Wendell
Pfeffer
Blog
Post – Nov 25th
“Okay so what are the similarities and
differences between Jesus and gods demonstration of power” (Presentation,
Wendell Pfeffer)? We somewhat addressed this topic in class, but unfortunately
we didn’t have time to get to it. The similarities are that both god and Jesus
show off their power in order to acquire more and more followers. In the case
of the Old Testament when Moses demands the pharaohs release of the Israelites
he declines and thus in order to change his mind goes and demonstrates the
strength and severity of his power on the Pharaohs land. In the process of
doing so he hardens the pharaohs mind or heart so that he would continue to
decline. The reason God did this was because he wanted to show everyone what he
was made of. In the case of Jesus in the New Testament, when people questioned
his authority he would just go and cure people from their illness and hope that
the person watching them would be convinced and start following him. In other
words, the similarity between both God and Jesus was that they both used and
demonstrated their power in order to acquire and maintain their supremacy. Meanwhile,
the differences between them was that god used fear as his primary element
while Jesus used his kindness and generosity in order to inspire those to
follow him.
Everyone what are your thoughts on this
matter?
In Luke 9:56-62, a man who says to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus says, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." This shows that Jesus did not come into the world with privilege. He did not come with supremacy, but with humility.
ReplyDeleteTo another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In Mark 10: 21, Jesus said, “ Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
If Jesus simply wanted to acquire followers, then he would not have responded as such.
Such responses are ineffective. These interactions show that not anyone can follow Jesus.
One thing to keep in mind, I think, is that God never really 'shows up' in the New Testament. Everything he does is either through Jesus or (more commonly) the Holy Spirit. And the things he does through the Holy Spirit are much kinder than his actions in the Old Testament, where he commands those he talks to, but influences them through hope instead of fear, such as in the case of Peter's capture in Acts 12:1-13. Yet almost every single time after he demonstrates his power through the Holy Spirit, the receiver knows that it's God.
ReplyDeleteTo add on to Jessica's point, I think that Jesus knew from the start that this man would ultimately not be able to overcome and leave his earthly sentiments behind for Jesus and Heaven, and that through this series of conversations he was teaching the man what he still needs to learn in order to join Jesus.
I think we can approach the different behaviors between God and Jesus in two manners: religiously and historically. First, under a theological perspective, God, as an omniscient, omnipotent being, gave free will with positive freedom; that people are driven to follow the good and not the sinful. Therefore, he would demand a sense of "fear" so that people are not led astray. Meanwhile, Jesus, preaching the doctrine of salvation to both Hebrews, Romans, and Pagans, would embody a much more "embracing" manner in spreading his religion.
ReplyDeleteCulturally, what seems to matter, rather, is the human aspect of interaction. In the Old Testament, God would put fear into his followers after witnessing the failure of Adam and Eve to obey his very simple orders. In addition, the multiple instances in which the Hebrews display doubt for his powers further drive him to rule by terror. On the other hand, attempting to convert myriad of pagans already with their own religions, the New Testament would seem a lot more compassionate and welcoming to its readers.
I believe that Jesus was kind in the New Testament as he was the beginning of an entirely new religion. He couldn't have used fear because then people would refuse to follow a new faith when they already have one that was already based on fear. Thus kindness was the difference between the two religions and the difference was needed because why would someone convert to a similar religion?
ReplyDeleteAlso kind of off topic but I don't think God hardened the pharaoh to show the people his power but I think more about strengthening Moses by making him try harder each time.