The politics of jesus is an incendiary, revolutionary book which brought me face to face with jesus christ and left me wanting more people to have the same experience. In our society, which we wish to be called by the name jesus, let whoever desires to fight under the sacred banner of the cross, and to serve only god and the roman pontiff, his vicar on earth, after a solemn vow of perpetual chastity,let him keep in mind that he is part of a society. It is an uncategorisable classic that, in some senses, covers all of theology in laying out the social ethics of jesus, their preemption in the old. Religious laws did not permit these people to mix with jewish people. The historical jesus and the heart of contemporary faith the challenge of jesus. Hendrickss strength is in theology, not political theory, about which he displays a pedestrian level of understanding. Attempting to press political points, he allows his original arguments about jesus to trail off into the realm of afterthought. A biblical scholar and activist portrays jesus as a political revolutionary and examines the ways in which his political principles and strategies can be applied today. Washington post in the politics of jesus, obery hendricks articulates a critical prophetic message that interrogates our nations politics according to. But such a picture of jesus is far from accurate, argues john howard yoder.
Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of jesus teachings and how they have been corrupted 384 by obery m. Even though he had a strong interest in government, he chose not to become involved in any of the political factions of the day, either in the jewish government or in its overseer, the government of rome. Some photos from last nights inspiring on common ground discussion with alliance for fair food and coalition of immokalee workers. Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of jesus teachings and how they have been corrupted by obery m. This second edition is no less provocative in contesting the reevaluations of new testament ethics emerging from recent scholarship on the historical jesus. This second edition is no less provocative in contesting the reevaluations of new testament ethics emerging from recent scholarship on the historical. The 1994 version of this book is a revision and expansion of. The politics of jesus by obery hendricks overdrive rakuten. The world of jesus politics in palestine religious traditions at the time of jesus daily life at the time of jesus politics in palestine. All politics is nasty and dirty, and the church should not be involved in it. Hendricks biblical interpretationnew york theological seminary begins with the questionable assertion that jesus has not been viewed by the church as a political figure or as having a political message.
Tradition has painted a portrait of a savior aloof from governmental concerns and whose teachings point to an apolitical life for his disciples. Jesus however, replaced them with indiscriminate love and truth. More likely, he made the footsteps that gandhi, martin luther king jr. Yoder provided a coherent and compelling account of. Obery hendricks alfred street baptist church, rev dr howardjohn. It is an uncategorisable classic that, in some senses, covers all of theology in laying out the social ethics of jesus, their preemption in the old testament and their lived. Before taking this position he was a professor at drew university and a visiting professor at princeton theological seminary. Today, he has awed a crowd of thousands by performing powerful signs and by sharing teachings of god. Many christians do not agree with yoder, but he is not easily dismissed.
The essene revelations on the historical jesus meeting jesus again for the first time. Obery hendricks addresses the politics of jesus posted on april 9, 2007, 9. He is the most widely read and perhaps the most influential african american biblical scholar writing today. A life long social activist, obery hendricks is one of americas foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and politics. He has had multiple conversion experiences and this book highlights each of them hoping you would be interested in pursuing a relationship with jesus the king of mercy. These are the kinds of questions obery hendricks, a biblical scholar, activist, and minister, asks in this provocative new book. A more appropriate title for this would be the politics of hendricks. Using the texts of the new testament, yoder critically examines. John howard yoders political jesus national catholic.
Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of jesus teachings and how they have been corrupted hendricks jr. He would have grown up with stories of conquest and oppression. Lisa d jenkins is teaching a zoom online class on the politics of jesus starting next week. Summarizing john howard yoders politics of jesus peace. Studies in comparative politics jesus for president. The politics of jesus by obery hendricks overdrive. The political and religious structure in jesus time in looking at the political and religious structure at the time of jesus, we could explore countless topics. Class, political conservatism and jesus by hendricks, obery.
All the kingdoms of this world operate with two political toolsviolence and propaganda. And since its taught on an online platform, you can follow along from the beach, the mountains, or your airconditioned apartment. Jehovahs witnesses are described in their literature as representatives of gods heavenly kingdom, and they are thus obligated to stay out of local politics in keeping with the behavior of ambassadors. Politics in palestine daily life in the time of jesus. Aug 21, 2007 information about the book, the politics of jesus. In this day and age of heated political debate, hendricks s the politics of jesus stands out as much for its brilliant recreation of the life and mind of jesus of nazareth as for its scathing critique of modern. Jesus knew the hearts of men and did not trust them because it could change according to the direction the wind was blowing. Obery hendricks, senior fellow at the opportunity agenda and visiting scholar at columbia university, presents what would jesus do. You are arrogant to think you have all the answers on this issue. Yoder was a mennonite biblical scholar, theologian, and professor of theology. This past year at the american academy of religion i attended a panel discussion entitled reclaiming the radical revolutionary. At the end of jesus life, the high priest was a man named caiaphas.
But more than that, hendricks gives us a pioneering account of the revolutionary jesus that has rarely been as systematically expounded, or as theologically sophisticated, as this monumental work provides. The paperback of the the universe bends toward justice. Judaism at the time of jesus was a complex mixture of divergent social, political and religious ideologies. His depiction of the the politics of jesus through the communal practices of the early church serves as a pattern for what it means to follow jesus in the world and to bear faithful witness to the world. Schweitzers book does not pretend to be an impartial survey. Washington post in the politics of jesus, obery hendricks articulates a critical prophetic message that interrogates our nations. The politics of jesus quotes showing 12 of 2 the uncompromising example of jesus christ places upon every christian minister the responsibility to withstand the temptation to align oneself with the secular ruling powers. He has his own solution of the problems, and it is not to be expected that english students will endorse the whole of his view of the gospel history, any more than his german fellowworkers have done. Tx0027 1backgroundpolitical and religious structure in. This investigation will begin by evaluating historical criteria that help historians determine the authenticity of. Obery hendricks leads class on the politics of jesus. Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of jesus teachings and how they have been corrupted ebook 9780385519991 by obery m. Christians talking politics will scare nonchristians away from the gospel. Currently a standard in many college and seminary ethics courses, the politics of jesus is also an excellent resource for the general reader desiring to understand christs response to the world of politics and his will for those who would follow him.
This second edition of the politics of jesus provides uptodate interaction with recent publications that touch on yoders timely topic. In this article we look at topics of the structure of the jewish sects, the practice of taxation and tithing, and the exercising of crucifixion as a means of execution and control. In this day and age of heated political debate, hendrickss the politics of jesus stands out as much for its brilliant recreation of the life and mind of jesus of nazareth. This thesis will investigate jesus resurrection from a historical perspective. Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of the teachings of jesus and how they have been corrupted by obery m. One of our most sophisticated interpreters of this story has been john howard yoder. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Jesus is involved in politics the straw man list over the years, i have compiled a list of these objections, concerns, and comments, ive listed them here, and i address them individually in the appendix. Right wing christian involvement in politics has created a backlash. These stories recounted the many waves of foreign invasion that sought to subjugate the jewish people. Politics for ordinary radicals the politics of jesus jesus in the house of the pharaohs. The greek word politeuomai politeuvomai, indicates living your life. Was is i p w a y w i y c jesus is involved in politics. The politics of jesus is an instant classica book of stunning erudition, remarkable eloquence, and political courage. The quest of the historical jesus project gutenberg. Class, political conservatism and jesus by hendricks. It may come as a surprise to many, but jesus christ did not involve himself with the politics of his day.
Jesus, the foretold messiah, has already won great renown for healing the sick and even resurrecting the dead. Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of the teachings of jesus and how they have been corrupted obery m. Constitution of the society of jesus papal bull, 1540 the plan of the proposed rule follows and is this. America are clearly meant to equate the focus and thrust of their politics and policies with. It is highly probable that this action of jesus is related to his trial and eventual execution.
The new testament, centered on the story, presents a political philosophy. Jesus and politics sermon by freddy fritz, matthew 22. Rediscovering the true revolutionary nature of jesus teachings and how they have been corrupted. Even in our political system we see politicians changing their views and even their political parties. Celebrating the ten year anniversary of obery hendricks the politics of jesus after the emotional and thoughtful discussion i decided to.
Tomorrow, the center for american progress will host a dynamic discussion with dr. In response to my last article, 10 things you cant do while following jesus, i was accused multiple times of being political. We see this revelation most clearly in the life and teaching of jesus. Crucifixion was used by rome for those who systematically rejected imperial authority, including chronically defiant slaves and subversives who were attracting a following.
His historical life ended with a political execution. Following most of the chapters are new epilogues summarizing research conducted during the last two decades research that continues to support the outstanding insights set forth in yoders original work. The politics of jesus joins john danforths faith and politics and jim walliss gods politics as essential reading for americans trying to move beyond the corrosive standoff between the religious right and the secular left. In this day and age of heated political debate, hendrickss the politics of jesus stands out as much for its brilliant recreation of the life and mind of jesus of nazareth as for its scathing critique of modern politicians of faith. He has also served as president of payne theological seminary, the. Developing a political economy of justice, as part of the faith and politics in the 21st century lecture series on september 21. Of further historical interest is the fact that the temple was destroyed by the romas in 70 ce. He has also served as president of payne theological seminary, the oldest africanamerican theological institution. Constitution of the society of jesus papal bull, 1540. This essay presents a summary of yoders argument in his classic book, the politics of jesus. The politics of jesus npr coverage of the politics of jesus. Radical reflections on the bible, the church, and the body politic by obery m.
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