Jesus vs. Paul Cagematch Part 2: A Response

In his recent Christianity Today article, Jesus vs. Paul, McKnight wrestles with what I, too, have perceived and at times felt some tension over. There appears to be a different emphasis from Paul (justification by faith) and Jesus (Kingdom of God). In “Jesus,” it should be noted that McKnight, I feel, is referring to the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and what these authors, Spirit inspired yet also addressing a specific context not unlike Paul, chose to record to address their contextualized issues. McKnight seeks to find a way through in his article.

My question is, are their some bridging elements between Jesus and Paul within the Biblical text itself? I see two bridges that need further examination in this light. We shall look at the first in this post and the second in a later one.

The Gospel of John. John’s Gospel has a much different tone than the Synoptic Gospels. The later authoring date of the fourth Gospel makes me ask, was John aware of Paul’s writings and, if so, to what degree was he aware of their theological emphasis? In John, there seems to bus seat constructed that allows the emphasis of the Synoptic Gospels (Kingdom of God) and the Pauline Epistles (justification by faith/union in Christ) to do more than ride side by in harmony, but to sit in one another’s lap to some degree.

Adolf Deissmann has taken note of this in The Religion of Jesus and the Faith of Paul (1923) writing,

I regard the Gospel of John, and in still greater measure, the religious attitude which finds its expression in the that Gospel and in the other Johannine writings, as a great synthesis of the Synoptic Jesus and the Pauline Christ. John amalgamated ancient, genuine traditions concerning Jesus – traditions which were partly his own recollection – with his experience of  communion with Christ, and in this way created a Gospel which was in the first place destined to render service in the post-Pauline generation, and in the struggle with Gnosticism, Judaism, and the followers of John the Baptist. Thus we have in John’s Gospel an intimate combination of the tradition concerning Jesus and Christ-mysticism [by which he means our in union in Christ so emphasized in Paul].

Obviously, a further examination of how John relates to Paul and vice versa is needed. If you are aware of key resources on this particular topic, I’d appreciate your suggestions as a comment.

Jesus vs. Paul Cagematch

Scott McKnight has a great article in Christianity Today on how many biblical scholars and lay Christians have noted that Jesus preached almost exclusively about the kingdom of heaven, while Paul highlighted justification by faith—and not vice versa. Some conclude that they preached two different gospels. Others argue that really they both preached justification; still others say it’s all about the kingdom. What gives?

Here are the video links contained in the article….

See more videos after the break…. Continue reading Jesus vs. Paul Cagematch

On Anticipating the Kingdom (of Disney)

Several weeks ago we informed our kids via homemade fortune cookies that we were going to Disney World, a first for all us. Upon reading that news and after overcoming some disbelief, spontaneous dancing and cheering erupted. My oldest is now reading the Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World cover to cover, a huge tome of 860 pages. There are discussions of how we will pack, what it is like to fly on a plane, and how they will get their school makeup work done early. Piper and I are constantly hearing their thoughts of how joyous an occasion it will be. Our future trip to a magical kingdom is deeply affecting our lives in the present.

And then God spoke to me, “Why doesn’t my coming Kingdom affect you as deeply?” Touche’, Lord, Touche’.

Bailing Out With a Camo-Gospel

A great post. Solid reflection on false gospels. If people adhere to these that camouflage themselves as the true Gospel, unfortunately, this also means that many people are one discontinued “favorite” ministry event (formalism), one rule disagreement (legalism), one “unanswered” prayer” (mysticism), one allowance for introspection (activism), one new hurt (therapism), or one less friend (social-ism) from bailing out. Until Christ is the anchor, we shall be tossed at sea.

Tartar Control and Confession. A Common Thread.

Tartar hides deep under our gums. Even after brushing it has to be dug out. When I know I have to go to the dentist I brush with extra diligence in the days approaching the appointment. And yet all this junk still comes out from under my gumline when the hygienist cleans with her instruments. Arrrgggghhhh! I thought I got that out.

I am learning that it is the same with confession and repentance. Sometimes I have to be really still for a long period and reflect to allow the Holy Spirit to scrape the recesses of my hearts. A cursory brushing won’t do.

Limited Atonement. Everybody Does It?

We all* limit the atonement.  Some its effectiveness and its efficacy (Arminians), others its extent (Calvinists).

A Calvinist says the death of Christ on the cross actually did something in that moment to free all those from sin and death who had been elected by God (insert one zillion verses here). It didn’t simply create the potential for men and women to be saved, but actually saved them in that instant. In their time, God granted them gift of faith. In this view, God gives a totally dead person mouth to mouth and resuscitates us from a state of death.

An Arminian would say that Christ died for all (insert hundred verses here), thus not limiting the atonement’s extent but rather its efficacy. It gave us the potential to be saved as we come in by our freewill selection choosing to participate in Christ by faith, but did not as a proper act actually secure our salvation when He said, “It is finished.” He gave a severely injured person a wake up slap about the head to awaken them from near unconsciousness and said, “Medical help is here, do you give us permission to administer it?”

Each limit the atonement in some way.

*“all” meaning those who hold to a view of the atonement that Jesus was our substitute. I am aware there are models which say that Jesus was simply a good moral example on the cross, etc. Not smoking those pipes. That post coming soon enough.

Thoughts? Questions?