblegivesusonlyoneexampleofthis,butitwasprobablyrepresentativeofmanyotherincidents.When
theboyinthefloatingbasket,Moses,cameofage,hediscoveredhisIsraeliteidentity.Rejectingthe
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comfortsoftheEgyptiancourt,he"wentouttohispeopleandlookedontheirburdens"(Exod.2:11).Indoingso,Moses,tothebestofhisability,was(touseatheologicalcliché)"identifyingwiththepoorandtheoppressed."Andhetookhisidentificationseriously.WhenhesawanEgyptianbeatingoneofhisfellowIsraelites,hefeltattackedhimself.Aftermakingsurethatnoonewaslooking,Mosesresortedto"justifiableviolence.''HekilledtheEgyptianandburiedhiminthesand.
WhatmotivatedMosestodothis?Wasitaburstofanger?Wasit,possibly,thefirstblowinastruggleforliberation?Afterall,courtiersareusedtothinkingintermsofpowerandeveryrevolutionhasgottostartsomewhere!TheBibledoesnottellus.Butitdoestellusthatnewsofhismurderousactgotout.TheIsraelitesweresuspiciousofhismotives.Pharaohandhisassociateswerefuriousatwhattheytooktobeanactoftreachery.Tosavehisskin,Mosesranawayintotheandwildernesstothesoutheast.There,inthelandofMidian,hesettleddown,marriedthedaughterofthelocalpriest,andworkedasashepherd.Moses'"downwardmobility"hadlandedhiminobscurityandapparentirrelevancefarfromthecourt,farevenfromthepeopleaboutwhosesufferinghehadcaredsomuch.
HolinessinAction
WhyfocusourtelescopeonanamateurrevolutionarylikeMoses?Surelyhehadearnedwhathisimpulsiveactiondeserved:obscurity.ButthistimeofhumanfailurewasimportanttoGod.Hechoseittorevealhisholiness.Andasweshallsee,God'sholinessproducedapowerfuleffectactionandchange.
GodcaredevenmoreabouttheoppressionofhispeoplethanMosesdid.WhentheIsraelites"groanedundertheirbondage,"whenthey"criedoutforhelp,"Godheard(Exod.2:2325).Infact,theExodus
textreportsthathe"knew"theircondition.Hewastotallyinvolved;hisempathywiththemwascomplete.And,infaithfulnesstohiscovenantwithAbrahamandhissuccessors,Godhaddeterminedtoact.
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Buthowindirectlyheacted!InsteadofwavingamagicwandoverEgypt,Godrevealedhisholinesstoaburnedoutcourtierinthedesert.Moseswasmindinghisfather-in-law'ssheep.Suddenlyhesawsomethingwhichhecouldn'texplain.Abushabitofdesertscrubwasonfire.Thathappenednowandthen.Butitkeptonburninganddidn'tburnup.Howcurious!SoMosesproceededtoinvestigatemoreclosely.Somethingstoppedhiminhistracks.Someonecalledhimbyname."Moses,Moses!...Donotcomeanycloser.Takeoffyour.sandals."InaweMosesobeyed.ForthefirsttimeintheBibletheHolyOnewasrevealinghimselfinthelanguageofholiness:"Theplacewhereyouarestandingisholyground"(Exod.3:45,NIV).
Holyground.Moses,inamazement,wasinthepresenceofarealitywhichwasunlikeanythingthathehadexperiencedbefore.Beforehimwasanordinarybush.Butitburnedwithanextraordinaryfire.Inthefire,infactallaroundhim,therewasa"livingforce."
1Mosesrecognizedsomethingdifferentfromhimself,somethingseparate.Mosestookoffhisshoesandcoveredhisfacenotonlytobeobedient,buttoshowthatherecognizedthismysteriousseparateness.
ButtheSeparateOnewasnotoutoftouch.HeaddressedhimselftoMoses,notjustintheoff-puttingheatofamysteriousfire,butinpersonalterms:"Moses...IamtheGodofyourfather...."ThenGodstatedhisconcern.Hispeoplewerebeingoppressedbyanexploitativesystemandruthlessrulers.AttheircryGodwasstirredtocompassionandaction:"Ihavecomedowntodeliverthem."Inthisincident,theHolyOnewasrevealinghimselfdirectlyandpersonally.Buthewasdoingsoforapurpose.Godwasinvolvedinhumanhistoryandwasdeterminedtochangeit.
Buthow?Inalongargument,MosesobjectedtotheHolyOne'splan.
"IwillsendyoutoPharaohthatyoumaybringforthmypeople"(Exod.3:10).EarlierinhislifeMoseshadbeenattractedtoliberatingactivity,butnolonger.Itall
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seemedimpractical.Afterall,Pharaohandhisfriendswerepowerpoliticians.Whyshouldtheygiveuptheirslavelaborforcewithoutafight?AndwhereastheIsraelitesweredisheartened,disorganized,andweaponless,theEgyptianswereamilitarysuperpower.
Moses'thinking,totheincreasinglyirritatedHolyOne,wasanobstaclebecauseitwasconventional.HewasreckoningwithouttheconcretegraceofGod.Therewouldbeastruggleandeventuallyabattle,butatnostagewouldvalorandhotbronzeberequiredofanyhuman,notevenofMoses.ForGodhimselfwouldbethewarrior."IwillstretchoutmyhandandsmiteEgypt"(Exod.3:20)byanescalatingseriesofmiracles.LiberationwastobeagiftofGod.Itwouldbeaproductofgrace,notofworks.
God'sactswouldnotcanceltheneedforhumanacts.Someonehadtoleadthepeople.SomeonehadtobearwitnesstotheactsandpurposesoftheHolyOne.AsleaderoftheIsraelites,MoseswouldcometoPharaoharmedwithaword,notasword.Hispoliticalrolewouldbethatofaprophet,notageneral."GotothekingofEgyptandsaytohim"(Exod.3:18).ShouldwordsfailMoses,hisbrotherAaroncouldbehismouthpiece."Iwillbewithyourmouthandwithhismouth"(Exod.4:15).WhattheHolyOnewasrequiringofMosesandthepeoplewasthewillingnesstotakearisk.Hewascallingthemtofaith,toactivetrustinhisfaithfulnessandpower.
Theargumentended.ObedientlyMoseswentbacktoEgypt,commissionedforconfrontation.TotheIsraelites,MosesannouncedthatGodwasabouttoliberatethem.Thiswashardtoaccept,especiallywhentheEgyptianauthoritiesgreetedtheirstrivingstowardfreedombyimposingevenheavierquotasinthebrickyard.Yetintheirbettermoments,"thepeoplebelieved."RealizingthatYahwehhadseentheirafflictionandinanticipationthathewasgoingtodosomethingaboutit,"theybowedtheirheadsandworshiped"(Exod.
4:31).
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ToPharaohandhiscourtiers,Moseslikewisehadamessage.ItwasademandfromtheGodwhomhehadmetintheburningbush:"Letmypeoplego,thattheymayworshipmeinthewilderness"(Exod.5:1).Understandablyenough,Pharaohwasdubiousaboutthisproposal.HeblamedMosesandAaronforseducingtheIsraelitesintolaxnessonthejob.AndtomakesurethattheIsraeliteswouldhavelesstimeforeconomicallyunproductivereligiousactivity,heorderedhisofficialstostopsupplyingthemwiththerawmaterialsforbrickmaking.WhentheIsraelitesfailedtodotheimpossible,Egyptianofficialsbeatthemmercilessly,breakingtheirspiritsastheyflayedtheirbodies.
Inthefaceofhumanhopelessness,Godacted.ThroughhisprophetsMosesandAaron,heannouncedtoPharaohthesanctionsthathewouldimposeupontheEgyptiansfortheirdefiantresistance.Theresultwasanescalatingseriesofmiracles"greatactsofjudgment"(Exod.7:4),theBiblecallsthem.Thoughtheywereannouncedbyhumanmessengers,theywerecarriedoutby"thefingerofGod"(8:19)withouthumanassistance.Literally,theywere''actsofGod."UncomprehendinglytheIsraeliteswatchedhimatwork.
Eversince,intheirPassoverservices,theJewishpeoplehavesummarizedthesecatastrophes:"frogs,lice,blood,hail,etc."AlthoughateachofthesethesufferingoftheEgyptianswasimmense,theywereunwillingtogiveintopressurebyfreeingtheirslaves.
ButonenightacryofhorrorrangoutthroughoutEgypt.Afinalsanction,avirulentplaguekilledtheeldestsonofeveryEgyptianfamily.Pharaohhadhadenough.Grieving,heandhiscourtiersdemandedthattheIsraelitesleavethecountryimmediately.Therewasnotimeforpacking."Begone!"
RiskyLiving:Protection
SotheIsraelitesleftEgyptandheadedpell-mellintothewilderness.
Theywereheadingintoinsecurity.Inthewilder-
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nesstherewouldbenostructuresevenunfriendlystructuresofcivilizationtosustainthem.Intermsofprotectionandprovision,theprimaryhumanneedsthatwehavenotedinthepreviouschapter,theywerealmostpowerless.Theyhadfewifanyweapons,
2andbecauseofthespeedoftheirdeparturetheyhadbeenunabletocollectanyprovisionsforthejourney(Exod.12:39).HavingbeendeliveredfromEgyptbygraceandnotbyworks,theywouldberequiredtolivebygrace.TothisriskylifestyleonlyonealternativeremainedareturntoEgyptwheretheywouldhavethesecurityofslavery.
Inonlyafewdays,theIsraelitesrealizedtheirinabilitytoprotectthemselves.ForPharaohhadsuddenlyaskedhimselfhowhiscountry,bereftofitsslavelaborforce,wasgoingtocarryoutitsfive-yearplans.Hechangedhismind.Quicklyhemobilizedthemightiestmilitarymachineintheworld.Spearheadinghisforceweresixhundredmobilemissile-launchingplatformscalledchariotsthemostadvancedexamplesofthatera'sweldingtogetheroftechnologyandweaponry.Alsoinhisforceweremassesoffootsoldiers.Afterabriefpursuit,Pharaohandhistroopscaughtupwiththeslow-movingIsraelitesandboxedthemin.BeforetheIsraelitestherewasthebroadexpanseoftheRedSea.SurroundingthemoneveryothersidewerethethreateningEgyptianforces.
TheIsraeliteswereterrified.Intheirfeartheylostperspectiveontheirrecentexperiences.Godmayhavefreedthemfromthebrickyardbyhismiraculousinterventions,butthepresentproblemthemenacingpresenceofthosechariotsbanishedthepastfromtheirminds.Patheticallytheybegantofantasizeaboutthesecuritiesandcharmsofslavery.
Mosesimpatientlyswepttheirhesitationsaside.God'smessagetothepeoplewasclear:
Fearnot,standfirm,andseethesalvationoftheLord,whichhewillworkforyoutoday;fortheEgyptianswhomyouseetoday,youshallneverseeagain.TheLordwillfightforyou,andyouhaveonlytobestill.(Exod.14:1314,italicsadded)
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Don'tbeafraid!ThroughouttheBiblethiswillbethekeynoteofGod'scalltoamoreradicalapproachtoprovisionandprotection.Andforgoodreason.Fearistheenemyofradicalism,foritlimitsthepossibilitiesinanysituationtothedictatesofprudenceandcommonsense.Inthispassageasincountlessothers,God'ssummonstofaithwasasummonstounreasonableaction,evento"irresponsible"inaction.Here,aselsewhere,"faithmeantthatIsraelshouldrelyonYahweh'smiracleforherdefense,ratherthanuponsoldiersandweapons."
3Andamiraclewasanactofdeliverancethathumanscouldnotmanipulate.ItwasagiftagiftofGod'sconcretegrace.4
Andsoabattlewason,ItwasastrugglebetweenkingsPharaohversusYahweh;thelordofEgypt,wielderofarapiddeploymentforcearmedwithstate-of-theartweaponryversustheLordofhosts(armies),whowasapparentlyunarmed.Itwasastruggleforsovereigntyandforfreedom.
Inmilitaryterms,itwasaneccentricbattle.Moses,havingstretchedhishandsoverthesea,ledtheIsraelitesthroughitondryground.Amazing!WhentheEgyptianforcesfollowedthemthedrygroundturnedtomud.Wheelsclogged.Hoofsstuck.Asthewatersclosedinuponthem,theEgyptiansinpaniccriedout,"LetusfleefrombeforeIsrael;forYahwehfightsforthem"(Exod.14:25).Itwastoolate.Moseshadonceagainstretchedouthishand,andtheseawasreturningtoitsusualshape.Beforelongagrislysightappeared:Egyptiancorpseswashedupalongthecoast.
Whohadwonthebattle?AccordingtothewriterofExodus,itwasYahweh.Itwashewhohad"routedtheEgyptiansinthemidstofthesea"(14:27).Victorywashis"greatwork"(14:31).Naturallyenough,
theresponseofthepeoplewasoneofrelief.Butitwasmorethanthat.Itwasfear.Itwastrust.Mostsignificantly,itwasasenseofidentityasanation.AsOldTestamentscholarBrevardChildshasputit,"IsraelleftEgyptasfleeingslaves,andemergedfromtheseaasapeoplewhotestifiedto
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God'smiraculousdeliverance."
5Andthatresponse,oftellingthestoryofGod'sactioninthecontextofthanksgivingandpraise,wastheresponseofworship.
RiskyLiving:Provision
Butanewcrisisloomed.FortheIsraeliteswerenowacrosstheRedSea,inawildernessfarfromthegardensandsupermarketsofEgypt.Theirwineskinswereempty,theirpicnicbasketsbare.Inthissetting,thesecondoftheprimaryhumanneedsappearedprovision.
"Whatshallwedrink?"(15:24)Attheoutset,itwasthirstwhichpreoccupiedthepeople.Theyhadpausedatapondinthewilderness,ataplacecalledMarah.Butitswaterwasbrackish.SotheymurmuredagainstMoses.6AndMoses,inturn,criedouttoYahweh.Mercifully,Yahwehknewwhattodo.Tomakethewaterdrinkable,heorderedMosestocutdownatreeandthrowitintothepond.Forthemomentthatwassufficient.AndshortlythereafterYahwehledthemtoagoodcampsite,Elim,wherethereweretwelvesprings(15:27).Yahwehhadprovidedhispeoplewithwater.
Buthungerwasagrowingconcernaswell.Whatdothousandsoffactoryworkersandfarmersdowhentheyaresuddenlyforcedtobenomads?TheIsraeliteshadn'tplannedforthis.TheirdeparturefromEgypthadhappenedtoofast.Andbythistimetheirmeagerprovisionshadbeenexhausted.
Whatshouldtheydo?OnceagaintheirinstinctiveresponsewastomurmuragainstMoses.Adeceptiveformofnostalgiawascreepingintotheirthinking."IfonlywewerebackinEgypt!Atleasttherewehadenoughbreadandfleshpots(fast-foodrestaurants?).Wewereslaves,butatleastweknewwhattherulesofbondagewere.Freedom
istoohardtocopewith,toounstructured,toounpredictable.Ratherthanbeingkilledbyhungerinthiswilderness,we'dpreferthesecurityofslavery!"(Exod.16:3,paraphrased).
MoseswasdistressedattheshortmemoryoftheIsraelites.
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Couldn'ttheonewhohadrescuedthemfromEgyptianchariotsalsofeedtheminthedesert?Couldn'ttheyseethatthey,bymurmuringagainsttheirhumanleader,wereinrealitydeclaringtheirlackoftrustintheirdivineKing?YahwehwaslessimpatientthanMoses.Afterall,hewasProvideraswellasProtector.Securityfromhungerwasasmuchaconcernofhisassecurityfromenemies.Tofeedhispeoplehedrewuponunexpectedsourcesquailsfromthesea(Exod.16:13;Num.11:31)and"breadfromheaven"(Exod.16:4).
Theprovisionofthebread,calledmanna,hadtwocharacteristicstwo"mannaprinciples."Thefirstofthesewassufficiency.Everymorningexceptone,themannaappearedinflat,flakelikeformonthegroundoutsidethecamp.Itwasdelicious.Dependingonhowitwasprepared,itcouldbecomeeitheroilcakesorhoneywafers(Num.11:8;Exod.16:32).God'smaterialgiftsaregood!Furthermore,whentheIsraeliteswentouttogatherthemanna,theygatheredfreely.Miraculously,regardlessoftheamountthateachhadgathered,itwasalwaysenoughandnevertoomuch.Thepeoplehadasufficientdiet,butnotanextravagantone.
Thesecond"mannaprinciple"wasequality.SomeIsraelitesthosewithentrepreneurialpotentialimmediatelytriedto"improvethemselves,"Thefrugalonesschemedtoskimponeatingsothat,whenshortfallsoccurred,theywouldhavesomeleftovertoselltopeoplewithlessforesight.Othersthemusculartypesgatheredfarmorethantheirshare.Neitherprofitedfromtheirexertions,foreverythingthattheytriedtohoard"bredwormsandbecamefoul''(Exod.16:20).Everyone,therefore,hadthesameamount,andthatwasalwaysenough.
OnonlyonedaycouldtheIsraelitesgathermorethantheirnormalquota.Onthesixthdaytheyweretogatherpreciselytwiceasmuchasusual,fortheseventhdaywasunliketherest.Itwasa"dayofsolemnrest,aholysabbathtotheLord"(16:23).Onthatdaytherewastobe
nowork.Nonewas
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needed,fortherewasnomannaontheground,andtheextramannawhichthepeoplehadnoteatenonthesixthdaywasstillfreshanddelicious.JustasYahwehshowedthemhisgracebygivingthemmanna,healsograciouslygavethemrest.Andbyresting,theyindicatedthattheyacceptedhisgraceandrecognizedthelimitedroleoftheirownworks.Yahwehisfaithful.Hecanprovide!Atthedeepestlevel,hisSabbathday,specificallydesignatedasavehicleofholiness,pointedthewaytoworship.
WorshipingtheHolyOne
Atthisstage,theworshipoftheIsraelites(asrecordedinExodus1516)wasstilluncomplicated.Thegloriousliturgical
literatureofthePsalms,therobingandinstructionofthepriestsandlevites,thedevelopmentofsolemnceremonyandappropriatemusicalltheseweretocomelater.ButGodhadjustacted,interveninginhopelesssituationstodefendthemandfeedthem.AstheIsraelitesrespondedtotheseevents,
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therewasfreshnessintheirworship,andprofundity,too.
Praiseinstinctivelywelledupwithinthem.TheirworshipwasanalmostreflexiveresponsetowhattheyhadwatchedGoddoing.Intheirrelief,theylikemodern-dayhostageswhohavebeenfreedfromcaptivityspontaneouslyacclaimedtheexploitsoftheirliberator.Indeed,theworshipserviceofMosesandthepeople(recordedinExod.15:118andcommonlycalledthe"SongoftheSea")isjustthatanunrehearsedburstofapplausetoYahweh."IwillsingtoYahweh....Yahwehismystrengthandmysong,andhehasbecomemysalvation."
Thepeople'spraiseofYahwehwasnot,however,praiseingeneral.Itwasnotextollinghimforhisattributesor"forwhoheis"(asthecurrentclichéruns).ItwaspraiseofYahwehforwhathehaddone,forspecificdeedswhichthepeoplehadexperienced.Asimportantaspraisewasasecondingredientoftheirworship,storytelling.
WhoisYahweh?"Heistheonewho..."andastoryemerges.InExodus16:3235,Yahwehistheonewhohasfedhishungryandcomplainingpeopleinafoodlessplace:awilderness.Sothepeople,atYahweh'scommand,gatheredaday'ssupplyofthemannawhichhehadgiventhem,andtheystoreditinajarwhichtheyplacedinahighlysignificantplace:beforethearkofthecovenant.There,attheheartoftheirnation'sreligiouslife,inthesightofallthepeople,thisjarwouldbeastimulustoworship.Forthem,futureworshipwouldalwaysbeanactofremembering.
WhoisYahweh?InExodus15,Yahwehistheonewhohastriumphedgloriously;thehorseandhisriderhehasthrownintothesea"(Exod.15:1,21).Intheirworship,thepeoplesangthestory.TheenemykingPharaohhadboasted,"Iwillpursue,Iwillovertake...Iwilldrawmysword,myhandshalldestroythem"(15:9).ButYahwehwasamightierkingthanPharaoh.Hehadblownwithhiswind.Weaponry
ofthelatestdesignhehadcastintothesea.BythisactionYahwehhadshown"thegreatnessofhismajesty."Yahwehhadshownhimselftobe
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"majesticinholiness"(15:7,11).AndtheworshipofYahweh'sholinesswastheconsciousact,bythewholepeople,ofrememberingandtellingYahweh'sstory.
TheworshipoftheIsraelites,however,wasnotsimplyfocusedonthepast.AthirdingredienttheirexpressionoftrustinYahwehwasvital.Itwastobetheirconfessionthat,extendingintothepresentandthefuture,Godwouldkeeponaddingnewchapterstothestoryofhisactions.IntheExodus15song,thisfuture-orientedtrustinYahwehisnotyethighlydeveloped,butitsrootsareunmistakable.Yahweh,theydeclared,wasnotonlytheirKingduringthebattleatthesea;he"willreignforeverandever"(v.18).AndYahwehhasaplan:toplanthispeopleinaplacewheretheycanflourishwhileworshipinghim(v.17).
InIsraeliteworship,past,present,andfutureallareintertwined.Andthisintertwiningwasofgreatpracticalimportancetothem.Itwastheirmeansofcopingwithtwotemptationswhichwouldrepeatedlystalkthem:prideanddespair.
Mostofuscanreadilyempathize.Oftenbeforeajobinterview,anoperation,oranimportantdecisionwehaveprayedferventlyforGod'shelp.OftenGodhasenabledgoodthingstohappenthatwehavefelttobeimpossible.Butatthatpoint,don'twefinditattractivetocreditourselvesourgoodjudgment,cleverness,alertnesswithoursuccess?ThehistoricallyrootedworshipoftheIsraeliteswasanantidotetothispridefultendency.ItisnotaccidentalthatintheExodus15song,whereasIsrael'sking,Yahweh,ismentionedtentimes,Israel'shumanleadersMosesandAaronarenotmentionedatall.ItwasbyGod'sconcretegracethattheyhadbeensaved.InworshiptheyaffirmedtheirhumilitybeforetheirSavior.
Despairisaslethalamaladyaspride.ForGodnotonlysaveshispeoplebygrace;GodalsocallsusliketheIsraelitestoalifeof
vulnerabilityandrisk-takinginwhichwewillcontinuetobedependentuponhim.Often,inperiodsofcrisis,wetendto
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succumbto"worst-case"assessmentsofoursituation."Thesituation'shopeless.Yahwehcan'tdoitagain!"So,sincewedoubtthathecandoanything,wehavetodoourbest,evenifthatmeansdepartingfromhisway.
SoitwaswiththeIsraelites.Whentheyforgotthestoryofhisactions,whentheyignoredtheonewho,"majesticinholiness,"couldintervenetoprotectthemandprovideforthem,theyhadnochoicebuttotrustinthemselves.Theresultwas"realism."Whentheysuccumbedtofalserealism,theIsraelitesdepartedfromthewayofholiness.TheylefttheprecariousroadthatYahwehhadmappedforthemandchosethebroadroadofadaptationtothewaysofthenationsthatsurroundedthem.Storytelling,therefore,wasnotanincidentalpartoftheworshipofGod'speople.Itwastheirmeansofnourishingtheexpectancyandtrustwhichaloneenabledthemtoliveasaholynation.
Exodus:SpringboardofHolyHistory
Itistimeforustoretractourtelescopeand,increasingourballoon'sspeedandaltitude,toglideonwardintime.Butaswedoso,wemustnotforgetourwildernessstory.
ForintheExodusinthebush,inthebattle,inactsofprotectionandprovisionYahwehhadrevealedhimselfinhisholiness.Thereafter,whenleadinghispeople,whenlegislatingforthem,herepeatedlyintroducedhimselfintermsofhisliberatingaction:"IamYahwehwhomakesyouholy,whobroughtyououtofthelandofEgypttobeyourGod:IamYahweh"(Lev.22:3233).Inthisway,asinmanyothers,theExodusservesasapatternorprototypefortherestoftheOldTestament.Itis,accordingtomanyscholars,the"interpretivecenter"fortheOldTestamentwritings.
7Therestofthestoryunfoldsinlightofit.EventhecomingofJesus
wastobeinterpretedbytheearlyChristiansinlightoftheExodus.
AftertheExodus,thingswereneverthesameagain.TheHolyOnehadrevealedhimselfinaction.Hehadshownhis
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holinessthroughinvolvementattimesquitedramaticinvolvementinhistory,shatteringresistancesandliberatinganoppressedpeople.NevercouldtheIsraelitesjustifyamassingmaterialormilitarypowerbyappealingtotheExodusevents.Forthem,thelessonwastheopposite:sinceYahwehhadfreedthembyhisgrace,theywerecalledtoalifebasedontrust,notonpower.Nolongerdidtheyhavetomanipulateeventstomakethemcomeoutright,forhistorywasinthehandsoftheHolyOne."Standfirm,andseethesalvationofYahweh,whichhewillworkforyou"(Exod.14:13).
YahwehhadfreedtheIsraelitesforaspecialpurpose.Thiswasnotaclassicrevolution,inwhichtheoppressedgroupturnedthetablesontheiroppressors.Yahweh'sinterestwaslargerthanwhoshouldruleinEgypt.Yahwehwasinterestedinnothinglessthanthecompletionofhisprojectthere-creationoftheworld.Buthisstrategyinworkingtowardthiscosmicendwasacuriousone.Yahwehbegansmall,freeinganobscurebandofIsraeliteslavestoleavetheirplaceofoppressionandtobecomeanewnation,anationwithaspecialrelationshiptoGod.HenceforththeIsraeliteswouldbe"thepeoplewhomyouhaveredeemed."Inaspecialsensetheywouldbe"yourpeople"(Exod.15:13,16).Throughthemhewould,inthefullnessoftime,blessallofcreation.
That,however,wouldbealongroad.Asheaccompaniedthemonit,Yahwehhadtotraintheminthedisciplinesofholyliving.Inmanyareasoftheirlife(includingthoseoftheprimaryhumanneedsofprotectionandprovision),hispeoplehadtolearnnewpatternsoflivingpatternsdifferentfromtheoneswhichtheyhadobservedinEgypt.LawandhardexperiencethesearethemeansbywhichGodtaughtthem.Inthenextchapter,weshallturnourattentiontothem.
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Chapter5HolyLiving...andWhiningFreeatlast!AsGod'speopleslowlymovedcampintotheSinaipeninsula,theybreathedasighofrelief.Noovertimeinthebrickyard!Noquotas!Nomurderingoftheirbabyboys!TheirexperienceinEgyptseemedtohavebeenabaddream.Andnow,thankstotheinterventionofaGodaboutwhomtheyknewnexttonothing,theywerefree!
Butfreeforwhat?NotfreetoruleEgypt.Yahwehhadn'tintervenedsotheycouldgetbackattheiroppressors.No,hehadloosedthegripofthenationthatwasgrindingthemdownforanotherpurpose:toenablethemtobecomeanewnation,anationthatwouldbedifferent.
1TheirdifferentnesswouldberootedintheirexperienceofholinesstheholinessoftheGodwhohadfoughtforthemandfedthem,AndtheirdifferentnesswouldbeprescribedforthembyanotherofGod'sgiftstothemacodeforlivingcalledtheLawwhichwouldgiveformtotheirfreedom.Theirlifestylewouldreflecttheholinessoftheonewhohadsprungthemloose.
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Ourballoonhasrisen.Wearenowhoveringsomewhathigherthaninchapter4,sowecangetawiderperspectiveonhowthishappened.Wecanseehow,overaperiodoffourhundredyears,YahwehservedastheirKing.NotonlydidYahwehdosuchkinglythingsasfightingforhispeopleandfeedingthem;Yahwehalsomadelawsforthem,punishedthem,anddirectedtheirnationallife.
Whenthepeopleweregood,theywereverygood.TheyrespondedtoYahweh'srulebythankinghimandobeyinghim.Andintheirexperiencesomethingnewhappened.Theydevelopedanationallifestylewhich,intheviewofOldTestamentscholarMartinNoth,had"noparallelatallelsewhere."
2DespitetheirfourhundredyearsinEgypt,theyweren'tlivinglikeEgyptiansanymore.NorweretheylivinglikethepeopleofthevariousnationsthattheymetastheymovedtowardPalestine.Theylivedinanewway.Theywerea"holynation."
Wewillalsosee,ofcourse,thatthepeopleofGodweren'talwaysongoodbehavior.Forholinesshaditspriceobedientdependence.Thiswasn'teasy.Allaroundthemwerenationswholivedbyconventionalvalues.Theyworshipedgodswhoseprimaryrequirementswerereligiousobservances.Thesegodsmadenorealdemandsonlifestyles.Obliginglytheyhelpedtheiradherentsdowhattheyalreadywantedtodo.Howtemptingitwas,whenYahwehdemandedtheinsecurityoftrust,tobowtocommon-sensedeities!God'speopleweretornbetweenYahweh'scalltobea"holynation"andthegravitationalpullofunholylivingwhichmeantlosingtheirnationaldistinctivenessliving"likeallthenations,"theBible(Deut.17:14)callsit.
LaterinourstorywewillfindthepeopleofGodgivingintothis
gravitationalpullandbecomingunholy.Butintheperiodthatwearelookingat,atthemomenttheirforty-yearsojourninthewilderness,theirconquestofthePromisedLand,andtheirlifeinthelandasalooseconfederationoftwelvetribestheymanagedmuchofthetimetobefaithfultoYahweh's
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way.Letuslookatwhatbeingaholynationmeantforthemandfortheirlifetogether.
TheLaw:FrameworkforHolyLiving
ThreemonthsaftertheirescapefromEgypt,theIsraelitescametoamountainintheheartofthewilderness.Onceagaintheyencounteredholiness.WhentheirrepresentativeMosesclimbedthemountaintomeettheHolyOne,thepeopleatasafedistancesensedthemselvestobeinthepresenceofapowerofterrifyingotherness.Theearthtrembledbeneaththem.Theairwaschargedwithelectricity(Exod.19:1619).OutofthethunderYahwehspoke.Yahweh'saimwasnottogivethepeopleanunforgettablereligiousexperience.Hisconcernwasrather,justasithadbeenwhenhemetMosesintheburningbush,tobringaboutactionandchange.
ForthepeopleofIsraeltrulytobeliberatedfromEgypt,theyneededtobetaughthowtoliveinanewway.Yahwehwascallingthepeopletoplaydemandingroles(Exod.19:6).
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Forthemtobehis"kingdomofpriests"theyneededtoliveinobediencetotheirdivineKing.Forthemtobehisspearheadinhistory"aholynation"theyneededtoliveaccordingtohisholiness.BygivingthemsuccessivewavesofLaw,Yahwehwasgraciouslyequippingthemforthesehighcallings.
TheLawwasGod'sprimaryteachingaid.Withoutit,thepeopleofGodwouldhavebeen,inthethingsthatreallymattered,justlikealltheothernations.Emphatically,Yahwehstatedthat"youshallnotlearntofollowtheabominablepracticesofthosenations"(Deut.18:9).Yahweh'speoplemustbeunliketheCanaanites.TheymustalsobedifferentfromtheEgyptianswhoselandtheyhadsorecentlyleft.ForiftheIsraelitesrevertedtoEgyptianwaysandvalues,theywouldberejectingthegraciousworkofYahwehontheirbehalf.
RepeatedlyintheLawthereareimpassionedappealstoremembertheExodus."Yahwehhastakenyou,andbroughtyouforthoutoftheironfurnace,outofEgypt,tobeapeopleofhisownpossession....Takeheedtoyourselves,lestyouforget...(Deut.4:20,23).Byremembering,theywouldbothunderstandwhatYahweh'sconcernswereandremindthemselvesofhisfaithfulness.Theywouldalsohaveamotiveforaction."Youwerepoor.Youwerestrangers.Youwereoppressed.AndIfreedyou.Therefore,youmustacttowardothersasIactedtowardyou"(Exod.22:2123;23:9paraphrased)."ImitationofGod"islanguagewhichwasnotfullydevelopeduntiltheNewTestamentButalreadyintheOldTestamentitispresentinthetexts.Anditsaimisholiness."Youshallbeholy,forIYahwehyourGodamholy''(Lev.19:2).
Holiness,infact,wastopervadetheirlives.Itwastocharacterizetheirreligiousceremonialandtheirfamilypatterns.AnditwastoshapethewaythattheIsraelitesdealtwiththeprimaryhumanconcernsthatwehavediscussedinearlierchaptersprovisionand
protection.IntheExodus,Yahwehhaddemonstratedhisconcretegrace,providingforhispeopleandprotectingthemwithouttheirassistance.Indoingso,
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Yahwehdemonstratedvaluesthatwereprecioustohim.AndYahwehinvitedthemintoarelationshipwithhimselfarelationshipoftrustandvulnerability.
Now,intheLaw,Yahwehtookhispeopleastepfurther.HeshowedthemthatalthoughtheeventsoftheExoduswereunique,theprinciplesinvolvedwererepeatable.Infact,theywouldbetheacknowledgedbasisforYahweh'sprescriptionsforhispeople'slifestyle.Theirswouldbealifestyleofvulnerability.InboththeareasofwealthandwartheLawlimitedthepeople's"works"theircapacitytobecomestrongandself-reliant.Indeed,itsprovisionsinstitutionalizedtheirdependenceonYahweh.OnlybyfaithfaithintheongoingconcretegraceoftheOnewhohaddeliveredthemfromEgyptcouldthepeoplehopetokeeptheLaw.Inthismanner,theLawwasamiraculousfusionoftwothingsthatsomepeopletodayseeasirreconcilableGod'sradicalgraceandasociallyradicallifestyle.God's"holynation"wouldbeadeviantcommunitylivingbygrace.
Provision:SabbathandJubileeYears
Toillustratethis,letuslookattheLaw'sprescriptionsfortheareaofprovision.Fromtheearliestpassagesinthe"CovenantCode"(Exod.2023),itisclearthatsomethingremarkablewasafoot.Aseventhyear(asabbathyear)wasspecified(Exod.21:12;23:1013)whichwastobeholy,inthreewaysdifferentfromotheryears.
Inthefirstplace,thesabbathyearwastobeayearofrecoveryfortheland.Throughlyingfallow,thelandwouldbereenergizedforsixmoreyearsofproductiveharvests.Second,thesabbathyearwouldbeatimeofliberty(release,forgiveness).Thosewhohadbeensoldintoslaveryduringtheprevioussixyearswouldbesetfree.Regardlessoftheupsanddownsoftheireconomicfortunes,noIsraelitecouldbeaslaveformorethansixyears.
Third,thesabbathyearwastobethetimeforattackingthe
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miseryofthepoor.AccordingtotheearlierLawcode(Exod.23:11),thiswastobedonebyempoweringthepoortogatherasmuchastheyneededfromthefields'spontaneousgrowth.Thelatercode(Deut.15:2)addedtothisbycallingforaproclamationofliberty(release,forgiveness),notjustofslaves,butalsoofdebts.Inthesabbathyear"everycreditorshallreleasewhathehaslenttohisneighbor."Thewealthierpeoplemustbealertthattheirattitudesnothardenagainsttheirpoorbrothers.Eveninthesixthyear,whenthedebtforgivenessofthesabbathyearwasapproaching,theymust"opentheirhands"tothepooringrantingthemcredit.
EveryfiftiethyeartherewastobeasabbathofsabbathyearsayearofJubilee.Inthisyear,whichwasspecificallydesignatedas"holy"tothepeople(Lev.25:10,12),remarkablethingsweretohappen.ItwasnotsimplythatintheJubileethepeopleweretodothenormalsabbathyearthingssuchasforgivingdebtsandleavingthelandfallow.Theywerealsotoproclaimlibertyonamassivescaleareleaseoftheland.AnditwasimmenselyimportanttoGodthattheydothis.AccordingtomissionaryandOldTestamentscholarChrisWright,theJubileewas"thecentralcoreofOldTestamenteconomics."
3
Here,inbrief,ishowthesystemwastowork.ThePromisedLandintowhichtheIsraelitescamewasthe"privateproperty,"notofanyindividualsorfamilies,butofGodhimself."Thelandismine"(Lev.25:23),saidtheonlyFreeholder.AsGordonWenham,anEvangelicalOldTestamentscholar,haspointedout,theland"doesnotreallybelongto[theIsraelites];theyinhabititthankssolelytothemercyandfavoroftheirGod,thegreatlandowner."4Asaresult,thelandwasnottobesold,butwastobegraciouslyapportionedtothenewlyarrivedIsraelitefamiliesaccordingtoneed.Thepeopleweretobe
stewardsoftheland,notitsowners.
Inthecourseofthefiftyyears,somefamilies,throughgoodfortuneorhardwork,wouldprosper.Asaresult,theymightacquireadditionallandsfromlessfortunateorlessindustrious
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families.Buttheywouldhavetheselandsonlyonakindofleasehold.AttheJubileetherewouldbeagreatre-equalization.Theleaseswouldexpireandthelandswouldbereleasedreturnedtothefamilieswhooriginallyheldthem.Andeveryfamily,onthebasisofequality,wouldhaveafreshstart.
ThesabbathandJubileeyearswerenottheonlypartsoftheLawinwhichGodprescribedeconomicjusticeforhispeople.Thelawsconcerningtithingandgleaningwerealsoimportant(Deut.14:2829;24:1922;Lev.19:910).Nevertheless,theintermingledtheologicalandeconomicideaswhichlaybehindthesabbathandJubileelawswereremarkable.Letuslookatthemingreaterdetail.
Thefirstthingtonoteistherepeatedreference,inboththesabbathandJubileelaws,totheExodus,Whyreleaseslaves?Whyforgivedebts?Because"youshallrememberthatyouwereaslaveinthelandofEgypt,andYahwehyourGodredeemedyou"(Deut.15:15).Theland,liketheirfreedom,wastheirsnotbyrightormerit,butasYahweh'sgifttothem.Thepeoplewerewarnednottothink,"Mypowerandthemightofmyhandhavegottenmethiswealth"(Deut.8:17).Instead,theirprosperitywastheproductofYahweh'sconcretegrace.
Thepeople,inturn,weretorespondtoYahwehbygraciouslivingandfaithfulliving.BecauseYahwehhadbeengracious,givingthemfreedom,food,andland,theyalsoweretobegracious.Havingthemselvesbeenreleasedfrombondage,theyweretobetheinstrumentsbywhichotherswerereleasedfromthebondagesofslaveryandpoverty.
Todothis,theyneededtolivebyfaith.TheIsraeliteswhorememberedtheExodustrustedthattheGodoftheExoduscoulddoitagain.Godcouldintervenebyactsofconcretegracetovindicatethemwhentheyengagedinactsoffinancialfoolishness.Forwhatelsebut
foolishnesscoulditappearwhentheyrefrainedfromplantingorharvestinginasabbathyear,orredistributedpropertyinaJubilee?Thepeople'sinstinctive
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desirestofulfilltheirprimaryhumanneedofprovisionwerearoused."Whatshallweeatintheseventhyear?"(Lev.25:20)wasareasonablequestionifonethoughtinconventionalhumantermsandforgottheExodus.ButtheinstitutionsofIsrael,prescribedintheLaw,werebasedonapremiseoffaithwhichdefiedcommonsense.ForYahwehwasstillgracious!
Wemustalsokeepoureyesfixedonthesocialsenseofthislegislation.Initthereisnotahintoftheso-called"sanctity[holiness]ofprivateproperty."ThatisdisownedbytheLevi-ticallegislationinwhichYahwehisfreeholderandhispeopleare"strangersandsojournerswithme"(Lev.25:23).Instead,thelanguageofholinessisreservedfortheactofreequalization(Lev.25:10,12).ThatiswheretheholinessofGodismanifestedinreequalization,whenmenandwomen,trustingGod,denytheirpersonaleconomicadvantagetocreateasocietyinwhicheveryonehasenough.
Sufficiencyandequalitythese"mannaprinciples"undergirdedthesabbathandJubileeyears.Inthedesert,Yahwehhaddemonstratedhiscommitmenttosufficiencyandequality:hewantedeveryonetohaveenough,butnoonetohavetoomuch.AstheJewishscholarAndréNehernoted,"Allhadbeenrenderedequalbythejustice-makingactofGod."
5Itisnotsurprising,therefore,thatthelegislativetextsrecallthemanna(Deut.8:34).AndtheyorderlifefortheIsraelitessothatsufficiencyandequalitycanbemaintained.TheaimwastoeradicatepovertyamongGod'speople."Therewillbenopooramongyou...ifonlyyouwillobeythevoiceofYahweh"(Deut.15:45).Evenifthatremainedanunattainablegoal(Deut.15:11),neverthelessitwasonetowardswhichGod'speople,bybeingfaithfultothelawandreliantuponhisgrace,weretocontinuetoorienttheirlives.
Protection:HolyWar
Theprinciplesofholinessandgrace,rootedintheExodus,areequallytobefoundintheLaw'sprescriptionsforprotec-
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tion.SafetywasboundtobeaprimaryconcernoftheIsraelites.TheyhademergedfromEgyptequippedwithonlythelightestofweaponry.AstheymovedintothePromisedLand,theyencounteredothernationsthathadthelatestweaponsthattheorientalarmsbazaarscouldoffer.Forthemsecurityquestionswereuppermost.
Howweretheytocope?IntheCovenantCode(Exod.23:2023),Yahwehgavesomehints.I[will]sendanangelbeforeyou,toguardyouonthewayandtobringyoutotheplacewhichIhaveprepared....Iwillbeanenemytoyourenemies."YahwehhimselfwouldpersonallyinterveneagainstIsrael'senemies:I[will]blotthemout."Themeansbywhichhewoulddothismusthavesoundedsomewhatunreliable.Iwillsendmyterrorbeforeyou,andwillthrowintoconfusionall[yourenemies]."The"hornets"whichhepromisedtosendintobattlewouldhavehadafamiliarring,evokingmemoriesofthemiracleswhichhadprecededtheExodus.Andthepeople,apparentlydoingnothing,weretoacceptYahweh'svindicationasagiftofconcretegrace.
AfullerstatementofthewaysinwhichYahwehwantedtoprotecthispeopleoccursintheDeuteronomicCode(Deut.20),whichestablishedtheinstitutionofthe"holywar".Howcanwarbeholy?Anecessaryevil,somethink.Othersputitmorestrongly.GeneralSherman,whoseUniontroopsputSoutherncitiestothetorchduringtheAmericancivilwar,stateditsuccinctly:"Warishell."
YetintheLaw,war,likeotherIsraelitepractices,wastobe"holy."TheHebrewwordwasherem,whichmeans"dedicated."Intheherem,thedefeatedenemiesandtheirpossessionsweretobededicatedtoYahweh.Inpractice,thismeantbanned,cursed,andutterlydestroyed.Asaholyevent,awarwouldbeginwithanactof"sanctification"(Jer.6:4;Mic.3:5).Theparticipantsinitwouldneedtoensurethattheircampswereholy(Deut.23:14).Fortheholywarwasnot"a
continuationofpoliticalactivitybyothermeans."Itwasanact
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ofreligiousritual,a"vast,bloodysacrifice"totheGodwhograciouslyprotectedhispeople.
6
Asaholyevent,theHolyWarwasboundtobedifferentfromordinarywarfare.Accordingtothebiblicalaccounts,ithadtwomajorpeculiarities.Inthefirstplace,itwasincrediblydestructive.Notuniformlyso,ofcourse.ThecloserthebattlecametotheheartofIsraelitelife,thegreaterthecarnage.Whenadistantcitysurrenderedaftersiege,forexample,theIsraelitesweretoputtotheswordonlytheentiremalepopulation.Thewomen,animals,andspoiltheycouldtakeas"booty"forthemselves(Deut.20:1015).InthecitiesofthePromisedLandthedestructionwastobegreatertheIsraeliteswereto"savealivenothingthatbreathes"(20:16).NorweretheIsraelitestosaveanyoftheartifactsofcivilization.Theyweretoputthemtothetorch(e.g.,Josh.7:11).EquallytotaldestructionwastobethefateofIsraelitecitiesthathadsurrenderedtoidolatry.Theirinhabitantsallofthemweretobekilledalongwithalloftheiranimals.Theirpossessionsweretobepiledupinthecity'scentralsquare,whereuponthey,alongwiththerestofthecity,weretobesetalight,offered"asawholeburntofferingtoYahwehyourGod"(Deut.13:1516).Thedestructionofthecityitspeople,itseconomicresources,anditsculturewastobetotal.
Whythisdestructiveness?NomodernideologyChristianorotherwisewouldjustifysuchaconflagration.Indeed,thejustwartheorycameintobeingpreciselytopreventevenapalereflectionofitfromtakingplace.7Nordoesthisdestructivenessmakemilitarysense.Adefeatedpopulacecanbeabothertogovern.Butcertainlyeveryvictoriouspowerwouldbeopentoseizingtheeconomicresources(thecattle,preciousmetals,etc.)ofthedefeatedcountry.Whatkindof
warfarerulesouteconomicprofitandpenalizesthevictors?
Itisholywar.Theoverwhelmingdestructivenessispartandparcelofitsdistinctiveness.Becauseoftheiroppressionandidolatry,thesurroundingnationswere"Yahweh'sadversaries."
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Theirtotaldestructionwasanexpressionofhispunishment(Num.24:8;Lev.19:25).Evenmoretothepoint,thedestructivenesswasaprotectionofthevictors.Timeandagain,Yahwehrepeatedhisworrythathispeoplewouldbecome"likeallthenations"whichtheyweredisplacingfromthePromisedLand.Yahwehclearlywantedtowardofftheirbecomingworldly.Inorderingtheblottingoutoftheenemiesandtheirculture,theLawwasexpressinghisconcern"thattheymaynotteachyoutodoaccordingtoalltheirabominablepractices"(Deut.20:18).ThecolossaldestructivenessofholywarwasthusameansofkeepingworldlinessfrominfectingGod'speople.Theholywarwasaprotectionoftheirholiness.
Thesecondpeculiarityoftheholywarwasitsinsistenceuponweakness.Whatanunorthodoxapproachtowarfare!Imaginegoingintobattlewithoutattemptingatleasttomatchtheenemyinmanpowerandfirepower!
Thisabsurdapproachtomilitarystrategywas,however,verymuchintheExodustradition.AccordingtoDeuteronomy20,theholywarwastobeginwiththefollowingappeal:
Whenyougoforthtowaragainstyourenemies,andseehorsesandchariotsandanarmylargerthanyourown,youshallnotbeafraidofthem.(Deut.20:1)
Outmannedandoutarmed,theIsraelitesmightwellhavebeenterrified.Yettheywerenottofear,for"YahwehyourGodiswithyou,whobroughtyouupoutofthelandofEgypt".Thepriestwho,inlieuofahumanking,wastoleadthemintobattle,wastoremindthemthattheirdivineKingcoulddoitagain.Yahwehwill"fightforyou...togiveyouthevictory"(Deut.20:4).OfcoursetheIsraelitesoldiersmighthavetofight.Indeed,theymighthavetoengageingenocidalviolence.ButtheiractivitieswouldbesecondarytotheprioractofYahweh,whosesurprisinginterventionwouldbedecisive.Yahweh
wasthevictor.AsintheExodus,victorywouldbethe
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productofYahweh'sconcretegrace,notofhumanworks.AndYahweh'speopleweretorespondbyobedientlytrustinghimfortheirnationalsurvival.
TheholywarlegislationofDeuteronomy20didnotsimplyrecommendthisdependence.Itmaderadicaldependenceunavoidablebyestablishingtheprincipleofintentionalinferiority(Deut.20:59).Beforethebattle,theofficersweretoaddresstheirtroopsasfollows:
Isthereanymanherewhohasjustbuiltahouse,buthasnotyetdedicatedit?Ifso,heistogohome.Otherwise,ifheiskilledinbattle,someoneelsewilldedicatehishouse.(Deut.20:5,TEV)
Soalsothosewhohadplantednewvineyardsorbetrothedtheirintendedwives:Letthemgohome!Even,significantlyenough,thosewhowere"fearfulandfainthearted"(i.e.,thosewhocouldnottrustYahwehtoprotecthispeople):Letthemgohome!Fortheirfearmightbecontagious.Whengoingintobattle,Israelwouldthusbebehavinginaverystrangeway.Farfromconscriptingallavailablemanpower,theIsraeliteleaderswouldbeenspringthattheirarmywouldbenumericallyinferiortotheirenemies.
TheIsraeliteswerealsotobetechnologicallyinferior.InDeuteronomy20:1itisassumedthatIsrael'senemieswouldnotonlyhavelargerarmiesbutalsoonesequippedwithhorsesandchariots.Thelethalchariots,especially,weretheshockforcesofNearEasternarmiesofthetime.Asearlyenginesofmechanizedwarfare,theygavetothearmiesthatpossessedthembothmobilityandbrutestrength.
Israelwasnottohavechariots.InJoshua11wefindtheIsraelitesencounteringthe"greathost...withverymanyhorsesandchariots,"ofthecentralCanaaniteking,Jabin.Withtheenemyinfullsight,Yahweh,theGodoftheExodus,madeacharacteristicpromise:"Iwillgiveoverallofthem,slain,toIsrael."Ononecondition,however.
"Youshallhamstringtheir
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horsesandburntheirchariotswithfire"(Josh.11:6).
Inthiswayaswell,Israel'sbehaviorwastobestrange.Ifanyonehadtheconventionalmilitaryideaofusingthecapturedenemyweaponryinthenextbattle,hewastoforgetit.Instead,theIsraelitesweretotreatthechariotslikethingsaccursed,likeidols.Theyweretoburnthemwithfire.
ThisdramaticgestureisafittingsymboloftheholinessofIsrael'swarfare.ItsimultaneouslydestroyedpaganweaponryandsecuredIsrael'sintentionalinferiority.ForIsraelwasnottotrustinanythingbutYahwehforitsprotectionlestthey"vauntthemselvesagainstme,saying,Myownhandhasdeliveredme"(Judg.7:2),Usingunorthodoxmilitarytechniques,Yahwehwouldintervenepersonallytohelpthemintheirobedientfoolishness.
WorkingItoutinPractice
Whatwasthepay-offforobediencetoYahweh?AccordingtotheLaw,itwasblessing.Yahwehwouldblesshispeople,providingforthemandprotectingthem.Hewouldblessthefruitoftheirbody.Yahweh'sblessingwouldbeupontheirbarns.Andwhentheywerethreatenedbyenemies,Yahwehwoulddefeatthem:"Theyshallcomeoutagainstyouoneway,andfleebeforeyousevenways"(Deut.28:7).Bydeedsofconcretegrace,YahwehwouldestablishIsraelas"apeopleholytohimself"(Deut.28:9).
Butdiditwork?DidtheIsraelitesreallyengageinthesepracticeswhichrequiredthemtorelyonYahweh'sprovisionandprotection?
Concerningthelawsonprovision,itishardtotell.AccordingtotheaccountinJoshua(5:12),thedailysupplyofmannanevergaveoutaslongastheIsraeliteswereinthedesert.ItceasedonlywhentheyenteredintotheamplefarmlandofthePromisedLand.Werethe
sabbathandJubileelawsputintopractice?Thebiblicalaccountdoesnotsay.Inviewoflaterpracticesofleavingthelandfallowandforgivingdebt,itis
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likelythatthesabbathlawswereobservedfromanearlydate.TheJubileelaws,ontheotherhand,''neverbecameanintegralpartoftheHebrewwayoflife."
8Buttheywereknown,andtheyhadtheireffect.Witnesslaw-abidingNaboth'sreluctance,soinfuriatingtopaganqueenJezebel,tosellhisfamily'svineyardtokingAhab(1King21).9
Therecanbenodoubt,ontheotherhand,thatthelifeoftheIsraeliteswasprofoundlyaffectedbythelawsonprotection.ThiswasevidentfromthestartoftheircampaigntoconquerthePromisedLand.AftercapturingtheCanaanitecityofJericho,forexample,they"burnedthecitywithfire,andallwithinit"(Josh.6:24).WhenoneoftheirnumbertriedtoconvertalittleCanaaniteclothingandpreciousmetalintohisprivateproperty,YahwehsuspendedhismilitaryhelpandtheIsraelitetroopswereputtoflight."Iwillbewithyounomore,unlessyoudestroythedevotedthings[herem]fromamongyou"(Josh.7:12).Sothepeoplediscoveredtheculprit,stonedhim,andburnedhimandhissecretgoodswithfire(Josh.7).Bytheseactsofdestruction,Israel'sdistinctivenessitsholiness-wasprotected.
ThebiblicalstoryislikewisefullofYahweh'sprotectionofhispeopleintheirintentionalinferiority.Thinkofthebattlesofthisperiod.WhofoughttheBattleofJericho?Not,despitethefamousspiritual,Joshua!ItwasYahweh,whowonthevictorybyarchitecturalcatastrophethewallsfelldown!Yahweh'smeansinotherbattlesequallycombinedthematerialandthemiraculous:illness,arumor,thunder,hailstones,aswollenstream.10Ofcourse,bythistimethehumanelementwasnowpresentinthebattles.TheIsraeliteswereparticipatingaswarriors.Buttheireffortswereofsecondaryimportance.AfterYahweh,therealvictor,hadroutedtheopposition,theIsraelitesmoppedup.
Ofmanyexamplesofthisbizarretypeofbattle,Ishallmentiontwo.ThefirstoftheseisthebattlebetweentheIsraelitesandtheirMidianiteneighbors(Judg.67).Toleadhispeople,
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YahwehcalleduponGideon,apiouswinegrowernotatallinclinedtobecomeawarrior.Butoncehedidso,hewasdeterminedtowagewarbythebook(oftheLaw).AtYahweh'sinstruction,GideonfollowedtheproceduresetdowninDeuteronomy20.Hesenthomethefearfultwenty-twothousandofthem.Buttherewerestilltenthousandwarriors,fartoomanyforYahweh'spurposes.SoGideonbywatchinghowthemendrankwaterfromthestreamparedthemdowntoamerethreehundred.Atthispoint,arrayedagainstanumerousMidianiteforce(Judg.6:5),IsraelwasinferiorenoughforYahwehtodemonstratehispoint:itwasYahweh,notanyIsraeliteheroes,whowouldprotectthepeople.
TheequipmentthattheIsraelitescarriedintobattlewasunorthodox.AtYahweh'ssuggestion,theydeployedtrumpets,smashableclaypots,brightlights,andlustyvoices.Whentheyblewtheirtrumpets,Yahwehhimselfintervened.He"setevery[Midianite]man'sswordagainsthisfellowandagainstallthearmy"(Judg.7:22).TheIsraelitesthenbroughtthebattletoaconclusionbychasingofftheirterrifiedopponents.
ThesecondexampleisIsrael'sbattleagainstaCanaanitearmyledbySisera(Judg.45).TheCanaaniteswereastechnologicallyadvancedastheMidianiteswerenumerous.Theywerearmedwith"ninehundredchariotsofiron"(Judg.4:3)andwereledbyprofessionalsoldiers.TheIsraelites,incontrast,werechariotlessandledbyanunarmedwoman,Deborah.Israel'smilitaryleader,anapparentlyfaint-heartedmannamedBarak,waspersuadedtogointobattlewhenDeborahpromisedhimthatshewouldbebyhisside.ShealsowarnedhimthatIsrael'svictorywouldnotleadtohisownglory,becauseYahwehwouldbethevictor."YahwehwillsellSiseraintothehandofawoman"(Judg.4:9).
Battleensued.Siseradeployedallhischariotsandallhismightymen.
ButYahwehintervened.TheriverKishonburstitsbanks,cloggingthechariotwheels,andforcingSiseraandtheothercharioteerstofleeonfoot.TheIsraelitearmypursued
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theirhaplessenemies.ThateveningtheexhaustedSiseradied,thevictim,notofBarakoranyIsraelitehero,butofJael,awomanwhodroveatentpegthroughhisskull.Israel'svictorywasthatofapowerlesspeople,dependentontheirProtector.
WhiningandIdolatry
TheIsraelitesrespondedtoYahweh'sactsofconcretegracebyworshipinghim.Inburstsofspontaneouspraiseandinmoreelaboratelycomposedpsalmstheycelebratedhisfaithfulness.Yahweh,theyproclaimed,wastheir"sun[provision]andshield[protection]"(Ps.84:11)."TheangelofYahwehencampsaroundthosewhofearhim,anddeliversthem[protection]...thosewhoseekYahwehlacknogoodthing[provision].""Otasteandsee,"thepsalmistexultsintheGodofconcretegrace,"thatYahwehisgood!''(Ps.34:79).Heisthevictorovertheenemychariots:"Hear,Okings;giveear,Oprinces...IwillmakemelodytoYahweh,theGodofIsrael"(Judg.5:3).TheworshipoftheIsraeliteswasacelebrationofYahweh'sactsandaretellingofhisstory.Itwasalsoanexpressionoftrust.Byprovidingforhispeopleandprotectingthem,theGodwhohadbroughtthemoutofbondagewouldkeepondoingitagain!
Orwouldhe?Therewasroomfordoubt.Forlivingintrustfulinsecurityisalwaysdifficult,especiallywhenoneisconfrontinghardreality.Emptybarnsorasquadronofchariotscouldspuranyonetoaquickrethink.Soalsocouldtheexampleofothersocietieswhocouldhavereligionwithoutneedingtohavefaith.ItisinconvenienttohaveaGodwhogivespeoplefreedomonlyinsofarastheyarelivingindependantdeviance.Muchofthetime,theIsraelitesintrustputupwiththisinconvenience,andpersistedintheirpatternsofholyliving.
ButattimestheIsraeliteswavered.TheyforgotthestoryofYahweh'sacts.Theyceasedtoexpecthisnewinterventionstovindicatetheir
peculiarlifestyle.Andtheyalteredtheirreligiouspracticesaccordinglybyturningtotwoformsoffalseworshipwhiningandidolatry.
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Atwhining(theOldTestamentcallsitmurmuring)theIsraeliteswereexperts.Itwasaformofnostalgia.Thepresentisbad.Thepastwasbetter.HowwonderfulEgypthadbeen!"WerememberthefishweateinEgyptfornothing,thecucumbers,themelons,theleeks..."(Num.11:5).AndweforgetthebondageandthesavingactsofYahweh.Weascribetotheslaveryofthepast("youhavebroughtusupoutofalandflowingwithmilkandhoney"[Num.16:13])thebenefitsthatGodhaspromisedforourfuture.Andweturnback,backtothesecurityofslavery."Letuschooseacaptain,andgobacktoEgypt''(Num.14:4).Anythingisbetterthantheriskinessoffreedom!
Therisksdidindeedappearimposing.Itwasnotsimplythatmannawasgettingtiresome.AforwardpartyofIsraelitespieswarnedofgiantsinthePromisedLand."Thepeoplewhodwellinthelandarestrong,andthecitiesarefortifiedandverylarge...andweseemedtoourselveslikegrasshoppers"(Num.13:28,33).Onlytwoofthespies,CalebandJoshua,dissentedfromthemajorityreport,whichseemedtothemtobe"rebellingagainstYahweh."ButtheotherIsraelitesrespondedbypeltingthetwowithstones.Havingdismissedthepastasirrelevant,theyweregraspingafterarisklessfuture.
Yahwehwasoutragedbythisattitude.Puttingmetotheproof,hecalledit.Atroot,itwasadenialofhisgraciouspresence.Intheearlydaysinthedesert,ataplacewhichwascalledMassah[proof],thethirstyIsraeliteshadputYahwehtotheproofbyasking,"IsYahwehamongusornot?"(Exod.17:7).Thereaftertheyoftenaskedthequestion,especiallywhentheywerefeelinginsecureabouttheirprimaryhumanneedsofprotectionandprovision.Yahweheventuallyhadhadenough.
NoneofthepeoplewhohaveseenmygloryandmysignswhichIwroughtinEgyptandinthewilderness,andyethaveputmetotheproofthesetentimesandhavenothearkenedtomyvoice,shallseethelandwhichIsworetogivetotheirfathers....(Num.14:2223)
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MoseshimselfwouldbedeniedentryintothePromisedLand,forevenhehaddespairedofYahweh'spowertoprovide(Num.20).TheLandwouldbesettledbythenextgenerationofIsraelites,ledbythetwospieswhohadhadfaith.
PuttingYahwehtotheproofwasthusofgreat,literallymake-or-break,significance.ForgoodreasonitwasathemethatpermeatedthepsalmswithwhichIsraelworshiped:
Theyputhimtotheproofagainandagain,andprovokedtheHolyOneofIsrael.Theydidnotkeepinmindhispower,orthedaywhenheredeemedthemfromthefoe.(Ps.78:4142)
ThereliabilityofYahwehinpracticalmattersleadingtorisk-takingwasaspiritualmatter.Indeed,itwasamatterofholiness.AsYahwehreprovedMoses,"YoubrokefaithwithmeinthemidstofthepeopleofIsraelatthewatersofMeribathkadesh...becauseyoudidnotreveremeasholyinthemidstofthepeopleofIsrael"(Deut.32:51).ToworshiptheholyGodwastorememberthatGodaloneagainstallappearancescanprotectandprovide.
Likewhining,idolatrywasaformoffalseworship.ItdidnottaketheIsraeliteslongtoexplorethisidolatry.WorshipinganimagelessGodwas,forpeopleofthatera,somethingofastrain.NotonlywasYahwehinvisible;healsowasdemandingalifestylethatseemedtofloutancientNearEasterncommonsense.
Howinvitingitseemed,therefore,toworshipothergods.NotthatthepeoplewouldforgetYahweh.Theywouldsimplyaccordhimanhonoredplacealongsideothergodsinthedivineclub.SowhenAaronledtheIsraelitesinconstructingagoldencalf,heproclaimed,"TomorrowshallbeafeasttoYahweh"(Exod.32:5).
Religioustwo-timing(syncretism)wasattractive,especiallysincemanyofthealternativegodsseemedtobemorerespon-
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sivetothepeople'sneeds.Forexample,thegodsBaalandAstarte,whoappeartohavebeenYahweh'stwochiefrivalsfortheallegianceoftheIsraelites,dealtwitheminentlypracticalissues.Althoughprotectionandprovisionweresaidtobeimportanttobothofthem,eachappearstohaveengagedinsomespecialization.
"PowerfulBaal"was"thePrince,LordofEarth."Inancientdepictionshebrandishedaclubinhisrighthand,whileinhislefthandwasalancewhichhecast,lightninglike,upontheearth.Amalegod,Baalwasawarrior.Astarte,ontheotherhand,wasagoddess.Onamulets,whichexpectantwomenkeptforprotectioninchildbirth,shecouldbeseenwithcascadinglocksofhairswirlingaroundherbreasts.Shewasthegoddessofhumanreproductivityandoftheproductivityofthesoil.
11
ThephysicaldepictionofthesegodsidolswasoffensivetoYahweh.Butmoreseriously,hewasoffendedbecausethepeoplehadmadethesegodsintheirownimage,accordingtotheirownconvenience.Thegodsweredemanding,butonlyofcorrectceremony.Theydidnotrequire,asYahwehdid,adeviantlydependentlifestyle.OnecouldworshipBaalandlivelikeeverybodyelsedid.OnecouldworshipAstarteandbeself-reliant.Thegods,unlikeYahweh,helpedthosewhohelpedthemselves.
HereishowtheAssyriankingShalmaneserIIIreportedhisexploits.
[Twelvekings]roseupagainstmeforadecisivebattle.IfoughtwiththemwiththesupportofthemightyforcesofAshur[godofAssyria],whichAshur,mylord,hasgiventome,andthestrongweaponswhichNergal[godofthenetherworld],myleader,haspresentedtome,andIdidinflictadefeatuponthem....Islew14,000oftheirsoldiers....12
Shalmaneser,tobesure,believedthatthegodswereinvolvedinthebattle.Buttheywerehelpinghim,whowasthemain
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protagonistandwhowasfightinglikealltheothernationsbythemostadvancedmilitarytechniquesthatwereavailable.
Setthisself-congratulatoryaccountasideandexploreagainthebiblicalaccountsofIsrael'sbattles.Oneentersadifferentworldaworldofholiness.FortheIsraelitesconfessedthatYahwehwassoinventive,soconcretelygracious,thathecoulddefeattheirenemieswithouttheirhelp!Hecouldprovideforhispeopleandprotectthemwhentheyenteredintotheriskofalifestylewhichrejectedmilitaryandeconomicstrength.Yahweh'sconcretegracewassufficient.Itwasamongapowerlesspeoplethathecouldmanifesthispower.HowstrangetoShalmaneser,howunlikethenationsancientandmodern,thisconfessionoffaithis!And,asweshallseeinthenextchapter,howhardtomaintain!
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Chapter6LosingHoliness:TheMonarchySuddenlywe'velostaltitude!Aswelookoutofourballoon,wecanseemoredetailbutlessterritory.It'simportanttobeclosertothegroundatthispoint,forwearegoingtobeexaminingawatershed.Atthisparticularmomentabout1020B.C.thepeopleofGodmadeachoice.Astheythemselvesputit,theydecidedtobecome"likeallthenations"(1Sam.8:20).
Itwasamomentousdecision.Aswehavenotedinearlierchapters,thepeopleofGodweretobeanation,butanationthatwasdifferent.Theircallingwastobea"holynation"unlike"thenationswhomyougointodispossess"(Exod.19:6;Deut.12:29).Infact,inHebrewthewordfornationshasnegativeovertonesmuchlikethoseoftheEnglishword''heathen."ThroughouttheLaw,Yahwehrepeatedlywarnedhispeoplehisnationnottobelikethenations.ThenationswereYahweh'sadversaries(Num.24:8).Theylivedbytheirownconventionalvaluesofstrengthandself-reliance,notbyhis
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Law.ButtheIsraelitesweretobedifferent.Iftheywouldbefaithfulanddependentuponhim,Yahwehwouldsetthem"highaboveallnationsthathehasmade."Theresultwouldbeholiness."YoushallbeapeopleholytoYahwehyourGod"(Deut.26:19).
Oh,itwastemptingtobelikethenations!Yahwehrecognizedthisfact,warningthem:"Takeheedthatyoubenotensnaredtofollowthem[thenations]"(Deut.12:30).Yahwehknewthatcopyingthewaysofthenationswoulddisfigurehispeople'sworshipandlifestyle.Itwouldblunttheireffectivenessashisinstrumentinhistory.Anditwouldchangetheirnature.Bybecominglikethenations,hispeoplewouldnolongerbelikehim.Theywouldhavelosttheirholiness.
Fearandsecurity,protectionandpowerthesewerethecrunchpointsatwhichthepeople'snonconformityfinallybrokedown.Theseweretheconcernswhichwerebehindthepeople'sdemandforaking.Oncetheyhadtheirwish,Israel'slifewouldneveragainbethesame.Letuswatchasthechangeshappen.
LivingwithYahwehasKing:TheJudges
FortwocenturiesaftertheirconquestofthePromisedLand,theIsraeliteshadacounterculturalformofgovernment.Inaworldinwhicheverynationgreatandsmallhaditsking,theIsraeliteswereapparentlykingless.Theirtribalconfederationhadnocentralgovernment.Theleadersofeachtribewouldtrycasesandadjudicatedisputes.AllservedundertheoverarchinglordshipofYahweh,theirdivineKing,theLordofarmies,whoeversincetheExodushadprotectedhispeople.
Towardstheoutsideworld,Israel,withnostandingarmy,wasvulnerable.AslongastheIsraeliteswereobedienttoYahweh,theylivedinshalom(Lev.26:6).Whentheyapedthepracticesofsurroundingnations,however,theygotintotrouble.Foreignruleand
economicoppressionwerethebitterresultsoftheirinfidelity.
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Eventhen,however,theirKing,Yahweh,remainedcommittedtothem.Suddenly,insurprisingways,YahwehsenthisSpirituponunsuspectingIsraelites,bothmaleandfemale.Withoutregardtofamilytradition,economicprivilegeormilitaryprowess,Godmadethemhisrepresentatives.Despitetheirlackofaconventionalpowerbase,theseordinarypeople(Othniel,Gideon,Jepthah,tonameafew)becamehisinstruments.EmpoweredbyYahweh'sSpirit,theyjudgedhispeopleandrestoredtheirfreedom.VoluntarilytheIsraelitesgavevice-regalauthoritytothejudges(astheseSpirit-appointedleaderswerecalled).ButtheyrecognizedYahwehastheirrealKing.AndYahwehrespondedbyprotectinghispeoplebythunderbolts,rumors,andotherdeedsofcounterculturalwarfare.
Inchapters6and7of1Samuel,wereadanexcellentaccountofYahweh'skinglyrule.Inabout1030B.C.,shortlybeforethedecisivewatershed,theIsraelitesfellpreytotheculturalandreligiousenticementsoftheirneighbours,thePhilistines.Asaresult,theysoonfoundthemselvesdominatedpoliticallyandmilitarilyaswell.NotonlyweretheytheslavesofthePhilistines;theyalsosufferedthegnawingsenseoftheabsenceofYahweh(1Sam.4:9;7:2).
Religiousrevivalwasanecessaryresponsetothiscrisis.SoYahwehraisedupajudge,Samuel.Inspiredbyhim,thepeopledisposedoftheirBaalsandAstartes.TheyreaffirmedtheLaw.Andtheyconfessed,"WehavesinnedagainstYahweh"(1Sam.7:36).Thecovenantrelationshiprestored,SamuelcouldjudgethepeopleinthenameofYahwehtheirKing.ThePhilistinescorrectlyfoundthistobeachallengetotheirpoliticalauthority,sotheymassedtoattacktheIsraelites.Atthenewsofthis,theIsraeliteswereterrified.InpanictheyappealedtoSamuel,whosprangintoaction.Whatdidhedo?Didheleadananti-Philistinecounterattack?No,hetookasuckinglambandsacrificedittoYahweh.Inthispostureofdependenceandworship,Samuel"criedtoYahwehforIsrael,andYahwehanswered
him."WhileSamuelwasstillatwor-
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ship,whiletheIsraeliteswerestillimmobilizedintheirterror,Yahwehacted.He"thunderedwithamightyvoice"andthePhilistinesfledindisarray,pursuedbythesuddenlyenergizedIsraelites(1Sam.7:711).
Whatagreatvictory!Howshouldtheycelebrateit?Byerectingawarmemorial,ofcourse!Samueltookaboulderandplaceditinaprominentlocation.Nothingunusualsofar.Buttherewassomethingstrange,somethingcounterculturalaboutthiswarmemorial.Samuelnamedthestone"Ebenezer"(stoneofhelp),indicatingthatheandthepeoplehadbeenhelpless.ButtheirKing,Yahweh,hadcometotheiraidwhenhispeoplehadturnedtohim.SamuelwasatpainstoremindthepeopleofYahweh'sfaithfulnessthroughouttheirhistory:"Tothispoint...Yahwehhashelpedus"(1Sam.7:12NEB).Therewasnothingplaintiveaboutit,unlikemanymodernrenditionsofthehymn"OGodOurHelpinAgesPast."ForIsraelwasnotrecallingitsvictims.Norwasitgloryinginitsexploits.IsraelwasrememberingtheconcretegraceofitsKingYahweh,whohadhelpedthemwhentheywerehelpless.Inerectingthismemorial,SamuelwasthushelpingthepeopletoparticipateinthegrandtraditionofIsraeliteworshiprememberingthemightydeedsofYahweh.Thepeoplemustnotforget!Foronlythroughworship,whichisremembering,couldtheyrespondinfaithfulvulnerabilitytotheirnextcrisisofinsecurity.
Toseehowunlikethenations,howholytheapproachofSamuelandtheIsraeliteswas,letusturnonceagaintotheinscriptionsoftheAssyrianking,ShalmaneserIII.ForShalmaneseralsoerectedawarmemorial:
Atthattime,Iextolledforposteritytheheroicachievementsof[Assyriangods]AshurandShamashbyfashioningasculpturedstelawithmyselfaskingdepictedonit.Iwrotethereuponmyheroicbehavior,mydeedsincombat,anderecteditbesidethesourceoftheSaluarariver.
1
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Shalmaneser'smonumentdulymentionsthegods,buttherealvictorisneverindoubt.HowdifferentweretheIsraelites,whocreditedthevictorytothegraciousinterventionoftheirinvisibleKing!
RejectingYahweh:TheWaysofaKing
Beingdifferentwasfrightening.OftenresponsibleleadersoftheIsraelitetribesmusthavebeenplaguedbyuncertainty.Howwouldtheycopewiththeirnextcrisisofinsecurity?ThehistoryofYahweh'sactionsasrecountedintheirpsalmsanddepictedontheirmonumentswasinspiring.Butthegeopoliticalfactswereintimidating.Theirenemieshadthelatestmodelofchariotsandtheydidn'tevenhaveanordinarycentralgovernment!
In1020,lateinSamuel'slife,suchthoughtswerecertainlyinthemindsoftheeldersofIsrael.Therewasacrisisofsuccession.Despitethefactthatthejudgeshiphadneverbeenhereditary,Samuelhadnamedhissonstobejudgesinhisplace.Butthesonswerenotuptothetask.Theywerefinanciallycorruptandthey"pervertedjustice"(1Sam.8:2).Itwouldhavebeenonlyrightiftheelders,intheirconcernforthewelfareofthepeople,hadexposedthedubiousdealingsofthesonsandqueriedSamuel'sactinappointingthem.Afterall,uptothattimethejudgeshadalwaysbeenraisedupbyYahweh'sSpirit!
Butinstead,theelderschoseanotherapproach.InabodytheycametoSamuelandsaid,"Behold,youareoldandyoursonsdonotwalkinyourways;nowappointforusakingtogovernuslikeallthenations"(1Sam.8:5).Astheymadeclear,theywereconcernedforboththedomesticjusticeandtheexternalsecurityofthenation(1Sam.8:20).Theirconcernswerethoseofresponsiblepeople.Theirsuggestionwas,bythestandardsofeveryothercountryoftheirday,acommonsenseone.Andtheideawasnotanewone.Acenturybefore,afterthevictoryovertheMidianites,thepeoplehadurgedGideon
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tobecomeIsrael'shereditarymonarch(Judg.7:22).
AformofkingshipmayevenhavebeeninYahweh'splanforhispeople(Gen.49:10).(CertainlyapassagefromtheLawwouldseemtoindicateasmuch[Deut.17:1420]).ThekingwhichYahwehenvisaged,however,wasacounterculturalkingakingnotatall"likethenations."Foronething,thekingwastobeanIsraelitewhowasimmersedintheLaw."Heshallreadinitallthedaysofhislife,"thathemaylearntofearYahwehandobeyhisstatutes.Furthermore,sincethekingwouldinevitablybetemptedtobeunfaithfultoYahwehandhisway,theLawestablishedsomesafeguards.Itprohibitedthekingfrommultiplyinginthreeareas:frommultiplyinghorses,therebybuildingupatechnologicallysophisticatedstandingarmy;frommultiplyingwives,nodoubttoconcludeallianceswithneighboringkingdoms;andfrommultiplyingsilverandgold.Ifthekingobeyedtheseregulations,hisheartwould"notbeliftedupabovehisbrethren."UndertheseconditionstheIsraeliteswouldbeallowedtohaveamonarchy.Itwouldbeanegalitarian,antimilitaristicmonarchyquiteunlikethatoftheothernations.
Despitetheproposal'sapparentcommonsenseandtheDeuteronomicLaw,Samuelwasdismayedbytheelders'request.InprayerhebroughthisdistressbeforeYahweh.Althoughgrievinghimself,YahwehattemptedtocomfortSamuel.ThepeoplewerenotrejectingSamuel.Theirrejectionwasdeeper,moreradicalthanthat."Theyhaverejectedme,"Yahwehstated,"frombeingkingoverthem"(1Sam.8:7).
InrejectingYahwehastheirKing,theIsraeliteelderswerechoosingbetweentwothemesintheirnationalhistory.TherewasthethemeofYahweh'sgrace,rootedintheExodus,repeatedincountlessactsofprotectionandprovision,celebratedintheirworship.Therewasalsothethemeofwhiningandfaithlesscomplaint,ofputtingYahwehto
theproofbydoubtinghiscapacitytocareforthem,ofrepudiatingtheExoduswhichdeliveredthemfromslaveryintotheinsecurity
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offreedom,evenofidolatry,of"forsakingmeandservingothergods"(1Sam.8:8).
2Bychoosingahumanking"likeallthenations,"theIsraeliteelderswerebasingtheirnationallifeonthelatterofthesethemes.TheywerechoosingtoforgettheconcretegraceofGod.Andbysodoing,byspurningtheircounterculturalformofgovernmentforanordinaryNearEasternkingship,theirnationwouldloseitsholiness.
Theelderscouldnotknowalltheimplicationsoftheirchoice.SoYahwehinstructedSamueltotrytocommunicatethesetothem."Showthemthewaysofthekingwhoshallreignoverthem"(1Sam.8:9).So,inaremarkablespeech(1Sam.8:1118),SamuelgavetheeldersanintroductorylectureinNearEasternpoliticalscience.Samuelknewwhatwasgoingonintheneighboringnations.AccordingtoOldTestamentscholarMillardLind,"EachaspectofSamuel'scriticismcanbedocumentedasacharacteristicofCanaanitekingshipfromthetexts[ofthenearbyUgaritickingdom]."3ButSamueldidnotlimithimselftocommentingonpoliticsandsociety.Healsotalkedaboutreligion.Asheproceededwithpassionateintensity,hecouldnothelppointingouttheimpactwhichtheIsraelites'choiceofahumankingwouldhaveupontheirrelationshipwithYahweh.
AccordingtoSamuel,the"waysoftheking"couldbesummarizedinonephrase:"Hewilltake."FourtimesSamuelrepeatedthispredictionofmonarchicalgraspingness:hewilltakeyoursons,hewilltakeyourdaughters,hewilltakethebestofyourfields,andhewilltakeyourservantsandyourcattle.Howdifferent,Samuelimplied,havebeenthewaysofYahwehwho,astheirgraciousKing,haddealtwithhispeoplebygiving,giving,andgivingstillmore.
KingshipwouldbringfundamentalchangestoIsrael'swholesociety.Itsapproachestotheprimaryhumanconcernsofprotectionandprovisionwouldbe"normalized."Samuelstartedwiththemilitarizationofsocietywhichkingshipwouldentail.Theking,bytakingthepeople'ssons,wouldbeintroducing
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militaryconscription(and,incidentally,undercuttingtheLaw'srequirementthatIsraelbemilitarilyinferiortoherfoes).Theconscriptedsonswouldserveintheking'schariots.Israel'scommitmenttotechnologicalinferiority,whichhadexemptedherfromthearmsracesofherday,wouldtherebydisappear."Commandersofthousandsandcommandersoffifties"wouldappear,introducingamilitarycommandstructureintoanationthathaduptonowrelieduponspontaneousleadershipinacrisis.Andofcoursetherecouldbenochariotsor"implementsofwar"withoutanotherinnovation,anarmsindustry.KingshipwouldtakeIsraelalongwayfromthedependanceuponYahweh'sconcretegraceoftheholywar.
KingshipwouldbringtoIsraelmaterialismaswellasmilitarism.Bytakingthepeople'ssons,daughters,andservants,thekingwouldbeintroducingsomethingcommontotheancientNearEast,butpreviouslyunknowntotheIsraelitesforcedlabor.Hewouldalsobeseizingthebestoftheirlandsfields,vineyards,andoliveorchards.Hewouldbetakingatitheoftheirflocksandharvests.
Theimplicationsofthesechangeswerestaggering.KingshipwouldaltertheentirestructureofIsraelitesociety.Forthelandsandharvestswhichthekingrequisitionedfromhissubjectswouldnotjustgotohimselfpersonallyortothe"state";theywouldgoashisgiftstoanewclassofcourtiers"hisofficersandhisservants."Thepeople'ssonswouldploughhislands;theirdaughterswouldbakeandmakeperfumeinhiscourt.Theverywords"hislands"indicatedthewaythatthingsweregoing.Aconceptofhumanownership,borrowedfromthe"nations,''wasbeingintroducedwhichwouldmakeitimpossibletobeobedienttotheLawwhichrequiredthereequalizationoflandholdinginJubilee.Notonlywouldtherichbecomericherattheexpenseofthepoor;thegulfbetweenthemwouldbecomepermanent,negatingthegoalofthesabbathyearthat"therewillbenopooramongyou"(Deut.15:4).The"manna
principles"whichwehaveobservedinprevious
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chapterswouldthusbeflouted.Equalitywouldshrivel.Sufficiencywouldbeknownonlybyafew,primarilybythosewhoalreadyhadmorethantheyneeded.
Whatdidallthisaddupto?Samuelputitsuccinctly.Toexpresshisutterrevulsionatwhatwasgoingtohappen,hereachedforthemostpotent,history-ladenwordinIsrael'svocabulary:slavery.Asaresultofyourchoiceofakingandyouraccommodationtothewaysofthenationsinmattersofprotectionandprovision,Samueldeclared,"youwillbehisslaves"(1Sam.8:17).IsraelwillineffectbebackinEgypt.Samuel'sconclusionharksbacktotheExodusexperience.Inyourbondage"youwillcryout,"asyourforeparentsdidinEgypt.Buttherewillbeanall-importantdifference.Whenyoucryout,"Yahwehwillnotansweryou"(1Sam.8:18,cf.Exod.2:2325).Theresultofhumankingshipwillnotonlybealossofholiness;itwillnotonlybeareturntoslavery;itwillbethesilenceofGod.
TheelderswereunmovedbySamuel'sspeech.
No!butwewillhaveakingoverus,thatwealsomaybelikeallthenations,andthatourkingmaygovernusandgooutbeforeusandfightourbattles.(1Sam.8:1920)
Theyweretiredofholyliving,tiredoftheriskinessofdependanceuponYahweh,tiredofbeingdefendedbymiracle.NomatterwhatSamuel'sstonemonumentmightsay,beingsavedbythunderseemedcowardlyandunpredictable.Let'stryhotbronzeinstead!Whenfacedbyhispeople'sdeterminationtobelikeeveryoneelse,Yahwehsubmittedtotheirwill.Inakindofabdication,YahwehorderedSamuel,"Makethemaking"(1Sam.8:22).
4
SamuelcompliedandanointedSaultobethefirstIsraelitemonarch.ButSamuelhadnotyetexpressedhisfinalverdictonkingship.OntwooccasionshesummonedthepeopletomassmeetingstorageatthemfortheirrejectionoftheGodoftheExodus.Onthesecondofthese,Yahwehsentanunseasonable
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thunderstormtoaddhisterrifying"Amen"toSamuel'swords(1Sam.10:1719;12:618).Whenthepeoplepenitentlyblurtedoutthat"wehaveaddedtoalloursinsthisevil,toaskforourselvesaking,"however,Samuelrelented.Yahwehwouldnotrejecthispeoplebecausetheyhadspurnedhisbestwayforthem.Buttheymustnot"turnasideaftervainthingswhichcannotprofitorsave."Iftheydo,"youshallbesweptaway,bothyouandyourking"(1Sam.12:1925).
TheUnhallowingoftheNation
SotheIsraeliteshadtheirking.Changescameslowlyintheearlyyears.Atthestartofhisreign,Saulwasonlyapart-timekingandcontinuedtoworkinthefieldsasafarmer(1Sam.11:5).Whenhewentintobattle,hetookalongtheoldjudge,Samuel(1Sam.11:7).ThevictorywhichensuedhecreditedtoYahweh:"TodayYahwehhaswroughtdeliveranceinIsrael"(1Sam.11:13).Inhisearlybattles,thedestructive,genocidalaspectoftheholywarwasstillpresent.Infact,SaulisrecordedashavingoutragedYahwehbyhisrefusal,afterhavingslaughteredtheAmalekitepeople,tokilltheirkingaswell(1Sam.15:1819).EventheenergizingoftheSpirit,whichhadequippedthejudgestodotheimpossible,wasevidentinSaul'searlyyearsasking(1Sam.10:610;11:6).
5AndthereisnobetterstatementoftheprotectingpowerofYahwehthanthatwhichthealmostunarmedteenagerDavidshoutedtothePhilistineheroGoliath:
Youcometomewithaswordandwithaspearandwithajavelin;butIcometoyouinthenameofYahwehofarmies....ThisdayYahwehwilldeliveryouintomyhand...thatalltheearthmayknowthatthereisaGodinIsrael,andthatallthisassemblymayknowthatYahwehsavesnotwithswordandspear;forthebattleisYahweh'sandhewillgiveyouintoourhand.
(1Sam.17:4547)
Soon,however,changebecamemorerapid."Saulhasslainhisthousands,andDavidhistenthousands"(1Sam.18:7).
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Thispopularsongisanindicationofwhatwastofollow.HenceforthvictorywouldbecreditednottotheLordofarmies,buttothelordoftheArmy.Thekingsandheroes,thepeoplewereconvinced,weretheirbenefactors.Sotheyflatteredthemandretoldthestoriesoftheirvictoriousdeeds.Withthecomingofkingship,thecuriouscombinationofdependenceanddestructionthatmadeholywarsouniquedisappeared.Israel'swarfarewassecularized,profaned.TheformerlyholynationnowfoughtlikethePhilistines.
Therewasmoretothisprofanationofwarfarethanwhogotthecreditforthevictory.Therewasalsothequestionofhowtodecidewhetherorhowtofight.Inthedaysofthejudgesandearlyinthehistoryofthekings,nowarwasbegunwithoutconsultingYahwehbycastinglots.Attimes,Yahweh'scounselcouldbequitespecific.Atothertimes,hewouldonlygiveawordpermittingorprohibitingthebattle.
6ButbythelatterhalfofDavid'sreign,militarydecisionshadcometobemadeinamoreconventionalway.Counselors,schooledinNearEasternstatecraft,supersededthecastingoflots.Thebest-knownofthese"Kissingers"wasAhithophel,whosecounsel"wasasifoneconsultedtheoracleofGod"(2Sam.16:23).Theiradvicecouldbesensible(2Sam.17:14),butitrepresentedaturningawayfromYahwehtowardsthewaysofthenations.
Israel'sarmedforces,too,adaptedtothewaysofthesurroundingnations.Inthedaysofthejudges,theIsraeliteshadhadnostandingarmy.Whenaholywarwasdeclared,thejudgewouldsummonmenfromthetribeswhomight,accordingtotheprocedureprescribedinDeuteronomy20,bedeemedsuitableforbattle.Fromtheearlydaysofthemonarchy,however,thekingsfelttheneedfortroopswhowouldbeconstantlyavailable.Saulrecruitedmercenaries(1Sam.14:52).SodidDavidfromthePhilistinesaswellasfromhisown
people(1Sam.22:2).7Theseprofessionalsoldiersformedaspecialcorps,immediatelyloyaltotheking."Bythis
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policy,"commentsRolanddeVaux,"DavidwascopyinganinstitutionoftheCanaaniteandPhilistineprincipalities"?
8
Insuchaprocessofadjustmenttothepatternsofotherneighboringsocieties,itwasimpossibletoresistthelureofthechariot.Astheheirsofthejudges,ofcourse,SaulandDavidatfirsthadonlyfootsoldiers.Butinhisexpansionarywarfare,Davidwasconstantlyencounteringchariots.9WithadmirablefidelitytotheholywartraditionsofIsrael,Davidneverusedtheminbattle.Wecanseehimwavering,however.AfterdefeatingtheArameankingRehob,Davidcapturedseventeenhundredhorsemen,whereuponDavid,likeJoshuabeforehim,"hamstrungallthechariothorses."Atthatpointthereenteredthethinwedgeofaccommodation:"butheleftenoughforahundredchariots"(2Sam.8:4;cf.Josh.11:9).Andsoonthechariotswerebeingused,notbyDavid,tobesure,butbyhissonsAbsalomandAdonijahintheirrebellionsagainsthim(2Sam.15:1;1Kings1:5).Israel'sfulladoptionofchariotrywouldcomeunderDavid'ssonandsuccessor,Solomon(1Kings10:26).Underthemonarchy,Israelkeepingstepwiththemilitaryprudenceofherneighborswasdepartingfromherearliercommitmenttotechnologicalinferiority.
ThesamehappenedtoIsrael'scommitmenttonumericalinferiority.MostofDavid'sbattleswerefoughtbyhispalaceguardofmercenaries,asmallforceofelitetroops.10Butforcertaincampaigns,vastlylargerforceswererequired.Thetraditionalholywarmethodsofsummoningthemseemedfartoohaphazard.HowmanytroopsmightDavidmobilizeifheweretobereallysystematicaboutit?Tofindout,Daviddecidedtoconductacensus.
Noteverybodythoughtthiswasagoodidea.Forreasonsthatarenottotallyclear,hiscommander-in-chiefJoabopposeditstrenuously
fromtheoutset.Wasit,asYigaelYadinspeculates,thatJoab,astandingarmyman,opposedanythingthatwouldincreasetheroleoftheamateur"monthlymilitiamen"11Orwasit,astheaccountin1Chroniclesseemsto
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indicate,thatJoabwasafraidthatanattempttocountthenation'spotentialmilitarymanpowerwould"bringguiltuponIsrael"(1Chron.21:3)?Ifitwasthelatter,JoabwasprobablythinkingbacktotheLawoftheholywar,inwhichYahwehhadrequiredthenumericalinferiorityofIsrael.Atanyrate,therecanbenodoubtastoYahweh'sreactiontothecensus.HesentaplaguewhichdecimatedDavid'snewlynumberedtroops.Onlywhenthekinghumblyconfessed,"IhavesinnedgreatlyinwhatIhavedone,"didYahwehendthescourge(2Sam.24:10).
UnderDavid'ssuccessor,Solomon,Israel'saccommodationtothepatternsofherneighborsreacheditsclimax.Nolongerwastherehesitationaboutchariotwarfare.Bytheendofhisreign,Israel'sforcesincludedfourteenhundredchariotsmannedbytwelvethousandhorsemen.SomeoftheseSolomonkeptinJerusalemforhisownprotection.Theremainderhegarrisonedinmassive,speciallyconstructed"chariotcities"(1Kings9:15;10:26).Furthermore,heprocededtoerectmilitaryfortificationsatpotentiallyvulnerablespotsacrossthekingdom.
12
Indeed,itwasasabuilderthatSolomonmadehisspecialmark.Inadditiontothechariotcitiesandforts,Solomoncommissionedthebuildingof"thehouseofYahwehandhisownhouse"(1Kings9:15).Neverhadthepeopleseensuchreligiousorcivicopulence.Whileworkonthesepublicprojectsproceeded,Israel(andLebanon,wheremuchofthetimbercamefrom)werecentersofindustryandartistry.Therewas,ofcourse,apricetobepaidforthispublicmagnificence:forcedlabor.AlreadyinDavid'sreigntherehadbeenaconscriptionofAmmonitesforworkontheroyalprojects(2Sam.12:31).Solomonextendedthistocover"allIsrael,"raisingatotalof180,000forced
laborers(1Kings5:1316).13AsSamuelhadpredicted,Israelitesonceagainwereslaves.
Butwhatmagnificence!ForeignmonarchsfounditasunbelievableasdidtheIsraelitepeople.TheQueenofSheba
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cametoJerusalemtoseewhetherrealitycouldpossiblyliveuptoreputation.Shewasoverwhelmed.
AndwhenthequeenofShebahadseenthewisdomofSolomon,thehousethathehadbuilt,thefoodofhistable,theseatingofhisofficials,andtheattendanceofhisservants,andtheirclothing,hiscupbearers,andtheirclothing,andhisburntofferingswhichheofferedatthehouseoftheLord,therewasnomorespiritinher.(2Chron.9:34)
HowfortunatealandwasIsrael,withakinglikeSolomonwhomGodhadestablishedto"executejusticeandrighteousness"(2Chron.9:8).HavingenteredthecompetitiveworldofNearEasternmonarchies,inanamazinglyshorttimeofonlythreegenerations,Israelhadbecomeawinner.
Butatwhatprice?Thequeenwastoooverawedbytheclothingandceremonialofthecourttonoteoneofthebiggestcostsanunjustsociety.Theburdensofroyalmagnificenceresteduponthemassofthepeople.Thisinjusticehadpoliticalconsequences.ShortlyafterSolomon'sdeath,theinhabitantsofthenorthernpartofhiskingdomrejectedhissonRehoboam,stonedtodeaththecivilservantwhowas"taskmasterovertheforcedlabor,"andestablishedasecondkingdomcenteredinSamaria(1Kings12,esp.v.18).
Injusticeisalsothethemeofthearchaeologicalevidence.AccordingtoRolanddeVaux,
Intheearlydaysofthesettlement,alltheIsraelitesenjoyedmoreorlessthesamestandardofliving....ExcavationsinIsraelitetownsbearwitnesstothisequalityinstandardsofliving....AtTirsah...thehousesofthetenthcenturyB.C.areallofthesamesizeandarrangement.Eachrepresentsthedwellingofafamilywhichlivedinthesamewayasitsneighbors.Thecontrastisstrikingwhenwepasstotheeighthcenturyhousesonthesamesite:therighthousesarebiggerandbetterbuiltandinadifferentquarterfromthatwherethepoorhousesarehuddledtogether.
14
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Intwocenturies,atransitionhadoccurredfromasocietyofequalsinSamuel'stimetoasocietydividedbetweentherichandtheverypoor.Thisdevelopment,whichDeVauxhascalleda"socialrevolution,"wasrootedinmonarchyandtheextravagantinequalitywhichthekingandhiscourtiersfostered.
15ItalsowasarejectionoftheLaw,inwhichYahwehhadcommunicatedhisvisionoflifefora"holynation"andestablishedcertainmechanismstoachieveit.Andthepeoplesuffered.
AsecondcostofthemagnificenceofSolomonwasreligious.EmergingfromtheveryheartofIsrael'slifetherewasconfusionaboutwhereherreligiousloyaltiesactuallylay.Solomonwasamanofundoubtedpietyandwisdom.Thetemplewhichhecommissionedwasawonderoftheworld.ButSolomon'sentryintotheworldofNearEasternstatecraftwasboundtoaffecthisfaith.ThealliancesbywhichhesecuredIsrael'sinterestsabroadbroughthimwivessevenhundredofthem!Andsevenhundredwivesbroughtarabbleofgods.ThepalaceinJerusalemwasfullofthem.Solomonfoundsomeofthemtohisliking.ItwasnotthatSolomonrejectedYahweh.Theworshipinthetemplecontinued,withSolomonasitsmostprominentadherent.ButSolomonfoundaplaceforthenewgods,too."HisheartwasnotwhollytruetoYahweh"(1Kings11:14).
WhyshouldSolomonbewhollytruetoYahweh?Forallhiswisdom,SolomoncouldnotseethatYahwehhadanythingtangibletogivehim.Solomonhadhisownsourcesofprovisionandprotection!Therewasnoroominhislifefordependence,fortheholinesswithwhichYahwehshowshisactsofgraceintheworld.LetYahwehremaininhisdomesticatedpassivitywithinthetemple'swalls.Andletthereberecognitionofothergodsaswell.Fortheiractionisaspredictableastheseasons.Theypromisesecuritywithoutrisk,andtheirstoriesand
ritualsdonothingtochallengeconventional,commonsenseideasabouthowtoliveintheworld.GloriousworshipinYahweh's
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templeplusaBaal-AstartelifestylethiswasthereligionthatmadesenseofSolomon'sownexperience.
Yahwehwouldhavenoneofit.ThroughhisprophetAhijah,hepredictedthatSolomon'skingdomwouldbetornintwo(1Kings11:3039).ForSolomon'sglorywasbuiltuponunreality.Thepeopleofthenorthernpartofhisrealm,infuriatedbythewayhehadexploitedthemwithforcedlabor,sothreatenedhissonRehoboamthathehadtogetintohischariotandflee(1Kings12:18).Internationally,thenation'spositionwasequallyshaky.KingSolomonmaywellhave"excelledallthekingsoftheearthinrichesandinwisdom"(2Chron.9:22).Butthiscompetitiverelationshipwasfraughtwithdifficultiesforthefuture.Forintime,othernations,withlargerpopulationsandmoresolideconomicfoundations,wouldsendtheirarmiestotestIsrael'sstrength.WhenconfrontedbyAssyrianandBabylonianmight,howwouldthedividedlegacyofSolomonfare?
Thereremainedhope,however,forthepeopleofGod.TheSpiritofGod,whichhadempoweredthejudgestorescuethepeopleintheirpredicaments,wasabouttobecomeactiveonceagain.Undertheearlykings,hehadlargelybeensilent.Somehow,amidsttheemphasisuponhereditaryprivilegeandhumanstrength,theSpirithadbeensuperfluous.Butamongahandfulofprophetshewasabouttoexpresshimselfanew.
16AmongthesepeoplepowerlessfolkwhoseonlystrengthwasinYahwehtheSpiritwouldagainfindroomtomove.Andwhatafirehewouldignite!"Asforme,"apowerlesspersonwouldproclaim,"Iamfilledwithpower,withtheSpiritofYahweh,andwithjusticeandmight....Hearthis,you...rulersofthehouseofIsrael"(Mic.3:89).Tothesepowerlesspersonswemustnowturnourattention.
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Chapter7TowardsCatastropheOurballoonisfloatinghighagain.Inthelastchapterwehadtoflylow.Thewatershedrequiredcloseexamination.Afterall,ithadinlessthanacenturyalteredthedirectionofIsraelitelife.Now,however,weonceagainneedalargerperspective.Foralthoughitdoesn'ttakelongtodecidetochangedirections,ittakesmuchlongertoseewhateffectthenewrouteishavingonthetravelers.Sointhischapterandthenextourperipheralvisionwillhavetobevast.We'llbelookingacrossalmostanentiremillennium.
Itwasaneventfulmillennium.ImmediatelyafterSolomondiedin922B.C.,hisrealmsplitintwo.Thelargerofthetwokingdomsthatresulted,Israel,centeredinSamaria.Tothesouth,themuchsmallerkingdomofJudahhadJerusalemasitscapital.Generallyspeaking,thekingsofbothkingdomscontinuedinthestepsofDavidandSolomon,"normalizing"Jewishsocialandpoliticallifeintopatternssimilartothoseofotherminormonarchiesofthetime.Attimes,this"normaliza-
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tion''appearedtobearfruit.Bothkingdomsknewperiodsofsecurityandtheircitizensthetoppeopleamongthem,atanyratewereprosperous.
Butsuchsecuritywasshort-lived.TheIsraelitekingdomscouldnotremainisolated.Forthiswasanageofvast,expansionistempires.Egypt,toIsrael'ssouthandwest,wasstillapowerfulforce.Andtothenorthandeastappearedasuccessionofempires:Assyria,Babylonia,Persiaallofwhomhadtheeconomicbasisformilitarymight.CaughtinbetweenwerethetwoIsraelitekingdoms,whosemisfortuneitwastooccupystrategicallyvaluableterritorywithouttheeconomicmeanstodefendit.
Theresults,fortheIsraelites,weredisastrous.In722,afteraperiodofescalatingthreat,theAssyrianforcesoverranthenorthernkingdom.Foronehundredandthirty-fiveyearsthereafter,thesouthernkingdomofJudahclungtoasemblanceofJewishnationalsovereignty.Butin587,itscapitalofJerusalem,thecityofDavid,felltotheBabylonianforcesofkingNebuchadnezzar.ThesedefeatswerenotmerehumiliationsfortheJewishpeople;theywerenationalcatastrophes.Forthevictoriouspowersdeportedthem.Inthenorth,theAssyriansinstalledamorepliablepeopleintheirlands.
SomeoftheseJewishpeoplefoundexiletobeapermanentlifestyle.FromAssyriaandBabyloniatheydispersedthroughouttheancientNearEast.OthersofthemwereeventuallyallowedtoreturntotheirPalestinianhomeland.Neveragain,however,didtheyknowtruenationalindependence.Thisproudpeople,whichatthestartofthemillenniumwasspreadingitswingsunderKingDavid,wasbyitsendcoweringundertheimperialeagleofRome.
Whatwasthemeaningofthismillennium?WherewasYahweh?Whydidheallowtheseeventstotakeplace?ThesewerenotquestionsthatfirstoccurredtotheJewishpeopleinthepostmortemsfollowingthe
fallofJerusalem.Asthecatastrophesapproached,theyhadbeenarguingaboutthem
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andsearchingforanswers.Songwritersshoutedtheirperplexity.
Nowyou[Yahweh]haverejectedandhumbledus;younolongergooutwithourarmies.Youmadeusretreatbeforetheenemy,andouradversarieshaveplunderedus.Yougaveusuptobedevouredlikesheepandhavescatteredusamongthenations.(Ps.44:911,NIV)
Israel,Yahweh's"holynation"wasbeingcrushedbythenations.Why?WasYahwehtakinganap?
Awake,OLord!Whydoyousleep?Rouseyourself!Donotrejectusforever.Whydoyouhideyourfaceandforgetourmiseryandoppression?(Ps.44:2324,NIV)
Orwassomethingelsewrong?BrusquelythepsalmwriterbrushedasidethepossibilitythattheIsraelitesmighthavedepartedfromYahweh'sway(Ps.44:18).Yetthemysteryofthehumiliationofthe"holynation"remained.
Inthemidstofthisuncertainty,occasionalindividualsarosewhoseemedtounderstandwhatYahwehwasdoingandwhyhewasdoingit.Thesewerepeoplewholistened,whofilteredoutthenoiseoffadsandphobiassothattheycouldstand"inthecouncilofYahwehtoperceiveandtohearhisword"(Jer.23:18).Fromthisvantagepoint,thingsbegantobeclearer.Thepeople'spresentpredicamentbecamecomprehensibleinlightoftheirpastexperience.Thefuturealsobecamelessobscure.Yahwehdespitesuperficialappearanceswasdirectingeventstowardadestinationthathehadplanned.Thesesensitiveindividualswereknownasprophets.
Prophets:EstablishmentandDissident
Alas,theprophetsdidnotagreeamongthemselves.Therewas,it
appears,aconsensusamongthemajorityofthem.The
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bandsofprophetswhohadwanderedthecountrysideatthetimeofkingSaul(1Sam.10:5)hadfoundasecurebaseintheroyalcourts.Theretheprophetshadproliferated.Someofthem,suchasNathaninDavid'sreign,hadmaintainedacriticaldistance.Itwasnosupplecourtierwholookedthekingintheeyeandpronounced,"Youaretheman"(2Sam.12:7).
Withinacentury,however,theprophetshadbecomeapartoftheroyalestablishment.WhenKingAhabinquiredofYahwehaboutthelikelihoodofsuccessinamilitaryventure,therewerefourhundredprophetswhoassuredhimfalsely,itturnedoutofYahweh'sblessing(1Kings22:6).ThecounterculturalprophetAmosdiscoveredthattherewerelimitstowhatonecouldprophesyinBethel."Go,fleeaway,"apriesthissedathim,"[and]neveragainprophesyatBethel,foritistheking'ssanctuary"(Amos7:1213).WhatwaswelcomeinsuchplaceswasthekindofoptimisticmessagethattheprophetHananiahwasspreadingaboutJerusalemonlyadecadebeforethecitycapitulatedtoNebuchadnezzar.''ThussaysYahwehofarmies,theGodofIsrael:IhavebrokentheyokeofthekingofBabylon"(Jer.28:2).Liketheotherestablishmentprophets,Hananiahwasapurveyorofgoodnewstoorder,aproclaimerofsham"shalom."
Therewasalso,however,atraditionofdissidentprophets.Thetraditionwasboundtobediscontinuous,foritdependednotonhumansuccession,butontheactionofYahweh'sSpirit.Buttoindividualswithoutstrengthorconnection,withnoinstitutionalpowerbase,Yahwehcouldrevealhimselfwithanarrestingimmediacythattransformedtheirlivesandgavethemamessage.AsEzekiel,exiledinBabylon,waspraying,"theSpiritenteredintomeandsetmeuponmyfeet;andIheardhimspeakingtome....'Sonofman,IsendyoutothepeopleofIsrael,toanationofrebels'"(Ezek.2:23).AsIsaiahwasworshipingonsaferterrain,thetempleinJerusalem,theHolyOnerevealedhismajesty,touchedIsaiah'slips,andgavehimamessage
aboutwastecitiesandadesolateland(Isa.6).Tobea
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prophet,Hoseawasintenselyconscious,wastobea"manofthespirit"(Hos.9:7).
WhatwerethesemenandwomenoftheSpirittosay?Theycouldneverknowinadvance.Theyweretobealertobserversoftheirowntimes.Overandover,theyarereferredtoaswatchers.
1Habakkukaffirmedthisrolewhenhesaid,"Iwilltakemystandtowatch,andstationmyselfonthetower"(Hab.2:1).Outoftheirsentinel-likevigilance,attheinspirationofYahweh,wouldcomeamessagetothepeople."IhavemadeyouawatchmanforthehouseofIsrael,"YahwehinformedEzekiel."Wheneveryouhearawordfrommymouth,youshallgivethemwarningfromme"(Ezek.3:17).
Thewarningsofthesedissidentprophetsweregenerallybadnews.Peopledidn'tliketheirmessagesandtoldthemso.ThepeopleofJeremiah'shometownwereinfuriatedbyhiswords:"DonotprophesyinthenameofYahweh,oryouwilldiebyourhand"(Jer.11:21).AhabsaidofMicaiah."Ihatehim,forheneverprophesiesgoodconcerningme."Andheputhiminprisononrationsofbreadandwater(1Kings22:8,27).
Thedissidentprophetsweresimplynotsayingwhattheyweresupposedtosay.Theywerenotgivingareligiousglosstogovernmentalpolicy.Theywerenotpromisingthepeopleshalom.Fromtheperspectiveoftheestablishment,theyweretraitorsencouragingthenation'senemiesand"weakeningthehandsofthesoldiers"(Jer.37:13;38:4).
Itwasnaturalthatthetwoprophetictraditionsestablishmentanddissidentshouldclash.Theirviewsoftheworldweredifferent.Yahweh,accordingtotheOldTestamentaccounts,wasnotneutralinthisconflict.Hewasonthesideofthedissidents."Prophesy,"Yahweh
urgedEzekiel,"againsttheprophetsofIsrael"(Ezek.13:2).
TheEstablishmentProphets
WhatwasYahweh'scaseagainsttheestablishmentprophets?Inpart,itwasthattheywerefailinginthefundamentaltaskof
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theprophetlisteningtoYahweh(Jer.23:18)andspeakinghisword.Theyusedtherightreligiousformulas"HearthewordofYahweh"buttheythemselveshadnotheardit.Sinceprophecywastheirjobandtheirpublicdutiesrequiredthemtosaysomething,theyprophesied"outoftheirownminds"(Ezek.13:2).Theywerespirituallyinsensitive.Having"heardnothing,"theyhadnochoicebutto"followtheirownspirit"(Ezek.13:3).HowdifferentwasAmos!"TheLordYahwehhasspoken;whocanbutprophesy?''(Amos3:8).
Yahweh'ssecondgrievanceagainsttheestablishmentprophetswasaproductofthefirst.BecausetheyhadnotlistenedtoYahweh,they,claimingtheauthorityofhisname,weretakinghisnameinvain."Theyhavespokenfalsehoodanddivinedalie"(Ezek.13:6).Inthemouthoftheprophetstherewasa"lyingspirit"(1Kings22:22).Intheirutterancestherewasa"lyingvision,worthlessdivination,andthedeceitoftheirownminds"(Jer.14:14).
Theconsequencesweredestructive,andtheydroveYahwehtogriefandoutrage.Fortheheartofhiscaseagainsttheestablishmentprophetswasnotthattheywerespirituallydeaforthattheirmessageswereauthoritative-soundinglies.Itwasratherthattheirmessages,bykeepingthepeoplefromrealizingthedesperatenessoftheirsituation,werepreventingthemfromrepenting.Andthepeople,intheirlackofknowledgeofYahwehandhisways,weregoingtosuffer.
Assured"Shalom"
Theestablishmentprophets'messagewasoneofshalom.ThisradiantwordexpressedsuperblyYahweh'sall-embracingconcernforhumanwelfare.Init,everythingthatmadeforwholenesswasintertwined:health,rightrelationships,justice,physicalsafety,goodharvests,prosperity,thepresenceofYahweh.Andshalom,theestablishmentprophetstoldthepeople,waswhatYahwehhadinstoreforthem.
Theremaybeoppressionathome,andthebuildupof
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AssyrianandBabylonianmilitarymightmayappearinexorable.Butthefuturewillbeprosperousandsafe.Yahwehhassaid,"Youshallnotseethesword,norshallyouhavefamine,butIwillgiveyouassuredshalominthisplace"(Jer.14:13).Assuredshalom,guaranteedbytheprophets.Howencouragingitistohearwhatyouwanttohearfromasupposedlyunimpeachablesource.
Whywilltherebeshalom?BecauseYahwehisinhisholytemple."This,"theychanted,"isthetempleofYahweh,thetempleofYahweh,thetempleofYahweh"(Jer.7:4).Andhispeopleareworshipinghimaccordingtotheprescribedpattern.Sacrificesaretakingplace.Fastsarebeingobserved."IsnotYahwehinthemidstofus?Noevilshallcomeuponus"(Mic.3:11).Thereisnoneedtochangecourse.Everythingwillbeallright.
ItwasthisblessingofhumanrebellionthatoutragedYahweh.Toppeopleofthereligiousestablishmentwerereassuring"thosewhodespisethewordofYahweh,'itshallbe
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shalomwithyou'"(Jer.23:17).Theprophetsweretoocomplacenttounderstandwhatwasgoingon.Theydidn'trealizehowclosetheirnationwastoannihilation.Theydidn'trecognizethatithadlostholiness(Jer.2:3).Theycouldn'tseethatitsinstitutionsandfolkwayshaddeviatedfrom"theancientpaths...thegoodway"(Jer.6:16).Intheirearthladen,compromisedconfusion,theywerenotabletocomprehendthattheirdecisionshadmadetheExodusandtheLawirrelevant.Therewasnoroomintheirlivesforconcretegrace.Indeed,theyhadconsignedtrustinYahwehforprovisionandprotectiontothedepartmentofreligiousmythology.Thecommonsenseofthenationsruled,andtheestablishmentprophetscrooned"shalom,shalom."This,saidYahweh,washealing"thewoundofmypeoplelightly"(Jer.6:14).Theprophetswerelikeabuilderwhotreatedacrumblingwallbywhite-washingit(Ezek.13:11)!
Yahweh'sAccusation(1):UnjustLiving
Manyofthepeoplecouldsensetherottenness.Theyknewthattheirnationwasinworsetroublethantheestablishmentprophetswerewillingtoadmit."Wehopedforshalom,butnogoodhascome,foratimeofhealingbuttherewasonlyterror"(Jer.8:15,NIV).Thedissidentprophetsweresimilarlyscathing,andtheiranalysiswasmuchdeeper.Althoughtheyprophesiedatdifferenttimesandatdifferentplaces(inthetwoIsraelitekingdoms),theyneverthelessdevelopedanalysesofthisshalom-lessconditionwhichwereremarkablysimilar.Andtheydidnotstopwithanalysis.Unlessthepeoplerepented,Yahweh'sjudgment,theyknew,wouldbreakoutuponthepeopleindisastersofunparalleledseverity.Inpassionateoutpourings,whichscholarshavecalled"judgmentspeeches,"thedissidentprophetsstatedYahweh'saccusationsagainsthispeople,pleadedwiththemtorepent,andwarnedofdoomiftheydidn't.
2
Asstatedbythedissidentprophets,Yahweh'saccusation
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againsthispeoplecommonlyhadthreeparts.Thefirstofthesewasthathispeoplewerelivingunjustly.WehavealreadyobservedhowseriouslyYahwehtookhispeople'sbasichumanneedofprovision.Yahweh'sdesign,whichhehadstatedintheLaw,wasforajustsociety,asocietyinwhichthemannaprinciplesofsufficiencyandequalitycouldberealized.Itwouldbeasocietyinwhichtherewouldbeprotectionfortheweakand"therewillbenopoor"(Deut.15:4).
ButwhenYahwehsurveyedthepeople,whatdidhesee?"Helookedforjustice,butbehold,bloodshed;forrighteousness,butbehold,acry!"(Isa.5:7).Onceagain,asinEgypt,God'speoplewereinbondage,cryingoutunderoppression.ButthistimetheywerecryingoutagainsttheirownIsraeliteleaders,whointheoryworshipedthesameGod.
Theleadersthesuccessorsofthosewhohadchosenaking"likeallthenations"(1Sam.8:20)wereexploitingthepoorpeople.Althoughitwastheircallingtopromotejustice,theywereinsteadissuing"iniquitousdecrees"andwritingoppressivelaws(Isa.10:1).Intheirlawcourtstheywerefailingto"judge...withjusticethecauseofthefatherless,tomakeitprosper"(Jer.5:28).Indeed,theywereturning"asidetheneedyfromjustice"androbbing"thepoorofmypeopleoftheirright''(Isa.10:2).
Asthepoorpeoplegotpoorer,theythetoppeopleweregettingricher.DespitetheJubilee-visionofanationofequalsmalllandholders,therichwerejoininghousetohouse,andaddingfieldtofield,untiltherewasnomoreroom(Isa.5:8).Inhousing,thesamewashappening.Richpeoplewereacquiringmorethanonehousesummerhousesaswellaswinterhouses(Amos3:15).Andthescaleoftheirhouseswasexpanding.Themostrecentdesignsprovidedforupperstorieswithspaciousrooms(Jer.22:13).
Bydoingthesethings,theIsraeliteswerenotactinginkeepingwith
someunchangeableeconomiclaw.TheywerebreakingtheLaw.Theyweredepartingfromtheirowntraditions,
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fromManna,Sabbath,andJubilee,andbehavingliketheneighboringnationswhohadnosalvationhistory.
Yahwehwasoutragedbywhathispeopleweredoing.Yahwehknewthatthewealthoftherichwastheproductofthepovertyofthepoor."Thespoilofthepoor,"YahwehremindedtheIsraeliterulingclass,"isinyourhouses.Whatdoyoumeanbycrushingmypeople,bygrindingthefaceofthepoor?"(Isa.3:1415).
3Ifonlythepowerfulwouldtrusthimenoughtolivejustlytoforgivedebts,tofreeslaves,torestorethemeansofeconomicopportunitytoeveryonetheywouldbecollaboratingwithhim,for''theHolyGodshowshimselfholyinjustice"(Isa.5:16).
Yahweh'sAccusation(2):Militarism
Yahweh'ssecondaccusationagainsthispeoplewasthattheyweremilitaristic.NolessthanatthetimeoftheExodus,Yahwehwasconcernedforhispeople'sbasichumanneedofprotection.Hisdesign,whichhehadstatedintheLaw,wasforapeoplewhowouldtrustinhimalonefortheirsecurity.He,ratherthananumerousortechnologicallysophisticatedarmedforce,wouldbeasureprotectionforthem.
ButtheIsraelites'choiceofakingto"gooutbeforeusandfightourbattles"hadchangedallthat(1Sam.8:20).Fortifications,chariots,alargeinfantryalloftheseprerequisitesforancientwarfaretheyquicklyadopted.4Butthatwasnotenoughtoensuretheirsecurity.Sincetheywereonlysmallkingdoms,IsraelandJudahsensedtheneedtoformallianceswithothercountries.Sometimestheybandedtogetherwithotherminormonarchies.Atothertimestheylookedtothegreatneighboringempiresforprotection.
Althoughthisseemedtheheightofsensetotheestablishmentprophets,itdidnotpleasetheSpirit-drivendissidents.Theysensedthattherewasarelationshipbetweenthegraspingnesswhichledtodomesticinjusticeandtheinterkingdomrivalrieswhichledtowar.
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Nopersonspareshisbrother.Theysnatchontherightbutarestillhungry,andtheydevourontheleft,butarenotsatisfied;eachdevourshisneighbor'sflesh.ManassehEphraim,andEphraimManasseh,andtogethertheyareagainstJudah.(Isa.9:1921)
Furthermore,themilitaryhardwareandallianceschangedthenatureofthepeople'sfaith.Chariotsweretangible.Theirmilitarycapabilitieswereobvious.ItwasfareasiertotrustinthemthaninaninvisibleGod.Furthermore,theEgyptians,Assyrians,orsomeneighboringprincipalitycouldsupplyhorsemeninacrisis.HowmanychariotsdidYahwehhave
5SotheIsraelitesshiftedthebasisoftheirtrustfromYahweh,"theirhelper,"totheirownartifactsandarrangements.
Onlythedissidentprophetsseemedtobeawareofwhathadhappened.Andtheydidn'tlikeit.VehementlytheyproclaimedYahweh'sdenunciationoftheIsraelitesfortrustinginalliances."Woetotherebelliouschildren...whocarryoutaplan,butnotmine;andwhomakeanalliance,butnotofmyspirit,who...takerefugeintheprotectionofPharaoh"(Isa.30:12).6Equallyforcefulweretheprophets'condemnationsoftheIsraelitesforadoptingthelatestinweaponryandfortifications."Woetothosewho...relyonhorses,whotrustinchariotsbecausetheyaremanyandinhorsemenbecausetheyareverystrong,butdonotlooktotheHolyOneofIsrael"(Isa.31:1);"Iwillcutoffyourhorsesfromamongyouandwilldestroyyourchariots;andIwill...throwdownallyourstrongholds"(Mic.5:1011).7
Yahweh'sAccusation(3):RottenWorship
Yahweh'sthirdaccusationthatthepeople'sworshipwasrottenwasrelatedtothetwopreviouscomplaints.Hiscomplaintwasthatthe
Israeliteswereworshipinghimcheaply.Prophetafterprophetrepeatedthischarge.Accordingtosomeofthem,Yahwehwasreadytotakeapermanentleaveofabsencefromhispeople'sreligiousobservances."Itakenode-
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lightinyoursolemnassemblies....Takeawayfrommethenoiseofyoursongs,"heragedthroughAmos."Butletjusticerolldownlikewaters"(Amos5:2124).Otherprophets,suchasIsaiah,wereconvincedthatYahwehwasreceptivetohispeople's"churchgoingactivities"butonlyiftheydidjustice."Theyseekmedaily,anddelighttoknowmyways,asiftheywereanationthatdidjusticeanddidnotforsaketheordinanceoftheirGod"(Isa.58:2).Theyperformedtherightceremonies(thatwascommendable).Butwhiletheywerefastingandpurifyingthemselves,theyweredoingcontradictorythingsaswell:oppressingtheirworkers,quarreling,andfighting(58:34).Thatwasintolerable.AndthentheywonderedwhyYahwehpaidnoattentiontotheirdivineservices.
Whatwaswrong?NotthattheIsraeliteswerefasting,butthattheirfastinghadnosocialsignificance.Itwasreligiousactivitywithoutobedience.Yahwehwantedhispeopletodoarealfast:"toloosethebondsofwickedness,toundothethongsoftheyoke,tolettheoppressedgofree...toshareyourbreadwiththehungry,andbringthehomelesspoorintoyourhouse"(58:67).HewantedtheIsraelitestoproclaimlibertytothepoor.Hewantedthemtoengageinanactofreleaseandforgiveness,anactofSabbathandJubilee,anactofreequalization.Ifhispeopleworshipedhimintheworld,trustinghimenoughtoobeyhiscommandsevenwhenobediencewouldthreatentheirsecurity,hewouldtakecareofthem."Thenyoushallcall,andYahwehwillanswer"(58:9).
Inothersituations,Yahweh'scomplaintwasthathispeoplewereworshipingidols.HegrievedthattheIsraeliteshadturnedfromhim,thelivingGod,tobowbeforeimageswhichtheyhadcarvedandsculpted.Hewasoutragedthatidolworship,aspracticedbytheneighboringnations,involvedrevoltingsexualpracticesandevenritualburningsoftheirownchildren(Jer.7:31).Butthecoreofhiscomplainthadtodowithtrust.
Topeoplethenasnow,trustiscentraltoworship.Wewor-
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shipwhatwetrustwhatwe,inoureverydaylives,relyuponforourbasichumanneeds."Theworkman,"Habakkukobserved,"trustsinhisowncreation"(Hab.2:18).Humansturntotheirartifactsandsay,"Deliverme,foryouaremygod!"(Isa.44:17).Thegodsoftheneighboringnationsseemedtobesuccessful.AsKingAhazofJudahexplained,"BecausethegodsofthekingsofSyriahelpedthem[inbattle],Iwillsacrificetothemthattheymayhelpme''(2Chron.28:23).
Notleastoftheidols'attractivequalitiestoIsraeliteswhohadforgottenthesalvationstory,thatiswasthattheywereundemanding.OnecouldworshipBaalandacquirethelatestinchariotsandbatteringrams.OnecouldworshipAstarteandamasswealthwithoutthoughtofreequalizationinfavorofthepoor.ForBaalandAstartewerelawless.Yahweh,incontrast,hadgivenhispeoplealife-givingLawwhichrequiredthemtotrustinhimenoughtolivedifferentlyfromeverybodyelse.SototheeasygoingYahwehworshipcenteredintemplesacrifices,theIsraelitesfounditconvenienttoaddthegodsofthenations.Inatimewhentheirpersonalandnationalwelfarewasthreatened,itwasgoodtohavesomecommonsensedeitiesabout.
ThisinterrelatedtrustlessnessinYahwehwastheheartofthedissidentprophets'accusationoftheIsraelitepeople.
Theirlandisfilledwithsilverandgold,andthereisnoendtotheirtreasures;theirlandisfilledwithhorses,andthereisnoendtotheirchariots.Theirlandisfilledwithidols;theybowdowntotheworkoftheirhands.(Isa.2:78)
8
Yahweh's"StrangeWork"
Tragedywasinevitable.Forthismisdirectedtrustinsilver,chariots,andfalseworshipwouldhaveitsconsequences,whichIsaiahandtheotherprophetscalled"thedayof
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Yahweh"(Isa.2:12).Itwouldbeaterribleday,adayof"darkness,andnotlight"onwhich"thesongsofthetempleshallbecomewailings"(Amos5:18;8:3).Itwouldbeadayofdefeatandnationaldismemberment.Itwasnot,theprophetswereconvinced,thatYahwehwouldactcapriciouslyorarbitrarily.Therewasmoralsenseinhisuniverse.Hispeople'strustlessactionswouldleadtoappropriateconsequences.AsSirHerbertButterfieldobserved,theprophetsseemtohaveregardedYahweh'sjudgmentas"embeddedintheveryconstitutionofthings."
9
Thus,thosewhosowedthewindwould"reapthewhirlwind"(Hos.8:7).TheevilwhichYahwehwouldbringupontheIsraeliteswas"thefruitoftheirdevices"(Jer.6:19).Hosea(10:1314)stateditboldly:"Becauseyouhavetrustedinyourchariotsandinthemultitudeofyourwarriors,thereforethetumultofwarshallariseamongyourpeople,andallyourfortressesshallbedestroyed."Thenasnow,causeleadstoeffect.Trustinchariots(i.e.,lackoftrustinYahwehforprotection)produceswaranddestruction."Trustinoppression''(resultingfromalackoftrustinYahwehforprovision)producesasocietysoweakinitsstructurethatitcan'tresistthecrashwhenitcomes(Isa.30:1213).
Tobringaboutthiscrashwhichwouldjudgehispeople,Yahwehresortedtothebluntestinstrumentimaginable.TheIsraelitemind,eventhatoftheprophets,reeledatthethought.Yahweh'sprimarymeansofattaininghispurposes,theIsraeliteshadalwaysassumed,washis"holynation,"Israel.Butnow,throughtheprophets,Yahwehwaspressingintohisservicethenations.Assyriawas"therodof[Yahweh's]anger,"hisstaff,hisax(Isa.10:5,15);theBabyloniankingNebuchadnezzarwasYahweh's"servant"(Jer.25:9).10The
PersianswereYahweh's"hammerandweaponofwar"(Jer.51:20).TotheprophetsthisappearedtobeareversalofYahweh'ssocialstrategy,andtheystruggledwithit.HabakkukwasamazedthatYahwehwouldusethe"bitterandhasty"Chaldeansto
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judgethe"morerighteous"Israelites(Hab.1:6,13).Isaiah,ontheotherhand,bowedbeforethemysteryofYahweh'saction"strangeishisdeed...alienishiswork"(Isa.28:21).
WhatwasYahweh'sstrangework?Nothisjusticeasopposedtohislove,astheologianshaveoftenassumed.Itwasmoreupsetting,morethreateningthanthatsomethingwhich(nowasthen)jarstheunderpinningsofmilitaristicnationalism.ItwasYahweh'srecruitingofpagannationstojudgehisownnation.ItwasYahweh'sholywarringonthesideofthepagans(Isa.29:3).Itwasawe-inspiringYahwehpresidingoverthedestructionofhisownholycity,Jerusalem.
Yahwehwouldnot,thetrueprophetsinsisted,leavethepagansunpunishedfortheiratrocitiesagainstIsrael.Inthesewarstherewasnoguiltlessside.Bothwereinthewrong,andYahwehwouldjudgethepagannationsfortheirprideandviolencejustashehadusedthemtojudgehisownnation'srebellion(Isa.10:12f.;Jer.25:12f.).Buttheprophetsdidnotgloatovertheeventualcollapseoftheirnation'senemies.TheywerepreoccupiedwithwhatYahweh,usingthesenations,woulddointheimmediatefuture.Againsthispeople'swall,whichtheestablishmentprophetshadsocarefullywhitewashed,Yahwehwouldhurl"hailstonesinwrath"(Ezek.13:13).Thesehailstonesweresignificant.Uptothistime,theyhadbeenameansofYahweh'sholywaragainstIsrael'senemies.Now,however,theywereasymbolofYahweh's"strangework"hisholywaragainsthisownunholynation,Israel(Josh.10:11;Job38:23;Is30:30).Thereversalappearedcomplete.
ThePoliticsofRepentance
11
Butitdidn'thavetobelikethat!Thedissidentprophetswerenotgleefulinpredictingcatastrophe.Theywererealists,notingthedirectioninwhichhistorywasmovingandexpressingYahweh'scondemnationofit,unless....UnlesshispeoplewouldreturntoYahwehandtotheirancientpaths.Unlessthey
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wouldturnfromtheiruncriticalcopyingofthenationstoatrustingresponsetoYahweh'scalltoholiness."Seekgood,andnotevil,"Amospleadedwiththepeople,"thatyoumaylive;andsoYahweh,theGodofarmies,willbewithyou....Hateevil,andlovegood,andestablishjustice"(Amos5:1415).Theheartoftheprophets'messagewasthusanappealtoturnaround.
Thehour,theysensed,waslate.Judgmentwaslooming.Butitwasnottoolate.Therewasnotmuchtime,buttherewasenoughtime.Evenaslateasthe590s,justbeforetheBabylonianobliterationofJerusalem,EzekielandJeremiahwereurgingthepeopletoturnaround."Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofanyone,saystheLordYahweh;soturn,andlive"(Ezek.18:32).Turningwouldhavesocialconsequences."Ifyoutrulyamendyourwaysandyourdoings,ifyoutrulyexecutejusticeonewithanother,ifyoudonotoppressthealien,thefatherlessorthewidow,orshedinnocentbloodinthisplace,andifyoudonotgoafterothergodstoyourownhurt,thenIwillletyoudwellinthisplace"(Jer.7:57).
Forthepeople,thewayforwardwouldbethewayback.Theywouldrediscoverthe"ancientpaths"(Jer.6:16).TheywouldfindlivingrealityinthetraditionoftheExodusandinobediencetotheLaw(Jer.7:2228).AsMicahpointedout,theywouldfindafutureinremembering.Andinthisfuturetheywould"knowthesavingactsofYahweh"(Mic.6:45).Theironlywayintothefuturewasthatoftrust,ofdependence,ofsocialholiness.Intheirfaithfulpowerlessness,theywouldrediscoverthepowerofYahweh.
Itwaspossible.Despitethecommonsenseofthenations,itcouldbepracticalpolitics.Whenpeoplereturntotheirroots,whocantellwhatmighthappen?Hencetheexcitementwhen,around620B.C.,underkingJosiah,thebooksoftheLawwererediscovered.Whenheheardthemread,Josiahrepented.Humblyheturnedtoawoman,the
prophetHuldah,toinquireofYahweh.Andoutofhisrepentancecamechange.Religious
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festivalswhichremindedthepeopleofYahweh'ssavingactswerereactivated.Idolsandthechariotsofthesunwereburnedwithfire(2Kings2223).Josiahmayevenhavereinstitutedthepracticeofproclaimingliberty(forgivenessandrelease)associatedwiththeSabbathandJubileeyears,forthatiswhat"doingrightinthesightofYahweh"couldmean(2Kings22:2;Jer.35:15).
12Whetherornotheactuallyproclaimedlibertytotheslavesanddebtors,weknowthat,attheveryleast,heperformedactsofjusticeandrighteousness.Andthiswasspirituallysignificant.Bychampioningthecauseofthepoorandneedy,JosiahknewYahweh(Jer.22:1516).
ItwassimilarlypossibletobaseIsraeliteforeignpolicyupontrustinYahweh.Theprophets,bydenouncingthenation'srelianceuponalliancesandweaponryforitssecurity,werecallingforanalternativeforeignpolicy.Forexample,whenKingAhazofJudahlearnedthatthemilitaryforcesofseveralnationsweremobilizingagainsthiskingdom,"hisheartandtheheartofhispeopleshookasthetreesoftheforestshakebeforethewind."Whatshouldhedo?Modernizehisforces?TurntotheAssyriansforhelp?Isaiah'sanswercamerightoutofIsrael'sExodusexperience:"Takeheed,bequiet,donotfear,anddonotletyourheartbefaint....Ifyouwillnotbelieve,surelyyoushallnotbeestablished"(Isa.7:19).Ifthepeoplewouldtrustinhiminsteadofintheirownpreparations,Yahwehwouldprotectthem.SomeyearslaterYahwehgavethesamemessagetokingHezekiah.Thenation'ssecuritycouldnotbeinthespeedoftheirwarhorsesortheiralliancewithEgypt;itwouldbeinanalternativepoliticofpowerlessness."Inreturningandrestyoushallbesaved;inquietnessandintrustshallbeyourstrength"(Isa.30,esp.v.15).
"BeStill"
Yahwehdiddefendhispeople,butononeprecondition.WhenevertheIsraelitesevenintheperiodofthekingsexpressedtheirpracticaltrustinYahwehbyadoptingamilitary
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policyunlikethatoftheothernations,hecametotheiraid.Repeatedlythemiraculousthemesoftheholywarreappeared.Thereareseveralexamplesofthis.
13Letuslookatone.
Inapproximately860B.C.,KingJehoshaphatofJudahreceivedsometerrifyingmilitaryintelligence:alargearmydrawnfromnationstothesoutheastofJudahwasinvadinghisrealm.Inthefaceofthiscrisis,Jehoshaphatdidsomethingextraordinary.Insteadofmobilizingallavailableforcesandscurryingtofindallies,heproclaimedanationwidefast.Athissummons,thepeopleassembledtoseekhelpfromYahweh(2Chron.20:14).
Whenallthepeoplemen,women,andchildrenhadgathered,Jehoshaphatledtheminprayer.HeremindedYahwehofhisuniversalkingshipandofhissavingactsintheExodusandtheinvasionofthePromisedLand.Hethenstatedthenation'svulnerability:"Wearepowerlessagainstthisgreatmultitudethatiscomingagainstus.Wedonotknowwhattodo,butoureyesareonyou"(20:512).
Intheirpowerlessness,Yahwehshowedhispower.Astheywereworshiping,hisSpiritcameuponJahaziel,whoencouragedthekingandthepeopleinphrasesstraightoutoftheExodusstory."Fearnot,andbenotdismayedatthisgreatmultitude;forthebattleisnotyoursbutGod's....Youwillnotneedtofightinthisbattle;takeyourposition,standstill,andseethevictoryofYahwehonyourbehalf."Inresponsetothis,theking,followedbyallthepeople,prostratedthemselvesbeforeYahwehandthenrosetopraisehim"withaveryloudvoice"(20:1419).
Justaseccentricasthispreparationforbattlewasthebattleitself.InwordsvirtuallyidenticaltothoseofIsaiahtoAhaz(Isa.7:9),
Jehoshaphatappealedtohispeople'strust:"BelieveinYahwehyourGod,andyouwillbeestablished"(20:20).Anadvanceforceofsingersandworshipersthenstartedoffforthebattlefield,praisingYahweh"inholyarray."Atasafedistancetherefollowedtheregulararmy.Whilethepeoplewere
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worshiping,Yahwehwasperforminganactofconcretegrace:hesettheinvadingarmiesagainsteachother,whoslaughteredeachotherinsteadoftheIsraelites.TheIsraelites,intheirpowerlessness,werevictorswithoutdrawingasword(20:2124).
ItwaseventslikethiswhichlaybehindIsrael'shymns,thepsalms.Manyofthem(suchasPsalms78and136)retellthestoryofYahweh'sliberatingacts,hisactsofprotectionandprovision.Singingastory,theyrealized,wasoneofthemosteffectivewaysofrememberingit.Butinotherpsalmstheycelebratedthecharacteroftheonewhomtheyworshiped.InPsalm46,forexample,theyrecognizedthatYahwehwastheirsourceofsecurity,their"refugeandstrength,averypresenthelpintrouble."Forthatreasontheydidnotneedtofear,nomatterhowmanynationswereraging(46:12,6).ForYahwehwasatwork.Hewasbusydestroyingthingswars,bows,andspearsandhewasburningthedreadedchariotswithfire(46:89).
Atthispointinthepsalm,Yahwehaddressedhispeopleandgavethemtheproperresponsetohisholiness(46:10):
RevisedStandardVersionBestill,andknowthatIamGod.Iamexaltedamongthenations,Iamexaltedintheearth!
GoodNewsBibleStopfighting...andknowthatIamGod,supremeamongthenations,supremeovertheworld.
TheformertranslationrepresentsaconventionalChristianunderstandingofhowtorespondtoGod'sholiness.Practicehasshownthatitisagoodresponse.Throughsilence,believersinallageshaveencounteredtheHolyOne.Butitisanincompleteresponse,foritisaprivate,"religious"response.ThemeaningoftheoriginalHebrewword(raphah)wasmuchbroaderthansilence.Farfrombeingaprivatematter,thetheologybehindraphahpropelledreligionintopubliclife,intothemidstofhumanconcernsforsecurity.Thepsalmistwas,
intothemidstofhumanconcernsforsecurity.Thepsalmistwas,
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afterall,writingaboutafaithfulresponsetoYahwehofarmies,whotwiceisassertedtobe"withus...ourrefuge"(46:7,11).Wearesafebecauseoftheprotectionwhichheprovides,becauseofthedisarmamentwhichhebringsabout.Itisnotsurprising,therefore,thatthefullmeaningoftheHebrewwordisnot"bequiet"but"stopfighting"evenbetter,''laydownyourarms."
14TheappropriateresponsetoYahweh'sholinessisasocialresponse,anactofunmilitarizedtrust.
EnjoyingItsSabbaths.
Increasingly,however,theIsraelitesofbothkingdomsfounditimpossibletomustertrustofthiskind.Thelanguageofworshipseemeddistantfromtheireverydayexperiencesofeconomicandmilitarycut-and-thrust.Insimilarfashion,totheircommonsenseearstheprophets'calltotrustseemedslightlybatty.Itwaseasier,andmorereasonable,todothingsliketheothernationsdidthem.
Totheverylast,Yahwehpersistedinholdingoutalternativestohispeople.WhentheBabylonianforcesweremassingforthefinalassaultonJerusalem,YahwehsentJeremiahtomakeafinalappealtothefecklesskingZedekiah.Zedekiab,amazinglyenough,respondedbyrepentingdramatically.WithallofthepeopleofJerusalemhemadeanagreement:heandtheotherIsraelitetoppeoplewouldissueaproclamationofliberty(forgivenessandrelease).Effectiveimmediately,inkeepingwiththeLawoftheSabbathyear,allslaveholderswouldfreetheirHebrewslaves.Agreatactofliberationensued.SlaveswentfreeuntilZedekiahandhisfriendshadsecondthoughts.Withoutslavestheirlifestylewouldbelessluxurious.SoZedekiahrevokedhisactofrepentance,reenslavingthenewlyfreedmenandwomen(Jer.34:811).
Atthispoint,Yahwehwasdriventoaction.Overacenturyearlier,theAssyrianshadcrushedthenorthernkingdomofIsrael.ButthesouthernkingdomofJudahcenteredinJerusalemhadcontinuedtogivepoliticalexpressiontoJewishnation-
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hood.Nolonger!ThroughJeremiahYahwehexplainedhisdecision.Fivehundredyearsearlier,whenhehadliberatedhispeoplefromEgypt,YahwehhadmadeanagreementwiththeIsraelites:atregularintervals,inSabbathandJubileeyears,theyshouldreequalizetheirsocietybyfreeingtheirslaves.Thepeoplehadseldomhonoredthisagreement.Andthen,afterZedekiahandhiscronieshad"[done]whatwasrightinmyeyes"byproclaimingliberty,they"profanedmyname"byresubjectingtheslaves(Jer.34:1316).Yahwehannouncedhissentence:
Youhavenotobeyedmebyproclaimingliberty,everyonetohisbrotherandtohisneighbor;behold,Iproclaimtoyoulibertytothesword,topestilence,andtofamine
(Jer.34:17).
Theshatteringresult,in587B.C.,wasthedestructionofJerusalem.TheBabylonianarmydemolishedthewallsofthecity,burnedtheroyalpalace,andreducedthetempletorubble.AtthecommandoftheBabyloniankingNebuchadrezzar,Zedekiah'ssonswerekilled"beforehiseyes."Thiswasthelastthinghewastosee.Babyloniansoldiersgougedouthiseyesandledhim,inamiserablecaravanofIsraelitecaptives,toexileinBabylon(Jer.39:69;2Kings25:9).
TheBabylonians,however,didnotdeportallofthepeople.UnwittinglycarryingoutwhatYahwehhadintendedallalong,they"leftinthelandofJudahsomeofthepoorpeoplewhoownednothing,andgavethemvineyardsandfields"(Jer.39:10).Fromthepagannations,andnotfromtheirownrulers,theIsraelitepoorexperiencedJubilee.ThehistorianwhowroteChroniclesputitpoignantly(2Chron.36:21;cf.Lev.26:34):BydeportingthemajorityoftheIsraelites,theBabylonianshadenabledthelandto"enjoyitssabbaths."
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Chapter8HopefortheNationJerusalem,thebeautifulcityofDavid,asmokingruin;theIsraelitepeopledeportedtoBabylon:itishardforustoimaginehowdeeplythesecatastrophesshooktheIsraelites.Asanation,theycouldlookbacktoliberationfromslaveryinaforeigncountry,totheconquestofthelandwhichtheybelievedhadbeenpromisedtothem,topoliticalandculturalpowerunderkingssuchasDavidandSolomon.Andnowtheyhadcomefullcircle.Theirpowerwasgone.Onceagain,inaforeignland,theywereexiles.Poetsledthemintheirgrieving:
BythewatersofBabylon,therewesatdownandwept,whenwerememberedZion...HowshallwesingYahweh'ssonginaforeignland?(Ps.137:1,4)
WhereindeedwasYahwehinallthis?HowcouldtheGodofIsraelallowhispeopletosufferandhisownnametobe
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mocked?Whatwasthewayforwardforthe"holynation"?Forgenerations,asdisasterhadapproachedIsraelandJudah,thesequestionshadpreoccupiedthedissidentprophets.AndnowwiththenationdeportedanddispersedtheybecamequestionsfortheentireIsraelitepeople.Disastershadshakentheirsenseofnationalidentity.OnlyiftheycouldfindawayintoacommonfuturecouldtheyknowwhatitmeanttobeIsraelites,membersofYahweh'sholynation.
Notsurprisingly,theJewishpunditsandprophetscameupwithavarietyofstrategiesfortheirnationalfuture.Ofthese,letusconsiderfour.
TerritorialNationhood
Thefirstandmostpopularofthesewasprobablythatoftheterritorialnation.Byhisgraciousacts,YahwehhadgiventotheIsraelitesaland.Recentdisastershaddistancedthemfromit.Butitonlyseemedrightthat,afteraperiodofpurginginexile,theyshouldreturntotheplacethatwasrightfullytheirs.
TheprophetcalledIsaiahgavehisblessingtothisstrategyofrestorationtotheland.Yahweh'smethodofbringingthisabout,hewasconvinced,wouldbecharacteristic:assoofteninthepast,Yahwehwouldmakeuseof"thenations."Inthiscase,hewouldemploythePersians,theBabylonians'successortothestatusoftheworld'ssuperpower.YahwehwouldcalltheirkingCyrus"hisanointed"andgivetohimanexaltedmission:"Iwillmakestraightallhisways;heshallbuildmycityandsetmyexilesfree''(Isa.45:1,13).Ezekielhadasimilarvision.Yahweh'speople,intheirunholiness,hadprofanedhisnameamongthenations.Butattherighttime,to"vindicate[his]holinessbeforetheireyes,"Yahwehwouldpurifyhispeopleandbringthemhome(Ezek.36:2225).
Butitwasalongroadtonationalrestoration.Indeed,thenationasit
hadfirstbeenconstitutedcouldneverberestored.Foronething,manyoftheexilesfromIsraelandJudahweresimplyirretrievable;fromAssyria,BabyloniaandEgyptthey
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hadbeenscatteredinalldirections.Someofthesebecamesubmergedinthepopulaceoftheirnewcountries;others,evenindispersion,triedtoretaintheirJewishfaithandidentity.But,asprophetafterprophetremindedthepeople,itwasonlya"remnant"thatYahwehwouldrestoretotheland(Isa.11:16;Jer.23:3).
Furthermore,thereturnedremnantwouldnotbepoliticallyindependent.AsthescribeEzrabewailed,"Weareslavesinthelandyougaveourforefatherssotheycouldeatitsfruit....Becauseofoursins,itsabundantharvestgoestothekingsyouhaveplacedoverus"(Neh.9:3637,NIV).ZealousJewishrevolutionariessuchasJudasMaccabaeus,intheassurancethat"noonewhotrustsinHeavenshalleverlackstrength"(1Macc.2:61,NEB),didtheirviolentbest.Butwiththeexceptionofbriefperiods,itwasforeignersEgyptians(Ptolemies),Syrians(Seleucids),andRomanswhoruledtheJewswhohadreturnedtoPalestine.
ScatteredNationhood
AsecondstrategyfortheIsraelites'nationalfuturewasthatofthescatterednation.Outoftherealitiesoftheirexperience,newthoughtsaboutnationhoodbegantoemerge.Couldanation,Jeremiahpondered,beanationwithoutland?Werethereforcesacommonfaith,acommonhistory,asenseofpeoplehoodwhichweremorepotentanddurableinnation-buildingthanterritory?Atleastasatemporarystrategy,Jeremiahseemstohavethoughtso.HethereforeurgedtheIsraelitesinexiletogetreadyforalongstayseventyyearsandtomakethebestofit.
Buildhousesandliveinthem;plantgardensandeattheirproduce....SeektheshalomofthecitywhereIhavesentyouintoexile,andpraytoYahwehonitsbehalf,forinitsshalomyouwillfindyourshalom.
(Jer.29:57)
Thiswasastrategyforacreativeminority.Evenwhileliving
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farfromtheirhomeland,evenwhentheirnumbersweresmall,theJewishpeoplecouldcontinuetokeeptheirsenseofnationalidentity.Fortheyknewonethingverydeeply:theywerecitizensofatransnationalnation,anationthatcouldbefoundinmanylands.Asmembersofthatscatterednation,theywouldbeinaminorityeverywhere.Thereforetheywouldlackthepoliticalpowerthatmembersofeachnation'smajorityhad.But,despitetheirsmallnumbers,theycouldusetheirresources,skills,andvisiontomakeadifference.Byseekingtheshalomofthenationsinwhichtheyhadbeenexiledtheywoulddiscoverawelcomeby-producttheirownshalom.
ThisstrategywassonovelthatfewoftheprophetsseemtohavejoinedJeremiahinconsideringit.TheoutstandingexceptionisthewriterofthebookofDaniel,forwhomthiswasamajortheme.DanielknewwhatitwasliketobeacitizenofYahweh'snationinNebuchadnezzar'sland.FromhisownexperienceandthatofotherJewishaliens,hehadlearnedthatconflictsofloyaltyleadingtolions'densandburningfieryfurnaceswerealmostinevitable.Buthealsoknewthatitwasworththetrouble.Yahweh'speoplecouldmakecontributionstothepagannationsthatnooneelsecouldmake.Andwhentheygotintrouble,surprisingthingscouldhappentothemiftheytrustedYahweh(Dan.3:27;6:23).
TotheJewishpeople,thestrategiesforIsrael'sfuturethatwehavebeenconsideringsofarthoseoftheterritorialnationandthescatterednationwouldnothaveseemedfarfetched.TheformeroftheserepresentedtheprofesseddesireofallJewishpeople,whetherornottheyactuallyreturnedtoPalestine.Thelatter,incontrast,requiredaleapofspiritualimagination.Butitwasawayofgivingmeaningtowhattheywereactuallyexperiencing.
ANewInternationalism
Attimes,however,Yahwehinspiredprophetstosetforthstrategiesforthenation'sfuturewhichwentfarbeyondany-
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thingthattheirsanercontemporariescouldhaveimagined.Thesevisionscouldbemind-blowingintheirimaginativepower.Theycouldhelpthepeopleseetheworldandtheroleoftheirnationinitinanewway.TheycoulddeepentheirfaithinYahweh.Andaboveall,inatimeofpainandperplexitytheycouldgivethepeoplehope.
AstrikingexampleofthisisathirdstrategyforIsrael'sfutureparticipation,alongwithmenandwomenfromeverynation,inanewinternationalism.Whatathought!Yahweh,throughthehistorywhichtheOldTestamentrecords,hadbeenworkingonhisprojecttheblessingof"allthefamiliesoftheearth"(Gen.12:3).Hisroutetowardthisgoalhadbeencharacteristic.Hehadcalledrealpeople,AbrahamandSarah,torespondinriskyfaith;andoutoftheirresponsehehadformedtheIsraelitenationwhichhadbeenveryconsciousofbeingalone,unlikeothernations.Now,however,accordingtoseveralprophets,Yahwehwasplanningtotakeanothergiantsteptowardhisgoal.Yahwehwasgoingtobursttheboundariesofnationandrace.
HowwasYahwehgoingtoaccomplishthis?Byreassertinghiskingship.DuringtheperiodoftheIsraelitemonarchieshisroyalrolehadbeeneclipsed.
1IButYahwehwasnowonceagainabouttoasserthimselfasking."AsIlive,saystheLordYahweh,surelywithamightyhandandanoutstretchedarm,andwithwrathpouredout,Iwillbekingoveryou"(Ezek.20:33).AndnotonlyKingoverIsrael.Yahwehwillbe"kingoveralltheearth"(Zech14:9);hewillbe"Kingofthenations"(Jer.10:7).Heisnotmerelythesaviorofhisownnation;thereisnonationwhosesaviorhewillnotonedaybe!
Turntomeandbesaved,alltheendsoftheearth!ForIamGod,andthereisnoother.
BymyselfIhavesworn....Tomeeverykneeshallbow,everytongueshallswear.
(Isa.45:2223)
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Everyknee,fromeverynation.Twoprophets,IsaiahandMicah,hadavisionofhowthingswilllookwhenYahwehestablisheshiskingshipoverallthenations(Isa.2:24;Mic.4:14).FromeverydirectionpeoplearestreamingtowardYahweh'smountain."Allthenations"arecoming,exuberantintheireagernesstostudyhisLawandtowalkinhispaths.AsYahwehcarriesouthisroyaltaskofjudgingthenations,thenationsarediscoveringthathisLawopensnewpossibilitiesforthem.Nolongeraretheydoingwarstudies;theyareintheirfactoriesandarsenals,convertingmilitarymachineryintotoolsthatfosterlife."Theyshallbeattheirswordsintoplowshares,andtheirtanksintotractors."
Thiswasavisionfor"thelatterdays,"butitwasalsoaninvitationwhichhadimmediaterelevance."Come,"Isaiahinvitedthepeople,"letuswalkinthelightofYahweh"(Isa.2:5).BecauseYahwehistheircommonKing,allnationswillfindtheirunity.
TheMan
ThisstrategyforIsrael'sfuturewasshatteringinitsscope.Buthowcoulditcomeabout?HowwouldYahwehreasserthiskingship?Bymeansofafourthstrategywhichtakesus,asittooktheIsraelites,intotherealmofwonderandmystery,indeedofholiness.YahwehwouldsendaMan.ThispersonwouldrepresentthenationofIsraelasitwasmeanttobe.HewouldbeaKing,not"likeallthenations"afterthemannerofSaulandhissuccessors,butlikeYahwehhimself.Byhislifeandhissuffering,hewouldshowthenationwhatitmeanttobeholy.Indeed,byhisfaithfulnesshewouldenableGod'speopletobeholy.
2
SomeprophetsweresurethattheManwouldbeaking.Notonlydo
theygivehimroyaltitles"yourking"(Zech.9:9)and"Prince"(Isa.9:6);hewillalsodescendfromtheIsraeliteroyalline,thehouseofDavid(Isa.9:7;11:10).Andlikeallkingshewillbeanointed.Messiah(mashiah)means"anointedone."
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ButtherewouldbesomethingstrangeabouttheMan,somethingwhichwouldinvitepeopletothinkagainabouttherealmeaningofkingship.Themostcharacteristictitlethatisusedforhimisnotkingbutservant(Isa.42:1;49:3;52:13;Ezek.37:24).Furthermore,hisanointingwouldbepeculiar:itwouldbe,notbythecustomaryoil,butbynothinglessthan"theSpiritofYahwehGod"(Isa.42:1;61:1).Andinneitherhisservanthoodnorhisanointingwouldheremainalone.Hewouldbethefirstamonganationofmenandwomen,allofwhomwouldbeanointedbythesameSpirit(Ezek.36:26;Joel2:28).
Thisservantpeople,followinginthestepsoftheServant,wouldpointthewayforallofhumanity."Iwillgiveyou,"saidYahweh,"asalighttothenations"(Isa.49:6).Andthislightwouldnotonlyshine.Initsbrightnessnewwaysofdealingwitholdproblemswouldbecomeclear.Whentheyhadcalledforahumanking,theIsraelitepeoplehadchosentolive"likeallthenations."Theydidsointhewaystheysoughtsecurity,especiallyintheirbasichumanneedsofprovisionandprotection.Nowthatwouldchange.ThroughsendinganewKingwhowouldbedifferentfromtheoldkings,Yahwehwouldenablehispeopletoturntheirbacksonthewaysofthenations.Indeed,throughtheriskinessoffaithfulnesswhichtheMessiahwouldpioneer,Yahwehwouldgivetohispeoplenewalternativeswhichwouldbegoodnewsforallnations.
MessianicProvisionandProtection
WhentheServant-Kingwouldcome,therewouldthusbechangeintheareaofprovision.Therecanbenoquestionofhiscommitmenttojustice:theServantwillpersistuntil"hehasestablishedjusticeintheearth"(Isa.42:4).Thepoorandthemeekhewilljudgewithjustice(Isa.11:4;9:7).
Thisjusticewillnotbetheoretical;itwillbeanewexpressionofan
oldprogram.TheAnointedOne(Messiah)willdonothinglessthanproclaimJubilee!Hewillbringgoodnews
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tothepoor,"proclaimlibertytothecaptives,"and"proclaimtheyearofYahweh'sfavor"(Isa.61:12).AccordingtoJewishwritingsinthecenturiesjustbeforeJesus,IsaiahhadtheJubileeinmind.
3Andinviewofthewordsthatheusedinthistext,andinlightofthestorythatwehavetoldsofar,thisisnotsurprising.
WhyshouldYahweh,indoingsomethingnew,notbringouttheoriginalintentofsomethingold?WouldnottheMessiahbeaprophetlikeMoses(Deut.18:18)?WouldhenotbringIsrael'searliesttraditionstofulfilmentbybringinganewExodusandbygenuinelyobservingtheLaw?Ifahumanking,inarestoredIsrael,wouldproclaima"yearofliberty"sothat"noneofmypeopleshallbedispossessedofhisproperty"(Ezek.46:1718),howmuchmorewouldtheMessiahproclaimlibertyinadefinitiveway!WhenthepeopleofGodputtoworkthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequality,everyonewillsee"thattheyareapeoplewhomYahwehhasblessed"(Isa.61:9).
WhentheServant-Kingwouldcome,therewouldalsobechangeintheareaofprotection.As"PrinceofShalom"(Isa.9:6)hewillhaveapeacemakingagendaofbreathtakingscope.Nothinglessthanthereconciliationofallwarringpartsofcreationwolvesandlambs,suckingchildrenandsnakeswillbethegoalofhiskingdom(Isa.11:68).Wherehisholinessismanifestedtherewillbefullness,fullnessoftheknowledgeofYahweh.Andtherewillbenohurtingordestroying(Isa.11:9).
Thisshalom-makingwillnotbetheoretical;itwillbepursuedbynewactsoffaithfulnesssimilartothosethatwehaveobservedthroughouttheOldTestament.ThustheServant-King,likeJoshuabutunlikeDavid,willsmashthelatestinmilitarymachinery.4
Rejoicegreatly,OdaughterofZion!Shoutaloud,OdaughterofJerusalem!Lo,yourkingcomestoyou;
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triumphantandvictoriousishe,humbleandridingonanass,onacoltthefoalofanass.IwillcutoffthechariotfromEphraimandthewarhorsefromJerusalem;andthebattlebowshallbecutOff,andheshallcommandshalomtothenations.(Zech9:910)
IntheMessiah'skingdom,therewillbevictorybynewmeansbyhumility,persistence,andfaithfulness(Isa.42:34).
ShalomThroughSuffering
Andbysuffering.Sofar,instatingtheapproachestojusticeandpeace,toprotectionandprovision,thattheMessiahwouldbring,theprophetswereconservative;theywerereaffirmingthebestinIsrael'straditions.InpredictingtheServant-Messiah'ssufferingasameansofestablishingjustice,however,oneprophet,Isaiah,wasbeingradical.Therewere,ofcourse,hintsofthisbefore.ThroughouttheOldTestamenttherearerepeatedreferencestoGod'ssufferingwithhispeople,andtohistakingtheinitiative,unmeritedbyhispeople,tobringthemlifeandpeace.ThestoryofbothTestamentsisoneofgrace.
Now,however,weencountertheJustOne,Yahweh'sServant,whowouldmakemanypeopletobeaccountedrighteousbybearing,inhimself,theirsins(Isa.53:11).WemeettheOnewhowouldbebatteredfortheirwrong-turnings.Werealizethatitwouldbeuponhim,theServant-King,thatYahwehwouldimposethe"punishmentthatgaveusshalom"(53:5).InthePersonwhowouldbringaboutshalom,whowouldintroduceJubileeandbanchariots,therewouldbenotsuccessbutsuffering.Andsomehowsufferingasnoamountofchariotsandbattlebowswouldchangetheworld.
Thisideawasalmostunthinkable.Forgoodreasonitwould"startle
manynations."Kingsespecially,expertsinconventionalwaysofmanagingevents,wouldbedumbfounded;they
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"shallshuttheirmouthsbecauseofhim"(Isa.52:15).ButforthosewhohadlistenedtoYahweh,newpossibilitiesforboththeMessiah-Kingandthenationwhowouldrecognizehissovereigntybylivinginhiswaywouldbecomeclear.Theywouldknowthatitis"notbymight,norbypower,butbymySpirit,saysYahwehofarmies"(Zech4:6).ThisSpirit-anointedMan,Servant,andKing,willhavethebiggestchapteralltohimself.
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PARTIIITHENEWTESTAMENTLANDSCAPE
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Chapter9HolySolutionsforanUnholyMessWhew!We'vesurvivedthelonghaulofthepreviouschapters.Ourballoon'sairworthinesshasbeentested.And,despitemomentarydoubts,we'restilloncourse,withourtrustytelescopeattheready.
Thisisfortunate,forwearenowbeginningthemostimportantpartofourjourney.AftertheloftyarcwhichtookusacrossOldTestamentkingsandprophets,wearenowgoingtoseehowreliableourballoonisatalowaltitude.Forwearegoingtobelookingnotacrossamilenniumbutattheeventsofthreeyears.And,despiteourlowaltitude,weshallhavetouseourtelescopeandfocusitsharply.Forourprimaryinterestwillbeinoneman,amanwhowasobscureand,byallordinaryindicators,unsuccessful.Hisbrieflifeendedinrejectionandapparentfailure.But,mysteriously,miraculously,thismanJesusfromthevillageofNazarethintheRomanprovinceofGalileeisthekeywhoenablesustounderstandthewholestorythatwe'vebeentelling.Inhim,accordingtomissionary
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theologianLesslieNewbigin,''thewholemeaningofthestoryisdisclosed."
1
Butwhatisthatmeaning?Christians,bothlearnedandsimple,lovetotellthestoryofJesus;buttheyhaveoftendifferedintheirunderstandingofhim.Mytreatmentinthischapterandthenextwillnotsettlethesedisputes.ButIdoinsistononething.OurinterpretationofJesusdependsuponmorethanourgeneralknowledgeoftheBibleandourspiritualperceptiveness;italsodependsuponourunderstandingofthetimesinwhichhelived.Wemaywellbelievethat"JesusChrististheanswer,"butwewon'tunderstandhisanswersunlessweknowmoreaboutthequestionsthatwerebeing,puttohim.Historyisimportantafterall!
Toseewhythisisso,letustakeagoodlookatJesus'countryandhiscontemporaries.Todosowilltakeapinchofpatience,butitwillbetimewellspent.ForsomebackgroundwillhelpustohearJesusbetterashespoketohisownsituationandtoourswiththeauthorityofGod.2
PalestineinCrisis
WhenJesuswasborn,probablyabout5B.C.,Palestinehadbeenundertheruleofforeignersforoverfivehundredyears.TheAssyriansandBabylonians,youwillrecall,haddeportedalargeproportionoftheJewishpeople.Andwhentheexileswereallowedtoresettlethelandoftheirancestors,theyneveragainhadtruepoliticalindependence.ThescribeEzrawhowasinstrumentalinthisresettlementwasdeeplyconsciousofthis."Behold,"hewailed,"weareslavesthisday;inthelandthatyougavetoourfatherstoenjoyitsfruitanditsgoodgifts,behold,weareslaves"(Neh.9:36).TheIsraelites,Ezrarealized,werebackinthebrickyard.Astheyearswent
by,thenationalidentityoftheiroppressorsvaried;armyafterarmytrampledthelandandempireafterempireasserteditsdominance.TheJewishpeoplebewailedtheirbondageandlongedtogovernthemselves.
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AsJesusgrewup,Palestinewasgovernedbythesuperpowerofthemoment,Rome.(Partofit,Galilee,wasruledontheRomans'behalfbyclientkings,theHerods.)Formostofus,theRomanEmpirehasagoodreputationforeffectivejusticeandenlightenedadministration.ThiswasnotatallthewaythatmostofJesus'Jewishcontemporariesperceivedit.Indeed,inthreevitalareasoftheirnationallifetheyhadbittergrievancesagainstRomanrule.
Themostimportantofthesewasreligion.Sometimesintentionally,sometimesuncomprehendingly,RomangovernorscommittedoutragesagainstJewishlawandcustom.TheprovincialgovernorPilate,forexample,hadtheaudacitytoimportgravenimagesofCaesarnolessintotheHolyCityofJerusalem.
3TotheJewishpeople,provocationssuchasthiswereattacksupontheveryheartoftheirnationallife;andtheyrespondedsometimesnonviolently,sometimesveryviolentlywithactsofanti-Romandefiance.
ThesecondareaofnationalgrievanceagainstRomanrulewasthatofeconomics.TothecustomaryJewishtithesandtempletaxes,whichbythemselvesdemanded20percentoftheincomeofmostcitizens,theRomansaddedtheirowntaxescustoms,tolls,andtributewhichdoubledthepeople'staxburden.OnlyinthebestofyearscouldtheJewishsmallfarmerspay40percentoftheirearningsandhaveenoughleftoverforessentialpurchases.Sotheyfacedunpalatablechoiceseithertocutcomersontheirreligioustaxes,therebybecoming"sinners"intheeyesofobservantJews;ortoborrowmoney,therebyrunningtheriskoflosingtheirlandsandbecoming"hirelings,"4UnderRomanrule,taxanddebtandlandlessnesswereinterlinked.Nowonderthepeoplewereangry.AttheveryoutsetoftheJewishRevolutioninA.D.66,pent-uphostilityattheeconomicsofRoman
ruleburstout.TherevolutionariesmarchedtotheJerusalemRecordOfficeandputittothetorch,destroyingthebondswhichrecordedtheirindebtedness.5
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ThethirdareaofJewishgrievancehadtodowithgovernmentitself.Romanrulewasforeignrule;itwasaperpetualremindertotheJewsthattheywerebeinggoverned,ultimately,intheinterestsofothers.Furthermore,theyhadtheologicalobjectionstoRomangovernment.YahwehwasIsrael'srightfulKing.Never,hehadcommandedthem,weretheytoappointaforeignertoruleoverthem(Deut.17:15).AndnowtheywereservingCaesarasrepresentedbythird-ratecolonialadministrators!
Theindignityofallthis,andthetheologicaloffense,werecompoundedbytheRomans'habitualbrutality.TheNewTestamentwritersgiveusglimpsesofthepainoftheJewishpeople.Luke,forexample,recordsthatPilate,inanattempttodeterrevolutionaryactivity,mingledthebloodofGalileanswiththeirsacrifices(Luke13:1);wecaneasilyimaginehowmuchthisaction,whichcombinedcrueltyanddesecration,inflamedJewishreligiouspassions.Thefirst-centuryJewishhistorianJosephusgivesusafulleraccountofasimilarepisode.Firstofall,Pilate,whohadastrongpracticalstreak,seizedsomethingapparentlyuseless(thesacredtreasureofcorban)topayforsomethingobviouslyusefulafifty-milelongaqueduct.WhenthecitizensofJerusalemhowledtheirprotests,Pilateorderedhistroops,inmufti,withclubsundertheircloaks,tominglewiththecrowd.
HenowgavethesignalfromthetribunalandtheJewswerecudgelled,sothatmanydiedfromtheblows,andmanyastheyfledweretrampledtodeathbytheirfriends.Thefateofthosewhoperishedhorrifiedthecrowdintosilence.
6
AlloftheseaspectsofRomanrulethreatenedthefutureoftheJewishnation.Therewasalsosomethinglessvisibleandmoreseductiveat
work.Romanrulerepresentedmorethanpolitico-militaryimperialism;italsorepresentedculturalimperialism,theimperialismofthedominant,paganHellenistic
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world-culture(aspowerfulthenastheworld-culturetodaywhichisrepresentedbyCoca-ColaandDallas).TosomeJews,tiredofthelaw-ladenrigorsofJewishlife,thevaluesofGreco-Romancivilizationseemedliberating(1Mace.1:1115).And,evenforthoseJewswhofoundHellenismoffensive,itallseemedsoirresistible!
ObservantJewswereawareofthedangersofthisadaptation.Theyknewthatthespiritualresourcesofthepeoplewereatalowebb.Forcenturiestheyhadnothadaprophet(Ps.74:9;1Mace.4:46);theywereexperiencingafamineafamineofSpirit,of"hearingthewordsofYahweh"(Amos8:11).What,intheirsituation,couldtheydotoprotecttheirnation'sJewishidentity?Howcouldtheypreventitfrombeingengulfedbythealluringwaysofthenations?Howcouldtheykeepfrombecominglikeeverybodyelse?
Partoftheanswerlayindefiningpreciselywhoeverybodyelsewas.Around460B.C.thescribeEzramadeanimportantcontributiontothisdefinition:heextendedtheLawprohibitingintermarriagewithsevenCanaanitenations(Deut.7:14)toincludeallnon-Jews(Ezra9:2).TheJewscalledthesenon-Jewsthenations(Gentiles),andtheyhadalowestimateofthem.Thecitizensofthe"nationsoftheworld,"theywereconvinced,wereidolatrous,immoral,anduntrustworthy.IntermarriagewiththemwouldcontaminatetheJews.
TheJewishpeopleevenviewedtheircousinstheSamaritans,descendantsofthekingdomofIsraelwhosharedagreatdealofcommonhistoryandfaithwiththeotherIsraelites,asGentiles(Luke17:18).TheSamaritansrespondedtoJewishdisdainbyerectinganalternativetempleonMountGerazimand,onoccasion,bysymbolicactsofviolence.InA.D.8,forexample,agroupofSamaritancommandosenteredtheJews'templeinJerusalemtoscatterhumanbones,therebyrituallydesecratingit.TothistheJewsrespondedwith"implacablehatred."
7
Andtheybuiltwalls.Betweenthemselvesandtheothernations(includingtheSamaritans)theJewishleadersattempted
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toconstructan"impenetrablebarrier."
8AGentilewomansucklingaJewishbaby?Never,saveinthepresenceofaJewishperson.OtherwisetheGentilenursemightpoisonthechild!9Thiswall-building,theJewishleadersfelt,wasnecessaryforthesurvivaloftheirnation.Onlyiftheyweredistinctfromthenationscouldtheybeaholynation,retainingtheirnationalidentityandhonoringGodbytheirwholecompassoflife.ItwasthroughholinessthattheJewshopedtosurviveasanation.
StrategiesforaHolyNation:TheEstablishment
Buthowshouldtheygoaboutpromotingtheholinessofthenation?TheJewishleadersnevercompletelyagreed.Infact,duringJesus'lifetimethereweretwomajorapproaches.
ThefirstofthesewasthatofthereligiousestablishmentinJerusalem.PriestlyaristocratssuchasAnnasandCaiaphasbelongedtothis;soalsodidothermembersoftheSadducees,aconservativereligiousparty.TheSadducees'observanceswereguidedsolelybythewrittenbooksoftheLaw.UnlikethePharisees,theywerenotwillingtoacceptthemorerecent,unwritteninterpretationsoftherabbis.Furthermore,againunlikethePharisees,theSadduceeshadnotimeforrelativelyrecenttheologicalconceptssuchastheresurrectionofthebody.
Inthecrisisfacingtheirnation,themembersoftheestablishmentadoptedacharacteristicapproach.Theywereresponsiblerealists.ThroughthecouncilcalledtheSanhedrinthey,onbehalfoftheJewishnation,exercisedasmuchcivilpowerastheRomansallowedthem.Tobesure,wherenecessary,asinmattersoflawandorderandoftaxation,theycooperatedwiththeRomans.Buttheydidsoforgoodreasons.TheycaredabouttheJewishnationandwantedtopreserveas
muchindependenceforitaspossible;evenmoreimportant,theyweredeterminedtoprotectthereligiouscoreofJewishlife,theworshipinthetempleinJerusalem.
Whatwasthealternativetomakingthebestpossiblear-
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rangementwiththeRomans?TheRomans,afterall,weretheworld'ssuperpower.AndiftheJewsprovedoffensive,theoccupationforceswould"comeanddestroybothourholyplaceandournation"(John11:48).Theholinessofthenation,themembersoftheestablishmentwereconvinced,couldbestbemaintainedbyobservantworshipintheTemple.Andthatrequiredrealismandcompromise.
StrategiesforaHolyNation:RenewalMovements
Totheotherapproach,thatoftheJewishrenewalmovements,theestablishment'spositionseemedflabbyandunprincipled.Holiness,afterall,meantseparationseparationfromeverythingimpure.Unholinesswascontagious.CollaborationwiththeGentileoccupationforceswasrituallydefiling;andthetroopswereamajorimporteroftheculturalinfluencesthatwerethreateningIsrael'swayoflife.Moreover,accordingtotheLawIsraelwastobeanationholyinallaspectsofherlife.Itwasn'tenoughtohaveoneplacetheTemplethatspecializedinholiness.
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Therenewalmovementscouldagreeonsomethings.Theycouldagreethattheestablishmentwassellingouttotheenemy.TheycouldalsoagreethatnationalholinessmustbethefocusoftheJewishpeople'sresponsetothecrisisposedbyRomanoccupation.Theycouldevenagreethatthisholinesscouldonlybeobtainedbybuildingwalls,isolatingthemselvesfromallthingsimpure,andprotectingthemselvesagainsttheseductivepollutionofthenations.Buttheycouldnotagreeabouthow,inpractice,topursuethisgoalofnationalholiness.
Onerenewalmovement,therevolutionaries,hadaforthrightapproach.Theywereconvincedthattherecouldneverbetruenationalholinessuntiloneessentialthinghappenedtheoccupyingforcesofthenationsmustbedrivenout!JohntheBaptist'sfather,thepriestZechariah,mayormaynothavebeensympatheticwiththerevolutionaries;butinhisfamoussongheexpressedanunderstandingwithwhichtheywouldagree.TheJewishnationcouldonlyserveGod"withoutfear,inholinessandjustice"whenitwas"deliveredfromthehandofourenemies"(Luke1:7374).
InthecenturyandahalfsincetherevoltofJudasMaccabaeus,
10groupswhowere"zealousforthelawandwhostrovetomaintainthecovenant"(1Macc.2:27,NEB)frequentlygaveparamilitaryexpressiontothisstrategy.These"Zealots"donotseemtohavebeenanorganizedpoliticalmovementuntiltheoutbreakoftheJewishWarinA.D.66.ButthroughoutJesus'lifetimetheyrepresentedatendencywhichhadconstantpopularsupport,andwhichonoccasioncouldleadtoinsurrectionswhichtheRomanshadtotakeseriously.AtaboutthetimeofJesus'birth,forexample,alarge-scaleJewishrebellionforcedtheRomanstousedrasticmeanstorestore''lawandorder";theyburnedthetownofSepphoris,onlyfourmilesfromNazareth,andcrucifiedtwothousandallegedrebels.11Inthesucceedingyears,
evenwhenthismovementwaslyingdormant,itsstrategyforholinessretaineditsappealtomany.Individualsandsmallbandsofpiousrebelscould
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easilyactuponit,
12AndinthenationalcrisisofA.D.60s,therewerethousandsofpeople,EssenesandPhariseesamongthem,whoflockedtotheanti-Romanrevolutionarycause.
Asecondrenewalmovement,theEssenes,hadastrategyfornationalholinesswhichwasequallyclear-cuttotalseparationfromtheworld.Noone,theyfelt,whowasrubbingshoulderswithGentilesandsinnerscouldachievetheholinesswhichtheLawrequired.Sotheythe"peopleofperfectholiness"withdrewfromthehurly-burlyofdailyPalestinianlifeandconstructedanidealcommunityatQumran,aremotespotbytheDeadSea.13Therethey,unliketheapostateJewswhoremainedbehind,sharedtheirpossessionsandstrenuouslyattemptedtokeepthewholeLaworalaswellaswritten.Bylivingasaholyremnant,theEsseneshadtheinterestoftheentireJewishnationatheart.TheywereaimingtoremainfaithfuluntilGodwouldactagainstthenationswhowerepollutinghisland.Then,whenheacted,theywouldrenouncetheirusualnonviolenceandjoinhisangelsinthebattleforholiness.
BetterknownthaneithertheRevolutionariesortheEsseneswasathirdrenewalmovement,thePharisees.Inmattersofdoctrineandpractice,thePhariseeshadmuchincommonwiththemembersoftheothermovements.HolinesswascentraltotheirgoalfortheJewishnationaswell;forgoodreasontheychosethenamePharisee,whichinthelocalvernacularofAramaicmeantthe"separatedones."14Buttheyadvocatedauniquestrategyforachievingthisgoalseparationwithinsociety.
Howcouldtheyachieveholinesswithoutwithdrawingfromsocietyaltogether?Theyadvocatedtwomethods.Thefirstofthesewasa
strictobservanceoftheLaw,notonlythewrittenLawofthePentateuch,towhichtheSadduceeslimitedthemselves,butalsotheorallytransmittedinterpretationsbytherabbis.Theseoralinterpretations,"thetraditionoftheelders"(Matt.15:2),intensifiedthewrittenLawintwoways.Theyrequiredmeticuloustithing;notonlymustonepayatitheupon
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everythingthatoneearnedorharvested,butalsouponeverythingthatoneboughtandate,incaseearlierhandlershadfailedtotitheproperly.Inaddition,theoralinterpretationsrequiredstrictritualpurity.Contactwithanythinguncleanwasprohibited.Indeed,thePharisaicmovementexpecteditsmembers,mostofwhomwerelaymen,toobservethesamerequirementsofholinessritualhand-washingsandalltherestasthepriestsintheTemple.
TothisrequirementofLaw-observancethePhariseesaddedasecondrequirementselectiveassociation.Ofcourse,thePhariseemustavoidcontactwith"thenationsoftheworld,"the"godlessGentiles";inthequestforholinesstherecouldbenoroomfortheoutsider.ButritualimpuritycouldalsoresultfromcontactwithlessobservantJewishinsidersaswell,whomthePhariseescalled"sinners."Andofthese,people''whodonotknowtheLaw[and]areaccursed"(John7:49),therewasagrowingnumber.
Thereweremanyreasonswhythese"sinners"probablythelargemajorityofthepopulationoffirst-centuryPalestinefailedtokeeptheLaw.Butamajorreasonwaseconomic.Aswehavealreadyseen,thetaxesreligiousaswellasRomanwhichfirst-centuryJewswererequiredtopaywerecrushing.Onlythebetter-offcouldaffordtopaythemboth,andmanypoorerpeoplestayedsolventonlybydefaultingonthereligioustaxes,whichwereoptional.Furthermore,payingtithesuponpurchasesaswellasincomecouldbeburdensome,especiallyforpeoplewho,strugglingtomakeendsmeet,wereindangeroflosingtheirland.Asthefirstcenturyprogressed,therefore,moreandmoreJewishpeoplewere,bythePharisees'standards,manifestLaw-breakers.AndthePhariseesrespondedbydisparagingthem,avoidingthem,andmostdecidedlybynevereatingwiththem.
Thesethreerenewalmovementsthushadmuchincommon.Intheirprescriptionsforthenationalcrisisoftheirtime,allof
themrevolutionaries,Essenes,andPhariseesalike-advo-
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catedamoreintenseobservanceoftheLaw.Andthisinvolvedholinessasthekeytonationalrenewal.Furthermore,allofthemovementsviewedholinessdefensively.Theholinessofthings,ofpeople,evenofGod,mustbeprotectedfromdefilementbycontactwitheverythingthatwasunclean.
Thissoundslikeapurelyreligiousmatter,butlikemostaspectsofreligioninfirst-centuryPalestineithadeconomicandpoliticalimplications.Economically,wehavenotedthatholinesswasexpensive;onecouldmaintainone'sholinessonlybypayingtaxesandtithesandbyengaginginactsofpurificationthatcouldbefinanciallydraining.Onlythebetteroffcouldaffordthis;andsomeofthepoorerJews,intheirattempttosustainaholylifestyle,losttheirlands.TheresultofthecostofholinesswasanincreasinginternaldivisionwithinJewishsociety,betweenashrinkingnumberofobservantJewsandagrowingnumberofmarginalpeoplewhomtheirwealthiercounterpartscalled"sinners."
Holinessalsohadpoliticalconsequences.AlloftheJewishrenewalmovementsagreedthattheGentileswhoruledPalestinewereanoffensetoGod'sholysovereigntyovertheland.Theirverypresencewasatransgressionoftheseparatenesswhichholinessrequired.Asacategory,theGentileswereoutsiders,withouthope."NoGentile,"onerabbideclared,"willhaveapartintheworldtocome."
15ThepiousandpowerfulJewsviewedtheGentilesasfundamentallydifferentfromthemselves;theyexcludedanddehumanizedthem.Thenextstepwastobepreparedtokillthemingoodconscience.WheninA.D.66(aboutthirtyyearsafterJesus'crucifixion)theJewishWaragainsttheRomansbrokeout,thereweremanycauses.ButnotleastamongthemwastheJewishrenewalmovements'questforholiness.16
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Chapter10Jesus,theHolyOneGetoutthetelescopes!Forsometimenowwehavebeenhoveringlowoverfirst-centuryPalestine,butwemustnowfocusoursightsevenmoreprecisely.Aswedoso,weshallseeanoutburstofholiness.Thiscameinasurprisingform.AndnoonewasmoresurprisedthanaGalileanpeasantnamedMary,whoheardthisfromGod'smessengerGabrielaboutachildwhichshewouldbear:
TheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepowerofthemostHighwillovershadowyou;thereforethechildtobebornwillbecalledholy,theSonofGod.(Luke1:35)
Duringhisshortcareer,Mary'ssonJesuswasrarelytobecalledholy.Itwasonlytheforcesofthespiritualoppositionwhorecognizedhimforwhohewas,"theHolyOneofGod"
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(Mark1:24).
1Furthermore,Jesushimselfapparentlyhadlittletosayaboutholiness;accordingtotheNewTestamentaccounts,Jesusrarelyusedtheword.Nevertheless,whenwelookatJesus'teachingsmoreclosely,weshallseethatmuchofthetimehewastalkingaboutholiness,indeedsocialholiness.EchoingtheHolinessCodeofLeviticusbutwithanewaccentthatspokeintothecrisisofhistime,Jesussaid,"Bemerciful,evenasyourFatherismerciful"(Luke6:36).
Furthermore,therewassomethingaboutJesushimselfwhichwasholy.Livingforce,separateness,God-likeness,dynamismhiscontemporariessawallofthesequalitiesofholinessinJesus.Andtheirresponsetohimwasthatofmenandwomenineveryagetoholinessbothfascinationandrepulsion,deepattractionanddread.RepresentativeofthisresponseisthatofhisfollowerPeter.KneelingatJesus'feetamidstadeck-fullofmiraculouslycaughtfish,Peterblurtedout,"Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord"(Luke5:8).
Jesusdidn'tdepartfromPeter.Byremainingfaithfultohimandhisotherfollowers,Jesuswasschoolingthem,notonlyinfaithfulness,butinholiness.Bylisteningtohim,watchinghim,imitatinghim,theywerelearningtobelikehim."Everyone,"Jesussaid,"whenheisfullytaughtwillbelikehisteacher"(Luke6:40).Theirattemptstofollowhimwereofteninept.Butinthemsomethingimportantwashappening.AsJesus'followersimitatedJesusandallowedhimtoshapetheircommonlifesothatitlookedlikehim,thesemenandwomenwereextendingthepersonandworkoftheHolyOne.Infact,theywerethefirstcitizensofanewnationanationofJesus-peopledrawnfrom"everynation,fromalltribesandpeoplesandtongues"(Rev.7:9).ThroughthemGodwouldworktoliberatetheentire
humanraceandrestorehiscreation.
EncounteringtheHolyOne
Thesemomentousdevelopmentsbeganverysimply.InaboutA.D.30,JesuslefthisjobinhishometownofNazareth
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andcametotheJordanRiver,wherehiscousinJohnwaspreaching.
AccordingtotheGospelwriterLuke,God'sHolySpirithadbeenexceptionallyactiveoflate,moreactiveinfactthanforhundredsofyearssincetheendoftheageoftheprophets(Luke1:15,35,42,67;2:27).JohnwasthemostprominentoftheseSpirit-visitedmenandwomen.Whenpeoplecametohimwhoreallywantedtochangetheirallegiancesandlifestyles,Johnbaptizedthemintheriver.Buthealsopointedthemtowardthefuture.Soon,hepromised,amightieronewouldcomewhowouldbaptizewithsomethingpurerandmorepowerfulthanwater"theHolySpirit"(Luke3:16).
Jesusapproachedhiscousin,askingtobebaptized.Wedon'tknowverymuchabouthisbaptism;theGospelwriters'accountsofitarebrief.Buttheygiveenoughdetailtoindicatethat,throughhisexperienceatthisevent,somethingdeeplyenergizinghappenedtoJesus.Lukerecordsthat"theHolySpiritdescendeduponhiminbodilyform,asadove"(Luke3:22).
Jesus,inshort,encounteredtheHolyOne.Andhedidnotsimplyexperiencealivingforce.Heknewthepresenceofapersonwho,asFather,addressedhimasSonanddeepenedtheirparent-childrelationshipoftrustandcaring.Becauseofthisrelationship,thewordswhichfollowed,commissioninghimtobeajustice-bringingServant-King,wouldsustainJesus:"YouaremybelovedSon;withyouIamwellpleased."
2Thereafter,throughtemptationandconflict,God'sfatherlycarewouldneverfailJesus.
FoundingaFourthRenewalMovement
EmpoweredbyGod'sHolySpirit,Jesusbegantoappearinpublicin
hishomeprovinceofGalilee.Whenhespoketopeople,othersgatheredround,fortherewassomethingauthoritativeabouthisteachingandcompellingabouthisperson.Furthermore,whenillandpossessedpeoplewerebroughtto
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him,Jesustouchedthemandhealedthem.IncompassionJesusreachedouttothepeople.Forgoodreason,crowdsbegantofollowhimwhereverhewent.
OnecanunderstandwhyhiscontemporarieswereattractedtoJesus.Eventoday,communicatedbythewrittenword,helooksatusandaddressesusindividually,challengingustouseourimaginationsandtoenternewdepthsthatwepreviouslyhadhardlyknownwerethere.Hispersonality,teaching,andactioninanamazingwaycoverthebreadthofhumanconcern.Nowritercandojusticetohim,whichisprobablythereasonwhysomanyofusgoonwritingabouthim!TosayanythingworthwhileaboutJesus,onemustthereforebedisciplined;andintalkingabouthimastheHolyOneIshallbedeliberatelyrestrictingmyscope.Nevertheless,wewillnotbeabletoappreciatehowconcernedJesuswasaboutholinessunlesswebeginwithsomebasics.
WemuststartwhereJesusdidwhenhefirsttouredGalilee.TheGospelwriterMarksummarizedJesus'messageinonesentence:
Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodisathand;repent,andbelieveinthegoodnews.(Mark1:15)
ItishardforustoappreciatehowarrestingthismessagesoundedtoJesus'contemporaries,forthevocabularytendstostrikeusaseitherold-fashionedorpiouslyirrelevant.ButJesus'hearersknewthathewasn'tsimplyspeakingaboutwhatpeopledidwhentheywereinchurch(synagogue);hewas,theyimmediatelyrealized,talkinginboldtermsaboutthewholeoflifeandthedirectionofhistory.
Firstofall,Jesuswasannouncinganevent."Thetimeisfulfilled."NOW!Thetimeofpreparationisover;theageofincompletenesshasbeensuperseded.Somethingishappeningwhich,whilebuiltonwhatGodhaddoneearlier,takesittoits
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destination.Whatistheeventwhichbringseverythingtoaclimax?ItisthearrivalofGod'skingdom.Weekinandweekoutintheirsynagogues,thepeoplehaddutifullylistenedtorabbisreadingfromscrollsthewordsoftheprophetsaboutthefuture.
Yahwehwillreasserthiskingshipandpower.Yahwehwillovercomeallopposition.Yahwehwillrootoutallinjusticeandhealallunwholeness.Andnow,asJesusaddressesthepeople,thescrollsleaptolife.Godisgoingontheoffensive,initiatingarenewalmovementofcosmicproportions.Isittrue?ArethepowerandauthorityofGod'sfuturebreakingintothepresent,ourpresent?
Ifso,thenJesus'hearerscouldrespondtothesecondpartofhismessage-hispronouncement,directedtoeachoneofthem,ofademand.Repent!Changeyourmind.Changeyourheart.Changeyourlifestyle!God'skinglyoffensivewillbeupsettingfirmlyentrenchedwaysofdoingthingsandexploringnewground.IfyouwanttoparticipateinwhatGodisdoing,youmustbecommittedtoongoingchange.Youmustalsobewillingtofacerisk.AsGodturnstheworldupsidedown,thingswon'tbeeasy;political,economic,andreligiousstructureswillnotsubmittohisauthoritywithoutastruggle.Soifyourepentyoumustalsobelieve.YoumustrespondtoGod'sinitiativebylivingattheedgeofthepossiblebyactivetrustinhisconcretegrace.
JesusdidmorethanannouncetheimminenceofGod'skingdom.Byhiseveryactionhehimselfbroughtitintotheexperienceofhiscontemporaries.Wheretherewasillnessanddemon-possessionheconfrontedit.Wheretherewerepeoplewhomtheotherrenewalmovementshadmarginalizedtax-collectors,thepoor,"sinners"hegavethemthetokenofgenuineacceptance:tablefellowship.Andquicklyhebegantobuildamovement,acommunityofpeople(someontheroadwithhim,someintheirhomes)whowerewillingtotakerisksforthekingdomwhichhewasbringing.
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HolinessontheOffensive
Whydidmenandwomenjoinhisrenewalmovement?Whydidtheyrespondtohiminriskyways?WhydidPeterandAndrew,whenJesussaid"Followme!"leavealltheirsourcesofsecuritytheirnets,boat,father,andservants(Mark1:1620)?Why,similarly,didthetax-collectorLevigiveuphisthrivingbusinessforthediceyprospectsofdiscipleship(Mark2:1314)?Whydidsomanywomen,includingJoanna,thewifeofHerod'ssteward,joinhisentourageandsupporthimwiththeirresources(Luke8:3)?Thereweremanyreasons,nodoubt.Butnonewasmoreimportantthanthis:inJesustheyencounteredtheholinessofGod.
Allofus,whetherwerecognizeitornot,haveadeeplongingforalivingexperienceofultimatereality;andwhenweexperienceGod'spresencepersonallywecandiscoverreservesofenergyandcommitmentthatwedidnotknowwepossessed.SoitwaswiththemenandwomenwhoweredrawntoJesus.Inhimtheycamefacetofacewithallfourofthecharacteristicsofholinesswhichwenotedasearlyaschapter2.Jesus'beingwasfilledwithalivingforce,notonlywhenhewastransfiguredbeforetheireyes(Luke9:29)butineverydaycircumstances.Inthefullnessofhishumanity,whichradiatedlovingenergy,Jesuswassomehowseparate,differentfromanyonetheyhadmetbefore.WhenJesuslookedatpeople,hetookthemseriously,soseriouslythathepenetratedtheirfacadesandexposedtheirinnerbeings;hereallysawthem.Andthey,inturn,sawinhimnolessthantheFather(John14:9).Inthisencounter,Jesuswasdemonstratinggodlikeness,challenginganddeepeningtheirintuitionsofwhatGodislike.Andoutofhimflowedadynamicpowerthroughwhichholinessfloodedintotheworldinordertochangeit.
Trueholiness,Jesuswasshowingthem,farfromneedingtobeprotectedwithsanitarywrapping,wasalife-givingforcethatbursts
throughallhumanlimits.Itwasnotindangerofbeinginfectedbythewaysofthenations;itwasitselfcontagious.
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Whenholinessencounteredimpurity,impuritywasputonthedefensive.WhenthewomanwhohadbeenrituallyuncleanbecauseofherflowofbloodtouchedJesus,sheknewthataccordingtotherulesoftheotherJewishrenewalmovementsshewouldbemakinghimunclean,unholy.Instead,tohersurpriseandjoy,holinessflowedintheotherdirection!Wholeness,life,acceptancewereJesus'giftstoher,forhisholinesswasaforceforchange(Luke8:4248).
Forgoodreason,membersoftheotherrenewalmovementsfoundJesus'approachhardtounderstand.Theirchiefconcernwasdefensive;itwasprotectionoftheseparatenessofholiness.AndJesus,thismanofimmensespiritualpower,keptchallengingtheirrules.Asaresult,manyofthemmusthaveexperienceddeepinnerconflict;weknowthatanumberofPhariseesdid(Mark12:34;John19:39).Andyetthemajorityofthemralliedroundtheirtraditionalconvictions.Confrontationwasinevitable.PhariseescriticizedJesus'disciples(andbyimplicationJesushimself)forbreakingtherulesofpurity:theyhadeatenwithoutwashingtheirhandsproperly(Mark7:5).AndJesusattractedtheirirebysittingattablewithunholypeople"sinners,"collaborators,thepoor.Doeshenotknow,theyaskedasawomanwashedhisfeetwithhertears,"whatsortofwomanthisiswhoistouching[thatis,polluting]him,forsheisasinner"(Luke7:39)?
JesustookthePharisees'concernforholinessseriously.Buthetriedtodeepentheirunderstanding.Itwaseasyenough,Jesustoldthem,tohonorGodwithlipsandlimits;butitwasquiteanothermattertohonorGodwithone'sheart.Swallowingsomethingrituallyuncleandidn'tdefileaperson;itwas"fromwithin,outoftheheart"(themotivationalcore)ofapersonthatcameallkindsofcorrosivefilththatdefiletheworld(Mark7:123).Byeverthingthathedidandsaid,Jesuswasattemptingtofreepeoplefromfilthforlove.Byhisownactions,andbyparablessuchasthatofthewaitingfather,
3heinvitedpeopletoexperienceGod'sloveforthem,hiswayward
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children(Luke15:1132).Ifonlytheycouldadmittheirsinandsickness,Godwouldembracethemwithhealingforgiveness.Andoutofhisloveforthemcouldcomearesponseontheirpart:loveforGod"withalltheirheart"whichwouldexpressitselfinlovetoothers,whethertheywerePhariseesorenemies(Mark12:3031).
TheWeightierMattersoftheLaw
JesuswasalsoconcernedtobroadenthedimensionsofthePharisees'concernforholiness.Itwasallright,Jesusgrantedthem,topaytithesonthemostminorfoodsthatoneconsumed,evenherbssuchasmintanddillandcummin.Butthereallyimportantareasofstruggleforholinesswereelsewhere:"theweightiermattersofthelaw,justiceandmercyandfaith."
Jesuswasconvincedthatthereligiouspeopleofhisday,byelaborateactsofpietycoupledwithanunjustlifestyle,werebeingspectacularlyunholy.Ashehumorouslyputit,itwasasiftheywere"strainingoutagnatandswallowingacamel!"Ceremonialholinesswasnotthathardforrichpeopletoachieve;itwasinjustice,extortion,andgreedthatweretherealchallenge.Andthesethings,doneinthenameofholiness,weretearingPalestiniansocietyapart(Matt.23:2326).
Jesusthusnotonlyrootedholinessintheheart;hebroughtitintoeveryareaoflife.Evenintotheareasofprimaryhumanneedprovisionandprotection.Weshouldnotbesurprisedbythis.Forwehaveseenhow,intheExodus,Lawandtheprophets,Godrepeatedlyshowedhisdeterminationtoformanationwhowouldrespondtotheseeverydayconcernsinaholyway.AstheonewhocametofulfilltheOldTestamentandbringGod'skingdom,JesuswasboundtoreassertGod'sdeterminationinwaysthatrespondedtothecriesofthepeopleinhisday.
Thepeopleoffirst-centuryPalestinehadgoodreasontoworryabout
provisionandprotection.Forthemthesewerenot
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''issues"tobediscussed.Theywerequestionsofsurvival:howcanwekeepourheadsabovewaterinanageofbadharvestsandcripplingtaxes?HowshouldwerespondtotheenemywhoisoppressingusandoccupyingGod'sland?Ifholinesshastodowith"justiceandmercyandfaith,"howdoesitaddressitselftoquestionssuchasthese?
Jesus'Agenda
AsLuketellsthestory,itisclearthatJesus,fromtheverystartofhisfirstspeakingtourinGalilee,wasdealingwithmattersofprovisionandprotection.InthesynagogueofhishometownofNazareth,hereadanOldTestamenttext(Isa.61:12)whichservedasanagendaforhispubliclife:
TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehasanointedmetopreachgoodnewstothepoor.Hehassentmetoproclaimreleasetothecaptivesandrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythosewhoareoppressed,toproclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord.(Luke4:1819)
BychoosingthistextfromIsaiah61,Jesuswasemphasizingthatthe"acceptableyearoftheLord,"theJubilee,whichhadbeenimportanttotheLawandtheprophets,wascentraltohisvisionaswell.Inasocietyinwhichthepiousseparatedthemselvesfromthe"sinners"byaneconomicbarrier,God'skingdomwouldbring"release"and"liberty"topoorpeople.
4Itwouldalsobringgoodnewstotheoutsiderandenemy.Jesusscandalizedhishearersbystoppinghisreadingjustwhenitcametothegoodpart"andthedayofvengeanceofourGod"(Isa.61:2b).5WhatrightdidhehavetoamputatethepropheticWord?Andwhat
galldidittaketopointoutthatGod,bymakinguseofaSidonianwidowandhealingaSyrian
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leper,hadbypassed"many...inIsrael"(Luke4:2527)?Jesus'hearerswerefurious,fortheGentileswereunclean;theywerecrueloppressors.
Wedonotgenerallyviewassuccessfulasermonwhichendsinanattempttoassassinatethepreacher!ButinhisNazarethsermonJesus,byproclaimingJubileeandannouncingGod'soverturetotheoutsiders,hadstatedthemesofgreatimportancetohisfellowJews.Theywerethemestowhichhewouldbereturningfrequentlythroughouthispubliclife.And,asweshallsee,theywerethemesthathadeverythingtodowithholinessasJesusconceivedit.Letuswatchhimashedevelopedthemboth.
JesusandJubileeEconomics
WealthwasoneofJesus'favoritetopics.Hewasdeeplysuspiciousofit.Thiswaspartlybecauseofwhatitdidinsociety,creatingseparatecastesofrichandpoor.PeoplelikeBiggerBarns,Esq.,accumulatedanunneededsurplus(Luke12:1620);others,likeLazarus,wereoppressedbecausetherichwereblindtotheirsufferinganddeaftotheprophets(Luke16:1931).Jesuswasrepelledbythissituation.Hisheartwentouttopoorpeople,andhehadgoodnewsforthem.
ButJesuswasalsoconcernedforrichpeople.Heknewthattheirwealthwasanalternativegod,whichtheycouldn'tserveatthesametimeasYahweh(Luke16:13).Wealthmadeagrabattheirheart(12:34);whentheytriedtorespondtoJesus'goodnewsitchokedthem(8:14).Itcreatedasourceofsecuritywhich,forthefaithless,wasmoreattractivethanareequalizationofresourceswhichrequiredonetotrustintheFather'sknowingcare.Smallwondertherichyoungman,whohadkeptalltherulesandwhomJesusloved,walkedsadlyawayfromJesusratherthangivetothepoor(Mark10:1722).Forpeoplelikehim,peoplewithvestedinterestsinthewaythingswere,
God'skingdomwouldbebadnews."Howterribleforyouwhoarerichnow;youhavehadyoureasylife"(Luke6:24,TEV)!
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Forpoorpeople,however,therewasgoodnews.TherewasalsogoodnewsforthosewhowerewillingtorespondtoJesus'invitationtonewlife.ForGodwasontheoffensive,andthingsweregoingtochange.Jesuscautionedhisdisciplesthattheyshouldbecarefulhowtheywentaboutthischange;theyshouldnever,forexample,"dotheirjustice"(not,mosttranslationstothecontrary,"practicetheirpiety")
6ostentatiouslytogaintheapprovalofothers.Butheassumedthattheywouldbedoingjusticebygivingtothepoor(Matt.6:12).LifeinGod'skingdomwouldbemarkedbyspontaneoussharingandgenerosity.
Therewouldalso,however,bestructuresforreequalizingwealth.ItisnotsurprisingthattheJubileewasimportanttoJesus.Aswehaveseen,ithadbeenanintegralpartoftheOldTestamentLaw;andrepeatedlytheprophetshadtriedtogetGod'speopletopracticeit.ForsomeonewhocametofulfiltheLawandtheprophets,areactivationoftheJubileewouldbenatural.
ButJesuswasnotanantiquarianoralegalist;hewasflexibleinapplyingtheJubilee.ForcircumstanceshadchangedsinceLeviticus25hadbeenwritten;vasturbanwealthandextensiveGentilelandholdingwouldmakeastrictapplicationofJubileeimpracticable.Furthermore,theRomanswouldalmostcertainlyhavenothingofit!
SoJesusbeganbycreatingaformoftheJubileethatwasappropriatetothesocialandpoliticalconditionsofhisownday.Toall,asinhisNazarethsermon,Jesusannouncedthepossibilityofreequalization.Ofhisdisciples,thosewhohadrespondedtotheFather'slovebysteppingoutintoinsecurityandfaith,Jesusexpectedreequalization.Amongthem,thespiritoftheLawwouldlive.Intheirloveforeachothertheywouldfindwaystohelprichpeopletostopbeingrichand
poorpeopletostopbeingpoor.Onceagainthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequalitywoulddemonstratehowvalidtheywere.
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SoJesus'discipleswouldlendwithoutexpectinginreturn,therebyhelpingthepoor(Luke6:34;Lev.25:3637;Deut.15:710).IntheirawarenessoftheFather'sforgivenessoftheirdebts,theywouldforgivethedebtsofothers(Matt.6:12;18:32).Theywouldselltheirgoodsandgivetopoorpeople(Luke12:33).Andtotheirsurprise,theywouldfindthattheywerenotonlygivingbutreceivingabundantly(Mark10:30).
HolinessandProvision
Butwhatdothesekingdomeconomicshavetodowithholiness?Agreatdeal.ForinthemJesuswassketchingtheoutlinesofanapproachtotheprimaryhumanneedofprovisioninwhichallfourofthethemesofholinesscometogether.
Firstofall,JubileeeconomicswillbepossibleforJesus'disciplesbecausetheyhaveencounteredGodasalivingforceastheforgivingone,astheall-knowingandcaringFather.Withoutthisencounter,nothingtrulynewispossible;withit,everythingispossible!Justbeforeheurgedthemtoselltheirpossessionsandredistributetheirwealth,Jesustoldhisdisciples,"Donotbeafraid,littleflock,foryourFatherispleasedtogiveyoutheKingdom"(Luke12:32,TEV).KnowledgeofthemercifulFatherbanishesthefearthatleadstodefensivenessandself-protection,andisapreconditionofeverythingthatJesusaskshisdisciplestodo.
BecausethedisciplesknowtheFatherandareknownbyhim,asecondoftheholinessthemesispossibleforthemtheycantaketheriskofbeingdifferent!TheirqualityofliferequiresthemtotakeseriouslythegoalofthePhariseesseparation-butinamuchmorefundamentalwaythanthePhariseeshadeverconsidered.Forthedisciples'lifestyle,unlikethatofthePharisees,istobetrulysetapartfromthewaysofthenations.Jesustookthisholinesstheme,so
familiartotheotherJewishrenewalmovements,intounfamiliarterritory.Hewasnotprescribingritualpurity;hewasprescribingaradicallytrustingapproachtolife."Donotbeanxious,"Jesustoldhis
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disciples.Don'tworryaboutpossessions,clothing,orfood!That'swhattheGentiles(and,byimplication,thePharisees)do.Jesus'followersaretobedifferentfromthem.Theywillgivepriorityto"God'skingdomandhisjustice",andGod,whoknowsalltheirneeds,throughhisconcretegracewilltakecareofthem(Matt.6:2533).
NotonlywillGodtakecareofJesus'disciples;hewillalsoreshapethemintohisownimage.AspeoplewhohaveexperiencedGod'sforgivenessoftheirdebts,theywillforgivethedebtsofothers.TheywillbegintotreatothersasGodhastreatedthem.Andastheydoso,theywillbegintoexpressathirdoftheholinessthemesgodlikeness.IntheLawGodhascommandedhispeople,"Youshallbeholy,forIYahwehyourGodamholy"(Lev.19:2).AccordingtoJesus,thatcommandisstillvalid;hisdisciplesaretocontinuetodemonstratethelifeofGodtotheworld.Buttheyaretodosoinaspecificway.They,inthesphereofeconomics,areto"bemerciful,evenasyourFatherismerciful"(Luke6:36).
Andfinally,astheyrespondtoJesus'messageofJubileetheywillexperiencethefourthcharacteristicofholiness,itsdynamism.Godisatwork;heisontheoffensivetochangetheworld.And,whenpeopleencounterhispersistentmercyinJesus,surprisingthingscanhappen.ThiswastheexperienceofaleadingtaxcollectornamedZacchaeus.Thismanwasrich,corrupt,andquiteunsuitableforthecompanyofaLaw-observingJew.SoJesusinvitedhimselftoZacchaeus'shouse!SensingGod'sacceptanceinJesus,Zacchaeusrepented."TakingthemessageofJesusquiteliterally,"
7heredistributedhisgoods.Notonlydidherepayfourfoldeverythingthathehadextractedbyfraud;hejoyfullygavehalfofhisgoodstopoorpeople.ItwastoZacchaeus'shouse,andnotthatoftherichyoungrule-keeper,thatsalvationhadcome.Thetax-collectorwhopracticedJubileewasthe"sonofAbraham"(Luke19:110;cf
18:1823).
ZacchaeusrepresentsthedynamicpowerofGod'sholinessto
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makeunjustlivesjust.LikeallthemenandwomenwhofollowedJesus,hisvalueshadchanged,forhehadanewformofsecurity.Itdoesnotappear,however,thatheleftallpossessions,home,andsettledexistencetofollowJesus.He,likeotherswhoremainedathome(Mary,Martha,andLazarus,JosephofArimathea;theex-demoniacofGadara),begantoliveinanewwaywherehewas.
Others,however,heardJesuscallthemtoleavehomeandallthesecurityitrepresented,towalkwithhimtowardJerusalem.Agroupofwomen,forexample,puttheirresourcesatthedisposalofJesusandtheotherdisciplesastheytraveledtogether(Luke8:23).AndPeterononeoccasionvehementlyremindedJesusthatheandtheotheritinerantdiscipleshadleft"everything"behind.JesushonoredPeterforthis.ButheremindedhimthatinGod'skingdom,unlikemanysocieties,everyonewouldbeareceiveraswellasagiver.Asocietyofjusticeandsufficiencywascomingintobeinginwhichthosewhogaveawayhousesandlandsandfamilieswouldreceiveback"ahundredfoldnow"(Mark10:30).Now!God'skingdomwasbreakingin,bringingrelationshipsof"justiceandmercyandfaith"whichpointedthewaytoholinessforallhumanity.
TheJesusmovementhadadistinctiveapproachtotheeconomicsofholiness.God'sparentalloveandmercywereinvadingalloflifeeveneconomics.Farfromexcludingpoorpeopleastheotherrenewalmovementsdid,Jesusgavethemtheresourcestheyneededtoliveandaspecialplaceinhisaffections.Furthermore,torichpeoplehegavetheopportunitytochange.Andtoall,hegavestructuresforadistinctivelifestyleofsocialholiness.ItwouldbeunlikethenationsbutlikeGodandaforceforchangetowardtheholycity.
RedefiningtheHolyNation
Jesus'attitudetophysicalsecuritywasasdistinctiveashisteachingon
wealth.Aswehavenotedearlier,thePalestineofJesus'daywasaviolentsocietymarkedbyhighbarriers
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betweenthe"ins"andthe"outs."TheotherJewishrenewalmovementsspecializedinthebusinessofcategorizingpeople.EitheronewasamemberofGod'snationoramemberof"thenations"(Gentiles).Andwhereastheformercategorywasselect,thelattercategorywasalmostasbroadashumanityitself.Inthisclassification,eventheSamaritanswerecountedasGentiles(Luke17:18).AllofthemwereGod'senemies.Onhisdayofjudgmenthewouldhavepityuponhispeople.Buthewould"rousehiswrath,pourouthisfury,destroytheadversary,wipeouttheenemy''(Ecclus.36:7,NEB).Themembersofthethreerenewalmovementslivedinconstantanticipationofthatday.
Fromtheverystartofhispubliclife,however,Jesussethisrenewalmovementmovinginadifferentdirection.ItwasnotthatJesuswasflatteringinhisassessmentofthenations.Heknewfullwellthat"thekingsofthenationsexerciselordshipoverthem"andbuiltstatuesofthemselves,callingthemselves"benefactors"(Luke22:25).HeknewthattheGentileshatedtheirenemies,prayedemptilyandworriedaboutpossessions(Matt.5:47;6:7,32)."Itshallnotbesoamongyou,"Jesuswarnedhisfollowers(Matt.20:26).Hewantedtostartarenewalmovement,notsimplyapiousrepetitionofwhattheGentileswerealreadydoing.
YetinhisunderstandingofGod'spurposes,Jesusclearlyhadaspecialplacefortheseoutsiders.Oneindicationofthiswashisfamousstatement,"RendertoCaesarthethingsthatareCaesar's,andtoGodthethingsthatareGod's."Withthesewords,JesusorderedhisdisciplestoviewCaesar'slocalmillionstheRomanoccupationforcesverydifferentlyfromthewaytheotherrenewalmovementsviewedthem(Mark12:17).Caesar'splacewasnotequaltothatofGod's,ofcourse,norwasitindependentofit;Caesar'sauthoritywasderivedfromGod,andextendedoveronlyapettypartofthedivinedominion,ButJesuswasconvincedthattheRomanshadaroleto
playaroleofjudgmentsimilartothatwhichtheAssyrians
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andtheBabylonianshadplayedinearlierJewishhistory.LikeJeremiah,Jesusknewthatthenationswerenotsimplytheretobehatedandevicted.Godcouldusethem.
8
FromhisNazarethsermononward,JesusalsocontinuedtodrawillustrationsoffaithandfaithfulnessfromtheenemyGentiles.ItwasthefaithofanoccupyingsoldierwhichdrewfromJesusthebarrier-shatteringstatementthat"manywillcomefromeastandwestandsitattablewithAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofGod"(Matt.8:11).And,tothechagrinofalawyerwhowasgrillingJesus,itwastheenemySamaritanwhoillustratedforJesuswhatitmeanttobeaneighbor(Luke10:2937).
InJesus'schemeofthings,unlikethatoftheotherrenewalmovements,theoutsiderwasimportant.ThiswasinkeepingwiththewaythatJesuswastakingtheLawseriouslyandintensifyingit.Love,JesusconcurredwiththeOldTestamentwriters,wastheall-encompassingprincipleoftheLaw(Matt.22:40;Lev.19:18).ButwhereastheLeviticalLawcommandedloveofneighbor(thatis,fellowIsraelite),Jesuscatapaultedtheloveprincipleacrossnationalbarrierstoculminateinlovefortheenemy.ItistheenemySamaritanwhodemonstrateswhatneighborloveis;anditisthenationalenemy,theRomans,whoseinclusiondisplaystheFather'sloveandshapestheloveoftheJesus'followers(Luke10:29;Matt.5:4348).9
Jesus,inshort,wasnotonlyintensifyingtheLaw;hewasredefiningtheJewishunderstandingofnationhood.HestoodatthedecisivetransitionpointinholyhistoryandclaimedGod'spromisetoAbrahamforhisownday.Nolongerdid"allthefamiliesoftheearth"needtowaittoclaimtheirblessing(Gen.12:3).Tothem,thenations,JesuswasopeningthepossibilityofbeingpartofGod'sholynation.
Thenewcovenantwouldnotbeforinsiders;itwouldbefor"many"(Matt.26:28).
Throughthisdecisivebreakthrough,Jesusendedtheeraoftheholywar.Nolongerwoulditbeanappropriatemeansof
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protectingthepurityofGod'snation.God'snation,Jesuswasimplying,isamissionarybody;itsmembersarebeingdrawnfromthecitizensofallnations.Theoutsidercannolongerbeseenassomeonefundamentallydifferentfromoneselfwhomaybesacrificedforthepurityofthenation.Fortheoutsiderisapotentialinsider,apotentialbrotherorsister.ToprotecttheholinessofGod'sexpanding,missionarynation,theoldmethodswouldnolongerdo.
10
HolinessandProtection
TheholinessofGod'snationwouldnowcometobepreserved,notbykillingnationalenemiesbutbylovingthem.WehavealreadyseenthatJesushadclaimed,intheareaofprovision/economics,thatholinessisasocialreality.Hisapproachtotheareaofprotectionwassimilar.Indeed,inacompactbutpowerfulpassageintheSermonontheMount(Matt.5:4348),thefourholinessthemesdovetailbeautifully.11
WhydidJesusdaretocommandhisfollowerstolovetheirenemies?BecausetheyhadexperiencedthefirstthemeofholinessGod'slivingforce.Atthetimeofhisbaptism,JesusintheSpirithadencounteredYahwehtheeternalone,theAlmighty,inwhosepresenceonetakesoffone'ssandalsasFather.Hisgreatsecurityofpersonandpurposehadbeenrootedinthatparent-childintimacy.InJesus,thediscipleshavemettheFatheraswell.Theyhavebeenmovedbyhisacceptanceandmercy.He,theyhavediscovered,isinfinitelygenerous:"Hemakeshissunriseontheevilandonthegood"(Matt.5:45).TheFatherwhogivesgoodgiftstohischildren,wholavishesonthempersistentparentalcare,andwholongstoknowthemintimatelywillempowerthemtodosomethingthatgoesagainstalltheirreflexestolovetheir
enemies.
Doingsomethingthatseemsunnaturalleadstothesecondthemeofholinessseparateness.FortheJewishrenewalgroupsthiswastheheartofthematter;nothingwasmoreimportanttothemthanbeingdifferent,especiallyfromthetax-
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collectorsandthenations(Gentiles).Bothwere,bydefinition,unholy.
Jesusacceptedthisconcernforseparateness,buthedeepenedit.Boththetax-collectorsandthenations,hepointedout,actedlovinglytowardstheirownkind,butonlytowardtheirownkind(Matt.5:4647).ButinexpressingtheirlovetheJewishrenewalgroupswerenodifferent.Theywerenolessselective.Thisselectivity,Jesuswasconvinced,wasunholiness.TheproblemwiththePhariseeswasthatinthisall-importantareatheywerejustlikethenationsjustliketheiroppressors,theunholyRomans.Evictingthemattheedgeoftheswordwouldn'tmakePalestineaholierplace;inJewishheartsthevaluesofthenationswouldstillreignsupreme.Jesus'followerswouldbeholyonlyiftheyweregenuinelydifferentdifferentbothfromthenationalenemy(theRomans)andfromtheirenemy'smostcommittedenemies(theotherJewishrenewalgroups).
Butholinessisnotonlybeingdifferent;itisalso,inthethirdplace,beinglikeGod.TheFather,Jesusknew,isanenemylover;theoutsideriswithinnotwithouttheboundsofhiscompassionatecaring.BeliketheFather,Jesusinvitedhisfollowers.Behissonsanddaughters,sharinghisfamilylikeness!Youwillbehischildrenifyouarepeacemakers(Matt.5:9);youwillalsobehischildrenifyouloveyourenemies(5:45).TobepeacemakingenemyloversisnotoptionalforJesus'followers;itisessentialforthembecauseofthecharacteroftheFatherwhosechildrentheyarediscoveringthemselvestobe.IntheNewTestamentcounterparttotheOldTestamentcommand:"BeholyasIamholy,"Jesusissuedanewholinesscommandwhichatthesametimewasalovecommand:'You,therefore,mustbeperfect,asyourheavenlyFatherisperfect"(5:48).Perfect,mature,complete,undiscriminatingingoodnesseventotheextentoflovingtheenemyinthiswayGod'schildrenaretoresembletheirFather.
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Theyaretodosoforareason,whichtakesustothefourththemeofholiness,itsdynamism.God'skingdom'sstance,wehavenoted,wasoffensive,notdefensive;andGod'sholinesssimilarlyisonthemove,intheworld,forchange.God'sprojectisamissionaryprojecttheinvitingofmenandwomenfromeverynationintohisholynation.Jesus'disciplesweretoprayfortheirenemies(5:44).Maytheyceasetobeunjust!Maytheybeincorporatedintoyourpeople!ForJesus,peopleasimprobableasanenemyRomansoldierweresignsofGod'sprojectatwork.Faith,Jesusknew,wasnotlimitedbynationallabels.AndthetimewouldcomewhenmanywouldcomefromeastandwesttobanquetwiththeJewishpatriarchs(Matt.8:1112).Don'tkilltheRomans,Jesuswasimplying.Forifyoudo,youmaybeslayingapersonoffaith.Andfurthermore,youwillbeimpedingGod'sdesign,inwhichRomansandJewswillbecomefellowcitizensinonenation.
Jesus'PropheticWarning
Bycallinghisfollowerstobe"childrenofpeace"(Luke10:6)Jesuswaschallengingsomeofthemostdeeplyheldassumptionsofhisage.Fearsaboutpersonalinsecuritywereboundtoarise,forprotectionisoneoftheprimaryhumanneeds.IfIamloving(nonviolent),whatwillhappentomeandmylovedones?
Tothisbasicconcernforprotection,Jesusrespondedashehadinhisteachingaboutprovisionbytellinghisfollowersnottobeafraid."Itellyou,myfriends,donotfearthosewhokillthebody,andafterthathavenomorethattheycando"(Luke12:4).Why?BecauseyouhaveaFather!Godknowshischildrenintimately;nodetailoftheirlives,noteventhenumberoftheirhairs,istoopettyforhim.Lovinglyheholdstheminhishand;and,intheagetocome,hepromisesthemeternallife.SuchlovebanishesfearandenablesJesus'disciplesfaithfully,imprudentlytofollowhimintoriskyterritory.
Personalsafetywasimportant.Butthemostimmediate
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concernofJesus'hearerswaswiththeiroppressed,occupiednation.Thiswasnotsimplyamatteroftasteingovernments;itwasamatterofdeepreligiousconviction.TheRomanoccupationofthePromisedLand,manyJewswereconvinced,wasaninsulttoYahweh.ToliberateGod'sland,theywouldbewillingtouseanymeansthatseemedlikelytowork.Andultimately,militaryviolenceseemedtheonlyrealpossibility.FortheRomanlegionarieswerehardmenwhokeptthepeacebyoverwhelmingforce,andthesituationinPalestinewouldnotchangeuntiltheyweregivenatasteoftheirownmedicine!Incontrasttothecommonsenselogicofthisposition,Jesus'approachofnonviolentenemylovingmusthaveseemedtheessenceofunrealism.
Jesusacceptedthischallengeandmetithead-on.The"realistic"people,hewasconvinced,hadgotitwrong.Theanti-RomantendencyoftheJewishrenewalmovementswouldlead,nottotheshalomofthenation,buttoitsdestruction.RepeatedlyJesuswarnedhishearersoftheconsequencesiftheyrefusedtorespondtoGod'skingdombyrepentingchangingtheirideasandtheiractions."Unlessyourepent,"Jesustoldthem,"youwill...perish"(Luke13:3,5).
JesussoundsjustlikeJeremiah!Sixhundredyearslater,Godwasonceagainofferinghispeopleachoice.Itwas'achoicebetweentwoapproachestothenationalcrisis:acommonsenseapproachleadingtowar,andaneccentricapproachwhichJesuscalled"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42).TheformerofthesewasnotwhatGodwanted;warwithRomewasnothispreferredmeansofbringinghisprojecttofruition.Instead,GoddesiredthathispeoplearresttheslidetowarbyrepentingandinfaithchoosingJesus'eccentricapproach,thekingdomapproachofshalommakingandenemyloving.Thewayofholiness,God'sway,meantadoptingaseparate,differentapproachtothebiggestpoliticalquestionofJesus'day.Thepeoplecould,ofcourse,choosenottorepent.Thischoicewouldhave
inevitableconsequences.AsinJeremiah'sday,God
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wouldnotprotectthepeoplefromthelogicoftheirchoices.Injudgment,hewouldpermittheviolenceofthenationstosuppresshisownpeople'sviolence.InJesus'tersewords,"Allwhotaketheswordwillperishbythesword"(Matt.26:52).
"Weepforyourselvesandforyourchildren,"JesuswarnedthewomenofJerusalem(Luke23:28).For,throughmilitarymeans,God'sjudgmentiscoming.Jerusalemthecityofshalomwillbesurroundedbyarmies(21:20).Thesearmieswillusestate-of-the-artsiegeequipment.Andwhenthedefenders'resistancehasbeenworndown,theirbesiegerswill"dashyoutotheground,youandyourchildrenwithinyou,andtheywillnotleaveonestoneuponanotherinyou"(19:4344).Atthisprospect,Jesus,likeJeremiah,wept(19:41;Jer.9:1).
TheSchoolofHoliness
Jesusdidnot,however,despair.ForevenifthenationofIsraelrejectedhisholyway,Jesuswaspreparingclustersofmenandwomenwhowouldresponddifferently.Itsoundsgrandiosetocallthisa"fourthrenewalmovement."DuringJesus'ministry,itsinnercoremusthavebeennumericallytiny.ItscomprehensionofwhatJesuswassayinganddoing,andevenitsfaithfulness,werealsosuspect.Atcriticalmomentsitsmemberswereinclinedtobehaveinquiteunholywaysortoturntailandrun!Nevertheless,amongthisgroupofTeacherandstudentssomethingimportantforthecompletionofGod'sprojectwasgoingon.
TheTeacher'sassignmentwasbothsimpleandintenselydemanding.HisstudentsweretodonothinglessthantoimitatetheHolyOne.Bylisteningtohim,watchinghim,adjustingtheirreflexestohis,theywerelearningtobelikehim."Everyone,"Jesussaid,"whenheisfullytaughtwillbelikehisteacher"(Luke6:40).Inhis"schoolof
holiness,"Jesuswaspreparinghisstudentstobeholyashewasholy.Bybeingextensionsofhisownpersonandway,theyweretobeexpressionsof
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God'sintentionforallofhumanity.
Jesus'studentswouldbeacommunityofdoers.Theyweretoobeyaswellastoimitate.Inthepast,theIsraelites,asGod'smoreorlessholynation,haddefineditselfbyphysicaldescent.Itsmemberswere"childrenofAbraham."Jesus,however,wascallingintobeingapeoplewhosemembershipwouldberootedintheirobedience.IftheyloveJesus,theywillkeephiscommandments(John14:21).Theywillbemembersofhisfamilyifthey"hearthewordofGodanddoit"(Luke8:21).TheywillbechildrenofAbraham,notiftheirgenesareright,butiftheydowhathedidinfaithfullygoingoutintorisk.(John8:39),
Jesus'followersweresuretogetintotrouble.People,institutions,andspiritualforceswhichwerecommittedtounholinesswoulddenigrateandexcludethem.Thecostcouldbehorrendous.Jesusofferedtohisfollowersaparadoxicalpromise.Ontheonehand,aswehaveseen,heassuredthemoftheFather'sknowinglove,ofhisprovisionandprotection.Ontheotherhand,hepromisedthemconflictandsuffering.
Jesussentouthisfollowersas"lambsinthemidstofwolves"(Luke10:3).Heofferedthematradition,thetraditionoftheprophets,whothroughtheircommitmenttothewordandwayofYahwehcollidedwithkingsandpriestsand,fortheirpains,werereviledandpersecutedanddefamed.Forhisfollowers,thistraditionwastobenotoptionalnoracauseforcomplaint;itwastobeasourceofblessingandrejoicing(Matt,5:1012).Aboveall,Jesuscalledhisfollowersto"denythemselvesandtakeuptheircrossesandfollowme"(Mark8:34).Forthem,God'sprovisionandprotectionthusdidnotmeantheassuranceofahappyoldageinaHebronretirementhome;itmeantthatGodwouldsupplyeverythingnecessaryastheyfollowedtheirTeacherintoconflict.
CleansingtheHolyPlace
AndintoconflictJesuswent.Sensingthathisministrywasapproachingitsclimax,Jesus"sethisface"togototheholy
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city,Jerusalem(Luke9:51).Whenheeventuallyenteredthecity,acrowdofadmirersspreadpalmbranchesonhispath,therebyproclaiminghimaspotentialliberatorfrom"aformidableenemy"(1Macc.13:51,NEB).Shoutinghispraises,theyacclaimedhimasKing:"BlessedisthekingdomofourfatherDavidthatiscoming!"(Mark11:710).Jesusdidnotdenytheiracclamation,butfollowingZechariah'sprophecy(9:910)hechoseameansoftransportacolt,notachargerthatwouldforcepeopletorethinkthemeaningofkingship.InGod'splan,itisJesus,notHerodorCaesarorDavid,whohasspokenthefinalwordabouthowtobeKing.
OnceintheHolyCity,Jesusmadestraightforthe"holyplace."Hehadanunerringsenseforthepropersettingtoexercisehispeculiarpolitics,thetemple.Whathefoundtherecuthimtothequick;itwasadenialofholinessashehadbeenteachingit.Hefound,inthefirstplace,economicinjustice.Jesusdoesnotseemtohaveobjectedtothebuyingandsellinginthetemple.Peoplehadtohaveproperlypurifiedanimalsfortheirsacrifices.AndsinceRomancoins,whichhadidolatrousimagesonthem,wereobviouslyunsuitablefortempletransactions,aspecialtemplecurrencyneededtobeobtainedatthetemplebureaudechange.Butundertheguiseofprotectingthetemple's"holy"separateness,thetemplebusinessmenwerefleecingthepoor.Despitetheelaborategesturesatpurity,thiswasjustlikethebusinessworldoutside;anditwasutterlyunliketheGod,inwhosenameitwasdone,whodemonstrateshisholinessbyprovidingfortheweak.Placinghimselfintheprophetictradition,theoutragedJesusquotedfromJeremiah:thetempleauthoritieshadmadetheholyplace"adenofrobbers"(Jer.7:11;Mark11:17).
Jesus'secondobjectionhadtodowiththelocationofallthebuyingandsellingthecourtofthenations(Gentiles).Ofcourse,thetransactionshadtotakeplacesomewhere;butwhentheanimals'cagesandsellers'tablessprawledout,thepreciousspacereservedfor
theoutsiderwasdiminished.God's
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holypurpose,Jesuswasconvinced,wastoincludetheoutsidertheenemiesweretobeloved,thenationsweretobebroughtin.Buthere,inIsrael'sholyplace,intheinterestsofholiness,theoutsiderswerebeingsqueezedout.QuotingfromIsaiah,theinfuriatedJesusproclaimed,"Myhouseshallbecalledahouseofprayerforallthenations"(Isa.56:7;Mark11:17).
ButJesusdidmorethanquotetheprophets.Hetooktheoffensive!Thisunholyplace,inwhose"holy"ceremoniesJewishpeopleofallpartiesweretrustingfortheirsecurity,mustbemadeholy.SoJesus,brandishingawhipofcords,evictedtheanimalvendorsandmoney-changers.
13Coinsclankedontheground;animalssquawkedandlowed(John2:1415).God,Jesusknew,wantedmorethanritualholiness.Hewantedsocialholiness.JustlikeJeremiah,Jesusknewthatliturgicalobservanceswouldnotprotectthenation;itwoulddonogoodtochant"thisisthetempleoftheLord,thetempleoftheLord,thetempleoftheLord."Onlyifthetemplewasaplacewherepeoplecould"trulyexecutejusticeonewithanother"woulditbeaplaceofholiness(Jer.7:45).
JesusintheLeastHolyPlace
Thatdidit.Thetoppeoplehadhadenough.Forsometime,thereligiousestablishmenthadbeenseverelyirritatedbyJesus.Nowtheirpatiencesnapped.TheywereafraidofJesus;thestrangeauthorityofhisholiness,whichattractedsome,wasrepellenttothem.Andnow,aftertheuproarinthetemple,theyhadaperfectexcusetodestroyJesus(Mark11:18).SotheybegantonegotiatewithmembersofotherJewishgroupswithwhomtheywereusuallyatloggerheads.
Playingontheguiltyoutrageofotherwiseantagonisticgroups,the
leadersoftheestablishmentformedanalliancetosilenceJesusonceandforall.AmongthePharisees,theyfoundpeoplewhosepretensionstoholinesshadbeensosearchinglyexposedbyJesusthattheywerereadytojoinevenwiththe
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establishmenttogetridofhim(Matt.23).Soalsoweremembersoftherevolutionaryunderground,whohadgivenuptheirhopethatJesuswouldbeakingwhowouldevicttheRomans.Eventhecommonpeople,withwhosepredicamentJesushadhadsuchsympathy,turnedagainsthim.WhenPilateofferedtoreleasetothemonepersonBarabbas,whohadbeenimprisoned''forarisingthathadtakenplaceinthecity,andformurder,"orJesusthepeoplechosetheliberatorwhomtheycouldunderstand(Luke23:19,NEB).
SoJesuswastakentotheplaceofultimatedefilementthePlaceoftheSkulltobeexecuted.Nailingpeopletotreesuntiltheydiedofbleedingandexposurewasthemostcruelformofcapitalpunishmentknowntotheancientworld.ForJewishpeopleitalsowasasignoftheabsoluteoppositeofholiness.AstheOldTestamentLawdecreed,"ahangedmanisaccursedbyGod"(Deut.21:23).Mournfulfollowers,mostlywomen,surroundedtheHolyOneasheslowlydied.Otherbystandersmockedhim."HetrustsinGod;letGoddeliverhimnow,"unleashingtheangelicforcesofholywar(Matt.27:43).Jesusrefused.Somehow,amidsthisexhaustionanddelirium,befocusedhisattentiononhisenemies:"Father,forgivethem,fortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing"(Luke23:34,NIV).Andthen,thevictimofinjusticeandexclusion,hedied.
TheNewExodus
Atthatverymoment,whentheHolyOne"yieldeduphisspirit"intheleastholyplace,momentousifinvisiblethingswerehappening.AsChristiansJewsandGentilesalikelatercametorealize,thepunishmentwhichhadkilledJesuswaslife-givingforthem.Becausehehadbornetheirsins,theyhadbeenaccountedjust.Hisbloodhadbeenpouredoutfor"many"forallpeople(Isa.53:5,11;Matt.26:2728;John11:32).
Visibleandterrifyingthingswerehappeningaswell.Anearthquakerockedtheholycity.Intheheartofitsreligiouslife,
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thetemple,therewasamonumentalrippingsoundasthevastcurtainwhichenclosedthe"holyofholies"wassplitfromceilingtofloor(Matt.27:51).AndatthePlaceoftheSkullanoutsiderthecommanderoftheRomanexecutionsquad,nolessmadethestatementwhichwastheculminationofJesus'story:"TrulythismanwastheSonofGod!"(Mark15:39,NIV).
Almosttheculmination,thatis.Forstrangethingscontinuedtohappen.Twodayslater,Jesus,inbodilyform,begantoappeartohisdisciples,firstofalltothewomen.Soonheappearedtothemenaswell.AstwoofhisfollowerswalkedtothenearbyvillageofEmmaus,Jesusjoinedthemontheroad(Luke24:1335).Theywere,theyadmitted,bitterlydisappointed,becausethe"prophetmightyindeedandword"hadnot,astheyhadhoped,liberatedIsrael.Jesuslistenedpatientlytotheirstory.Andthen,"beginningwithMosesandalltheprophets,"hebegantogivethemnewglasseswithwhichtoreadtheOldTestament.
WhydidhebeginwithMoses?ItwasnoaccidentthatJesusstartedthere.FortheExodus,inwhichMosesplayedsuchacentralrole,wasthefoundationaleventofIsrael'shistory.TheExodus,infact,gavetheIsraelitestheirsenseofnationalidentity.AndthereaftertheJewishpeoplekeptlookingbacktotheExodus.IndarktimesitservedthembothasareferencestandardfortheirdeparturefromGod'swayandasasourceofhope.AndinthefuturetheJewishpeopleweresurethatGodwoulddoitagain.Asonescholarhascommented,theywereconvincedthat"allofGod'sredemptiveacts[would]followthepatternoftheExodus."
14
ThenewExodus:anearthshakingconclusion!ButasJesus'followersmetwithhimduringhisresurrectionappearances,itallfellintoplace
forthem.TheyheardhiminterpretingtheHebrewScripturesandbroadeningtheircomprehensionofthekingdomofGod.Theyrealizedthattheywereexperiencing,throughJesus'life,death,andresurrection,nothinglessthan
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liberationthepromisednewExodus.That,theGospelwriterLukewasinformed,iswhatJesusdiscussedwithMosesandElijahonthemountofhistransfiguring:nothinglessthantheExodus(departure)"whichhewastoaccomplishatJerusalem"(Luke9:31).
BetweenthenewExodusandtheoldtherewerecrucialdifferences.InthenewExodus,liketheold,thereweremiracles;butinthenewExodusthesewerenottotorturebuttoheal,nottocoercebuttoinvite.Evenmoreimportant,bothExodusescametoaclimaxwiththedeathsofeldestsons.ButwhereasintheoldExodustheseweredeathsofsonsofcountlessEgyptianfathers,inthenewExodustherewasonlyonedeaththeonlySonoftheFatherwholovedtheworldsomuch.
Inotherways,however,thenewExoduswasliketheold.OnceagainGodhadactedtospringoppressedpeoplefreefromhardlaborinabrickyard.Onceagainthiswashisworkofconcretegrace.Intheresurrection,justasinthebattleattheRedSea,therewasnohumanparticipation.OnceagainGod'sactionnotonlyfreedoppressedpeople,butfreedthemtobeapeople,tobecomeanation.OutofJesus'Exodus,anewIsrael,atransnationalholynation,wascomingintoexistence.
ItwouldtakeJesus'followersalongtimereallytounderstandwhatGodhaddonefortheworldinJesus.Theexplorationoftheirnewfoundfreedomthe"gloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGod"wouldnothappenquickly.Theywouldalsofaceimposingchallenges,challengeswhichwouldtaxtheirjudgementandtheirdiscernment,astheytriedtoconstructapatternofcommonlifethatwouldreallyresembleJesus,theHolyOne.
Howcouldtheydoit?HerewasthebiggestassignmenttheirTeacherhadevergiventhem.InhisfarewellwordstothembeforeascendingtotheFather'spresence,Jesusmadeapromisetothem.Theywereto
haveanewimmersioninholiness.Untiltheyhadreceivedthistheyshouldwait:"Stayinthecity,untilyouareclothedwithpowerfromonhigh"(Luke
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24:49).Andwhenthatpowerwasunleashed,whocouldforetellwhatbreakthroughswouldoccurwhensocialholinesswasunleashedontheworld?
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Chapter11HolyOnes:BreakthroughsHoldtight!Afterflyinglow,whichwe'vehadtodototakeacloselookatJesusofNazareth,wemayfindittakesourbreathwhenourballoonsoarshighagain.Butwe'vegottoincreaseouraltitude,becauseonceagainweneedabroaderperspective.TheholinesswhichwesawinJesus'lifewasnotsomethingjustforhim.Godwantedotherstoexperienceittoo.Andwhentheydidso,remarkablethingshappened.Peoplechangedtheirideas,jettisonedtheiroldsecurities.Someofthembegantotravel,carryinggoodnews,notjustforJews,butforeveryoneintheRomanEmpire.Towatchthesethingshappen,we'vethereforegottoflyhighhighenoughtooverlookRomeaswellasJerusalem.
Whatwerethesepeoplesayingastheyscatteredoutacrosstheempire?Theyweresayingthingswhich,todispassionateobserversatthetime,wereincredible,evenscandalous.TheyweresayingthatJesusofNazareth,sorecentlycrucifiedasacriminal,wasliving.Theyhadseenhim,touchedhim,been
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touchedbyhim(IJohn1:1).Afterfortydaysofphysicalcontactwithhim,theyhadwatchedhimascendintotheclouds.Buthehadnotdepartedintoirrelevance.Thiscrucifiedmanwas"LordandMessiah"(Acts2:36),bothGodandthekingthatIsraelhadbeenwaitingfor.Farfromdiminishinghisauthority,hisascensionincreaseditbymakingituniversal.JesuswasLord,Lordofall,towhomeveryoneowedobedience(Phil,2:11).
ButJesuswasnotadistantLord.Ashepreparedtoleavehisfollowers,hehadgiventhemapromise.Hewouldnotleavethemorphans;hewouldcomebacktothem.ThroughthesameHolySpiritwhohaddescendeduponhimathisbaptism,hewouldequipthemwiththepowerofholiness,remindingthemofhisteaching,andenablingthemtofollowhimintoconflict(John14:18,27;15:26).
Jesuskepthispromise.ThroughtheSpirithisfollowersexperiencedthelivingforceofGod'sholiness.TheyknewthattheHolySpiritwasremakingthem.Theyweredifferentnow;infact,theywereconvincedthattheywerecomingtoresembleJesus."Beingchangedintohislikenessfromonedegreeofglorytoanother"ishowoneofthemputit(2Cor.3:18).Othersnoticedthedifferenceaswell.ThisnondescriptbunchexudedthecharacterofJesus(Acts4:13).
NolongerweretheyuncertainaboutwhoJesuswas.He,theydeclared,wasGod'sHolyOne(Acts3:14;Rev.3:7).Andthey,inturn,wereconfidentintheirownstatus.RepeatedlyusingthesameGreekwordforthemselvesthattheyusedforhim,theyboldlycalledthemselves"holyones."IfJesuswastheSaint,"theywere"thesaints."
1Theyknewthattheir''saintliness"wascloselylinkedtohis.FortheyrealizedthattherecouldbenoholinessthatwasnotinkeepingwithJesus.Histeaching,hischaracterthesewerethestandardsforholy
living.
Jesus'followersnotonlyknewwhotheywere;theyalsohadastrongsenseofgroupidentity.Inviewoftheirdiversesocial
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origins,thisisremarkable.ButjustasJesushadmanagedtofindcommongroundforincompatiblestostandon,soalsothecommunitiesofhisfollowersgavedignitytooutsideraswellasinsider,toweakaswellasstrong.UnderJesus'all-embracinglordship,therewasroomfornon-JewsaswellasJews,womenaswellasmen,slavesaswellasfreeevenfortheproverbiallywild"Scythians"(Col.3:11).
Andwhatevertheirindividualorigin,intheMessiahJesustheysensedthattheytogetherhadinheritedamomentouscalling.TheyweretobenothinglessthanGod's"holynation"(1Pet.2:9).InthemGodwaskeepingapromisewhichhehadmademanycenturiesearlierthroughIsaiah;hewasforminganew,transnationalnationthatwouldbe"alightforthenations"(Isa.49:6;Acts13:47;26:23).
Lifeforthisnew"holynation"wouldnotbeeasy.TheExoduswhichtheyhadexperiencedthroughJesus'deathhadbroughtthemfreedomandforgiveness.Thatwasexhilarating.Butithadalsobroughtthemintothewildernessofchange.Allkindsofquestionsmusthavepoppedintotheirminds.Iftheywerenottoliveliketheothernations,howthenweretheytolive?Whatdiditmean,inthesocietyofEphesusorRome,tobeholyasJesuswasholy?
Astheytriedtoanswerthesequestions,theHolySpiritledthem.SometimeshedidsobycallingtomindateachingofJesus,orapassageintheHebrewScriptures,thatspokedirectlytotheirsituation.Atothertimesheactedimmediately,miraculously,achievingbreakthroughswhichnewlydemonstratedtherelevanceofJesus'holiness.Bythisstageofourstory,wewillnotbesurprisedtolearnthatseveralofthesebreakthroughshavetodowiththeprimaryhumanneedsofprovisionandprotection.
Norwillwebesurprisedthatthesebreakthroughs,andtheJesusmovementthatwasempoweredbythem,ledtoconflict.
Unappreciativepeoplewhoseoppressionwasbeingexposedaccusedthemofturning"theworldupsidedown"(Acts
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17:6).The"holyones"themselveswereawarethatthey,although"merenothings,"hadbeenempoweredbyGod"tooverthrowtheexistingorder"(1Cor.1:28,NEB).TheyknewthatGod'skingdomwasontheoffensive;itwasaforceforchangetowardtheholycity.Andasthekingdomcame,Jesus'followerswouldhavetoliveinnewways,trustingactivelyinGod'sconcretegrace.Itwasexcitingbusiness,andintenselyrisky.Letuslowerourballoonasthebreakthroughstakeplaceandthenfiretheburnerstosoarupforanoverview.
JubileeonPentecost
ItwasfiftydaysaftertheJewishPassover.DuringthefirstfortyoftheseJesushadappearedregularlytohisfollowers,teachingthemaboutGod'skingdom(Acts1:3).Butnow,tendaysafterhisascension,hisfollowersweregatheredtogethertocelebratetheJewishFeastofWeeks.
"Suddenlyasoundcamefromheavenliketherushofamightywind,"andtheSpirit'sfirstbreakthroughwasunderway(Acts2:2).Fireliketonguesrestedontheirheads,and,asJesushadpromised,theywereenvelopedintheHolySpirit(1:5;2:3).Astheyexperiencedthelivingforceofholinesssomethingexpansive,propulsivewashappening.Theholinesswhichtheywereexperiencingwouldnotletthemstayintheseclusionoftheirmeetingroomitwasaforceforwitnessinthestreetsoutside.Intheencounterswhichfollowed,theSpiritofholinessmadetheScripturescometolifeandgavetoJesus'followerswordswhichtouchedtheirhearers'hearts.Andpeopleresponded.TheyrepentedoftheirpartwhetherasbystandersorcheerleadersinJesus'crucifixion.Intheireagernessto"savethemselvesfromthiscrookedgeneration,"theyopenedtheirlivestoradicalchange(2:40).
Whatwasthefirsteffectofthelivingforceofholiness?Itwasa
changeinJesus'followers'approachtoprovisionandwealth.Theirlifewasnotonlycharacterizedbytempleworshipandtablefellowship,byprayerandwitness;itwasalso
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characterizedbyeconomickoinonia"makingthingscommon"(2:42).Itwasn'tthatalltheirprivateresourceswerecommunalized;itwasn'tthattheirfinanceswerecompletelymanagedbyanapostoliccentralcommittee.ButtheJerusalemchurchwasevolvingaformofeconomiclifewhichwasradicalandnew,andwhichgavesocialexpressiontoholiness.Howdiditwork?
Inthefirstplace,fromPentecostonwardtheJerusalemChristianschallengedtheprivatenessofproperty:"Noonesaidthatanyofthethingswhichhepossessedwashisown"(4:32).Individualbelieversretainedlandsandpossessions.Buttheynolongersaid,"They'remine!"andinsistedonexclusivecontrolofthem.Insteadtheyput"their"possessionsatthedisposaloftheentirechurch.EvenafterAnaniashadgivensomepropertytothechurch,he,likeeveryotherbeliever,coulduseit.AsPeterremindedhim,"Afteritwassold,wasitnotatyourdisposal?"(5:4).Theholdofeconomicsecurityuponthebelievers'heartswashardtobreak.ButthesuddendeathsofAnaniasandSapphiraremindedthesoberedbelieversjusthowdeterminedGodwastobreakit.
Second,theJerusalemChristianssetouttoendinequality.Whentheeconomicneedofsomebelieversbecameapparent,othersofthemwhohadmorethantheyneededsoldtheirpossessionsandpropertiesandbroughttheproceedstotheapostles(2:45;4:34).Outofacommonfunddistributionsweremadetoneedymembers.Whenadministeringthisfundbecametootime-consuming,theapostlesassignedthetasktosevenothers(6:3).Voluntarily,withoutcompulsionbutpowerfully,aprocessofreequalizationofresourceswastakingplaceamongtheChristians.Theresultwasstriking"therewasnotaneedypersonamongthem"(4:(34).
2Socialholinesswasgoodnewsforpoorpeople.
Whatwashappeningherewasrisky;initsholinessitwasquiteunlikesensiblefirst-centuryeconomicbehavior.Butitwasnotanapproachsodrasticastobeludicrouslybeyondthe
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reachofordinarybelieversthenornow.TheJerusalemChristiansdidnotimmediatelyinundatethecity'srealtorsandpawnbrokerswithlandsandgoods.Theysimplymadetheirpossessionsavailabletootherbelievers.Asneedsbecameapparent,theywerewillingtoreducetheir"private"propertytomeetthoseneeds;andastheydidthesethings,theyfoundacommonfundtobeanindispensabletool.
WhyshouldtheJerusalemChristiansnotlivelikethis?TheirleadershadjustspentthreeyearswiththeHolyOne.Theyhadwatchedhimdealwithmoneyandpossessions.TheyhadheardhimashehadrepeatedlytalkedaboutastyleofeconomicswhichwouldbeanewexpressionoftheoldlawofJubilee.Wasn'titappropriatethatthey,onthefiftiethday(Pentecost),shoulddowhatGodhadcalledhispeopletodoonthefiftiethyearmakeJubilee?InlightofJesus'teachings,wasn'titfittingthattheyshouldexperienceholinessintheareaofprovision?
Howcouldtheyhavedoneotherwise?These"JerusalemChristiansweresimplydoingwhattheyhadbeentaught."
3Astheydidso,theywerepioneeringastyleofJubileelivingthatwouldbeechoed,inavarietyofways,bycountlessoftheearlychurches.Clearlytheresultwasenrichingpeople'slives.Thechurchgrew,andtheyallexperiencedwhatLukecalled"greatgrace"(Acts4:33)concretegrace.
EnemyLovinginCaesarea
Itwasnoontime.Peter,whohadbecomeaninfluentialChristianapostlewithanitinerantministry(Acts9:32),wasstayinginaseasidehouseintheJewishtownofJoppa.AfaithfulobserveroftheJewishhoursofprayer,onschedulePeterclimbeduptotheflatroofofthehousetopray.Onemomenthewasveryawarethatitwasalmost
lunchtime.Thenextmomenthewastransfixedbyawakingvision.
Itwasavisionofunholiness.Petersawavasttableclothdescendingfromheaven.Onitwerereptiles,birds,possibly
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evenpigs.AndPeterheardavoice,"Getup,Peter;killandeat"(10:13,TEV).Peterwasrevoltedbythesuggestion:"NoLord;forIhavenevereatenanythingthatiscommonorunclean.""WhatGodhascleansed,"thevoiceresponded,"youmustnotcallcommon"(10:1415).Threetimesthevisioncameback,invitingPetertobreakhisreligioustaboos;andthreetimes,despitehishunger,heheldfirm.Whatdidthevisionsmean?Peterwasnotanaturalrebel;reflexivelyheobeyedtheLaw.WerenotitsregulationsmeanswhichGodhadgiventohispeopletoprotectthemfrom"commonness,''thewaysofthenations?
Peter'srooftopmusingswereinterruptedbyashoutfromthestreetbelow."IsthiswhereSimoncalledPeterisstaying?"Ashepeeredovertheedgeoftheroof,feargrippedhisstomach.Therewassomethingalarmingaboutthemeninthestreet.Peterdidn'tknowanyofthem;andoneofthemwasclearlyasoldier,amemberoftheRomanoccupationforcewhichwashisnation'senemy.Fromrumorandpersonalexperience,PeterknewalotaboutRomanbrutality.Hisinstinctsadvisedcaution.
Butthenthetableclothvisionsflashedintohismindagain.Wastheresomeconnectionbetweenthemandthemeninthestreet?InrecentmonthstheSpirithadbeendoingsomecuriousthings.WhenChristianshadfledtoSamariatoescapetheSaul-ledpersecutioninJerusalem,theSpirithadanointedtheenemySamaritans.Peterknew.Hehadbeenthere(Acts8:17).ThentherewastheexperienceofSaul,thattirelesspersecutoroftheJerusalemchurch.Ablazingexperienceofholinesshadknockedhimoffhiscamelandgivenhimamissiontobearwitnesstothenations,"thattheymayturnfromdarknesstolight...and...receive...aplaceamongthosewhoaremadeholybyfaith"(Acts26:1819).ThishadstaggeredPeter.WasGodreallygoingtousezealousPaul,nottoexcludethenations,buttoincorporatethemintothefirethatGodwasignitingtobring"lightto
thenations"(Isa.42:6)?
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Peter'shurriedthoughtswerecutshortbyinnerpromptingofGod'sSpirit."Accompany[thesemen]withouthesitation;forIhavesentthem"(Acts10:20).SoPeterwentdowntotalktothestrangers.Withthemenstillinthestreet,Peterstoodinthedoorwayandlistenedtotheirmessage,Asurprisingoneitwas,too.Theirmaster,Cornelius,was,ofallthings,aGentilesoldier,anofficerintheRomanoccupationforces.ThatwasenoughtoputPeteronhisguard.But,themessengerscontinued,CorneliuswasdeeplysympathetictotheJewishfaith;hewasa"justGod-fearer."Furthermore,he,likePeter,hadhadavision.AnangelhadinstructedhimtosendtoJoppaforPeter,toinvitehimtohishouse,andtolistentowhathehadtosay(10:22).
HowwasPetertorespond?Forhimthestakeswerehigh.HewasaleaderofaMessianicrenewalmovementwhichwasconstantlyinhotwaterwithpiousJewishpeople.Hehadtakenrisksenoughalready.WhyshouldhecompoundhisproblemsbyconsortingwithGentilesenemysoldiersatthat?Hewouldcertainlybecomerituallydefiled,andwhocouldpredictwhatfatewouldbefallhimamongtheRomanlegionaries?
Rememberinghisvisions,Peterponderedthematter.Thenhetookarisk.Makingoneofthepivotaldecisionsinholyhistory,Peterinvitedthemessengerstobehisguests(10:23).Andthenextmorning,alongwithsomemembersoftheJoppacongregation,hesetoutonthetwo-daywalktotheRomancityofCaesarea,whereCorneliusalongwiththeRomanprocuratorandcountlesssoldierswasstationed.
InCaesarea,thingsquicklycametoahead.Ineagerexpectation,Corneliushadpreparedfortheeventbyinvitinghisrelativesandclosefriends(manyofthemprobablysoldiers).Peterhadalsopreparedhimself.HehadprayedabouthisvisionandhadconcludedthatGodwantedtobreakthroughthebarriersofholiness.Nolonger
couldanypersonbecalled"commonorunclean";nolongercouldanynationbeviewedasoutsidetheboundariesofGod'snation(10:28).Afterlisten-
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ingtoCornelius'sstory,PeterinsomedetailtoldhimandhisfriendsthegoodnewsofJesus.He,theJewishMessiah,isLordofall!(10:36).
WhilePeterwasspeaking,thepowerofholinessinterruptedhim.TheHolySpiritfelloneveryonethere.TheJewishChristianswhowerewithPeterwereamazed(andpossiblyalarmed)bythis,buttheevidencebeforethemwasbeyonddispute.IntheSpirittheoutsiderswerepraisingGodandspeakingintongues.Enemyoutsiders!Peterknewwhathehadtodo.RecognizingtheinitiativeofGod'sholiness,hecommandedthathisnation'senemiesbebaptizedintoGod'sholynation(10:4448).
Fromhispastexperience,PeterknewthatwhenGodrevealshisholinessthingschange.OnPentecostGodhadledhispeopletopracticeJubilee.Andnow,inCaesarea,hewasleadingthemtopioneerinanotherareabyincludingtheoutsiders,bylovingtheirenemies.HowironicofGodtochoosethemostfearfulofoutsiders,anenemyofficer,tomakehispoint!
ANationofExiles
IntheepisodesinJoppaandCaesarea,Godmayhavemadehispoint.Buttopeoplefurtheraway,inJerusalem,forexample,itseemedlessclear.Wehavefocusedourtelescopeonthebreakthroughs,butwecannotcontinuetofollowthestoryindetail.Instead,ourballoonmustzoomupwardsowecangetageneralimpressionofwhatwasgoingon.Fromagreaterheightwecanobservefurtherbreakthroughs,suchasPaulandBarnabas'sdecision,"Behold,weareturningtothenations"(Acts13:46).WecanalsotakenoteoftheconferenceinJerusalem,inwhichPaulandtheJerusalemleaders(includingPeter)struggledlongandhardaboutthecompositionofGod'snation(Gal.2:910;Acts15).
Throughthestruggleandtherewasagreatdealofitsomethingnewwasemerging.Peterhimselfexpresseditbest
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inaletterthathewrotefromRometocongregationsinAsiaMinor(nownorthwesternTurkey).SomeoftherecipientsofPeter'sletterwereJewishinraceandheritage;rathermoreofthemwerenon-Jewish.Buttogethertheywereformingsomethingnew.
Youareachosenrace,aroyalpriesthood,aholynation,God'sownpeople....OnceyouwerenopeoplebutnowyouareGod'speople.(1Pet,2:910)
Inthesecongregations,asinmanyplacesintheMediterraneanworld,JewsandGentileswerecomingtogethertobesomethingthat,beforeJesus,theJewsalonehadbeen"aholynation."Indeed,theyhadnowbecomeamultiethnic"chosenrace."Despitetheirdifferences,inJesusChristtheywereonepeople,''fellowcitizens...[in]thehouseholdofGod"(Eph.2:19).But"God'speople,"ashewasnowshapingtheirlife,wouldnothaveanationallifelikeothernations.Intheir"holiness"theywouldbeprettyunusual.
Foronething,theywouldnothavealand.Theywerecalledtobeascatterednation,tolivein"dispersion"(1Pet.1:1).WhenPeterusedthisterm,itwasbynomeansanewone.InthecenturiessincethegreatdeportationswhichendedthemonarchiesofIsraelandJudah,countlessJewshadlivedawayfromtheirland,inwhattheycalled"thediaspora."ManyJewishpeopleintimeadjustedtothisscatteredexistence;andJeremiah,aswehavenoticed,hadseenthisasawayforward(Jer.29:57).Butformostpeoplediasporalivingseemedtobesomethingsecondbest.Anationneedsitsland.
ForthemembersofGod's"holynation"inJesusChrist,however,diasporalivingwouldbenormal.WhereverChristianslived,theywouldbe"aliensandexiles"(1Pet.2:11).LikeAbrahamandSarah,theywouldbe"strangersandexilesontheearth"(Heb.11:13).Everywheretheywouldbeathome,butnowherewouldtheybefullyathome.Fortheywouldbe"seekingahomeland,"anticipatinga
bettercountry,looking
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for"thecitywhichistocome"(Heb.11:1416;13:14).AsPaulputit,theywouldbe"citizensofheaven"(Phil.3:20NEB).
God'sholypeople,havingexperiencedanewExodusinJesus,wouldbeanationinthewilderness.UntilGod'skingdomcomesfully,theywillnothavealand.Butasanunencumberednation,theyareuniquelyequippedtobeanationonthemove,takingrisks,achievingbreakthroughs.Inthisnewnation,itisnotonlyJewandnon-Jewwhohavefoundequalstatus;itisslaveandfree,maleandfemale(Gal.3:28).Forthem,GodtheirKinghaspreparedawayoflivingthatwillbeholydifferentfromthenationsamongwhomtheywillbeliving.AsPeteradmonishedhisfriendsinAsiaMinor,"Maintaingoodconductamongthenations"(1Pet.2:12).
Thisconduct,bythestandardsofthenations,willbeunusual.AccordingtobothPaulandPeter,itischaracterizedbyaresoluterefusaltoconformtothewaysofthenations."Donotbeconformedtothisworld,"PaulurgedtheRomanChristians,"butbetransformedbytherenewalofyourmind,thatyoumayprovewhatisthewillofGod,whatisgoodandacceptableandperfect"(Rom.12:2).Insteadoftheideaofperfection,Peterusedthelanguageofholiness.
Asobedientchildren,donotbeconformedtothepassionsofyourformerignorance,butashewhocalledyouisholy,beholyyourselvesinallyourconduct.(1Pet.1:1415)
Inallyourconduct.PeterandPaul,liketheirMasterJesus,hadavisionofholinessthatwouldencompassalloflife.Theyhadlearnedhowthisworkedoutinthecrucialareasofprovision(Jubileeeconomics)andprotection(enemiesbecomeinsiders).Letuswatchasthisnationofaliensandexilesdevelopsitsholylifestyle,deviantasJesuswasdeviant.
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Chapter12HolyOnes:LivingLikeJesusThroughouttheRomanEmpire,theearlychurchesweretruetothetraditionofsharingwhichtheHolySpirithadbeguninJerusalemonPentecost.ItwasapatternoflifewhichtheysawasanexpressionoftheirconformitytotheHolyOne,Jesus.Intheareasofprimaryhumanneedprovisionandprotectionwhatwastheirlifelike?
Tobeginwith,theearlyChristians,likethedissidentprophetsoftheOldTestament,wereseverelycriticalofrichpeople.Inthis,James,theleaderofthechurchinJerusalem,wasmostsevere.Judgmentwasabouttocomeontherich,"Comenow,yourich,weepandhowlforthemiseriesthatarecominguponyou."Theyhadbecomewealthybyunjustmeansbyunderpayingtheirworkersandcheatingtheirfarmlaborers.AsintheExodus,theLordhadheardthecriesofpoorpeopleandwasabouttocometoendtheirexploitation(James5:16).Paul'swarningswerealsourgent.Hewaskeenlyawareofwhatwealthwoulddotorichpeople;itwouldensnarethem
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withitsallurements,plungingthemtodestruction.For"theloveofmoneyistherootofallevils"(1Tim.6:910).
FortheseearlyChristians,thewordthatbestexpressedtheproblemthattheywerefacingwaspleonexia,whichhasgenerallybeentranslated"covetousness"or"greed."TheyhadlearnedtobeconcernedaboutthisfromJesushimself."Watchout!"hehadcautionedhisdisciples."Beonyourguardagainstallkindsofgreed;aman'slifedoesnotconsistintheabundanceofhispossessions"(Luke12:15,NIV).IftheHolyOnehadwarnedagainstcovetousness,theholyonessaintsmusttrytorootitoutoftheirlives.
Butwhatwascovetousness,andhowdiditwork?Atitscore,covetousnesswasdiscontent.Itwaswantingmorethanwasnecessary.Itwasacravingthattookonaspiritualforceandbecameanalternategod."Covetousness,"Paulstatedmatter-of-factly,"isidolatry"(Col.3:5;Eph.5:5).Initsdiscontent,itdestroyspeople.ItshatterstheirrelationshipwithGod.Italsodisfigurestheirrelationshipswithotherpeople:ittakesfromthemwhatistheirs(see2Cor.9:5);itdefraudsthem(1Thess.4:6).Forgoodreason,Paulbracketscovetouspeoplewithrobbers(1Cor.5:910).
IntheearlyChristiancommunities,therewasarevulsionatcovetousness.Covetouspeople,Paulwasconvinced,wouldhavenoinheritanceinthekingdomofGod(1Cor.6:10).Forcovetousnesswasaslikelytoblowthemoffthekingdomcourseassexualimmorality.Bothwerethereforemattersonwhichthechurchwouldexerciseitsdiscipline(1Cor.5:911).Justasmuchasinsexualmatters,theattitudetopossessionsisanareainwhichGodwantshisholyonestobesanctified,tobeunlikethenations(1Thess.4:37).Hewantsthemtobeeconomicallyholy.
EconomicHoliness
God'seconomicprogramforhisholyoneswasbasedontwoprinciples.TheearlyChristiansknewthatthesewerenotnew
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ideas.TheyheardabouttheminthestoriesandteachingsthattheykeptrepeatingabouttheirMaster,Jesus.Butitisclearthatatleastoneofthem,Paul,tracedtheseprinciplesmuchfartherbacktotheExodus.ForGodhadnotgivenuponhis"mannaprinciples".Sufficiencyandequality,contentmentandsharingthesewerethebasisoftheeconomiclifeoftheearlyChristians.
Contentment(autarkia)wasthebelievers'antidotetocovetousness.Itwasnotapositionofpovertyorneed;itwasapositionofenough.
1ContentmentwasGod'stwo-handedprovision,bothfortheindividualandfortheneighbor."Ifwehavefoodandclothing,"Paulwrote,"withtheseweshallbecontent"(1Tim.6:8).Butnotjustenoughofthesebasicsforoneself;theremustalsobeenoughtogive.Thereasontowork,accordingtoPaul,isto"beabletogivetothoseinneed"(Eph.4:28).Godmeanthispeopleto"haveenoughofeverything[sothatthey]mayprovideinabundanceforeverygoodwork"(2Cor.9:8),Contentmentwasaroadtofreedom:"Keepyourlifefreefromloveofmoney,andbecontentwithwhatyouhave''(Heb.13:5).AndGod'speoplecouldliveinthefreedomofthisenough-nessbecauseofarealitythathehadshownthemsincetheExodus.TotheearlyChristians,GodrenewedthepromisethathehadmadetoJoshuaasheheadedintotheunchartedterrainofthewilderness:"Iwillneverfailyounorforsakeyou"(Josh.1:5;Heb.13:5).BecauseGodwasafaithfulprovider,thebelieverswouldbefreetoliveariskylifeofcontentmentinsufficiency.
Butnotalifeofself-sufficiency.WhenpaganGreeksusedtheword"autarkia"(contentment)theymeantanindividualpossessingresourcesenoughtostandalone.2ButthepostresurrectiondisciplesofJesusknewthattheycouldonlyexperiencecontentmentinsufficiencyiftheyalsowerecommittedtoasecondprinciplekoinonia.ThisGreek
word,oftentranslated"sharing"or"fellowship,"means"makingcommon."AllChristiansknewkoinoniainthegospel;theyhadfellowshipin
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spiritualblessings,inChrist'ssufferings,intheHolySpirit,intheireucharisticmeals,intheircommonlifewithotherbelievers.
3Clearly,koinoniawasamany-facetedrealitywhichenrichedallaspectsoftheearlyChristians'life.
Itwasonlynaturalthatkoinoniahadtodowitheconomicsaswell.FullyathirdoftheoccurrencesofthewordintheNewTestamenthavetodowithfinancialsharing."Donotneglecttodogoodandtosharewhatyouhave,"theepistletotheHe-brewsexhorted(13:16).PaulsaidsomethingverysimilartotheRomanChristians:"Contributetotheneedsofthesaints"(Rom.12:13).Whatdidtheseexhortationsmean?WasPaultellingtheRomanstoremembertoputsomethinginthecollectionbasket?Orwashetellingthemtodosomethingmoreunconventional?
GraceandReequalization
Aswehavenoticed,inthepost-PentecostJerusalemchurchtherewasmorethanawhiffofJubileeintheair.Butwasthe"makingcommon"whichtheyexperiencedafailure,somuchsothatnootherchurchwantedtogodownthesameroad?Toanswerthisquestionwedonothaveasmuchevidenceaswewouldlike.ButonethingmayhelpusPaul'seffortsonhisthirdmissionaryjourneytoraisemoneyamongtheGentilechurchesforthelargelyJewishChristiansinJerusalem.4Tothissubject,Paulkeptreturninginhisletters(Rom.15:2532;1Cor.16:14);andinoneofthem,2Corinthians,hewrotenolessthantwochaptersaboutit(89).
Briefly,thiswasthesituationoftheChristiansinJerusaleminthemid-50sA.D.InthetwodecadessinceJesus'resurrection,theirchurchhadgrownrapidly.Amongthenewbelieverstherewasawidevarietyofpeoplepilgrims,proselytes,evensometemplepriests.
Inevitablytherewerealsoneedypeople,especiallywidows(Acts6:17).AllofthemwereheavilytaxedbytheRomanauthorities.Wedonotknowwhether,asthedecadeswentby,theJubileeeconomicsoftheJerusalem
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churchimpoverisheditsmembers.Nobiblicalwriterclaimedthatitdid;indeed,asweshallsee,Paul,inseekingtorallytheresourcesofGentileChristianstomeettheneedsoftheirbrothersandsistersinJerusalem,specificallyrecommendedmeasuresofJubilee-likeeconomics.Thefactsthatwedoknowarethese:inthelate40stherewasaseverefamineinJudea(Acts11:2728).
5DespitethereliefwhichtheAntiochchurchsentatonce,bythemiddleofthenextdecadetherewerestillmany"pooramongthesaintsatJerusalem"(Acts11:2930;Rom.15:26).AndPaul,perhapspartlytoremindtheJerusalemChristiansthattherewereGentilesintheworldwidechurchaswellasJews,wasdeterminedtohelpout.
Todoso,Pauldecidedtoraiseacollection.FromthechurchesinMacedonia,Galatia,andAchaiaheaskedformoneymoneywhichhe,alongwithotheremissariesrepresentingthechurches,couldcarrypersonallytoJerusalem.Onthefirstdayofeachweek,believersshouldsetasideasmuchmoneyastheycouldforthisproject,voluntarilybutgenerously(1Cor.16:23).ToencouragetheCorinthianstogivemore,heextolledthegenerosityoftheMacedonians;andinMacedoniahewasfullofthepraisesoftheCorinthians(2Cor.8:14;9:12)!
WhatwasPaul'sthinkingbehindthisproject?Intheremarkablechaptersin2Corinthians(89),hespellsitoutinsomedetail.Thethemeofthesechaptersisgrace.Inoneformoranotherthewordoccursnofewerthantentimesinthesechapters.Godhasbeengracious.SoalsohastheLordJesusChrist.InaprofoundsentencewhichhasbecomeanessentialpartofChristmastimecarolservices,Paulexults:
ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehebecamepoor,sothatbyhispovertyyoumightbecome
rich.(2Cor.8:9)
God'sgrace,andthegraceoftheLordJesus,weregiftstotheGentileChristians.Butthesegiftsrequiredaresponsein
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kind.Godhadgiventothemabundantly,"sothatyoumayalwayshaveenoughofeverythingandmayprovideinabundanceforeverygoodwork"(9:8).BecauseJesushadbeengracious,thesaintsshouldlikewiseparticipateinthecollectionwhichPaulcalls"thisgraciouswork"(8:6,19).Theholinessthemeishere:thebelieversweretobegraciousasGodinChristwasgracious.
Concretelygracious.Toshowhowtheyshouldbegracious,Paulexpoundshisunderstandingofaninterdependentworldwidechurch.Atthetimeofhiswritingtothem,theCorinthianswereprosperingwhiletheJerusalemiteswereinneed;laterthesituationmightbereversed."Asamatterofequality,"theCorinthiansshoulddrawfromtheirabundancetohelptheirbrothersandsistersinJerusalem.Onanotheroccasion,resourcesmightflowintheotherdirection."Then,"saysPaul,"therewillbeequality"(8:1314NIV).
Todrivehomehispoint,PaulappealedtothehistoryofGod'speople.RightaftertheExodus,whenthepeoplewereinthewilderness,Godgavethemmanna.And,accordingtothepassagefromExoduswhichPaulquotes(16:18),themannahadtwoprinciples:"Hewhogatheredmuchhadnothingover,[equality],andhewhogatheredlittlehadnolack[sufficiency]"(2Cor.8:15).Now,inthewildernessfollowingthenewExodusinJesus,God'speopleweretolivebythesameprinciples.
Paul'saimwasnottomakehisfriendsfeelguilty;nordidhewanttobindthembyquotas.Allgivingwastobevoluntary,motivatedbythegraceofGod."Godlovesacheerfulgiver"(9:7).NorwasPaulattemptingsomethinglegalisticormechanistic;hewasnotestablishinganinternationalcommonpurse.Buthewasappealingtothedeepestrealitywhichthebelievershadexperienced,therealityofGod'sgrace.Andtothisgrace,whichtheyhadexperiencedconcretely,hewasaskingforaconcreteresponse.Godisagenerous
provider.Inhisgracehewillensurethathispeople"mayalwayshaveenoughofeverything"(9:8).Hewillincreasethe"harvestof[their]jus-
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tice"(9:10).Cantheyrespond,inthanksgiving,worship,andobedience,bygivingtoGodthroughestablishingequalityamonghispeople(9:1213)?Ifso,theywillparticipategenerouslyinwhatPaulcalls"thekoinoniaoftheservicetothesaints"(8:4;literal).
Paul'sJubilee-styleapproachtoeconomicrelationsbetweenchurcheshelpsusunderstandhisinstructionstoindividualchurches.AsEvangelicalNewTestamentscholarF.F.Brucehascommented,"Thattheaffluentshouldsupplythedeficienciesoftheneedywasasdesirablebetweenchurchesasitwasbetweenmembersinanyonelocalchurch."
6LetusreturntoRomans12:13.Aconventionaltranslationreads,"Contributetotheneedsofthesaints."But,inlightoftheexperienceoftheJerusalemchurchandofPaul'sprinciplesin2Corinthians89whichreinforcetheJerusalemexperience,thisismorelikelytomean:"Withregardtotheneedsofthesaints,practicemakingallthingscommon!"7Ifso,thishelpsexplainwhy,inwritingtotheChristiansinThessalonica,Paulwassoeagertoestablishanotherprinciple:"Ifanyonewillnotwork,lethimnoteat''(2Thess.3:10).Inacommunityinwhichwidespreadfinancialsharingwastakingplace,somepeoplemusthavefoundittemptingtobecomelayabouts.Spongingwasnomoreholythanself-sufficienteconomicindividualism.Buttherewasanalternative!Inhisconcretegrace,Godwashelpinghispeopletopioneeralifestyleofcontentmentandsharing.
Protection:LivingintheDiaspora
IfJesus'postresurrectiondiscipleswerediscoveringnewapproachestotheperennialproblemofprovision,howabouttheirprotection?Howshouldtheydealwiththeirenemies?Howshouldtheycopewith
persecution?Howshouldtheyviewtheirgovernment?They,the"exilesoftheDispersion"(1Pet.1:1),wouldnotfindthesetobeeasyquestions.Butitisinstructivetowatchthemworkingtowardanswerswhich
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wouldbeconsistentwiththeirstatusasa"holynation."
ForsomeofJesus'followersthemembersofthechurchesinPalestinecircumstancesremainedquitesimilartothosewhichJesushimselfhadfaced.TheirlandwasstilloccupiedbytheworldempireofRome.TheirfellowcitizensincreasinglyresistedtheoccupationasanoffensetoGodandadenialofhiskingship.Theresultwaswar.Afteraperiodofgrowingtensionpunctuatedbyoccasionalinsurrections,inA.D.66hostilitiesbrokeoutbetweentheJewishpeopleandtheRomanswhichlastedforfouryearsandledtothedestructionofJerusalem.InthePalestiniansetting,Jesus'command,"Loveyourenemies,"thushadameaningwhichwasunmistakeablyrelevanttothepoliticalsituation.Despitethis,identifyingwiththeirfriendsandrelativesbyjoininginthearmedstruggleagainsttheirnation'senemymusthavebeenatemptationtosomebelievers.Jerusalem-basedChristianwriterssuchasJamescautionedagainstviolenceandwarnedthat"theangerofmandoesnotworkthejusticeofGod"(James1:20;4:13).Whentherevolutionbrokeout,thechurchmaintaineditsnonviolencebyfleeingnortheastwardsfromJerusalemtothetownofPella.
8
ThePalestinianbackgroundwasobviouslyverymuchinthemindsoftheotherapostles.Peter,forexample,asagoodGalilean,wouldhaveknowningreatdetailabouttheabrasiveedgeofRomanrule.AndPaul,asayouthfulPharisee,wouldhavefoundtheRomans'tamperingwithreligiontobeanoffenceagainstGod'sholiness.Forbothofthesemen,goodJewsastheywere,theRomanoccupationofthePromisedLandwouldhavebeendeeplyobjectionable.
ButwithinafewdecadesofJesus'resurrection,PeterandPaulhadtraveledtootherpartsoftheempireandwerehelpingchurchestoface
situationsverydifferentfromthatofPalestine.UnquestionablyJesus'disperseddiscipleswerestillaliens.Intheirholinesstheywerelivingdifferentlyfromtheirneighbors.Asaresult,theywerestillsubjecttopressureandpersecution.Butthesocietiesaroundthemwerequiteunlikethatof
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Palestine;theywerepagan,notJewish,andweremoreremotefrommilitaryaction.Furthermore,formostearlyChristiansthemilitaryprofessionwassimplynotanoption.Recruitmentwasgenerallyvoluntary,andtheJewsamongthemwereforbiddentoserveintheRomanlegions.
9
ThesocietiesinwhichtheChristianswerenowlivingvariedconsiderably.InthecitiesofAsiaMinortowhichPeterwroteintheearly60s,therehadforsometimebeenrestivenessatRomanrule.Therewerealsolong-standingsocialtensions.Theurbanlowerclasses,forexample,hadaheritageofindustrialturmoilandrevolutionaryagitation.Significantly,manyofthebelieversinAsiaMinorcamefromthispartofsociety.10AndwhenChristiansbegantoliveinadistinctivemanner,theirneighborsshowedconsiderablereadinesstoresorttotaunts,discrimination,andworse;Peter'sletterissaturatedwithreferencestosuchacts.11
InRome,towhichPaulwrotehisgreatletter,therewasalsorecenthistoryofturbulence.12ChristianshadcomeearlytoRome,wheretheymetinthesynagoguesofthesubstantialJewishcommunity.WhentheytalkedaboutJesus,tensionsboiledover.Asaresultofriots"impelledbyChrestus,"13inA.D.49theemperorClaudiusexpelledthemorevociferousJewsonbothsidesoftheargumentaboutJesus'messiahship,includingtheChristiantentmakingcouplePriscillaandAquila(Acts18:23).Withinafewyearstheexiles(includingPriscillaandAquila[Rom.16:35])begantotricklebacktoRome,especiallyduringtheearlyyearsofNero(whoin54succeededClaudius).Therewerestilltensions.Thelowerorderswereangeredbythewaytheyweretaxed,andathreatenedtaxrevoltforcedNerotoconsiderrevampingtheRomansystemoftaxation.14Furthermore,the
Christians,nowmeetingseparatelyfromtheJews,wereundercontinualpressure.AsoneofPaul'sfirstRomanacquaintancesinformedhim,"Everywhere[thesect]isspokenagainst"(Acts28:22).Insuchanatmosphere,itwaspossibleforNero,inthemid-60s,to
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blametheChristiansfortheburningofRomeandtoexecutemanyofthemmostlikelyincludingtheirleadersPeterandPaulasarsonists.
15
SoJesus'discipleswerenowinavarietyofpoliticalandsocialsituations.Theircommunities,livinginanewwaywithoutwithdrawingfromtheoldsociety,wereunderpressure.Nowherewaspersecutionfaroff.Howshouldthey,inthesecircumstances,relatetotheirneighborsandtothestate?
AForeignPolicyforaHolyNation
Putsimply,itwasaquestionofforeignpolicy.Inthechurch,GodhadbroughttogetherenemiesJewandGentiletocomprisea"holynation."Thisnationwasnotsupposedtobeconformedtotheworld,butitwasverymuchenmeshedintheworld.The"holynation"thereforehadtodecidehowitwastorelatetothe"nations"whichsurroundeditandwereoftenhostiletoit(1Pet.1:14;2:9,12;Rom.12:2).
Todecidehowtheyweretodothis,thepostresurrectiondiscipleslookedtotheirMasterJesus.Theirapproachtohimisinteresting.Itwasnotalegalisticapproach;theearlyChristiansshowedconsiderablefreedominmixingandmatchingquotesfromhisteaching.Buteverywhere,theirdesirewasclear.TheywantedtobetruenotonlytowhatJesussaidbuttowhathewasanddid.
Inconstructingtheirforeignpolicy,theChristianslistenedtoJesus,anddrewfromhisteachingseveralprincipleswhichtheyrepeatedfrequently.Oneofthesewasapotentwarning.Don'tretaliate!"Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil"(Rom.12:17;1Thess.5:15;1Pet.3:9;citingMatt.5:39).InRomans12,Paulelaboratesuponthis."Donottakerevenge,myfriends,"and"Donotbeovercomebyevil"(12:19,
21,NIV).
Ontheotherhand,theChristiansheardJesusgivingthemencouragementtowardpositivealternatives."Alwaysseektodogoodtooneanotherandtoall"(1Thess.5:15,citingLuke6:27).Peter'sletterisfullofadmonitionstodo"goodworks"
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(1Pet.2:12,15).HeandPaulalsoencouragedthebeleaguereddisciplestoblessthosewhowereharassingthem(3:9;Rom.12:14).Alsoafamiliarrefrainwastheadmonitiontoliveatpeace."Ifpossible,sofarasitdependsuponyou,livepeaceablywithall"(Rom.12:18;1Pet.3:11,citingMark9:50).Althoughtheywerenottoavengethemselves,theycouldrelyonGodtogiveappropriatepunishmenttotheirnation'senemies(Rom.12:19).
16Unlikemanyoftheircontemporaries,theywerenottobeparticipantsinanti-Romanarmedstruggle;insteadtheyweretobe"zealotsforthegood"(1Pet.3:13).17
Indeed,theseChristians,liketheirMasterJesus,weretobesubordinate.18"BesubjectfortheLord'ssaketoeveryhumaninstitution,"Peterurgedhisreaders;andPaul,inafamouspassage,saidvirtuallythesamething(1Pet.2:13;Rom.13:1).ThesenewChristiansweretogoonlivingas"freepeople,"but"withoutusing[their]freedomasapretextforevil"whichcouldincludeanti-Romanagitation(1Pet.2:16).Subordinationwouldbeanecessarypartofthestanceoftheholynationtowardthenations.
Butwhatdoessubordinationmean?Itmeansacceptingapatternofpower,anorderofauthority.Ahierarchicalterm,subordinationmeanslivinginasituationandnotwithdrawingfromitinwhichsomeoneelsehasmorepowerthanwedo.Itmeansrecognizingtheirauthority,acceptingthattheyareintheirpositionofresponsibilitytodoataskthatisimportanttoGod.Thegoverningauthorities-emperors,governors,andtheresthavebeen"ordered"byGod(Rom.13:1;1Pet.2:13).Theyarehisinstrumentstoencouragegoodbehaviorandtojudge,punish,evenavengebadbehavior(Rom.13:35;1Pet.2:14).Jesus'disciplesaretorecognizeCaesar'sGod-givenauthorityandtorendertohimwhatishis.Theyaretoprayfortheauthorities,andto
givethem(accordingtotheirdue)honorandtaxes(1Tim.2:2;1Pet.2:17;Rom.13:67).19
Byurgingsubordinationlikethis,PeterandPaulwerenotgivingcarteblanchetotheRomanauthorities.Rome,afterall,
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wasapagan,persecutingempire.Significantly,PeterandPauldidnoturgethebelieversto"obey"theauthoritiesasaslaveobeysamaster.
20Clearlytheyassumedthatattimestheirfellowbelievers,liketheearliestChristians(Acts5:29),wouldhavetobedisobedient.TheallegiancetheyowedtoGodwaslife-encompassing,vastlylargerthantheallegiancetheyowedtoCaesar(cfMark12:17).
Furthermore,therewasonethingtheauthoritiesdidthattheChristianswerenottotakepartin.Thegovernmentis"anavengerofwrath"(Rom.13:4,literal);butthecommandtoJesus'disciplesis,"Beloved,neveravengeyourselves"(12:19).Thisisnotbecausetheyareprivatecitizens;itisbecauseGodistheavengerofhisholynation.AshetoldhisnationthroughMoses,"Itisminetoavenge;Iwillrepay"(Deut.32:35,NIV).ImitatorsofGodinsomanyotherareas,thebelieverswereforbiddentoimitatehisvengeance.21
Beingsubordinate,doinggood,notretaliatingoravengingthemselvesthiswasacuriousforeignpolicy.ButforGod'sholynation,itsignifiedadistinct,Jesus-likealternativeintheworldofnations.And,ifwegiveitabitofthought,wewillrealizethatithaddeeprootsinIsrael'spast.
LivinginBabylon,LivinginRome
AlmostsevenhundredyearsbeforePeterandPaulwrotetheirletters,anotherworld-empire,Babylon,wasamassingitsforcesforafinalassaultonthecapitalofIsrael,Jerusalem.ManyIsraelitesweresurethatthiswouldbetheendofGod'sholynation.ButthedissidentprophetJeremiahdisagreed.HehadnoillusionsaboutBabylon'sviolenceorpaganness.Butshockingthoughthismightseemtoconventional-mindedIsraelites,GodhadapurposeinBabylon'srise.ThreetimesJeremiahassertedthatBabylonwasGod's"servant"(Jer.
25:9;27:6;43:10).Nebuchadnezzar,theBabylonianking,wasthebearerof"thesword"ofYahweh;hewastheinstrumentofYahweh's"fierceanger"(25:38).22
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Inthissetting,Jeremiah'smessagetothepanic-strickenIs-
raeliteswasdemandingbutsimple.Relax!GodisusingtheBabylonians,anunholynation,tojudgehisholynation.God'speoplearenottorespondbybecomingBabylonians;noraretheytomatchtheBabyloniansinmilitarymight.Insteadtheyaretobesubordinate(38:2,2021).TrusttheLordandsurrender!Stoptryingtocontrolthesituation,butdon'tgiveupyourvalues.Induecourse,thingswillchange.Babylon,whichatthemomentisjudgingothers,willbejudged(Jer.5051).Butuntilthen,God'speopleareto"seektheshalom"ofBabylon.Indeed,theyaretopraythatBabylonmayhavethis,forIsraelwillnotfinditsownshalomexceptinthemostsurprisingofplacestheshalomofitsunholyenemy(29:7).
DidtheparallelwithBabylonpointawayforwardfortheChristiansintheirdealingswithRome?ForsomeofthemforPeterandtheJohnofRevelation,clearly,andpossiblyalsoforPaulitdid.Forthem,unlikemostmoderncommentators,Babylondidnotsignifybadgovernment;itsignifiedthegoverningauthoritiesofthe"nations."NorwasBabylonatermofabuse.Babylonwasaneutralterm,describingauthoritiesthatcouldbebasicallybeneficentbutthatcouldalsobeunjustandpersecuting.AndRome,likeBabylonmanycenturiesearlier,wasaworldempirewhichGodcoulduse.
Peterwasexplicitaboutthis.HewasfullyawareofthegoodthatRomecoulddoinfurtheringjustice,andheurgedhisfellowbelieverstobesubordinatetoit(1Pet.2:1314).Nevertheless,hecalledit"Babylon"(5:13).
23Hewellknewthattheemperor'sofficialsweresummoningChristianstoappearincourtandwouldshortlybeinflictinga"fieryordeal"uponthem(3:15;4:12);yetheexhortedthebelieversto"honortheemperor"(2:17).InthebookofRevelation,Johnpredicted
thatthingswouldgetstillworse.Babylon(Rome)wouldpersecutethebelieversmoreandmoreseverely,becoming"drunkwiththebloodoftheholyones"(Rev.17:6).Hermisuseofpowerandhereconomicluxurywouldalsobecome
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intensified(18:3).Asthebelieversenduredandprayed,GodhimselfwouldpresideoverthefalloftheBabylonian(Roman)Empire(13:10;18:2).
UnlikePeterandJohn,theapostlePauldidnotexplicitlycomparetheRomanEmpirewiththatofBabylon.ButhiscommentsabouttheRomanauthoritiesinRomans13areastonishinglyparallel,notonlytowhatPeterwastosayinhisepistle,buttowhat,manycenturiesearlier,JeremiahhadsaidaboutBabylon.Theauthoritieswere"God'sservant";andassuchtheywereauthorizedto"bearthesword"andto"execute[God's]wrath"uponthewrongdoers(Rom.13:4;cf.Jer.25:9,38).
24
Inlightofthis,howwereChristianstoviewtheimperialauthorities?Ofcoursetheyweretobesubordinate.Morethanthat,theywereactivelytoprayfortheauthorities(1Tim.2:2).And,mostcharacteristicofall,theyweretogivethemrespectandhonor(Rom.13:7).Inaseriesofadmonitions,Peterputthemattersuccinctly:
Honorallpeople.Lovethebrotherhood.FearGod.Honortheemperor:
(1Pet.2:17)
ThattheChristiansweretotreattheemperorwithrespectisobvious.Butseveralotherthingsareclearaswell.TheChristiansweretohaveloyaltiesofadifferentkindtotheirownnation,"thebrotherhood,"whichtheyweretolove,andtotheirnation'sKing,God,whomtheyweretofear.Furthermore,thebelieversweretotreattheemperorwithhonor.Butthen,theyweretotreat"allpeople"withhonorit'sthesameword.Thesameegalitarianthrusttreating"allpeople"likekingsispresentinPaul'sinstructiontoTimothythat"prayers,intercessions,andthanksgivingsbemadeforallpeople,forkingsandallwhoarein
highpositions...(1Tim.2:12).
Everybodythatwasthepoint.FortheChristians'overridingconcernwasamissionaryone.Theirnationwasonethat
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hadexpandingboundaries.InGod'sdesign,outsidersandenemies,evenpeoplewhonowpersecutedthem,weredestinedtobefellowcitizens.Whyprayfortheemperor?AccordingtoPaul,sothatthechurchmayliveaquietandpeaceablelife,forGod"desiresallpeopletobesaved"(1Tim.2:24).WhyshouldChristiansbehavewellamongthenations?SothatthenationsmayseetheirgoodworksandbedrawntoGod'sholynation(1Pet.2:12).Holiness,Peterdeeplybelieved,wasattractive.PatienceandnonretaliationinthefaceofabusethisdeviantwaywasJesus'way.Nothingwasmorelikelytodrawthenationstohimthanlivesthatlookedlikehis(1Pet.2:2021;3:1,1518).
GrowingUp
TheconfidenceoftheseearlyChristiansisastonishing.Ontheonehandtheycouldberealisticabouttheirapparentobscurity.Paulknewverywellthatnotmanyofhisfellowbelievers"werewisebyhumanstandards;notmanywereinfluential;notmanywereofnoblebirth"(1Cor.1:26,NIV).Butitwasthesenobodies,whoselifestylewassodeviant,whoweregoingtobeimplementsinGod'shandsashewentaboutchangingtheworld.HavingtastedtheholinessofGod'sSpirit,theywerethefirstfruitsofthefuture.Throughthem,thechurch,Godwasgoingtodeclarehiswisdomtothe"rulersandauthorities"(Eph.3:10,NIV).
Forthatreasontheycouldn'twithdrawfromtheworld.Itwouldbedisastrousiftheydidso,andPaulurgedthemtocontinuetorubshoulderswith"theimmoral...thegreedyandrobbers,andtheidolators."Iftheydidn'ttheywouldhaveunthinkablethought"togooutoftheworld"(1Cor.5:10).ButPaul,likeJesus,knewthatholinesswascontagious.Anunbelievinghusband,forexample,is"madeholy"throughhisChristianwife(1Cor.7:14;seealso1Pet.3:16).Armedwiththiscontagiouspower,theearlyChristiansseemto
haveparticipatedasmuchaspossibleintheeconomicandsociallife
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oftheRomanEmpire.Manywereartisans,andbythe50ssomeevenwerefoundinCaesar'shousehold(Phil.4:22).
25ButtheearlyChristiansknewfromhardexperiencethatholinesscouldalsoprovokehostility.Paulwasawarethatthe"aromaofChrist"couldseemastenchtopeoplecommittedtoadeath-wardscourse(2Cor.2:15).Peter'sexperiencewassimilar.Heknewthatitwashisfellowbelieversabout-facetowardholinessthathadcausedthemtoberejectedbytheirneighbors("thenations")(1Pet.3:1417;4:34).
Butwhatevertheirexperienceandtheirroleinsociety,allofthemhadthesamevocationtofollowJesus,theHolyOne.Theonlyreasontheirmovementwasmovingatallwasthathewasamongthem,pulsatingwithlifeandleadingthemforward.HewastheirLord,andthey"livedinhim"(Col.2:6).Andastheydidso,theycametobelikehim.
TheearlybelievershadanumberofwordsforthisprocessofcomingtoresembleJesus.Oneterm,whichChristiantheologianshavelaterusedextensively,is"sanctification,"whichmeansmakingholy.Attimes,theearlyChristiansemphasizedthatGod,throughJesus'sacrificeofhisbloodandthroughhisHolySpirit,hadalreadymadethemholy(Heb.10:10;13:12;Rom.15:16;1Pet.1:2).Afterall,theirstatuswasthatofsaintsholyones.Atothertimes,theChristianswereveryawarehowincompletewastheirtransformationintotheimageofChrist.Howmuchthe"holyones"stillneededtobechangedforthemtobelikehim!Sanctificationwasthusaprocessaswellasastatus.Thebelieverswereto"striveforpeacewithallpeople,andforholiness"(Heb.12:14);theyweretooffertheirbodiesin"slaverytojusticeleadingtoholiness"(Rom.6:19,NIV).
Butthereisanothertermwhichtheearlybelieversusedwhichis
easiertounderstandthansanctification;itisgrowingup.TheGreekwordwhichtheyusedisteleios,whichisoftentranslated"perfect."Butsinceithadtodowithreachingagoal,thewordgenerallymeant"maturity"ratherthanflaw-
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lessness.JesushadtoldhisdisciplesthatwhentheyhadlearnedtolovetheirenemiestheywouldbematureperfectastheirFatherwasperfect(Matt.5:48).Nowhisdisciplesusedthesameterm.IntheconfidencethatJesushimselfwastheperfectimageoftheFather,theyurgedeachothertogrowupintotheimageoftheSonwhoalsowasanenemylover(seeCol.1:28).
This,indeed,wasthecallingofthechurch'sleaders.Itwasnotonlytoexercisetheirgiftstoequiptheholyonesforservice;itwasalsotoenablethemto''becomemature,attainingtothewholemeasureofthefullnessofChrist"(Eph.4:1113,NIV).Toprotectthechurch'sresemblancetoJesus,theyneededattimestoexerciseaformofdisciplineuponmemberswhoweredepartingfromhisway.Whenmemberssuccumbedtoimmorality,covetousness,oridolatry,adisciplinaryprocessmightbebegun.Ifneitheraconversationnoramoreformalwarningsucceededinrestoringrightbehavior,exclusionfromfellowshipmightensue.Inthatextremecircumstance,asignificantwordwaspronounced:Anathema.Thisisthewordwhich,intheGreekOldTestament,wasusedtotranslatetheHebrewwordforholywarherem.
26Godhadn'tgivenuponhisdeterminationtoprotecthisnation'sholiness.ButafterthecomingofhisSon,themethodswhichheauthorizedwerenolongerthesame.Excommunication,notkilling,wasnowtheultimatepenalty.Infact,theanathemaofexclusionwassomethingwhichholywarcouldneverbesomethingtherapeutic,whosegoalwasreconciliation(2Cor.2:511).Andatalltimes,theleadershadtokeepsettingtheirbearingsbyJesus,whowasGod'sdemonstrationofwhatitmeanstobegrownup!
FollowingthePioneer
TobeaChristian,insum,wassimplytofollowJesus.Acceptinghisacceptanceandforgiveness,thedisciplesbegantowalkinthestepsoftheMaster(1John2:6).Andtoimitatehim.TheholyonesweretobecomeliketheHolyOne;andastheylearnedtobehavelikehim,theydiscoveredwhatitmeant
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tobegrownup.TheirattitudetostrangerswastoberootedinthewayJesushadtreatedthem:"Welcomeoneanother...asChristhaswelcomedyou"(Rom.15:7).Theirapproachestoeconomicsandtoconflictwerealsotobemodeledonhim(2Cor.8:9;1Pet.2:21).Andfrequentlytheapostlesusedtheverywordimitate.
27Theydidn'tdothistoencourageaslavishcopyingofJesus'lifestyle.Celibacyandcarpentrywerenotthemainpoint!ButtheywereconcernedthatthebelieversbeattunedtoJesus,puttinghisteachingstoworkandfacingsufferingashehadfacedit(Phil.3:10).
Todothis,theyhadtorememberhim.TheChristianchurcheslivedbypassingonthetraditionsofwhatJesushadbeenlike.AsstoriesaboutJesus'lifeandteachingcirculated,theycollectedthemandwrotethemdown.ThefourGospelsareindicationsofhowimportantitwastoJesus'postresurrectiondisciplestoremembertheirMaster.Theyalsorememberedhimintheirworship.IntheHolySpirit,thedisciplessensedthatJesuswaswiththem.Whentheymettheytoldandretoldthestoryofhislifeandtriumphoverdeath.Intheirlove-feastsandeuchariststheylikewiserememberedhim(1Cor.11:24).Asthey,attheircommunionservices,broughttheirgiftstotheircongregation'scommonfund,theywerecontinuingatraditionthatwentbacktotheirMaster.28
Butthestorywasn'tcompleteyet.Jesus'postresurrectiondisciplesknewthat,howeverrichtheirheritageinthepastexperienceofGod'sholynation,Godwaspropellingthemintothefuture.Thiswasfrightening,fortheirliveswereintenselyinsecure.TobeaChristianwastobearisk-taker.EverydaytheycouldexpectthatGod'sSpiritwoulddocreativethingsinmakingJesus'presencereal.Butthisrequiredfaith,whichwasn'talwayseasy.
Theyhadasourceofencouragement,however.FromJesus,throughtheHolySpirit,theyhadlearnedtoknow(GodasAbba(Rom.8:15).TheyknewthattheywereGod'schildren,lovedandsecure.Sufferingsthebuffetingsandrejections
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thatalwayscometogenuinenonconformistsawaitedthem.Butastheyheadedintohardships,theyknewthattheywerefollowingsomeonewhohadbeentherebeforethem.
Jesus,whomtheyhadknownintheflesh,theyconfessedtobe"theimageoftheinvisibleGod"(Col.1:15).SosecurewasheinAbba'slovethathecouldnotbemanipulatednotbyphysicalthreatsorappealstohisgreedorambition.EvendeathcouldnotdestroyhisfaithfulnesstotheFather'sway.ButJesuswasalive!Hehadconquereddeath!Hewasthe"pioneer,thescout,whofreedhisfollowersforlifecreative,deviant,holylifebecausehedeliveredthemfromthefearofdeath(Heb.2:10,15).Inhim,andonlyinhim,theywereaholynation,anationofholyones.Thereisanalternative,becauseJesushasshowntheway.
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PARTIVCOMINGCLOSERHOME
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Chapter13BetweentheTimesBythistimewemayfeelsomewhatexhausted.Ourballoonhasbeencomfortableenough,butwe'vecoveredsomuchdistancethatwe'retravelweary.Ourmindsmaysoongoonstrike:ifweseeonemoreexcitingeventtheywillrefusetotakeitin!Andthediscouragingthingisthatwe'veonlycometoA.D.60orso.We'restillovernineteenhundredyearsfromhome.Howcanwemakethegiganticleapbetweenthe"holyones"oftheNewTestamentandourowntime?
Itwon'tbeeasy.Tohelpusunderstandthedifficulties,ourballoonrisingtoanimmenseheightwillonceagainbeuseful.Butaftersomehighflyingearlyinthischapter,wewillbeleavingourballoonbehindandgettingdowntoearth.Forthestorythatwe'vebeenretellingmustconnectwithourownlives.Unlessitdoesso,wemayhavebeenself-indulgentandescapist.
TheBible'sstorycanconnectwithourlives.Itsmainactor,theHolyOne,didnotretireattheendoftheBookofActs!He
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hasseentoitthatholyhistoryhascontinued.Anditscontinuationisinmanywayssimilartothehistorythatwe'vefoundintheBible.ThesameGodisatwork;hisprojectofare-createdcreation,ofaHolyCity,continuestounfold.Andthehumanparticipantsaremuchthesame.Sothestoryhasitsdownsaswellasitsups.
AsIwritethis,IcannotmuchasIwouldliketoretelltherestofthisstory.Icanonlygiveageneralindicationofitsoverallshapesothatwehavesomesenseofwhereweareinthestoryandwhy.ButIdowantustorealizethis:thestoryisnotyetfinished,andwhetheryouandIlikeitornot,wearegoingtobeapartofit.Thegreatchallengesofeveryeraissuesofprotectionandprovisionarefamiliartousbynow.Ateverystageofourstorytheyhaverecurred.Butnow,today,asaresultofdecisionsthatChristianshavemade,theyarepresentinacuteform.Howwillwerespond?Beforewedecide,wewillattempttoorientourselves,andthentomakeconnectionsbetweenthefirstandthelatetwentiethcenturiesA.D.
DistinctiveChristians
Butisitworththetrouble?Afterall,we'rebusy,responsiblepeople.AsChristiansintheWesternworld,we'redoingourbesttomakeacontributiontooursocietythatisvisiblyChristian.Butatthesametimewemayhaveadeepsenseoffutility.Lookingobjectivelyatourselves,wemayseepeoplewhosewayoflivingintheareasofprovisionandprotection,atanyrateisprettymuchlikeeverybodyelse's.Wehavebecomelikethenations;wehavelostourholiness.Howcouldwehavehelpeddoingso?
Wecouldn'thave!Decisionsthathaveshapedourcivilizationweremademanycenturiesago,longenoughbacktogiveaseeminglyirresistiblemomentumtotheforcesthatcontrolusnow.
Butitwasn'talwaysso.Forseveralcenturiesafterthedeathofthe
apostles,theChristiansintheRomanEmpireandbe-
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yondlivedinadistinctiveway.Theywereawarethattheywerecitizensofanewnation,ofatransnationalnation.Oneoftheearliestpost-NewTestamentwritingsputitlikethis.Forthebelievers"everyforeignlandistheirfatherland,andyetforthemeveryfatherlandisaforeignland."
1Whenpeoplecametofaithandwantedtobebaptized,theywereinvitedtochangetheirlifestyleaswellastheirnationalidentity.Justin,aChristianteacherwhowasmartyredinRomealmostacenturyafterPeterandPaul,describedwhatitmeanttoturnaroundandfollowJesus:
AfterbeingpersuadedbytheWord,werenouncethedemonsandnowfollowtheonlyGodthroughhisSon.Wewhoformerlyrejoicedinfornicationnowdelightinself-controlalone.WewhoemployedmagicartshavenowdedicatedourselvestothegoodGodofcreation.Wewholovedwaysofacquiringwealthandpossessionsmorethananythingelse,nowbringwhatwehaveintoacommonfundandsharewitheveryonewhoisinneed.Weoncehatedandmurderedoneanotherandwouldnotshowhospitalitytothosenotofthesametribebecauseoftheirdifferentcustoms.ButnowafterthecomingofChristweeatwithothers,prayforourenemies,andattempttoconciliatethosewhohateusunjustly....TheteachingsofChristwereshortandconcise,forhewasnophilosopher,buthiswordwasthepowerofGod.2
ThisdescriptionofChristianconversioncontainsfamiliarthings,doesn'tit?Thenasnow,becomingaChristianinvolvedrenouncingsexualimmoralityandoccultpractices.ButJustinandhisbrothersandsistersknewthatfollowingJesusmeantotherthingsaswell.ItmeantdecidingtotakeaJesus-likeapproachtothecriticalissuesofprotectionandprovision.Christiansweretolovetheirenemies.ForthreecenturiesnoChristianwriterjustifiedkillinginwarfare,andmanyofthemfor-badeitcategorically.3Christianswerealsoto
participateinaredistributionoftheirpossessionsaccordingtoneed;forearly
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Christiancongregationsthecommonfundwasalivingreality.
TheologianskeptalivetherationaleforthecommonfundthatwehaveseeninthewritingsofPaul,basedonthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandsharing.
4Afascinatingarchaeologicaldiscoveryshowshowimportanteconomicsharingwasinthelifeofthechurch.IntheportcityofOstiajustoutsideofRome,third-centurybelieversmadeauseoftheircongregation'sbuildingthatspeaksloudlyabouttheirpriorities:theydevotedasmuchspacetostoringgoodstoberedistributedastotheirformalworshipservices.5TheseearlyChristiansweredifferentdifferentfromthe"nations"oftheirday,anddifferentfrommostofus;buttheylivedinawaythatshowedthattheyhadhope.Despitepersecution,whichattimeswassevere,thechurchgrew.
EverybodyaChristian
ButinthefourthcenturyA.D.thingschanged.Aseverepersecutionendedin312whentheEmperorConstantinewasconverted.Thegenuinenessofhisconversionhasalwaysbeendebated,butnobodycontestsonethingthathisconversionwasquiteunlikethatwhichJustindescribed.Constantinegraduallygaveuphisworshipofthesungod,buthedidnotchangehisapproachtowealthorwar.Nordidthemajorityofcourtiersandordinarycitizenswho,asthecenturyprogressed,floodedintothechurch.Theologianscalled"ChurchFathers"valiantlystruggledtoteachtheconverts;manyofthemprotestedatthedilutionofthechurch'switness.Bytheendofthecenturyitwasclearthattherewasnostoppingshortofasocietyinwhichtherewerenonon-Christians.Animperiallawof391madeitofficial.Everyoneintheempirehadtobelongtothechurch,orelse!Persecution,byChristianofficials,wasthefateofthosewhofor
conscience'sakeremainedpagans.
Whatawatershedthiswas!AndithadanunnervingprecedentinbiblicalhistorytheIsraelites'decisiontohaveaking"likeallthenations."Thatdecision,accordingtoevan-
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gelistRogerForster,was"asecondbesttowhatGodintendedforhispeople."
6So,inmyopinion,wastheconversionoftheRomanEmpirebylawandforce.
Whatweretheresultsofthe"Christianization"oftheEmpire?Lackingspace,wecannotassesstheseindetail.Itisclear,ofcourse,thattherewerepositiveresultsfortheChristians.Thethreatofpersecutionwasliftedfromthemsolong,thatis,astheytoedthelineintheiropinions.Furthermore,theChristianscouldnowparticipatefullyinthepubliclifeoftheempire.Induecourse,thegreat"Christian"civilizationofmedievalandearlymodernEuropesproutedfromseedssowninthesefourth-centurydevelopments.Thiswasaprettyglorious"secondbest,"wemightthink;anditsheritageofspiritualityandscholarshipisarichresourceforustodrawupon.
Buttherewerealsocosts.Oneofthesewastheremovalofholinessfromordinarylife.Inthefourthcentury,inanepidemicof"sanctification,"churchmenandstatesmenaffixedthelabelof"holy"toplaces,objects,andtimes.Withinthewallsofmagnificentchurchbuildings,awe-inspiringritesweredevelopedwhichweretocommunicateasenseoftheholytothepeople.7
Infact,thepeoplethemselveswerenowbeingclassifiedinanewway.Intheearlydaysofthechurchallbelievershadbeenbothpriestsand"holyones"(saints).Butnolonger.Alatefourth-centurydocumentcarefullydistinguishesbetweenpriestsandthelaypeople,andrevealinglyreferstothelatteraspassengers"and"brutecreatures."8Insimilarvein,thesaints"hadnowbecomespecialChristians,whoobeyed"theteachinggivenbytheperfectMastertothosewhoroseabovehumannature.''9Intothedesertsand
monasteriesthepotentialsaintswenttokeepalivethepracticalityofJesus'teaching.Afloweringofspiritualwritingensued.Butthenewdevelopmentsweretingedwithsadness.WhatallearlyChristianshadacceptedasapartoftheirdiscipleshipwasnowremovedfromeverydaylife.Holinesswasnolongersocial;ithadbeenspe-
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cialized.Ordinarybelieversweretoadmireitbutnottocopyit.Itwasbeyondtheirreach.
ThisledtoasecondcosttheconstructionofnewstandardsforChristianbehavior.Jesus'teachingsonlovingtheenemyandsharingpossessionswerenowviewedasextra-costoptionstobepracticedby"holy"peoplespeciallycalledtolivesofstrenuousreligiousobservance.Ordinarybelievers,incontrast,hadtohavenewguidelinesoneswhichwererealistic,nottoodemanding.Todevelopthesenewcodesofbehavior,fourth-centuryChristiansturnedtothe"nations,"topaganphilosophers.
FromtheStoics,theChristianslearnedthatitdidnotmatterhowmuchpropertyonehad;whatmatteredwasone'sattitudetowardsit.RichChristianswereadmonishedtohaveadetachedattitudetotheirwealth,"havingpropertyasthoughonehaditnot."
10FromtheStoics,theChristiansalsoborrowedthecriteriaforgoingtowarwhichmadeupthecoreofthe"JustWar"theory.11ThoughtfulChristianssuchasAugustineofHippoelaboratedthesetheorieswithbiblicalandtheologicalreflections.
Thepost-Constantinianapproachestowealthandwarhadtheirbenefits:theyledtocharitytothepoorandthefoundingofhospitalstocareforthecasualtiesofsociety;theyalsoprovidedsomerestraintsupontheconductofwarfare.ButtheyhadlostsightofwhattheearlyChristianshadtriedtodo.Nolongerweretheytryingtoendpoverty,establishequality,andbringonearthanewnationofpeacewhoselifetogetherwouldbeevidenceofGod'swillforallofhumanity.
ThispointstoathirdcosttheChristiansnolongerviewedthemselvesasanation.Nolongerdidtheyseethemselvesasaliensor"exilesoftheDispersion."TheywereGalatians,Cappadocians,Bithynians,at
homeintheirsocieties(1Pet.1:1,inverted!).Howcouldtheyhavebeenotherwise?EverybodywasaChristian;thelawrequiredthemtobe.Wholebodiesofpeoplewereconvertedasabloc.Evangelizationwascarried
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outbystatepower,oftenatswordpoint.Asthemasseswerebaptized,paganaltarsweredestroyedandchurcheswerebuilt.
InLondon,England,ontheeasternedgeofRegent'sPark,IhaveseenamonumentwhichsaysitallareproductionoftheJellingStone,erectedin980inJutland(northernDenmark)byKingCanute'sgrandfatherHarald:
HaraldKingmadethismemorialafterGormhisfatherandThyrahismother:thatHaraldwhowonforhimselfallDenmarkandNorwayandmadetheDanesChristians.
AndmadetheDanesChristians.Ofcourse,theseDaneswouldhavemoresenseofsolidaritywithotherDanesthantheywouldwithotherChristians!Inthepost-Constantinianworld,itwasnolongerfaiththatdeterminedtheprimarynationalloyaltyofChristians.Itwasgenesandgeography.
JustifyingtheInevitable
SoChristianslostmuchoftheirdistinctiveness.AsalogicalconsequenceoftheinnovationswhichcameinConstantine'scentury,theycametobelikethenations.Nolongerdidtheyviewthemselvesasapeoplewhoweredifferent.Tobesure,thingsthathadbeentrademarksofadistinctivewayoflivingremained;butonlytheformsremainedthelife-givingsubstancewasgone.Forexample,jubileeshavecontinuedtobedeclaredintheMiddleAgestoraisemoneyforStPeter'sbasilicainRome,andmorerecentlytocelebratetheanniversaryofaqueen.ButwhensensitiveindividualshaveheardanechoofJesus'teachingsonwealthorwarandtriedtodosomethingaboutit,theyfortheprotectionofthepublichaveoftenbeenremovedfromordinarylife.Societycantoleratemonks,anditknowswhattodowithheretics.ButtheideathatJesushadwantedallofhisfollowerstolivelikehimwasintolerable.Renewalgroupswhodared
tothinksuchthoughtsWaldensians,Anabaptists,Quakerswerepersecutedand
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pushedtothemarginsofsociety.Respectablepeoplestigmatizedthemas"sectarians"whohadnothingtosaytothe"realworld."
Meanwhile,therealworldproceededprettywelluntouchedbytheChristianitywhichitprofessed.InthecoolappraisalofaleadinghistorianofthelateRomanempire,ProfessorA.H.M.Jones,thiswascertainlytrueintheareasofeconomicjusticeandthetreatmentofthepoor:"Itisdifficulttoassesswhetherinthesemattersthegenerallevelofmoralswaslowerthanithadbeenunderthepaganempire,butitseemstohavebeennohigher."
12InthecountriesaffectedbytheCalvinistReformation,thingsmayhaveimprovedsomewhat,asthereformerstriedtoreawakenavisionforeconomicstewardshipandtherehabilitationofthepoor.13
Butintheareaofwarfare,theReformationifanythingmadethingsworse.Thescaleandvirulenceofkillingmounted.AfterathousandyearsofJustWarteaching,howlikethenationstheChristianswere!14AsthegreatDutchinternationallawyerHugoGrotiuscommentedin1625,
ThroughouttheChristianworldIobservedalackofrestraintinrelationtowar,suchasevenbarbarousracesshouldbeashamedof;Iobservedthatmenrushtoarmsforslightcauses,ornocauseatall,andthatwhenarmshaveoncebeentakenupthereisnolongeranyrespectforlaw,divineorhuman;itisasif,inaccordancewithageneraldecree,frenzyhadopenlybeenletlooseforthecommittingofallcrimes.15
Thecenturieswentby,andnewforcesoftremendouspowerappearedontheworldscene.These"isms"industrialism,modernnationalism,individualism,socialism,secularism,Marxism,politicalandeconomiccolonialismwerealldevelopedin"Christian"Europe;andallhavebeenimmensemotorsforchange.Ateverystage,theyhavebroughtbothgoodandill.Forexample,thesameforcesthatexploitedthe
"thirdworld's''naturalresourcesandcrippleditsindustryhaveenabledChris-
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tianitytobecometrulyaworldreligion.Indeed,thegreatestnumericalstrengthoftheChristianchurchisnowinthesouthernhemisphere.
But,fromaChristianperspective,thestrikingthingaboutthechangesthathaveoccurredisthis:theyhavebeenhappeningfasterandfaster,withamomentumthatappearstobeirresistible.Andincreasinglyitisclearthatseveralofthechangesaretimebombs,tickingawayundercivilizationasweknowit.
TimeBombs
Thefirstoftheseiseconomicthemomentumleadingtounrestrictedgrowth.
16Wecannotexpectapagansocietytogovernitslifebybiblicalidealssuchassufficiency.Butwhenpeoplefloutbiblicalidealslongenoughtheygetintrouble.Asweallowproductiontothunderahead,fewstoptoaskwhatkindofeconomyitis,domesticallyorinternationally,thatthisgrowthisproducing.Thismayinpartbebecausetheanswerstoourquestionarefrightening.Ourpell-mellrushtowardmoreisleadingtoexhaustion:exhaustionoftheworld'secosystem;andalsoexhaustionoftheworld'snonrenewablenaturalresources.Andwhatdowedowiththesescarceresources?Theworldexpends20percentofthemuponeconomicallyunproductiveproducts(weapons).Andwhatwedon'tuseonweapons,we,inthefirstworld,absorbintoourownconsumersocieties.Whatrightdowehaveamere25percentoftheworld'spopulationtogorgeourselveson80to95percentofthesenonrenewableresources?17
Unrestrictedgrowthisalreadytearingourworldapart,forourpagansocietyisalsofloutingthebiblicalidealofequality.Inthefirstworld,unguidedgrowthhasproducedlastingsectorsofunemployedanddemoralizedpeople.Therearealso,eveninEuropeandNorth
America,millionsofpoorpeople(intheU.S.in1984,nofewerthan35million),whomtheFrenchhavebeguntocallthe"fourthworld".18ThiscomesatatimewhenEuropeanshavea"buttermountain"andsomeAfricans
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trytodecidewhethertheyoughttoeatonceeverythreedaysoreveryfour.
19Asneverbeforeinhistory,debtiscripplingtheeconomiesofpoornations;someofthemarespendingalmostalloftheirexportearningssimplytoservicetheirdebt.20Suchlevelsofdebtareunsupportable;andasnationsbargaintorescheduletheirdebtsandthreatentocancelthem,tremorsgothroughtheWesternbankingandpoliticalcommunities.Atimebombisticking.EvenintheWestunrestrictedgrowthis"unsustainable,unsatisfying,andlargelyillusory."21
Asecondtimebombismilitarism.Throughouthistorymostcountrieshavehadfactoriesthatcouldmakearms.Intimesofnationalcrisis,thesehavebeenconvertedintotheproductionofweapons.Intimesofpeace,however,mostsocietieshavedemobilizedthemajorityoftheirtroopsandreconvertedtheirarmsfactoriestoproductionforpeacefulpurposes.Untilthepastfortyyears,thatis.SinceWorldWarII,ahistoricalnoveltyhasbecomeanunquestionedpartofourlivesamassive,growingindustrialsystemdevotedsolely,andpermanently,totheproductionofweapons.This"militaryculture"hascomeaboutslowly,ontwosidesoftheglobe,becausetwogreatempireseachfearthatitssecurityisbeingendangeredbyitsrival.Theunprecedenteddestructivepowerofthenuclearbombhasincreasedthissenseofinsecurity.
Themilitarizationofoursocietieshashadcatastrophicconsequences.Immensefundshavebeenspentsince1945thenuclearpowershavespent$34,000,000,000,000onatomicweaponsalone.22Thesefundsalongwiththeevenmoreimmensesumswhichtheyandmanyothercountrieshavespentonconventionalweaponshavebeendivertedfromgenuinehumanneedtomilitaryproduction.Forexample,between1979and1984theUnitedKingdomincreasedits
militaryspendingby20percentinrealterms.TheincreaseintheU.S.'sexpenditurewasvastlygreater.Andduringthisperiodmostrichcountriesweretrimmingawayattheiralreadyscandalouslymeagrebudgetsforaidtothepoorercountries.
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Howcanthesemomentumsbeslowed?Bya"nuclearwinter,"certainly.
23Butbyanythinglesscatastrophic?Itishardtoseehow.AsBobGoudzwaard,aDutchChristianeconomist,hasnoted,
Weliveinanageofimprisonedexpertise....Theexpertiseoftechniciansisimprisonedintheprinciplethatwhattechnologycandoitmustdo.24
Agoodexampleofthisisthedevelopmentofspaceweaponry.Justwhenanagreementtolimitnuclearweaponsontheearthiscomingtoseemfeasible,anewfrontieroffearandexpenditureisappearinginspace.This,accordingtotheWallStreetJournal,isthe"businessopportunityofageneration."25Withsucheconomicmotorsatwork,itishardtoseewhatcandivertthetechnologytopeacefulprojects.
Languagecanberevealing.Insurancecompaniesoffersuchreligious-soundingbenefitsas"refugeforlife."Thesalesmenofthenewestspacearmamentssimilarlyusethevocabularyoffaith.Theseweapons,theyassureus,offerhumanity"enormoushope."Itishopeof"assuredsurvival."Infact,theseweaponscould"savemillionsoflives,indeedhumanityitself."26Goodtidingsindeed!Butinwhomdowetrust?Howmanygodshavewegot?Areweabletodetecttheidolatryaroundus?Whenchurchmenechothecomfortablewordsofthearmssalesmen,weareencounteringreligioussyncretisminadvancedform.Anddeepdownasweglancefurtivelyattheheadlinesandwatchtheincessantmilitarizationofoursocietiesfewofusarereassured.Oursocietyisexperiencingthe"disappearanceofhope.''27Andthetimebombofmilitarismtickson.
Thereisnothingnewaboutthis,ofcourse.Thetwotimebombsrepresentinheightenedformthesameprimaryhumanneedsthatwehaveseenthroughoutourstory:provisionandprotection.Theyare
realneeds.Butanycivilization,
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evenoneinwhichChristiansplayaleadingpart,getsintroublewhenitgoestolimitlesslengthstosatisfytheseneeds.AsChristianhistorianSirHerbertButterfieldcommentedagenerationago:
Thegravestpoliticalmistakesofthelastfortyyearsinonecountryafteranotherhavebeenduetofearandoveranxiety....WeareflyinginthefaceofProvidenceifwedemandtoogreatsecurityforthefuture.
28
Theinstitutionsandmachinesthatweconstructforoursecuritybecomeendsinthemselves.Theirappetitesforinvestmentandingenuityareinsatiable.DwightEisenhowermaynothaveseenthespiritualrealitiesbehindthewebofinstitutionsthathecalledthe"Military-IndustrialComplex."ButPaulwouldhavedone.Inthefirstcentury,hereferredtosimilarrealitiesbothphysicalanddeeplyspiritualas'principalitiesandpowers."AndmodernChristians,inwrestlingwiththeserealities,areincreasinglyusingatermfamiliartoallBiblereadersidolatry.29
Wefaceformidableforces.Wemustuselanguagetomatch.Whateverwecallthem,thetoolsthatwehavetrustedforoursalvationarebecomingourmasters.Weareimprisoned,trapped.Theslogan"Thereisnoalternative"isapatheticcommentaryonourage.Ourmarchtowarddestructionseemsirreversible.
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Chapter14JourneyintoHolinessWearelivinginaremarkabletime.Itisatimeofcrisis.Thereisdanger,immensedanger.Butthereisalsoopportunity.Tous,astoJesus'firstfollowers,comesthecall:"Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodisathand;repentandbelieveinthegoodnews"(Mark1:15).Buthowcanwerepent?Howcanwebelieve,respondingfaithfullytothecomingkingdominatimewhentimebombsareticking?Inasimpleillustration(Matt.7:1314),Jesusgivesusaclue.
TwoRoads
Jesuspicturestheworldasawideroad.Massesofpeople,emergingfromawidegate,arestreamingalongit,walkingcomfortablyalongalevelsurface.Theyaregoinginafamiliardirection.Theirparentshavewalkedinthesamedirection;andatthemoment,theirfriendsandneighborsareattheirside.Surelyitisobvioustoheadinthisdirection.Commonsense,majorityopinion,theexpertsallagreethereisnootherroute
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worthtaking.Peopleofmanytraditionsarewalkingsidebyside.But,saysJesus,theyareheadingtowardaprecipice.Theeasyroadleadstodestruction.
Thereis,Jesussays,anotherroad.Onegetstoitbygoingthroughanarrowgate.Andtheroaditselfishard.Itcutsacrossthebroadroad,andisheadinginadifferentdirection.Veryfewpeoplearewalkingonit,andthosewhoaredoingsoarenotfindingiteasy.Othersviewthemasaninconvenience."Everybody"knowsthatthewideroadmakessense.Whycutacrosstheacceptedpath?You'rebumpingintopeople!You'redisturbingthem,unsettlingthemintheirviews!Doyouthinkyouknowbetterthanpeoplehavealwaysknown?But,saysJesus,thehardwayleads,nottotheprecipice,buttolife.
InJesus'time,thebroad,realisticroadledtoconflictwiththeRomansanddestructionofJewishcivilization.Jesuswept,forthepeopleofJerusalemdidn'tknow"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42).Butheofferedthemanalternativeroad,onethatwasdifficultbutthatwouldleadtolife.Itwasanalternativeofholyliving.
TodayJesusisofferingusthesamealternative.Onceagain,therearetherealistspeoplewhopatronizeandreassure.Surelythebroadroaddoesn'tleadtodestruction;goodChristianshavebeentakingitforcenturies.Precisely.That'swhyit'ssohardtodosomethingnew.Butthereisnothingthatismoredangerousthantheobvious.Thepressuresoftradition,"informedopinion,"military-industrialcomplexes,principalitiesandpowers,andtherestareintense.Butitistheseforcesandinstitutions,andtherealistswhorunandjustifythem,thatarekeepingtheworldoncoursefortheprecipice.
Jesusiscallinghisdisciplestodaytoturntheirbacksonconventionalwisdomandtofollowhim.Hiswaycrossesthecurrentsofourtime.Itisanarrowway,anddifficult;itpromisesnoassuredresults.Neitherwithdrawingnorcompromising,itguaranteesconflict.Butitoffers
thepossibilityofsomethingnew.Jesus'wayisalivingalternative,aholyway.
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ExodusPeople
Howdowebegin?Howcanwe"setourheartsonpilgrimage"(Ps.84:5NIV)?Thereisnoeasyformula.But,aswebecomeExoduspeople,wewilldiscoverthatseveralthingsarenecessary.
First,wemustbeopentochange.Mostofusinstinctivelydrawback.JustlikethePhariseesofJesus'day,weresistthekingdomofGodbecausewehaveavestedinterestinkeepingthingsastheyare.Wehavethepointofviewofsettlers.We'requiteathomeinourhomesteads,andwewarnoffanyonewhocriticizesthewaywemanageourpatch!
ButJesuscallsustoleaveourhomesteadsandbecomepioneers.
1Byleaving,wearefollowinghim,followingAbrahamandSarah.Wearediscardingthefalsesecuritiesthathavepreventedusfromfullytrustinghimandlovingourneighbors.Andweareexpressingourhope.InGod'sstrength,changeispossible;theNewCreationisapromisewhichGodcankeep.Wearesureofthis,sosurethatwewillbaseourlivesuponit.
Butwhatwillitmeanforus?Untilwesetoutwecannotknow.EachofusIndividuals,families,prayergroups,churchesbeginsatadifferentplace.Dependinguponwhereweare,theconsequencesofpioneeringwillbecomeclearinadifferingorder.Thisisnotimportant.Whatisimportantisthatwe,asfullyasweknowhow,commitourselvestobefaithfultoJesusandheadfromsecurityintorisk.JohnWimbersaiditwell:"Risk-takingintheNewTestamentisspelledF-A-I-T-H."2
Second,wemustbewillingtokeepchanging.Havingleftfamiliarterritory,pioneersfindthemselvesinsituationsthatsettlersneverencounter.Mostofus,assettlerChristians,areshyoftakingrisks.As
muchaspossible,wecontrolallaspectsofourlives.Weplanforeverycontingency.WehavefaithinGodforlifeafterdeath,butforlifebeforedeathwedoeverythingwecantomakeourownarrangements.Ifwe'reinchargeofourlives,wedon'tneedtochangeandgrow.
Pioneers,ontheotherhand,areconstantlyfacinginsecurity.
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Thisisunsettling,andcancausefear.Fearissignificant.Unfacedandunnamed,fearistheenemyofF-A-I-T-H.Butwhenwenameourfearstoourselves,tootherpeople,toGodtheycanhelpusgrow.Eachfearcantellusagreatdealaboutourselves,andcanshowusareasinwhichweneedtoaskGodtohealusanddeepenourfaith.Furthermore,aspecificfearmightindicateanareainwhichGodiscallingustobeobedientinanewandriskyway.
Soourinsecurityissignificant.Wemustnotrunawayfromit,orhuntforexcusesinanewplacetojointhecrowdheadingfortheprecipice.Theprocessisthepoint!Itisvitalthatwestayonthecrossroad,difficultthoughitmaybe.Aswedoso,wemustnotbecomeproudofourprogress.ForGod'sgraceisthepowersourceofthehumbleanddependent."Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness"(2Cor.12:9).Ifwearetobeopentohisworkinourliveswemustbe"vigilanttoremaininsecure."
3
Third,wemustbecommittedtoalongjourney.OurExoduswillnotcatapultusimmediatelyintothepromisedland.Onearthwewillbeexiles,whomGodcallstokeepmoving.Aswemovethroughthewilderness,wewillmeetobstacles.Wewilldiscovernewareasofsininourlives,newwaysinwhichwearecomplicitwithforcesofevilintheworld.Muchthoughwewanttorepentofthese,wemayfindsomeoftheminescapable.ButGod'scallistoajourney,nottoperfectpurityenroute.Theairthatwebreatheishisgraceandforgiveness.
Despiteourfailings,stepbystepGodwillleadusonward.Andaswego,hisSon'spromiseringsinourinnerears:"Iamwithyoualways"(Matt.28:20).TheHolyOne,whoisourgoal,willalsobeourcompanion.4Aswejourneywithhimfromsecurityintorisk,wewill"sharehisholiness"(Heb.12:10).
HolinessontheJourney:LivingForce
Allaspectsofholiness!Withoutanyofthem,thepioneerlifesoonerorlaterbecomesimpossible,andwhetherwearewill
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ingtoadmitthisornotwebecomesettlersinanewplace.ButGodiscommittedtoourjourney.Andsothatwecanactuallymovetowardshisgoalforhumanity,theHolyCity,hewantstoequipuswithholiness.
Thefirstaspectofholiness,aswehaveseen,islivingforce.ThelivingGoddoesnotrevealhimselflightly.Buttopeopletodayasthroughouthistory,hecontinuestogiveanexperienceoftheonewhois"highandliftedup"(Isa.6:1).Ourpreparationswhetherthroughcharismaticworship,contemplativeprayer,adream,oraninspiringsermoncanopenthewayforhimtospeak.Butoftenherevealshimselfsurprisingly,inunexpectedplacesandinshockingforms.Hispowerandgracecantakeusaback,dumbfoundinguswithloveandcausingtowellupwithinusbothdreadandhilarity!
WhenJesusathisbaptismmettheFatherasliving,lovingforce,hereceivedmarchingorderstoajourneyofserviceandsuffering.Ourjourneys,bythesametoken,maystartwithanexperienceofhislove.Orwemayexperiencethisenroute,whenwe'reburnedoutafterhavingdoneeverythinginourstrengthtoattainthegoalandfailed!Wheneverthishappens,theFathercallsusbyname;heteachesustocallhimAbba;helovesus.WhenJesuslookedatpeople,theysawloveinhiseyesandtheycouldchange.Forhislovedispelsfear.IntheHolySpirit,wecanknowtheoverwhelmingrealityofbeingsonsanddaughtersoftheFather.Wecanbesecure,secureenoughtorespondtoJesus'callintoinsecurity:"Followme!"Provisionandprotectionmay,accordingtothepsychologistMaslow,beour"primaryhumanneeds."
5Buthowmuchmorethereistolifethanthese!Indeed,itisGod'slovedeeplyexperiencedasalivingforcethatenergizesustoseeprovisionandprotectioninaproperperspectiveandtotakeadistinctiveapproachtothem.
Whenwearewithoutstrengthforthenextlegofourjourney,orwhenwearefacingablankwallandcanseenofaithfulwayforward,wediscoverthatGod'slivingforceis
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poweraswellaslove.GodisacontinuingCreator.Inhisconcretegrace,heopenstouspossibilitiesthatamazeus.Sometimes,aswetakerisksinourapproachtoprotectionandprovision,hissurprisescanbeliterallylife-saving!
6OncewehaveencounteredGodaslivingforce,wewillbereadytorecognizetheseasmiracles"cross-currentsthatchangethepreviousdriftofinevitability,anddirectthewholetowardsanewanddifferentend."7
Awordofcautionmaybenecessary,however.ForthereissomethingabouttheexperienceofGod'slivingforcewhich,initsfascination,canbecomeanendinitself.Thisisatemptationwhichwemustreject.Godwon'tallowhisbeautytolingersimplyforustoappreciateitemotionallyoraesthetically.IntheBible,God'sself-disclosureswereneverfortheirownsake.Theywerealwaystoequiphispeopleforchange.WhenGodrevealstoushislivingforce,heisinvitingustokeepmoving,tostayontheroadthatleadstohisHolyCity.Ifwerefusehisinvitation,ourexperiencesofholinesswillnotrecur.Wecansingourchoruseslouderandlonger;wecancontemplatewithevergreaterabandon.ButifwedonotallowGodtogoonchangingus,wewillnotexperiencehislivingforce.Deepinourselveswewillknowthedrynessofhissilence.
Separateness
Thesecondaspectofholinessisseparateness.Aswehaveseen,ataveryearlydate,Godforbadehispeopletobelikethenations.Throughouthistoryhispolicyforthemhasbeenoneofnonconformity.Itstillis.Butateverystage,God'speoplehavefoundithardtoliveseparatelywhileremaininginthethickofthings.
Therearetwoobviouswaysofdealingwiththisdifficulty.Oneisto
maintainseparatenessbywithdrawing.InJesus'timetheEsseneschosethisroute.SeveralcenturiesafterJesus,Christiansbegantowithdrawfromsocietyaswell.Toholdontovaluesthatallearlybelievershadaffirmed,aminorityof
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dedicatedChristiansfromthefourthcenturyonwardgaveupondirectparticipationinthelifeoftheempireandbecamemonks.Atalaterdate,renewalmovementswereforcedtowithdrawaswell.Distinctivenesswaspossible,butonly,itappeared,ontheedgesofsociety.Oftenthesegroupsweretolerated;onoccasiontheywereevenvalued.ButonlyaslongastheykepttheirdistanceandrefrainedfromissuingacalltoallChristianstofollowJesusfaithfully.Anditdidn'ttakelongbeforesomemonasticandrenewalgroupsdiscoveredtheseductionofcocoon-likeseparateness.
Morecommonthanwithdrawinghasbeenasecondapproachsurrenderingseparateness.MostChristianshavefeltthatitisimportantthatbelieversoccupythecommandingheightsofeverysocietyforthegoodofsociety.Ofcoursethisrequirescompromise,butonlywiththevaluesofasocietywhichisbasicallyChristiananyway.SincethenationsoftheWesthavebeenChristian,ithasn'tseemedtomatterifthebelieversbecome"likethenations."
Untilrecently,thatis.Oflate,Christiancriticshavebeensensingthatsomethinghasgonewrong.ThelateFrancisSchaefferhasdetectedinWesternChristiansanabandonmentofspiritualprinciple"sheeraccommodationtotheworldspiritofthisage."
8EvangelicalstatesmanJohnStotthasnotedagravitationalpullleadingChristianstolosetheirdistinctiveness:
ProbablythegreatesttragedyofthechurchthroughoutitslongandchequeredhistoryhasbeenitsconstanttendencytoconformtotheprevailingcultureinsteadofdevelopingaChristiancounter-culture.9
SociologistOsGuinnesshaspicturedChristiansasbeinglostina"labyrinthofworldliness."10WhattheydoonSundaymaybedistinctive,buttheirfaithhasnothingtosaytowhattheydofrom
MondaytoSaturday.
Asthetimebombstick,thisproblemhasbecomeacute.As
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wehaveseen,Godhascalledhispeopletobedistinctiveinallareas,evenintheareaswhichmostimmediatelyaffectoursecurityprovisionandprotection.Andintheseareas,Christianstendtobejustlikeotherconservativecitizensprudent,cautious,afraidofarockingboat.IfChristianshavehadanydistinctiveness,ithasoftenbeenadistinctivenessofconservativetemperaments,andourdesiretobedifferenthasbeennostalgiaforanidealizedpast.
Godhasanalternative,whichisneitherwithdrawnnor"wet."HeexpresseditinJesus.Jesusalarmedpeoplewhowereafraidofchange.Hewasobviouslyinthemidstofthings;andyethewasinvitinglydifferent.AndJesusprayedthattheFatherwouldprotecthisfollowerssothattheycouldbelikehimintheworld(John17:15).Howharditistobe"apartfromsocietyandopentoitatthesametime"!
11SuchanaccessibleseparatenessispossibleonlytothosewhoarerefreshedbythelivingwaterofGod'sholiness.AndthesepeoplemustkeeptheireyesfixedonJesus.
Godlikeness
TheonlyseparatenessthathasanythingtosaytoourtimeisaseparatenessthatisareflectionofGod.Godlikenessisourthirdaspectofholiness.Howessentialitis!Withoutit,wewouldnotsuspectthatourjourneywasnecessary.WithouttheHolyOne,wewouldlackbothadestinationhisHolyCityandadirectionforourlifeaswego.AnditisJesuswho,asthe"imageoftheinvisibleGod,"revealstouswhatgodlikenessisallabout(Col.1:15).
HowtemptedweChristiansaretooverlookJesus.Itisnotthatwedonottellpeoplegoodnewsabouthimhisloveforoppressedandsinfulpeople,hissacrificialdeath,hisresurrectioninpower.ButJesus
himselfthemanwhosepeculiarholinesssothreatenedtherulersofhisdaythattheyhadtokillhimthisJesuswearetemptedtoforget.Andthatisdisastrousforus.UnlesswespendtimelisteningtoJesusandwatching
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himwork,ourunderstandingofholinesswillbecrippled.
ThisisnotanewproblemforChristians.Signsofitwerealreadypresentinthegreatfourth-centurystatementoffaithcalledthe''Apostles'Creed":
Ibelieve...inJesusChristhisonlySonourLord,whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,bornoftheVirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate....
Therewerethirty-threeyearsinbetweenhisbirthandhiscrucifixion;inthreeofthesehewasengagedinthemostimportantpubliclifeinhistory.Isitnotimportanttobelievesomethingabouttheseyears?
Ifweglideovertheseyears,wegetthemostcurious,historicallyincredibledepictionsofJesus.Hewas,aCambridgedoninformedusrecentlyinaseriesofbroadcasttalks,amanwhodirectedotherstoturnawayfromthepreoccupationsofhumansociety."
12Thisisanoddview,whichstillcharacterizesmuchChristianpreachingintheWest.ButalthoughitcreditsJesuswithbeingKing,itdoesn'tpayattentiontohiskinglyactsorlistentohisroyalwisdom.Anditrestrictshisrule.NewChristiansareadvisedtochangetheirprivatehabitsbutnottheirpublicbehavior.Sointhecrucialsecurityareasofprotectionandprovision,Christianscontinuetobehavejustlikeeveryoneelse.Consideringwhattheyhavebeentaught,it'snottheirfaultthattheirconscienceshavebeencauterized.Whataneffectthistraditionhashad!AnEnglishEvangelicalairmantestified:
IwasatChristmasIslandinthe1950s,andsawtheBritishnucleartestexplosion.IneverfeltanyqualmspromptedbytheHolySpiritfromit,whereasIhaveinotherareaslikedrinking.13
HowunfairtoJesus,andhowdangerousforthewholeworld,whenweseenothingmoreinChristlikenessthananattitude
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thatissweet,strong,andfreeofalcoholandpolitics.
HowfarremovedthisisfromtheJesuswhostridesacrossthepagesofthegospels.ThisJesusshowedalldimensionsofholiness.Hedidn'tdivertpeople'seyesupward,to"theetherealqualitiesofimmortality."
14Thatisnotbiblicalholiness.Ratherheradiatedholinessintothoseplacesthatconventionalcaricaturesof"holiness"ignorethecrunchissuesofhistime,warandwealth.AsSaviorandLord,helovedhiscountry'senemies,includedtheoutsiders,andbroughtjusticetopoorpeople.Howdeeplyintroublewearewhenwedonotallowhimtochallengeus,andtheleadersofoursociety,tolivedifferently!Rememberwhoitwasthatbuilthishouseuponthesand(Matt.7:2427)?ItwasnotthepersonwhorefusedtoacceptJesusasSavior.ItwasthepersonwhoheardJesus'wordsanddidn'tactonthem.Whentherainfell,thatperson'shousefellwithabang.Howisourhousedoing?
Togrowintothegodlikedimensionofholiness,letustakeoffourblinkers.LetuslookresolutelyattheJesusoftheGospels.Andletusallowhimtolookatus,lovingly,searchingly.Letustellandretellhisstory.LetusmemorizehisteachingsthelawoffreedomwhichfollowedthesecondExodus.Aboveall,letuswatchhimatwork,forasherespondedtothepeopleandcrisesofhistime,hewasdoingwhattheFatherwasdoing(John5:20).He,theHolyOneofGod,wasdramaticallydeamonstratingtheFather'sholiness.Ifwearetobeholy,wewillbedrawntodowhathewasdoing.
Dynamism
Doing,indeed,isthepoint;itisourfourthaspectofholiness,itsdynamism.ForinJesusasthroughouttheBible,holinessisonthe
move.Holinessisaforceforchange.Itmendsthingsanditmakesthemwhole.It"shatterstheresistanceswhichhumankindsetsupagainstGod."15Asweyieldourselvestoitspower,itmovesustowardtheHolyCity.
Thereisnoholinesswithoutpower.WhenIsaiah,Jeremiah,
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ortheearlyChristiansmettheHolyOne,thingshadtochange.Paulknewthiswell."ThekingdomofGod,"hesaid,"isnotamatteroftalkbutofpower"(1Cor.4:20,NIV).Itspoweraffectsalloflife.InJesuswecanseehowitworks.Athistouch,thedynamicwholenessofholinessenvelopedphysicallyandspirituallycrippledpeopleandhealedthem.Today,inGod'sgrace,manyChristiansareonceagainexperiencingtherealityofthatkindofpower.God'sHolySpiritbringschange,life,wholeness!Howmuchmanyofusneedtogrowinallowingthisdynamicpowertoflowthroughus.
ButtheholinesswhichJesusbroughtdidmorethanchangeindividuals.ItbroughtGod'spowertobearupontheforcesthatwerethetimebombsofhissociety.Jesusdidn'tweepoverJerusalembecauseitwasfullofunhealedblindpeople;theJerusalemiteswereneverreluctanttoaccepthealing.Heweptoveritbecauseitsinhabitants,intheirspiritualblindness,wouldnotacceptwhathewassaying.Theywereclosedto"thethingsthatmakeforpeace."Lovetheirnation'senemies?Never!Jesus'contemporariessegregatedholiness.Theywereopentoitspowertohealillness;buttheywereclosedtoitspowertohealsocialrelationships.Andso,withinafewyears,theirRomanenemiesdestroyedtheircivilization(Luke19:4144).Theclocksontheirtimebombsranout.
Godwantsustoexperiencethefullnessofholiness.Incallingustobeholy,heiscallingustorealignourselveswiththestoryofJesus.JesusisthekeytothemeaningoftheentireBible;heshowsuswhatthestoryisabout,becauseheshowsustheFather.Inwordandaction,hedemonstrateshowcomprehensivetheFather'scareis.Inhiscross,heshowsusthedepthoftheFather'sdeterminationtosetthingsright.Andheinvitesustofollowhim;heinvitesustobeacontinuationofhisstory.Forthatendhewantstoempoweruswiththedynamicenergyofholiness.HewantsustobepeoplewholooklikehimagentsofchangetowardshisHolyCity.
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Chapter15NationalHolinessGodiscallingustoholiness,toadistinctivelifethatlookslikeJesus.Howdifficultthisis!Wefeelourselvesisolated.Wearesqueezedbythepressuresofoursocietyintovaluesandlifestylesthatarejustlikeeverybodyelse's.Theyrequirenofaith,andtheirconsequencesforthefutureoftheworldarechoking.WhenwehearJesuscallingustobeunlikethenations,itisnotonlynon-Christianswhodonotunderstand.TheincomprehensionanddisapprovalofotherChristiansisevenmoredistressing.Inourweakness,wemaywellrespondtothemimpatientlyandjudgmentally.It'sexhaustingandspirituallyprecarioustobeaholysoloist!
Thisisasadsituation.ItisadistortionofwhatGodwantsforhisholypeople.Butwehavetoberealistic.Ourjourneywilltakeus,notfromwherewewouldliketostart,butfromwhereweactuallyare.Whenourvisionofsocialholinessisolatesusfromotherpeople,wemustturntoourFatherinprayer.Wemustaskhimaboutourselves.Doweoffendotherpeoplebe-
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causeofthingswithinusthatareunwholesomeandabrasive?Isourvisionofholinessflawed?Ifsoandwhosevisionofholinessisnotflawed!wemustopenourselvestoGod'shealing.ButwemustalsoaskGodforcompanionsonourjourney.Perhapsweshouldbeginbypraying,"Lord,givemeacompanion.Andmakemeacompanion."AsGodanswersourprayer,buildingacommonlifeofholyobedience,ourprayerscanbroadeninscope."Lord,thankyouforourprayergroup,whichisexperiencingmanydimensionsofyourholiness.Renewyourentirechurch!Makeittobetheholynationyouhavecalledittobe!"
TheHolyNationForgotten
Aholynation.Ifonlyweexperiencedthismore,manyChristianswouldn'tfeelsoisolated.ButforcenturiesthevastmajorityofChristianstheologiansandlayfolkalikehaveforgottenthatthechurchcanbeaholynation.Wehaveassumedthatweliveontwolevels:thepersonallevel,andthepubliclevel.Inthefirstofthese,weattempttoliveourprivatelivesinasholyawayaspossible,andtosomeextentwecansucceed.Butthingsaredifferentinourpubliclife.Therewerubshoulderswitheveryoneinournation,withourentiresociety.Wecannottransferpatternsofbehaviorfromtheindividualleveltothelevelofsociety.Whenwedo,theresults,"fromthepoliticalperspective,arequiteimpossible."
1Groupsbehavedifferentlyfromindividuals.Personalholinessisdifficultbutpossible;publicholinessisoutofthequestion!
Suchideasarebasedonagreatdealofexperience,andtheyhavemuchtocommendthem.TheAmericanthinkerReinholdNiebuhrstatedtheminclassicalform,buthewasnotbeingoriginal;hewassimplyexpressingthecommonlyheldassumptionsofindividualistic
WesternChristianity.Wehaveourpersonalrightsandwehaveoursocialresponsibilitiesresponsibilitiestoournation.AccordingtoEnglishtheologianKeithWard,we'vegottobeclearaboutwhereourultimateloyalties
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lie.Wehavea"specialconcernforthesurvivalofourownculture,language,andtraditionsthat[we]donotfeelforothers...wehaveadutytodefendourfamiliesandcultures,ourcommunitiesandcountriesfromdestruction,tyranny,andsubjugation."
2Theimplicationsforourbehaviorareclear.Inourpersonaldealingswemayforgivedebtsandrejectviolence;butwhenactingasapartofournationdefinedintermsofculture,language,andcountrywemuststandupforitseconomicandpoliticalrights.
HolyNationhoodRegained
Butwhatisournation?Stupidquestion!Ourpassportstellus.WeareArgentinian,British,orCambodian.Butisitthissimple?AsChristiansarewenotmembersofanothernationanothernationtowhichweoweprimaryallegiance?Mighttherenotbeasocialgroup,bothsmallerthanournationalsocietiesandvastlybiggerthanthem,whichGodhasdesignedtogivesocialexpressiontoholiness?ChristianeconomistProfessorBrianGriffithsevidentlyassumesnot:
BecausethekingdomofGoddependsforitsveryexistenceonaninwardsupernaturalpower,itisimpossibletotranslateitintocontemporarysocial,political,andeconomicinstitutions....Therealworldinwhichweliveisafallenworldandnotacommunityofsaints.3
Thereiswisdomhere.IfweattempttoconstructapoliticalplatformforanentirenationalsocietyonthebasisofJesus'kingdomteachings,wewillfail.ButGriffithswordswhichseemtoruleouttheapplicationofJesus'teachingonthesocialplanecontainseedsofsomethingdifferent,moredynamic,morehopeful:"inwardsupernaturalpower...social,politicalandeconomicinstitutions...communityofsaints[holyones]."Thesewordspointtoarealitythatisbothsocialandspiritual,bothinstitutionalandholy.Andithasatransforming
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power.InbothOldandNewTestaments,thisrealityisthevehicleforGod'ssocialstrategy.Itishisholynation.Formedbyhissupernaturalpower,itis"electfromeverynation,yetonethroughouttheearth."ThisisthenationinwhichGodhasdesignedholinessall-embracingsocialholinesstotakeonpoliticalandeconomicform.
WhyisitthatweChristiansfinditsohardtothinkofourselvesasmembersofaholynation?Becausewehavebadhabitshabitswhichwereformedwheneverybody,ineverynationin"Christendom,"wasaChristian.Butthatisnolongerthecase.IntheUnitedKingdom,forexample,regularchurchgoingbythelate1970shadfallento11percent.
4ProfessorSirHerbertButterfieldsawthisdeclineinhistoricalperspective."AfteraperiodoffifteenhundredyearsorsowecanjustaboutbegintosaythatatlastnooneisnowaChristianbecauseofgovernmentcompulsion,orbecauseitisnecessarytoprocurefavoratcourt,orbecauseitisnecessaryinordertoqualifyforpublicoffice."5Theoldequivalenceofchurchandnationisgone.Almosteverywhere(IrelandandPolandarenotableexceptions),themasschurchisdead.Soisthe''Christiannation."TheconversionstoJesusthatonepraysforcannotresurrectit.
Isthisareasontodespair?Onthecontrary.AccordingtoProfessorButterfield,oursis"themostimportantandthemostexhilaratingperiodinthehistoryofChristianityforfifteenhundredyears."6Itisatimeformission.Itisatimeforthechurchtoemergeasacommunity,definednotbyculturalcoercionbutbyfaithandsupernaturalpower.ItisatimewhenGod'sholyonescanbegintoreclaimtheirbiblicalidentity.WeareChristians.Asbiblicalpeople,wewillbesubordinatetoaqueenorpresident.ButwewillobeytheKingJesus.Andwewillidentifyourselveswithhimandhisscatteredsubjectsaroundthe
world.Withthemourbond"isstrongerthanthatassociatedwithnational,racial,orethnicties."7
OurnationGod'sholynationcrossesfrontiers.Initscommonlifeandinstitutions,itcangivesocialexpressionto
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holiness.Init,Jubileeandenemylovingmakesense.It,notthecivilauthorities,isthebearerofGod'scauseinhistory.Ourprimarywayofbeingsociallyresponsibleisnottofindnewwaysofparticipatinginconventionalpolitics,importantthoughthatmaybe;itisrathertofindnewwaysofmakingGod'sholynationavisible,socialreality.
DualCitizenship
Butdon'twestillbelongtoour"fatherland"aswell?Don'tgenes,geography,andthesocialsolidaritywhichtheyhavealwaysentailedhaveaclaimuponus?AsKeithClementshaswritteninamovingbook,justbecausesecularnationhoodisnot"theultimatedoesnotmeanitisnothing.Preciselyinitsveryhumannature,ithasarightfulclaimonoursolidarity."
8Iagree.ItisgoodtobeAmerican.Americancultureapplepie,theSuperBowl,sodafountains,LeonardBernsteinisasbeautifulandvalidasanyother.BothTestamentsoftheBibletellustoloveourneighbors.Andwhereverwelive,ourcountriesandfellowcitizensmaddeningthoughtheymaysometimesbewillbeeminentlyworthloving.
AsChristians,itisrightforustoidentifywithournativelands.Therearegoodbiblicalreasonsforustoberespectful,loyalcitizens.PeterurgedhisfriendstohonortheemperorofBabylonandtobesubordinatetohisofficials(1Pet.2:1317).Nolessshouldweberespectfulandasobedientaspossibletoourgovernment.DietrichBonhoefferwasdeterminedtobeagoodGermanaswellasaloyalmemberofthecommunionofsaints.Hisstruggletoreconciletheseisworthponderingbyusall.9
Butformostofusthatisnottheproblem.Ourproblemisthis:asWesternChristianswehavehadpracticallynosenseofbeingpartof
aninternational,holynation.TherearepowerfulforcesofpersuasionandpressurethatseektoarouseouremotionsasAmericancitizens.NosuchmediabonanzasencourageoursolidaritywiththenetworkthatunitesChristianbrothers
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andsistersBaptist,Catholic,Orthodox,andtherestinEasternEuropeaswellasintheU.S.Evenwithinthiscountry,ChristianshavenotdevelopedanappreciationofthesocialpotentialofbelongingtoeachotherunderthekingshipofGod.
Twothingshaveresulted.Firstofall,inatimeofinternationaltension,theChristians'primarynationalloyaltyemergesquicklyandwithgreatemotionalclarity.They,likeeveryoneelse,assumethattheirprimaryidentityisnotwithotherChristians;itiswiththeirfellowcountrymen.WorldWarIshowedthisinflagrantforminBritainaswellasintheU.S.In1915thebishopofLondonexhortedthenationtosocialholiness:
IthinktheChurchcanbesthelpthenation...bymakingitrealizethatitisenagedinaHolyWar,andnotbeafraidofsayingso.ChristdiedonGoodFridayforFreedom,HonourandChivalry,andourboysaredyingforthesamethings...MobilizetheNationforaHolyWar!
10
SodidtheGermanbishops,forGermanboyswerealsodyingforGod.
Thisisn'tsimplyathingofthepast.Atthemoment,AmericaistargetingeverySovietcitywithnuclearmissilesMinuteman,Poseidon,Trident,andtherest.AndtheSovietcitieshavemillionsofChristianbelieversinthem!11WhatkindofwoundinthebodyofChristwoulditcauseifweusedevenoneofourmissiles?ButfewChristiansseemtoreflectonthat.ForwehavealmostnosenseofChristiannationhood.WelapsereflexivelyintoassumingthatAmericansare"God'speople."Itiseasytoquote2Chronicles7:14:"Ifmypeoplewhoarecalledbymynamehumblethemselves,andprayandseekmyface,andturnfromtheirwickedways,thenIwillhearfromheaven,andwillforgivetheirsinandhealtheirland."
Butitwon'tdotopraythisforAmerica.Wecanonlypraythisforthosewhogenuinelyare"God'speople,"thetransnationalChristiannation.IfweChristiansdon'tthinkofourselveslikethat,perhapsit'stimethatwestartedto.Ourreflexes
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wouldhavetochange.Whenpushedtodeclarewhatournationalidentityreallyis,wewouldbeChristiansfirst,Americans(oranythingelse),second.
Thesecondconsequencehasalreadybecomeclear.Becausewe,asChristiansinAmerica,lackasenseofprimarycommitmenttoeachotherandtootherChristiansaroundtheworld,wearedoomedtoliveinanunholywaylikethenations.Wegotochurchasindividuals.Therewereceivespiritualresourcestoliveinthedog-eat-doglifeofmodernsociety.Howisolated,atomized,anddisempoweredweare!Nowonderweareestrangedfromholiness.Nowonderwelivelikeallthenations.Ononepoint,ReinholdNiebuhrwasquitewrong:itismuchharderasisolatedindividualstolivelikeJesusthanitisinthenewsocietyofGod'snation.
APioneeringPeople
ThejourneyonwhichGodhascalledustosetoutisajourneyofdiscovery.Aswetravel,wewilllearnmuch.Wewilllearnaboutnationhood.AsGod'sholynation,wewillfindoutwhatitmeanstobeanationwithoutland.Wewilldiscoverthatourdeepestsolidarityisnotwithourphysicalneighbors,whoshareouraccent,education,andtasteintea;itisratherwiththebelieversinHungary,Haiti,andHartford,Connecticutbelieverswho,becauseofChrist'swork,areourbrothersandsisters.
Whatdelightthereisinthisdiscovery!Whatexcitementthereisindiscoveringtherichhistory,bothcommonanddiverse,whichwesharewithfellowcitizensinGod'snationthatcomefromeverypartoftheworld.Andwhatafirmbasisforwitnesstoindividualsandtogovernmentsthisbaseinholynationhoodwillgiveus!Noteveryonewillappreciatethis.AsScottishBibleteacherJimPuntoncommentedshortlybeforehedied,if"Christiansactedonarealvisionofbeing
thenationofGodtheywouldimmediatelyterrifygovernmentsworldwide."Butcountlessmenandwomenwouldbedrawntoa
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worldwidesolidarityofjusticeandlove."
12
Howtoliveasaholysocietythisisthesecondthingwewilllearn.Becausewearesoaccustomedtolivinglikethenations,wehavemuchtolearn.Howexcitingitwillbeaswebegintodoso.ThroughouttheBible,Godusedcreativeminorities(anotherwayofsaying"holynations")tomovehistoryforward.13IntheOldTestament,thatwashowGodusedIsraelamongthenations.Andforuspost-NewTestamentChristians,thatisthecallingofChristtohischurch.
Ifwehavelostthisvision,wecanregainit.LiketheearlyChristians,wecanbeanewsocietywhichgivesindividualsthestrengthtoholdoutagainstthevaluesofapaganworld.WecanalsogivesocialexpressiontoJesus'teaching,notjustinindividualcongregationsbutbetweencongregationsandacrosstheworldwideholynation."Thechurchiscalledtobenowwhattheworldiscalledtobeultimately."14Ifwecangraspthisvisionandlivebyitinafearfulworld,wecanbeasourceofimmensehope.
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Chapter16SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamiliesButhow?ThisvisionofbeingGod'sholynation,livinginalternativeways"unlikethenations,"trustinglyenteringintoriskbecauseofGod'sreliablegraceitmaysoundgreatbutimpossible;oritmaymerelysoundsuspect!Isitirresponsibleidealismtothinkwemightdevelopawayoflivingbasedonsuchavision?Whatspecificeverydaystepsmightsuchawayoflivingrequire?
Noonecansayexactly.Anditisnotmywishtoprescribedetailsforindividualsorgroups.ButIbelievethatallofus,separatelyandinourchurches,arecalledtotakestepsoffaith.Mindyou,onlyonestepatatime!Jesusdoesn'taskustobekangaroosaswefollowhim(buthealsodoesn'twantustobesloths!).Inthischapter,Ihopetodrawoutsomeprincipleswhichcanguideusaswemakedecisionsforthatnextstepforward.AndIhopethatsomeexamplesandquestionswillstimulateustocontinuewrestlingwiththecomplexitiesthatwefaceinpursuingalifeofholiness.
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SaltandLight
Whenwe'retryingtothinkpractically,Jesus'wordsarealwaystothepoint.AbriefburstofhisteachingwhichChristiansconcernedtobeinvolvedinsocietyhavelovedtoquoteisparticularlyrelevant:
Youarethesaltoftheearth;butifsalthaslostitstaste,howshallitssaltnessberestored?Itisnolongergoodforanythingexcepttobethrownoutandtroddenunderfootbyeverybody.Youarethelightoftheworld.Acitysetonahillcannotbehid.Nordopeoplelightalampandputitunderabushel,butonastand,anditgiveslighttoallinthehouse.Letyourlightsoshinebeforeeverybody,thattheymayseeyourgoodworksandgiveglorytoyourFatherwhoisinheaven.
(Matt.5:1316)
"Besaltandlight!"Surelythispassage,morethananyotherintheBible,isacharterforChristianinvolvementinsociety.
Itis,ofcourse.Butitalsohasbecomeaslogan.Becauseitsmeaningispresumablyobvious,Christiansmaynothavethoughtdeeplyenoughaboutit.Indeed,attimesitmayhavestifledourthinking.Butthepassagewhichunderliesthissloganisarichone.Itisnotsimplyacharterforinvolvement;itisacharterforaparticularkindofinvolvement.Itisnotenoughtobeinvolvedinsociety.TobefaithfultoJesus,wemustbesocialinaholyway.Forthe"saltandlight"passageisaholinesstext.
WhydidJesusgivethisteachingtohisfollowers?Becauseheknewthatthey,assuccessorstotheprophets,wouldbeapersecutedminoritylivingunderconstantpressure(Matt.5:1112).Inthisposition,theywouldbesubjecttotwotemptations.EithertheymightwithdrawfromtheworldliketheEsseneshaddone;or,iftheygotinvolved,theymightlosetheirdistinctivenessandbecomejustlikeeveryoneelse.HolinessintheworldthiswasJesus'desireforhis
followers.Withdrawalandcompromisethesewerehowthingscouldgowrongforthem.
Jesusforesawdisasterunlesshisfollowerswerehighlyvisible.
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Theyarelight;theyilluminatethewayfortheworld.Buttheirlightmustbesetinaplacewhereitreallymakesadifference;itmustbeonastand,andnotunderabasket!Theircitymustbeonahill.Ifit'sinacanyonitcan'tbeamodelforanyone.
Jesusforesawanotherkindofdisasterifhisfollowerscompromisedtheirdistinctiveness.Theyaresalt,andtheyhavetobedifferenttobeeffective.Onlybykeepingtheirsaltinesscantheyfertilizethesoiloraddspicetothefood.Whentheyfunctionlikethat,theearthbecomesabetterplaceandGod'skingdomisontheoffensive.
1Butiftheirsaltlosesitssaltinessthroughbeingmixedwithwindblowndust,itbecomesuseless.Itisthere,andpresumablyitisstillcalledsalt.Butithasnothingtocontribute.Itcan'tdowhatsaltismeanttodo.
HowwillJesus'followersknowiftheyarebeingsalty?Notbymeasuringtheirinfluenceontheworld,butbymonitoringtheirsimilaritytotheirMasterandtheirfaithfulnesstohisteaching.ItismenandwomenoftheBeatitudeswhoaresalt.Itismenandwomenwhoseheartsarepure,whotellthetruth,wholovetheirenemies,whotrusttheFatherforprovision,whoaboveallelseseekGod'skingdomandhisjustice.Inotherwords,saltinessisthedistinctiveapproachtolifealloflife,includingthesensitiveareasofprovisionandprotectionthatJesustaughtintherestoftheSermonontheMount.ThiswashowJesushimselflived.Jesuswarnedthatitisn'tenoughtomouththerightphrasesinprayer("Lord,Lord"),ortoexercisethespiritualgifts,ifonegoesonlivinglikeallthenations.SaltinessmeansputtingintopracticethewilloftheFather(7:2123).
Jesus'followerscandothisintwoways.Saltandlightoperatedifferently.Tobeeffective,saltmustbescattered.Ingreatchunks,it
iscounterproductive:asaseasoningitisinedible;andasafertilizeritdestroysgrowth.Jesus'followers,likegrainsofsalt,arewillingtoriskminglingwithsocietytoworkthereforthechangewhichthekingdombrings.
Light,ontheotherhand,isawordforgathering,notscatter-
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ing.WhenJesususestheword"light,"heisinfactreferringtoaclusteroflights.HeisalludingtothetruenationofIsraelwhichintheOldTestamentisthe"lighttothenations"demonstratingwhataholysocietyislike(Isa.49:6).AndintheSermonontheMount,Jesusiscallinghisfollowerstofulfilthisprivilegedsocialfunction.ItisnottoanindividualonapedestalthatJesuspoints;itistoacitysetonahill,ahighlyvisiblecomplexsocietymadeupofmanyindividuals.
2
Jesus'saltandlightchallengeourlives.Manyofushaveignoredthechallengeentirely,becomingcomfortableinourjobs.Wehavenotaskedifwearedoingholywork,pointingtoJesusandhiskingdom.Someofushavetriedtochoosebetweensaltandlight.Wehaveputalloureffortintoindividualquestionsaboutsaltinessandhavebeenlessconcernedaboutthe"light"ofthechurchwhichcanfunctionasamodelsocietyofjusticeandlove.Othersofus,outoffearorlonghabit,havewithdrawnfromsociety,spendingallofourtimeincellsofChristianirrelevance.Whatevertheflavorofourunfaithfulness,Jesusinvitesustorepent.Heinvitesustobecomewhatheisdistinctive,unlikethenations,butliketheFather,intheworld.Hecallsustobeholyasheisholy.Ourinvolvementinsocietymustbebasedonhim.
PrinciplesofHolyLiving
Butwhatwillitlooklikeinpractice?Inthepagesthatfollow,Icanonlygiveafewhintsandexamples.Mysuggestionsaremodestandtentative.ButIhopetheywillbestimulatingtous.Wecertainlyneedtouseourimaginations.Forateverylevelofourlivesasindividualsandfamilies,atwork,inpubliclife,andinourcorporatelifewithinthechurchsocialholinessiselusive.
Thereasonsforthisarefamiliar.Wemayadaptourselvesunthinkinglytothecustomsofthesocietywhichsurroundsus.Wemayunderestimatethedifficultyofacourseofactionwe'vechosentotake.Wemayattempttoolightlytorequire
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standardsofholylivingofpeopleandinstitutionswhicharenotChristian.Aboveall,wemayforgetthatwe'reinhostileterritory.Ifwedothesethings,Jesuswarnsusthatwewon'tbesaltandthatwe'llgettrampled.Butifwepersistinwantingtobetastysaltandclustersofhope-givinglight,hereareafewprinciplesthatmayhelpus.
(1)OurprimarycitizenshipisinGod'snation.AsJesus'discipleswecarrythepassportsofGod'sholynation.Thisnationismadeupofmenandwomendrawnfrom"everytribeandtongueandpeopleandnation"(Rev.5:9).Itspanstheglobe.Itminimizesthepoliticalfrontiersthatcarveitinto"national"units.EverywherewecitizensofGod'snationarelivingasexiles,insaltydispersionamongthe"nations"inBabylon,insocietiesthatlivebyvaluesinmanywaysopposedtothoseofourGodandhisMessiah.Insomeofthesesocietiesitwillbehardertoliveholylivesthaninothers;itmaybeespeciallydifficultinsocietieswhichclaimtobe"Christian."Everywherewewillbeunderpressureandourattemptsasindividuals,families,andchurchestobesociallyholywillbringuponuscriticismand,attimes,exclusionandpersecution.
Becausewearelivingunderpressure,weneedtoexperiencethetangiblerealityofGod'snation,toknowthejoyofliveslivedinfreedomandexpectancy.Weneedthissimplytosurviveinasociallyholylifestyle.Ifweattempttomakeagoofitasholyloners,ourconventional"Babylonian"neighborswilldismissusascranks.Andsoonerorlaterwewillbreakdownandconform.Toremaindistinctivewedesperatelyneedeachother'ssupport.Butthenthat'sthewayGodhasdesignedustolivehehasmadeustobesocialbeings.Wearetobelightaswellassalt,andwecanarriveatmaturityonlyinthecompanyofothers.
TheBibleisnotjustthestoryofholyindividuals;itisthestoryofaholynationwhosesocietyismeanttobeademonstrationtoall
humanityofGod'swillfortheworld.Itisvitalthatwelivetogetherinjusticeandlove.Onlyifwedosocanwe
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urgeothersincludingtheinstitutionsofoursurroundingsocietiestoadoptwaysoflivingthatwehavefoundtobelife-giving.
(2)Wecannotapplysocialholinessdirectlytothe''nations."WecannotexpectBabylonitsstateanditsmajorinstitutionstooperatebyChristianstandards.Holylivingisriskyliving,andifpeopledonotknowthesecurityofhavingGodastheirFather,wecannotexpectthemtodosuchcounterculturalthingsaslovetheirenemiesorsharetheirpossessions.
Butwewillattimesfindnon-Christianswhodothesethings.HowcanweexplainourexperiencethathumanistsandadherentsofotherworldreligionsareattimesmoreintunewithJesus'waythansomeChristians?PerhapsbyJesus'repeatedreminderthatGod'skingdomismadeupofsurprisingpeople(e.g.,Matt.8:1112).Thisshouldkeepushumbleandreceptivetoothers.Anditshouldmakeuswillingtocollaboratewithnon-Christians.Afterall,weworksidebysidewiththeminourjobs;whycan'twedosoinorganizationsworkingforthingsthatJesuscaredaboutjusticeandpeace?Aswedoso,wewillneedtobecandidaboutourvaluesandmotivation.Truth-tellingismoreimportanttousthanthe"gains"thatmightbemadebycuttingcorners.Indealingwithouropponentswewillberespectfulandnonviolent.
3AndwewillwanttocommunicatebothvisuallyandverballythatJesusisourreasonforactingandthesourceoftruelife.
(3)WeshouldtakepartinBabylonandtrytoinfluenceit.WemaysenseGod'scalltoparticipateinthesocialandgovernmentalstructuresofourcountries(Babylon).Inmanycountries,thereisampleopportunityforustodoso.Moderngovernmentiscomplexandvaried,andtherearemanylevelsatwhichwecanmake
distinctivecontributions.Butatalltimeswemustbealert.Wemustrememberthatweareparticipating,nottoperpetuatethingsastheyare,buttochangethem.Furthermore,wemustbearinmindtheholinesswhichGodultimatelyrequiresevenofnations.Reequalizationof
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resourcesandtheforgivenessofenemiesmayseemdifficult,evenimpossible.ButtheserepresentGod'sconcerns,andtheyarethedirectioninwhichhewillmovehumanhistory.
Ifwe,havingavisionofGod'skingdomandknowinghisgrace,canproposepolicieswhichare"stepping-stones"betweenwhatwenowhaveandtheholysocietythatGoddesires,wecanbeusefullyinvolvedingovernmentalandcorporatestructures.But,asEvangelicalsocialstrategistA.N.Tritonremindsus,"Wecannotjoininallaspectsofsociety."
4Remember,weareaminoritymovement.Itisnotourcallingtoruntheworld.ItisourcallingtofollowJesus,todothosethingsthatareinkeepingwithhislifeandteachingandareafulfilmentoftheLawandtheprophets.Ifweparticipatewithoutreferencetothese,ourcontributionswillbeunholy.Wewillnotbesaltintheworld.
Wecanalsoinfluencethecorporateandgovernmentalstructuresofourtimefromoutside.WherethereareChristiansintheseinstitutions,wecanaddressthemasbrothersandsistersintermsofourcommonallegiancetoJesusandhisway.Wheretheseinstitutionsarerunbynon-Christians,wemustexpressourconcernstotheminsecularlanguage,butwithrespect,fullyconsciousthattheyare"servantsofGod"(Rom.13:4).Attimeswemay,likeJesusandJeremiah,choosedramaticformsofwitness.
Incleansingthetemple,Jesususedanonviolent,directwayofcommunicatingtotheestablishmentofhisday.Themessagegotthrough,andhisenemieschallengedontheirhomegroundimmediatelybegantoplothisdestruction(Mark11:18).Whetherweusewordsoractionstogetourpointacross,ourmessagewilloftenbeoneofwarning.Whennations(andcorporations)floutGod'swillforsharing
andreconciliation,theygetintotrouble,andsodoesthewholeworld.Butweshouldnotsimplyrailorcondemn.Wherepossible,weshouldofferwell-researchedpracticalalternatives,"stepping-stones"towardpoliciesmoreinkeepingwithGod'swill.
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SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamilies
Socialholinessisneveraneasything.Itrequiresrisk-takinginareasofourlivesthataresensitivethesecurityareasofprovisionandprotection."Forbetterorforworse"wearecommittedtothewelfareofthoseclosesttous.Wehavelearnedthewell-establishedpatternsofoursocietyforprovidingthatwelfare.Itmaybeeasierforusasindividualsandfamiliestotakestepsofriskyobediencethanitisforchurchesornations.Butevenonthesmallerscaleitishardtobreakloose.
Whatcanwedo?OnlywhatGodcallsustodo.Buthecertainlyiscallingeachoneofusintosomenewareaofinsecurity.Hewantsustorelyuponhimpractically,notjusttheoretically.Asweexplorenewareasofsharingandreconciliation,hewilldemonstratehisfaithfulnesstous.
Wemight,forexample,startbyaskingourselvessomequestionsaboutmoneyandpossessions.
Whyarewesavingmoney?
Arewesavinginawaythatcontravenesjusticeandpeace(forexample,throughinvestmentsinSouthAfricaorthearmsindustries)?
DoesoursavingsmaskourneedtotrustinGod'sprovision?
Dowereallyneedlifeinsurance?
Howmuchinsurancedowehaveonourpersonaleffects?
Shouldwehavelessvaluablestuffanyhow?
Howmuchdoesadvertisinginfluencewhatwethinkanddo?
Doesourstockpileofpossessionsmeanthatwedon'thavetobedependentonGodforprovision?
Wemightalsothinkmorecloselyabouthowwelive.
5
Whydowelivewherewedo?
Ifwehaveachoice,couldamoveenhanceourobedience
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tothelifeandprinciplesofGod'skingdom?
Couldwecopewiththeconsequencesifourmovinghousebroughtisolation,urbanviolence,cultureshock?
Ifwe'intentionallylivednearotherChristianpeople,couldweforma"celloflight"thatcouldhelpuscope?
CouldaclusterofChristianhouseholdsimprovethetoneofanentireneighborhood?
Doweplanourmenusbyunexaminedhabit,respondingtoadvertisingorfollowingthelatesttrend?
6
Couldsimplifyingourdietfreemoneytogiveforfoodforthehungry?
Couldwegoawholeyearwithoutbuyingnewclothinginordertocontributeournormalbudgetedamounttoahard-presseddevelopmentagency?
Wouldweconsiderbypassingapromotionatworkinordertostayinthecommunitywhereourchurchislocatedandwherewearelearninghowwecangiveandreceive?
Howdowecountersociety'spressurestoaccumulatemoreandmorepossessions?
Howdoweteachjusticeandpeacetoourchildren?Doweletthemplaywithwartoys?7
Howcanwesaynotothestereotypingofoutsidersandtothedemeaninglanguageofracismandsexism?
Anyofthesequestionsmayleadustotakeafirststep,asmallstep
towardthelifeofholinessthatGodisaskingofus.Ourlittlestepswillnotbeearthshakinglysignificant.Aretheyworththetrouble?Willtheyhaveausefuleffect?Wecan'ttell,canwe?Butourindividualstepsforwardcanbeimportant.GodbeganhisstorywithindividualsbrahamandSarahwhorespondedtohiscallbydoingsomethingdaft.Similarlyoursmallstepscansetanewdirectionforourlives,andleadustofurtherstepsasGodkeepsusmoving.
Godhasawayofsurprisingus.Ourattemptstobefaithfuloftenhaveasignificancethatwecan'tseeatthemoment.Our
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comingtounderstandanoutsider("immigrant")becauseweliveneartohimorhermaychangemorethanjustourownattitudes.Themoneythatwenolongerspendonaninsurancepolicyoranexpensivenewcarmightcombinewiththefinancialgivingofotherstoenableourchurchtoemployanewcommunityworker.Andinanyevent,thetimebombstickingunderoursocietyaregoingtoforceusallintheWestsoonerorlatertolowerourlivingstandards.Wouldn'titbeexcitingifChristianscametodiscovernowthatlifelivedbythe"mannaprinciples"canberichandfull?Wouldn'titbewonderfulifGod'sholynationrediscovereditstrueroleasanationofpioneers?
OnNotInsuringYourself
Friendsofminerecentlydecidednottoinvestinalifeinsuranceandsavingspolicy.Theyaremodestabouttheirdecision.Theyknowthatwhatthey'vedoneisnotnecessarilywhateveryoneintheirpositionshoulddo.Iagree.ButIstillthinkthattheirapproachmayspeaktousall,possiblyasasampleofthewaythatwemightponderthechoicesthatweface.Soatmyrequest,theyallowedmetoreproducetheirprocessofsearchingforGod'sguidance.
Wealmostsignedthepolicy.Itwasn'tthatexpensive,only$25permonth,closedfortenyears.Weassumedweneededittocoverabankloanthatwe'vegot.Butthatwasn'treallyso;itwasmoreofanexcuse.Aswethoughtaboutit,thecostsofthepolicybegantomountinourminds.Itwouldtieupalargeamountofourmoneyoveralongperiodoftime.Howelsewouldweusethemoney?Couldn'twegiveittothechurch,whichcertainlyneedsit?Ortothecharitythatwe'recommittedto?
AndhowaboutAbbaasourProtectorandProvider?Ofcoursehedoeshisprotectingandprovidingworkthroughhumanmeans,butwhatarethemostresponsiblewaysoforganizingthese?Hecallsustotakerisks,andlivinginriskyde-
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pendencyisthewaymostlikelytoshowforthhispowerandrealitytoothersintheworld.Butwecouldn'tdiscussthiswithothers,couldwe,andsaywehavefinancialprotection?Mostofourfriendscouldn'tthinkofaffordingapolicylikethisone.Whatrightwouldwehavetotalkaboutit,especiallywhenwehavesomuchmorefinancialsecuritythanmostpeopleanyway?
WhatdoestheBiblesay?Itsaysalotofthings,buttheseparticularpassagesinourlectionaryreadingshavebeenspeakingprettydirectlytous:
Learnnotthewayofthenations,norbedismayedatthesignsoftheheavensbecausethenationsaredismayedatthem,forthecustomsofthepeoplesarefalse.(Jer.10:23)
Irememberthedevotionofyouryouth,yourloveas.abride,howyoufollowedmeinthewilderness,inalandnotsown.IsraelwasholytotheLord,thefirstfruitsofhisharvest.(Jer.2:23)
[Jesusis]thepioneerof[four]salvation....Hepartookoffleshandblood,thatthroughdeathhemightdestroyhimwhohasthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil,anddeliverallthosewhothroughfearofdeathweresubjecttolifelongbondage.(Heb.2:10,1415)
Firstfruits.HowdowelivesowereallyarefirstfruitsofGod'snewthing?Pioneers.Tobethat,somepeoplehavetotakerisksandgooutonalimbaheadofothers.It'snotthatwe'rebeinginanywaysuperior.It'sjustthatforusatthistimewecan'tacceptthisinsurancepolicyandkeepaclearconscience.It'salsonotthatwe'resayingthatlifeinsuranceiswrong.ButthisistheareawherewebelieveGodisaskingustoexpresspracticaltrust.
"Butwhataboutthechildren?Nowyoumustberesponsible."We'realwaysuneasywhenpeoplesaythiskindofthing.Isitanexcusetoconform?Whataboutthechildrenofpeoplewhocan'taffordinsurance?ItlookslikeGodwillcareforus,butheisn'tbigenoughtolookafterthem,too.Wedon'tbelievethat:Godhasn'tchangedhischaracter!Butthisisthegreateststumblingblockforus.Thechildrenthatiswherewegetinsecure
andfearful.Thereforeperhapsweneedtotrustallthemore.Andafterall,howlittlewe'redoing.Ourdecisionabout
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theinsuranceissimplyoneact,asymbolicactoftrusttowardGod.Aswestartourfamilylife,we'retrustinghimforthechildrenaswell.It'saverysmallstep.Butonlybystartinginthatdirectioncanwebeopentothenextstepsthathewillshowusforourfuture.
SocialHolinessinOurWork
Ifit'shardtobedistinctiveinthewayweliveasindividualsandfamilies,it'sjustasdifficultatwork.Ofcourse,wewillexperiencethisinmanyways.IfweliveinEastGermany,wemayhavenodifficultygettingwork;butwemayfindthatcertainareassuchaspoliticsareruledoutforus.IntheWest,forsomeofusthebigproblemisthatwecan'tfindanyworkatall.Or,wemayhaveretiredfromtheworkadayworldwithenergiesyettoinvest.Someofushaveworkalright,buttheworkseemsmeaningless.Orotherthingsaboutourworkmaytroubleus.Itmaybeataskmasterabsorbing98percentofourbestenergies.Wecoulddowithmoretimeforourselvesandlesspay,butthatisnotachoice.Ourfirmsmayhaveinvestmentsorcontractsthatseemwrongtous.....
Andsoweneedtolearntoformulatethequestions,tofindwaysofthinkingthroughtheimplicationsofourprinciplesofholylivingfortheworldofwork.AretheresmallstepsoffaiththatputusonthenarrowpathtoadeepertrustinGodastheonewhoprovidesforusinthisvitalarea?
Herearesomequestionstouseasstarters,toprimeourthinking.
IfIamunemployed,canIexpandmyunderstandingof"work"sothatIcanusemytimeandenergiespositivelyforGod'skingdom?WhatwillIdoiftheonlyjobsthatcomemywayareinanindustrywhichisproducingsomethingthatIcannotsquarewithGod'spurposes?
IfIamathome,andamfinanciallysupportedbyanotherperson(myspouse?),canItakeamorevigorouspartin
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thechainoflife-supportforoppressedandmarginalizedpeoplearoundme?
IfIamatwork,canIbringkingdomqualitiestomyrelationships?CanIbeapeacemaker,onewhobringstheoutsiderintothecircle,onewhoresistsevilwithgood?
WhatdoesSabbathmeantome?TheBibledoesn'tprescribeanannualholiday,butitdoescallforaSabbathdayholytotheLord.CanItrustGodforprovisionandmeaningevenifI'mnotworkingallthetime?
IfI'monmywayupinmyfirmordepartment,doesthatmeanthatIamtooeasilyconformingtothesystem?AretheretimeswhenIhavebeensqueezedintoitsmould?
8
WhosefingerwouldIratherhaveonthenucleartrigger,aChristian'soranatheist's?OrwhowouldIratherhaveperforminganabortionordoingresearchwithhumanembryos?9Doesitmakeanydifference?
IfI'minvolvedinpolitics,doIagreewithonetheologianthat"theessentialcharacteristicsofasuccessfulpoliticianarepreciselytheoppositesoftheessentialcharacteristicsofagoodChristian"?10Ifthisseemsundulypessimistic,giventhewidevarietyofpoliticalandgovernmentaljobsavailableinmostWesterncountriestoday,isitpossibletobeinvolvedinmanyoftheseinaJesus-likeway:"totakeupononeselfthecross,giveupforceandsplendor"?11Canwe,asoneEnglishChristianMemberofParliamentputitrecently,makeanessentialcontributionthrough"flingingopenthedoorstoreducethenumberofdarkcornerstorenderourstewardshipofpowerasvisibleandaccountableascanbe"?12
IfmyconscienceispinchingmeaboutstayinginthejobIhave,canIdealwiththesequestions?
a.IswhatI'mdoingpromotingjusticeandshalom?Isithelpingthepoororhurtingthem?CouldIimagineJesusdoingmyjob?.
b.DoIhavecloseChristiancontactsinalocalchurch,or
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amImoreandmoreassociatingwithpeopleatasimilarprofessionalortechnicallevel?DoIdiscussthedoubtsIhaveaboutmyworkwithanybody?
c.DoIaskfortheprayersofmyfellowChristiansasIstrugglewithmyquestions?HaveIeverthoughtofbringingmybiglifedecisionstomyprayergroupfortheircounselanddiscernment?
IfIquitmyjobforconscience'sake,howwillIprovideformyselfandmyfamily?HowcanIgivetothechurch?Won'tIbewastingmytrainingormytime?Whowillsharethegoodnewswithpeopleatwork?
Isitfool'scouragetothinkupanalternativetypeofjob?HaveIreallyexploredthealternativesthatareavailable?
13IfIwouldratherusemyexpertiseworkingforanorganizationtryingtochangethesystem(liketheNewAlchemyInstituteonCapeCod,whichisdevelopingnewapproachestoenvironmentalissues,orWashington'sCenterforDefenseInformation)insteadofamilitaryindustry,canIactuallyfindajob?CanIcopewiththecutinpayandthehassle?It'ssomucheasiertoworkwithinthesystem!
PrinciplesforInvolvementinWork
Arethereanygeneralprinciplesthatcangiveuspositiveguidanceasweapproachourwork,regardlessofwhetherwe'reaprofessional,amanualworker,orapersonwhoisunwaged,retired,orcommunallysupported?Canweviewworkinitslargersense,notonlyastheeffortthatbringsthepayenvelopebutparticularlyinitscontributiontoGod'sproject?Isuggestthefollowing:
1.Wemustchoosewhatwedo.AsstrangersinBabylon,weChristiansareinaminorityinvirtuallyeverysocietythatwelivein.IntheU.S.
atthemoment,itmayinmanypartsofthecountrybethe"donething"togotochurch;butthepercentageofthepopulacethatisopentofollowingJesusina
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costlywayinallareasoftheirlivesissmall.Ourresourcesinpersonnelarethereforescarce.Wecan'tpossiblydoeverytaskinAmericansociety.ButwecanchoosetododistinctivethingsthatpointtowardtheHolyCity.
2.JesusisLord!SowewillnotconcedeanyareaoflifetoSatan.AsJesus'followers,wemaynotbeabletodocertaintasksandbefaithfultohim,histeachingsandhispriorities.Spaceweapons,forexample,mayseemtoustobeutterlycontradictorytoJesus'wayatheftofresourcesfromthepoorandameansofperpetuatinghumanhatredandthedominanceofthestrong.Ifso,wemaynotbeable,ingoodconscience,tobeinvolvedinresearchonspaceweapons,oreventuallyinproductionaswell.
ButJesusisasmuchLordofspaceasheisofeverything.Indeed,thereisnoareaofcreationorhumanexperienceofwhichheisnotthekeytoaproperapproachforhisfollowers.Wemustbecareful,however.ItiseasytotalkgliblyaboutthelordshipofChristbutforthatlordshiptobetheoretical,notreal.Howcanwetell?Byusingthisyardstick:doesthe"lordshipofChrist"agreewiththeteachingandactionoftheJesusofthegospels?Ifitdoesso,weareonsafeground.Ifnotifweseparatethe"lordshipofChrist"fromtheJesuswhoshowsustheFatheratworkinhisworldwearefoolingourselves.WemaystilltalkaboutChristasLord,butthecontentofhis"lordship"maybedeterminedbypragmatismornostalgia.AndhowevermuchwemayrailagainsttheChristianswhodisagreewithusas"humanists''orworse,thepoliciesthatwerecommendwillverylikelybeworldlyanddespairing.JesustheMessiahisourhope;thereisnootherfoundation(1Cor.3:11).Eveninthestubborn,problemareasofourlifewealthandwarhepointsthewayforward.AsMennonitetheologianJohnHowardYoderhaswiselycommented,"IfJesusChristisLord,obediencetohisrulecannotbedysfunctional."
14
Solet'snotwithdrawfromareasoflifethathumansaredistortingforun-Jesus-likeends.Onthecontrary,let'sstayin-
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volvedinthem,thinkingandactingasagentsofchange.AswereclaimtheseareasforJesus,heandnotthespiritualoppositionwillbeeffectiveLordthere.
Thisisatoughassignment.Itwillrequiremenandwomenofspiritualstrength,backedupbysupportivecongregations.Ineverymajorareaofhumanconcern,someofuswillbecalledtounderstandtheissuesandmasterthedetails.Thismaymeanlearningtheinsandoutsoftheproposedspaceweaponry,andthinkingthroughtheirimplicationsfortheworld'spoliticalstabilityandeconomicresources.Oritmaymeangainingathoroughunderstandingoftheinternationaldebtcrisis,oramassingeverystatementmadebyamajorpoliticianabouttheNon-ProliferationTreaty.
15Itmaymeanaskingquestionsinaresearchprojectthatnoonehasthoughtofaskingbefore:anEvangelicalChristianhasrecentlycompletedaPh.D.thesisontheeffectsofnuclearwarfareonBritishagriculture.16Oritmaymeanhelpingpolicyformersemergefromtheirtunnelthinking,forexample,byexploringnewapproachestocommonsecurity,includingnonprovocativenonnucleardefense,inCentralEurope.17
Peoplewhorepresentthewell-establishedwaysofthenationsmaydismissusandrejectourattemptstofindnewways.Wewillneedcriticism,andwillneedtolistentoourcriticscarefully.Aretheyofferingusgenuineinsightsandwell-warrantedcorrection?Oraretheyrespondingwiththekindofknee-jerkhostilitywhichJesusreceivedfromtheestablishmentofhistime?Wemustnotbedeterredbyafearofmakingmistakesorbyrejection.Forthetimebombsareticking,andtheworlddesperatelyneedsfollowersofJesuswhowillrespondtothembythinkingnewthoughtsandlivinginnewways.
3.Wemustworkonalternatives.Ineverymajorareaofhumanconcern,someofusChristiansmustworkondistinctivewaysofdoingthings.Manyorthodoxanswersmanifestlyaren'tworking.Pioneersareneeded,walkinginthestepsofJesustowardnewwaysofdoingthingsthatcanofferhope.
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InPalestineandIreland,forexample,soldiers,guerrillas,andpoliticianscontinuetobacktheuseofmilitaryforceasifitcouldleadtoasolutionofthecrisesthere.Butinbothlandstheirrelevanceofviolenceisincreasinglyevident;itcannotleadtothereconciliationwhichalonecanbringpeaceandprosperitytothepeople.Inbothlands,therearesignsofhope.Individualsarecrossingbarriers,attimesatgreatpersonalexpense.InNorthernIreland,realhopehasattimescomefromsurprisingsourcessuchasWillWarren,anEnglishQuakerprinterwhodecidedtoretire(ofallplaces)inthedeprivedBogsideareaofDerry.Asanonpartisanchannelofcommunicationbetweenrivalparamilitaryforces,hehelpedsavemanylives.
18Butgroupscanoftendomorethanindividuals.CommunitiesofChristiansarespringingupinareasofintercommunalconflictorurbanblight,wheretheirdeviantwaysoflivingposequestionsandofferpracticalaid.Andhope.AsrecenteventsinthePhilippineshavedemonstrated,nonviolenceoffersawayforward;violenceisadead-end.Theologianscancontributetothisaswell.InIrelandandelsewhere,thewayforwardmaybethrougharediscoveryofforgivenessa"politicsofforgiveness"inwhichneitherpartycanbesuppressedorwishedaway.19
Inbusiness,increasingnumbersofpeoplearedisillusionedbyimpersonalcorporatestructures.Andtheyaredoingsomethingaboutit;theyareorganizingtheirfirmsinanalternativewayasworkers'cooperatives.20Inastrife-riddenindustrialworld,Christiansandnon-Christiansalikeareattractedtoaformofbusinessthatoffersthepossibilityofbothproductivityandpeace.AndmanyChristiansarecommittedtocooperativesforanotherreason:itseemstothemtobetheclosestmodernequivalenttobiblicalpatternsofpropertyholdingandsocietalcooperation.21Sabbath,Jubilee,equality,enoughnessall
seemclosertoacooperative(oreventoapartnership)thantoamultinationalconglomerate.Somepartnerships,infact,dividetheirprofitsincommerciallyeccentricways,settingasidepor-
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tionsoftheirprofitsfororganizationsworkingforreconciliationanddevelopment.
22
Instrugglingwiththeinternationaldebtcrisis,Christiansinpoliticsandinternationalagenciescouldworktowardnewapproacheswhicharereflectionsoftheirbiblicalunderstandings.Theymight,forexample,proposeameasureofmodestJubileethattheU.S.andotherWesterngovernmentsforgivethedebtsofthepoorestnations.Ofcourse,themoneywouldhavetocomefromsomewhere.Howmanygunsdowereallyneed?In1983,34sub-SaharanAfricannationsowedtheU.S.governmentthetotalof$1.95billionslightlylessthanthecostofoneTridentnuclearsubmarine.23
SteppingStones
Noneofthesesolutionsisideal.Noneofthemwouldproduceaworldorderbasedon"enoughness"andequality,reconciliationandshalom.Buteachrepresentsastepintherightdirection.Eachcouldfunctionasa"stepping-stone"24leadingfromtheunimaginativementalrigidityofourcurrentorthodoxiestowardsomethingthatoffershope.EachisanattemptbyChristianstothinkofanalternativeapproach;eachshowsthatintheBible,andespeciallyinthethemesofJesus'lifeandteaching,thereiscreativepotentialthatistobefoundnowhereelse.
Couldtheseattemptsbefittedtogethertoprovideacoherentapproachtoourtime-bombthreatenedworld?BobGoudzwaardhaschosentodevotehisenergiestothepoliticalandeconomiclifeofhisnativeNetherlands;butthelargerpictureofthewholeworldunderGod'slordshiphasalwaysbeeninhismind.Outofhisexperienceandconcernhascomethefollowingproposal:
a.ThatweintheWestreorientourassumptionstoalevelofenough.Unendingeconomicgrowthisunrealisticandunsustainable.Formanyofusthismaymeanafallinlivingstandards.
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b.Thatwecutourspendingonweapons.Current"defense"effortsareincreasingourinsecurityandcripplingtheworld'seconomy.Atfirstthismightincreaseunemployment,butitwouldfreescarceresourcesforconstructivepurposes.
c.Thatwespendthemoneythatwewerenolongerspendingonarmamentsontwothings:(1)cancelingthedebtsofthepoorestcountriesandrelievingthemofinterestpayments,ononeconditionthattheycuttheirownmilitaryexpenditures;(2)creatingnewjobsmorethanwerelostinthemilitaryindustriesinourowncountriesinareas(housing,hospitals,urbanrenewal)thatmeetgenuinehumanneed.
25
Eachpartofthisproposaliscontroversialandwouldneedtobediscussedindetail.Idonothavethespacetodothathere,nordoIhavethecompetenceineveryarea.ButIdonotneedto.AbundantresearchhasalreadybeendoneoneachpartofGoudzwaard'sproposal.SomeofthisresearchhasbeendonebyChristians.WhenweasJesus'followerstodaydevoteourexpertisetothinkingaboutsuchwaysandtoimplementingthemwehavebeguntofindavalidformofinvolvementinsociety.Weareneitherwithdrawnorcompromised.Wearethesaltoftheearth.
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Chapter17SocialHolinessfortheChurchIt'shardtostaysalty.Thepressuresthatsocietyplacesuponusareintense.Wegettiredofwalkingonanarrowway.It'sexhaustingtobeaninconveniencetosensiblepeopleandtofeeloutofstep.Ourself-respectcanbebeatendownbytheridiculeofothers.Ultimatelywewillburnoutorsellout.Wecannotmakeitonourown.
ThatiswhyGodhasdesignedthatwebelightaswellassalt.Hewantsustobegatheredaswellasscattered.Whenweareconsciousthatwedonotstandalone,whenwearejoinedtogetherwithotherfollowersofJesusinasocietylivinginanewwaythenwecanbegintosurviveinsocialholiness.
ThisplaceofChristiansolidarityiscalledthechurch.Whateveritsorganizationalstructures,thechurchisprimarilypeople.ItispeoplewhoknowGodastheirFatherandarethereforecommittedtoeachotherassistersandbrothers.Itispeoplewho,becauseoftheworkoftheHolyOne,knowthattheyareaholynation.WemayliveinBabylon,butour
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primarysenseofidentityisnotBabylonian.Sowecanexperiment.WecanattempttoliveinwaysthatmightbeimpossibleforeveryoneinBabylonbutwhicharerightforournation.
SecularmindsrecoilatthethoughtoflivingbyJesus'kingdomteachings,butforusinthechurchtheseteachingsarepracticalandlife-giving.Lovingtheenemy,incorporatingtheoutsider,servingtheweak,re-equalizingwealthalloftheserequireconversion,faith,andGod'ssupernaturalpower;butasChristiansthesearetheairwebreathe.Thelifeofourtruenationisbasedonthem.
Godhasawayoflivingforusthatisholy.Andlikeallholiness,otherpeopleexperienceitasbothrepugnantanddeeplycompelling.Buthoweverothersrespond,thewayGodcallsustoliverepresentstheirtruedestiny,forholinessiswhereheisgoingtotakehisworld.Let'sgetafewglimpsesofwhatachurchthatlivesinthiswaymaylooklike.
FiveCharacteristicsofGod'sHolyNation
NationalSolidarity.
Thishastwoaspects.
a.Wearenotalone.Manypeopleexperiencethesocietyofourpoliticalnationasfragmentedandheartless;theyhaveanoverpoweringsensethattheyareisolated,thatnobodyreallycares.Somesensethisintimesofpersonalcrisis.Others(manyoldpeople,singleparentfamilies,peoplewithoutwork)areawareofitallthetime.God'sholynation,incontrast,isaplacewherepeoplecanknowthattheybelong.InGod'snationwearevalued,notforwhatwemightbecome,butforwhatweare.Inthesecurityoflove,wecandiscoverthatitissafetobeourselves.Wecanbereceiversaswellasgivers;wecangrowfromwhereweareinsteadoffromwherewewouldlike
otherstothinkweare.Itissafetochange.
b.Weexperiencenationalloyaltytoanimmensenation.God'snationspansthedividesthatarethreateningthefutureoftheworldnorthvs.south,eastvs.west,blackvs.white,in-
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nercityvs.suburbs.Wemayknowthis,butitisvitalthatwebaseourknowledgeinpracticalexperience.Commitmentstopeopleandgroupsthatarefarfromuscanbeunrealandthereforedangerous.Soitisvitalforustobuildpersonalrelationshipswithpeopleandcongregationsintheotherpartsofourholynation.Wecantwin-linkourchurcheswithcongregationsinCentralAmericaortheinnercity;wecanbepenfriendswithbelieversinEasternEurope;wecangiveupaluxuryholidayinthesunfortheprivilegeofsharingthelothoweverbrieflyofChristianswhoareunderpressure;wecancontributetothecostsofpoorerChristiansvisitingourchurches.And,withinGod'snation,wecanmakeaminimalcommitment:"LettheChristiansoftheworldagreethattheywillnotkilleachother."
1
Provision:Economicsharing.
God'snationhasadifferenteconomicpolicyfromtheothernations.Asitscitizens,wehaveavisionofequalityandsufficiency;wearecommittedtobecontentedwithwhatwehaveandtoreceiveaswellastogive.Wehaveavisionofanationinwhichtherewillbenopoorpeople,andwearewillingtoshareourpossessionstomakethatvisionareality.Withinourcongregations,we,liketheearlyChristians,mayfindacommonfund(calleda"JubileeFund"ora"KoinoniaFund"?)tobeameansofmeetingimmediateneedandofequalizingourwealth.Andofreachingotherswithgoodnews.AgroupofChristianstudentsattheUniversityofSurreywhodecidedtodosomethingJubilee-likepoolingtheirgrantsandgivingwhatwasleftovertopoorpeoplefoundthattheiractionswereinstrumentalinattractingMarxiststoJesus.
BetweenrichpartsofGod'snationandpoorerparts,wecanconsidermeasurestoequalizeresources.Inrecommendingsuchmeasures,
Christianthinkersarenotespousing"pureMarxisttheology";theyaresimplyfollowinginthetraditionofinstitutionsasbiblicalastheJubileeandPaul'scollection
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(2Cor.8).
2Aswe,bothinourlocalchurchesandthroughoutourworldwidenation,movetomakethisvisionpractical,pitfallswillappearatsurprisingplaces.Throughsinandbadhabitswewillfail.Butasweexperimentwithnewformsoffaithfulness,God,theGodofprovision,willcometoouraid.Hewillblessuswithmiracles:themiracleofjusteconomicstructuresandrelationships;themiracleofthe"spontaneous"arrivalofdesperatelyneededfoodandmoney;perhapsevenashappenedinthemid-1970stoaTexasprayergroupandtheirpoorfriendsacrosstheborderinMexicothemiracleofahumanlyinexplicablemultiplicationoffood.3
Protection:EnemyLoving
Bothlocallyandthroughouthisworldwidenation,Godgrantscitizenshiptowidelydifferingpeople.AsGod'speoplewemustthereforelearntolivetogether.Reconciliationmustbehighonourlistofpriorities.Toachievethese,wewillhavetolearntolistenbetter,andtocommunicateinwaysthatdon'tthreatenoneanother'sintegrity.Significantly,theapostlePaulcites"speakingthetruthinlove"asthesignofholyliving(maturityinChrist)(Eph.4:15).Aswelearntodothis,andaswelearntoshareourpossessions,wewillbecomeapeopleofpeace.
Butwewillalsofaceotherpeacemakingtasks.Livinginurbanareaswillraiseacutequestionsofinsecurityandrequireustomakedifficultdecisions.4Attimes,ourstandasGod'snationforsocialjusticemayoffendsomeofourneighbors.Soalsomayourattitudetonuclearweapons.Weknowthat,asaholynation,thereisnokindofbombthatcandefendus.PersecutioncannotstampoutthechurchtheRomanimperialauthoritiesand,morerecently,theChinese
communistshavediscoveredthisbutanuclearwarcan.5Ofcourse,ittakesfaithtolivewithoutthebomb;andanon-Christiannationmaynotwanttotakethatrisk.Ontheotherhand,inviewofnuclearproliferationandescalatingfirepower,ittakessomekindof
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blindfaithtolivewiththebomb!
Wecanurgeournon-Christiannationtoadoptamoremodest,lessthreateningforeignpolicy.AndatalltimestheloveofChristwillcompelustobearwitnesstowhatweknow.AswetellofGod'sfaithfulnessandwarnaboutthedirectionthateventsaremoving,someofourneighborsandfellowChristianswillfindusoffensive.Thatcannotbehelped.Butreconciliationisourcalling.Asweseektobuildbridgestothosewhomweoffendandwhooffendus,God'scallwillechoinourhearts:"Doeverythingpossibleonyourparttoliveinpeacewitheverybody"(Rom.12:18,TEV).
InvolvementinPilotProjects.
God'snationhasvaluesandprioritieswhicharedifferentfromthoseoftheothernations.WethereforecandothingsthatBabyloniansocietyviewsasodd,unimportant,orimpossible.ThroughoutChristianhistorytherearenumerousexamplesofthis.Itwasthechurchthatpioneeredinschools,hospitals,andmentalhealthcare.Soalsoitdidwiththehospicesfortheterminallyill.Andwithinthepastfewyears,churcheshavebeentakingtheleadinotherareas.Icanlistonlyafew.Inseveralcountries,shelteredworkshopsformentallyhandicappedadultswerefirstestablishedbyChristians.Andmorerecently,Christianlawyershaveworkedhardtofindwaysinjustice.Theyhaveestablishedmediationandconciliationserviceswhichhelpcivillitigantstolistentoeachotherandtosettletheirdisputesoutofcourt."Victim-OffenderReconciliationPrograms,"whichdothesamekindofthingincriminalcases,havebeenequallybeneficial.
6OntheborderbetweenNicaraguaandHonduras,Christianshavefunctionedasakindof"internationalpeaceguard,"standingnonviolentlybetweenwarringpartiesandprayingforpeace.7Indoingthesethings,Christiansarenottryingtoreplacethenational
governments.Butoutoftheirexperimentalwork,newideasandprogramsmayemergewhichgovernmentsmaywanttoadopt.
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CommitmenttoPublicWitness.
Thechurch,asGod'sholynation,isnotthesamethingasanynationstate.Butitintenselydesiresthegoodofthecountriesinwhichitfindsitself.Itcancontributetothiswelfareinmanyways.Inpart,itcandosothroughitsknowledge,contacts,andsensitivities.Whenitisfunctioningasitshould,itisgivingitslifeamongpoorpeoplewhoseconcernsitwillrepresent.Furthermore,asatransnationalbody,itwillbeintouchwithenemieswithwhomourgovernmentsareunwillingtocommunicate.Intheearly1980s,AmericanChristiansusefullymaintainedcontactwithVietnamesepeople,whileEnglishBaptiststooktheleadinreestablishingcontactwithArgentiniansaftertheFalklands/Malvinaswar.
8Asanationof''pilgrimsandstrangers,"Christianswillbeespeciallysensitivetotheplightofotherminoritiesracialandreligiousinoursocieties.
ShouldChristiansspeakoutonissuesofpublicpolicy?ShouldcongregationsanddenominationalbodiesspeakaswellasindividualChristians?Ibelievethattheyshould,forthechurchhasauniqueperspective.Inpart,thisisahistoricalperspective.Thechurchexiststoremember,ponder,andcontinuethestoryofGod'sdealingswithmenandwomen.TheBibleisjustasimportanttousininterpretingthecontemporaryworldasanynewspaperorTVprogram.Ourperspectiveisalsoshapedbyoursociology.Asabodywhichspanseverynation,ourpointofviewisnotlimitedbyanypoliticalparty.Andyetthechurchisintheworld.Itsseparateexistenceisfortheworld.AsitsmembersgrowinholinessandbecomelikeGod,theywilllovetheworldmoreandmore.Thus,becauseoftheirperspectiveandbecauseoftheirlove,theywillspeakandactinresponsetohumanhurt.Sundaytradingandchildren'sfantasygamesare
legitimatetopicsforChristianbodiestobeconcernedabout.Soalsoaretheareasofalienationinourworldraceandclass,warandwealth.
Christiansmustnotspeaklightly.Beforewesayanythingwe
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muststudycarefullyanddiscernrigorously.Wemustneveraskthestatetodosomethingthatweourselves,asindividualChristiansandcongregations,areunwillingtoputintopractice.Onoccasion,expertChristiangroupsmayhavespecialcompetencetogivedetailedadviceonmattersofpolicy.SomeChristiangroupsnotablytheQuakershavealsomadeimportantbehind-the-scenescontributionstointernationalreconciliation.And,inhumilityandmodesty,therearetwothingswhichallChristiangroupsmayhavetooffer.
Oneisasensitivity,growingoutoftheirmeditationonholyhistory,towhatGodisdoingtoday.In590B.C.,mostJerusa-lemitescouldn'tseewhatwashappening;Jeremiahcould.AsimilarblindnesswasafflictingJesus'contemporaries.Soalsotoday.Oursisadayofofficialoptimism;everything,weassume,willworkoutalright.ButChristians,sensitizedbyholyhistory,willbemoreperceptivethanthat.Insorrowwewillrecognizethatjudgmentislooming.Now,asthroughouthistory,God'sjudgmentisappropriate.Itisnotthatheissayingtous,"You'vebeenplayingwithmatches,soI'mgoingtogiveyouacaning."Heratherissaying,"You'vebeenplayingwithmatches,biggerandbettermatches;and,unlessyoustopdoingthat,you'regoingtoburnthehousedown."
AsecondcontributionthatwecanmakealsocomesfromtheBible.Itisvision.God'sthoughtsabouthowwehumansshouldlivearenotourthoughts.Andifwe'rewillingtolistentohim,ifwehaveroominourheartsforrevelation,Godcanspeaktooursituationwithasimplicitythatisbreathtaking.IntheOldTestamentlaw,inJesus,inthelifeoftheearlybelievers,apatternoflivingisadvocatedandenactedwhichisgoodnews.Jubileemakessense;thecurrenteconomicworldorderdoesn't!Equally,atatimewhenourworldisspendingmoreonarmamentsthantheentireincomeofthepoorerhalfofhumanity,
9itisn'tlovingtheenemythatsoundsabsurd.
MakingpoliticalsenseofJesus'teachingisademandingtask.Butitisonethatsomepoliticalcommentatorsincluding
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oneofWestGermany'sleadingTVjournalistsareattempting.
10Shoulditsurpriseus,asChristianslivinginthisdesperatelydangeroustime,thatJesuscanshedmorelightonoursituationthananybodyelse?Itisourprivilege,ashisfollowers,topointhumanitytohim,hisinsights,andhisway.
TheWorshipofGod'sNation
AsGod'sholynation,itisworshipthatkeepsusoncourse.OurworshipofGodwillbeintenselypersonal;itmustbe.Unlessweknowthatwearelovedandforgiven,andunlesswecanoffertoGodourownloveandthanks,ourattemptstobeafaithfulpeoplewillbefruitless.Butequally,unlesswearerespondingtoGod'scalltobefaithful,ourworshipwillbebarren.TherecanbenosocialholinessunlessweasindividualsencountertheHolyOne.Andourlifetogetherashisholynationasthelighttothenationsisrootedinourexperienceoftheonewhoislight.
Whathappenswhenwecometogetherinhispresence?Foronething,werecognizetheonewhoisincharge."TheLordisKing,"wedeclareaswegather."JesusChristisLord!"Inmakingthesestatements,wemaynotrealizethatwearesayingsomethingpolitical.Butweare.Weareexpressingourultimateloyalty.WeareacknowledgingtheauthorityoftheOnewhohasafinalclaimuponourlivesbecausehehasgivenuslife.Whenitcomestothecrunch,wewillobeyhimratherthananyhuman(Acts5:29).Foritishe,ourKingandourRuler,whoisthetrue"Fatherofhiscountry."Ournationallife,ashisholynation,isbaseduponhisunchallengedauthority.
Second,whenwegatherwerememberandgivethanks."OgivethankstotheLord,forheisgood;forhissteadfastloveenduresfor
ever"(Ps.136:1).Andastoryunfolds.ItisthestoryofourKingandhisnation.Itisalongstory,spanningthousandsofyears.Itisastoryofkinglypowerflashingforthtoliberateoppressedpeopleandtomakethemanation.ItisastoryofagraciousGodprovidingandprotecting,givingalaw
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toguidehisnationinadistinctivelifestyle.ItisastorythatculminatesinaMan,JesusofNazareth,whoistheimageoftheinvisibleGodandwhohasbornethepunishmentforourwrongturnings.Andthestorycontinuesinanationwhosecitizens,filledwiththeHolySpirit,carrythepersonandlifestyleofJesustotheworld.Thestoryistragic:humansrejectGodtobecomelikeothernations.Thestoryisglorious:Godshowshisfaithfulness,forgiveness,andpower.
Butmostimportantly,thestoryisourstory.Godinhismercyhasgivenusapeopleandalivingpast.Bytellingthestorywestayoncourse.Andthestorygoeson.Inourlivesasindividualsandinourexperienceasanation,Godcontinuestoshowhisactsofconcretegrace.Heforgivesusandhealsus.Heprovidesforusandheprotectsus.HefreesustolivelikehisSon.Hecaresforus.Evenintimesofsufferingandapparentdefeat,heisfaithful.Andwegivethanks.Whenwetellofhisacts,thoseofthedistantpastandthosethathavejusthappened,wepraisehim.
Butwhenweforgethisacts,wegoastray.Whenwedoubthiscapacitytoprotectandprovide,webecomelikeeverybodyelse.Sowe'vegottokeeptellinghisstory;andhe,inturn,willkeeponworkinglovingus,caringforus,givingusanationofsistersandbrothers.Heisgood;wepraisehimandgivehimourthanks!
Third,whenwegatherweexpressourneeds.Becausewehavearichhistory,wecandosointrust.Ateverystage,ourlifewillbeprecarious.Godhascalledustowalkinawayinwhichouronlysecuritywillbeinhim.WeoftencannotforeseehowGodwillprovideforusandprotectus.Butwebaseourbehavioronthebeliefthathewilldoso.Whenweinthepasthaveventuredintoinsecurityhehasbeenfaithful;hewillbesointhefutureaswell.Soweofferourselves,andthethingsthatwecaremostdeeplyabout,toGodwith
confidencebaseduponexperience.Ourintercessionscomeattheintersectionofourpastandourfuture.Wepraynotonlyforourownnationbut
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for"allpeople,"includingthose"inhighplaces"(1Tim.2:12).WealsopraythatGod,whohasblessedus,willblessthepeoplewefindmostdifficultourenemiesandpersecutors(Luke6:28).Attimesthesewillbeourrulers.
Finally,wegathertomeetGod.Howimportantthisis,andhowelusive.FortheHolyOnecannotbeprogramed.He,ourSovereign,isnotsimplyatourbeckandcall.Inourdayasthroughouthistory,hisself-disclosuresoflivingforceareunpredictableandmysterious.
Butatleastonethingissure.WearefarmorelikelytomeettheHolyOnewhenwearelivinginfaithfulinsecuritythanwhenweareclingingtohumansecurity.God'spowerisnotmadeperfectinuswhenwearepowerful;itiswhenweareweak(2Cor.12:910).ThisisdifficultformanyofusEuropeansandAmericanstorealize,forwehaveimmensecultural,economic,andmilitarypower.Howironicthatthecurrentnuclearbuildupmayhaveanunexpectedandpositivespiritualby-product:ithasgivenusourfirstrealsenseofpowerlessness.
Butwhenweareweak,Godcanshowhisstrength.Whenourattemptstobefaithfulhavebroughtustotheendofourresources,hecanmanifesthisholiness.Andhowwonderfulitcanbewhenweawake,inthedepthsofourbeing,totherealitiesthatwetalkandsingabout.Oursongstakeonanewmeaning,becausetheyexpressourrealexperience.Whenwedon'tknowhowwe'regoingtocope,then"AMightyFortressIsOurGod"becomesourtrustingexclamation.WhenwearemakingcostlychoicestoobeytheLordratherthanotherlords,then"OWorshiptheKing"statesourdeepestresolve.WhenwearestrugglingtofindwaystopracticeJubilee,dowehaveanygoodsongstosing?Iknowofafew,butweneedmanymore.Whenwearetakingstepsofriskyobedience,wemightevenchoosetosingPsalm46:10accordingtotheoriginalmeaningofitsHebrewwords.Instead
of"BeStillandKnow,"wewillsing"LayDownYourArms,forIAmGod.''
11Itisin
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ourweakness(andnowhereelse)thatwewillknowhisempoweringandbecomehisinstruments.
TheLargerView
Wehavecometotheendofthisbook,butnottotheendofourjourney.Itisthereforerightthatweshouldclimbaboardourballoonforonelastoverview.
Look!Fromagreatheight,thingstakeonatrueperspective.Aswelookback,wecanseemorethanweusedtobeabletosee;thepasthasbecomemuchclearertous.ItisGod'sstory,whichbeganatthesourceoftimeandwhichcontinuesuptonow.Ithas,weknow,alreadycometoaclimax,inGod'srevelationofhimselfinfleshandactioninhisSonJesusofNazareth.Hishumaninterventioninhistorywasbrief,butitwasdecisive.Andhisstrategywastheonlyonethatcoulddefinitivelybreakthroughintonewness;JohntheBaptistexpressedhispremonitionofitwhenhecalledJesus"theLambofGod"(John1:36).
Howaboutthepresent?Ifweleanoutandcraneournecks,wecanseeit.Itisthesmallswathofterritoryimmediatelybeneathus.Thingsarehappeningtherewhichlookimportant;immensedestructiveforcesareatworkoppression,war,preparationforbiggerwar.Butamidsttheconfusionwecanalsomakeoutabandofpurposefulpeoplewhoseemtohaveasignificanceoutofproportiontotheirnumbers.Itisnotthattheyarestrong.Invariouswaysallofthemarecrippled,sotheyarehelpingeachotheralong.Theyaresurvivingsolelybyastrengththatcomesfromoutsidethemselves.Andyettheyareonthemove.Theymaybelimping,buttheyaresureoftheirirection.Andwecanheartheirsongsoaringuptous"Jesusshallreign!"
Wherearetheygoing?Aswelookahead,gazingintothedistance,wecandimlymakeoutthefuturewhichistheirdestination.Shiningon
thehorizon,itistheholycityinwhichalloflifereachesitsgoal.Godisitsglory.Itsilluminationisthe
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LambwhoisJesus(Rev.21:23).Ourlookintothefuturefillsuswithhope.God'sstory,wecansense,hasanendoftranscendingjoy.AnduntilJesuscomesagaintobringthingstoaconclusion,historywillproceedwithpurpose,forGodisnotfinishedwithhisworld.
Godhimselfisthemainparticipantinthisstory.Hewillbringtheholycity.Sowecanrelax.Everythingdoesn'tdependonus,onourholiness,orourexertions.Butsomehowwecanalsosensethatweweakthoughweareareimportant.Ourtaskisdemandingbutsimple:pressingontowardGod'sfuture,we"followtheLambwhereverhegoes"(Rev.14:4).RelyinguponthepoweroftheHolySpirit,wecontinue,inourpersonallives,insociety,andinourlifetogether,theearthlylifeoftheHolyOne,Jesus.Aswedothis,wearebecomingan"insurgenttypeofChristianity."
12Weareaforceforlifeandchange.
Intenselyawareofthepast,ourorientationisneverthelesstowardthefuture.Asthe"firstfruitsforGodandtheLamb"(Rev.14:4),wethoughweseemtobeinsignificantare"thepresenceofthefutureintheconditionsofhistory."13Sothesocialholinesswhichweareexperiencingnowisimportant.Itisananticipationofthe"justiceandpeace,andjoyintheHolySpirit"(Rom.14:17)whichwillcharacterizealloflifeintheholycity.JesusisLord!Byourlifetogether,weareannouncinghopefully,defiantly,invitinglythatourGod,whohasbeenfaithfulinthepast,willcontinuehisworkinthefuture.God'sprojectwillendtriumphantly.Godhimselfwilldoit!
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NOTES
Chapter1
1.Forthisexpressionandmuchmore,IamindebtedtoWalterBrueggemann,LivingTowardaVision:BiblicalReflectionsonShalom(Philadelphia:UnitedChurchPress,1982),p.54.
Chapter2
1.IfirstencounteredthisterminJean-PaulAudet,TheGospelProject(NewYork:PaulistPress,1969).
2.Theologianshavehaddifferingperspectivesontheholycity.Someofthem,especiallyintheEasternOrthodoxtradition,viewtheholycityasarestorationofthingsasGodoriginallymeantthemtobe:holinessisreality"purifiedandrestoredtoitsoriginalstate"(PaulEvdokimov,"HolinessintheOrthodoxTradition,"inMarinaChavchavadze,ed.,Man'sConcernwithHoliness[London:Hodder&Stoughton,n.d.],p.147).Calvinistthinkers,ontheotherhand,tendtoseetheholycityasthesummationandpurificationofhumanhistoryandcreativity(RichardJ.Mouw,WhentheKingsComeMarchingIn:IsaiahandtheNewJerusalem[GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1983],pp.56).Thetwopositions,itseemstome,arecompatible.AsReformedphilosopherNicholasWolterstorffhaswritten,theshalomwhich
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Godintendsforallaspectsofhishandiworkwillbe"theeschatologicalcounterpartofcreation"(UntilJusticeandPeaceEmbrace[GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1983],p.130).
3.Inquotingthebiblicaltext,IalmostalwayshaverenderedtheHebrewwordtsadaqandtheGreekworddikaiosuneas"justice"ratherthan"righteousness,"Justiceisawordwhichisless"churchy,"moreordinary,moreearthythanrighteousness.ButGod'sjusticeisnotidenticalwithorlimitedtothemeaningofthewordjusticeincontemporaryEnglishusage.Itisricher,morevaried,andmoreconcernedfortherightnessofrelationships(seeRobertD.Brimsmead,"TheScandalofGod'sJustice,''TheChristianVerdict,6,pt.I,pp.34.
4.KarlBarth,ActioninWaiting(Rifton,N.Y.:PloughPublishing,1969).
5.StanleyHauerwas,ThePeaceableKingdom:APrimerinChristianEthics(London:SCMPress,1984),p.62.Previouslypublished(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1983).
6.TopiousJewsthiswasscandalous,soscandalous,infact,thatthescholarswholatertranslatedtheOldTestamentintoGreeksimplyomittedthesedisturbingpassages.Uponreflection,weshouldbesympatheticwiththeirpiousconcerntoedittheunthinkableoutofholywrit.Wewouldhavejustasmuchdifficultyifamodern-dayJeremiahcalledthecurrentSovietleaderMikhailGorbachev(andnotourWesternleaders)"myservant"!
Chapter3
1.RudolfOtto,TheIdeaoftheHoly:AnInquiryintotheNon-RationalFactorintheIdeaoftheDivineandItsRelationtotheRational,2nded.(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1958),pp.6,
10.
2.GeraldFinzi,writingatthetimeofthecompositionofDiesNatalis(1939),q.DianaMcVeagh(ArgoZRG896[1979]).
3.Evdokimov,"Holiness,"p.148.
4.Wolterstorff,UntilJusticeandPeaceEmbrace,pp.6970.SeealsoBruoggemann,LivingTowardaVision.
5.MaryDouglas,PurityandDanger:AnAnalysisofConceptsofPollutionandTaboo(London:RoutledgeandKeganPaul,1966),p.54.
6.HansWildenberger,Jesaja,I(BiblischerKommentar,X/i)(Neukirchen/Vluyn:NeukirchenerVerlag,19651972),p.249.
7.FrankLake,ListeningandResponding(ClinicalTheologyAssociation,FirstYearSyllabus,No.1[n.d.]),p.9.
8.AbrahamH.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality(NewYork:Harper&Row,1954),p.82.
9.Ibid.,pp.8398.
10.BobGoudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1984).
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11.JohnWesley,PrefacetoHymnsandSacredPoems(1739),inhisWorks,XIV,321,quotedbyHowardA.Snyder,TheRadicalWesley(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1980),p.88.
Chapter4
1.Otto,IdeaoftheHoly,p.6.
2.ThemeaningofExodus13:18isunclear.
3.MillardC.Lind,YahwehIsaWarrior:TheTheologyofWarfareinAncientIsrael(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),p.23.
4.Somescholarshaveobjectedthatitdidn'thappenlikethis.Thebiblicalwriters,theyhavecontended,mayhavecreditedYahwehwiththevictoryattheRedSea.Butthiswasa"theologizing"andsanitizingofwhatreallyhappened,writtenmanyyearsaftertheevent.Thisvictory,likelaterIsraelitevictoriesatJerichoandelsewhere,werereallyattainedbybruteforceandmilitaryprowess.Ihavetroublewiththisobjectionfortworeasons.Inthefirstplace,unlikesomescholarsIhavenophilosophicaldifficultiesinacceptingthatmiraclescanactuallyoccurinthepresentdayaswellasinbiblicaltimes.Second,evenscholarswhoacceptacriticaldatingofthetextofthePentateuch,viewthehymnofMosesandthepeopleinExodus15asveryearly(e.g.,F.M.Cross,CanaaniteMythandHebrewEpic[Cambridge,Mass.:HarvardUniversityPress,1973],p.123).Andthishymn,whichtellsthestoryof"thecentraleventinIsrael'shistory,"describesanunassistedmiraclebyYahweh.
5.BrevardChilds,Exodus:ACommentary(London:SCMPress,1974),p.237.U.S.edition:TheBookofExodus:ACritical,TheologicalCommentary(Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1974).
6.Onthesignificanceofmurmuring,seechapter5below.
7.LesslieNewbigin,TheOtherSideof1984(Geneva:WorldCouncilofChurches,1984),p.49.
Chapter5
1.ForprofoundcommentontheExodus,seeJohnH.Yoder,"ExodusandExile:TheTwoFacesofLiberation,"Missionalia,2,i(April1974).
2.MartinNoth,TheHistoryofIsrael(NewYork:Harper,1958),p.3.
3.ChristopherJ.H.Wright,LivingasthePeopleofGod:TheRelevanceofOldTestamentEthics(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1983),p.83.
4.GordonJ.Wenham,TheBookofLeviticus(TheNewInternationalCommentaryontheOldTestament)(London:Hodder&Stoughton,1979),p.320.U.S.editionpublishedbyEerdmans,1979.
5.AndréNeher,L'EssenceduProphetisme(Paris:PressesUniversitaires
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deFrance,1955),p.162.
6.CarlvonClausewitz,OnWar,transl.MichaelHowardandPeterParet(PrincetonUniversityPress,1976),I,i,24;JohnHowardYoder,TheOriginalRevolution(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1971),p.104.
7.Ihavetakenthe"holywar"seriouslybecauseChristianfriendshave,formanyyears,assuredmethatGodintheOldTestamentapprovedofwar.SoIhavebeenconcernedtoseewhatsortofwarfareitwasthatGodapproved.Ihavenotedtwothings.First,theformofwarfarethe"holywar"ofwhichtheOldTestamentapproves,isdramaticallydifferentfromotherwarfareancientandmodern.ItrequiresintentionalweaknessinanticipationofGodsmiraculousassistance.Italsorequiresgenocide.BothofthesecausedifficultiespracticalandmoralformostChristianstoday.Second,asweshallseeinChapter6,theformofOldTestamentwarfarethatmostcloselyresemblesmodernwarfarethatfoughtbythekingsandtheirarmiesiscondemnedbyOldTestamentwriters.BothSamuelandthelaterprophetssawitasapostasy(e.g.1Sam.8).WhydomodernChristiansdismissas"unique"theformsofwarfareofwhichYahwehapproved,andespouseuncritically(andpurportedlywithOldTestamentjustification)theformofnationalwarfarewhichYahwehsawasarejectionofhimselfandanadaptationtothewaysofthenations?DoweturntotheOldTestamentforrevelationorforself-justification?TheOldTestament,tobesure,doesnotadvocatesystematicnonviolence.Butitdoesnotteachanyothertheoryofwarfare(thejustwarorotherwise)thatmodernChristianscanlivewithcomfortably,either.ForadherentsofChristiannonviolence,atanyrate,theissueissettlednotbytheOldTestamentbutbytheonetowardswhomtheOldTestamentwaspointingtheMessiahJesuswho,inlivingandteachingadifferentapproachtonationalenemies,wastheFather'sperfectrevelationofhimself.
8.DonaldW.Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee(Luke4:1630):TheYearofJubileeanditsSignificanceintheGospelofLuke(Ph.D.thesis,UniversityofSt.Andrews,1979),p.23.
9.RecentscholarshavebeenmoreinclinedthantheirpredecessorstoviewtheJubileelawsasbothancientandinfluentialinIsraelitelife.SeeA.vanSelma,"Jubilee,Yearof,"inTheInterpreter'sDictionaryoftheBible,Suppl.vol.(Nashville,AbingdonPress,1982),p.497.
10.Isaiah38:6;2Kings19:7;1Samuel7:10;Joshua10:11;Judges5:21.
11.Cross,CanaaniteMythandHebrewEpic,p.156;WilliamFoxwellAlbright,TheArchaeologyofPalestineandtheBible(NewYork:FlemingH.RevellCo.,1935),pp.109,121.
12.JamesB.Pritchard,ed.,TheAncientNearEast:AnAnthologyofTextsandPictures(Princeton,N.J.:PrincetonUniversityPress,1958),pp.190191.
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Chapter6
1.Pritchard,AncientNearEast,pp.188189.
2.Seealso10:18;12:6f.
3.Lind,YahwehIsaWarrior,p.100.
4.SeeNeher,Essence,p.291.
5.Cf.1Samuel16:14.
6.E.g.,Joshua8:12;Judges20:23;1Samuel23:912;2Samuel5:23.
7.Seealso1Samuel27:2;2Samuel15:18;20:7.
8.RolanddeVaux,AncientIsrael:ItsLifeandInstitutions,2nded.(London:Darton,LongmanandTodd,1965),p.220.
9.E.g.,1Chronicles19:6f.
10.E.g.,David'scaptureoftheJebusitecityofJerusalem(2Sam.5:6).
11.YigaelYadin,TheArtofWarfareinBiblicalLandsintheLightofArchaeologicalDiscovery(London:WeidenfeldandNicolson,1963),p.283.
12.DeVaux,AncientIsrael,pp.229230.
13.1Kings5:1315.ThereissomeapparentconfusioninthetextastowhetherSolomonimpressedIsraelitesintohiscorpsofforcedlaborers,orwhether(as1Kings9:2022seemstosuggest)heobtainedhis"forcedlevyofslaves"solelyfromtheremnantsoftheCanaanitepeopleswhomtheIsraeliteshaddisplaced.InviewofthesheersizeoftheconscriptedlaborforceandoflaterdevelopmentstherevoltofthepeopleofIsraelagainstSolomon'ssonRehoboaminwhichtheystonedtodeaththe"taskmasterovertheforcedlabor"(1Kings12:4,
18)itisclearthatthecorpsofforcedlaborerswasnotdrawnentirelyfromnon-Israelites.
14.DeVaux,AncientIsrael,pp.7273.
15.Ibid.,p.73.
16.ClausWestermann,OneThousandYearsandaDay:OurTimeintheOldTestament(London:SCMPress,1962),p.101.
Chapter7
1.SeealsoJeremiah6:17;Ezekiel33:7;Hosea9:8.
2.ClausWestermann,BasicFormsofPropheticSpeech(London:LutterworthPress,1967),p.95.
3.SeealsoJeremiah2:34.
4.DeVaux,AncientIsrael,pp.229231.
5.This,asalways,wasbothatheologicalandamilitaryquestion.See2Kings2:12;6:17.
6.SeealsoIsaiah31:1;Jeremiah2:3637;Ezekiel17:17;Hosea8:710.
7.SeealsoIsaiah2:7;Hosea8:14;10:1314.
8.Forotherpropheticpassagesmakingthisinterconnection,seeJeremiah2:2637,Hosea8:414.
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9.SirHerbertButterfield,ChristianityandHistory(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1950),p.58.
10.SeealsoJeremiah27:6;43:10.ThiswasashardforlaterJewishscholarstoacceptasitmusthavebeenforJeremiah'scontemporaries.ThetranslatorswhorenderedhisHebrewtextintoGreek(intheSeptuagint)ineachcasesimplyomittedthephrasesdesignatingNebuchadnezzarasYahweh'sservant."
11.IfirstencounteredthisexpressioninAndréTrocmé,ThePoliticsofRepentance(NewYork:FellowshipPublications,1953).
12.MosheWeinfeld,DeuteronomyandtheDeuteronomicSchool(Oxford:ClarendonPress,1972),pp.151155,citedbyLind,YahwehIsaWarrior,pp.164,213.Forcomparablepassages,see1Kings15:11;22:43;2Kings18:3.
13.Apartiallistincludes:1Kings20:1321;20:2830;2Kings6:819;7:38;19:1437(seeparallel2Chronicles32:2022;Isaiah37:1438);2Chronicles13:1316;14:913.Seealsothechronicler'scommentonKingUzziah:"Hewasmarvelouslyhelped,tillhewasstrong"(2Chronicles26:15).
14.Thecorrectnessofthisrendering,whichissimilartothatoftheTEV,isvouchedforbycommentators:A.A.Anderson,TheBookofPsalms,NewCenturyBible,(London:Oliphants,1972),I,p.360publishedintheUnitedStatesbyEerdmans,andArturWeiser,ThePsalms(Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1962),p.373.
Chapter8
1.Neher,Essence,p.291.
2.InthepassagesthatdealwiththeMan,thereissomeambiguityastowhethertheyrefersolelytoanindividual,orwhethertheyreferto
theentireIsraelitenation.Withmanyscholars,Iassumethattheprophets'emphasesvaryfrompassagetopassage,butthatinsumtheywerereferringbothtotheindividualandtothenation.Indeed,inthethinkingoftheprophets,thesetwowereintertwined:thepurposeoftheindividualwastoshowwhattheentirenationshouldbelike.
3.ForcommentonthisDeadSeadocument,Melchizidek11Q,seeR.B.Sloan,TheFavorableYearoftheLord:AStudyintheJubilaryTheologyintheGospelofLuke(Austin,Texas:ScholaPress,1977),pp.4546.
4.SeeJoshua11:9;2Samuel8:4,andchapters4and5above.
Chapter9
1.LesslieNewbigin,TheOpenSecret:SketchesforaMissionaryTheology(GrandRapids,Eerdmans,1978),p.99.
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2.ThischapterandthenextowemuchtoMarcusJ.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPoliticsintheTeachingsofJesus(NewYork:EdwinMellenPress,1984).
3.Josephus,JewishWar,II,ix,4.
4.F.F.Bruce,"RendertoCaesar,"inE.BammelandC.F.D.Moule,eds.,JesusandthePoliticsofHisDay(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1984),p.254.
5.Josephus,JewishWar,II,xvii,6.
6.Josephus,JewishWar,II,ix,4(trans.G.A.Williamson[Harmondsworth,Middx.:Penguin,1959],p.157).
7.JoachimJeremias,Jesus'PromisetotheNations(London:SCMPress,1958),p.43.
8.EncyclopaediaJudaica,7,p.411,s.v."Gentile."
9.JewishEncyclopedia,newed.,5,p.621,s.v."Gentile."
10.LeaderoftheJewishrevoltagainstAntiochusIV,theSyrianrulerofPalestine,inthe160sB.C.
11.Josephus,Antiquities,XVII,x,910.
12.See,forexample,thePhariseeGamaliel'ssummaryinActs5:35ff.
13.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPolitics,p.57.
14.RichardJ.Cassidy,Jesus,PoliticsandSociety:AStudyofLuke'sGospel(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1978),pp.121,197.
15.RabbiEliezerbenHyreanus,q.Jeremias,Jesus'Promise,p.41.
16.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPolitics,p.66.
Chapter10
1.TheconfessionthatJesuswastheHolyOnewas,however,centrallyimportanttohisdisciplesafterhisresurrection(Acts2:27;3:14).
2.ThiscommissioningfromtheFatherwasdrawnfromaroyalpsalmanda"servantsong"(Ps.2:7;Isa.42:1).
3.The"WaitingFather,"accordingtoasermonofHelmutThielicke,isthemainpointoftheparableofthe"prodigalson"(TheWaitingFather[NewYork:Harper&Brothers,1959],pp.2629).
4.TheGreekwordaphesis,translatedhereas"release"and"liberty,"occursintheGreekOldTestamentinallofthepassageshavingtodowiththeJubileeandsabbathyears,e.g.,Leviticus25:10,11,13,28;27:17;Deuteronomy15:1,9;Isaiah61:1;Jeremiah41:8[MT34:8];Ezekiel46:17.SomeofJesus'contemporarieslinkedthepropheticpassagewhichJesuswasquoting,Isaiah61:12(alongwithaphraseofIsaiah58:6)withtheJubilee(Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee,p.92).FordiscussionoftherelationofJesus'NazarethsermontotheJubilee,seeJohnH.Yoder,ThePoliticsofJesus
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(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1972),pp.3440;J.MassyngbaerdFord,MyEnemyIsMyGuest:JesusandViolenceinLuke(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1984),5560;Sloan,FavorableYear,passim.
5.Jeremias,Jesus'Promise,p.45.
6.ThemeaningoftheGreekwordsisquiteclearhere.BecausetranslatorshavefoundithardtoimaginethatJesuscaredaboutthereligiousdimensionsofsocialissues,theyhaveconsideredalmsgivingtobeadeedofpietyratherthanofjustice-makingandreequalization.Hencetheirattachmenttotheircustomarymistranslation.
7.Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee,p.283.
8.ThisinterpretationisbroadlyinharmonywiththatofF.F.Bruce,"RendertoCaesar,"p.260:"Jesus'counselofnon-resistancetoRomewasonallfourswithJeremiah'scounselofsubmissiontoBabylon,"
9.SomewritersmaintainthatJesus,incommandinghisdisciplestolovetheir"enemies,"hadonlypersonalenemiesinmind.ThisinterpretationmightmakesenseifJesushadbeenspeakinginaprosperousAmericansuburb,buthewasn'tHewasspeakingina"politico-religioustinderbox,"alandbrutallyruledbyanoccupyingarmy.WhenJesussaid"enemies,"everyoneknewwhohewastalkingaboutanditwasn'tsimplythecantankerouspersonnextdoor!Mostrecentscholarswhohavelookedatthisquestionagree:Jesuswastellinghisdisciplestolovetheirnation'senemies,theRomans.Forcarefulstudiesofthisissue,seeMartinHengel,VictoryoverViolence(London:SPCKPress,1975);WilliamKlassen,LoveofEnemies(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1984);RichardJ.Cassidy,Jesus,PoliticsandSociety(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1990).Forabriefsurveyoftheissue,seeWillardSwartleyandAlanKreider,"PacifistChristianity:TheKingdomWay,"inO.R.Barclay,ed.,Pacifismand
War:WhenChristiansDisagree(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1984),pp.4043.
10.Yoder,OriginalRevolution,p.108.
11.ThesamecomingtogetherofholinessthemesoccursintheparallelpassageintheSermononthePlain(Luke6:2736).
12.ThetranslationwhichbestcapturesthemeaningofMatt.5:48isthatoftheNEB:"Theremustbenolimittoyourgoodness,asyourheavenlyFather'sgoodnessknowsnobounds."
13.SomepeoplehaveusedthiswhiptoindicatethatJesuswasno"pacifist."ThepassageclearlyindicatesthatJesuswas,onoccasion,willingtouseforceagainstproperty.Acarefultranslationoftheverse(John2:15),suchasthatoftheNIV,however,indicatesthatJesusdidnotusethewhipagainstthesellersandmoneychangers.(Andevenifhehadusedthewhipagainstthepeople,thereisaconsiderabledifferencebetweenwhippingpeopleand
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killingthem.)
14.E.EarleEllis,"HowtheNewTestamentUsestheOld,"inI.HowardMarshall,ed.,NewTestamentInterpretation(Exeter:PaternosterPress,1977),p.211.U.S.editionpublishedbyEerdmans.
Chapter11
1.PaulMinear,ImagesoftheChurchintheNewTestament(London:LutterworthPress,1961),p.137.U.S.edition,Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1970.
2."Theearlychurchsoughttoapplyjubileeprinciplestoitssocio-economiclife;indeed,LukeseemsdeliberatelytodescribeitsachievementsintermsthatechothesabbaticalpromiseinDeuteronomy15thatGodwouldrichlyblessanobedientpeople"(Wright,LivingasthePeopleofGod,p.101).
3.VirgilVogt,TreasureinHeaven:TheBiblicalTeachingAboutMoney,FinancesandPossessions(AnnArbor,Michigan:ServantBooks,1982),p.79.
Chapter12
1.JohnV.Taylor,EnoughIsEnough(London:SCMPress,1975),p.45.
2.ColinBrown,ed.,TheNewInternationalDictionaryofNewTestamentTheology(Exeter:PaternosterPress,19751978),III,p.727.U.S.edition:GrandRapids,Mich.:ZondervanPress,19761978.
3.Philippians1:5;Romans15:27;1Peter4:13;2Corinthians13:14;1Corinthians10:16;1John1:3,7.
4.Onthis,seeKeithF.Nickle,TheCollection:AStudyinPaul'sStrategy,StudiesinBiblicalTheology,48(London:SCMPress,
1966).
5.JoachimJeremias,JerusalemintheTimeofJesus(London:SCMPress,1969),p.140.
6.F.F.Bruce,1and2Corinthians,NewCenturyBible(London:Oliphants,1971),p.223,U.S.edition,Eerdmans.
7.Vogt,Treasures,p.82.
8.Eusebius,EcclesiasticalHistory,III,v,p.3.
9.Jean-MichelHornus,ItIsNotLawfulforMetoFight:EarlyChristianAttitudesTowardWar,ViolenceandtheState,reviseded.(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),p.17.
10.BoRiecke,TheEpistlesofJames,PeterandJude,TheAnchorBible(GardenCity,NewYork:Doubleday,1964),pp.73,96.
11.IPeter1:6,7;2:12,20;3:6;3:1517;4:4,12,19.
12.Forgeneralbackground,seeRaymondE.BrownandJohnP.Meier,
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AntiochandRome(London:GeoffreyChapman,1983),chap.6.
13.Acorruptionof"Christ,"fromSuetonius,Claudius,25,4,quotedbyBrownandMeier,AntiochandRome,p.100.
14.J.Friedrich,W.Pöhlmann,P.Stuhlmacher,"ZurhistorischenSituationundIntentionvonRom.13:17,"ZeitschriftfürTheologieundKirche,73(1976),pp.131166.
15.BrownandMeier,AntiochandRome,p.124.
16.ThepassagewhichPaulciteshere,Deuteronomy32:35,referstoGod'svengeanceagainstIsrael'scollective,nationalenemies,notagainstthepersonalenemiesofindividualIsraelites.ItwillnotdotodistinguishbetweenthepersonalethicsofRomans12andthepublicethicsofRomans13.BothchaptershaveasmuchtodowiththepublicbehaviorofGod'snationaswiththebehaviorofindividualdisciplesofJesus.
17.Reicke,Epistles,p.107.
18.Yoder,PoliticsofJesus,pp.163192.
19.Idonotmeantoimplythatthereisneveracasefortax-refusalbyChristians.Foradiscussionofthisissue,seeDonaldD.Kaufman,WhatBelongstoCaesar?(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1969);WillardM.Swartley,"AStudyonthePaymentofWarTaxes,"Sojourners,February1979,p.1820;LynnBuzzardandPaulaCampbell,HolyDisobedience:WhenChristiansMustResisttheState(AnnArbor,Michigan:ServantPublications,1984),chap.8.
20.TheGreekwordfor"obey,"hupakouo
*,isdifferentfromthewordfor"besubordinate,"hupakouo*.
21.JohnPiper,"LoveYourEnemies":Jesus'LoveCommandinthe
SynopticGospelsandintheEarlyChristianParaenesis,SocietyforNewTestamentStudies,MonographSeries,38(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1979),p.62.
22.Similarly,EzekielconveyedYahweh'smessagethat"IwillstrengthenthearmsofthekingofBabylon,andputmyswordinhishand"(Ezek.30:24).
23.Analternativeinterpretationwouldsuggestthat,forPeter,"Babylon"connotednotjustRome,butanypagansocietyinwhichJesus'followerswouldbe"aliensandexiles"(1Pet.2:11;J.N.D.Kelly,TheEpistlesofPeterandofJude[London:Adam&CharlesBlack,1969;U.S.edition,GrandRapids,Mich.:BakerBooks,1981.],p.219).ThiswouldnotalterthebasicsocialstrategythatIfindPetertobesuggesting.
24.Tothebestofmyknowledge,commentatorshavenotexaminedthepossibilitythatBabylonlaybehindPaul'suseofthe"servant"terminologyforthestate(Rom.13:4).TheexegetewhocomesclosesttoseeingthisemphasisisC.E.B.Cranfield(TheEpistletotheRomans,InternationalCritical
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Commentary[Edinburgh:T.&T.Clark,1979],II,p.665),whocitesIsaiah10:515,apassagethatreferstoAssyriabutthatdoesnotuse"servant"language.TheJeremiahpassagesaboutBabylon(25:838),ontheotherhand,usenotonlyapagannationasGod'sservant,butalsotalkabout"sword"and"wrath."Iwouldbegratefulifcompetentbiblicalscholarswouldtestthishypothesis.
25.WayneA.Meeks,TheFirstUrbanChristians:TheSocialWorldoftheApostlePaul(NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress,1983),p.73.
26.RebeccaYoder,"OldTestamentCheremandNewTestamentSentencesofHolyLaw,"OccasionalPapersoftheCouncilofMennoniteSeminaries,1(1981),pp.1934.
27.1Corinthians4:16;1Corinthians11:1;Ephesians5:1;1Thessalonians1:6;2:14.
28.Forthepracticeacenturylater,whichisprobablyincontinuitywithearliercustoms,seeJustin,IApology,p.67.
Chapter13
1.LettertoDiognetus,5.5.
2.Justin,IApology,14.
3.E.g.,Hippolytus,ApostolicTradition,16;RolandH.Bainton,"TheEarlyChurchandWar,"HarvardTheologicalReview,39(1946),pp.189212.
4.CharlesAvila,Ownership:EarlyChristianTeaching(London:SheedandWard,1983),pp.36,39.
5.AxelBoethiusandJ.B.Ward-Perkins,EtruscanandRomanArchitecture(PelicanHistoryofArt)(Harmondsworth,Middx.:PenguinBooks,1970),plates152154.
6.RogerForster,"TheChurchThatMakesforPeace,"inDanaMillsPowell,ed.,DecideforPeace:EvangelicalsandtheBomb(Basingstoke,Hants:Marshalls,1986).
7.AlexanderSchmemann,IntroductiontoLiturgicalTheology(LeightonBuzzard,Beds.:TheFaithPress,1966),chap.3.
8.ApostolicConstitutions,II,58.
9.Eusebius,DemonstratioEvangelica,I,8,29b.
10.JuliodeSantaAna,GoodNewstothePoor:TheChallengeofthePoorintheHistoryoftheChurch(Geneva:WorldCouncilofChurches,1977),p.77.Intheireconomicthinking,someChristianshadbeenborrowingfromtheStoicsforsometimepriortoConstantine(RedmondMullin,TheWealthofChristians[Exeter:PaternosterPress,1983],pp.6566).
11.JohnEppstein,TheCatholicTraditionoftheLawofNations(London:CatholicAssociationforInternationalPeace,1935),pp.57ff.
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12.A.H.M.Jones,TheLaterRomanEmpire,284602(Oxford,BasilBlackwell,1964),II,p.978.
13.W.K.Jordan,PhilanthropyinEngland,14801660(London:GeorgeAllenandUnwin,1959),pp.165ff.ItwasonlyamongtheReformation'sradicals,bothonthecontinentandinEngland,thattrueideasofequalitydeveloped.SeeDonaldDumbaugh,ed.,EveryNeedSupplied(Philadelphia:TempleUniversityPress,1974);ChristopherHill,WorldTurnedUpsideDown(Harmondsworth,Middx.:Penguin,1975).
14.''Itremainsanopenquestionwhetherjustwartheorieshavelimitedmorewarsthantheyhaveencouraged"(FrederickH.Russell,TheJustWarintheMiddleAges[Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1975],p.308).
15.HugoGrotius,OntheLawofWarandPeace(1625),sect.28,inArthurHolmes,ed.,WarandChristianEthics(GrandRapids,BakerBookHouse,1975),pp.235236.
16.Goudzwaard,IdolsofourTime,p.52.
17.OralcommunicationfromJohnMitchell,director,WorldDevelopmentMovement.
18.RuthLegerSivard,WorldMilitaryandSocialExpenditures,1985(Washington,D.C.:WorldPriorities,1985),p.26.FortheU.K.in1984,7.5millionpeople1inevery7peoplewerelivinginpoverty(JoannaMackandStewartLansley,PoorBritain[London:GeorgeAllenandUnwin,1985],p.182).
19.Newsweek,November26,1984,p.23.
20.U.S.Bishops'PastoralLetter(firstdraft),"CatholicSocialTeachingandtheU.S.Economy,"Origins,14,no22/23(November15,1984),p.373.
21.A.B.Cramp,EconomicsinChristianPerspective:ASketch-Map(Toronto:InstituteforChristianStudies,n.d.),VIII/36.
22.Sivard,WorldMilitaryandSocialExpenditures,1985,p.5.
23.Accordingtoinfluentialscientists,amodestexchangeofnuclearweaponsbetweenthesuperpowerswouldreleasesomuchsmokeanddustintotheatmospherethattheearthwouldbedarkenedandtheearth'stemperaturewouldplummet.Manyofthosewhohadsurvivedtheblastandradiationofthenuclearexplosionswoulddieofcoldandstarvation.SeeR.P.Turcoetal.,"NuclearWinter:GlobalConsequencesofMultipleNuclearExplosions,"Science,December23,1983,12821292;andtheexhaustivestudyofMarkHarwell,EnvironmentalConsequencesofNuclearWar(NewYork:JohnWiley,1986).
24.Goudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime,p.95.
25.QuotedintheObserver,May26,1985,p.13.
26.Guardian,April4,1985,p.14;February9,1985,p.6;Times,February8,1985,p.8.
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27.Newbigin,TheOtherSideof1984,p.1.
28.Butterfield,ChristianityandHistory,p.106.
29.ThisisastrueofEvangelicalCalvinistsasitisofliberationtheologians.SeeespeciallyGoudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime;PabloRichard,etal.,TheIdolsofDeathandtheGodofLife(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1983).OtherwritersforwhomthishasbeenanimportantthemeareRichardMouw,NicholasWolterstorff,JimWallis,DaleAukerman,KeithClements,JacquesEllul,andKarlBarth.
Chapter14
1.ThisisathemeofGeraldCoates("PioneersorSettlers,"Pioneer,1,i[Spring1983],pp.810);andofVernardEller(TheOutwardBound:Cara-vaningastheStyleoftheChurch[GrandRapids,Mich.:Eerdmans,1980],pp.1126).
2.QuotedbyGrahamCray,inasermoninSt.Michael-le-Belfrey,York,England,May5,1985.
3.JeanVanier,CommunityandGrowth(London:Darton,Longman,andTodd,1979),p.105.
4.AlanJones,JourneyintoChrist(London:SPCK,1978),p.4.
5.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality,pp.8298.
6.SeeRenéLaurentin,MiraclesinElPaso?(AnnArbor,Mich.:ServantBooks,1982);JohnH.Yoder,WhatWouldYouDo?(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1983),pp.2835.
7.Evdokimov,"HolinessintheOrthodoxTradition,"p.159.
8.FrancisSchaeffer,TheGreatEvangelicalDisaster(Westchester,Ill.:CrosswayBooks,1984),p.115.
9.JohnStott,ChristianCounter-Culture:TheMessageoftheSermonontheMount(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1978),p.63.
10.OsGuinness,TheGravediggerFile(London:HodderandStoughton,1983),p.122.
11.Vanier,CommunityandGrowth,p.75.
12.E.R.Norman,ChristianityandtheWorldOrder(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1979),p.78.
13.QuotedinMalcolmDoney,"FaithintheForces,"Today,September1982,p.19.
14.Norman,ChristianityandtheWorldOrder,p.2.
15.Wildenberger,Jesaja,p.249.
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Chapter15
1.ReinholdNiebuhr,MoralManandImmoralSociety(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1932),p.270.
2.KeithWard,"TheJustWarandNuclearArms,"inFrancisBridger,ed.,TheCrossandtheBombChristianEthicsandtheNuclearDebate(London:Mowbray,1983),p.55.
3.BrianGriffiths,TheCreationofWealth(London:HodderandStoughton,1984),pp.6263.
4.NatiomkideInitiativeinEvangelism,ProspectsfortheEighties:FromaCensusoftheChurchesin1979(London:TheBibleSociety,1980),p.15.
5.Butterfield,ChristianityandHistory,p.135.
6.Ibid.
7.RichardMouw,CalledtoHolyWorldliness(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1980),p.66.
8.KeithW.Clements,APatriotismforToday:DialoguewithDietrichBonhoeffer(Bristol:BristolBaptistCollege,1994),p.60.
9.TheClementsbook,citedinthepreviousnote,isapenetratingstudyofBonhoeffer'sstruggleswithnationhood.
10.A.F.Winnington-Ingram,q.byAlbertMarrin,TheLastCrusade:TheChurchofEnglandintheFirstWorldWar(Durham,N.C.:DukeUniversityPress,1974),p.139.
11.WalterSawatsky,SovietEvangelicalsSinceWorldWarII(Kitchener,Ontario:HeraldPress,1981),p.14;DavidB.Barrett,ed.,WorldChristianEncyclopedia(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1982),p.696.
12.ConversationwithJimPunton,January29,1986.
13.AccordingtoChristianhistorianSirHerbertButterfield,"themostpowerfulorganizationalunitinhistorythemostperfectinstrumentforpryingopenanystatusquoisthegroupofpeoplewecalla'cell'"(HistoryastheEmancipationfromthePast[London:1956],p.17).
14.JohnHowardYoder,ThePriestlyKingdom:SocialEthicsasGospel(NotreDame,Indiana:NotreDameUniversityPress,1984),p.91.
Chapter16
1.Incontrasttomanyinterpreters,whoviewthesaltprimarilyasapreservativewhichkeepsthingsfromspoiling,IthinkitismorelikelythatJesushadinmindthemorepositivepropertiesofsalt:seasoning,whichmakesgoodfoodtastebetter,andfertilizer,whichmakesgoodsoilmoreproductive(cf.Luke14:3435).This,Ibelieve,isinkeepingwithJesus'visionofholiness,whichwasnotdefensive,butoffensive.OnthisreadingofMatthew5:13,seeNewInternationalDictionaryofNewTestamentTheology,III,pp.443,445.
Page285
2.Thecorporatenatureof"light"haseludedmostWesterncommentators(butseeJohnDriver,KingdomCitizens[Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980],p.73,andEberhardArnold,SaltandLight[Rifton,N.Y.:PloughPublishing,1967],p.21,whogetitright).Ithas,however,beenobvioustothepeasantBiblereadersofSolentinameinNicaragua.SeeErnestoCardenal,ed.,TheGospelinSolentiname(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1982),I,p.194.
3.ChristianscanlearnanimmenseamountaboutthesevaluesthatwefindinJesusfromnon-Christians,notleastthoseintheGandhiantradition.
4.A.N.Triton,SalttotheWorld:TheChristianandSocialInvolvement(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1978),p.54.
5.Forideasandtestimonies,seeDorisJanzenLongacre,LivingMorewithLess(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980).
6.Fornutritionalinsightandgoodrecipes,inaframeworkofkingdomtheology,seeDorisJanzenLongacre,MorewithLessCookbook(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1976).
7.Forhelpfulhints,seeJ.LornePeachey,HowtoTeachPeacetoChildren(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1981);KathleenandJamesMcGinnis,ParentingforPeaceandJustice(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1981);JacquelineHaessly,Peacemaking:FamilyActivitiesforJusticeandPeace(NewYork:PaulistPress,1980).
8.ForperceptivecommentsonthedifficultiesofChristianinvolvementbysomeonewhoknows,seeNeilSummerton,"TheJustWar:ASympatheticCritique,"inBarclay,ed.,PacifismandWar,pp.203204.SeealsoausefulcollectionofreflectionsandcasehistoriesbyNorthAmericanMennonitesinprofessionallife(DonaldB.KraybillandPhyllisPellmanGood,eds.,PerilsofProfessionalism[Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1982]).
9.SeethefascinatingdebateintheGeneralSynodoftheChurchofEnglandbetweenthelateRaymondJohnston,whosawtheresearchas"wronginprincipleandcontrarytoChristianstandards,"and'CanonDouglasRhymes,whowasconcernedthatChristiansbeabletoinfluencegeneticengineering(Guardian,July5,1985,p.3).
10.PeterHinchcliff,HolinessandPolitics(London:Darton,Longman,andTodd,1982),p.2.HinchcliffproceedstoponderthisapparentpolarityandtheChristian'sparticipationinpoliticsinaprofoundway.
11.Thisquote,fromasixteenth-centuryAnabaptist,comesfromJohnH.Yoder,"AnabaptistsandtheSwordRevisited,"ZeitschriftfürKirchenges-chichte,85(1974),p.132.
12.SimonHughes,"TruthtoTell,"ThirdWay,March1986,p.21.
13.Forexamples,seeGeorgeMcRobie,SmallIsPossible(NewYork:HarperandRow,1981).
14.Yoder,PriestlyKingdom,p.37.
15.TheGreenpeaceofficeinLewes,Sussex,iscommendablydoingthis(Guardian,February29,1985,p.2).
16.Guardian,September29,1983,p.2.
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17.E.g.,theworkofCatholicthinkerStanWindass,inStanWindass,ed.,AvoidingNuclearWar:CommonSecurityasaStrategyfortheDefenceoftheWest(London:Brassey'sDefencePublishers,1985).
18.JohnLampen,ed.,WillWarren:AScrapbook(London:QuakerHomeService,1983).
19.Seethestudypacket,includingcontributionsbymanyIrishandEnglishpeopleandformativetheologicalcontributionsbyHaddonWillmer,availablefrom:ForgivenessandPoliticsStudyGroup,2EatonGate,LondonSW1W9BL,England.
20.TheFutureofWorkerCo-opsinLondon(London:IndustrialCommonOwnershipMovement,1986).
21.A.B.Cramp,EconomicsinChristianPerspective,VIII/38,IX/25;ChristianArena,June1985.
22.CarlKreider,TheChristianEntrepreneur(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),pp.177178.
23.Origins,14,no22/23(November15,1984),p.381.
24."Stepping-stone"isawayofexpressing,innontechnicallanguage,whatethicistscalla"middleaxiom"(JohnH.Yoder,TheChristianWitnesstotheState(Newton,Kans.:FaithandLifePress,1964),pp.7273.
25.Goudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime,p.106,Forhiscommentsonthemultilateralaspectsofdisarmament,seeibid.,pp.7075.
Chapter17
1.JohnStoner,"AModestProposalforChristianUnity,"OneWorld,May1984,p.18.Ipersonallywouldwanttomakealargercommitmentaswellnottokillnon-Christians,either.ForourGod"hascompassionoverallthathehasmade"(Ps.145:9).Givena
missionaryunderstandingofGod'sprojectforhiscreation,theoutsiderisalwaysapotentialbrotherorsister.
2.ArchbishopofCanterbury'sCommissiononUrbanPriorityAreas,FaithintheCity:ACallforActionbyChurchandNation(London:ChurchHousePublishing,1985),pp.158159.
3.Laurentin,MiraclesinElPaso?
4.DaveJackson,Dial911:PeacefulChristiansandUrbanViolence(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1981).
5.ForarecentillustrationofthecapacityoftheChristianchurchtogrowunderpersecution,seeDavidH.Adeney,China:TheChurch'sLongMarch(Ventura,Calif.,RegalBooks,1985),pp.140143.
6.LynnR.BuzzardandLaurenceEck,TellIttotheChurch(Elgin,Ill.:DavidC.CookPublishingCo.,1982);RonaldS.Kraybill,RepairingtheBreach:MinisteringinCommunityConflict(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980).Forvictim-offenderreconciliation,seethelengthyhow-to-do-itmanual,TheVORPBook(availablefromthePACTInstituteofJustice,106N.Franklin,Valparaiso,Ind.46383,USA).
Page287
7.Forthestoryofmembersof"WitnessforPeace"underfire,seeSojourners,October1985,pp.710.
8.PaulG.Weller,"ForHeIsOurPeace:BaptistResponsibilitiesinBritish-ArgentinianReconciliation,"BaptistQuarterly,31(1985),pp.6673.
9.LesterR.Brown,etal.,StateoftheWorld1986:AWorldwatchInstituteReportonProgressTowardaSustainableSociety(NewYork:Norton,1986),p.197.
10.SeethemanifestobyaleadingWestGermanTVjournalist,AlbrechtAlt(PeaceIsPossible:ThePoliticsoftheSermomontheMount[NewYork:ShockenBooks,1985]).
11.Seeabove,Chapter6,note13.
12.HerbertButterfield,WritingsonChristianityandHistory,ed.C.T.McIntire(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1979),p.254.
13.JürgenMoltmann,TheChurchinthePoweroftheSpirit(London:SCMPress,1977),p.193.
Page288
SUGGESTIONSFORFURTHERREADINGBorg,MarcusJ.Conflict,HolinessandPoliticsintheTeachingsofJesus(NewYork:EdwinMellenPress,1984)
Brueggemann,Walter.LivingTowardaVision:BiblicalReflectionsonShalom(Philadelphia:UnitedChurchPress,1982)
Butterfield,SirHerbert.ChristianityandHistory(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1950)
Cassidy,RichardJ.Jesus,PoliticsandSociety:AStudyofLuke'sGospel(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1978)
Clements,KeithW.APatriotismforToday:DialoguewithDietrichBonhoeffer(Bristol,England:BristolBaptistCollege,1984)
Goudzwaard,Bob.IdolsofOurTime(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1984)
Hauerwas,Stanley.ThePeaceableKingdom:APrimerinChristianEthics(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1983)
Kraybill,DonaldB.TheUpside-DownKingdom(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1978)
Kraybill,DonaldB.,andPhyllisPellmanGood,eds.Perilsof
Page289
Professionalism:EssaysonChristianFaithandProfessionalism(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1982)
Kreider,Carl.TheChristianEntrepreneur(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)
Lind,MillardC.YahwehIsaWarrior:TheTheologyofWarfareinAncientIsrael(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)
Longacre,DorisJanzen.LivingMorewithLess(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)
Longaere,DorisJanzen.MorewithLessCookbook(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1976)
McRobie,George.SmallIsPossible(NewYork:HarperandRow,1981)
Mouw,Richard.CalledtoHolyWorldliness(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1980)
Newbigin,Lesslie.TheOpenSecret:SketchesforaMissionaryTheology(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1978)
Otto,Rudolf.TheIdeaoftheHoly:AnInquiryintotheNon-rationalFactorintheIdeaoftheDivineandItsRelationtotheRational,2nded.(NewYork,Oxford:UniversityPress,1958)
Vanier,Jean.CommunityandGrowth(London:Darton,LongmanandTodd,1979)
Vogt,Virgil.TreasureinHeaven:TheBiblicalTeachingaboutMoney,FinancesandPossessions(AnnArbor:ServantBooks,1982)
Wallis,Jim.TheCalltoConversion(SanFrancisco:HarperandRow,1983)
Wright,ChristopherJ.H.LivingasthePeopleofGod:TheRelevance
ofOldTestamentEthics(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1983)
Yoder,JohnHoward.ThePoliticsofJesus(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1972)
Yoder,JohnHoward.ThePriestlyKingdom:SocialEthicsasGospel(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1984)
Page290
INDEXOFSCRIPTURESANDOTHERANCIENTWRITINGS
Genesis
12:3 35,128,163
49:10 92
Exodus
1:7 53
1:15-22 53
2:11-14 54
2:23-25 54,95
3:4-5 55
3:5 37
3:6-8 55
3:10 55
3:18 56
3:20 56
4:15 56
4:31 56
5:1 57
7:4 57
8:19 57
12:39 58
14:13 51,66
14:13-14 58
14:25 59
14:27 59
14:31 59
15 19-21
15:1 63
15:1-3 20
15:1-18 63
15:7 64
15:9 63
15:10-11 20
15:11 42,63
15:13 21,66
15:16 66
15:17 21,64
15:18 64
15:21 63
15:24 60
15:27 60
16:3 60
16:4 61
16:13 61
16:18 192
16:20 61
16:23 61
16:32-35 63
17:8 83
19:5 40
19:6 35,69,87
19:16-19 69
21:1-2 71
22:21-23 70
23:9 70
23:10-13 71
23:11 72
23:20-23 75
32:5 84
Leviticus
10:10 39
11:44 40
11:45 42
19:2 70,160
19:9-10 73
19:18 163
19:25 77
19:36 41
20:7-8 40
21:17 41
22:32-33 65
23:18-20 41
25:10 72,74,276
25:11 276
25:12 72,74
25:13 276
25:20 74
25:23 72,74
25:28 276
25:36-37 159
26:6 88
27:17 276
Numbers
11:5 83
11:8 61
11:31 61
13:28 83
13:33: 83
14:4 83
14:22-23 83
16:13 83
20 84
23:9 35
24:8 77,87
Page291
Deuteronomy
4:20 70
4:23 70
79 35
7:1-4 141
7:6 40
7:8 35
8:4 74
8:17 73
12:29 87
12:30 88
13:15-16 76
14:28-29 73
15:1 276
15:2 72
15:4 111
15:4-5 74
15:7-10 159
15:9 276
15:11 74
15:15 73
17:14-20 92
17:15 140
18:9 70
18:18 131
20 75
20:1 77,78
20:5 78
20:5-9 78
20:10-15 76
20:16 76
20:18 77
21:23 172
23:14 75
24:19-22 73
26:19 88
28:7-9 79
32:35 198
32:51 84
Joshua
1:5 189
5:12 79
6:24 80
7 80
7:11 76
7:12 80
8:2 274
10:11 117,274
11:6 78-79
11:9 98,275
24 52
Judges
45 81
4:3 81
5:3 81
5:21 274
67 80
6:5 81
6:24 41
7:2 79
7:22 81,92
20:23 274
1Samuel
4:9 89
67 89
7:2 89
7:3-6 89
7:7-11 90
7:10 274
7:12 90
8:2 91
8:5 91
8:7 92
8:8 93
8:9 93
8:11-18 93
8:17 95
8:18 95
8:19-20 95
8:20 87
10:5 106
10:6-10 96
10:17-19 96
10:18 274
11:5 96
11:6 96
11:7 96
11:13 96
12:6 274
12:6-18 96
12:19-25 96
14:52 97
15:18-19 96
16:14 274
17:45-47 96
18:7 96
22:2 97
23:9-12 274
27:2 274
2Samuel
5:6 274
5:23 274
8:4 98,275
12:7 106
12:21 99
15:1 98
15:18 274
16:23 97
17:14 97
20:7 274
24:10 99
1Kings
1:5 98
5:13-16 99,274
9:15 99
9:20-22 274
10:26 99
11:1-4 101
11:30-39 102
12:4 274
12:18 100,102,274
15:11 275
20:13-21 275
20:28-30 275
21 80
22:6 106
22:8 107
22:22 108
22:27 107
22:43 275
2Kings
2:12 275
6:8-19 275
6:17 275
7:3-8 275
18:3 275
19:7 274
19:14-37 275
2223 119
22:2 119
25:9 123
1Chronicles
21:3 99
2Chronicles
7:14 237
9:3-4 237
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9:8 100
9:22 102
13:13-16 275
14:9-13 275
19:6 274
20:1-4 120
20:5-12 120
20:14-19 120
20:20 120
20:21-24 121
26:15 22,275
28:23 115
32:20-22 275
36:21 123
Ezra
9:2 141
Nehemiah
9:36 138
9:36-37 126
Job
38:23 117
Psalms
2:7 276
34:7-9 82
44:9-11 105
44:18 105
44:23-24 105
46:1-2 121
46:6 121
46:7 122
46:8-9 121
46:10 121,268
46:11 122
74:9 141
78 121
78:41-42 84
84:5 223
84:11 82
136 121
136:1 266
137:1 124
137:4 124
145:10-12 43
145:21 43
Isaiah
2:2-4 129
2:5 129
2:7 275
2:7-8 115
2:12 115-116
3:14-15 112
3:16 112
5:7 111
5:8 111
5:9 23
5:16 23
6 21-23,106
6:1 225
6:3 22
6:8 42
7:9 23,120
7:1-9 119
9:6 129
9:7 129,130
9:19-21 113
10:1 111
10:2 111
10:5 116
10:5-15 278
10:12 117
10:15 116
11:4 130
11:6-8 30,131
11:9 48,131
11:10 129
11:16 126
28:21 117
29:3 117
30:1-2 113
30:12-13 116
30:15 119
30:30 117
31:1 113,275
37:14-38 275
38:6 274
40:15 34
42:1 130,176
42:3-4 132
42:4 130
42:6 182
44:17 115
45:1 125
45:1-5 34
45:13 125
45:22-23 128
49:3 130
49:6 35,130,173,243
52:13 130
52:15 133
53:5 132,172
53:11 132,172
56:7 171
58:2 114
58:3-4 114
58:6 276
58:6-7 114
58:9 114
61:1 130
61:1-2 131,156,276
61:9 131
Jeremiah
2:3 110
2:26-37 275
2:34 275
2:36-37 275
5:28 111
6:4 75
6:14 110
6:16 110,118
6:17 274
6:19 31,116
7:4 109
7:4-5 171
7:5-7 118
7:11 170
7:22-28 118
7:31 114
8:15 110
9:1 168
10.7 128
11:21 107
14:13 109
14:14 108
22:13 111
22:15-16 119
23:3 126
23:17 109-110
23:18 105,107-108
25:8-38 278
25:9 34,116,198,200
25:12 117
25:38 198,200
27:6 34,198,275
28:2 106
29:5-7 126,185
29:7 199
34:8-10 122
Page293
34:13-16 123
34:17 123
35:15 119
37:13 107
38:2 199
38:4 107
38:20-21 199
39:6-9 123
39:10 123
41:8 276
43:10.1 34,198,275
5051 199
51:20 116
Ezekiel
2:2-3 106
3:17 107
13:2 107,108
13:3 108
13:6 108
13:11 110
13:13 117
17:17 275
18:32 118
20:33 128
30:24 278
33:7 274
36:22-25 125
36:26 130
37:24 130
46:17 276
46:17-18 131
Daniel
3:27 127
6:23 127
Hosea
8:7 116
8:7-10 275
8:4-14 275
8:14 275
9:7 107
9:8 274
10:13-14 116,275
Joel
2:28 130
Amos
3:8 108
3:15 111
5:14-15 118
5:18 116
5:21-24 113-114
7:12-13 106
8:3 116
8:11 141
Micah
3:5 75
3:8-9 102
3:11 109
4:1-4 129
5:10-11 113
6:4-5 118
Habakkuk
1:6 33
1:13 116-117
2:1 107
2:18 115
Zechariah
4:6 133
9:9 129
9:9-10 131-132,170
14:19 128
Matthew
5:9 165
5:10-12 169
5:13 281
5:13-16 241-243
5:14 36
5:39 196
5:43-48 164
5:44 166
5:45 164,165
5:46-47 165
5:47 162
5:48 165,203,277
6:1-2 158
6:7 36,162
6:12 159
6:25-33 160
6:32 162
7:13-14 221
7:21-23 242
7:24-27 230
8:11 163
8:11-12 166,164
15:2 145
18:32 159
20:26 162
22:40 163
23 173
23:23-26 155
26:27-28 172
26:28 163
26:52 168
27:43 172
27:51 173
28:18-19 48
28:20 224
Mark
1:15 151,221
1:16-20 153
1:24 148-149
2:13-14 153
7:1-23 154
7:5 154
8:34 169
9:50 197
10:17-22 157
10:30 159,161
11:7-10 170
11:17 170,171
11:18 171,246
12:17 162,198
12:30-31 155
12:34 154
15:39 173
Luke
1:15 150
1:35 148,150
1:42 150
1:67 150
1:73-74 144
2:27 150
3:1-3 34
3:16 150
3:22 150
4:18-19 156
4:25-27 156-157
5:8 149
6:24 157
6:27 196
6:27-36 277
6:28 268
Page294
6:34 159
6:36 149,160
6:40 48,149,168
7:39 154
8:2-3 161
8:3 153
8:14 157
8:21 169
8:42-48 154
9:28-36 39
9:29 153
9:31 174
9:51 169-170
10:3 169
10:6 166
10:29 163
10:29-37 163
12:4 166
12:15 188
12:16-20 157
12:32 159
12:33 159
12:34 157
13:1 140
13:3 167
13:5 167
14:34-35 281
15:11-32 154-155
16:13 157
16:19-31 157
17:18 141,162
18:18-23 160
19:1-10 160
19:41 168
19:41-44 231
19:42 29,167,222
19:43-44 168
21:20 168
22:25 162
23:19 172
23:28 168
23:34 172
24:13-35 173
24:49 174-175
John
1:36 269
2:14-15 171
2:15 277
5:17 51
5:20 230
7:49 146
8:39 169
11:32 172
11:48 143
14:9 153
14:18 177
14:21 169
14:27 177
15:26 177
19:11 34
19:39 154
Acts
1:3 179
1:5 179
2:2 179
2:3 179
2:27 276
2:36 177
2:40 179
2:42 180
2:45 180
3:14 39,177,276
4 24-26
4:13 177
4:29-30 25
4:32 180
4:33 181
4:34 180
5:4 180
5:29 198,266
6:1-7 190
6:3 180
7 52
8:17 182
9:32 181
10 42
10:13 182
10:14-15 182
10:20 183
10:22 183
10:23 183
10:28 183
10:36 184
10:44-48 184
11:27-28 191
11:29-30 191
13:46 184
13:47 178
14:22 32
15 184
17:6 178-179
18:2-3 195
26:23 178
26:28-29 182
28:22 195
Romans
6:19 202
8:15 204
8:22 31,32
8:25 32
12:2 186,196
12:13 190,193
12:14 197
12:17 196
12:18 197,263
12:19 196,197,198
12:21 196
13:1 197
13:3-5 197
13:4 34,198,200,278,246
13:6-7 197
14:17 270
15:7 204
15:16 43,202
15:25-32 190
15:26 191
15:27 277
16:3-5 195
1Corinthians
1:26 33,201
1:28 33
3:11 254
4:16 279
4:20 231
5:9 188
5:9-11 188
5:10 201
6:10 188
7:14 201
10:16 277
11:1 279
11:24 204
16:1-4 190
16:2-3 191
2Corinthians
2:5-11 203
Page295
2:15 202
3:18 40,177
5:17 30
89 190,191
8:1-4 191
8:4 193
8:6 192
8:9 191,204
12:9 224
12:9-10 268
8:13-14 192
8:15 192
8:19 192
9:5 188
9:7 192
9:8 189,192
9:10 191-192
9:12-13 192
13:14 277
Galatians
2:9-10 184
3:28 186
6:15 30
Ephesians
1:10 30,47
2:15 35
2:19 185
3:10 201
4:11-13 203
4:13 44
4:15 262
4:28 189
5:1 279
5:5 188
Philippians
1:5 277
2:11 177
3:10 204
3:20 186
4:22 202
Colossians
1:15 205,228
1:20 30
1:28 203
2:6 202
3:5 188
3:11 178
1Thessalonians
1:6 279
2:14 279
4:3-6 44
4:3-7 188
5:15 196
2Thessalonians
3:10 193
1Timothy
2:1-2 200,267
2:2 197,200
2:2-4 201
6:8 189
6:9-10 188
2Timothy
3:12 39
Hebrews
2:10 205
2:15 205
6:5 32
9:13-14 43
10:10 40,202
11:13 185
11:14-16 186
12:10 28,224
12:11 47
12:14 32,202
13:5 189
13:12 43,202
13:14 186
13:16 190
James
1:20 194
4:1-3 194
5:1-6 187
1Peter
1:1 185,193,214
1:2 43,202
1:6 278
1:7 278
1:14 196
1:14-15 36,186
1:15 44
2:9 36,178,196
2:9-10 185
2:11. 185,278
2:12 186,196,201,278
2:13 196-197
2:13-14 199
2:13-17 236
2:14 197
2:15 197
2:16 197
2:17 197,199
2:20 278
2:20-21 201
2:21 204
3:1 201
3:1-6 201
3:6 278
3:9 196,197
3:11 197
3:13 197
3:14-17 202
3:15 199
3:15-18 201,278
4:3-4 202
4:4 278
4:12 199,278
4:19 278
5:13 199
2Peter
3:10 31
3:13 32
1John
1:1 176-177
1:3 277
1:7 277
2:6 44,203
3:2-3 44
Revelation
3:7 43-44,177
5:9 244
7:9 149
13:10 200
14:4 270
17:6 199
18:2 200
18:3 199-200
2122 30
21:5 30,48
21:23 269
Page296
Apocrypha
Ecclesiasticus
36:7 162
1Maccabees
1:11-15 141
2:27 144
2:61 126
4:46 141
13:51 170
GreekandLatinAuthors
ApostolicConstitutions
II,58 213
Diognetus,Epistleto
5:5 211
Eusebius
DetnonstratioEvangelica
I,8,29b 213
EcclesiasticalHistory
III,v.3 194
Hippolytus
ApostolicTradition
16 211
Josephus
Antiquities
XVII,x,9-10 144
JewishWar
II,ix,4 139,140
II,xvii,6 139
Justin
IApology
14 211
67 279
Suetonius
Claudius
25,4 195
Page297
GENERALINDEX
A
Aaron57,64,84
Abraham52,54,128,163,169,185,223,248
Absalom98
Achaia191
Adonijah98
Ahab106,107
Ahaz23,115,119,120
Ahijah102
Ahithophel97
Amalekites96
Ammonites99
Amos106,108,114,118
Anabaptism215
Ananias180
Andrew153
Annas142
Arameans98
Assyria22,23,34,102,104,109,113,116,119,123,125,138,162,278
Astarte85,89,102,115
Augustine214
B
Baal85,89,102,115
Babylon34,102,104,106,109,116,118,122-125,138,163,198,199,236,244,245,278
Baptism150,164,177,184,225
Barabbas172
Barak81-82
Barnabas184
Bethel106
Bonhoeffer,Dietrich236
Bruce,F.F.193
Butterfield,SirHerbert116,220,235
C
Caesarea183-184
Caiaphas142
Caleb83
Calvinism216,280
Canaan52,93,98
Canaanites70,81,141
Chaldea116
Chariots58,78-79,81,94,98,112-113
Childs,Brevard59
Civildisobedience53,246
Claudius195
Clements,Keith236
Commonfund180,190-193,211-212
Constantine212
Contentment189
Cooperatives256
Corban140
Corinth191
Cornelius183
Covenant89
CovenantCode71,75
Covetousness188
Cranfield,C.E.B.278
Cyrus34,125
D
Daniel127
David96-98,103-104,124,131
Page298
DayoftheLord31-32,115-116
Deborah81
Debts72
DeuteronomicCode75,92
Douglas,Mary41
E
Ebenezer90
Eisenhower,DwightD.220
Elijah174
Elim60
Egypt52,56,57,59,67,73,83,95,104,111,113,119,123,126
Emmaus173
Essenes145-146,226,241
''Establishment"142-143
Evdokimov,Paul41
Exodus19-21,42,57-60,65-66,70-71,73-74,77,88,92,95,110,112,118,120,131,155,174,178,187,189,192,223-224,230
Ezekiel107,118,125
Ezra126,138,141
F
Fear59,77,120,159,166
Finzi,Gerald39
Forster,Roger213
Francis,ofAssisi38
G
Gabriel148
Galatia191
Galilee139,150,156
Gerazim,Mount141
Gideon81,89,91
Goliath96
Gorbachev,Mikhail272
Goudzwaard,Bob257-258
Grace58,71,92,132,191-192,240
Grace,concrete59,64,70,73-74,78,83,86,90,93-94,110,121,152,181,267
Griffiths,Brian234
Guinness,Os222
H
Habakkuk107,115-117
Hananiah106
Harald,kingofDenmark215
Hellenism140-141
Hezekiah119
Herem75,203
Herod139
Hinchcliff,Peter282
Holiness27,37-44,65,67-68,74,79,88,110,118,121,129,142,144-147,149,153-155,161,164-165,168,174,176,178-179,184,186,188,201,225,232,241,245
Holiness,dynamism41-42,160,166,230-231
Holiness,godlikeness40-41,160,165,228-230
Holiness,livingforce37-39,55,159,164,224-226
Holiness,separateness39-40,159-160,164-165,226-228
HolyCity30-32,41,48,179,228,231,270
HolySpirit26,32,36,43,89,91,96,102,107,130,133,141,148-149,156,164,177,182,184,187,190,201,204-205,225,229,231,270
HolyWar74-79,94,96-98,117,120,163-164,203,237
Hosea107,116
Huldah118
I
Idolatry68,76,79,84-85,89,93,101-102,188,203,219-220
Imitation70,168,203-204
Ireland256
Isaiah21-23,35,38,42,114,117,120,125,129,132,171,178
Israel104,112,123,125
J
Jabin78
Jacob52
Jael82
Jahaziel120
James187,194
Jehoshaphat120
JellingStone215
Jepthah189
Jeremiah34,107,118,122,126,167-168,170,185,200,246,265,272,275-276
Jericho80
Jerusalem21,99-101,103-104,106,117-118,123-124,139-140,142,161,168,170,176,180,182,184,198,265
Jesus25-26,31,34,36,38,44,48,51,138,144,147,148-175,176-186,188-189,192,194-196,201,203-205,211,221-222,225-232,235,241-243,246,254-255,258,265-266,269-270
JewishWar139,147,194
Page299
Joab98-99
Joanna153
John(theapostle)25
JohntheBaptist150,269
John(theseer)199-200
Jones,A.H.M.216
Joppa181,182
JordanRiver150
Joseph52-53
Josephus140
Joshua52,80,83,98,131
Josiah118-119
Jotham22
Jubilee26,39,72-74,79-80,94,111-112,114,119,123,131-132,156-158,160,181,184,190-193,215,236,261
Judah103,112,115,120,123,125
JudasMaccabaeus126,144,276
Judges89-90,96,98,102
JustWartheory76,214,216,273,279
Justice73,111-112,117,119,130,132,150,155,158,160,170,230,239,243-244,262
JustinMartyr211-212
K
Kingship68,77,88,90-103,106,111,128,130-132,170,200,212
KingdomofGod152,155,157,159,161,166-167,173,179,188,221,231,234,243,245
Kishon(brook)81
Koinonia180,189-190,193,261
L
Lake,Frank44
Law67,69-79,81,88-89,92,94,110-112,115,118,122,129,131,141-142,144-145,155-156,158,160,163,172,182,246,265
Lazarus157
LiberationTheology280
Liberty71-72,122,156,276
Lind,Millard93
Luke34,140,150,156,174
M
Macedonia191
Manna61-62,79,192
Mannaprinciples61,74,94-95,111,131,158,189,192,212
Marah60
Mark151
Martha161
Mary,ofBethany161
Mary,motherofJesus148
Maslow,Abraham45,225
Massah83
Materialism46-47,94
Meribah84
Messiah129-133,177-178,183,195,244,254
Micah103,129
Micaiah107
Midian54,80-81,91
Militarism47,93-94,218-219
Militaryinferiority77-79,94,98
Miracle57,75,80,95,120
Mission47-48
Moses53-63,69,131,198
Murmuring(whining)60,82-84,72
N
Naboth80
Nathan106
Nation,Holy34-36,42,69-70,87,101,105,116,125,130,142-143,161-164,169,173,185-186,196-198,205,233-236,239-240,244,260,264
Nations,the(Gentiles)33-34,87,90,95,105,111,116-117,130,141-142,145-147,157,159,162-163,170-172,183-184
Nazareth137,144,149,156-158
Nebuchadnezzar34,104,106,116,127,198,275
Neher,Andre74
Nero195
Newbigin,Lesslie138
Niebuhr,Reinhold233,238
Noth,Martin68
Nuclearwinter280
O
Ostia212
Othniel89
P
Paul(Saul)33,182,184,186,188-189,191-192,194-195,197-198,201-202,220,231,262
Pella194
Pentateuch145
Pentecost179-181,184,187,190
Persia104,125
Peter24-25,35,39,42,44,149,153,180-184,186,194-195,197-202,236
Pharisees142,145-146,154-155,165,171
Page300
Philistines89,96
Pilate,Pontius34,139-140
Pioneer203-205,224
PoorPeople111,119,160
PriscillaandAquila195
Project,God's30,37,66,270
Prophets,Dissident102,106-107,110-119,122,125,127,132,141,152,155-156,169,173
Prophets,Establishment106-110
Protection45-47,57-60,74-80,96,131-132,164-166,193-196,262-263
Provision45-47,60-62,71-74,79-80,130-131,159-161,181,261-262
Psalms62,82,84,105,121
Puah53
Punton,Jim238
Q
Quakers215
R
Red(Reed)Sea58-60
Reequalization73-74,158,180
Reformation216
Rehob98
Rehoboam100,102,274
Renewalgroups143-147,150-152,161-162,168,183,215,226
Repentance117-119,152,167,221-222
Romans126,139-147,158,162,165,167,170,172-173,182-183,194-195,231
Rome34,104,176,178,185,194-195,199
S
Sabbath(day)39,61-62,252
Sabbath(year)71-72,74,79-80,94,112,114,119,123
Sadducees142,145
Saints(HolyOnes)177,179,190-191,193,213-214,234
SaltandLight241-243
Samaria100,103
Samaritans141,163
Samuel89-96,101
Sanctification202,213
Sanhedrin142
Sapphira180
Sarah52,128,185,223,248
Saul96-97,106,129
Schaeffer,Francis227
Sepphoris144
SexualImmorality44,188
ShalmaneserIII85,90-91
Shalom41,88,107,108-110,126,131-132,168,199
Sheba,Queenof100
Sherman,GeneralWilliamT.75
Shiphrah53
Sinai67
Sisera81-82
Skull,Placeofthe172-173
Slavery71,73,83,92,95,112,119,122-124,138
Solomon99-103,124
Stephen52
Stoics214,279
Stott,John227
Subordination197-198,200,235
Syria115,126
T
Taxation139,142,147,156,160,190,195,197,278
Temple99,101,109,115,139,141,143,146,169-171,190,246
Thessalonica193
Timothy200
Tithes145-147,155
Triton,A.N.246
U
UrinChaldea35,53
Uzziah22-23
V
Vaux,Rolandde97-98,100-101
Victim-OffenderReconciliationProgram263
W
Waldensians215
Ward,Keith233-234
Warren,Will256
Weaponry58-59,63,75,78-79,92,94,98,112-113,115-116,129,131-132,218-219
Wenham,Gordon72
Wesley,John38,47
Wilderness57-58,68,186
Willmer,Haddon282
Wimber,John223
Windass,Stan282
Wolterstorff,Nicholas271
Worship42-43,60,62-65,82,109,113-115,120-121,142-143,204,266-268
Worship,praise63,82,267
Worship,storytelling43,63-65,90,118,266-267
Worship,trust114-115,121-122,266
Wright,Christopher72
Page301
Y
Yadin,Yigael98
Yoder,JohnHoward254
Z
Zacchaeus160
Zealots144,197
Zechariah(priest)144
Zechariah(prophet)170
Zedekiah122-123
Page303
THEAUTHOR
In1966AlanKreiderarrivedinLondon,England,asayoungAmericangraduatestudentdoingathesisontheEnglishReformation.Tohisgreatsurprise(andpleasurehelovesEngland!),hehasspentmostoftheyearssincetheninLondon.Hisprimaryconcernhasshiftedaswellfromacademichistorytotherenewalandmissionofthechurch.
Histraininghasbeenstrictlyhistorical:fromGoshenCollege,wherehedidhisundergraduatetraining,toHarvard