Eph 2:14-15 NRSV For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. (15) He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,
It is important to remember that Jesus was born a Jew. He, like all Jewish boys in the first century was taught the Torah. He no doubt attended Torah school as a child. Therefore, He thought in Hebrew even though his native language was Aramaic. And, since most of the first century apostles were Jewish there is a lot to be gained from understanding the Jewishness of the first century gospel.
What is the pristine gospel?
It is of utmost importance to define the gospel. Is the gospel a series of books with that name attached, like the Gospel of John, The Gospel of Matthew? It seems that there is a variety of answers to the question even in evangelical orthodoxy. But, what was the content of the pristine gospel that caused the religious leaders of the first century to complain that their world had been turned upside down? If we are to hope to gain a new humanity in this fourth age since the beginning of the biblical narrative we have to be certain that we have a precise definition of the gospel. The reason is that the Holy Spirit used the gospel in the first century to supernaturally transform individuals and communities.
I will try to summarize the gospel that I believe the first century saints were taught. It must be stated that the gospel means good news. The Parent God, who established the gospel before the creation of anything so that humans would praise God's glorious grace established a plan of redemption. In the creative act, when the Word created humanity, He declared that it was very good. Not wanting robots, but rather, thinking, rational beings, God provided the opportunity to choose to have the knowledge of good and evil, without which, humanity would not be able to praise at all. God knew full well that the choice would be made, but that in choosing the knowledge of good and evil, there would be a chasm between God and humanity because the choice would result in the entrance of death into the human condition.
Death produced uncertainty and resulted in fear of the unknown. Likewise, God became unknown. Humanity could hope that there was a benevolent God and that fear was unfounded, but could not know that aside from faith. The knowledge of good and evil, Paul called it the wisdom of the world coupled with death made perfect faith impossible to acheive. This describes the human state of being lost. It is important to explain that in all of this God never changed is original declaration that the creation of humanity was very good. However people and societies could choose to be evil. Fear of death made them choose evil all too often. In many ways, it was part of the survival instinct without which humanity would not continue to thrive.
Humanity needed a redeemer, a savior to restore rest and peace. Humanity needed to be reconciled to the Parent Creator. How could this savior, redeemer, reconciler restore rest and peace with the Parent God? The answer is by having perfect faith in the benevolence of God. What would be the ultimate proof of the qualifications of this savior, redeemer, reconciler? He would have to be willing to die, knowing that by having perfect faith in the Parent God, that he would be resurrected to his eternal state of being. In other words, the death, burial and resurrection of the chosen redeemer would be necessary for humanity to have faith in their eternal nature. Likewise, there would have to be an agent that would give this assurance, a comforter of sorts. The Holy Spirit is that agent of assurance and as such is the transforming agent.
Thus, the gospel is the story of this savior, redeemer, reconciler and how he, by his perfect faith, overcame death by experiencing it and being resurrected. The thing that humanity feared most which was death and the grave, was rendered impotent by the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. The good news is that it was all done by God in Christ Jesus. There is nothing for humanity to do except apprehend this knowledge by faith and allow the Holy Spirit to bring rest and peace, Shabbat and Shalom. This is where the Jewish terms Shabbat and Shalom come into importance. Shabbat is a joyous peaceful rest from care and Shalom is prosperity, peace, well being, in other words more than just rest and peace as we know it.
The really good news is that all one need do is apprehend it by faith. Further, redemption and reconciliation is already accomplished once for ALL. The real benefit of the gospel comes from believing this message during this life. It is transformative because it creates peace and rest with the Parent God. Knowing that God and Jesus did it all causes a supernatural love for God and being reminded of this good news, humanity can begin to love one another in the same way that the Parent God loves them.
Stop working so hard to gain favor with God. You have had that favor since the actions described in Genesis 1:31!
No comments:
Post a Comment