While famed Jesus Seminar co-founder John Dominic Crossan is well known for his weighty analysis of the historical Jesus, he warns the Church not to spend so much time on the Messenger that we miss the Message.
Crossan, a former Catholic priest and prolific writer, (out with a brand new book called The Power of Parable) believes the Church is at its best when it incarnates the message of the Kingdom: God’s love and reconciliation for all. Hear why this scholar urges the Church to restore the freshness of Christ’s message for the world.
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Synopsis
John Dominic Crossan says today’s Christian leaders need 1) passion for the message of Christ and 2) an informed disposition. In this interview the New Testament scholar reminds us of the importance of taking Jesus’ ministry and message in context – viewed through the matrix of not just the who, but when, where, and how. Here are my notes:
Baptism Is Not a Lobotomy
We are called to worship God not just with our hearts and souls – but with our minds. Crossan sees room for improvement among Christian leaders – and challenges them to ‘study to show thyself approved.’
It’s a Cop Out to Focus on Jesus
It’s not the messenger but the message that counts. Crossan says the endless debates of the unknowable details of who Jesus was only sidetrack us from the real issue which is Christ’s message – and how we are called to incarnate it.
Biggest Misunderstanding About Jesus
Crossan says its when we take Jesus out of His matrix (context). He was a real person in a real place and we’re best to interpret Him as such.
About John Dominic Crossan
John Dominic Crossan taught for many years at DePaul University in Chicago. Generally acknowledged as the premier historical Jesus scholar in the world, his books include The Historical Jesus, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, Who Killed Jesus?, and Who Is Jesus? He is the current president of the Society of Biblical Literature and was co-founder of the Jesus Seminar, in which he remains an active leader.
Books Dr. Crossan Recommends
The Heart of Christianity – Marcus Borg
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time – Marcus Borg
The Last Week – Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan
You may also be interested in some of John Dominic Crossan’s latest ventures on YouTube.
Sponsors I Mentioned
Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest Episcopal Seminary in the U.S., forming men and women for leadership in the church. In addition to the MDiv, Anglican Studies and DMin degrees are their Masters of Arts degrees with a fous on Theological Studies, Christian Formation, Religion & Culture, and Biblical Interpretation. Check them out at vts.edu.
I care to add to the Jesus origins accounts by saying this: I have seen God’s Face, and if me, why not others (as some Churches acknowledge), and if others, seems like Jesus may be a product of this very Divine Revelaton… hence I call myself “Generic Jesus”
Wonder what Dominic Crossant or others would say about this revelation of mine.
If you desire the written account, please request it, plus other revealatory words of mine..
thanks, bill