The Politics of Jesus

Easter was a great time of celebration with family, friends and church. Now that the pace has slowed down a bit, I finally found some time to finish up a few books I have been working on. I just finished reading "The Politics of Jesus," by Obery Hendricks (I know, I know, the title has been used before). This is an excellent book! Hendricks, a thoughtful and accomplished scholar and gifted writer looks at many of Jesus parables in a fresh light that challenges the reader to see them in a new light.

Hendricks interweaves his own narrative along with the themes of social justice, civil rights, and reclaiming mainstream faith from the radical right.

In his chapter "Messiah and Tactician," Hendricks outlines "seven political strategies of Jesus":

1) Treat the People's Needs as Holy
2) Give a Voice to the Voiceless
3) Expose the Workings of Oppression
4) Call the Demon by Name
5) Save Your Anger for the Mistreatment of Others
6) Take Blows Without Returning Them
7) Don't Just Explain the Alternative, Show It

Here is a quote from the "Save Your Anger for the Mistreatment of Others" section that really resounded and hit home with me:

It is important to talk about peace and justice and fairness and equity, but we must also act against the systems that stand in their way. We must move beyond conference after pious conference, meeting after prolonged meeting, beyond flowery pronouncements and empty talk, so we may again enter into systematic struggle to achieve the justice of God for all. We who claim to have biblical faith must remember, with all passion and faith, that, as Paul put it. 'the kingdom of God does not consist in talk, but in power' (1 Corinthians 4:20). It is only through passionate action that we will manifest our authority to dismantle every oppressive and exclusionary principality and power that stands in the way of true community. (166)

So true! May we all find the courage to follow Jesus' example and stand for peace and justice in our world today!

Peace,

John