You know you're a Christian when...
The last few weeks I've been working through an excellent book by the Jewish scholar Meir Sternberg on Biblical (Hebrew Bible) Poetics. Sternberg has plenty of insights into how the Hebrew Bible is put together. For example, he notes that the Hebrew Bible is unique among ancient literature in that it allows the narrator to have an "omniscient" perspective. Sternberg argues that such narratival omniscience is connected to God's omniscience (something also unique to the Hebrew Bible). In addition, the narrator's knowledge of all things contrasts with the characters' and readers' limited understanding. Structurally then, suggests Sternberg, the Hebrew Bible sets up an epistemological distinction between the all knowing, infinite God and limited, finite humans.
So far well and good... But then he pulls out the New Testament as a whipping boy (especially Luke's gospel), proceeds to give it a jab whenever he feels like it (i.e. the New Testament doesn't structure itself around an omniscient narrator--Luke's claim to use sources, etc.). What I found intriguing about all of this was my own reaction: I involuntarily jumped to the New Testament's defense.
"Well obviously," someone will say, "You're a Christian."
Yes, that's true, but it is always interesting to observe one's involuntary reflexes. They signal our ultimate allegiances. For me it was a reaffirmation of my own identity as a Christian. As someone who is by nature a skeptic, I often struggle intellectually with the Christian faith. So when I see myself jumping to defend Jesus and the New Testament, I am reminded of the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life.
One other story along similar lines:
A few years ago, I was touring London's famous museum (complete with the Rosetta Stone). After wandering through the classical section with pieces from Hellenistic culture, I stepped into the Medieval collection. It was like coming home. The crucifixes, the constant references to the Bible, etc., were all so familiar. I had stepped from a world dominated by pagan polytheism into a world dominated by the gospel. I felt a strong kinship with the artists and artisans whose work was on display. Across the centuries, I was connected with others who worshipped the Holy Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Again, in that moment, I knew who I was.
So far well and good... But then he pulls out the New Testament as a whipping boy (especially Luke's gospel), proceeds to give it a jab whenever he feels like it (i.e. the New Testament doesn't structure itself around an omniscient narrator--Luke's claim to use sources, etc.). What I found intriguing about all of this was my own reaction: I involuntarily jumped to the New Testament's defense.
"Well obviously," someone will say, "You're a Christian."
Yes, that's true, but it is always interesting to observe one's involuntary reflexes. They signal our ultimate allegiances. For me it was a reaffirmation of my own identity as a Christian. As someone who is by nature a skeptic, I often struggle intellectually with the Christian faith. So when I see myself jumping to defend Jesus and the New Testament, I am reminded of the work of the Holy Spirit in my own life.
One other story along similar lines:
A few years ago, I was touring London's famous museum (complete with the Rosetta Stone). After wandering through the classical section with pieces from Hellenistic culture, I stepped into the Medieval collection. It was like coming home. The crucifixes, the constant references to the Bible, etc., were all so familiar. I had stepped from a world dominated by pagan polytheism into a world dominated by the gospel. I felt a strong kinship with the artists and artisans whose work was on display. Across the centuries, I was connected with others who worshipped the Holy Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Again, in that moment, I knew who I was.
continue reading You know you're a Christian when...
posted by Nevada @ 12:50 PM
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