Challenging Theology
I am reading The Last Week by Borg and Crossan. It is an interesting look at the last week before Jesus’s death and resurrection. It is a book which seems to be leaning heavily to liberation theology. It takes what I am finding a challenging look at Mark.
It argues that atonement sacrifice is not really what Mark is writing about. That it is more about Jesus calling to participate in death and resurrection. It is interesting reading about the Bible placed in a political and historical light. An example of this is Jesus entering on a donkey into Jerusalem from one side and Pilate entering on the same day in a pomp procession. I really am wondering how much of the truth of Jesus we have neglected over the centuries as Christianity has lost its place as a radical movement.
Whenever I read the gospels I can’t help but think that I am selling Jesus short in His radical mission for personal and collective change.
One question I am thinking about is how many layers of meaning can the gospels and the Bible have. If it is the living Word of God then does this mean that the message and interpritation changes in light of historical evidence and new theological thought are simply part of God’s continuing revelation to us. Can one reconcile literal and non-literal interpretations of the text? Is the Bible about Questions or Answers?