Chapter 23

In doing this New Testament course I have come to a new appreciation in what it really means to be a Christian and read the Bible. It is not some flimsy book that makes you feel good. Instead it is both DENSE and DYNAMIC filled with controversy, deep deep history, heated discussions, cultural tension, and supernatural events. And, on a different note is fundamentally based on a different religion: Judaism- wild eh? That being said it is interesting to ponder: what is Christianity?
I think Christianity on a theological level is simply: lifestyle and mindset based on Jesus Christ, the one whom fulfilled the JEWISH prophesy for Gods salvation. How cool is that eh. We are a springboard of Judaism. Maybe it’s just me, but I never fully comprehended what that meant before. I appreciate that Drane notes that at the beginning of this chapter.
I find it quite intriguing looking at how Judaism always sought to apply God or his Law into every aspect of their lives. I have observed that within modern Christian culture, we tend to separate secular from sacred. The book of James clearly a call away from this by using several examples: taking care of less fortunate, controlling speech, fair business dealings. It is super interesting that these examples and teachings are so action-based that some are sceptical as to if they are even Christian. And there is further skeptism on authorship and time and place and purpose etc....before I took for granted that my little study bible just says that James, Jesus brother wrote this book. If indeed a Christian wrote this I think his motives were good based on emphasizing the application of faith.
Again, Drane touches on the sensitive time period during the establishment of the Christian church. What tension! I can totally understand why Jewish Christians would want to continue to worship in the temple. They were still Jews- but they were Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah. Of course they would want to go and worship God as well as tell others about Jesus. But what a pickle the church was in when Gentiles kept being added to the mix- they just wanted Jesus, they didn’t need this entire Jewish hullabaloo. And how about those sacrifices and unneeded rituals? The Jewish Christians would have probably gotten tired of this as Jesus was the final and complete bridge. A NEW covenant had been made and this was a time of tension between the Jews who understood that, the Jews who didn’t understand that, and the non-Jewish who accepted the covenant. The book of Hebrews was probably a direct letter toward these issues. The author calls all Christians to make Christ’ new covenant the center of their faith- with the realization that it may get uncomfortable!
1 Peter takes a clear stance on the Christian community including all people choosing Christ- Jew or Gentile (Christian status) and that they should work and grow in a community like mindset (Christian development). He addresses Christian behaviour and how they are to be distinct and set apart from all worldly actions, finishing with addressing the need for a Servants heart in all work and ministry.
I would agree with Drane when he says that Revelation is the least studied and understood book of the NT- I definitely am a culprit to that claim and therefore appreciated Drane’s Revelation summaries, “It presents a distinctive and positive Christian explanation of the presence of evil in the affairs of human life... The main point of the book is not to be found in God’s judgement upon evil, but in the conviction that God is now in the process of making a new world from which evil will be completely banished”. I think it would be good to do a solid manuscript study on Revelation to gain more understanding and insight into this book. Caution should be given when interpreting though! This book was written as a vision from God with direct purpose for the 7 churches of Asia. If we put God in his rightful place, he is far more creative, exciting, and immeasurable than we can comprehend. So grasping how he is going to bring ultimate peace and justice on Earth may be a sticky one (but we should still try anyways and seek to be informed!).