The face of God

I've been reading a number of excellent books this holiday as part of my research for an essay on the Kingdom of God. Not least among them for good thinking material has been 'The Challenge of Jesus' by N.T. Wright, as well as his bigger tome 'Jesus and the Victory of God'.

The main thrust of Wright's argument is that Jesus' parables and teaching about the coming of YHWH to Zion, as well as his Temple prophecies (e.g. Mark 13, Luke 19) were primarily intended for his contemporary audience, to be fulfilled in their lifetimes and most centrally in Jesus himself. He argues that Jesus was concerned first of all with revealing God's purposes right now (i.e. in 30 A.D.) and was not principally interested in revealing his 'second coming' - something which would have made no sense to disciples who were still coming to grips with the nature of the 'first'.

Despite his focus on (re)discovering the historical Jesus, I was struck by his high view of Jesus and not only his description of Jesus as God, but his redrawing of God in light of Jesus. I'll let him speak for himself:

“I suggest that we think historically about a young Jew, possessed of a desperately risky, indeed apparently crazy, vocation, riding into Jerusalem in tears, denouncing the Temple, and dying on a Roman cross – and that we somehow allow our meaning for the word ‘god’ to be recentred around this point.” (p.92)

“The portrait [of God] has been redrawn. At its heart, as disclosed in biblical writings, we discover a human face, surrounded by a crown of thorns.” (p.92)

“The Shekinah glory turns out to have a human face.” (p.89)

(All quotes from 'The Challenge of Jesus' by N.T. Wright.)

All of this reminds me of a quote I've been meditating on these last few months from one of my favourite people, Greg Boyd. As he's fond of repeating in sermons, "God looks like Jesus Christ."

Photo mess

Apologies for the photo scramble below. I was playing with Picasa but it wouldn't let me upload more than 4 at a time... shame. Then the order got all mixed up and now I can't be bothered to untangle them!

Below you will find pictures from
- the Student Leaders 'Weekend' Away
- the Kings Christmas Party
- Present Wrapping at The Gates
- the Kings Carol Service
- Cell Social
- Seymour and Katherine's new addition, Pepper.

Perhaps you can work out which pictures go with which..?!

Photos Update 8

 

Photos Update 7

 

Photos Update 6

 

Photos Update 5

 

Photos Update 4

 

Photos update 3

 

Photos update 2

 

Photos update 1

 

Right Said Brian...

 

Illegal Immigrant..?

Talented Hyperactive Amateur

Chris introduced me to Lasse Gjertsen's video Amateur which is a fantastic piece of video editing and a great track besides. Has to be seen!

"I can neither play the drums nor the piano."

If you like this one, you might enjoy his original video Hyperactive which is pretty funny!

November Passion

I was excited to see that my mum's been writing more nature-inspired poetry, this time a November Passion. A vivid and affecting picture of Christ's death...all the more poignant because we know that spring will come!

Kanji from a Gaijin

I've been enjoying reading my brother's reflections on Japanese life and culture as seen by a gaijin and his thoughts on the Japanese language. If you're confused about the various Japanese alphabets read his excellent explanation of kanji.

7 go to Scotland

No, I haven't broken down again...

...this is our picnic spot!




Has his guitar shrunk?

"Beyond explanation"

Storming the castle?

Hmmm...



First stop.. the coffee shop!

It's moving!

Boat ride

Are you sure that's the right button, Seymour?