Poem and Aphorisms: "From Matthew to John"
1. "You cannot ask a new question about the Bible and Jesus. Every objection, every apparent contradiction, questions about the human-divine mix in Him, has been asked and taught before the official Church set down creeds in 325 (Emperor Constantine). The difference is that those questions were part of the rich East-West dialogue before 325, and reasons to excommunicate questioning Christians, monks and bishops after that date.
2. Why did God have to become Man? The English theologian Anselm of Canterbury also asked this question that earlier "heretics" like Arius and Nestorius had asked. The answer is largely personal. God became Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, to show me and human beings what justice, sin and suffering could cost ... His suffering makes mine less, infinitesimal, almost non-existent when I can intimately relate to God as human, know His Friendship, Mercy, Grace and Cross.
POEM: From Matthew to John
I
A Methodist seminary may be called liberal
I have usually been skeptical of leftys and the Left
As modern Europe became enamored by science
My heroes fought back: "Return to roots, avoid theft
Of the real spirit ... Source is worshipped in spirit and Truth
II
My seminary in Washington may be an exception
There is a core, loyal to Christ Jesus, in everything
So though it searches for diversity, broad inclusion
Its professors respect the person, the one sitting
In classes ... quieter, more fearful than either fringe
III
As this semester winds down, and I have two papers
And one comprehensive exam yet to go -
I feel grateful to friends, pastors, God who brought me to Wesley
To re-read the Gospels, see why John is not Matthew
"Synpotic" like Luke and Mark too; John taught "Logos" and "Gnosis"
IV
The Logos is Greek for "Word becoming Flesh" and "Reason" -
Pointing to Jesus Himself, co-equal with God from eternity
Emphasizing He was "Sent" - as in the miracle at fountain "Siloam"
Where a man born blind, washed mud and Jesus' spit
Into his face, cameo of Creation: again He said, "Le there be light ..."
New sight ... insight! Jesus said his blindness was not caused by sin
But everything but the Works of God: and He was the Love-liest Sign!
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I became a teacher in South Africa; since then I have worked in government, schools and higher education. My small business utilises my teacher-training & adult literacy interests/skills. View profile
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7 Comments
Post a Commentand ... my Friends, and Sister Linda L.Johnson, John 16 speaks of Him being the mother who out of agony brings forth the Child who will be at our side always, the paraklete or Holy Spirit. so the pain and agony are "worth it for all." Shalom and Christams Truths!
excellent as usual my friend
If God had not become man, if the Word had not been made flesh, if Jesus had refused the crucifixion, we would not have eternal life with Him, would not have salvation, would not have SOZO. "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things? And to have entered into His glory?"
Your aphorisms are very educational in the ways of the church. Thanks for sharing.
"Let there be light ..." New sight ... insight! Well done my friend!
Ha ha ha .. you are so right Janet! Shalom my Friend
This was great. It reminded me of a class I took in my first semester of college, "New Testament." I figured, I had been in church all my life and this would be a breeze. WRONG! This was my lowest grade of the semester. Sometimes we don't know as much as we think we do! :-)