The challenge for religious leaders is to work for change in a non-partisan way, navigating the no-man’s land between the extreme right and the far left ”” and between Republicans and Democrats. It’s a minefield, because when clergy work to secure funding for free dental clinics and affordable housing, they run into conservatives who want lower taxes and smaller government. Yet when clergy takes action to move parishioners through the current immigration system, they face criticism from progressives who insist on amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants. Because congregations are intimately involved with the poor, interfaith action will always be focused on issues of social justice ”” or if those two words offend, let’s go with the less-controversial “uplifting the needy.” But clergy and laypeople know how difficult ”” and even dangerous this work can be. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his life for this cause.
And Jesus? He was nailed to the cross because he was considered to be a political ”” not theological ”” threat to the power of Rome. That’s a Holy Week message that all faiths can embrace.
He writes, “And Jesus? He was nailed to the cross because he was considered to be a political — not theological — threat to the power of Rome. That’s a Holy Week message that all faiths can embrace.”
I can’t find that in Scripture, Mr. Brinton. I know that He was accused of that, but didn’t Pilate found Him innocent? Mr. Brinton, are there perhaps OTHER reasons that Jesus died on the cross, or have I missed something?
He works from a Constantinian perspective, in which church and government are conjoined. And, as Ralph points out, Jesus is reinterpreted and limited to fit the model for “useful” projects.
The church is being pushed into a time closer to the Apostolic age, like Jesus being “driven” into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Not pleasant, but the preparation for proclamation. Alleluia!
Same thing leapt out to me Ralph. He was nailed to the cross because the Jewish religious leaders considered him to be a theological as well as political threat. This smacks of dressing up Christianity as a political movement to appeal to secular or non-Christian audiences. To do so is to diminish it.
As the apostles cowered in the locked room for “fear of the Jews” (John 20:19) I’m not so sure that the “Holy week message that all faiths can embrace” was first on their minds.
There are even deeper reasons, aren’t there?
Cooperation in charity (provided there is some commonality between the various groups) is all well and fine. Just as long as there is no communio in sacris.
Christ is risen!
John
Just another one trying to make Jesus out to be just a politician.