The Challenge of Jesus, An Introduction.

Dear non-Life of Christ readers:
In addition to reading the gospels, I have also been reading from a book by N.T. Wright entitled The Challenge of Jesus. This entry is the beginning of my emersion into understanding its purpose. If you like what I explain the purpose to be, then pick up the book and read chapter 1!

Ahem.

N.T. Wright seems to really have the right idea about the interplay of history and faith. That’s what really stuck out to me the most in Chapter 1 of The Challenge of Jesus.

Since this blog is about the way the message of Jesus relates to my life, let’s take a look back at what I’ve said about myself so far.

1) I’m into facts, and truth.

Sometimes I just need evidence in order to want to believe in something. And I don’t like accepting a new fact about something without proof of its validity.

2) I’m very practical.

I like to know how something is going to relate to my life. If I come across a high-level theological idea that makes sense, it won’t mean very much to me until I also can find its implications.

3) I believe that love and relationship surpasses these needs.

And that’s why I love what Wright has to say about this dichotomy. He says that both historical knowledge of the person of Jesus and faithful understanding of his passion for us are equally important in knowing his character.

This is sort of tough for me to come to terms with, however. Consider my history of wrestling with the validity of God. I understand that I can never fully comprehend the nature of God, because he surpasses our understanding. However, relinquishing control of fully understanding God is very different from accepting to never understand more about him. These two get muddled in my head sometimes, and I find myself not caring about the details of Jesus’ life because following him WORKS.

Wright suggests that this is a mistake.

In order to understand God’s intention for us we need to examine the life of Jesus.

And not just in any way. It is particularly important for us to understand why he came in the first place. It isn’t enough to just know we are redeemed and live like it seems we should. What does it mean to be redeemed? And what does Jesus REALLY want for my life?

I’ve struggled a lot recently with what it means to be a Christian. How is this different from just following the teaching of Jesus? And why is it worth labeling myself as such?
Now, as I’ve discovered, it is seldom ever worth labeling myself as a Christian. The only thing it tends to do in conversation is dredge up connotations.

But what I really mean is: Why is it worth it to be a member of a church, beyond the community? That is, what can we learn about Christ through religion that we cannot through faith alone?

And I’m excited to submerge myself further into these questions as we read through The Challenge of Jesus. It seems that Wright has the same intentions when it comes to a historical examination of Jesus, as I believe anybody ought to.

Understanding the works that God has for us through understanding the significance of the life of Christ is what I believe Christianity to be all about. It’s what makes it worth being a member of the church. And it’s what I pray can be my focus through the rest of my walk with Christ and Christianity.