Matthew J. Distefano's Blog, page 7
May 12, 2017
Modern Evangelicalism as Second Temple Judaism v. 2.0
I grew up in the Evangelical church, so I’m fairly familiar with all of the standard doctrines: Pre-tribulation rapture, eternal conscious torment, penal substitution atonement, retributive eschatology, yada yada yada. What I never realized during my time in these staunchly conservative fundamentalist churches, however, is that the gist of what was taught is the same as what was taught by many of Jesus’ rivals—i.e. the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. In this article, we will discuss three of the more prominent shared doctrines.
SIMILARITY I: HERMENEUTICS: “WHAT ABOUT THIS VERSE? WHAT ABOUT THAT VERSE?”
When we listen to most Evangelicals, the first thing we generally hear about is that the Bible is God’s word. And this carries with it a meaning that only they themselves can define. If you counter them on anything that contradicts their tightly-held worldview, on nearly any topic, they simply point you to a Bible verse as if the meaning is self-evident, and that it self-evidently points to their correct, and might I say, self-evidently self-evident interpretation.
This technique, known as “proof-texting,” is the tactic the Pharisees used against Jesus. Here are two examples. First, in John 8, the Pharisees, being technically correct that the law clearly states that adulteresses are to be stoned to death (Lev 20:10), use this fact to try to trick Jesus: In the law Moses says this, but what do you say? Second, the Pharisees are angered when Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath (John 9). According the letter of the law, they have every right to be righteously indignant (see the clear statements found in Ex. 20:8–11 and Num. 15:32–36).
Here’s the Irony: Jesus had a hermeneutic, and it is as far removed from Pharisaical-Evangelical “proof-texting” as the East is from the West. He always seemed to put the Pharisees in their place by trouncing all over their religious rigidity. He did so by emphasizing mercy over condemnation, and aiding those in need while overlooking those who were pious before God on Saturday. And like those who emphasize similar things today, Jesus got raked over the coals by these religious “authorities.”
(Note: If you are interested in Jesus’ specific hermeneutical method, I harp on it all of the time, which you can read all about here, here, here, and here.)
SIMILARITY II: ESCHATOLOGY: WATCH OUT FOR GOD’S THUNDERBOLT!
Not only is the “hermeneutical approach” of both the Pharisees and most Evangelicals strangely similar, but so too is their eschatology. You can toss the Essenes into the mix here too. Basically—and to be fair, I am over-simplifying things here—all three groups believe that God is retributive and that in the end, he is coming to bring hell to their—ahem, his—enemies (but same thing, right?). There will be fire. There will be brimstone. In the Evangelical model, since Jesus is involved, he will be riding on a white horse, destroying more human beings than Aragorn destroyed orcs, goblins, and Uruk-hai combined. Of course, those who believe this never believe they will be on the wrong end of Rambo Jesus’ divine version of Isildur’s “Flame of the West.” It’s always the other guys who end up just like the armies of Mordor after Sauron is defeated (I really hope you all are picking up on these Lord of the Rings references).
Here’s the irony: Jesus taught that God is non-retributive. What more could he do than to die naked and hanging from an imperial torture device? Oh, I almost forgot, he did this while also preaching forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Oh, and I almost forgot, he then came back from the dead preaching forgiveness: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20: 21, 23). So if Jesus is then coming back as Mark Driscoll envisions—with a tattoo down his leg, a sword in his hand and the commitment to make someone bleed—then perhaps first-century Jesus would have nothing more to say to “end-times” Jesus than “Father, forgive him, for he does not know what he is doing.”
SIMILARITY III: POLITICS: MAKE US GREAT AGAIN!
A big part of why people couldn’t fully get on board with Jesus as messiah is that the messiah was expected to be something a bit different than what folks found in the non-violent Jesus of Nazareth. Israel wanted to be made great again. They yearned for freedom, to be vindicated, to be put on a pedestal by God so that the world could see that their way was the correct way, that their nation was God’s nation. And so, the messiah was to deliver the Jews from Rome in order for this to happen.
Evangelicals, then, in a sense, act as if the first-century Jesus never redefined the meaning of messiah, and still look to “saviors” who are going to make their lives great again. Currently, these Christians—at least here in God’s “New Israel,” the United States—are clinging to “salvific” promises of making America great again, and only 70-some-odd years after Christians from God’s other “New Israel,” Germany, clung to Hitler’s proclamations. Sadly, they await a messiah who will use violence to bring about a goal, just like most Second Temple Jews did.
Here’s the irony . . . actually, I think the irony is self-evident. Supposed followers of Jesus have both supported someone who ended up murdering roughly 6 million Jews, and are currently supporting a man who has continually demonstrated xenophobic, racist, sexist, and frankly anti-Christlike behavior—and all of this in the name of making the “Christian nation” great again. Consider me flummoxed.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
All in all, I think I have been a bit hard on the first-century Jews. I apologize. How could they have expected that God was just like Jesus? So I’m actually going to give them a pass. However, Evangelicals have no such excuse. They have Jesus, and still beat others over the head with their Scriptures, still believe their God is coming back to smite their—ahem, his—enemies (but same thing, right?), and still look to messiahs to make their nation great again.
Can you spell irony? I can: E V A N G E L I C A L.
Selah.
The post Modern Evangelicalism as Second Temple Judaism v. 2.0 appeared first on All Set Free.
April 11, 2017
Book Feature Sunday: A Journey with Two Mystics – Conversations Between a Girardian and a Wattsian by Matthew Distefano and Michael Machuga
The best theology is that which enfolds us and assures us that we are immersed in unconditional Love. The best friendships do exactly the same thing. A Journey with Two Mystics is a testimony to the God who so loves us as to create us from love and in love for relationship with God and each other. It is a correspondence not only between two mystics, but two best friends. Matthew Distefano and Michael Machuga write with honesty, warmth, humor and thoughtfulness, drawing readers not only into the exploration of their questions and answers, but into the experience of their friendship and their unfolding discovery of life, love, and God. No theology book could more effectively demonstrate the relationality of God and the dance of life than this literary perichoresis!
The post Book Feature Sunday: A Journey with Two Mystics – Conversations Between a Girardian and a Wattsian by Matthew Distefano and Michael Machuga appeared first on All Set Free.
April 3, 2017
April Foolishness!
Discover the good news of what God has done to stem the tide of our own violence and evil—inviting us into a whole new way of living and being in this world.
THEOLOGY PURCHASE ON AMAZON
A powerful and redemptive story about the damage caused by living with secrets and shame, and how learning to let go can save what matters most.
FICTION PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Discover the five crucial areas that every group of believers will wrestle with at some point in their journey together and how to avoid them.
CHURCH PURCHASE ON AMAZON
Is marriage the ultimate human relationship? What does it mean to ‘love one another’ in the same way that Jesus loved? Is it even possible?
THEOLOGY PURCHASE ON AMAZON
A thorough, Bible-based exposition of how the ministry of every church should be organically built around all of its Spirit-gifted followers of Jesus.
CHURCH PURCHASE ON AMAZON
A serious, funny, and unflinchingly honest journey through loves and losses—and God’s ability to reach into the darkest places of our lives.
FICTION PURCHASE ON AMAZON
A well-documented account of the rise of New Covenant Theology and the desire to restore Christ as the focus and interpretive lens of Scripture.
HISTORY PURCHASE ON AMAZON
What if the greatest threat to Christianity in America was American Christianity? It’s time to crucify our politics and pledge allegiance to the Lamb.
POLITICS PURCHASE ON AMAZON
The post April Foolishness! appeared first on All Set Free.
April 1, 2017
An Update on What I’ve been Up To, and Where I am Journeying Forth
As I approach the release of my third book—a coauthored venture with my best friend Mike Machuga—I cannot help but reflect on what a whirlwind of a journey this has all been thus far. Indeed, it has taken me on paths I never thought I’d walk, like a comfortable Hobbit just coming into his own in the Shire who is forced to flee in haste. And while I’m no Frodo Baggins, my endeavors over these past three years have forced me to age like one who has in fact traversed the Mines of Moria as well as the mountains of Mordor. But persist I must, for the Grey Havens aren’t ready for me yet!
So what shall I be persisting on about?
Currently, I am putting together a short booklet, perhaps 30 to 40 pages or so, covering the book of Genesis. Of course, I am writing through the lens of Girard’s mimetic theory. My goal is to put forth a simple resource, void of pedantry, for folks to use at their leisure. Conceivably it could serve well in a small group, or even for pastors to incorporate into their sermons.
In addition, and possibly my most urgent project, is a book that I am titling Heretic! An LGBTQ-Affirming, Divine Violence-Denying, Christian Universalist’s Heartfelt Answers to Some of Evangelical Christianity’s Most Pressing Questions. This, like the Genesis booklet, will be a simple-worded book, albeit heavily researched and studied, so as to engage the broadest audience possible. I’ll include the Table of Contents so you can get a taste of what I’ll be covering:
Essay 1: Following Jesus: a Ticket Outta Hell or Something Much More?
Essay 2: Cherry-Picking the Scriptures, Jesus-Style
Essay 3: The Bible: Rated R for Graphic Divine Violence, Disturbing Images, and Strong Language
Essay 4: When in Doubt, Play the Marcionite Card
Essay 5: God Made Adam, Eve, and Steve
Essay 6: Indeed Very Many: Apokatastasis in the Early Church
Essay 7: The Cross of Christ: Pulling a Sacrificial One-Eighty
Essay 8: Locked from the Inside? Musings about Free Will and Hell
Essay 9: The Wrath (of God): Revealed from Heaven or from the Human Heart?
Essay 10: Kickin’ Ass and Takin’ Names
I’ll note that both of the aforementioned projects will be published by Quoir. More details will follow.
There is also a fictional project in the works, again with my comrade Mike. I’ll say little about it at this time, as we both foresee it being at-least 4 years in the making, perhaps more. What I will say is that it will be set in the not-too-distant future, and although it will be a “science-fiction” of sorts, it will primarily be a human story.
Now, what I most look forward to at the moment is the release of A Journey with Two Mystics: Conversations between a Girardian and a Wattsian. This collection of letters has been roughly 4 years in the making, involving countless bonfires at Mike’s home. So, needless to say, making it available to others is a much cherished moment for us both. For those interested, the official publication date was March 28, 2017, and is available through Wipf & Stock at (541) 344-1528 or online through wipfandstock.com, followed by Amazon.com. I will make all links available at allsetfree.com.
That being said, I want to thank all of you for your continual support. Whether you read and follow my blog, have purchased my books, support me on Patreon, or support me in other ways, I owe a debt of gratitude to all. You keep me going on this journey and for that I’m reverentially grateful.
Peace and love. I’ll see y’all out there!
The post An Update on What I’ve been Up To, and Where I am Journeying Forth appeared first on All Set Free.
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