What can be learned from a secular Jesus

I wonder if sometimes non-Christians can capture the complexity of Jesus better than I can. Reading a book that discusses the history of Christianity ("Lost Christianities") also shows the arguments amongst scholars about who Jesus really was. Was he a teacher, holy, revolutionary, social radical, magician*, feminist, a prophet?

Yes, they leave out "Son of God," which I believe to be foundational... yet look at this list. It is CRAZY. One 'man' is argued to be all of the above at various times depending who is making the argument. People go all over the place trying to explain who He really was. Yet, I find this list captures some of the things Jesus tried to show us. He came to upturn everything (revolutionary, social radical, feminist). He came to guide those who followed him to God (teacher, prophet). He was set apart (holy). And He performed amazing miracles (magician). The complexity of Jesus is one we ought to seek to understand. All He was, all He did; these things matter more than anything else in this world or the next. God came, God lived, God died for us. That is complex enough to understand... yet we must also ask WHY would God come? HOW did God live? WHY did He die for me?

And I think non-Christians offer interesting insights into HOW God lived. Scholarship has a lot on Jesus-- yes, some is irreverent and all of it saddens me to see that so few know how loving, how amazing He is. YET, there remains something worth understanding from this perspective: Jesus was meant for those who did not believe. He is meant to be seen and understood by all, whether they know Him as the Son of God or not. He came to all, that all might see. While some things may be misunderstood, that does not mean that non-Christian scholarship about Jesus should be avoided.

On the contrary, I find myself so amazed that He is still being debated about. He is still revealing the ways He came to turn the world upside down as scholars continue to see feminism and revolutionary in our LORD. He is still revealing how much He was set apart when they get confused by His actions, and must attempt the best rationalization at why He did what He did... to which it is revealed the simplest answer is the right one: LOVE ISNT RATIONAL. And He is Love. And He LOVED radically! And what He did, it must have been "magic" or some science, some secret no one knew. Either way, he is FASCINATING to scholars.

Am I this fascinated by Jesus on a daily basis?

And, am I fearful of non-Christian arguments? If so, why? Do I not trust that God will stand on His own two feet? Do I not think it is important for people to go through their own reasons? Do I not value what they have to say? Because I should, because I believe God does... He sees their arguments. He wants to know them through and through. I think, perhaps, He wants to know their arguments better than anything so that slowly and surely He can enter their lives and reveal just how much more complicated He is.


*magician was because of his miracles. While often knee-jerk react to this as saying He had God, can't they see that! I think the fact that they assign him as magician is more interesting: it means people believe that at least some of the miracles are true, and must now explain them. That is a GOOD thing. It means that Jesus, what He did, can't all be denied.

One Blessed Sheep

First, I was accepted as an IV intern!!! I will be waiting to hear about my potential schools for placement once Brendan hears from more (USC already accepted him! YAY!) and we discern where we will live next year.

Second, 101 party was amazing! Being around so many seniors reminded me of the connections I do have, reassured me that I am loved and love them, and made me even more excited about this last semester being all about PEOPLE! Woot!

And finally for today... I was reading through the leadership reflection questions... and I think every one brought me to tears. I know what you are thinking, "how sensitive, Bri. Awww." Or wondering, "why the HECK would that make you CRY?!" ... well, let me fill you in:

Christian community is new to me. I didn't have one outside of my AMAZING family until college. Then I jumped all in. Then God taught me to let go of the control I had on my life, and after freaking out, I faithfully followed Him. Then, I started leading. That was scary, and I felt so aware of my faults every moment, yet in awe of God's power. Now, as a second year leader looking onto ministry for the rest of my life... I can say this: I am so unworthy to be part of God's work, and SO BLESSED!

How have I touched so many lives? God's love. How have I influenced others? God's power. How have I changed people's lives? God's desire to step into our worlds and transform us (and knock our socks off!). 3CIV, my community, I love you more than you will ever know. I have given you my heart and my soul, and you have watched me mess up time and time again. Yet here I remain, a faithful servant on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. All I can say is a big Kenyan WOW! I mean, seriously, Jesus, you USED me?! WHY?! Man, YOU ARE CRAZY!

Let God use you. Throw caution to the wind. Lose control. Dive into deep waters. Bet your heart, mind, body and soul. It is well worth it.