5\/16\/09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was reading this article by N.T. Wright today, ‘Resurrecting Old Arguments’, some discussion of his book, ‘The Resurrection of the Son of God.’ I read something that reminded me of a central conflict in the way Christianity is practiced – do you view it as a system of ethics or something else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The basic claim of Jesus of Nazareth, however, was not that he was offering a collection of beliefs and ideas which (perhaps in contra-distinction to those of his contemporaries) might eventually be shown to be true, but that God\u2019s kingdom was arriving in and through his own presence and work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It must be a trend that evangelical churches, in their competition for members and their attempt to be relevant, are prone to offering the gospel as a set of valuable ways to live more effectively. After all, it is stated, these principles are straight from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This seems to be the nub, but once you find yourself rejecting a scenario where Christianity is defined as ‘valuable principles for your life’, coming to grips with what the kingdom means is not so easy. But it is certainly a way more interesting quest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
5\/16\/09 I was reading this article by N.T. Wright today, ‘Resurrecting Old Arguments’, some discussion of his book, ‘The Resurrection of the Son of God.’ I read something that reminded me of a central conflict<\/p>\n