More thoughts from Brian McLaren's new book, The Secret Message of Jesus.
The Greek phrase John uses for “eternal life” literally means “life of the ages” as opposed, I think we could, to “life as people are living it these days.” So John’s related phrases – eternal life, life to the full, and simply life – give us a unique angle on what Jesus mean t by kingdom of God: a life that is radically different from the way people are living these days, a life that is full and overflowing, a higher life that is centered in an interactive relationship with God and with Jesus
(And, as McLaren says earlier in this chapter, it most likely does not mean “life in heaven after you die” which is what most of us have believed that he is saying).
McLaren goes on to say: Let’s render it simply “an extraordinary life to the full centered in a relationship with God.” He says that he is not entirely satisfied with this definition but it causes one to think about the ramifications of this point of view. It causes us, possibly, to change our perceptions of Jesus teaching, especially the implications for us. But what a definition for us to use to describe a life lived in the kingdom of God! How does this definition change how we live for him, NOW? How can this change who we are now?
No comments:
Post a Comment