tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post7682741665743519595..comments2024-03-27T13:12:39.343-04:00Comments on A Concord Pastor Comments: Word for the WeekendConcord Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-91399202579430584022008-06-26T20:03:00.000-04:002008-06-26T20:03:00.000-04:00John Pilch's mission is always to help us understa...John Pilch's mission is always to help us understand the 1st century Mediterranean culture in which Jesus lived and in which the scriptures were preached and written. Such cultural context is always helpful in deepening our understanding of the texts.<BR/><BR/>As important as the cultural context is for understanding the scriptures, it is not the only thing. Certainly we believe that there is a truth in the scriptures that transcends cultural diversity and change.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps what you've bumped into here, Steve, is the difficulty we all have in understanding the mystery of who Christ is - that he is "true God and true man" and that his divinity does not eclipse his humanity. <BR/><BR/>Taking a look at one end of the spectrum, we might ask, "Do we believe that the infant Jesus, in Mary's arms in the stable at Bethlehem, knew and understood the physics of space flight because he was true God?" If he was truly man, then he cold not have been consciously aware of such knowledge as an infant. What was Jesus doing for the first 30 years of his life? The scripture tells us: "Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man." Jesus "advanced in wisdom"? Yes. Somehow in the mystery of Christ's humanity and divinity there is room for growth - not only in the sight of others but before God as well.<BR/><BR/>Pilch, then, is providing the cultural context that gives us more an understanding of the writer's mindset and what these exchanges (between Jesus and others) meant in the first century,than a psychological assessment of Jesus.<BR/><BR/>That Jesus often went into the desert or across the lake or up the mountain to PRAY, and that he struggled in prayer (in the garden of Gethsemane) tells us that he was growing in understanding and grasping and accepting what his Father was asking of him.<BR/><BR/>As Pilch writes, this is not a theology quiz. Nor is it a therapy session! It's the authors of scripture grappling with the same mystery that confronts us: Jesus is true God and true man.<BR/><BR/>Hope that helps!Concord Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-61857943936856019792008-06-26T15:45:00.000-04:002008-06-26T15:45:00.000-04:00Historical Cultural ContextJohn J. PilchJesus’ que...<I>Historical Cultural Context<BR/><BR/>John J. Pilch<BR/><BR/>Jesus’ question, therefore, is not a “theology quiz” for his disciples. It reflects a normal, Mediterranean curiosity by Jesus, a dyadic personality, about what other people think. Like everyone else in this culture, Jesus needs such feedback because he does not know who he is, and he is trying to learn this from significant others in his life.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>Jesus does not know who he is??? This is troubling to me when I have a hard enough time <BR/>having faith that as Jesus as both God and Man. Any comments?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com