journey towards holiness: a way of living for god's nation

title: JourneyTowardsHoliness:AWayofLivingforGod'sNation

author: Kreider,Alan.publisher: HeraldPress

isbn10|asin: 0836134230printisbn13: 9780836134230ebookisbn13: 9780585180625

language: Englishsubject Christianlife--Mennoniteauthors,Holiness.

publicationdate: 1987lcc: BV4501.2.K71987ebddc: 248.4/897

subject: Christianlife--Mennoniteauthors,Holiness.

JourneyTowardsHolinessAWayofLivingforGod'sNation

AlanKreider

ForewordbyHowardA.Snyder

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataKreider,Alan,1941Journeytowardsholiness.Bibliography:p.Includesindex.1.ChristianlifeMennoniteauthors.2.Holiness.I.Title.BV4501.2.K71986248.4'89786-22838ISBN0-8361-3423-0

ThepaperusedinthispublicationisrecycledandmeetstheminimumrequirementsofAmericanNationalStandardforInformationSciencesPermanenceofPaperforPrintedLibraryMaterials,ANSIZ39.48-1984.

JOURNEYTOWARDSHOLINESSCopyright©1987byHeraldPress,Scottdale,Pa.15683PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanadabyHeraldPress,Waterloo,Ont.N276H7.Allrightsreserved.LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:86-22838InternationalStandardBookNumber:0-8361-3423-0PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmericaCoverbyAnnGraberCoverphotofromStreano/HavensDesignbyPaulaJohnsonGraphicsbyLondonMennoniteCentrestaffwithPriscillaTrenchard

999897969594109876543

ForAndrew

QuotationsfromtheBible

IhaveusedtheRevisedStandardVersionoftheBibleasthebasisofmystudy(copyrighted1946,1952,©,1971,1973).WhereIhavesupplementedthiswithothertranslations,Ihaveindicatedthis.

ScripturereferencesmarkedNIVarefromTheHolyBible:NewInternationalVersion.Copyright©1973,1978,1984bytheInternationalBibleSociety.UsedbypermissionofZondervanBiblePublishers.

ScripturereferencesmarkedTEVarefromtheGoodNewsBible.OldTestamentcopyright©AmericanBibleSociety,1976;NewTestamentcopyright©AmericanBibleSociety,1966,1971,1976.

ScripturereferencesmarkedJBarefromTheJerusalemBible,copyright©1966byDarton,Longman&Todd,Ltd.,andDoubleday&Company,Inc.Usedbypermissionofthepublisher.

ScripturereferencesmarkedNEBarefromTheNewEnglishBible.Copyright©bytheDelegatesoftheOxfordUniversityPressandtheSyndicsoftheCambridgeUniversityPress,1961,1970.Reprintedbypermission.

IhaveoccasionallymadechangesintheRSVtext.Attimesthisistoavoidsexistlanguage(e.g.,"allpeople"insteadof"allmen");andattimesitistorendermorefaithfullytheforceoftheoriginaltext.Forinstance,inonecase,Iprefer"justice''over"righteousness"(seechapter2,note3).Otheralterationsinclude:"Yahweh"for"theLord";"Lordofarmies"for"Lordofhosts";"shalom"for"peace";nations"for"gentiles";and"holyones"for"saints."

ALANKREIDER

CONTENTS

ForewordbyHowardSnyder

9

Author'sPreface 11

PartI:SurveyingtheTerritory

1.Holiness:ThreeSnapshots

19

2.TowardstheHolyCity

27

3.FourfoldHoliness

37

PartII:TheOldTestamentLandscape

4.Protection,Provision...andWorship

51

5.HolyLiving...andWhining

67

6.LosingHoliness:TheMonarchy

87

7.TowardsCatastrophe

103

8.HopefortheNation

124

PartIII:TheNewTestamentLandscape

9.HolySolutionsforanUnholyMess

137

10.Jesus,theHolyOne

148

11.HolyOnes:Breakthroughs

176

12.HolyOnes:LivingLikeJesus

187

PartIV:ComingCloserHome

13.BetweentheTimes

209

14.JourneyintoHoliness

221

15.NationalHoliness

232

16.SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamilies

240

17.SocialHolinessfortheChurch

259

Notes 271

SuggestionsforFurtherReading 288

IndexofScripturesandOtherAncientWritings 290

GeneralIndex 297

TheAuthor 303

FOREWORDOnceinawhileabookcomesalongwhichbreaksnewgroundormakesnewconnections,helpingusseemoreclearly.JourneyTowardsHolinessissuchabook.

WesleyanshaveoftenbeenintriguedbyJohnWesley'swordsthatthegospel"knowsof...noholinessbutsocialholiness."Butwhatis"socialholiness"?WesleymeantthatonecanexperiencetrueChristianityonlyinfellowshipwithotherbelievers.Theidealofholinessisnotsolitarysaints,Wesleyargued,butaholycommunity.

ItisthisthemewhichKreiderexploreswithinsight,passion,andhighinterest.ThebookdevelopsinsomedepththisaspectofholinesswhichWesleyalludedtoandpracticedbutwhichhasreceivedinadequateattentionfromWesleyanscholars.

AsaMennonite,Kreiderwrites(ashemakesclear)fromanAnabaptistperspective.TheAnabaptists,embodyingwhatissometimescalledtheRadicalReformationofthesixteenthcentury,feltthattruereformationandrenewalmustinclude

holinessnotonlywhatChristiansbelievebutalsohowtheylive,andspecificallyhowtheylivetogetherasacommunity.ManyAnabaptistsdiedfortheirfaithatthehandsofbothProtestantsandRomanCatholics,buttheirwitnesshasimpactedsubsequent"believerschurches."Wesleyhimself,inhistheologyandpractice,showedacloseaffinitywiththistraditionasIhaveshowninmybook,TheRadicalWesley.

ButthisbookisnomererestatementoftheAnabaptistviewofthechurch.Kreiderbreaksfreshgroundbothinhisoverviewofbiblicalhistoryandinhisapplicationofsocialholinesstothecontemporarychurch.InhisexcellentsummaryoftheBiblestory,Kreidershowswhatitmeanstodaytobeapeoplewholiveaccordingtothebiblicalwayofholiness.

Contemporaryreaderswillfindmuchheretoponderanddigest.The"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequalitywillhelpusexamineourlifestyles.ThewaysGodprovidesourbasicneedsofprovisionandprotectionraisequestionsaboutthesourcesofoursecurity.Andthediscussionofholinessintermsoflivingforce,separateness,godlikeness,anddynamismhelpusseeholinessinfreshways.

KreideriswritingprimarilyaboutthesocialexperienceofGod'sholinessintheChristiancommunityandintheworld,notabouthowonepersonallyexperiencesholinessofheart.Butthetwoarepartofonegreattruth,notconflictingemphases.IhopethisbookwillhelpmanybelieverstodayWesleyans,Anabaptists,andthosefromothertraditionsbecomemorefullyandauthenticallypartofGod's"holynation"intheworldtoday.

HOWARDA.SNYDERIRVINGPARKFREEMETHODISTCHURCH

AUTHOR'SPREFACEIneverthoughtI'dwriteabookonholiness.Abookonchurchhistory,yes.OroneonChristiandiscipleshiporevenonthedebateaboutnuclearweapons.Butonholiness?

Holinesswasrealtome,alright.Ithinkbackespeciallytoexperiencesinprayergroupsintheearly1970s.Or,morerecently,Irecallanoccasiononwhich,togetherwithadearfriend,Iwasinaspecialplace,aplaceofprayer.Myfriendturnedtomeandsaidsimply,"Thisisaholyplace."WewerebothmovedtobeinthepresenceoftheHolyOne.

SomeEnglishBaptistfriendsmusttakeresponsibilityformybeginningtothinkseriouslyaboutholiness.Whentheyaskedmetogiveanaddresson"socialholiness"atthe1984MainstreamConference,Ipondered,prayed,andaccepted.LittledidIknowthatbytakingonthisassignmentIwouldbedealingwithsomethingthatwouldintegratemylifeandthinkinginanewway.Holiness,Ibegantodiscover,isaboutlife.Everyareaoflife.ItissupremelyaboutGod,butthenGodisinvolvedintheworld.

AsIproceededtostudywhattheBiblehadtosayaboutholiness,asuspicionofminewasconfirmedthateverymajorChristiandoctrine,iflookedatcarefully,hastodowithlifeintheworld.Itisnotonlyholinessthatissocial.

Inwriting,Ihavebeenconsciousthatmyinsightsareoftennotnewones.SometimesIhavefeltlikeacardplayershufflingafamiliarpack!IalsoamawareofhowmuchIhavehadtoleaveout.InmyattemptnottowriteanendlessbookIhavehadtoomitimportantdoctrinesandfavoriteBiblepassages.Butthen,Ihaveremindedmyself,Iamnotwritingabookofsystematictheology.IamtryingtoretelltheBiblestoryinsuchawaythatI,andanyonewhoreadsthis,willfeelcalledintonewdimensionsofholyliving.

WhatisitthenthatIhavetooffer?Onething,Ihope,issimplicity.IhavetriedtowritesothatthemajorityofChristianreaderscanunderstandwhatI'msaying.ChristiansocialstrategyhowweliveourworkadaylivesasdisciplesofJesusisnotsomethingforthe"professionals"alone.Itisforusall.Iwanttocommunicatewithlaypeoplewhoaresobusywithjobandfamilythatitishardtofindtimeforchurch,tosaynothingoftimeforreading.Equally,Ihavetriedtowriteinsuchawaythatbusypastors,whoarebesiegedbyfuneralsandgrowthgroups,willbeabletoreadthisinbed!

Second,Iwanttowriteprimarily,notaboutthecontemporaryworld,butabouttheBible.MostpeoplewhowriteaboutChristianinvolvementintheworldassumethattheirreaderswillknowtheBible'sstoryinsideout.MostofthemalsoassumethattheirreaderswillhaveabasicknowledgeofChristiantheology.Afterdevelopingaparticularbiblicalimageortheme,suchasjustice,peace(shalom),orsaltandlight,theythenproceedtoanalyzetheworld'sproblemsandtopresentaChristianapproachtothem.Iwouldliketostartfartherback.It'snotthatIdoubtthatmanyofyouwillknowbiblicalhistory

orteaching.ButIthinkthereisvalueinretellingthestoryofGod'sdealingswithmenandwomen.

Notthewholestory,ofcourse.Thereisn'tenoughspaceforthat.Butallofustellthestory.Wetellittoourchildrenandinwardlywetellittoourselves.Andaswedothis,wearestandinginatraditionofbiblicalstorytellerswhohaveretoldthestorytoemphasizesignificantthemesanddevelopments.ThatiswhatMosesdidashepreparedtosaygood-byetotheIsraelites(Deut.29).ItiswhatJoshuadidinhisfarewellspeech(Josh.24).ItiswhatthescribeEzradidashechallengedtherepatriatedJewishexilestofaithandfaithfulness(Neh.9).ItiswhatStephendidashedefendedhimselfbeforetheSanhedrin(Acts7).Noneofthesepeopletoldthewholestory.ButtheytoldenoughtomakesenseofwhatGodhaddonesothathispeoplecouldrespondfaithfullytohisnextactions.Ihopeitisnotarrogantofmetotrytostandintheirtradition.

Third,Iamwritingasahistorian,notasaformallytrainedtheologian.Inabookaboutpracticaltheologythishasitsobviousdrawbacks,butitcanhaveitsadvantagesaswell.Thehistorian'sperspective,itseemstome,isnotabadonewhenitcomestostudyingtheBible.Historians,likebiblicalscholars,aretrainedintheanalysisoftexts.Butmoreimportantly,wearetaughttotellastoryandtoseesignificantblocksoftimeinit.Allofusrecognizethesetime-blocksinourownlives.BeforeIgotmarriedmylifewasdifferentfromwhatit'sbeenlikesince.MovingfromonejobtoanotherchangedwhatIdowithmytimeandhowIthinkaboutthings.Soitiswithhistorybiblicalandsecular.Thehistoriancallsthis"periodization"(Iwon'tmentionthewordagain!).Andasweproceedthroughthisbook,wewillsee,intheebbandflowofthefaithfulnessandfaithlessnessofGod'speople,distinctpatternswhichcanteachusagreatdeal.

Fourthandfinally,Iamwriting,notasamemberofoneofthedominantChristiantraditions(Reformed,Catholic,Orthodox,Anglican,etc.),butasarepresentativeofa450-year-oldrenewaltradition,theso-called"Anabaptist"(re-baptizer)tradition.This

movementbeganin1525inSwitzerlandand

GermanyasaresultofasearchforamoreconsistentlyrenewedformofChristiandiscipleship.TheAnabaptistleadersthoughtthatEuropeanChristians,throughtheiralliancewithstatepower,haddevelopedsomebadhabitswhichhaddepartedfromtheconvictionsandlifestyleoftheChristiansofthefirstthreecenturies.TheyfeltthatGodwasgivingthemsomeinsightsabouthowthingsmightbechangedtoreturntothoseearlypatternsoffaith-filledliving.

PartlybecausetheAnabaptistleadersthemselveswereattimesstubbornintheirnewinsights,theyencounteredalotofdefensivenessfromtheleadersoftheestablishedchurches.Notonlydefensivenessbutalsodespitetheirdesirefordialogueexcommunicationandpersecution.AcrosstheEuropeancontinentinthesixteenthcenturythousandsofAnabaptistswereeitherbanishedorexecuted.EveninEngland,atSmithfieldinLondonwheremanyProtestantshadearlierbeenexecuted,twoAnabaptistsin1575wereburnedontheordersofProtestantQueenElizabethI.Eversincethen,mosttheologiansandchurchhistorianshaveignoredtheAnabaptistsordismissedthemassectarians.

Thingsarechangingtoday,however.Withinthepastseventy-fiveyearslinealdescendantsoftheAnabaptists(Mennonites,BrethreninChrist,Hutterites)havespread,throughmission,persecution,andmigration,tooverfiftycountries.Inrediscoveringtheirhistory,manyofthesepeoplehaveregainedasenseofpurposeandpeoplehood.Theyhavealsoexperiencedspiritualrevitalization.Manyofustwentieth-centuryAnabaptists,whileunderstandingwhyourforebearswithdrewfromthe"world"inresponsetopersecution,donotwanttogothatrouteourselves.InmanyplaceswehaveemergedasparticipantsinthelifeofthesecularworldandthewiderChristianchurch,beingcommittedtoservice,mission,scholarshipandprofessionalinvolvement.

Butamongtoday'sChristianstherearemany"nonlineal"relativesoftheAnabaptistsaswell.Aroundtheworldmanybe-

lieversareencounteringideaswhichtheAnabaptistshelddear:thechurchasthebodyofChrist,simplicityoflifestyleandeconomicsharing,nonviolenceandenemylove,andJesusastheheartofGod'srevelationofanappropriatelifestyleforGod'speople.Moreover,theyareadoptingtheseideas,notbecausetheAnabaptistsheldthem,butbecausetheyarediscoveringtheirownrootsintheearlychurch.Inaworldinwhichtraditionalanswersseemexplosivelyirrelevant,manyChristiansarewillingtoconsider"new"alternatives.

ItwillbeobvioustothosewhostaywithmethroughoutthisbookthatI,asamodernAnabaptistChristian,cannotstandalone.IhavelearnedmuchfromAnabaptist-Mennonitemenandwomenfromparents,pastors,andfriends,andalsofromscholars,mostnotablyfromJohnHowardYoder,WillardSwartley,RonSider,LarryMiller,andMillardLind.Thelattertwoareespeciallydearfriends,andtheirbiblicalvisionandexpertisehavebeenaninspirationtome.RepeatedlyovertheyearsWilbertShenkoftheMennoniteBoardofMissionshasprovidedmewithatheologicalvisionformission.Thistimehiscommentsatanearlystagehelpedmetoseethewayforwardinwritingthisbook.AndtheBoard'sfinancialsupportmadeitpossible.ButmuchthoughIowetoMennonites,IhopethatmydebttoChristiansofothertraditionswillbeequallyapparent.SomeoftheseIhavenevermet.WithothersIhavesharedlifeandworship.JimPunton,KimTan,LesslieNewbigin,StanleyHauerwas,NeilSummerton,JimWallis,JeanneHinton,RichardMouw,HerbertButterfield,AndrewKirk,BobGoudzwaardhowmuchmylifeandthinkingowetothem!

Christiancommunitiesaresaidtobepoorplacestowrite."You'vegottogetawaytogetanythingdone,"I'vebeentold.Thisistosomeextenttrue.AsIhavewrittenthisbook,sistersandbrothershavehelpedtoprotectmefrominterruptions.Ihaveenjoyedthesetimesofsolitude.Butinmanyways,thisbookisaproductofmyinvolvement

withseriousChristianswhohavecometogethertohuntforalternativeformsofchurch

life.SpirituallyIhavebeenstretchedbythesepeopleandbytheexperiencesofGod'sgracethatwehavehadtogether.FromthemIhavealsolearnedalotabouttheworldandtheBible.WithoutmyexperiencesinanumberofChristiancommunities,Iwouldneverhavewrittenthisbook,forIwouldhavehadnothingtosay.

ItwasinacommunityinSwitzerlandthatIbeganworkonthebook.TheSistersofGrandchamp,acommunityofProtestantsistersnearNeuchatel,taughtmemuchaboutworship,work,andlivingingenuineunity.ThenextstagesofworktookplaceinYork,England,undertheumbrellaofthechurchofSt.Michael-le-Belfrey,whoprovidedmeandmyfamilywithhousingandwithinspirationandministry.MydebttoGrahamCrayandSharonStinsonisimmense.InnearbyLeeds,membersoftheAslanEducationUnithavealsobeenhelpful.BillPhelps,PaulLangley,andCathyMagnallhavereadchaptersandmadesuggestions.ThesupportofPippaJulings,friendandspiritualandintellectualcomrade,hasbeenmagnificent.

Mostofthewriting,however,IhavedoneinLondon,England,withinthesphereofsupportofmyhomechurchtheLondonMennoniteFellowship.Manymembershavehelpedme.Overtheyears,IhavelearnedmuchthroughconversationswithWallyFahrer.WillNewcombandPeterOlsenhavehelpedininnumerableways.SomemembershavereadeachchapterasIhavewrittenitandmadeperceptivecriticisms.JudithGardiner,DavidNussbaum,KathyNussbaum,AndyPotter,SallyWelch,ChrisMarshallallhavebeenhelpfultome.Mymostlong-sufferingcriticshavebeenEleanorKreiderandAndrewKreider,mywifeandson.Bothhavereadthemanuscriptwithpainstakingattentiontodetail.BothhavesuggestednewwaysforwardwhenIwasinamentalcul-de-sac.AndAndrewhaspreparedtheindex.Iamgrateful.

ALANKREIDER,

LONDONMENNONITECENTRE,HIGHGATE,LONDON,ENGLAND,JULY1986

PARTISURVEYINGTHETERRITORY

Chapter1Holiness:ThreeSnapshots

Holiness,Snapshot1

Thescene,arefugeecampontheeasternshoreoftheRedSea.Date,approximately1280B.C.Documentaryevidence,Exodus15.

Itisasceneofsomeconfusion.Peopleofallagesaremillingabout,interminglingwithanimals.Inmostwaystheirlifeisprettyprimitive.They'vegotafewleaders,butverylittleorganization.Andtheyhavepracticallynopossessions.Asrefugeestheyhaveonlywhattheycancarrywiththem.Theydon'tevenknowverywellwhotheyareorwhattheirhistoryis.

Buttheydoknowtwothings.TheyusedtobeslavesonthewesternsideoftheRedSea,inEgypt.Butnowtheyarefree.Andtheyarefree,notbecauseofanythingtheyhavedone,butbecausesomethingamazinghasjusthappened.

Whentheyhadbeenpursuedbythemightiestmilitarymachineoftheirday;whentheyhadfoundthemselvespinnedinbetweenitandthedeepbluesea;whentheyhadbeenpowerless,utterlyoutofideas,andfulloffearSomeoneElsehad

acted.AGodwhosenametheyhadjustlearned,whosecharactertheyhadjustbeguntodiscover,hadsavedthemfromforcedlaborinthebrickyard.

1Hehadkeptthemfrombeingwipedoutasapeople.TheSea,whichhadpartedtoallowthemtopassthroughdry-shod,badswallowedtheirpursuers.Whatanact!Itboggledtheirminds.Anditfrightenedthem(Exod.14:31),fortheysensedthatanAwesomePowerhadbeenunleashedintheirexperiencewhichtheycouldn'tbegintounderstand.Theyhadnocategoriesintowhichtofitactsofconcrete,tangiblegrace.But,despitetheirfearandbewilderment,theywereimmenselyrelieved.

Sotheygatheredinthankfuldisarraytosinganewsongsonewinfactthattheywerelearningitastheysang.Moses,theirleader,ledthesinging.TheprophetessMiriam,hissister,wasinchargeoftherhythmsection,brandishinghertambourineandleadingthewomeninanunrehearseddance.

Whatweretheysingingabout?TheyweresingingabouttheirKing.Indeed,theyweresingingtotheirKing,whosenametheyhadjustlearned.

IwillsingtoYahweh,forhehastriumphedgloriously;thehorseandhisriderhehasthrownintothesea.Yahwehismystrengthandmysong,andhehasbecomemysalvation....Yahwehisamanofwar;Yahwehishisname.(Exod.15:13)

Whysing?BecauseofwhattheirKinghaddone.Whentheenemy,withhischariots,hisarmy,andhispickedofficers,hadsaid,''Iwillpursue,Iwillovertake...Iwilldrawmysword,myhandshalldestroythem,"theirKinghadacted.

Youblewwithyourwind,theseacoveredthem...Whoislikeyou,OYahweh,amongthegods?Whoislikeyou,majesticinHOLINESS,terribleingloriousdeeds,doingwonders?(Exod.15:1011)

Intheirrejoicing,theyweregivenavision,aninspiredpremonitionoftheplaceoftheirrescue,andoftheirownexistenceasapeople,inamuchlargerstory.

Youhaveledinyoursteadfastlovethepeoplewhomyouhaveredeemed,

youhaveguidedthembyyourstrengthtoyourHOLYABODE....

Youwillbringthemin,andplantthemonyourownmountain...yoursanctuary,OYahweh,whichyourhandshaveestablished.(Exod.15:13,17)

Theimplicationsofthisweremorethantheyintheirexuberancecouldanticipate.Theycouldnotknowthattheywouldbecalledtobeaholynation.TheycouldnotcomprehendthattheirnationallifestylewouldbeoneofholydeviancewhichwouldsetthemapartnotjustfromtheEgyptiansbutfromallpeoples.Theycouldnotknowthatthisholinesswouldrequirethemtogoonlivingprecariously,trustingintheirDelivererfortheirprotectionandprovision.

Buttheydidsenseonethingthattheirexperiencewasnotrandomormeaningless.Historywasgoingsomewhere.Althoughitwasoutoftheircontrol,itwasnotoutofcontrol.TheywereinthehandsoftheirownKingonewhowasinvisiblebuttangiblypowerful.

"Yahweh,"theyshouted."Yahweh[notPharaoh,notanyCanaaniteorIsraeliteking]willreignforeverandever."

Holiness,Snapshot2

Thescene,thetempleinJerusalem.Date,overfivehundredyearslater,742B.C.Documentaryevidence,Isaiah67.

Isaiah,aneducatedman,wasinthetemplethefocalpointofhisnation'sreligiouslife.Theeveningsacrificewastakingplace,but

Isaiah'sattentionwasfarfromtheliturgy.Intenselyconcernedaboutpolitics,hismindkeptflittingtoplanswhichwerebeingmadeelsewhereinthecapitalcity.

Itwasatimeofpoliticalcrisis.Twocenturiesearlier,theIsraeliteshad,despiteYahweh'sprotest,chosentohavekings.Sincethen,thingshadn'tgoneverywellmostofthetime.Withinlessthanacentury,thekingdomhadsplitintwo.ManyofthekingsofbothIsraelandJudahhaddone(intherecurrentphraseinthebooksofKings)"whatwasevilinthesightofYahweh."

Uzziah,kingofJudah,hadbeenabetterkingthanmany.Hewasmarvelouslyhelped,tillhewasstrong"(2Chron.26:15).Buthisstrengthhadmadehimproud,andhehadjustdiedasaleper,excludedfromthetemple.Hisson,Jotham,wasuntried,andthestormcloudsofmultinationalwarfareweregathering.Judahwasatinystate,alienatedfromIsraelandSyriatothenorth.Inherweakness,shewasinclinedtolookaroundforallies,perhapstothegreatpower,Assyria,whichwasamassingitsforcestotheEast.Everyone,includingIsaiah,wasuncertainwhatwouldhappennext.

SuddenlyIsaiah'spoliticalmusingswereinterrupted.Inaterrifyingmoment,hesawYahweh.Atanyrate,hesawYahweh'svestments(his"train").Heobservedtheactionsofhiscelestialcourtiersandheardhisvoiceandthoseofhiscourtiers.Theexperiencewasoverwhelming.Theseraphimflew,callingtooneanother,

Holy,holy,holyisYahwehSabaoth(theLordofarmies);thewholeearthisfullofhisglory.(Isa.6:3)

Thegloriousspacewasfilledwithsmoke,andthetemple'smonumentalfoundationswereshaken.

SowereIsaiah's.Inhisfear,healmostcameunstuck.Inthefaceofholiness,heknewthathewasunwhole."WhatawretchedstateI'min.Iamlost!"Moreacutelythaneverbefore,heknewthathewasasinner.Hewasunabletoenterintotheangels'song,unablewithhisuncleanlipstospeaktothepoliticalsituationofhistime.Hisfellow

countrymenwere

assinfulashewas,confusedandmuteinthefaceofcrisis.Hisunderstandings,hisverybeing,hadbeencalledintoquestionbywhathehadseen.ForintheyearthatKingUzziahhaddied,IsaiahhadseentheKing,theLordofarmies.

TheKingdidnotleaveIsaiahcringingonthefloorofhisthroneroom.Athiscommand,oneoftheseraphimtookalivecoalfromthealtar.WithithetouchedIsaiah'slips.Isaiah'ssinwasforgiven.Hisuncleanlipsbecameholy,fittobeamouthpieceforthemessageoftheKingtohispeople."HereIam!"saidIsaiah."Sendme."

ThemessagewhichtheKinggavehimwasanuncomfortableone.Itwasnotageneralcalltowithdrawtothetemple,whereallthepeoplecouldexperiencethestaticsanctityofGod'sholiness.Instead,itwasawordofjudgment.God'speoplehadforgottentheircallingtobeaholynation.Nolongerweretheylivinginholynonconformity,trustinginGodtoprotectandprovide.Instead,theirlifestylehadcometobeoneofunholyconformitytothepatternsoflifeofthesurroundingnations.

Liketheirbellies,theirearshadbecomeheavy.NotonlyweretheyunabletospeakthewordofGod;theycouldn'tevenhearit.Onnoaccountwouldtheyturnaroundandbehealed(becomeholyagain).Asaresult,themilitaryforcesthatwerebuildingupwouldsweepoverthem.Their"largeandbeautifulhouses"(Isa.5:9)wouldbedevastated.Theircitieswouldbedepopulated.Whentheyceasedtobeaholynation,God'speoplewereoncourseforcatastrophe.

Unless...unlesstheywouldtrustintheirKingYahwehagain.Theycouldstillturnto"theHolyGod[who]showshimselfholyinjustice"(5:16).TheycouldstilltrustinGodinsteadofinmilitaryalliances,asIsaiah(7:9)shortlythereaftersaidtoKingAhaz,"Ifyouwillnotbelieve,surelyyoushallnotbeestablished."Ifhispeoplewouldliveinholytrust,relyingonhiminsteadoftheAssyrians,Yahwehwould

onceagaindemonstratehispowerinworldevents.

Holiness,Snapshot3

Thescene,aroominJerusalem.Date,early30s,A.D.Documentaryevidence,Acts4.

Thereistensionintheair.AsmallroominJerusalemispackedwithmenandwomen,manyofthemunsophisticatedvillagersfromtheNorthCountry(Galilee).Thepeoplearetenseforgoodreason.Theirmovementisanewoneandtheauthoritieshavedecidedthatitisdangerous.Interrogationsandsuddenarrestshavefollowed.Rumorsofsystematicpersecutionhavebeenrumbling.Andnow,whilethepeoplearehavingtheireveninggathering,twooftheirleadersPeterandJohnarebeinginterrogatedbytheauthorities.Willtheybereleased?Whatfutureistherefortheirmovementwhichisconstantlyunderthreat?

Despitetheseuncertainties,thepeopleintheroomknewthatinthebrieftimesincetheirmovementhadbegun,theyhadexperiencedanewdimensionofreality.Itwasadimensionsoearth-shakingthattheyhadleftthepettysecuritiesoftheirformerlifeandcometotheirpresentpositionofrisk.ItislessthanayearafterthedisappearanceofJesus,thebuilder-rabbifromGalilee.Althoughtherulingregime'spartylineisthatheisdead,hisbonesstolenbyhisdisciples,thepeopleinthisroomknewbetter.Fortheyhadseenhim.Theyhadtouchedhisrisenbody.Theyhadeatenwithhim.TheyhadheardhimreinterprettheScripturesinlightofhimselfandGod'skingdom.TheywatchedashehadascendedtobewiththeFather.And,mostimportantofall,theywereall"togetherinoneplace"whenholinessburstinuponthem.Jesushadkepthispromise:theSpirithadenvelopedthemandequippedthemwithdynamicpower.

Thingshadnotbeenthesamesince.Theyhadbeenlivinginhope,notinconfusionanddespair.Theyhadbeenworshipingwithrenewed

eagerness,bothinthetempleandinhomes.Theapostleshadbeenteachingthem,andthekindofwondersandsignswhichGod's"holyservant"Jesusperformedhadbeenoc-

curringintheirmidst.Intheirloveforeachother,theyhadbeenovercomingtheirfearandgreed,andhadbeenredistributingtheirgoodsaccordingtoneed.Andbecausetheycouldn'tkeepquietabouttheLordandMessiahwhohadlovedthemsomuchandwasturningtheirlivesaround,theyhadrepeatedlybeeninthebadbooksoftheauthorities.

SuddenlyPeterandJohnentertheroom.Everybodyclamorstoheartheirstory."Theauthoritiestriedtoimpressuswiththeirsophistication.Thentheytriedtobullyuswiththreats.Buttheycouldn'targueagainstthefacts.Here,leapingaboutus,wasthiscrippledbeggarwhohadbeenatthetemplegateforyears.HewasevidenceevidenceofGod'spoweratwork.Itwaswonderful.SomeofthemevencommentedthattherewassomethingaboutusthatlookedlikeJesus.But,brothersandsisters,whatshouldwedo?Werespondedtotheirthreatsbysayingthatwecouldn'tliterallycouldn'tstopspeakingaboutJesus.He'smadeourlivescompletelydifferent.Butwasthattherightthingtosay?Afterall,thestakesareprettyhigh,andweallknowwhathappenedtoJesus."

Thegatheredcompanydidnotdiscussthesequestions.Insteadtheyturnedtotheonewhowasincharge."SovereignLord,"theyaddressedhim.Theirminds,steepedinScripture,weredrawntoPsalm2:"Whydothenationsrage?...Thekingsoftheearthsetthemselvesinarray,andtherulersweregatheredtogether,againsttheLordandhisMessiah."ItwassoclearthattherulersandnationshaddonetheirworstagainstGod's"holyservantJesus."Andnowtheywerethreateningtodothesametohisdisciples.WiththeScripturesringingintheirhearts,thecompanybeganitsintercessions.

Andnow,Lord,lookupontheirthreats,andgrantyourservantstospeakyourwordwithallboldness,whileyoustretchforthyourhandtoheal,andsignsandwondersareperformedthroughthenameofyourholyservantJesus.(Acts4:2930)

Suddenlythesamemysterious,overwhelmingthingthatIsaiahhadexperiencedinthetemplehappenedtothemintheirdomesticsetting.Theroomwasshaken,andtheywithitbutinjoy,notfear.TheywerefilledwithGod'sHolySpiritandtheirtongueswereloosenedtospeakwithboldnessthegoodnewsaboutJesus.

AsGodacted,theirlifestyleschanged.UnliketheJerusalemitesofIsaiah'stimewhoseliveswereimprisonedbymaterialismandmilitarism,theseearlyChristianswerebeingfreedbytheHolySpiritforanewkindofliving.Theholyimpetuswhichtheyreceivedfromworshipexpresseditselfineconomics.TherealitywhichtheywereexperiencingintheSpiritwastherealityofOldTestamentJubilee,inwhichlandswereredistributedandpovertywasabolished.WhattheLawhadrequired(Lev.25)andJesushadreinstated(Luke4:1618)wasbeinglived.And"greatgrace"concrete,tangiblegracewastheexperienceofthemall.

Theseearlybelievershadmuchtolearn.Theyhadnotyetmetthechallengeoftheoutsiderandtheenemy,whomtheHolySpiritwouldsoonbringintotheirmidst.Theyhadn'tworkedoutfullywhattheiridentitywasasanewpeople.Itwouldtaketimefortheirteacherstocometoanunderstandingof"newcreation"andthe"holycity."

ButtheydidknowthatGodwastheirKingandsovereignLord,fortheyhadexperiencedthedynamicgreatnessofGod'sholiness.TheyknewthatJesus,God's"holyservant,"wasalive.AndtheyknewthattheHolySpiritwasshakingtheirlivesandovercomingallthebarrierseveneconomiconeswhichpreventpeoplefrombeing"ofoneheartandsoul."

Chapter2TowardstheHolyCityOurthreesnapshotsarefascinating,aren'tthey?EachoneshowsameetingbetweenindividualsandtheirKing.IneachtheKingisrevealinghimselfasnoordinaryruler.Heismysteryandpower,someonewhofitsintononeatcategories.Todescribehim,ordinaryvocabularysimplywon'tdo.

TheKing'sbehaviorisunpredictable.Intwoofoursnapshots,hewasshakingthefoundationsofhispeopleandsendingthemoutintoconflict.Inthethird,hewasrescuingthemfromtheirenemies.Butineachhewasshowingsomethingofhimself.Andwhatheshowedisunlikeanyotherreality.Meetinghimisthereforeunlikeanyotherhumanexperience.Fromaveryearlydate,hispeoplecametocallhisrealityholiness.OftentheyhavecalledhimtheHolyOne.Andtheyhaverespondedtohiminaweandworship.

Inthesesnapshotsotherthingsstrikeusaswell.Onethatimmediatelyseizesourattentionisthatholinessisnotatallprivateorotherworldly.Infact,theholinessintheseepisodesispractical.Itrelatestopeople'simmediate,"unreligious"needs.

Asthepeopleexperiencedhisholiness,Godinvadedtheirlivesasindividualsandcommunities.Hebegantochangethem.Hispresencecouldbeprettyterrifying,asheshookthepeople'sspiritsandjarredtheirapproachestolife.WhenGodtouchedthem,theirattitudesandtheireconomicsbegantotakeonadistinctivecharacter.Theirlifestylebecameunconventional.Theirwaysofdoingthingsbecamedifferentfromtheways"normal"peopledidthem.ButsomehowwhattheywerebecominganddoingborethestampoftheHolyOne.Bylivingalifeofholynonconformity,theywerecomingto"sharehisholiness"(Heb.12:10).

Holiness,however,wasnotonlysocial.Itwasalsoonthemove.Thepeopleinoursnapshotsdidn'thavethechoiceofstayingwheretheywereandbaskinginholiness.Forholinesswasdynamic.Whenpeopleexperiencedit,Godinvitedthemindeed,propelledthemintoanewkindofliving,akindoflivingthatwasrisky.

Whatwasthewayahead?Muchthoughthepeopleinoursnapshotsmighthavewondered,itwasimpossibleforthemtoknow.TheirKingwasinvitingthemtosetoutonajourneyajourneyintotheunknown.Hedidn'tprovidethemwithanymaps.Wouldtherebeoasesinthewilderness?Whatwouldhappenwhenpowerful,heavy-earedpeoplerejectedtheKing'smessage?HowcouldGod'speoplegoonlivingalifeofeconomicsharingwhentheauthoritieskeptharassingthembecausetheycouldn'tkeepquietaboutKingJesus?Oursnapshotpeoplecouldnotbesure.

Butonethingtheyweresureof.IneachcasetheyknewthatmeetingtheHolyOnehadthoroughlyupsettheir"businessasusual."Notonlythat.TheHolyOnehadalsoledthemintosituationsofuncertaintyanddanger.Theycouldsurviveinthese,butonlyiftheykeptrediscoveringsomethingabsolutelybasictrustintheconcrete,everydaygraceofGod.

Thesesnapshots,ofcourse,havetheirlimitations.Theeventswhichtheyrecordare"frozen"andoutofcontext.

Naturallywewantmoredetailthantheyreveal.Buttobegintogetafeelforholiness,theyareprettyuseful,fortheyprovidearecordofimportanteventsinafamilyhistory.Theymarkpointsofprogressinalongjourney.Theygiveusgeneralimpressionsaboutthekindofpeoplewhoareontheroad.And,mostimportant,theygiveusglimpsesoftheonlyonewhocankeepthemgoingtheirKing.

Butonethingthesnapshotsdon'ttellus.Whereistheroadgoing?Thesnapshotpeoplethemselvesdidn'tknowandcan'ttellus.Thegoalalwaysremainedamystery.

God'sProject

It'samysterytous,too.TheHolyOneinvitesyouandmetobefellowwalkersontheroad.Butwhatisitsdestination?TherestoftheBibledoesn'tgiveusamap,either.Butitdoesgiveussomeclues.

TheBiblemakesitclear,forexample,thatGodisacriticofthewaythingsare.Godknowsthatwehumanshavedistortedcreation.Godisintenselyawareofhowmuchwesufferasaresult.AndGodgrieves.Notonlyforthespoiledcreation.Alsoforandwithoppressed,hurtinghumanity.Whentheprophetswailed"O,mypeople"onecanhearGod'sanguish.AndwhenJesusweptovertheHolyCity(Jerusalem),bewailingthatbecauseitdidnotknow"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42)itwouldbesmashedbytheRomanarmy,hewasintunewiththecryofGod'sheart.

ButGoddoesn'tsimplyempathizewithsufferingmenandwomen.Ourdeparturesfromwhatwasintendedincreationhaven'tparalyzedGod.Infact,theBiblemakesitclearthatGodisdeterminedtochangethings.PreciselyhowGodisgoingtochangethingsitdoesn'tmakeclear.Butfromoneendtotheotheramessageofhopeblazesout:Godhasnotgivenuponthecreationthatwehumans,inourrebellion,havespoiled.AndGodisdeterminedtorestoreit.

TheBible'swordforthisisamodestoneGod'sproject(or

''plan"[Eph.1:10]).

1Butthereisnothingmodestabouttheproject.Itisnotoneofbringingindividualstoheaven.Itspurposeandtimescalearevastlygreaterthanthat.ThelasttwochaptersoftheBible,Revelation2122,depictthegoalofhistoryasanactofre-creation.Inthisgreatact,Godisredoingeverything:"Behold,Imakeallthingsnew"(Rev.21:5).Allthings!

Tobegin,thereisanewheavenandanewearth.Andaholycityaholysocialorderisgiventomenandwomen.Fromit,Godhasabolishedsufferinganderadicateddeath.EventheareasinwhichhumanshavemostpersistentlyresistedGod'sauthoritywealthandpowerhavebeenbroughtundertheunchallengedcontroloftheHolyOne.Thecityisthereforeaplaceofcompletewholeness.Andofhealing.Byitsriverthereisatreewhosefruithealsthenations.Andthroughoutthecity,ascreaturesrespondtotheirCreatorandRe-creator,thereisworship.

Ourglimpseoftheholycityisimportant,foritletsusseehowlarge,howlife-embracing,andhowbeautifulholinessis.Butitisimportantforanotherreasonaswell.Ithelpsusputourselvesandourexperienceoflifeintoperspective.Ifwe'reatallintouchwithwhatisgoingonaboutus,weknowthatourworldisinagony.

Buttheholycityshowsusthatitdoesn'thavetobelikethat.Godisnotthegodofnoalternative.God'sprojectisspecificallytosay"no"tothedeformingstatusquoandtosay"yes"toanalternativesocialorder.

SoGod'sprojectisbig.Godisaimingatnothinglessthananewcreation"(2Cor.5:17;Gal.6:15),areconciliationofallthings(notjustallpeople)inChristJesus(Col.1:20).Unimaginablethingswill

happen!Wolvesandlambswilllivesidebyside.Infantsandsnakeswillplaytogether(Isa.11:68).Godisgoingtocompletehiscreation,whichwasmarredbyhumanrebellion.Godwillmakeallthingsnew.Godwillmakeeverythingwhole.2

ActiveWaiting

Buthowdowegettotheholycity?Ourcitiesareunholy.Theyaremarkedbybrokenness,notwholeness.AsPaulsaysinRomans8:22,the"wholecreationhasbeengroaning"andthemoreintouchwearewithwhatisgoingonintheworld,themoreweknowhowrighthewas.BetweentheworldthatweexperienceaswewalkthestreetsandwatchourTVspeoplelinedupatsoupkitchens,starvingAfricans,anepidemicofdrug-taking,newerandbetterweaponsandtheholycity,thereisagreatchasm.Nothingseemsabletobridgeit.

AccordingtotheBible,thischasmisunbridgeable.Humanengineeringcannotcatapaultusacrossit.Noraretheremapstoguideusdownonesideandbackuptheother.Inshort,wehumans,forallourcleverness,can'tengineertheholycity.OnlyGodcanestablishtheholycity.OnlyGodcanbringusthere.

ButhowwillGoddoit?JustwhenwewouldmostliketheBibletobeclear,itcharacteristicallyisn't!Infact,whenittalksaboutfutureeventsitoftensoundslikeourdreamsfullofbizarreevents,fantastichappenings.

ThedayoftheLordwillcomelikeathief,andthentheheavenswillpassawaywithaloudnoise,andtheelementswillbedissolvedwithfire,andtheearthandtheworksthatareuponitwillbeburnedup.(2Pet.3:10)

Wecanreadtoomuchintopassageslikethis.Butwewillbeintroubleifweignoretheircentralmessage.ItisGod'saction,notours,thatwillbringtheholycity.Hewilldosoonhisday,whenhisSonJesuswillreturninjudgmentandmercy.MightGodallowushumans,byourpervertedprowess,tobringaboutthedaythatwillmarktheendoftheworldasweknowit?Noonecansay.Butifso,itwouldn'thavesurprisedJeremiah,whounderstoodGod'sjudgmentlikethis:"Iambringingeviluponthispeople,thefruitoftheirdevices"(Jer.

6:19).

ButtheBibleishopeful,notdoom-ridden.Evenwhenitswriterswerefacingthedestructionoftheircivilization,theywereconfidentthatGodwasgoingtodosomethingnew.Godisjudge.ButGodwillalsobetheRe-creator.PeterknewthatonthedayoftheLordtherewouldbeburningandnoiseandcolossaldestruction.Butimmediatelyafterrecognizingthat,hestatedhishope:"Accordingtohispromisewewaitfornewheavensandanewearthinwhichjusticedwells"(2Pet.3:13,myemphasis).

3

Thegroaningoftheoldcreationisnotsenselesspain.Itisthegroaningof"onegreatactofgivingbirth"(Rom.8:22,JB).Andthebiblicalwritershadevidenceforthis:theHolySpiritwasequippingthemwith"thepowersoftheagetocome"(Heb.6:5).This,tobesure,wasnotconclusiveevidence.Butitwasenoughenoughtofeedtheirfaithandtoconvincethemthattheywerenothopinginvain.

Untilthen,theywaited.Butwhatanactiveformofwaitingitwas!4Theyoftencalledthispatience(Rom.8:25).Butitwasastanceofvigorouscommitment,notofresignation.Theydidn'tknowthewayforward.OnlyGod,theybelieved,knowsthat.Theywerenotincontrolofevents.Godwas.Theyweresurethattherewouldbealotofpainandturbulencebeforetheholycityarrived(Acts14:22).Inthemeantime,theyweredeterminedtolivetheirlivesinlightofthesocialorderofthecomingcity.

Thecomingcitywouldberuledinpeaceandjustice.Sotheyandtheircongregationswouldbeginlivinginpeaceandjusticenow.Alreadytheywouldexperiencereconciliationwithnationalenemiesandaneradicationofpoverty.Sincethecomingcitywouldbeaholycity,theirlifenowwouldbemarkedby"theholinesswithoutwhichnoonewillseetheLord"(Heb.12:14).Inpoliticalterms,theseearly

Christianswereweak.Buttheysetabouttheirlifeofactivewaiting,confidentthattheywereparticipatingin"anadventurewhichisnothinglessthanGod'spurposeforallofcreation."5

ConfidenceinWeakness

TheconfidenceoftheNewTestamentwritersisbreathtaking.Weren'ttheyrealisticenoughtotellthattheywereafringeevent,thattherealperformerswereplayingonthemainstage?SurelywhatwasreallyimportantwashappeningintheSanhedrinandPraetorium,tosaynothingoftheimperialcapitalofRome.HowcouldtheyimaginethattheirfellowshipswerevitaltoGod'sproject?Couldn'ttheysensetheirinsignificance?

Attimestheycould.TheapostlePaulwascandidaboutit.NotmanyofhisCorinthianbrothersandsisters,headmitted,"werewiseaccordingtoworldlystandards,notmanywerepowerful,notmanywereofnoblebirth"(1Cor.1:26).Butthatdidn'tdiscouragehim.Forsomethingmomentoushadbeentakingplaceamongthem.Godhadchosen"thingslowandcontemptible,merenothings,tooverthrowtheexistingorder"(1Cor.1:28,NEB).

Thiswasnothingnew.Timeandagain,theHebrewScripturestestifiedthatGodchoosestoworkthroughtheweak.Withthatkindofhistorytolookbackto,theearlyChristianssensedthattheircongregationswerejustthekindofplacethatGodwouldact.

ButtheyknewthatGodwouldactelsewhereaswell.FortheOldTestamenthadmadeitclearthatYahwehwastheGodnotjustof"churchhistory"butofworldhistory.Indeed,herevealedhimselfthroughhistoricalevents.Andtoachievehispurposesofbringinglifeandfreedomtotheworld,Godusednations.

GodUsestheNations

Godusedtwoclassesofnation,tobeprecisethe"nations"andhisholynation.Ontheonehand,Godoftenemployed"thenations"thatdidn'tknowhimtodohiswork.Wasjudgmentnecessary?"Iam

rousingtheChaldeans,thatbitterandhastynation"(Hab.1:6).Didexilesneedtobereturnedtotheir

nativeland?"ThussaysYahwehtohisanointed,toCyrus,whoserighthandIhavegrasped,tosubduenationsbeforehim...'Iwillgobeforeyou...Igirdyou,thoughyoudonotknowme'"(Isa.45:15).Yahwehcalledthispaganmonarchhisanointed(messiah,inHebrew)anexaltedtitleandrole.

Onanumberofoccasions,GodevencommissionedtheenemynationsAssyriaandBabylontodohistask.ThreetimesinthebookofJeremiahhecalledtheBabylonianking.Nebuchadnezzar"myservant"(Jer.25:9;27:6;43:10).

6Tobesure,theOldTestamentwriterswerewaryofoverstressingtheimportanceofthesenationsinGod'spurposes.ToGodtheywere"likeadropfromabucket"(Isa.40:15).AndalthoughthenationsmightbeGod'sinstrumentofjudgment,theythemselveswouldbejudgedaswellandpunishedfortheirviolenceandinjustice.

TheearlyChristianswerewellschooledintheseOldTestamentunderstandings.TheapostlePaulwasatpainstoremindthemthatthepagannationoccupyingthePromisedLandandoppressingtheChristiansinRomewas"God'sservant"(Rom.13:4).TheChristiansalsorecountedJesus'responsetotheRomangovernorPilate"Youwouldhavenopowerovermeunlessithadbeengivenyoufromabove"(John19:11).

God'sHolyNation

ButtheearlyChristiansalsosensedthattherealactionwasnottakingplaceamongthenations.ThehistorianLukereflectedtheirattitudeaccurately.Inthefirstsentenceofchapter3ofhisGospel,hementionedfivenationalrulersandtworeligiousleaders.Toeachofthemhegaveafractionofasentence.ButtoJohn,thehairymaninthewildernesstowhomthewordofGodcame,hegaveanentire

chapter!Thenations,therefore,werenotunimportant,Godcouldusetheminhispurposes.ButGod'smostimportantworkonhisprojectwastakingplaceelsewhere.ByhisWordandSpirit,Godwasforminganewnation.

IntheOldTestament,itwasthissecondclassofnationaclassofonethatwastheheartofthestory.FromGenesis12onwarditwasasolitarynation,thedescendantsofonecouple,whomGodwasusingtobringhisblessingto"allthefamiliesoftheearth"(Gen.12:3).Itseemsbizarre.Whycallapairofwell-heeledcitizensoftheChaldeancityofUrtoleavetheircomfortablehomesandtoheadintotheunknown?Andwhyformtheirdescendantsintoa"holynation"(Exod.19:6)?

TheOldTestamentwritersdonotexplainfullywhyGodshouldbesocuriouslyselective.InDeuteronomy79,however,Mosesaddressedhimselftothesubject.Yahwehhadnotchosenthem,hetoldtheIsraelites,becausethereweresomanyofthemortheybehavedsowell.Itwasbecauseofsomethingelse:"Yahwehlovesyou"(Deut.7:8).Becausehelovedthem,hewantedthemtolivedifferentlyfromtheothernations."Lo,apeopledwellingalone,andnotreckoningitselfamongthenations"(Num.23:9).

Buttheyweretobedifferentfromtheothernationsnotjustbecausedifferentnesswasbeautiful!ItwasbecauseGodhadalargerpurposeforthem.Bybeingdifferent,theywouldhavesomethingtocontribute.Throughtheireccentriclifestyle,Godwouldbringsalvationandblessingtoallofhumanity.TheprophetIsaiahgavethisideaitsclassicalexpression:"Iwillgiveyouasalighttothenations,thatmysalvationmayreachtotheendoftheearth"(Isa.49:6).Inthisvisionofnationaldistinctivenesstherewasnothingselfish,nothingintroverted.

The"holynation,"itwasclearintheOldTestament,wastobetheprimaryvehicleofGod'spurposesinhistory.TheNewTestamentwritersknewthisaswell.Tobesure,theeventswhichtheyrecordedintroducednewdimensionsinthestory.Thearrivalofthelong-awaitedMessiahJesusinevitablychangedthings.Soalsodidthe

incorporationoftheGentiles(literallyinGreek,"thenations")intothe"newhumanity"whichGodwasforming(Eph.2:15),andtheirempoweringbytheHolySpirit.Yet,despitethesechanges,amongbothJewish

andnon-JewishChristianstherewasstillastrongsenseofbeinga"holynation"(1Pet.2:9)."Youarethelightoftheworld,"Jesushadtoldthem,echoingIsaiah.Therefore"donotdoasthenationsdo"(Matt.5:14;6:7).Peterputthesamethoughtindifferentwords:

Asobedientchildren,donotbeconformedtothepassionsofyourformerignorance,butashewhocalledyouisholy,beholyyourselvesinallyourconduct;sinceitiswritten,"Youshallbeholy,forIamholy".(1Pet.1:1415)

Thisiswheretheactionis.Mysteriouslybutpotently,Godisusingthispunybutholytransnationalnationtoblesshisentirecreation.Othernations,includingthemightyRomanEmpire,couldbehistoolsforatime.Buthehasentrustedhisprojecttothe"holynation"thathehaschosen.Throughithewillpreparethewayfortheholycity.

Chapter3FourfoldHolinessButwhatisholiness?Ihavebeenusingthetermquitefreelybecauseitisanessentialpartofthebiblicalstory.ButitisnotatermwhosemeaningintheBiblecanbestateddictionary-fashioninaphrase.Furthermore,itsmeaningquicklyleadsontoterrainwhereprophetshaveliterallyfearedtotread."Donotcomeanycloser,"GodwarnedMoses."Takeoffyoursandals,becauseyouarestandingonholyground"(Exod.3:5,TEV).WhenIattempttodefineholinessIamnotthereforeexplaininganidea.IamtryingtoapproximateinwordsthecharacteroftheInexpressibleOne.Asaresult,Ishallwritethefollowingparagraphsintrembling,andbecauseofmyownencounterswiththeHolyinhumility.

Holiness(I):LivingForce

What,Irepeat,isholiness?Tobegintoanswerthisquestionwestart,notwithlanguageorideas,butwithexperience.Fromthebeginningoftime,humanshaveencounteredaliving

force,unseenbutveryreal.Thisforceisamysteriouspower,anawesomerealitywhichfitsintononormalhumancategories.Todescribeit,peoplehavecomparedittophysicalsubstanceslight,fire,smoke,power.Theyhavedescribeditsqualitypowerful,pure,radiant,sublime.Theyhavereportedtheirownemotionalresponsestoitfear,joy,awkwardness,awarenessofguilt,fascination,reverence.Buttherealityofholinesshasalwaystranscendedlanguage.Itis"amysteryinexpressibleandaboveallcreatures...thatwhichisbeyondconceptionorunderstanding,extraordinaryandunfamiliar."

1

TheLivingForce,JewsandChristianshaveconfessed,istheHolyOne,theYahwehoftheBible.Heitiswhohasbrokenintothehumanstoryandgraciouslyallowedhiscreaturestoexperiencehischaracter.Wemustneverforgetthis.Thereare,asweshallsee,otheraspectsofholiness,andtheseareindispensable.ButtheexperienceofGodasLivingForceaslight,power,joy-giverisliterallylife-giving.Thisputsotherthingsinperspective.HowpureandlovingGodis!Whenwe,likeIsaiah,haveseentheHolyOne,wewillalsoseeourselvesaswearebothunholyandinfinitelyloved.WithoutthisexperienceofGodasLivingForce,"holiness"canproduceareligionthat,althoughrationalandmoral,iscrampedanddessicated.

Alltoooften,ChristianswhohavetriedtofollowJesusradicallyhavestumbledatthispoint.Theyhavebeenunabletointegratemoralzeal(withwhichtheyareatease)withtheawesome(fromwhichtheyremainestranged).Indeed,Iamconvinced,onthebasisofmyreadingofboththeBibleandsubsequenthistory,ofageneralrule:genuinelysignificantinitiativesinitiativeswhichleadtonewdeparturesinfaithfullivinggrowoutofapowerfulexperienceofGod'sawesomeotherness.FrancisofAssisiandJohnWesley,likeIsaiah,knewthatan

experienceofGodisthesourceofendlessreservesofenergyandimaginativepower.

Butthereismoretoholinessthanpersonalexperience.Thereareevilformsofothernessaswellaslife-givingones.Andmany

ofthesecanbequiteawe-inspiring.Wemustthereforedefinetheholybythemeasuring-stickoftheHolyOne.Hischaracterisrevealedinthe"holywritings"(Scripture;2Tim.3:15).ItisexpressedperfectlyinJesus,whoalsoiscalledthe"HolyOne"(Acts3:14).Anditisexperienced,throughtheworkoftheHolySpirit,assearinglove.

Furthermore,theholinessrevealedintheBibleisneveranendinitself.Howmuchwesometimeswishitwere!Thereissomethingfascinatingabouttheholywhichtemptsustoclingtoit,totreatitlongingly,aesthetically.Asthetwentieth-centuryEnglishcomposer,GeraldFinzi,commented,"Thereisagreatresemblancebeteweenthestaticandtheecstatic."

2Butnobiblicalwriterwouldhaveapprovedofthisstatement.WhenPetersuggestedsomethingsimilarbuildingvacationcabinsontheMountofTransfigurationJesusstronglyrebukedhim(Luke9:2836).Forholinessisonthemove.Itisageyserofspiritualenergy,transformingpeopleintotheimageoftheHolyOne,andadvancinghisruleonearth.

Holiness(II):Separateness

Thisawesomeothernessisbasictoasecondaspectofholiness-thestatusofseparateness.TherootoftheHebrewwordfor"holy,"qadosh,meansjustthatsetapart.AnythingthatisassociatedwiththeOnewhoistheLivingForceisunlikeotherthings,whicharecommonandunclean.Thesetwocategoriesholyandcommonwerenottobemingledorconfused."Youaretodistinguishbetweentheholyandthecommon,"commandedtheLeviticalLaw(Lev.10:10).Andtomakesurethatthishappened,theLawestablishedelaborateregulationstopreventcontactbetweenthetwo.

Somethings,suchastheSabbathandtheJubilee,wereholysimply

becauseGoddecreedthattheywere.Butotherthings,commonthings,couldbemadeholy.Byproperceremonytheycouldbe"sanctified"or"dedicated"tohim.Theythuswouldbelongabsolutelytohimandbesuitableforhisuse.For

example,vestmentsandaltarsandpriestswereholy.BootycapturedinwaranddevotedtoGodwasholy.

SoalsowereGod'speople.IntheOldTestament,theyweremadeholybyobeyingGod'svoice,bykeepinghiscovenant,andbyobservingtheprescribedritualsofatonementandpurification(Exod.19:5,10ff;Lev.20:78).AfterthecomingoftheMessiah,thingschanged.God'speopleweresanctifiedbyJesus'definitivesacrifice(Heb.10:10).ButinbothTestamentsthereisasensethatthestatusofholinessandtheseparatenesswhichitentailsissomethingwhichGodbringsabout.''YouareapeopleholytotheLordyourGod...[whohas]chosenyoutobeapeopleforhisownpossession,outofallthepeoplesthatareonthefaceoftheearth"(Deut.7:6).

Holiness(III):God-Likeness

Holinessisnot,however,simplyanexperienceorastatus.Ithasathirdaspect,adistinctiveGod-reflectingquality.Trueholinessmustalwaysbemorethanoddity!Itmustneverbeeccentricityordevianceforitsownsake.Instead,holinessisawayoflivingwhichrevealstheOnewhohascalledtheholynationintoexistence."IamtheLordyourGod;consecrateyourselvestherefore,andbeholy,forIamholy"(Lev.11:44).Thisisasummonsnotjusttobedifferent,buttobedifferentinacertainway.ItwasasummonstobecomelikeGod,toenterintoGod'scharacter.

ThereissomethingabouttheexperienceofGodwhichenablesustobecomelikehim,tobetransformed.Anditseemsespeciallytohappeninworship.AsOrthodoxtheologianPaulEvdokimovobserved,"Thepowerofdivineholinessisadevouringflamethatconsumesallimpurity;whenittouchesamanitpurifieshimandmakeshimholy;itbringshimintoharmonywiththeholinessofGodevenintohislikeness."

3Thisisaboldclaim,butitisabiblicalone.ThroughtheHolySpirit,accordingtotheapostlePaul,"weall...beholdingthegloryoftheLord,arebeingchangedintohislikenessfromone

degreeofglorytoanother"(2Cor.3:18).ThenewcreationisadisplayoftheCreator'scharacter.

AsGod'sholynationwehavealongandexcitingjourneyaheadofus.Aswetravelit,theHolyOnewillbechangingussothatwemoreandmorereflecthischaracter.Thisistoolargeareality,certainly,formetodescribe.Itisalsosomethingthatnoonecanlegislate.Butitisrichandbeautiful!

ForGod-likenessiswholeness,andGodhasapassionforwholenessineveryareaoflife.Fromanearlydate,Yahwehwascalled"theGodofshalom"(Judg.6:24).InmodernEnglishtranslations,thiswordhasgenerallybeentranslatedas"peace."Thebiblicalwriters,however,hadsomethingricherinmindthantheEnglishwordcancommunicate.Forthem,shalomwas''enjoymentinone'srelationships,"inallthedimensionsofhumanexperiencewithGodthroughworshipandservice,withotherhumanbeingsincommunity,andwiththenaturalworld.

4Itis,therefore,notsurprisingthattheall-embracingwholenessofshalomisbehindagreatdealoftheOldTestamentlaw(especiallythe"lawofholiness,"Lev.1126).Sacrificialanimalsweretobeperfectspecimens.OnlyunblemishedpriestscouldofferbreadtoGod.Weightsandmeasuresweretobefaultless(Lev.23:1820;21:17;19:36).Afterstudyingthislegislation,anthropologistMaryDouglasobserved,"Tobeholyistobewhole,tobeone;holinessisunity,integrity,perfectionoftheindividualandofthekind."5Holiness,inshort,isthewaythingsoughttobeand-whentheholycitycomesthewaytheywillbe.

Holiness(IV):Dynamism

Ourdefinitionofholinesswillnotbecomplete,however,untilwe

mentionafourthaspectitsdynamism.Holiness,accordingtotheBible,isonthemove.Thereissomethingpropulsive,forward-lookingaboutit.ItistherealizationofGod's11unconditionalwill,hisroyalrule."6Holinessshowsitselfinaction,shatteringallresistancestohissovereigntyandliberating

womenandmenfromallformsofbondage.IntheExodus,Godshowedhimselftobe"majesticinholiness"(Exod.15:11).TheExodusisapatternforhispeople(Lev.11:45).JustasGodinviteshispeopletoenterintohischaracter,soalsoGodcallsustotakepartinhisholyactions.

God'sholinessisthusnotsomethingthatischangelesslysublime.Itisnotlegalisticallyseparate.Itisnotself-preoccupiedinitsconcernforitsownwholeness.Anyoftheseonitsownisadistortionofholiness,foritisstaticandsmall-minded.God'sholiness,incontrast,iscosmicinscopeandalwaysinmotion.Itishistorical,inworldaswellas"church"history.Itisunderstandable,therefore,thatwhentheHolyOneconfrontedIsaiah,hedidnotjustcallhimtobeamissionary("HereamI!Sendme."[Isa6:8]).Therewastobesomethingdistinctiveabouthismission.HewastospeakYahweh'swordinthepoliticalrealmwhereYahwehwouldunfoldhishistoricalplan.Similarly,whenPeterhadarooftopvisionofcommonanduncleanfoods,GodwasnotsimplytryingtochangePeter'sdiet.Godwasdoingnolessthanpreparinghimtobemidwifeatthebirthofatransnational,holynation(Acts10).

God'sholinessisthusenroute.Itisanenergizerofallactionsthatpointtothecompletionofhisproject,thecomingofarecreatedcosmos.

Whatavision!God,thoughtranscendently"other,"isrevealinghimselftomenandwomen.Godiscallingustooccupyaspecialplacethatofanationunderhiskingship.Godisimplantinginusthevisionandrealityofwholeness.AndGodisenergizingustobeparticipantsinhisownall-embracinghistoricalplan.Oneisspeechlessatthemagnificenceofit.

Response(1):Worship

Awestruckwemaybe.Butoncewegetaglimmeroftrueholiness,ouralmostreflexiveresponsewillbepraiseandworship.InGod'spresencewewillseeourselvesasweare,asflawedandfinite,yetinfinitelyloved.AndourspiritswillleapinresponsetoGod.

God'sholinesswillcollidewiththewoundednessoftheworld.Butinthemidstofthestrugglehewillshowhimselftobehealerandshalom-maker.OurworshipwillrespondtowhatGodisdoing.Againandagainwewilltellthestoryofhisactions.Andwewillconstantlybeaddingnewchapters!FortheHolySpiritwillgoonbreakingdowninnerandoutwardbarriers,bringingspirittobreathlesspersonsandlifetothedespairing.InourworshipwewillgetglimpsesofthegloryofGod'spresenceglimpsesoftheholycitytocome.Andwe,unworthythoughweare,willpraisetheKing.

Allyourworksshallgivethankstoyou,OLord,andallyourholyonesshallblessyou!Theyshallspeakofthegloryofyourkingdom,andtellofyourpower,tomakeknowntothesonsofmenyourmightydeeds,andtheglorioussplendorofyourkingdom....MymouthwillspeakthepraiseofYahweh,andletallfleshblesshisholynameforeverandever.

(Ps.145:1012,21)

Response(2):Change

Asecondresponsetowhattrueholinessislikeisalsoessential.Itistheresponseoftransformation."Youshallbeholy;forItheLordyourGodamholy."Thisphrase,repeatedmanytimesinbothTestaments,isnotsimplyabitofadvice.Norisitapredictionofourultimateperfectionintheafterlife.ItisacommandacommandtoallowourselvestobechangedintothelikenessoftheOnewhowillchangeus.

Godhimselfhastakentheleadinchangingus.ByJesus'pouringoutofhislifeblood(Heb.9:1314;13:12),bytheFather'spouringoutoftheHolySpirit(Rom.15:16;1Pet.1:2),Godhasalreadysanctifiedus.Hehasmadeusholy.Butwehaveaparttoplay,too.Weare

calledtoliveinanewway,toobeyJesus.Tobelikehim.

Holiness,infact,iswhatJesuswasabout.ForJesusisthe

HolyOne(Rev.3:7).HeisthetheperfectimageoftheFather,theHolyOne.Healsoisthestandardforhumanwholeness.Paulsawthegoalforallofustobe"thestatureofthefulnessofChrist"(Eph.4:13).PsychiatristFrankLakewasdeeplyconvincedofthis.Jesus,hewrote,is"theonenormalandunspoiltspecimenofhumanity."

7Onlyaswecontemplatehimandattempttofollowhimdowerealizehowmiserablyunwholeandneedyweare.

ButJesusalsorepresentsourtruenatureanddestiny.Nowwearepurifyingourselves,walkinginhissteps,notjustbecausetheBiblesayswemust,butbecausethen,whenheappears,"weshallbelikehim"(1John2:6;3:23).ItismenandwomenwhoareexperiencingthistransformationwhomtheearlyChristianscalled"holyones"(saints).

Howmuchthereisforhimtochange!ForGod'scalltoholinessdoesnotallowusneatlytocompartmentalizeourlivesandtoconfineholinesstothe"religiousdepartment.""Ashewhocallsyouisholy,"Peterwrites(1Pet.1:15),"beholyinallyourconduct.''Inallyourconduct!Inourlifeofprayerandworship?Yes!Inoursexualmoralityaswell,forthisisanareainwhichwearevulnerabletothewaysandvaluesofourmilieu(1Thess.4:36).Alsoinotherareaswherewearejustasvulnerable.Forexample,ourdiet,savings,work,andrecreation,whichwehaven'tgenerallythoughtofintermsofholiness.Godcallsustoholyliving.Hecallsustolivedistinctively,unlikethenationsandlikeJesus.Andhiscallappliesespeciallytoournitty-grittyconcernsforeconomicwell-beingandphysicalsecurity.Godcallsustosocialholiness.

Thisisnottheplacetoprovideevidenceforthisclaim.Therestofthebookwilltrytodothat.ButIcanmentiononeortwothingswhich

willenableustoseeitinbroaderperspective.Holiness,Ihaveshown,iswholeness.Godissatisfiedwithnothinglessthancomprehensive,all-inclusiveholiness.Sincethisisso,itonlymakessensethatGodisconcernedaboutthepartsofourliveswhichwehabituallyprotectas"private",as

"ourbusiness."Itisnot,byimplication,anybodyelse'sbusiness,notevenGod's.Wearesecretiveaboutourincomeandinsurancepolicies,forexample,becausefinancesraisewithinusaprimalsenseoffearandinsecurity.Intheseareas,especially,wesensethedrivetocontrolourlives.Inthemweflexourmuscles,putupabravefront,orcowerinourimpotence.Innootherareaarewelessinclinedtotakechances.Powereconomic,political,personalhasalwaysbeenfraughtwithspiritualsignificance.ButthesadfactisthatChristianshaverarelybeenawareofthis.Wehaven'trespondedtoGod'scalltobedifferent.Alltoooftenwehavelivedjustlikeeveryoneelse.

ProvisionandProtection

Themostimportantofthesepowerconcernshavetodowithourneedsforprovisionandprotection.Weareconcernedabouttheseforgoodreason.AccordingtopsychologistAbrahamMaslow,theseareourprimaryhumanneeds("themostprepotentofallneeds").

8Forpeoplewhoare"extremelyanddangerouslyhungry,nootherinterestsexistbutfood."Whenthatinterestissatisfied,theirattentiontransferstotheirnextmostacuteneed,thatofphysicalsafety.Thereafter,accordingtoMaslow,humanconcernwillshifttootherneedsbelong-ingness/love,esteem/prestige,andself-fulfillment.9

AsChristianswemaybeuncomfortablewithMaslow'srankingofneeds.SurelythegraceofGodisourmostimportantneed.Butisthisborneoutbythewayweorganizeourlives?What,forexample,doourinsurancepoliciesandinvestmentssayaboutourday-to-daysecurity?IsGod'sgracesocentraltoourexistencethatwebaseourarrangementsforprovisionandprotectionuponit?

Howeverwemayanswerthesequestionsforourselves,itisclearthattheBibleviewsprovisionandprotectionasproblemareas.Indeed,

fromtheExodusonward,nothingcausedGodmoreoftentowrestlewithhispeopleandtodespairof

themthantheirapproachtothese"prepotentneeds."God'speoplewereoftenwillingenoughtoacknowledgehislordshipinthetemple,butwhenitcametotheireconomicinstitutionsortheirwayofdefendingthemselves,theyweremoreinclinedtofollow"thedevicesanddesiresoftheirownhearts!"

PatternofUn-GracefulLiving

Inthisbook,aswesetouttorereadtheBibletogether,wewillobservearecurrentpatternthatgoessomethinglikethis:

(1)Godrecognizeshischildren'sneedforprovisionandprotectionforthephysicalnecessitiesoffoodandshelterandforsecurityfromphysicalharm.Lovinglyheprovidesforthemwiththebountyofhisgoodcreationandwithsafetyfromthosewhowouldmolestthem.BothProviderandProtector,Godshowshisgracebyacting(attimesmiraculously)fortheirprovisionandprotection.

(2)Godalsoprescribesforhispeopleapatternofholyliving.Thiswayoflivingcanberisky.TobefaithfultoittheymusttrustinGod'sconcretegrace.Butitistheonlywaytorightrelationshipsamonghumans,betweenthemandtheirnaturalenvironment,andbetweenthemandtheirGod.Itisthewaytowholeness.

(3)ButGod'speopleprefertoavoidtherisks.Theyoftenchoosetoadapttheirlivesoftenverygraduallytothepatternofthesurroundingnations.Thisrisklesslivingisunholyliving.Leavinggraceintherealmof"theology,"God'speopledecidetobasetheirdecisionsaboutthe"realworld"uponcalculationsofself-interest.

(4)God'speoplefindthemselvestrappedbytheirfalsesecurities.Unanticipatedriskssuddenlyappear.Somehowtheyaremoreinsecurethantheywerebeforeandmoreafraid.Indeed,theyfindthemselvesgivingtheirultimateloyalty(intermsoftimeand

resources)totheirnewsourcesof"security."Inboththeareasofprovisionandprotection,theyhavebeenensnaredbyidolatrythroughanescalationofprivatewealth(ma-

terialism)andaproliferationofarmaments(militarism).

10

Thispatternraisesquestionsofultimateimportance.IsGod'sgracesorealthatwecantrusthimevenwhenourlivesandpossessionsareatstake?Canlifereallybetransformedlikethis?IsGod'spowersogreatthatwecanriskbeingfaithfultohispatternforholylivingevenifitmeansourbeingpowerless?IsitGod'splanthatthepowerofhisSpiritshouldcometothosewhohaveotherforms(e.g,economicandmilitary)ofpower?Ifsocialholinessispossible,whatdoesitmeaninpractice?

Aswefacethesequestions,allofuswillattimesfeelprofoundlyalone.Buttheyarenotmeanttobeansweredbyisolatedindividuals.Forultimately,thetransformedlifeofholinesscannotbeaprivatematter.IntheBible,the"holyone"(saint)isnotanindividualwithahalo.Infact,exceptforGodandJesus,thetermneveroccursinthesingular.

Onthecontrary,holinessisalwayssocial,somethingthatweultimatelymustenterintoalongwithothers.JohnWesleywaswellawareofthis:"ThegospelofChristknowsofnoreligion,butsocial;noholiness,butsocialholiness."11

Notonlyarewemeanttobeinthecompanyofotherstogrowinholiness,thefamilies,races,andnationsthatresultfromourbeingtogetheraretoolsdesignedbyGodtoimplementhispurposes.Godcallsus,youwillrecall,his"holynation."Byourholylifestyle,whichbearsthe"peacefulfruitsofjustice"(Heb.12:11),wenowstandincontradictiontothewaysofthenations.Ourorientationistowardsthefuture.Ourlifeisananticipationoftheholycity.

Response(3):Mission

AwestruckbyavisionofGod'sholinessandempoweredforchange,wefindGodimpellingusintoathirdresponsetoholinessmission.ThegoalofGod'sprojectisall-embracing.WhenthetimeisripeGodwill"uniteallthingsthingscelestialandthingsterrestrialinJesusChrist(Eph.1:10).No

morewilltherebehurtingordestroyingin"allmyholymountain,fortheearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLordasthewaterscoverthesea"(Isa.11:9).Intheholycityallthingswillbemadenew(Rev.21:5).

TowardsthisgoaltheHolyGodisnowworking,andhecallsustobepartnersinhisproject.AlreadyGodhasgivenallauthoritytohisSonJesus.AndJesushascommandedus,hisfriends,to"makedisciplesofallnations"(Matt.28:1819).Thereisnothingsmallaboutthisvision.WithjoyfulanticipationweinviteotherstofollowJesus.Andwhenwedoso,weinvitethemtocarryanewpassportthatoftheholynationwhichGodisforming.Thisnationlivesinholynonconformitytothepatternsofothernations.Itslifeissustainedbyconcretegrace.Anditscitizensareparticipantsinadramainwhichthefutureshapeoftheworldisatstake.

ForfollowingJesusiscomingtobelikehim(Luke6:40).Andthatmeansjoininghiminhiswork.Jesuswasthemediumofcreation.Jesusisthepioneerofthenewcreation.Jesusindicateswherehistoryisgoing.AstheobedientSon,heperfectlydemonstratedwhatlifeunderGod'skingshipistobelike.Andsomehow,throughourcorporatelifeinhim,wewillfindalifeofsocialholiness.Aswejourneytowardtheholycityinwhichhisrulewillbeunchallenged,hewillneverletusdown.

PARTIITHEOLDTESTAMENTLANDSCAPE

Chapter4Protection,Provision...andWorshipHolinessisdynamic.TheHolyOneisonthemove.TheHolyOneisLordofhistory.Glorious,resplendent,majestictheseconveysomethingofthecharacteroftheHolyOne,ButinordertoreallyknowGod,wemustwatchhimatwork(Exod.14:13;John5:17).

HistoryisGod'sworkshop.SowelearntoknowGodbytelling,retelling,andretellingagainhisstory.WewillwatchhimatworkfromthetimethatGodliberatedhispeopleintheExodusuntilGodsavedthemandreshapedthembytheMessiahJesus.Icannot,ofcourse,tellthewholestory.IntheBibletherearetoomanysubplotsandtoomanydetailsforthattobepossible.Infact,itcanbedangeroustogetsopreoccupiedwiththisincidentorthatideathatwelosetrackofwhereweareinthestory.Thestory,wemustremember,hasanoverallshape.Ithasebbsandflows,aclimax,andaconclusion.

Inwhatfollows,Iwillconcentrateonthepeople,eventsand

characteristicswhichIfindmostsignificant.Iwilltrytoseethemintheperspectiveofalarge,unfoldingstory.HolinessisthelensthroughwhichIhavechosentolook.AndIhavechosentoobserveeventsfromapeculiarvantagepointanaerialballoon!

Liketheballoonist,Iwanttobeabletotravelhighenoughtoseetheoverallcontoursofthecountryside.ButattimesIwillneedtoswooplowenoughtoexaminesomefeaturescarefullywiththeaidofatelescope.AndIdon'twanttomovesoslowlyorsofastthatthingsgeteitherstalledorblurred!Inlookingatthingslikethis,I'minagoodtradition.LikeJoshuaandStephen(Josh.24;Acts7),IcontendthatGod'sstorycanbetoldbriefly.Andwhenitis,ithaspointandpower.

IntheBrickyard

Aswebegin,ourballoonishoveringoverthewell-irrigatedfieldsofnortheasternEgypt.Thecalendarreads1300B.C.However,thestorywhichwillpreoccupyusisonlyincidentallythatoftheEgyptians.Ofgreaterinteresttous,becauseaccordingtotheBibleitwascentraltothepurposesofGod,isthestoryofanextendedfamilyofimmigrantslivingonthefringesofEgyptiansociety.

Theimmigrantshaddescendedfromapairofsturdynonconformists,AbrahamandSarah.AtwhattheytooktobeGod'scall,theyhadleftaculturalcenter,UrinMesopotamia.Livingintheimprobablelifestyleofnomads,theyhadcometomoveaboutintheunculturedplaceofCanaan.Butthefamilyhadn'tstayedinCanaan.Toescapefamine,theirgrandson,Israel(originallyknownasJacob),hadmovedtoEgyptwherehissonJosephhadbecomeaseniorcivilservantmuchinfavorwiththatcountry'sking,Pharaoh.

Sofar,sohappy.ButrelationsbetweentheIsraelitesandtheirEgyptianhostssoonsoured.Thereasonsforthisarenothardto

understand.TheIsraelites,afterall,wereimmigrants.Likemanyimmigrants,theywerehardworkerswhosoonbe-

camerich.Theirtendencytohavelargefamiliesledtoapopulationexplosion.Itseemedthat"thelandwasfilledwiththem"(Exod.1:7).

"Whosecountryisthisanyway?"influentialEgyptiansbegantomutter.Josephwaslongdead,andthecurrentPharaohhadnotiesofsentimentorself-interesttotheIsraelites.Whynotclipthewingsoftheseimmigrantsbeforetheybecometoonumerousandtoowealthy?TheymightevenbeopentoliaisonwithEgypt'senemies.

SoPharaohchangedtherules.Resortingtoracialdiscrimination,hebothpunishedtheIsraelitesandprofitedfromthem.Heforcedthemtodohardlabor,someon"statefarms,"othersinpublicbuildingprojects.Stillothersheforcedtoworkinthehot,repetitive,exhaustingtaskofmakingbricks.Thesupervisorswhomheplacedoverthemmadethemwork"withrigor,"establishingimpossiblequotasfortheIsraeliteworkerstomeetandbeatingthemwhentheyfellshort.Pharaoheventriedameasureofpopulationcontrol.Inagenocidaldecree,heorderedtheIsraelitemidwivestokillallboybabieswhowereborntoIsraelitemothers.Thingswerebadinthebrickyard.

Whatshouldbedone?Onealternativewascivildisobedience.MidwivessuchasShiphrahandPuah,outoftheirfearofGod,conspiredtoprotectthenewlybornboys(Exod.1:1522).SoalsodidtheIsraelitemothers,andsomeEgyptianscouldn'thelpsympathizingwiththem.Ononeoccasion,whenanIsraelitemotherhidherbabyboyinapitch-coveredbasketfloatinginthereedsalongariver,anEgyptianprincessdiscoveredthechild.Butshehadnothoughtofkillinghim.Withthemother'spermissionshetookthechildtocourtandraisedhimasanEgyptianaristocrat.

Anti-Egyptianviolence,whentheprovocationbecametoogreattobear,wasanotheralternative,TheBiblegivesusonlyoneexampleofthis,butitwasprobablyrepresentativeofmanyotherincidents.When

theboyinthefloatingbasket,Moses,cameofage,hediscoveredhisIsraeliteidentity.Rejectingthe

comfortsoftheEgyptiancourt,he"wentouttohispeopleandlookedontheirburdens"(Exod.2:11).Indoingso,Moses,tothebestofhisability,was(touseatheologicalcliché)"identifyingwiththepoorandtheoppressed."Andhetookhisidentificationseriously.WhenhesawanEgyptianbeatingoneofhisfellowIsraelites,hefeltattackedhimself.Aftermakingsurethatnoonewaslooking,Mosesresortedto"justifiableviolence.''HekilledtheEgyptianandburiedhiminthesand.

WhatmotivatedMosestodothis?Wasitaburstofanger?Wasit,possibly,thefirstblowinastruggleforliberation?Afterall,courtiersareusedtothinkingintermsofpowerandeveryrevolutionhasgottostartsomewhere!TheBibledoesnottellus.Butitdoestellusthatnewsofhismurderousactgotout.TheIsraelitesweresuspiciousofhismotives.Pharaohandhisassociateswerefuriousatwhattheytooktobeanactoftreachery.Tosavehisskin,Mosesranawayintotheandwildernesstothesoutheast.There,inthelandofMidian,hesettleddown,marriedthedaughterofthelocalpriest,andworkedasashepherd.Moses'"downwardmobility"hadlandedhiminobscurityandapparentirrelevancefarfromthecourt,farevenfromthepeopleaboutwhosesufferinghehadcaredsomuch.

HolinessinAction

WhyfocusourtelescopeonanamateurrevolutionarylikeMoses?Surelyhehadearnedwhathisimpulsiveactiondeserved:obscurity.ButthistimeofhumanfailurewasimportanttoGod.Hechoseittorevealhisholiness.Andasweshallsee,God'sholinessproducedapowerfuleffectactionandchange.

GodcaredevenmoreabouttheoppressionofhispeoplethanMosesdid.WhentheIsraelites"groanedundertheirbondage,"whenthey"criedoutforhelp,"Godheard(Exod.2:2325).Infact,theExodus

textreportsthathe"knew"theircondition.Hewastotallyinvolved;hisempathywiththemwascomplete.And,infaithfulnesstohiscovenantwithAbrahamandhissuccessors,Godhaddeterminedtoact.

Buthowindirectlyheacted!InsteadofwavingamagicwandoverEgypt,Godrevealedhisholinesstoaburnedoutcourtierinthedesert.Moseswasmindinghisfather-in-law'ssheep.Suddenlyhesawsomethingwhichhecouldn'texplain.Abushabitofdesertscrubwasonfire.Thathappenednowandthen.Butitkeptonburninganddidn'tburnup.Howcurious!SoMosesproceededtoinvestigatemoreclosely.Somethingstoppedhiminhistracks.Someonecalledhimbyname."Moses,Moses!...Donotcomeanycloser.Takeoffyour.sandals."InaweMosesobeyed.ForthefirsttimeintheBibletheHolyOnewasrevealinghimselfinthelanguageofholiness:"Theplacewhereyouarestandingisholyground"(Exod.3:45,NIV).

Holyground.Moses,inamazement,wasinthepresenceofarealitywhichwasunlikeanythingthathehadexperiencedbefore.Beforehimwasanordinarybush.Butitburnedwithanextraordinaryfire.Inthefire,infactallaroundhim,therewasa"livingforce."

1Mosesrecognizedsomethingdifferentfromhimself,somethingseparate.Mosestookoffhisshoesandcoveredhisfacenotonlytobeobedient,buttoshowthatherecognizedthismysteriousseparateness.

ButtheSeparateOnewasnotoutoftouch.HeaddressedhimselftoMoses,notjustintheoff-puttingheatofamysteriousfire,butinpersonalterms:"Moses...IamtheGodofyourfather...."ThenGodstatedhisconcern.Hispeoplewerebeingoppressedbyanexploitativesystemandruthlessrulers.AttheircryGodwasstirredtocompassionandaction:"Ihavecomedowntodeliverthem."Inthisincident,theHolyOnewasrevealinghimselfdirectlyandpersonally.Buthewasdoingsoforapurpose.Godwasinvolvedinhumanhistoryandwasdeterminedtochangeit.

Buthow?Inalongargument,MosesobjectedtotheHolyOne'splan.

"IwillsendyoutoPharaohthatyoumaybringforthmypeople"(Exod.3:10).EarlierinhislifeMoseshadbeenattractedtoliberatingactivity,butnolonger.Itall

seemedimpractical.Afterall,Pharaohandhisfriendswerepowerpoliticians.Whyshouldtheygiveuptheirslavelaborforcewithoutafight?AndwhereastheIsraelitesweredisheartened,disorganized,andweaponless,theEgyptianswereamilitarysuperpower.

Moses'thinking,totheincreasinglyirritatedHolyOne,wasanobstaclebecauseitwasconventional.HewasreckoningwithouttheconcretegraceofGod.Therewouldbeastruggleandeventuallyabattle,butatnostagewouldvalorandhotbronzeberequiredofanyhuman,notevenofMoses.ForGodhimselfwouldbethewarrior."IwillstretchoutmyhandandsmiteEgypt"(Exod.3:20)byanescalatingseriesofmiracles.LiberationwastobeagiftofGod.Itwouldbeaproductofgrace,notofworks.

God'sactswouldnotcanceltheneedforhumanacts.Someonehadtoleadthepeople.SomeonehadtobearwitnesstotheactsandpurposesoftheHolyOne.AsleaderoftheIsraelites,MoseswouldcometoPharaoharmedwithaword,notasword.Hispoliticalrolewouldbethatofaprophet,notageneral."GotothekingofEgyptandsaytohim"(Exod.3:18).ShouldwordsfailMoses,hisbrotherAaroncouldbehismouthpiece."Iwillbewithyourmouthandwithhismouth"(Exod.4:15).WhattheHolyOnewasrequiringofMosesandthepeoplewasthewillingnesstotakearisk.Hewascallingthemtofaith,toactivetrustinhisfaithfulnessandpower.

Theargumentended.ObedientlyMoseswentbacktoEgypt,commissionedforconfrontation.TotheIsraelites,MosesannouncedthatGodwasabouttoliberatethem.Thiswashardtoaccept,especiallywhentheEgyptianauthoritiesgreetedtheirstrivingstowardfreedombyimposingevenheavierquotasinthebrickyard.Yetintheirbettermoments,"thepeoplebelieved."RealizingthatYahwehhadseentheirafflictionandinanticipationthathewasgoingtodosomethingaboutit,"theybowedtheirheadsandworshiped"(Exod.

4:31).

ToPharaohandhiscourtiers,Moseslikewisehadamessage.ItwasademandfromtheGodwhomhehadmetintheburningbush:"Letmypeoplego,thattheymayworshipmeinthewilderness"(Exod.5:1).Understandablyenough,Pharaohwasdubiousaboutthisproposal.HeblamedMosesandAaronforseducingtheIsraelitesintolaxnessonthejob.AndtomakesurethattheIsraeliteswouldhavelesstimeforeconomicallyunproductivereligiousactivity,heorderedhisofficialstostopsupplyingthemwiththerawmaterialsforbrickmaking.WhentheIsraelitesfailedtodotheimpossible,Egyptianofficialsbeatthemmercilessly,breakingtheirspiritsastheyflayedtheirbodies.

Inthefaceofhumanhopelessness,Godacted.ThroughhisprophetsMosesandAaron,heannouncedtoPharaohthesanctionsthathewouldimposeupontheEgyptiansfortheirdefiantresistance.Theresultwasanescalatingseriesofmiracles"greatactsofjudgment"(Exod.7:4),theBiblecallsthem.Thoughtheywereannouncedbyhumanmessengers,theywerecarriedoutby"thefingerofGod"(8:19)withouthumanassistance.Literally,theywere''actsofGod."UncomprehendinglytheIsraeliteswatchedhimatwork.

Eversince,intheirPassoverservices,theJewishpeoplehavesummarizedthesecatastrophes:"frogs,lice,blood,hail,etc."AlthoughateachofthesethesufferingoftheEgyptianswasimmense,theywereunwillingtogiveintopressurebyfreeingtheirslaves.

ButonenightacryofhorrorrangoutthroughoutEgypt.Afinalsanction,avirulentplaguekilledtheeldestsonofeveryEgyptianfamily.Pharaohhadhadenough.Grieving,heandhiscourtiersdemandedthattheIsraelitesleavethecountryimmediately.Therewasnotimeforpacking."Begone!"

RiskyLiving:Protection

SotheIsraelitesleftEgyptandheadedpell-mellintothewilderness.

Theywereheadingintoinsecurity.Inthewilder-

nesstherewouldbenostructuresevenunfriendlystructuresofcivilizationtosustainthem.Intermsofprotectionandprovision,theprimaryhumanneedsthatwehavenotedinthepreviouschapter,theywerealmostpowerless.Theyhadfewifanyweapons,

2andbecauseofthespeedoftheirdeparturetheyhadbeenunabletocollectanyprovisionsforthejourney(Exod.12:39).HavingbeendeliveredfromEgyptbygraceandnotbyworks,theywouldberequiredtolivebygrace.TothisriskylifestyleonlyonealternativeremainedareturntoEgyptwheretheywouldhavethesecurityofslavery.

Inonlyafewdays,theIsraelitesrealizedtheirinabilitytoprotectthemselves.ForPharaohhadsuddenlyaskedhimselfhowhiscountry,bereftofitsslavelaborforce,wasgoingtocarryoutitsfive-yearplans.Hechangedhismind.Quicklyhemobilizedthemightiestmilitarymachineintheworld.Spearheadinghisforceweresixhundredmobilemissile-launchingplatformscalledchariotsthemostadvancedexamplesofthatera'sweldingtogetheroftechnologyandweaponry.Alsoinhisforceweremassesoffootsoldiers.Afterabriefpursuit,Pharaohandhistroopscaughtupwiththeslow-movingIsraelitesandboxedthemin.BeforetheIsraelitestherewasthebroadexpanseoftheRedSea.SurroundingthemoneveryothersidewerethethreateningEgyptianforces.

TheIsraeliteswereterrified.Intheirfeartheylostperspectiveontheirrecentexperiences.Godmayhavefreedthemfromthebrickyardbyhismiraculousinterventions,butthepresentproblemthemenacingpresenceofthosechariotsbanishedthepastfromtheirminds.Patheticallytheybegantofantasizeaboutthesecuritiesandcharmsofslavery.

Mosesimpatientlyswepttheirhesitationsaside.God'smessagetothepeoplewasclear:

Fearnot,standfirm,andseethesalvationoftheLord,whichhewillworkforyoutoday;fortheEgyptianswhomyouseetoday,youshallneverseeagain.TheLordwillfightforyou,andyouhaveonlytobestill.(Exod.14:1314,italicsadded)

Don'tbeafraid!ThroughouttheBiblethiswillbethekeynoteofGod'scalltoamoreradicalapproachtoprovisionandprotection.Andforgoodreason.Fearistheenemyofradicalism,foritlimitsthepossibilitiesinanysituationtothedictatesofprudenceandcommonsense.Inthispassageasincountlessothers,God'ssummonstofaithwasasummonstounreasonableaction,evento"irresponsible"inaction.Here,aselsewhere,"faithmeantthatIsraelshouldrelyonYahweh'smiracleforherdefense,ratherthanuponsoldiersandweapons."

3Andamiraclewasanactofdeliverancethathumanscouldnotmanipulate.ItwasagiftagiftofGod'sconcretegrace.4

Andsoabattlewason,ItwasastrugglebetweenkingsPharaohversusYahweh;thelordofEgypt,wielderofarapiddeploymentforcearmedwithstate-of-theartweaponryversustheLordofhosts(armies),whowasapparentlyunarmed.Itwasastruggleforsovereigntyandforfreedom.

Inmilitaryterms,itwasaneccentricbattle.Moses,havingstretchedhishandsoverthesea,ledtheIsraelitesthroughitondryground.Amazing!WhentheEgyptianforcesfollowedthemthedrygroundturnedtomud.Wheelsclogged.Hoofsstuck.Asthewatersclosedinuponthem,theEgyptiansinpaniccriedout,"LetusfleefrombeforeIsrael;forYahwehfightsforthem"(Exod.14:25).Itwastoolate.Moseshadonceagainstretchedouthishand,andtheseawasreturningtoitsusualshape.Beforelongagrislysightappeared:Egyptiancorpseswashedupalongthecoast.

Whohadwonthebattle?AccordingtothewriterofExodus,itwasYahweh.Itwashewhohad"routedtheEgyptiansinthemidstofthesea"(14:27).Victorywashis"greatwork"(14:31).Naturallyenough,

theresponseofthepeoplewasoneofrelief.Butitwasmorethanthat.Itwasfear.Itwastrust.Mostsignificantly,itwasasenseofidentityasanation.AsOldTestamentscholarBrevardChildshasputit,"IsraelleftEgyptasfleeingslaves,andemergedfromtheseaasapeoplewhotestifiedto

God'smiraculousdeliverance."

5Andthatresponse,oftellingthestoryofGod'sactioninthecontextofthanksgivingandpraise,wastheresponseofworship.

RiskyLiving:Provision

Butanewcrisisloomed.FortheIsraeliteswerenowacrosstheRedSea,inawildernessfarfromthegardensandsupermarketsofEgypt.Theirwineskinswereempty,theirpicnicbasketsbare.Inthissetting,thesecondoftheprimaryhumanneedsappearedprovision.

"Whatshallwedrink?"(15:24)Attheoutset,itwasthirstwhichpreoccupiedthepeople.Theyhadpausedatapondinthewilderness,ataplacecalledMarah.Butitswaterwasbrackish.SotheymurmuredagainstMoses.6AndMoses,inturn,criedouttoYahweh.Mercifully,Yahwehknewwhattodo.Tomakethewaterdrinkable,heorderedMosestocutdownatreeandthrowitintothepond.Forthemomentthatwassufficient.AndshortlythereafterYahwehledthemtoagoodcampsite,Elim,wherethereweretwelvesprings(15:27).Yahwehhadprovidedhispeoplewithwater.

Buthungerwasagrowingconcernaswell.Whatdothousandsoffactoryworkersandfarmersdowhentheyaresuddenlyforcedtobenomads?TheIsraeliteshadn'tplannedforthis.TheirdeparturefromEgypthadhappenedtoofast.Andbythistimetheirmeagerprovisionshadbeenexhausted.

Whatshouldtheydo?OnceagaintheirinstinctiveresponsewastomurmuragainstMoses.Adeceptiveformofnostalgiawascreepingintotheirthinking."IfonlywewerebackinEgypt!Atleasttherewehadenoughbreadandfleshpots(fast-foodrestaurants?).Wewereslaves,butatleastweknewwhattherulesofbondagewere.Freedom

istoohardtocopewith,toounstructured,toounpredictable.Ratherthanbeingkilledbyhungerinthiswilderness,we'dpreferthesecurityofslavery!"(Exod.16:3,paraphrased).

MoseswasdistressedattheshortmemoryoftheIsraelites.

Couldn'ttheonewhohadrescuedthemfromEgyptianchariotsalsofeedtheminthedesert?Couldn'ttheyseethatthey,bymurmuringagainsttheirhumanleader,wereinrealitydeclaringtheirlackoftrustintheirdivineKing?YahwehwaslessimpatientthanMoses.Afterall,hewasProvideraswellasProtector.Securityfromhungerwasasmuchaconcernofhisassecurityfromenemies.Tofeedhispeoplehedrewuponunexpectedsourcesquailsfromthesea(Exod.16:13;Num.11:31)and"breadfromheaven"(Exod.16:4).

Theprovisionofthebread,calledmanna,hadtwocharacteristicstwo"mannaprinciples."Thefirstofthesewassufficiency.Everymorningexceptone,themannaappearedinflat,flakelikeformonthegroundoutsidethecamp.Itwasdelicious.Dependingonhowitwasprepared,itcouldbecomeeitheroilcakesorhoneywafers(Num.11:8;Exod.16:32).God'smaterialgiftsaregood!Furthermore,whentheIsraeliteswentouttogatherthemanna,theygatheredfreely.Miraculously,regardlessoftheamountthateachhadgathered,itwasalwaysenoughandnevertoomuch.Thepeoplehadasufficientdiet,butnotanextravagantone.

Thesecond"mannaprinciple"wasequality.SomeIsraelitesthosewithentrepreneurialpotentialimmediatelytriedto"improvethemselves,"Thefrugalonesschemedtoskimponeatingsothat,whenshortfallsoccurred,theywouldhavesomeleftovertoselltopeoplewithlessforesight.Othersthemusculartypesgatheredfarmorethantheirshare.Neitherprofitedfromtheirexertions,foreverythingthattheytriedtohoard"bredwormsandbecamefoul''(Exod.16:20).Everyone,therefore,hadthesameamount,andthatwasalwaysenough.

OnonlyonedaycouldtheIsraelitesgathermorethantheirnormalquota.Onthesixthdaytheyweretogatherpreciselytwiceasmuchasusual,fortheseventhdaywasunliketherest.Itwasa"dayofsolemnrest,aholysabbathtotheLord"(16:23).Onthatdaytherewastobe

nowork.Nonewas

needed,fortherewasnomannaontheground,andtheextramannawhichthepeoplehadnoteatenonthesixthdaywasstillfreshanddelicious.JustasYahwehshowedthemhisgracebygivingthemmanna,healsograciouslygavethemrest.Andbyresting,theyindicatedthattheyacceptedhisgraceandrecognizedthelimitedroleoftheirownworks.Yahwehisfaithful.Hecanprovide!Atthedeepestlevel,hisSabbathday,specificallydesignatedasavehicleofholiness,pointedthewaytoworship.

WorshipingtheHolyOne

Atthisstage,theworshipoftheIsraelites(asrecordedinExodus1516)wasstilluncomplicated.Thegloriousliturgical

literatureofthePsalms,therobingandinstructionofthepriestsandlevites,thedevelopmentofsolemnceremonyandappropriatemusicalltheseweretocomelater.ButGodhadjustacted,interveninginhopelesssituationstodefendthemandfeedthem.AstheIsraelitesrespondedtotheseevents,

therewasfreshnessintheirworship,andprofundity,too.

Praiseinstinctivelywelledupwithinthem.TheirworshipwasanalmostreflexiveresponsetowhattheyhadwatchedGoddoing.Intheirrelief,theylikemodern-dayhostageswhohavebeenfreedfromcaptivityspontaneouslyacclaimedtheexploitsoftheirliberator.Indeed,theworshipserviceofMosesandthepeople(recordedinExod.15:118andcommonlycalledthe"SongoftheSea")isjustthatanunrehearsedburstofapplausetoYahweh."IwillsingtoYahweh....Yahwehismystrengthandmysong,andhehasbecomemysalvation."

Thepeople'spraiseofYahwehwasnot,however,praiseingeneral.Itwasnotextollinghimforhisattributesor"forwhoheis"(asthecurrentclichéruns).ItwaspraiseofYahwehforwhathehaddone,forspecificdeedswhichthepeoplehadexperienced.Asimportantaspraisewasasecondingredientoftheirworship,storytelling.

WhoisYahweh?"Heistheonewho..."andastoryemerges.InExodus16:3235,Yahwehistheonewhohasfedhishungryandcomplainingpeopleinafoodlessplace:awilderness.Sothepeople,atYahweh'scommand,gatheredaday'ssupplyofthemannawhichhehadgiventhem,andtheystoreditinajarwhichtheyplacedinahighlysignificantplace:beforethearkofthecovenant.There,attheheartoftheirnation'sreligiouslife,inthesightofallthepeople,thisjarwouldbeastimulustoworship.Forthem,futureworshipwouldalwaysbeanactofremembering.

WhoisYahweh?InExodus15,Yahwehistheonewhohastriumphedgloriously;thehorseandhisriderhehasthrownintothesea"(Exod.15:1,21).Intheirworship,thepeoplesangthestory.TheenemykingPharaohhadboasted,"Iwillpursue,Iwillovertake...Iwilldrawmysword,myhandshalldestroythem"(15:9).ButYahwehwasamightierkingthanPharaoh.Hehadblownwithhiswind.Weaponry

ofthelatestdesignhehadcastintothesea.BythisactionYahwehhadshown"thegreatnessofhismajesty."Yahwehhadshownhimselftobe

"majesticinholiness"(15:7,11).AndtheworshipofYahweh'sholinesswastheconsciousact,bythewholepeople,ofrememberingandtellingYahweh'sstory.

TheworshipoftheIsraelites,however,wasnotsimplyfocusedonthepast.AthirdingredienttheirexpressionoftrustinYahwehwasvital.Itwastobetheirconfessionthat,extendingintothepresentandthefuture,Godwouldkeeponaddingnewchapterstothestoryofhisactions.IntheExodus15song,thisfuture-orientedtrustinYahwehisnotyethighlydeveloped,butitsrootsareunmistakable.Yahweh,theydeclared,wasnotonlytheirKingduringthebattleatthesea;he"willreignforeverandever"(v.18).AndYahwehhasaplan:toplanthispeopleinaplacewheretheycanflourishwhileworshipinghim(v.17).

InIsraeliteworship,past,present,andfutureallareintertwined.Andthisintertwiningwasofgreatpracticalimportancetothem.Itwastheirmeansofcopingwithtwotemptationswhichwouldrepeatedlystalkthem:prideanddespair.

Mostofuscanreadilyempathize.Oftenbeforeajobinterview,anoperation,oranimportantdecisionwehaveprayedferventlyforGod'shelp.OftenGodhasenabledgoodthingstohappenthatwehavefelttobeimpossible.Butatthatpoint,don'twefinditattractivetocreditourselvesourgoodjudgment,cleverness,alertnesswithoursuccess?ThehistoricallyrootedworshipoftheIsraeliteswasanantidotetothispridefultendency.ItisnotaccidentalthatintheExodus15song,whereasIsrael'sking,Yahweh,ismentionedtentimes,Israel'shumanleadersMosesandAaronarenotmentionedatall.ItwasbyGod'sconcretegracethattheyhadbeensaved.InworshiptheyaffirmedtheirhumilitybeforetheirSavior.

Despairisaslethalamaladyaspride.ForGodnotonlysaveshispeoplebygrace;GodalsocallsusliketheIsraelitestoalifeof

vulnerabilityandrisk-takinginwhichwewillcontinuetobedependentuponhim.Often,inperiodsofcrisis,wetendto

succumbto"worst-case"assessmentsofoursituation."Thesituation'shopeless.Yahwehcan'tdoitagain!"So,sincewedoubtthathecandoanything,wehavetodoourbest,evenifthatmeansdepartingfromhisway.

SoitwaswiththeIsraelites.Whentheyforgotthestoryofhisactions,whentheyignoredtheonewho,"majesticinholiness,"couldintervenetoprotectthemandprovideforthem,theyhadnochoicebuttotrustinthemselves.Theresultwas"realism."Whentheysuccumbedtofalserealism,theIsraelitesdepartedfromthewayofholiness.TheylefttheprecariousroadthatYahwehhadmappedforthemandchosethebroadroadofadaptationtothewaysofthenationsthatsurroundedthem.Storytelling,therefore,wasnotanincidentalpartoftheworshipofGod'speople.Itwastheirmeansofnourishingtheexpectancyandtrustwhichaloneenabledthemtoliveasaholynation.

Exodus:SpringboardofHolyHistory

Itistimeforustoretractourtelescopeand,increasingourballoon'sspeedandaltitude,toglideonwardintime.Butaswedoso,wemustnotforgetourwildernessstory.

ForintheExodusinthebush,inthebattle,inactsofprotectionandprovisionYahwehhadrevealedhimselfinhisholiness.Thereafter,whenleadinghispeople,whenlegislatingforthem,herepeatedlyintroducedhimselfintermsofhisliberatingaction:"IamYahwehwhomakesyouholy,whobroughtyououtofthelandofEgypttobeyourGod:IamYahweh"(Lev.22:3233).Inthisway,asinmanyothers,theExodusservesasapatternorprototypefortherestoftheOldTestament.Itis,accordingtomanyscholars,the"interpretivecenter"fortheOldTestamentwritings.

7Therestofthestoryunfoldsinlightofit.EventhecomingofJesus

wastobeinterpretedbytheearlyChristiansinlightoftheExodus.

AftertheExodus,thingswereneverthesameagain.TheHolyOnehadrevealedhimselfinaction.Hehadshownhis

holinessthroughinvolvementattimesquitedramaticinvolvementinhistory,shatteringresistancesandliberatinganoppressedpeople.NevercouldtheIsraelitesjustifyamassingmaterialormilitarypowerbyappealingtotheExodusevents.Forthem,thelessonwastheopposite:sinceYahwehhadfreedthembyhisgrace,theywerecalledtoalifebasedontrust,notonpower.Nolongerdidtheyhavetomanipulateeventstomakethemcomeoutright,forhistorywasinthehandsoftheHolyOne."Standfirm,andseethesalvationofYahweh,whichhewillworkforyou"(Exod.14:13).

YahwehhadfreedtheIsraelitesforaspecialpurpose.Thiswasnotaclassicrevolution,inwhichtheoppressedgroupturnedthetablesontheiroppressors.Yahweh'sinterestwaslargerthanwhoshouldruleinEgypt.Yahwehwasinterestedinnothinglessthanthecompletionofhisprojectthere-creationoftheworld.Buthisstrategyinworkingtowardthiscosmicendwasacuriousone.Yahwehbegansmall,freeinganobscurebandofIsraeliteslavestoleavetheirplaceofoppressionandtobecomeanewnation,anationwithaspecialrelationshiptoGod.HenceforththeIsraeliteswouldbe"thepeoplewhomyouhaveredeemed."Inaspecialsensetheywouldbe"yourpeople"(Exod.15:13,16).Throughthemhewould,inthefullnessoftime,blessallofcreation.

That,however,wouldbealongroad.Asheaccompaniedthemonit,Yahwehhadtotraintheminthedisciplinesofholyliving.Inmanyareasoftheirlife(includingthoseoftheprimaryhumanneedsofprotectionandprovision),hispeoplehadtolearnnewpatternsoflivingpatternsdifferentfromtheoneswhichtheyhadobservedinEgypt.LawandhardexperiencethesearethemeansbywhichGodtaughtthem.Inthenextchapter,weshallturnourattentiontothem.

Chapter5HolyLiving...andWhiningFreeatlast!AsGod'speopleslowlymovedcampintotheSinaipeninsula,theybreathedasighofrelief.Noovertimeinthebrickyard!Noquotas!Nomurderingoftheirbabyboys!TheirexperienceinEgyptseemedtohavebeenabaddream.Andnow,thankstotheinterventionofaGodaboutwhomtheyknewnexttonothing,theywerefree!

Butfreeforwhat?NotfreetoruleEgypt.Yahwehhadn'tintervenedsotheycouldgetbackattheiroppressors.No,hehadloosedthegripofthenationthatwasgrindingthemdownforanotherpurpose:toenablethemtobecomeanewnation,anationthatwouldbedifferent.

1TheirdifferentnesswouldberootedintheirexperienceofholinesstheholinessoftheGodwhohadfoughtforthemandfedthem,AndtheirdifferentnesswouldbeprescribedforthembyanotherofGod'sgiftstothemacodeforlivingcalledtheLawwhichwouldgiveformtotheirfreedom.Theirlifestylewouldreflecttheholinessoftheonewhohadsprungthemloose.

Ourballoonhasrisen.Wearenowhoveringsomewhathigherthaninchapter4,sowecangetawiderperspectiveonhowthishappened.Wecanseehow,overaperiodoffourhundredyears,YahwehservedastheirKing.NotonlydidYahwehdosuchkinglythingsasfightingforhispeopleandfeedingthem;Yahwehalsomadelawsforthem,punishedthem,anddirectedtheirnationallife.

Whenthepeopleweregood,theywereverygood.TheyrespondedtoYahweh'srulebythankinghimandobeyinghim.Andintheirexperiencesomethingnewhappened.Theydevelopedanationallifestylewhich,intheviewofOldTestamentscholarMartinNoth,had"noparallelatallelsewhere."

2DespitetheirfourhundredyearsinEgypt,theyweren'tlivinglikeEgyptiansanymore.NorweretheylivinglikethepeopleofthevariousnationsthattheymetastheymovedtowardPalestine.Theylivedinanewway.Theywerea"holynation."

Wewillalsosee,ofcourse,thatthepeopleofGodweren'talwaysongoodbehavior.Forholinesshaditspriceobedientdependence.Thiswasn'teasy.Allaroundthemwerenationswholivedbyconventionalvalues.Theyworshipedgodswhoseprimaryrequirementswerereligiousobservances.Thesegodsmadenorealdemandsonlifestyles.Obliginglytheyhelpedtheiradherentsdowhattheyalreadywantedtodo.Howtemptingitwas,whenYahwehdemandedtheinsecurityoftrust,tobowtocommon-sensedeities!God'speopleweretornbetweenYahweh'scalltobea"holynation"andthegravitationalpullofunholylivingwhichmeantlosingtheirnationaldistinctivenessliving"likeallthenations,"theBible(Deut.17:14)callsit.

LaterinourstorywewillfindthepeopleofGodgivingintothis

gravitationalpullandbecomingunholy.Butintheperiodthatwearelookingat,atthemomenttheirforty-yearsojourninthewilderness,theirconquestofthePromisedLand,andtheirlifeinthelandasalooseconfederationoftwelvetribestheymanagedmuchofthetimetobefaithfultoYahweh's

way.Letuslookatwhatbeingaholynationmeantforthemandfortheirlifetogether.

TheLaw:FrameworkforHolyLiving

ThreemonthsaftertheirescapefromEgypt,theIsraelitescametoamountainintheheartofthewilderness.Onceagaintheyencounteredholiness.WhentheirrepresentativeMosesclimbedthemountaintomeettheHolyOne,thepeopleatasafedistancesensedthemselvestobeinthepresenceofapowerofterrifyingotherness.Theearthtrembledbeneaththem.Theairwaschargedwithelectricity(Exod.19:1619).OutofthethunderYahwehspoke.Yahweh'saimwasnottogivethepeopleanunforgettablereligiousexperience.Hisconcernwasrather,justasithadbeenwhenhemetMosesintheburningbush,tobringaboutactionandchange.

ForthepeopleofIsraeltrulytobeliberatedfromEgypt,theyneededtobetaughthowtoliveinanewway.Yahwehwascallingthepeopletoplaydemandingroles(Exod.19:6).

Forthemtobehis"kingdomofpriests"theyneededtoliveinobediencetotheirdivineKing.Forthemtobehisspearheadinhistory"aholynation"theyneededtoliveaccordingtohisholiness.BygivingthemsuccessivewavesofLaw,Yahwehwasgraciouslyequippingthemforthesehighcallings.

TheLawwasGod'sprimaryteachingaid.Withoutit,thepeopleofGodwouldhavebeen,inthethingsthatreallymattered,justlikealltheothernations.Emphatically,Yahwehstatedthat"youshallnotlearntofollowtheabominablepracticesofthosenations"(Deut.18:9).Yahweh'speoplemustbeunliketheCanaanites.TheymustalsobedifferentfromtheEgyptianswhoselandtheyhadsorecentlyleft.ForiftheIsraelitesrevertedtoEgyptianwaysandvalues,theywouldberejectingthegraciousworkofYahwehontheirbehalf.

RepeatedlyintheLawthereareimpassionedappealstoremembertheExodus."Yahwehhastakenyou,andbroughtyouforthoutoftheironfurnace,outofEgypt,tobeapeopleofhisownpossession....Takeheedtoyourselves,lestyouforget...(Deut.4:20,23).Byremembering,theywouldbothunderstandwhatYahweh'sconcernswereandremindthemselvesofhisfaithfulness.Theywouldalsohaveamotiveforaction."Youwerepoor.Youwerestrangers.Youwereoppressed.AndIfreedyou.Therefore,youmustacttowardothersasIactedtowardyou"(Exod.22:2123;23:9paraphrased)."ImitationofGod"islanguagewhichwasnotfullydevelopeduntiltheNewTestamentButalreadyintheOldTestamentitispresentinthetexts.Anditsaimisholiness."Youshallbeholy,forIYahwehyourGodamholy''(Lev.19:2).

Holiness,infact,wastopervadetheirlives.Itwastocharacterizetheirreligiousceremonialandtheirfamilypatterns.AnditwastoshapethewaythattheIsraelitesdealtwiththeprimaryhumanconcernsthatwehavediscussedinearlierchaptersprovisionand

protection.IntheExodus,Yahwehhaddemonstratedhisconcretegrace,providingforhispeopleandprotectingthemwithouttheirassistance.Indoingso,

Yahwehdemonstratedvaluesthatwereprecioustohim.AndYahwehinvitedthemintoarelationshipwithhimselfarelationshipoftrustandvulnerability.

Now,intheLaw,Yahwehtookhispeopleastepfurther.HeshowedthemthatalthoughtheeventsoftheExoduswereunique,theprinciplesinvolvedwererepeatable.Infact,theywouldbetheacknowledgedbasisforYahweh'sprescriptionsforhispeople'slifestyle.Theirswouldbealifestyleofvulnerability.InboththeareasofwealthandwartheLawlimitedthepeople's"works"theircapacitytobecomestrongandself-reliant.Indeed,itsprovisionsinstitutionalizedtheirdependenceonYahweh.OnlybyfaithfaithintheongoingconcretegraceoftheOnewhohaddeliveredthemfromEgyptcouldthepeoplehopetokeeptheLaw.Inthismanner,theLawwasamiraculousfusionoftwothingsthatsomepeopletodayseeasirreconcilableGod'sradicalgraceandasociallyradicallifestyle.God's"holynation"wouldbeadeviantcommunitylivingbygrace.

Provision:SabbathandJubileeYears

Toillustratethis,letuslookattheLaw'sprescriptionsfortheareaofprovision.Fromtheearliestpassagesinthe"CovenantCode"(Exod.2023),itisclearthatsomethingremarkablewasafoot.Aseventhyear(asabbathyear)wasspecified(Exod.21:12;23:1013)whichwastobeholy,inthreewaysdifferentfromotheryears.

Inthefirstplace,thesabbathyearwastobeayearofrecoveryfortheland.Throughlyingfallow,thelandwouldbereenergizedforsixmoreyearsofproductiveharvests.Second,thesabbathyearwouldbeatimeofliberty(release,forgiveness).Thosewhohadbeensoldintoslaveryduringtheprevioussixyearswouldbesetfree.Regardlessoftheupsanddownsoftheireconomicfortunes,noIsraelitecouldbeaslaveformorethansixyears.

Third,thesabbathyearwastobethetimeforattackingthe

miseryofthepoor.AccordingtotheearlierLawcode(Exod.23:11),thiswastobedonebyempoweringthepoortogatherasmuchastheyneededfromthefields'spontaneousgrowth.Thelatercode(Deut.15:2)addedtothisbycallingforaproclamationofliberty(release,forgiveness),notjustofslaves,butalsoofdebts.Inthesabbathyear"everycreditorshallreleasewhathehaslenttohisneighbor."Thewealthierpeoplemustbealertthattheirattitudesnothardenagainsttheirpoorbrothers.Eveninthesixthyear,whenthedebtforgivenessofthesabbathyearwasapproaching,theymust"opentheirhands"tothepooringrantingthemcredit.

EveryfiftiethyeartherewastobeasabbathofsabbathyearsayearofJubilee.Inthisyear,whichwasspecificallydesignatedas"holy"tothepeople(Lev.25:10,12),remarkablethingsweretohappen.ItwasnotsimplythatintheJubileethepeopleweretodothenormalsabbathyearthingssuchasforgivingdebtsandleavingthelandfallow.Theywerealsotoproclaimlibertyonamassivescaleareleaseoftheland.AnditwasimmenselyimportanttoGodthattheydothis.AccordingtomissionaryandOldTestamentscholarChrisWright,theJubileewas"thecentralcoreofOldTestamenteconomics."

3

Here,inbrief,ishowthesystemwastowork.ThePromisedLandintowhichtheIsraelitescamewasthe"privateproperty,"notofanyindividualsorfamilies,butofGodhimself."Thelandismine"(Lev.25:23),saidtheonlyFreeholder.AsGordonWenham,anEvangelicalOldTestamentscholar,haspointedout,theland"doesnotreallybelongto[theIsraelites];theyinhabititthankssolelytothemercyandfavoroftheirGod,thegreatlandowner."4Asaresult,thelandwasnottobesold,butwastobegraciouslyapportionedtothenewlyarrivedIsraelitefamiliesaccordingtoneed.Thepeopleweretobe

stewardsoftheland,notitsowners.

Inthecourseofthefiftyyears,somefamilies,throughgoodfortuneorhardwork,wouldprosper.Asaresult,theymightacquireadditionallandsfromlessfortunateorlessindustrious

families.Buttheywouldhavetheselandsonlyonakindofleasehold.AttheJubileetherewouldbeagreatre-equalization.Theleaseswouldexpireandthelandswouldbereleasedreturnedtothefamilieswhooriginallyheldthem.Andeveryfamily,onthebasisofequality,wouldhaveafreshstart.

ThesabbathandJubileeyearswerenottheonlypartsoftheLawinwhichGodprescribedeconomicjusticeforhispeople.Thelawsconcerningtithingandgleaningwerealsoimportant(Deut.14:2829;24:1922;Lev.19:910).Nevertheless,theintermingledtheologicalandeconomicideaswhichlaybehindthesabbathandJubileelawswereremarkable.Letuslookatthemingreaterdetail.

Thefirstthingtonoteistherepeatedreference,inboththesabbathandJubileelaws,totheExodus,Whyreleaseslaves?Whyforgivedebts?Because"youshallrememberthatyouwereaslaveinthelandofEgypt,andYahwehyourGodredeemedyou"(Deut.15:15).Theland,liketheirfreedom,wastheirsnotbyrightormerit,butasYahweh'sgifttothem.Thepeoplewerewarnednottothink,"Mypowerandthemightofmyhandhavegottenmethiswealth"(Deut.8:17).Instead,theirprosperitywastheproductofYahweh'sconcretegrace.

Thepeople,inturn,weretorespondtoYahwehbygraciouslivingandfaithfulliving.BecauseYahwehhadbeengracious,givingthemfreedom,food,andland,theyalsoweretobegracious.Havingthemselvesbeenreleasedfrombondage,theyweretobetheinstrumentsbywhichotherswerereleasedfromthebondagesofslaveryandpoverty.

Todothis,theyneededtolivebyfaith.TheIsraeliteswhorememberedtheExodustrustedthattheGodoftheExoduscoulddoitagain.Godcouldintervenebyactsofconcretegracetovindicatethemwhentheyengagedinactsoffinancialfoolishness.Forwhatelsebut

foolishnesscoulditappearwhentheyrefrainedfromplantingorharvestinginasabbathyear,orredistributedpropertyinaJubilee?Thepeople'sinstinctive

desirestofulfilltheirprimaryhumanneedofprovisionwerearoused."Whatshallweeatintheseventhyear?"(Lev.25:20)wasareasonablequestionifonethoughtinconventionalhumantermsandforgottheExodus.ButtheinstitutionsofIsrael,prescribedintheLaw,werebasedonapremiseoffaithwhichdefiedcommonsense.ForYahwehwasstillgracious!

Wemustalsokeepoureyesfixedonthesocialsenseofthislegislation.Initthereisnotahintoftheso-called"sanctity[holiness]ofprivateproperty."ThatisdisownedbytheLevi-ticallegislationinwhichYahwehisfreeholderandhispeopleare"strangersandsojournerswithme"(Lev.25:23).Instead,thelanguageofholinessisreservedfortheactofreequalization(Lev.25:10,12).ThatiswheretheholinessofGodismanifestedinreequalization,whenmenandwomen,trustingGod,denytheirpersonaleconomicadvantagetocreateasocietyinwhicheveryonehasenough.

Sufficiencyandequalitythese"mannaprinciples"undergirdedthesabbathandJubileeyears.Inthedesert,Yahwehhaddemonstratedhiscommitmenttosufficiencyandequality:hewantedeveryonetohaveenough,butnoonetohavetoomuch.AstheJewishscholarAndréNehernoted,"Allhadbeenrenderedequalbythejustice-makingactofGod."

5Itisnotsurprising,therefore,thatthelegislativetextsrecallthemanna(Deut.8:34).AndtheyorderlifefortheIsraelitessothatsufficiencyandequalitycanbemaintained.TheaimwastoeradicatepovertyamongGod'speople."Therewillbenopooramongyou...ifonlyyouwillobeythevoiceofYahweh"(Deut.15:45).Evenifthatremainedanunattainablegoal(Deut.15:11),neverthelessitwasonetowardswhichGod'speople,bybeingfaithfultothelawandreliantuponhisgrace,weretocontinuetoorienttheirlives.

Protection:HolyWar

Theprinciplesofholinessandgrace,rootedintheExodus,areequallytobefoundintheLaw'sprescriptionsforprotec-

tion.SafetywasboundtobeaprimaryconcernoftheIsraelites.TheyhademergedfromEgyptequippedwithonlythelightestofweaponry.AstheymovedintothePromisedLand,theyencounteredothernationsthathadthelatestweaponsthattheorientalarmsbazaarscouldoffer.Forthemsecurityquestionswereuppermost.

Howweretheytocope?IntheCovenantCode(Exod.23:2023),Yahwehgavesomehints.I[will]sendanangelbeforeyou,toguardyouonthewayandtobringyoutotheplacewhichIhaveprepared....Iwillbeanenemytoyourenemies."YahwehhimselfwouldpersonallyinterveneagainstIsrael'senemies:I[will]blotthemout."Themeansbywhichhewoulddothismusthavesoundedsomewhatunreliable.Iwillsendmyterrorbeforeyou,andwillthrowintoconfusionall[yourenemies]."The"hornets"whichhepromisedtosendintobattlewouldhavehadafamiliarring,evokingmemoriesofthemiracleswhichhadprecededtheExodus.Andthepeople,apparentlydoingnothing,weretoacceptYahweh'svindicationasagiftofconcretegrace.

AfullerstatementofthewaysinwhichYahwehwantedtoprotecthispeopleoccursintheDeuteronomicCode(Deut.20),whichestablishedtheinstitutionofthe"holywar".Howcanwarbeholy?Anecessaryevil,somethink.Othersputitmorestrongly.GeneralSherman,whoseUniontroopsputSoutherncitiestothetorchduringtheAmericancivilwar,stateditsuccinctly:"Warishell."

YetintheLaw,war,likeotherIsraelitepractices,wastobe"holy."TheHebrewwordwasherem,whichmeans"dedicated."Intheherem,thedefeatedenemiesandtheirpossessionsweretobededicatedtoYahweh.Inpractice,thismeantbanned,cursed,andutterlydestroyed.Asaholyevent,awarwouldbeginwithanactof"sanctification"(Jer.6:4;Mic.3:5).Theparticipantsinitwouldneedtoensurethattheircampswereholy(Deut.23:14).Fortheholywarwasnot"a

continuationofpoliticalactivitybyothermeans."Itwasanact

ofreligiousritual,a"vast,bloodysacrifice"totheGodwhograciouslyprotectedhispeople.

6

Asaholyevent,theHolyWarwasboundtobedifferentfromordinarywarfare.Accordingtothebiblicalaccounts,ithadtwomajorpeculiarities.Inthefirstplace,itwasincrediblydestructive.Notuniformlyso,ofcourse.ThecloserthebattlecametotheheartofIsraelitelife,thegreaterthecarnage.Whenadistantcitysurrenderedaftersiege,forexample,theIsraelitesweretoputtotheswordonlytheentiremalepopulation.Thewomen,animals,andspoiltheycouldtakeas"booty"forthemselves(Deut.20:1015).InthecitiesofthePromisedLandthedestructionwastobegreatertheIsraeliteswereto"savealivenothingthatbreathes"(20:16).NorweretheIsraelitestosaveanyoftheartifactsofcivilization.Theyweretoputthemtothetorch(e.g.,Josh.7:11).EquallytotaldestructionwastobethefateofIsraelitecitiesthathadsurrenderedtoidolatry.Theirinhabitantsallofthemweretobekilledalongwithalloftheiranimals.Theirpossessionsweretobepiledupinthecity'scentralsquare,whereuponthey,alongwiththerestofthecity,weretobesetalight,offered"asawholeburntofferingtoYahwehyourGod"(Deut.13:1516).Thedestructionofthecityitspeople,itseconomicresources,anditsculturewastobetotal.

Whythisdestructiveness?NomodernideologyChristianorotherwisewouldjustifysuchaconflagration.Indeed,thejustwartheorycameintobeingpreciselytopreventevenapalereflectionofitfromtakingplace.7Nordoesthisdestructivenessmakemilitarysense.Adefeatedpopulacecanbeabothertogovern.Butcertainlyeveryvictoriouspowerwouldbeopentoseizingtheeconomicresources(thecattle,preciousmetals,etc.)ofthedefeatedcountry.Whatkindof

warfarerulesouteconomicprofitandpenalizesthevictors?

Itisholywar.Theoverwhelmingdestructivenessispartandparcelofitsdistinctiveness.Becauseoftheiroppressionandidolatry,thesurroundingnationswere"Yahweh'sadversaries."

Theirtotaldestructionwasanexpressionofhispunishment(Num.24:8;Lev.19:25).Evenmoretothepoint,thedestructivenesswasaprotectionofthevictors.Timeandagain,Yahwehrepeatedhisworrythathispeoplewouldbecome"likeallthenations"whichtheyweredisplacingfromthePromisedLand.Yahwehclearlywantedtowardofftheirbecomingworldly.Inorderingtheblottingoutoftheenemiesandtheirculture,theLawwasexpressinghisconcern"thattheymaynotteachyoutodoaccordingtoalltheirabominablepractices"(Deut.20:18).ThecolossaldestructivenessofholywarwasthusameansofkeepingworldlinessfrominfectingGod'speople.Theholywarwasaprotectionoftheirholiness.

Thesecondpeculiarityoftheholywarwasitsinsistenceuponweakness.Whatanunorthodoxapproachtowarfare!Imaginegoingintobattlewithoutattemptingatleasttomatchtheenemyinmanpowerandfirepower!

Thisabsurdapproachtomilitarystrategywas,however,verymuchintheExodustradition.AccordingtoDeuteronomy20,theholywarwastobeginwiththefollowingappeal:

Whenyougoforthtowaragainstyourenemies,andseehorsesandchariotsandanarmylargerthanyourown,youshallnotbeafraidofthem.(Deut.20:1)

Outmannedandoutarmed,theIsraelitesmightwellhavebeenterrified.Yettheywerenottofear,for"YahwehyourGodiswithyou,whobroughtyouupoutofthelandofEgypt".Thepriestwho,inlieuofahumanking,wastoleadthemintobattle,wastoremindthemthattheirdivineKingcoulddoitagain.Yahwehwill"fightforyou...togiveyouthevictory"(Deut.20:4).OfcoursetheIsraelitesoldiersmighthavetofight.Indeed,theymighthavetoengageingenocidalviolence.ButtheiractivitieswouldbesecondarytotheprioractofYahweh,whosesurprisinginterventionwouldbedecisive.Yahweh

wasthevictor.AsintheExodus,victorywouldbethe

productofYahweh'sconcretegrace,notofhumanworks.AndYahweh'speopleweretorespondbyobedientlytrustinghimfortheirnationalsurvival.

TheholywarlegislationofDeuteronomy20didnotsimplyrecommendthisdependence.Itmaderadicaldependenceunavoidablebyestablishingtheprincipleofintentionalinferiority(Deut.20:59).Beforethebattle,theofficersweretoaddresstheirtroopsasfollows:

Isthereanymanherewhohasjustbuiltahouse,buthasnotyetdedicatedit?Ifso,heistogohome.Otherwise,ifheiskilledinbattle,someoneelsewilldedicatehishouse.(Deut.20:5,TEV)

Soalsothosewhohadplantednewvineyardsorbetrothedtheirintendedwives:Letthemgohome!Even,significantlyenough,thosewhowere"fearfulandfainthearted"(i.e.,thosewhocouldnottrustYahwehtoprotecthispeople):Letthemgohome!Fortheirfearmightbecontagious.Whengoingintobattle,Israelwouldthusbebehavinginaverystrangeway.Farfromconscriptingallavailablemanpower,theIsraeliteleaderswouldbeenspringthattheirarmywouldbenumericallyinferiortotheirenemies.

TheIsraeliteswerealsotobetechnologicallyinferior.InDeuteronomy20:1itisassumedthatIsrael'senemieswouldnotonlyhavelargerarmiesbutalsoonesequippedwithhorsesandchariots.Thelethalchariots,especially,weretheshockforcesofNearEasternarmiesofthetime.Asearlyenginesofmechanizedwarfare,theygavetothearmiesthatpossessedthembothmobilityandbrutestrength.

Israelwasnottohavechariots.InJoshua11wefindtheIsraelitesencounteringthe"greathost...withverymanyhorsesandchariots,"ofthecentralCanaaniteking,Jabin.Withtheenemyinfullsight,Yahweh,theGodoftheExodus,madeacharacteristicpromise:"Iwillgiveoverallofthem,slain,toIsrael."Ononecondition,however.

"Youshallhamstringtheir

horsesandburntheirchariotswithfire"(Josh.11:6).

Inthiswayaswell,Israel'sbehaviorwastobestrange.Ifanyonehadtheconventionalmilitaryideaofusingthecapturedenemyweaponryinthenextbattle,hewastoforgetit.Instead,theIsraelitesweretotreatthechariotslikethingsaccursed,likeidols.Theyweretoburnthemwithfire.

ThisdramaticgestureisafittingsymboloftheholinessofIsrael'swarfare.ItsimultaneouslydestroyedpaganweaponryandsecuredIsrael'sintentionalinferiority.ForIsraelwasnottotrustinanythingbutYahwehforitsprotectionlestthey"vauntthemselvesagainstme,saying,Myownhandhasdeliveredme"(Judg.7:2),Usingunorthodoxmilitarytechniques,Yahwehwouldintervenepersonallytohelpthemintheirobedientfoolishness.

WorkingItoutinPractice

Whatwasthepay-offforobediencetoYahweh?AccordingtotheLaw,itwasblessing.Yahwehwouldblesshispeople,providingforthemandprotectingthem.Hewouldblessthefruitoftheirbody.Yahweh'sblessingwouldbeupontheirbarns.Andwhentheywerethreatenedbyenemies,Yahwehwoulddefeatthem:"Theyshallcomeoutagainstyouoneway,andfleebeforeyousevenways"(Deut.28:7).Bydeedsofconcretegrace,YahwehwouldestablishIsraelas"apeopleholytohimself"(Deut.28:9).

Butdiditwork?DidtheIsraelitesreallyengageinthesepracticeswhichrequiredthemtorelyonYahweh'sprovisionandprotection?

Concerningthelawsonprovision,itishardtotell.AccordingtotheaccountinJoshua(5:12),thedailysupplyofmannanevergaveoutaslongastheIsraeliteswereinthedesert.ItceasedonlywhentheyenteredintotheamplefarmlandofthePromisedLand.Werethe

sabbathandJubileelawsputintopractice?Thebiblicalaccountdoesnotsay.Inviewoflaterpracticesofleavingthelandfallowandforgivingdebt,itis

likelythatthesabbathlawswereobservedfromanearlydate.TheJubileelaws,ontheotherhand,''neverbecameanintegralpartoftheHebrewwayoflife."

8Buttheywereknown,andtheyhadtheireffect.Witnesslaw-abidingNaboth'sreluctance,soinfuriatingtopaganqueenJezebel,tosellhisfamily'svineyardtokingAhab(1King21).9

Therecanbenodoubt,ontheotherhand,thatthelifeoftheIsraeliteswasprofoundlyaffectedbythelawsonprotection.ThiswasevidentfromthestartoftheircampaigntoconquerthePromisedLand.AftercapturingtheCanaanitecityofJericho,forexample,they"burnedthecitywithfire,andallwithinit"(Josh.6:24).WhenoneoftheirnumbertriedtoconvertalittleCanaaniteclothingandpreciousmetalintohisprivateproperty,YahwehsuspendedhismilitaryhelpandtheIsraelitetroopswereputtoflight."Iwillbewithyounomore,unlessyoudestroythedevotedthings[herem]fromamongyou"(Josh.7:12).Sothepeoplediscoveredtheculprit,stonedhim,andburnedhimandhissecretgoodswithfire(Josh.7).Bytheseactsofdestruction,Israel'sdistinctivenessitsholiness-wasprotected.

ThebiblicalstoryislikewisefullofYahweh'sprotectionofhispeopleintheirintentionalinferiority.Thinkofthebattlesofthisperiod.WhofoughttheBattleofJericho?Not,despitethefamousspiritual,Joshua!ItwasYahweh,whowonthevictorybyarchitecturalcatastrophethewallsfelldown!Yahweh'smeansinotherbattlesequallycombinedthematerialandthemiraculous:illness,arumor,thunder,hailstones,aswollenstream.10Ofcourse,bythistimethehumanelementwasnowpresentinthebattles.TheIsraeliteswereparticipatingaswarriors.Buttheireffortswereofsecondaryimportance.AfterYahweh,therealvictor,hadroutedtheopposition,theIsraelitesmoppedup.

Ofmanyexamplesofthisbizarretypeofbattle,Ishallmentiontwo.ThefirstoftheseisthebattlebetweentheIsraelitesandtheirMidianiteneighbors(Judg.67).Toleadhispeople,

YahwehcalleduponGideon,apiouswinegrowernotatallinclinedtobecomeawarrior.Butoncehedidso,hewasdeterminedtowagewarbythebook(oftheLaw).AtYahweh'sinstruction,GideonfollowedtheproceduresetdowninDeuteronomy20.Hesenthomethefearfultwenty-twothousandofthem.Buttherewerestilltenthousandwarriors,fartoomanyforYahweh'spurposes.SoGideonbywatchinghowthemendrankwaterfromthestreamparedthemdowntoamerethreehundred.Atthispoint,arrayedagainstanumerousMidianiteforce(Judg.6:5),IsraelwasinferiorenoughforYahwehtodemonstratehispoint:itwasYahweh,notanyIsraeliteheroes,whowouldprotectthepeople.

TheequipmentthattheIsraelitescarriedintobattlewasunorthodox.AtYahweh'ssuggestion,theydeployedtrumpets,smashableclaypots,brightlights,andlustyvoices.Whentheyblewtheirtrumpets,Yahwehhimselfintervened.He"setevery[Midianite]man'sswordagainsthisfellowandagainstallthearmy"(Judg.7:22).TheIsraelitesthenbroughtthebattletoaconclusionbychasingofftheirterrifiedopponents.

ThesecondexampleisIsrael'sbattleagainstaCanaanitearmyledbySisera(Judg.45).TheCanaaniteswereastechnologicallyadvancedastheMidianiteswerenumerous.Theywerearmedwith"ninehundredchariotsofiron"(Judg.4:3)andwereledbyprofessionalsoldiers.TheIsraelites,incontrast,werechariotlessandledbyanunarmedwoman,Deborah.Israel'smilitaryleader,anapparentlyfaint-heartedmannamedBarak,waspersuadedtogointobattlewhenDeborahpromisedhimthatshewouldbebyhisside.ShealsowarnedhimthatIsrael'svictorywouldnotleadtohisownglory,becauseYahwehwouldbethevictor."YahwehwillsellSiseraintothehandofawoman"(Judg.4:9).

Battleensued.Siseradeployedallhischariotsandallhismightymen.

ButYahwehintervened.TheriverKishonburstitsbanks,cloggingthechariotwheels,andforcingSiseraandtheothercharioteerstofleeonfoot.TheIsraelitearmypursued

theirhaplessenemies.ThateveningtheexhaustedSiseradied,thevictim,notofBarakoranyIsraelitehero,butofJael,awomanwhodroveatentpegthroughhisskull.Israel'svictorywasthatofapowerlesspeople,dependentontheirProtector.

WhiningandIdolatry

TheIsraelitesrespondedtoYahweh'sactsofconcretegracebyworshipinghim.Inburstsofspontaneouspraiseandinmoreelaboratelycomposedpsalmstheycelebratedhisfaithfulness.Yahweh,theyproclaimed,wastheir"sun[provision]andshield[protection]"(Ps.84:11)."TheangelofYahwehencampsaroundthosewhofearhim,anddeliversthem[protection]...thosewhoseekYahwehlacknogoodthing[provision].""Otasteandsee,"thepsalmistexultsintheGodofconcretegrace,"thatYahwehisgood!''(Ps.34:79).Heisthevictorovertheenemychariots:"Hear,Okings;giveear,Oprinces...IwillmakemelodytoYahweh,theGodofIsrael"(Judg.5:3).TheworshipoftheIsraeliteswasacelebrationofYahweh'sactsandaretellingofhisstory.Itwasalsoanexpressionoftrust.Byprovidingforhispeopleandprotectingthem,theGodwhohadbroughtthemoutofbondagewouldkeepondoingitagain!

Orwouldhe?Therewasroomfordoubt.Forlivingintrustfulinsecurityisalwaysdifficult,especiallywhenoneisconfrontinghardreality.Emptybarnsorasquadronofchariotscouldspuranyonetoaquickrethink.Soalsocouldtheexampleofothersocietieswhocouldhavereligionwithoutneedingtohavefaith.ItisinconvenienttohaveaGodwhogivespeoplefreedomonlyinsofarastheyarelivingindependantdeviance.Muchofthetime,theIsraelitesintrustputupwiththisinconvenience,andpersistedintheirpatternsofholyliving.

ButattimestheIsraeliteswavered.TheyforgotthestoryofYahweh'sacts.Theyceasedtoexpecthisnewinterventionstovindicatetheir

peculiarlifestyle.Andtheyalteredtheirreligiouspracticesaccordinglybyturningtotwoformsoffalseworshipwhiningandidolatry.

Atwhining(theOldTestamentcallsitmurmuring)theIsraeliteswereexperts.Itwasaformofnostalgia.Thepresentisbad.Thepastwasbetter.HowwonderfulEgypthadbeen!"WerememberthefishweateinEgyptfornothing,thecucumbers,themelons,theleeks..."(Num.11:5).AndweforgetthebondageandthesavingactsofYahweh.Weascribetotheslaveryofthepast("youhavebroughtusupoutofalandflowingwithmilkandhoney"[Num.16:13])thebenefitsthatGodhaspromisedforourfuture.Andweturnback,backtothesecurityofslavery."Letuschooseacaptain,andgobacktoEgypt''(Num.14:4).Anythingisbetterthantheriskinessoffreedom!

Therisksdidindeedappearimposing.Itwasnotsimplythatmannawasgettingtiresome.AforwardpartyofIsraelitespieswarnedofgiantsinthePromisedLand."Thepeoplewhodwellinthelandarestrong,andthecitiesarefortifiedandverylarge...andweseemedtoourselveslikegrasshoppers"(Num.13:28,33).Onlytwoofthespies,CalebandJoshua,dissentedfromthemajorityreport,whichseemedtothemtobe"rebellingagainstYahweh."ButtheotherIsraelitesrespondedbypeltingthetwowithstones.Havingdismissedthepastasirrelevant,theyweregraspingafterarisklessfuture.

Yahwehwasoutragedbythisattitude.Puttingmetotheproof,hecalledit.Atroot,itwasadenialofhisgraciouspresence.Intheearlydaysinthedesert,ataplacewhichwascalledMassah[proof],thethirstyIsraeliteshadputYahwehtotheproofbyasking,"IsYahwehamongusornot?"(Exod.17:7).Thereaftertheyoftenaskedthequestion,especiallywhentheywerefeelinginsecureabouttheirprimaryhumanneedsofprotectionandprovision.Yahweheventuallyhadhadenough.

NoneofthepeoplewhohaveseenmygloryandmysignswhichIwroughtinEgyptandinthewilderness,andyethaveputmetotheproofthesetentimesandhavenothearkenedtomyvoice,shallseethelandwhichIsworetogivetotheirfathers....(Num.14:2223)

MoseshimselfwouldbedeniedentryintothePromisedLand,forevenhehaddespairedofYahweh'spowertoprovide(Num.20).TheLandwouldbesettledbythenextgenerationofIsraelites,ledbythetwospieswhohadhadfaith.

PuttingYahwehtotheproofwasthusofgreat,literallymake-or-break,significance.ForgoodreasonitwasathemethatpermeatedthepsalmswithwhichIsraelworshiped:

Theyputhimtotheproofagainandagain,andprovokedtheHolyOneofIsrael.Theydidnotkeepinmindhispower,orthedaywhenheredeemedthemfromthefoe.(Ps.78:4142)

ThereliabilityofYahwehinpracticalmattersleadingtorisk-takingwasaspiritualmatter.Indeed,itwasamatterofholiness.AsYahwehreprovedMoses,"YoubrokefaithwithmeinthemidstofthepeopleofIsraelatthewatersofMeribathkadesh...becauseyoudidnotreveremeasholyinthemidstofthepeopleofIsrael"(Deut.32:51).ToworshiptheholyGodwastorememberthatGodaloneagainstallappearancescanprotectandprovide.

Likewhining,idolatrywasaformoffalseworship.ItdidnottaketheIsraeliteslongtoexplorethisidolatry.WorshipinganimagelessGodwas,forpeopleofthatera,somethingofastrain.NotonlywasYahwehinvisible;healsowasdemandingalifestylethatseemedtofloutancientNearEasterncommonsense.

Howinvitingitseemed,therefore,toworshipothergods.NotthatthepeoplewouldforgetYahweh.Theywouldsimplyaccordhimanhonoredplacealongsideothergodsinthedivineclub.SowhenAaronledtheIsraelitesinconstructingagoldencalf,heproclaimed,"TomorrowshallbeafeasttoYahweh"(Exod.32:5).

Religioustwo-timing(syncretism)wasattractive,especiallysincemanyofthealternativegodsseemedtobemorerespon-

sivetothepeople'sneeds.Forexample,thegodsBaalandAstarte,whoappeartohavebeenYahweh'stwochiefrivalsfortheallegianceoftheIsraelites,dealtwitheminentlypracticalissues.Althoughprotectionandprovisionweresaidtobeimportanttobothofthem,eachappearstohaveengagedinsomespecialization.

"PowerfulBaal"was"thePrince,LordofEarth."Inancientdepictionshebrandishedaclubinhisrighthand,whileinhislefthandwasalancewhichhecast,lightninglike,upontheearth.Amalegod,Baalwasawarrior.Astarte,ontheotherhand,wasagoddess.Onamulets,whichexpectantwomenkeptforprotectioninchildbirth,shecouldbeseenwithcascadinglocksofhairswirlingaroundherbreasts.Shewasthegoddessofhumanreproductivityandoftheproductivityofthesoil.

11

ThephysicaldepictionofthesegodsidolswasoffensivetoYahweh.Butmoreseriously,hewasoffendedbecausethepeoplehadmadethesegodsintheirownimage,accordingtotheirownconvenience.Thegodsweredemanding,butonlyofcorrectceremony.Theydidnotrequire,asYahwehdid,adeviantlydependentlifestyle.OnecouldworshipBaalandlivelikeeverybodyelsedid.OnecouldworshipAstarteandbeself-reliant.Thegods,unlikeYahweh,helpedthosewhohelpedthemselves.

HereishowtheAssyriankingShalmaneserIIIreportedhisexploits.

[Twelvekings]roseupagainstmeforadecisivebattle.IfoughtwiththemwiththesupportofthemightyforcesofAshur[godofAssyria],whichAshur,mylord,hasgiventome,andthestrongweaponswhichNergal[godofthenetherworld],myleader,haspresentedtome,andIdidinflictadefeatuponthem....Islew14,000oftheirsoldiers....12

Shalmaneser,tobesure,believedthatthegodswereinvolvedinthebattle.Buttheywerehelpinghim,whowasthemain

protagonistandwhowasfightinglikealltheothernationsbythemostadvancedmilitarytechniquesthatwereavailable.

Setthisself-congratulatoryaccountasideandexploreagainthebiblicalaccountsofIsrael'sbattles.Oneentersadifferentworldaworldofholiness.FortheIsraelitesconfessedthatYahwehwassoinventive,soconcretelygracious,thathecoulddefeattheirenemieswithouttheirhelp!Hecouldprovideforhispeopleandprotectthemwhentheyenteredintotheriskofalifestylewhichrejectedmilitaryandeconomicstrength.Yahweh'sconcretegracewassufficient.Itwasamongapowerlesspeoplethathecouldmanifesthispower.HowstrangetoShalmaneser,howunlikethenationsancientandmodern,thisconfessionoffaithis!And,asweshallseeinthenextchapter,howhardtomaintain!

Chapter6LosingHoliness:TheMonarchySuddenlywe'velostaltitude!Aswelookoutofourballoon,wecanseemoredetailbutlessterritory.It'simportanttobeclosertothegroundatthispoint,forwearegoingtobeexaminingawatershed.Atthisparticularmomentabout1020B.C.thepeopleofGodmadeachoice.Astheythemselvesputit,theydecidedtobecome"likeallthenations"(1Sam.8:20).

Itwasamomentousdecision.Aswehavenotedinearlierchapters,thepeopleofGodweretobeanation,butanationthatwasdifferent.Theircallingwastobea"holynation"unlike"thenationswhomyougointodispossess"(Exod.19:6;Deut.12:29).Infact,inHebrewthewordfornationshasnegativeovertonesmuchlikethoseoftheEnglishword''heathen."ThroughouttheLaw,Yahwehrepeatedlywarnedhispeoplehisnationnottobelikethenations.ThenationswereYahweh'sadversaries(Num.24:8).Theylivedbytheirownconventionalvaluesofstrengthandself-reliance,notbyhis

Law.ButtheIsraelitesweretobedifferent.Iftheywouldbefaithfulanddependentuponhim,Yahwehwouldsetthem"highaboveallnationsthathehasmade."Theresultwouldbeholiness."YoushallbeapeopleholytoYahwehyourGod"(Deut.26:19).

Oh,itwastemptingtobelikethenations!Yahwehrecognizedthisfact,warningthem:"Takeheedthatyoubenotensnaredtofollowthem[thenations]"(Deut.12:30).Yahwehknewthatcopyingthewaysofthenationswoulddisfigurehispeople'sworshipandlifestyle.Itwouldblunttheireffectivenessashisinstrumentinhistory.Anditwouldchangetheirnature.Bybecominglikethenations,hispeoplewouldnolongerbelikehim.Theywouldhavelosttheirholiness.

Fearandsecurity,protectionandpowerthesewerethecrunchpointsatwhichthepeople'snonconformityfinallybrokedown.Theseweretheconcernswhichwerebehindthepeople'sdemandforaking.Oncetheyhadtheirwish,Israel'slifewouldneveragainbethesame.Letuswatchasthechangeshappen.

LivingwithYahwehasKing:TheJudges

FortwocenturiesaftertheirconquestofthePromisedLand,theIsraeliteshadacounterculturalformofgovernment.Inaworldinwhicheverynationgreatandsmallhaditsking,theIsraeliteswereapparentlykingless.Theirtribalconfederationhadnocentralgovernment.Theleadersofeachtribewouldtrycasesandadjudicatedisputes.AllservedundertheoverarchinglordshipofYahweh,theirdivineKing,theLordofarmies,whoeversincetheExodushadprotectedhispeople.

Towardstheoutsideworld,Israel,withnostandingarmy,wasvulnerable.AslongastheIsraeliteswereobedienttoYahweh,theylivedinshalom(Lev.26:6).Whentheyapedthepracticesofsurroundingnations,however,theygotintotrouble.Foreignruleand

economicoppressionwerethebitterresultsoftheirinfidelity.

Eventhen,however,theirKing,Yahweh,remainedcommittedtothem.Suddenly,insurprisingways,YahwehsenthisSpirituponunsuspectingIsraelites,bothmaleandfemale.Withoutregardtofamilytradition,economicprivilegeormilitaryprowess,Godmadethemhisrepresentatives.Despitetheirlackofaconventionalpowerbase,theseordinarypeople(Othniel,Gideon,Jepthah,tonameafew)becamehisinstruments.EmpoweredbyYahweh'sSpirit,theyjudgedhispeopleandrestoredtheirfreedom.VoluntarilytheIsraelitesgavevice-regalauthoritytothejudges(astheseSpirit-appointedleaderswerecalled).ButtheyrecognizedYahwehastheirrealKing.AndYahwehrespondedbyprotectinghispeoplebythunderbolts,rumors,andotherdeedsofcounterculturalwarfare.

Inchapters6and7of1Samuel,wereadanexcellentaccountofYahweh'skinglyrule.Inabout1030B.C.,shortlybeforethedecisivewatershed,theIsraelitesfellpreytotheculturalandreligiousenticementsoftheirneighbours,thePhilistines.Asaresult,theysoonfoundthemselvesdominatedpoliticallyandmilitarilyaswell.NotonlyweretheytheslavesofthePhilistines;theyalsosufferedthegnawingsenseoftheabsenceofYahweh(1Sam.4:9;7:2).

Religiousrevivalwasanecessaryresponsetothiscrisis.SoYahwehraisedupajudge,Samuel.Inspiredbyhim,thepeopledisposedoftheirBaalsandAstartes.TheyreaffirmedtheLaw.Andtheyconfessed,"WehavesinnedagainstYahweh"(1Sam.7:36).Thecovenantrelationshiprestored,SamuelcouldjudgethepeopleinthenameofYahwehtheirKing.ThePhilistinescorrectlyfoundthistobeachallengetotheirpoliticalauthority,sotheymassedtoattacktheIsraelites.Atthenewsofthis,theIsraeliteswereterrified.InpanictheyappealedtoSamuel,whosprangintoaction.Whatdidhedo?Didheleadananti-Philistinecounterattack?No,hetookasuckinglambandsacrificedittoYahweh.Inthispostureofdependenceandworship,Samuel"criedtoYahwehforIsrael,andYahwehanswered

him."WhileSamuelwasstillatwor-

ship,whiletheIsraeliteswerestillimmobilizedintheirterror,Yahwehacted.He"thunderedwithamightyvoice"andthePhilistinesfledindisarray,pursuedbythesuddenlyenergizedIsraelites(1Sam.7:711).

Whatagreatvictory!Howshouldtheycelebrateit?Byerectingawarmemorial,ofcourse!Samueltookaboulderandplaceditinaprominentlocation.Nothingunusualsofar.Buttherewassomethingstrange,somethingcounterculturalaboutthiswarmemorial.Samuelnamedthestone"Ebenezer"(stoneofhelp),indicatingthatheandthepeoplehadbeenhelpless.ButtheirKing,Yahweh,hadcometotheiraidwhenhispeoplehadturnedtohim.SamuelwasatpainstoremindthepeopleofYahweh'sfaithfulnessthroughouttheirhistory:"Tothispoint...Yahwehhashelpedus"(1Sam.7:12NEB).Therewasnothingplaintiveaboutit,unlikemanymodernrenditionsofthehymn"OGodOurHelpinAgesPast."ForIsraelwasnotrecallingitsvictims.Norwasitgloryinginitsexploits.IsraelwasrememberingtheconcretegraceofitsKingYahweh,whohadhelpedthemwhentheywerehelpless.Inerectingthismemorial,SamuelwasthushelpingthepeopletoparticipateinthegrandtraditionofIsraeliteworshiprememberingthemightydeedsofYahweh.Thepeoplemustnotforget!Foronlythroughworship,whichisremembering,couldtheyrespondinfaithfulvulnerabilitytotheirnextcrisisofinsecurity.

Toseehowunlikethenations,howholytheapproachofSamuelandtheIsraeliteswas,letusturnonceagaintotheinscriptionsoftheAssyrianking,ShalmaneserIII.ForShalmaneseralsoerectedawarmemorial:

Atthattime,Iextolledforposteritytheheroicachievementsof[Assyriangods]AshurandShamashbyfashioningasculpturedstelawithmyselfaskingdepictedonit.Iwrotethereuponmyheroicbehavior,mydeedsincombat,anderecteditbesidethesourceoftheSaluarariver.

1

Shalmaneser'smonumentdulymentionsthegods,buttherealvictorisneverindoubt.HowdifferentweretheIsraelites,whocreditedthevictorytothegraciousinterventionoftheirinvisibleKing!

RejectingYahweh:TheWaysofaKing

Beingdifferentwasfrightening.OftenresponsibleleadersoftheIsraelitetribesmusthavebeenplaguedbyuncertainty.Howwouldtheycopewiththeirnextcrisisofinsecurity?ThehistoryofYahweh'sactionsasrecountedintheirpsalmsanddepictedontheirmonumentswasinspiring.Butthegeopoliticalfactswereintimidating.Theirenemieshadthelatestmodelofchariotsandtheydidn'tevenhaveanordinarycentralgovernment!

In1020,lateinSamuel'slife,suchthoughtswerecertainlyinthemindsoftheeldersofIsrael.Therewasacrisisofsuccession.Despitethefactthatthejudgeshiphadneverbeenhereditary,Samuelhadnamedhissonstobejudgesinhisplace.Butthesonswerenotuptothetask.Theywerefinanciallycorruptandthey"pervertedjustice"(1Sam.8:2).Itwouldhavebeenonlyrightiftheelders,intheirconcernforthewelfareofthepeople,hadexposedthedubiousdealingsofthesonsandqueriedSamuel'sactinappointingthem.Afterall,uptothattimethejudgeshadalwaysbeenraisedupbyYahweh'sSpirit!

Butinstead,theelderschoseanotherapproach.InabodytheycametoSamuelandsaid,"Behold,youareoldandyoursonsdonotwalkinyourways;nowappointforusakingtogovernuslikeallthenations"(1Sam.8:5).Astheymadeclear,theywereconcernedforboththedomesticjusticeandtheexternalsecurityofthenation(1Sam.8:20).Theirconcernswerethoseofresponsiblepeople.Theirsuggestionwas,bythestandardsofeveryothercountryoftheirday,acommonsenseone.Andtheideawasnotanewone.Acenturybefore,afterthevictoryovertheMidianites,thepeoplehadurgedGideon

tobecomeIsrael'shereditarymonarch(Judg.7:22).

AformofkingshipmayevenhavebeeninYahweh'splanforhispeople(Gen.49:10).(CertainlyapassagefromtheLawwouldseemtoindicateasmuch[Deut.17:1420]).ThekingwhichYahwehenvisaged,however,wasacounterculturalkingakingnotatall"likethenations."Foronething,thekingwastobeanIsraelitewhowasimmersedintheLaw."Heshallreadinitallthedaysofhislife,"thathemaylearntofearYahwehandobeyhisstatutes.Furthermore,sincethekingwouldinevitablybetemptedtobeunfaithfultoYahwehandhisway,theLawestablishedsomesafeguards.Itprohibitedthekingfrommultiplyinginthreeareas:frommultiplyinghorses,therebybuildingupatechnologicallysophisticatedstandingarmy;frommultiplyingwives,nodoubttoconcludeallianceswithneighboringkingdoms;andfrommultiplyingsilverandgold.Ifthekingobeyedtheseregulations,hisheartwould"notbeliftedupabovehisbrethren."UndertheseconditionstheIsraeliteswouldbeallowedtohaveamonarchy.Itwouldbeanegalitarian,antimilitaristicmonarchyquiteunlikethatoftheothernations.

Despitetheproposal'sapparentcommonsenseandtheDeuteronomicLaw,Samuelwasdismayedbytheelders'request.InprayerhebroughthisdistressbeforeYahweh.Althoughgrievinghimself,YahwehattemptedtocomfortSamuel.ThepeoplewerenotrejectingSamuel.Theirrejectionwasdeeper,moreradicalthanthat."Theyhaverejectedme,"Yahwehstated,"frombeingkingoverthem"(1Sam.8:7).

InrejectingYahwehastheirKing,theIsraeliteelderswerechoosingbetweentwothemesintheirnationalhistory.TherewasthethemeofYahweh'sgrace,rootedintheExodus,repeatedincountlessactsofprotectionandprovision,celebratedintheirworship.Therewasalsothethemeofwhiningandfaithlesscomplaint,ofputtingYahwehto

theproofbydoubtinghiscapacitytocareforthem,ofrepudiatingtheExoduswhichdeliveredthemfromslaveryintotheinsecurity

offreedom,evenofidolatry,of"forsakingmeandservingothergods"(1Sam.8:8).

2Bychoosingahumanking"likeallthenations,"theIsraeliteelderswerebasingtheirnationallifeonthelatterofthesethemes.TheywerechoosingtoforgettheconcretegraceofGod.Andbysodoing,byspurningtheircounterculturalformofgovernmentforanordinaryNearEasternkingship,theirnationwouldloseitsholiness.

Theelderscouldnotknowalltheimplicationsoftheirchoice.SoYahwehinstructedSamueltotrytocommunicatethesetothem."Showthemthewaysofthekingwhoshallreignoverthem"(1Sam.8:9).So,inaremarkablespeech(1Sam.8:1118),SamuelgavetheeldersanintroductorylectureinNearEasternpoliticalscience.Samuelknewwhatwasgoingonintheneighboringnations.AccordingtoOldTestamentscholarMillardLind,"EachaspectofSamuel'scriticismcanbedocumentedasacharacteristicofCanaanitekingshipfromthetexts[ofthenearbyUgaritickingdom]."3ButSamueldidnotlimithimselftocommentingonpoliticsandsociety.Healsotalkedaboutreligion.Asheproceededwithpassionateintensity,hecouldnothelppointingouttheimpactwhichtheIsraelites'choiceofahumankingwouldhaveupontheirrelationshipwithYahweh.

AccordingtoSamuel,the"waysoftheking"couldbesummarizedinonephrase:"Hewilltake."FourtimesSamuelrepeatedthispredictionofmonarchicalgraspingness:hewilltakeyoursons,hewilltakeyourdaughters,hewilltakethebestofyourfields,andhewilltakeyourservantsandyourcattle.Howdifferent,Samuelimplied,havebeenthewaysofYahwehwho,astheirgraciousKing,haddealtwithhispeoplebygiving,giving,andgivingstillmore.

KingshipwouldbringfundamentalchangestoIsrael'swholesociety.Itsapproachestotheprimaryhumanconcernsofprotectionandprovisionwouldbe"normalized."Samuelstartedwiththemilitarizationofsocietywhichkingshipwouldentail.Theking,bytakingthepeople'ssons,wouldbeintroducing

militaryconscription(and,incidentally,undercuttingtheLaw'srequirementthatIsraelbemilitarilyinferiortoherfoes).Theconscriptedsonswouldserveintheking'schariots.Israel'scommitmenttotechnologicalinferiority,whichhadexemptedherfromthearmsracesofherday,wouldtherebydisappear."Commandersofthousandsandcommandersoffifties"wouldappear,introducingamilitarycommandstructureintoanationthathaduptonowrelieduponspontaneousleadershipinacrisis.Andofcoursetherecouldbenochariotsor"implementsofwar"withoutanotherinnovation,anarmsindustry.KingshipwouldtakeIsraelalongwayfromthedependanceuponYahweh'sconcretegraceoftheholywar.

KingshipwouldbringtoIsraelmaterialismaswellasmilitarism.Bytakingthepeople'ssons,daughters,andservants,thekingwouldbeintroducingsomethingcommontotheancientNearEast,butpreviouslyunknowntotheIsraelitesforcedlabor.Hewouldalsobeseizingthebestoftheirlandsfields,vineyards,andoliveorchards.Hewouldbetakingatitheoftheirflocksandharvests.

Theimplicationsofthesechangeswerestaggering.KingshipwouldaltertheentirestructureofIsraelitesociety.Forthelandsandharvestswhichthekingrequisitionedfromhissubjectswouldnotjustgotohimselfpersonallyortothe"state";theywouldgoashisgiftstoanewclassofcourtiers"hisofficersandhisservants."Thepeople'ssonswouldploughhislands;theirdaughterswouldbakeandmakeperfumeinhiscourt.Theverywords"hislands"indicatedthewaythatthingsweregoing.Aconceptofhumanownership,borrowedfromthe"nations,''wasbeingintroducedwhichwouldmakeitimpossibletobeobedienttotheLawwhichrequiredthereequalizationoflandholdinginJubilee.Notonlywouldtherichbecomericherattheexpenseofthepoor;thegulfbetweenthemwouldbecomepermanent,negatingthegoalofthesabbathyearthat"therewillbenopooramongyou"(Deut.15:4).The"manna

principles"whichwehaveobservedinprevious

chapterswouldthusbeflouted.Equalitywouldshrivel.Sufficiencywouldbeknownonlybyafew,primarilybythosewhoalreadyhadmorethantheyneeded.

Whatdidallthisaddupto?Samuelputitsuccinctly.Toexpresshisutterrevulsionatwhatwasgoingtohappen,hereachedforthemostpotent,history-ladenwordinIsrael'svocabulary:slavery.Asaresultofyourchoiceofakingandyouraccommodationtothewaysofthenationsinmattersofprotectionandprovision,Samueldeclared,"youwillbehisslaves"(1Sam.8:17).IsraelwillineffectbebackinEgypt.Samuel'sconclusionharksbacktotheExodusexperience.Inyourbondage"youwillcryout,"asyourforeparentsdidinEgypt.Buttherewillbeanall-importantdifference.Whenyoucryout,"Yahwehwillnotansweryou"(1Sam.8:18,cf.Exod.2:2325).Theresultofhumankingshipwillnotonlybealossofholiness;itwillnotonlybeareturntoslavery;itwillbethesilenceofGod.

TheelderswereunmovedbySamuel'sspeech.

No!butwewillhaveakingoverus,thatwealsomaybelikeallthenations,andthatourkingmaygovernusandgooutbeforeusandfightourbattles.(1Sam.8:1920)

Theyweretiredofholyliving,tiredoftheriskinessofdependanceuponYahweh,tiredofbeingdefendedbymiracle.NomatterwhatSamuel'sstonemonumentmightsay,beingsavedbythunderseemedcowardlyandunpredictable.Let'stryhotbronzeinstead!Whenfacedbyhispeople'sdeterminationtobelikeeveryoneelse,Yahwehsubmittedtotheirwill.Inakindofabdication,YahwehorderedSamuel,"Makethemaking"(1Sam.8:22).

4

SamuelcompliedandanointedSaultobethefirstIsraelitemonarch.ButSamuelhadnotyetexpressedhisfinalverdictonkingship.OntwooccasionshesummonedthepeopletomassmeetingstorageatthemfortheirrejectionoftheGodoftheExodus.Onthesecondofthese,Yahwehsentanunseasonable

thunderstormtoaddhisterrifying"Amen"toSamuel'swords(1Sam.10:1719;12:618).Whenthepeoplepenitentlyblurtedoutthat"wehaveaddedtoalloursinsthisevil,toaskforourselvesaking,"however,Samuelrelented.Yahwehwouldnotrejecthispeoplebecausetheyhadspurnedhisbestwayforthem.Buttheymustnot"turnasideaftervainthingswhichcannotprofitorsave."Iftheydo,"youshallbesweptaway,bothyouandyourking"(1Sam.12:1925).

TheUnhallowingoftheNation

SotheIsraeliteshadtheirking.Changescameslowlyintheearlyyears.Atthestartofhisreign,Saulwasonlyapart-timekingandcontinuedtoworkinthefieldsasafarmer(1Sam.11:5).Whenhewentintobattle,hetookalongtheoldjudge,Samuel(1Sam.11:7).ThevictorywhichensuedhecreditedtoYahweh:"TodayYahwehhaswroughtdeliveranceinIsrael"(1Sam.11:13).Inhisearlybattles,thedestructive,genocidalaspectoftheholywarwasstillpresent.Infact,SaulisrecordedashavingoutragedYahwehbyhisrefusal,afterhavingslaughteredtheAmalekitepeople,tokilltheirkingaswell(1Sam.15:1819).EventheenergizingoftheSpirit,whichhadequippedthejudgestodotheimpossible,wasevidentinSaul'searlyyearsasking(1Sam.10:610;11:6).

5AndthereisnobetterstatementoftheprotectingpowerofYahwehthanthatwhichthealmostunarmedteenagerDavidshoutedtothePhilistineheroGoliath:

Youcometomewithaswordandwithaspearandwithajavelin;butIcometoyouinthenameofYahwehofarmies....ThisdayYahwehwilldeliveryouintomyhand...thatalltheearthmayknowthatthereisaGodinIsrael,andthatallthisassemblymayknowthatYahwehsavesnotwithswordandspear;forthebattleisYahweh'sandhewillgiveyouintoourhand.

(1Sam.17:4547)

Soon,however,changebecamemorerapid."Saulhasslainhisthousands,andDavidhistenthousands"(1Sam.18:7).

Thispopularsongisanindicationofwhatwastofollow.HenceforthvictorywouldbecreditednottotheLordofarmies,buttothelordoftheArmy.Thekingsandheroes,thepeoplewereconvinced,weretheirbenefactors.Sotheyflatteredthemandretoldthestoriesoftheirvictoriousdeeds.Withthecomingofkingship,thecuriouscombinationofdependenceanddestructionthatmadeholywarsouniquedisappeared.Israel'swarfarewassecularized,profaned.TheformerlyholynationnowfoughtlikethePhilistines.

Therewasmoretothisprofanationofwarfarethanwhogotthecreditforthevictory.Therewasalsothequestionofhowtodecidewhetherorhowtofight.Inthedaysofthejudgesandearlyinthehistoryofthekings,nowarwasbegunwithoutconsultingYahwehbycastinglots.Attimes,Yahweh'scounselcouldbequitespecific.Atothertimes,hewouldonlygiveawordpermittingorprohibitingthebattle.

6ButbythelatterhalfofDavid'sreign,militarydecisionshadcometobemadeinamoreconventionalway.Counselors,schooledinNearEasternstatecraft,supersededthecastingoflots.Thebest-knownofthese"Kissingers"wasAhithophel,whosecounsel"wasasifoneconsultedtheoracleofGod"(2Sam.16:23).Theiradvicecouldbesensible(2Sam.17:14),butitrepresentedaturningawayfromYahwehtowardsthewaysofthenations.

Israel'sarmedforces,too,adaptedtothewaysofthesurroundingnations.Inthedaysofthejudges,theIsraeliteshadhadnostandingarmy.Whenaholywarwasdeclared,thejudgewouldsummonmenfromthetribeswhomight,accordingtotheprocedureprescribedinDeuteronomy20,bedeemedsuitableforbattle.Fromtheearlydaysofthemonarchy,however,thekingsfelttheneedfortroopswhowouldbeconstantlyavailable.Saulrecruitedmercenaries(1Sam.14:52).SodidDavidfromthePhilistinesaswellasfromhisown

people(1Sam.22:2).7Theseprofessionalsoldiersformedaspecialcorps,immediatelyloyaltotheking."Bythis

policy,"commentsRolanddeVaux,"DavidwascopyinganinstitutionoftheCanaaniteandPhilistineprincipalities"?

8

Insuchaprocessofadjustmenttothepatternsofotherneighboringsocieties,itwasimpossibletoresistthelureofthechariot.Astheheirsofthejudges,ofcourse,SaulandDavidatfirsthadonlyfootsoldiers.Butinhisexpansionarywarfare,Davidwasconstantlyencounteringchariots.9WithadmirablefidelitytotheholywartraditionsofIsrael,Davidneverusedtheminbattle.Wecanseehimwavering,however.AfterdefeatingtheArameankingRehob,Davidcapturedseventeenhundredhorsemen,whereuponDavid,likeJoshuabeforehim,"hamstrungallthechariothorses."Atthatpointthereenteredthethinwedgeofaccommodation:"butheleftenoughforahundredchariots"(2Sam.8:4;cf.Josh.11:9).Andsoonthechariotswerebeingused,notbyDavid,tobesure,butbyhissonsAbsalomandAdonijahintheirrebellionsagainsthim(2Sam.15:1;1Kings1:5).Israel'sfulladoptionofchariotrywouldcomeunderDavid'ssonandsuccessor,Solomon(1Kings10:26).Underthemonarchy,Israelkeepingstepwiththemilitaryprudenceofherneighborswasdepartingfromherearliercommitmenttotechnologicalinferiority.

ThesamehappenedtoIsrael'scommitmenttonumericalinferiority.MostofDavid'sbattleswerefoughtbyhispalaceguardofmercenaries,asmallforceofelitetroops.10Butforcertaincampaigns,vastlylargerforceswererequired.Thetraditionalholywarmethodsofsummoningthemseemedfartoohaphazard.HowmanytroopsmightDavidmobilizeifheweretobereallysystematicaboutit?Tofindout,Daviddecidedtoconductacensus.

Noteverybodythoughtthiswasagoodidea.Forreasonsthatarenottotallyclear,hiscommander-in-chiefJoabopposeditstrenuously

fromtheoutset.Wasit,asYigaelYadinspeculates,thatJoab,astandingarmyman,opposedanythingthatwouldincreasetheroleoftheamateur"monthlymilitiamen"11Orwasit,astheaccountin1Chroniclesseemsto

indicate,thatJoabwasafraidthatanattempttocountthenation'spotentialmilitarymanpowerwould"bringguiltuponIsrael"(1Chron.21:3)?Ifitwasthelatter,JoabwasprobablythinkingbacktotheLawoftheholywar,inwhichYahwehhadrequiredthenumericalinferiorityofIsrael.Atanyrate,therecanbenodoubtastoYahweh'sreactiontothecensus.HesentaplaguewhichdecimatedDavid'snewlynumberedtroops.Onlywhenthekinghumblyconfessed,"IhavesinnedgreatlyinwhatIhavedone,"didYahwehendthescourge(2Sam.24:10).

UnderDavid'ssuccessor,Solomon,Israel'saccommodationtothepatternsofherneighborsreacheditsclimax.Nolongerwastherehesitationaboutchariotwarfare.Bytheendofhisreign,Israel'sforcesincludedfourteenhundredchariotsmannedbytwelvethousandhorsemen.SomeoftheseSolomonkeptinJerusalemforhisownprotection.Theremainderhegarrisonedinmassive,speciallyconstructed"chariotcities"(1Kings9:15;10:26).Furthermore,heprocededtoerectmilitaryfortificationsatpotentiallyvulnerablespotsacrossthekingdom.

12

Indeed,itwasasabuilderthatSolomonmadehisspecialmark.Inadditiontothechariotcitiesandforts,Solomoncommissionedthebuildingof"thehouseofYahwehandhisownhouse"(1Kings9:15).Neverhadthepeopleseensuchreligiousorcivicopulence.Whileworkonthesepublicprojectsproceeded,Israel(andLebanon,wheremuchofthetimbercamefrom)werecentersofindustryandartistry.Therewas,ofcourse,apricetobepaidforthispublicmagnificence:forcedlabor.AlreadyinDavid'sreigntherehadbeenaconscriptionofAmmonitesforworkontheroyalprojects(2Sam.12:31).Solomonextendedthistocover"allIsrael,"raisingatotalof180,000forced

laborers(1Kings5:1316).13AsSamuelhadpredicted,Israelitesonceagainwereslaves.

Butwhatmagnificence!ForeignmonarchsfounditasunbelievableasdidtheIsraelitepeople.TheQueenofSheba

cametoJerusalemtoseewhetherrealitycouldpossiblyliveuptoreputation.Shewasoverwhelmed.

AndwhenthequeenofShebahadseenthewisdomofSolomon,thehousethathehadbuilt,thefoodofhistable,theseatingofhisofficials,andtheattendanceofhisservants,andtheirclothing,hiscupbearers,andtheirclothing,andhisburntofferingswhichheofferedatthehouseoftheLord,therewasnomorespiritinher.(2Chron.9:34)

HowfortunatealandwasIsrael,withakinglikeSolomonwhomGodhadestablishedto"executejusticeandrighteousness"(2Chron.9:8).HavingenteredthecompetitiveworldofNearEasternmonarchies,inanamazinglyshorttimeofonlythreegenerations,Israelhadbecomeawinner.

Butatwhatprice?Thequeenwastoooverawedbytheclothingandceremonialofthecourttonoteoneofthebiggestcostsanunjustsociety.Theburdensofroyalmagnificenceresteduponthemassofthepeople.Thisinjusticehadpoliticalconsequences.ShortlyafterSolomon'sdeath,theinhabitantsofthenorthernpartofhiskingdomrejectedhissonRehoboam,stonedtodeaththecivilservantwhowas"taskmasterovertheforcedlabor,"andestablishedasecondkingdomcenteredinSamaria(1Kings12,esp.v.18).

Injusticeisalsothethemeofthearchaeologicalevidence.AccordingtoRolanddeVaux,

Intheearlydaysofthesettlement,alltheIsraelitesenjoyedmoreorlessthesamestandardofliving....ExcavationsinIsraelitetownsbearwitnesstothisequalityinstandardsofliving....AtTirsah...thehousesofthetenthcenturyB.C.areallofthesamesizeandarrangement.Eachrepresentsthedwellingofafamilywhichlivedinthesamewayasitsneighbors.Thecontrastisstrikingwhenwepasstotheeighthcenturyhousesonthesamesite:therighthousesarebiggerandbetterbuiltandinadifferentquarterfromthatwherethepoorhousesarehuddledtogether.

Intwocenturies,atransitionhadoccurredfromasocietyofequalsinSamuel'stimetoasocietydividedbetweentherichandtheverypoor.Thisdevelopment,whichDeVauxhascalleda"socialrevolution,"wasrootedinmonarchyandtheextravagantinequalitywhichthekingandhiscourtiersfostered.

15ItalsowasarejectionoftheLaw,inwhichYahwehhadcommunicatedhisvisionoflifefora"holynation"andestablishedcertainmechanismstoachieveit.Andthepeoplesuffered.

AsecondcostofthemagnificenceofSolomonwasreligious.EmergingfromtheveryheartofIsrael'slifetherewasconfusionaboutwhereherreligiousloyaltiesactuallylay.Solomonwasamanofundoubtedpietyandwisdom.Thetemplewhichhecommissionedwasawonderoftheworld.ButSolomon'sentryintotheworldofNearEasternstatecraftwasboundtoaffecthisfaith.ThealliancesbywhichhesecuredIsrael'sinterestsabroadbroughthimwivessevenhundredofthem!Andsevenhundredwivesbroughtarabbleofgods.ThepalaceinJerusalemwasfullofthem.Solomonfoundsomeofthemtohisliking.ItwasnotthatSolomonrejectedYahweh.Theworshipinthetemplecontinued,withSolomonasitsmostprominentadherent.ButSolomonfoundaplaceforthenewgods,too."HisheartwasnotwhollytruetoYahweh"(1Kings11:14).

WhyshouldSolomonbewhollytruetoYahweh?Forallhiswisdom,SolomoncouldnotseethatYahwehhadanythingtangibletogivehim.Solomonhadhisownsourcesofprovisionandprotection!Therewasnoroominhislifefordependence,fortheholinesswithwhichYahwehshowshisactsofgraceintheworld.LetYahwehremaininhisdomesticatedpassivitywithinthetemple'swalls.Andletthereberecognitionofothergodsaswell.Fortheiractionisaspredictableastheseasons.Theypromisesecuritywithoutrisk,andtheirstoriesand

ritualsdonothingtochallengeconventional,commonsenseideasabouthowtoliveintheworld.GloriousworshipinYahweh's

templeplusaBaal-AstartelifestylethiswasthereligionthatmadesenseofSolomon'sownexperience.

Yahwehwouldhavenoneofit.ThroughhisprophetAhijah,hepredictedthatSolomon'skingdomwouldbetornintwo(1Kings11:3039).ForSolomon'sglorywasbuiltuponunreality.Thepeopleofthenorthernpartofhisrealm,infuriatedbythewayhehadexploitedthemwithforcedlabor,sothreatenedhissonRehoboamthathehadtogetintohischariotandflee(1Kings12:18).Internationally,thenation'spositionwasequallyshaky.KingSolomonmaywellhave"excelledallthekingsoftheearthinrichesandinwisdom"(2Chron.9:22).Butthiscompetitiverelationshipwasfraughtwithdifficultiesforthefuture.Forintime,othernations,withlargerpopulationsandmoresolideconomicfoundations,wouldsendtheirarmiestotestIsrael'sstrength.WhenconfrontedbyAssyrianandBabylonianmight,howwouldthedividedlegacyofSolomonfare?

Thereremainedhope,however,forthepeopleofGod.TheSpiritofGod,whichhadempoweredthejudgestorescuethepeopleintheirpredicaments,wasabouttobecomeactiveonceagain.Undertheearlykings,hehadlargelybeensilent.Somehow,amidsttheemphasisuponhereditaryprivilegeandhumanstrength,theSpirithadbeensuperfluous.Butamongahandfulofprophetshewasabouttoexpresshimselfanew.

16AmongthesepeoplepowerlessfolkwhoseonlystrengthwasinYahwehtheSpiritwouldagainfindroomtomove.Andwhatafirehewouldignite!"Asforme,"apowerlesspersonwouldproclaim,"Iamfilledwithpower,withtheSpiritofYahweh,andwithjusticeandmight....Hearthis,you...rulersofthehouseofIsrael"(Mic.3:89).Tothesepowerlesspersonswemustnowturnourattention.

Chapter7TowardsCatastropheOurballoonisfloatinghighagain.Inthelastchapterwehadtoflylow.Thewatershedrequiredcloseexamination.Afterall,ithadinlessthanacenturyalteredthedirectionofIsraelitelife.Now,however,weonceagainneedalargerperspective.Foralthoughitdoesn'ttakelongtodecidetochangedirections,ittakesmuchlongertoseewhateffectthenewrouteishavingonthetravelers.Sointhischapterandthenextourperipheralvisionwillhavetobevast.We'llbelookingacrossalmostanentiremillennium.

Itwasaneventfulmillennium.ImmediatelyafterSolomondiedin922B.C.,hisrealmsplitintwo.Thelargerofthetwokingdomsthatresulted,Israel,centeredinSamaria.Tothesouth,themuchsmallerkingdomofJudahhadJerusalemasitscapital.Generallyspeaking,thekingsofbothkingdomscontinuedinthestepsofDavidandSolomon,"normalizing"Jewishsocialandpoliticallifeintopatternssimilartothoseofotherminormonarchiesofthetime.Attimes,this"normaliza-

tion''appearedtobearfruit.Bothkingdomsknewperiodsofsecurityandtheircitizensthetoppeopleamongthem,atanyratewereprosperous.

Butsuchsecuritywasshort-lived.TheIsraelitekingdomscouldnotremainisolated.Forthiswasanageofvast,expansionistempires.Egypt,toIsrael'ssouthandwest,wasstillapowerfulforce.Andtothenorthandeastappearedasuccessionofempires:Assyria,Babylonia,Persiaallofwhomhadtheeconomicbasisformilitarymight.CaughtinbetweenwerethetwoIsraelitekingdoms,whosemisfortuneitwastooccupystrategicallyvaluableterritorywithouttheeconomicmeanstodefendit.

Theresults,fortheIsraelites,weredisastrous.In722,afteraperiodofescalatingthreat,theAssyrianforcesoverranthenorthernkingdom.Foronehundredandthirty-fiveyearsthereafter,thesouthernkingdomofJudahclungtoasemblanceofJewishnationalsovereignty.Butin587,itscapitalofJerusalem,thecityofDavid,felltotheBabylonianforcesofkingNebuchadnezzar.ThesedefeatswerenotmerehumiliationsfortheJewishpeople;theywerenationalcatastrophes.Forthevictoriouspowersdeportedthem.Inthenorth,theAssyriansinstalledamorepliablepeopleintheirlands.

SomeoftheseJewishpeoplefoundexiletobeapermanentlifestyle.FromAssyriaandBabyloniatheydispersedthroughouttheancientNearEast.OthersofthemwereeventuallyallowedtoreturntotheirPalestinianhomeland.Neveragain,however,didtheyknowtruenationalindependence.Thisproudpeople,whichatthestartofthemillenniumwasspreadingitswingsunderKingDavid,wasbyitsendcoweringundertheimperialeagleofRome.

Whatwasthemeaningofthismillennium?WherewasYahweh?Whydidheallowtheseeventstotakeplace?ThesewerenotquestionsthatfirstoccurredtotheJewishpeopleinthepostmortemsfollowingthe

fallofJerusalem.Asthecatastrophesapproached,theyhadbeenarguingaboutthem

andsearchingforanswers.Songwritersshoutedtheirperplexity.

Nowyou[Yahweh]haverejectedandhumbledus;younolongergooutwithourarmies.Youmadeusretreatbeforetheenemy,andouradversarieshaveplunderedus.Yougaveusuptobedevouredlikesheepandhavescatteredusamongthenations.(Ps.44:911,NIV)

Israel,Yahweh's"holynation"wasbeingcrushedbythenations.Why?WasYahwehtakinganap?

Awake,OLord!Whydoyousleep?Rouseyourself!Donotrejectusforever.Whydoyouhideyourfaceandforgetourmiseryandoppression?(Ps.44:2324,NIV)

Orwassomethingelsewrong?BrusquelythepsalmwriterbrushedasidethepossibilitythattheIsraelitesmighthavedepartedfromYahweh'sway(Ps.44:18).Yetthemysteryofthehumiliationofthe"holynation"remained.

Inthemidstofthisuncertainty,occasionalindividualsarosewhoseemedtounderstandwhatYahwehwasdoingandwhyhewasdoingit.Thesewerepeoplewholistened,whofilteredoutthenoiseoffadsandphobiassothattheycouldstand"inthecouncilofYahwehtoperceiveandtohearhisword"(Jer.23:18).Fromthisvantagepoint,thingsbegantobeclearer.Thepeople'spresentpredicamentbecamecomprehensibleinlightoftheirpastexperience.Thefuturealsobecamelessobscure.Yahwehdespitesuperficialappearanceswasdirectingeventstowardadestinationthathehadplanned.Thesesensitiveindividualswereknownasprophets.

Prophets:EstablishmentandDissident

Alas,theprophetsdidnotagreeamongthemselves.Therewas,it

appears,aconsensusamongthemajorityofthem.The

bandsofprophetswhohadwanderedthecountrysideatthetimeofkingSaul(1Sam.10:5)hadfoundasecurebaseintheroyalcourts.Theretheprophetshadproliferated.Someofthem,suchasNathaninDavid'sreign,hadmaintainedacriticaldistance.Itwasnosupplecourtierwholookedthekingintheeyeandpronounced,"Youaretheman"(2Sam.12:7).

Withinacentury,however,theprophetshadbecomeapartoftheroyalestablishment.WhenKingAhabinquiredofYahwehaboutthelikelihoodofsuccessinamilitaryventure,therewerefourhundredprophetswhoassuredhimfalsely,itturnedoutofYahweh'sblessing(1Kings22:6).ThecounterculturalprophetAmosdiscoveredthattherewerelimitstowhatonecouldprophesyinBethel."Go,fleeaway,"apriesthissedathim,"[and]neveragainprophesyatBethel,foritistheking'ssanctuary"(Amos7:1213).WhatwaswelcomeinsuchplaceswasthekindofoptimisticmessagethattheprophetHananiahwasspreadingaboutJerusalemonlyadecadebeforethecitycapitulatedtoNebuchadnezzar.''ThussaysYahwehofarmies,theGodofIsrael:IhavebrokentheyokeofthekingofBabylon"(Jer.28:2).Liketheotherestablishmentprophets,Hananiahwasapurveyorofgoodnewstoorder,aproclaimerofsham"shalom."

Therewasalso,however,atraditionofdissidentprophets.Thetraditionwasboundtobediscontinuous,foritdependednotonhumansuccession,butontheactionofYahweh'sSpirit.Buttoindividualswithoutstrengthorconnection,withnoinstitutionalpowerbase,Yahwehcouldrevealhimselfwithanarrestingimmediacythattransformedtheirlivesandgavethemamessage.AsEzekiel,exiledinBabylon,waspraying,"theSpiritenteredintomeandsetmeuponmyfeet;andIheardhimspeakingtome....'Sonofman,IsendyoutothepeopleofIsrael,toanationofrebels'"(Ezek.2:23).AsIsaiahwasworshipingonsaferterrain,thetempleinJerusalem,theHolyOnerevealedhismajesty,touchedIsaiah'slips,andgavehimamessage

aboutwastecitiesandadesolateland(Isa.6).Tobea

prophet,Hoseawasintenselyconscious,wastobea"manofthespirit"(Hos.9:7).

WhatwerethesemenandwomenoftheSpirittosay?Theycouldneverknowinadvance.Theyweretobealertobserversoftheirowntimes.Overandover,theyarereferredtoaswatchers.

1Habakkukaffirmedthisrolewhenhesaid,"Iwilltakemystandtowatch,andstationmyselfonthetower"(Hab.2:1).Outoftheirsentinel-likevigilance,attheinspirationofYahweh,wouldcomeamessagetothepeople."IhavemadeyouawatchmanforthehouseofIsrael,"YahwehinformedEzekiel."Wheneveryouhearawordfrommymouth,youshallgivethemwarningfromme"(Ezek.3:17).

Thewarningsofthesedissidentprophetsweregenerallybadnews.Peopledidn'tliketheirmessagesandtoldthemso.ThepeopleofJeremiah'shometownwereinfuriatedbyhiswords:"DonotprophesyinthenameofYahweh,oryouwilldiebyourhand"(Jer.11:21).AhabsaidofMicaiah."Ihatehim,forheneverprophesiesgoodconcerningme."Andheputhiminprisononrationsofbreadandwater(1Kings22:8,27).

Thedissidentprophetsweresimplynotsayingwhattheyweresupposedtosay.Theywerenotgivingareligiousglosstogovernmentalpolicy.Theywerenotpromisingthepeopleshalom.Fromtheperspectiveoftheestablishment,theyweretraitorsencouragingthenation'senemiesand"weakeningthehandsofthesoldiers"(Jer.37:13;38:4).

Itwasnaturalthatthetwoprophetictraditionsestablishmentanddissidentshouldclash.Theirviewsoftheworldweredifferent.Yahweh,accordingtotheOldTestamentaccounts,wasnotneutralinthisconflict.Hewasonthesideofthedissidents."Prophesy,"Yahweh

urgedEzekiel,"againsttheprophetsofIsrael"(Ezek.13:2).

TheEstablishmentProphets

WhatwasYahweh'scaseagainsttheestablishmentprophets?Inpart,itwasthattheywerefailinginthefundamentaltaskof

theprophetlisteningtoYahweh(Jer.23:18)andspeakinghisword.Theyusedtherightreligiousformulas"HearthewordofYahweh"buttheythemselveshadnotheardit.Sinceprophecywastheirjobandtheirpublicdutiesrequiredthemtosaysomething,theyprophesied"outoftheirownminds"(Ezek.13:2).Theywerespirituallyinsensitive.Having"heardnothing,"theyhadnochoicebutto"followtheirownspirit"(Ezek.13:3).HowdifferentwasAmos!"TheLordYahwehhasspoken;whocanbutprophesy?''(Amos3:8).

Yahweh'ssecondgrievanceagainsttheestablishmentprophetswasaproductofthefirst.BecausetheyhadnotlistenedtoYahweh,they,claimingtheauthorityofhisname,weretakinghisnameinvain."Theyhavespokenfalsehoodanddivinedalie"(Ezek.13:6).Inthemouthoftheprophetstherewasa"lyingspirit"(1Kings22:22).Intheirutterancestherewasa"lyingvision,worthlessdivination,andthedeceitoftheirownminds"(Jer.14:14).

Theconsequencesweredestructive,andtheydroveYahwehtogriefandoutrage.Fortheheartofhiscaseagainsttheestablishmentprophetswasnotthattheywerespirituallydeaforthattheirmessageswereauthoritative-soundinglies.Itwasratherthattheirmessages,bykeepingthepeoplefromrealizingthedesperatenessoftheirsituation,werepreventingthemfromrepenting.Andthepeople,intheirlackofknowledgeofYahwehandhisways,weregoingtosuffer.

Assured"Shalom"

Theestablishmentprophets'messagewasoneofshalom.ThisradiantwordexpressedsuperblyYahweh'sall-embracingconcernforhumanwelfare.Init,everythingthatmadeforwholenesswasintertwined:health,rightrelationships,justice,physicalsafety,goodharvests,prosperity,thepresenceofYahweh.Andshalom,theestablishmentprophetstoldthepeople,waswhatYahwehhadinstoreforthem.

Theremaybeoppressionathome,andthebuildupof

AssyrianandBabylonianmilitarymightmayappearinexorable.Butthefuturewillbeprosperousandsafe.Yahwehhassaid,"Youshallnotseethesword,norshallyouhavefamine,butIwillgiveyouassuredshalominthisplace"(Jer.14:13).Assuredshalom,guaranteedbytheprophets.Howencouragingitistohearwhatyouwanttohearfromasupposedlyunimpeachablesource.

Whywilltherebeshalom?BecauseYahwehisinhisholytemple."This,"theychanted,"isthetempleofYahweh,thetempleofYahweh,thetempleofYahweh"(Jer.7:4).Andhispeopleareworshipinghimaccordingtotheprescribedpattern.Sacrificesaretakingplace.Fastsarebeingobserved."IsnotYahwehinthemidstofus?Noevilshallcomeuponus"(Mic.3:11).Thereisnoneedtochangecourse.Everythingwillbeallright.

ItwasthisblessingofhumanrebellionthatoutragedYahweh.Toppeopleofthereligiousestablishmentwerereassuring"thosewhodespisethewordofYahweh,'itshallbe

shalomwithyou'"(Jer.23:17).Theprophetsweretoocomplacenttounderstandwhatwasgoingon.Theydidn'trealizehowclosetheirnationwastoannihilation.Theydidn'trecognizethatithadlostholiness(Jer.2:3).Theycouldn'tseethatitsinstitutionsandfolkwayshaddeviatedfrom"theancientpaths...thegoodway"(Jer.6:16).Intheirearthladen,compromisedconfusion,theywerenotabletocomprehendthattheirdecisionshadmadetheExodusandtheLawirrelevant.Therewasnoroomintheirlivesforconcretegrace.Indeed,theyhadconsignedtrustinYahwehforprovisionandprotectiontothedepartmentofreligiousmythology.Thecommonsenseofthenationsruled,andtheestablishmentprophetscrooned"shalom,shalom."This,saidYahweh,washealing"thewoundofmypeoplelightly"(Jer.6:14).Theprophetswerelikeabuilderwhotreatedacrumblingwallbywhite-washingit(Ezek.13:11)!

Yahweh'sAccusation(1):UnjustLiving

Manyofthepeoplecouldsensetherottenness.Theyknewthattheirnationwasinworsetroublethantheestablishmentprophetswerewillingtoadmit."Wehopedforshalom,butnogoodhascome,foratimeofhealingbuttherewasonlyterror"(Jer.8:15,NIV).Thedissidentprophetsweresimilarlyscathing,andtheiranalysiswasmuchdeeper.Althoughtheyprophesiedatdifferenttimesandatdifferentplaces(inthetwoIsraelitekingdoms),theyneverthelessdevelopedanalysesofthisshalom-lessconditionwhichwereremarkablysimilar.Andtheydidnotstopwithanalysis.Unlessthepeoplerepented,Yahweh'sjudgment,theyknew,wouldbreakoutuponthepeopleindisastersofunparalleledseverity.Inpassionateoutpourings,whichscholarshavecalled"judgmentspeeches,"thedissidentprophetsstatedYahweh'saccusationsagainsthispeople,pleadedwiththemtorepent,andwarnedofdoomiftheydidn't.

2

Asstatedbythedissidentprophets,Yahweh'saccusation

againsthispeoplecommonlyhadthreeparts.Thefirstofthesewasthathispeoplewerelivingunjustly.WehavealreadyobservedhowseriouslyYahwehtookhispeople'sbasichumanneedofprovision.Yahweh'sdesign,whichhehadstatedintheLaw,wasforajustsociety,asocietyinwhichthemannaprinciplesofsufficiencyandequalitycouldberealized.Itwouldbeasocietyinwhichtherewouldbeprotectionfortheweakand"therewillbenopoor"(Deut.15:4).

ButwhenYahwehsurveyedthepeople,whatdidhesee?"Helookedforjustice,butbehold,bloodshed;forrighteousness,butbehold,acry!"(Isa.5:7).Onceagain,asinEgypt,God'speoplewereinbondage,cryingoutunderoppression.ButthistimetheywerecryingoutagainsttheirownIsraeliteleaders,whointheoryworshipedthesameGod.

Theleadersthesuccessorsofthosewhohadchosenaking"likeallthenations"(1Sam.8:20)wereexploitingthepoorpeople.Althoughitwastheircallingtopromotejustice,theywereinsteadissuing"iniquitousdecrees"andwritingoppressivelaws(Isa.10:1).Intheirlawcourtstheywerefailingto"judge...withjusticethecauseofthefatherless,tomakeitprosper"(Jer.5:28).Indeed,theywereturning"asidetheneedyfromjustice"androbbing"thepoorofmypeopleoftheirright''(Isa.10:2).

Asthepoorpeoplegotpoorer,theythetoppeopleweregettingricher.DespitetheJubilee-visionofanationofequalsmalllandholders,therichwerejoininghousetohouse,andaddingfieldtofield,untiltherewasnomoreroom(Isa.5:8).Inhousing,thesamewashappening.Richpeoplewereacquiringmorethanonehousesummerhousesaswellaswinterhouses(Amos3:15).Andthescaleoftheirhouseswasexpanding.Themostrecentdesignsprovidedforupperstorieswithspaciousrooms(Jer.22:13).

Bydoingthesethings,theIsraeliteswerenotactinginkeepingwith

someunchangeableeconomiclaw.TheywerebreakingtheLaw.Theyweredepartingfromtheirowntraditions,

fromManna,Sabbath,andJubilee,andbehavingliketheneighboringnationswhohadnosalvationhistory.

Yahwehwasoutragedbywhathispeopleweredoing.Yahwehknewthatthewealthoftherichwastheproductofthepovertyofthepoor."Thespoilofthepoor,"YahwehremindedtheIsraeliterulingclass,"isinyourhouses.Whatdoyoumeanbycrushingmypeople,bygrindingthefaceofthepoor?"(Isa.3:1415).

3Ifonlythepowerfulwouldtrusthimenoughtolivejustlytoforgivedebts,tofreeslaves,torestorethemeansofeconomicopportunitytoeveryonetheywouldbecollaboratingwithhim,for''theHolyGodshowshimselfholyinjustice"(Isa.5:16).

Yahweh'sAccusation(2):Militarism

Yahweh'ssecondaccusationagainsthispeoplewasthattheyweremilitaristic.NolessthanatthetimeoftheExodus,Yahwehwasconcernedforhispeople'sbasichumanneedofprotection.Hisdesign,whichhehadstatedintheLaw,wasforapeoplewhowouldtrustinhimalonefortheirsecurity.He,ratherthananumerousortechnologicallysophisticatedarmedforce,wouldbeasureprotectionforthem.

ButtheIsraelites'choiceofakingto"gooutbeforeusandfightourbattles"hadchangedallthat(1Sam.8:20).Fortifications,chariots,alargeinfantryalloftheseprerequisitesforancientwarfaretheyquicklyadopted.4Butthatwasnotenoughtoensuretheirsecurity.Sincetheywereonlysmallkingdoms,IsraelandJudahsensedtheneedtoformallianceswithothercountries.Sometimestheybandedtogetherwithotherminormonarchies.Atothertimestheylookedtothegreatneighboringempiresforprotection.

Althoughthisseemedtheheightofsensetotheestablishmentprophets,itdidnotpleasetheSpirit-drivendissidents.Theysensedthattherewasarelationshipbetweenthegraspingnesswhichledtodomesticinjusticeandtheinterkingdomrivalrieswhichledtowar.

Nopersonspareshisbrother.Theysnatchontherightbutarestillhungry,andtheydevourontheleft,butarenotsatisfied;eachdevourshisneighbor'sflesh.ManassehEphraim,andEphraimManasseh,andtogethertheyareagainstJudah.(Isa.9:1921)

Furthermore,themilitaryhardwareandallianceschangedthenatureofthepeople'sfaith.Chariotsweretangible.Theirmilitarycapabilitieswereobvious.ItwasfareasiertotrustinthemthaninaninvisibleGod.Furthermore,theEgyptians,Assyrians,orsomeneighboringprincipalitycouldsupplyhorsemeninacrisis.HowmanychariotsdidYahwehhave

5SotheIsraelitesshiftedthebasisoftheirtrustfromYahweh,"theirhelper,"totheirownartifactsandarrangements.

Onlythedissidentprophetsseemedtobeawareofwhathadhappened.Andtheydidn'tlikeit.VehementlytheyproclaimedYahweh'sdenunciationoftheIsraelitesfortrustinginalliances."Woetotherebelliouschildren...whocarryoutaplan,butnotmine;andwhomakeanalliance,butnotofmyspirit,who...takerefugeintheprotectionofPharaoh"(Isa.30:12).6Equallyforcefulweretheprophets'condemnationsoftheIsraelitesforadoptingthelatestinweaponryandfortifications."Woetothosewho...relyonhorses,whotrustinchariotsbecausetheyaremanyandinhorsemenbecausetheyareverystrong,butdonotlooktotheHolyOneofIsrael"(Isa.31:1);"Iwillcutoffyourhorsesfromamongyouandwilldestroyyourchariots;andIwill...throwdownallyourstrongholds"(Mic.5:1011).7

Yahweh'sAccusation(3):RottenWorship

Yahweh'sthirdaccusationthatthepeople'sworshipwasrottenwasrelatedtothetwopreviouscomplaints.Hiscomplaintwasthatthe

Israeliteswereworshipinghimcheaply.Prophetafterprophetrepeatedthischarge.Accordingtosomeofthem,Yahwehwasreadytotakeapermanentleaveofabsencefromhispeople'sreligiousobservances."Itakenode-

lightinyoursolemnassemblies....Takeawayfrommethenoiseofyoursongs,"heragedthroughAmos."Butletjusticerolldownlikewaters"(Amos5:2124).Otherprophets,suchasIsaiah,wereconvincedthatYahwehwasreceptivetohispeople's"churchgoingactivities"butonlyiftheydidjustice."Theyseekmedaily,anddelighttoknowmyways,asiftheywereanationthatdidjusticeanddidnotforsaketheordinanceoftheirGod"(Isa.58:2).Theyperformedtherightceremonies(thatwascommendable).Butwhiletheywerefastingandpurifyingthemselves,theyweredoingcontradictorythingsaswell:oppressingtheirworkers,quarreling,andfighting(58:34).Thatwasintolerable.AndthentheywonderedwhyYahwehpaidnoattentiontotheirdivineservices.

Whatwaswrong?NotthattheIsraeliteswerefasting,butthattheirfastinghadnosocialsignificance.Itwasreligiousactivitywithoutobedience.Yahwehwantedhispeopletodoarealfast:"toloosethebondsofwickedness,toundothethongsoftheyoke,tolettheoppressedgofree...toshareyourbreadwiththehungry,andbringthehomelesspoorintoyourhouse"(58:67).HewantedtheIsraelitestoproclaimlibertytothepoor.Hewantedthemtoengageinanactofreleaseandforgiveness,anactofSabbathandJubilee,anactofreequalization.Ifhispeopleworshipedhimintheworld,trustinghimenoughtoobeyhiscommandsevenwhenobediencewouldthreatentheirsecurity,hewouldtakecareofthem."Thenyoushallcall,andYahwehwillanswer"(58:9).

Inothersituations,Yahweh'scomplaintwasthathispeoplewereworshipingidols.HegrievedthattheIsraeliteshadturnedfromhim,thelivingGod,tobowbeforeimageswhichtheyhadcarvedandsculpted.Hewasoutragedthatidolworship,aspracticedbytheneighboringnations,involvedrevoltingsexualpracticesandevenritualburningsoftheirownchildren(Jer.7:31).Butthecoreofhiscomplainthadtodowithtrust.

Topeoplethenasnow,trustiscentraltoworship.Wewor-

shipwhatwetrustwhatwe,inoureverydaylives,relyuponforourbasichumanneeds."Theworkman,"Habakkukobserved,"trustsinhisowncreation"(Hab.2:18).Humansturntotheirartifactsandsay,"Deliverme,foryouaremygod!"(Isa.44:17).Thegodsoftheneighboringnationsseemedtobesuccessful.AsKingAhazofJudahexplained,"BecausethegodsofthekingsofSyriahelpedthem[inbattle],Iwillsacrificetothemthattheymayhelpme''(2Chron.28:23).

Notleastoftheidols'attractivequalitiestoIsraeliteswhohadforgottenthesalvationstory,thatiswasthattheywereundemanding.OnecouldworshipBaalandacquirethelatestinchariotsandbatteringrams.OnecouldworshipAstarteandamasswealthwithoutthoughtofreequalizationinfavorofthepoor.ForBaalandAstartewerelawless.Yahweh,incontrast,hadgivenhispeoplealife-givingLawwhichrequiredthemtotrustinhimenoughtolivedifferentlyfromeverybodyelse.SototheeasygoingYahwehworshipcenteredintemplesacrifices,theIsraelitesfounditconvenienttoaddthegodsofthenations.Inatimewhentheirpersonalandnationalwelfarewasthreatened,itwasgoodtohavesomecommonsensedeitiesabout.

ThisinterrelatedtrustlessnessinYahwehwastheheartofthedissidentprophets'accusationoftheIsraelitepeople.

Theirlandisfilledwithsilverandgold,andthereisnoendtotheirtreasures;theirlandisfilledwithhorses,andthereisnoendtotheirchariots.Theirlandisfilledwithidols;theybowdowntotheworkoftheirhands.(Isa.2:78)

8

Yahweh's"StrangeWork"

Tragedywasinevitable.Forthismisdirectedtrustinsilver,chariots,andfalseworshipwouldhaveitsconsequences,whichIsaiahandtheotherprophetscalled"thedayof

Yahweh"(Isa.2:12).Itwouldbeaterribleday,adayof"darkness,andnotlight"onwhich"thesongsofthetempleshallbecomewailings"(Amos5:18;8:3).Itwouldbeadayofdefeatandnationaldismemberment.Itwasnot,theprophetswereconvinced,thatYahwehwouldactcapriciouslyorarbitrarily.Therewasmoralsenseinhisuniverse.Hispeople'strustlessactionswouldleadtoappropriateconsequences.AsSirHerbertButterfieldobserved,theprophetsseemtohaveregardedYahweh'sjudgmentas"embeddedintheveryconstitutionofthings."

9

Thus,thosewhosowedthewindwould"reapthewhirlwind"(Hos.8:7).TheevilwhichYahwehwouldbringupontheIsraeliteswas"thefruitoftheirdevices"(Jer.6:19).Hosea(10:1314)stateditboldly:"Becauseyouhavetrustedinyourchariotsandinthemultitudeofyourwarriors,thereforethetumultofwarshallariseamongyourpeople,andallyourfortressesshallbedestroyed."Thenasnow,causeleadstoeffect.Trustinchariots(i.e.,lackoftrustinYahwehforprotection)produceswaranddestruction."Trustinoppression''(resultingfromalackoftrustinYahwehforprovision)producesasocietysoweakinitsstructurethatitcan'tresistthecrashwhenitcomes(Isa.30:1213).

Tobringaboutthiscrashwhichwouldjudgehispeople,Yahwehresortedtothebluntestinstrumentimaginable.TheIsraelitemind,eventhatoftheprophets,reeledatthethought.Yahweh'sprimarymeansofattaininghispurposes,theIsraeliteshadalwaysassumed,washis"holynation,"Israel.Butnow,throughtheprophets,Yahwehwaspressingintohisservicethenations.Assyriawas"therodof[Yahweh's]anger,"hisstaff,hisax(Isa.10:5,15);theBabyloniankingNebuchadnezzarwasYahweh's"servant"(Jer.25:9).10The

PersianswereYahweh's"hammerandweaponofwar"(Jer.51:20).TotheprophetsthisappearedtobeareversalofYahweh'ssocialstrategy,andtheystruggledwithit.HabakkukwasamazedthatYahwehwouldusethe"bitterandhasty"Chaldeansto

judgethe"morerighteous"Israelites(Hab.1:6,13).Isaiah,ontheotherhand,bowedbeforethemysteryofYahweh'saction"strangeishisdeed...alienishiswork"(Isa.28:21).

WhatwasYahweh'sstrangework?Nothisjusticeasopposedtohislove,astheologianshaveoftenassumed.Itwasmoreupsetting,morethreateningthanthatsomethingwhich(nowasthen)jarstheunderpinningsofmilitaristicnationalism.ItwasYahweh'srecruitingofpagannationstojudgehisownnation.ItwasYahweh'sholywarringonthesideofthepagans(Isa.29:3).Itwasawe-inspiringYahwehpresidingoverthedestructionofhisownholycity,Jerusalem.

Yahwehwouldnot,thetrueprophetsinsisted,leavethepagansunpunishedfortheiratrocitiesagainstIsrael.Inthesewarstherewasnoguiltlessside.Bothwereinthewrong,andYahwehwouldjudgethepagannationsfortheirprideandviolencejustashehadusedthemtojudgehisownnation'srebellion(Isa.10:12f.;Jer.25:12f.).Buttheprophetsdidnotgloatovertheeventualcollapseoftheirnation'senemies.TheywerepreoccupiedwithwhatYahweh,usingthesenations,woulddointheimmediatefuture.Againsthispeople'swall,whichtheestablishmentprophetshadsocarefullywhitewashed,Yahwehwouldhurl"hailstonesinwrath"(Ezek.13:13).Thesehailstonesweresignificant.Uptothistime,theyhadbeenameansofYahweh'sholywaragainstIsrael'senemies.Now,however,theywereasymbolofYahweh's"strangework"hisholywaragainsthisownunholynation,Israel(Josh.10:11;Job38:23;Is30:30).Thereversalappearedcomplete.

ThePoliticsofRepentance

11

Butitdidn'thavetobelikethat!Thedissidentprophetswerenotgleefulinpredictingcatastrophe.Theywererealists,notingthedirectioninwhichhistorywasmovingandexpressingYahweh'scondemnationofit,unless....UnlesshispeoplewouldreturntoYahwehandtotheirancientpaths.Unlessthey

wouldturnfromtheiruncriticalcopyingofthenationstoatrustingresponsetoYahweh'scalltoholiness."Seekgood,andnotevil,"Amospleadedwiththepeople,"thatyoumaylive;andsoYahweh,theGodofarmies,willbewithyou....Hateevil,andlovegood,andestablishjustice"(Amos5:1415).Theheartoftheprophets'messagewasthusanappealtoturnaround.

Thehour,theysensed,waslate.Judgmentwaslooming.Butitwasnottoolate.Therewasnotmuchtime,buttherewasenoughtime.Evenaslateasthe590s,justbeforetheBabylonianobliterationofJerusalem,EzekielandJeremiahwereurgingthepeopletoturnaround."Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofanyone,saystheLordYahweh;soturn,andlive"(Ezek.18:32).Turningwouldhavesocialconsequences."Ifyoutrulyamendyourwaysandyourdoings,ifyoutrulyexecutejusticeonewithanother,ifyoudonotoppressthealien,thefatherlessorthewidow,orshedinnocentbloodinthisplace,andifyoudonotgoafterothergodstoyourownhurt,thenIwillletyoudwellinthisplace"(Jer.7:57).

Forthepeople,thewayforwardwouldbethewayback.Theywouldrediscoverthe"ancientpaths"(Jer.6:16).TheywouldfindlivingrealityinthetraditionoftheExodusandinobediencetotheLaw(Jer.7:2228).AsMicahpointedout,theywouldfindafutureinremembering.Andinthisfuturetheywould"knowthesavingactsofYahweh"(Mic.6:45).Theironlywayintothefuturewasthatoftrust,ofdependence,ofsocialholiness.Intheirfaithfulpowerlessness,theywouldrediscoverthepowerofYahweh.

Itwaspossible.Despitethecommonsenseofthenations,itcouldbepracticalpolitics.Whenpeoplereturntotheirroots,whocantellwhatmighthappen?Hencetheexcitementwhen,around620B.C.,underkingJosiah,thebooksoftheLawwererediscovered.Whenheheardthemread,Josiahrepented.Humblyheturnedtoawoman,the

prophetHuldah,toinquireofYahweh.Andoutofhisrepentancecamechange.Religious

festivalswhichremindedthepeopleofYahweh'ssavingactswerereactivated.Idolsandthechariotsofthesunwereburnedwithfire(2Kings2223).Josiahmayevenhavereinstitutedthepracticeofproclaimingliberty(forgivenessandrelease)associatedwiththeSabbathandJubileeyears,forthatiswhat"doingrightinthesightofYahweh"couldmean(2Kings22:2;Jer.35:15).

12Whetherornotheactuallyproclaimedlibertytotheslavesanddebtors,weknowthat,attheveryleast,heperformedactsofjusticeandrighteousness.Andthiswasspirituallysignificant.Bychampioningthecauseofthepoorandneedy,JosiahknewYahweh(Jer.22:1516).

ItwassimilarlypossibletobaseIsraeliteforeignpolicyupontrustinYahweh.Theprophets,bydenouncingthenation'srelianceuponalliancesandweaponryforitssecurity,werecallingforanalternativeforeignpolicy.Forexample,whenKingAhazofJudahlearnedthatthemilitaryforcesofseveralnationsweremobilizingagainsthiskingdom,"hisheartandtheheartofhispeopleshookasthetreesoftheforestshakebeforethewind."Whatshouldhedo?Modernizehisforces?TurntotheAssyriansforhelp?Isaiah'sanswercamerightoutofIsrael'sExodusexperience:"Takeheed,bequiet,donotfear,anddonotletyourheartbefaint....Ifyouwillnotbelieve,surelyyoushallnotbeestablished"(Isa.7:19).Ifthepeoplewouldtrustinhiminsteadofintheirownpreparations,Yahwehwouldprotectthem.SomeyearslaterYahwehgavethesamemessagetokingHezekiah.Thenation'ssecuritycouldnotbeinthespeedoftheirwarhorsesortheiralliancewithEgypt;itwouldbeinanalternativepoliticofpowerlessness."Inreturningandrestyoushallbesaved;inquietnessandintrustshallbeyourstrength"(Isa.30,esp.v.15).

"BeStill"

Yahwehdiddefendhispeople,butononeprecondition.WhenevertheIsraelitesevenintheperiodofthekingsexpressedtheirpracticaltrustinYahwehbyadoptingamilitary

policyunlikethatoftheothernations,hecametotheiraid.Repeatedlythemiraculousthemesoftheholywarreappeared.Thereareseveralexamplesofthis.

13Letuslookatone.

Inapproximately860B.C.,KingJehoshaphatofJudahreceivedsometerrifyingmilitaryintelligence:alargearmydrawnfromnationstothesoutheastofJudahwasinvadinghisrealm.Inthefaceofthiscrisis,Jehoshaphatdidsomethingextraordinary.Insteadofmobilizingallavailableforcesandscurryingtofindallies,heproclaimedanationwidefast.Athissummons,thepeopleassembledtoseekhelpfromYahweh(2Chron.20:14).

Whenallthepeoplemen,women,andchildrenhadgathered,Jehoshaphatledtheminprayer.HeremindedYahwehofhisuniversalkingshipandofhissavingactsintheExodusandtheinvasionofthePromisedLand.Hethenstatedthenation'svulnerability:"Wearepowerlessagainstthisgreatmultitudethatiscomingagainstus.Wedonotknowwhattodo,butoureyesareonyou"(20:512).

Intheirpowerlessness,Yahwehshowedhispower.Astheywereworshiping,hisSpiritcameuponJahaziel,whoencouragedthekingandthepeopleinphrasesstraightoutoftheExodusstory."Fearnot,andbenotdismayedatthisgreatmultitude;forthebattleisnotyoursbutGod's....Youwillnotneedtofightinthisbattle;takeyourposition,standstill,andseethevictoryofYahwehonyourbehalf."Inresponsetothis,theking,followedbyallthepeople,prostratedthemselvesbeforeYahwehandthenrosetopraisehim"withaveryloudvoice"(20:1419).

Justaseccentricasthispreparationforbattlewasthebattleitself.InwordsvirtuallyidenticaltothoseofIsaiahtoAhaz(Isa.7:9),

Jehoshaphatappealedtohispeople'strust:"BelieveinYahwehyourGod,andyouwillbeestablished"(20:20).Anadvanceforceofsingersandworshipersthenstartedoffforthebattlefield,praisingYahweh"inholyarray."Atasafedistancetherefollowedtheregulararmy.Whilethepeoplewere

worshiping,Yahwehwasperforminganactofconcretegrace:hesettheinvadingarmiesagainsteachother,whoslaughteredeachotherinsteadoftheIsraelites.TheIsraelites,intheirpowerlessness,werevictorswithoutdrawingasword(20:2124).

ItwaseventslikethiswhichlaybehindIsrael'shymns,thepsalms.Manyofthem(suchasPsalms78and136)retellthestoryofYahweh'sliberatingacts,hisactsofprotectionandprovision.Singingastory,theyrealized,wasoneofthemosteffectivewaysofrememberingit.Butinotherpsalmstheycelebratedthecharacteroftheonewhomtheyworshiped.InPsalm46,forexample,theyrecognizedthatYahwehwastheirsourceofsecurity,their"refugeandstrength,averypresenthelpintrouble."Forthatreasontheydidnotneedtofear,nomatterhowmanynationswereraging(46:12,6).ForYahwehwasatwork.Hewasbusydestroyingthingswars,bows,andspearsandhewasburningthedreadedchariotswithfire(46:89).

Atthispointinthepsalm,Yahwehaddressedhispeopleandgavethemtheproperresponsetohisholiness(46:10):

RevisedStandardVersionBestill,andknowthatIamGod.Iamexaltedamongthenations,Iamexaltedintheearth!

GoodNewsBibleStopfighting...andknowthatIamGod,supremeamongthenations,supremeovertheworld.

TheformertranslationrepresentsaconventionalChristianunderstandingofhowtorespondtoGod'sholiness.Practicehasshownthatitisagoodresponse.Throughsilence,believersinallageshaveencounteredtheHolyOne.Butitisanincompleteresponse,foritisaprivate,"religious"response.ThemeaningoftheoriginalHebrewword(raphah)wasmuchbroaderthansilence.Farfrombeingaprivatematter,thetheologybehindraphahpropelledreligionintopubliclife,intothemidstofhumanconcernsforsecurity.Thepsalmistwas,

intothemidstofhumanconcernsforsecurity.Thepsalmistwas,

afterall,writingaboutafaithfulresponsetoYahwehofarmies,whotwiceisassertedtobe"withus...ourrefuge"(46:7,11).Wearesafebecauseoftheprotectionwhichheprovides,becauseofthedisarmamentwhichhebringsabout.Itisnotsurprising,therefore,thatthefullmeaningoftheHebrewwordisnot"bequiet"but"stopfighting"evenbetter,''laydownyourarms."

14TheappropriateresponsetoYahweh'sholinessisasocialresponse,anactofunmilitarizedtrust.

EnjoyingItsSabbaths.

Increasingly,however,theIsraelitesofbothkingdomsfounditimpossibletomustertrustofthiskind.Thelanguageofworshipseemeddistantfromtheireverydayexperiencesofeconomicandmilitarycut-and-thrust.Insimilarfashion,totheircommonsenseearstheprophets'calltotrustseemedslightlybatty.Itwaseasier,andmorereasonable,todothingsliketheothernationsdidthem.

Totheverylast,Yahwehpersistedinholdingoutalternativestohispeople.WhentheBabylonianforcesweremassingforthefinalassaultonJerusalem,YahwehsentJeremiahtomakeafinalappealtothefecklesskingZedekiah.Zedekiab,amazinglyenough,respondedbyrepentingdramatically.WithallofthepeopleofJerusalemhemadeanagreement:heandtheotherIsraelitetoppeoplewouldissueaproclamationofliberty(forgivenessandrelease).Effectiveimmediately,inkeepingwiththeLawoftheSabbathyear,allslaveholderswouldfreetheirHebrewslaves.Agreatactofliberationensued.SlaveswentfreeuntilZedekiahandhisfriendshadsecondthoughts.Withoutslavestheirlifestylewouldbelessluxurious.SoZedekiahrevokedhisactofrepentance,reenslavingthenewlyfreedmenandwomen(Jer.34:811).

Atthispoint,Yahwehwasdriventoaction.Overacenturyearlier,theAssyrianshadcrushedthenorthernkingdomofIsrael.ButthesouthernkingdomofJudahcenteredinJerusalemhadcontinuedtogivepoliticalexpressiontoJewishnation-

hood.Nolonger!ThroughJeremiahYahwehexplainedhisdecision.Fivehundredyearsearlier,whenhehadliberatedhispeoplefromEgypt,YahwehhadmadeanagreementwiththeIsraelites:atregularintervals,inSabbathandJubileeyears,theyshouldreequalizetheirsocietybyfreeingtheirslaves.Thepeoplehadseldomhonoredthisagreement.Andthen,afterZedekiahandhiscronieshad"[done]whatwasrightinmyeyes"byproclaimingliberty,they"profanedmyname"byresubjectingtheslaves(Jer.34:1316).Yahwehannouncedhissentence:

Youhavenotobeyedmebyproclaimingliberty,everyonetohisbrotherandtohisneighbor;behold,Iproclaimtoyoulibertytothesword,topestilence,andtofamine

(Jer.34:17).

Theshatteringresult,in587B.C.,wasthedestructionofJerusalem.TheBabylonianarmydemolishedthewallsofthecity,burnedtheroyalpalace,andreducedthetempletorubble.AtthecommandoftheBabyloniankingNebuchadrezzar,Zedekiah'ssonswerekilled"beforehiseyes."Thiswasthelastthinghewastosee.Babyloniansoldiersgougedouthiseyesandledhim,inamiserablecaravanofIsraelitecaptives,toexileinBabylon(Jer.39:69;2Kings25:9).

TheBabylonians,however,didnotdeportallofthepeople.UnwittinglycarryingoutwhatYahwehhadintendedallalong,they"leftinthelandofJudahsomeofthepoorpeoplewhoownednothing,andgavethemvineyardsandfields"(Jer.39:10).Fromthepagannations,andnotfromtheirownrulers,theIsraelitepoorexperiencedJubilee.ThehistorianwhowroteChroniclesputitpoignantly(2Chron.36:21;cf.Lev.26:34):BydeportingthemajorityoftheIsraelites,theBabylonianshadenabledthelandto"enjoyitssabbaths."

Chapter8HopefortheNationJerusalem,thebeautifulcityofDavid,asmokingruin;theIsraelitepeopledeportedtoBabylon:itishardforustoimaginehowdeeplythesecatastrophesshooktheIsraelites.Asanation,theycouldlookbacktoliberationfromslaveryinaforeigncountry,totheconquestofthelandwhichtheybelievedhadbeenpromisedtothem,topoliticalandculturalpowerunderkingssuchasDavidandSolomon.Andnowtheyhadcomefullcircle.Theirpowerwasgone.Onceagain,inaforeignland,theywereexiles.Poetsledthemintheirgrieving:

BythewatersofBabylon,therewesatdownandwept,whenwerememberedZion...HowshallwesingYahweh'ssonginaforeignland?(Ps.137:1,4)

WhereindeedwasYahwehinallthis?HowcouldtheGodofIsraelallowhispeopletosufferandhisownnametobe

mocked?Whatwasthewayforwardforthe"holynation"?Forgenerations,asdisasterhadapproachedIsraelandJudah,thesequestionshadpreoccupiedthedissidentprophets.AndnowwiththenationdeportedanddispersedtheybecamequestionsfortheentireIsraelitepeople.Disastershadshakentheirsenseofnationalidentity.OnlyiftheycouldfindawayintoacommonfuturecouldtheyknowwhatitmeanttobeIsraelites,membersofYahweh'sholynation.

Notsurprisingly,theJewishpunditsandprophetscameupwithavarietyofstrategiesfortheirnationalfuture.Ofthese,letusconsiderfour.

TerritorialNationhood

Thefirstandmostpopularofthesewasprobablythatoftheterritorialnation.Byhisgraciousacts,YahwehhadgiventotheIsraelitesaland.Recentdisastershaddistancedthemfromit.Butitonlyseemedrightthat,afteraperiodofpurginginexile,theyshouldreturntotheplacethatwasrightfullytheirs.

TheprophetcalledIsaiahgavehisblessingtothisstrategyofrestorationtotheland.Yahweh'smethodofbringingthisabout,hewasconvinced,wouldbecharacteristic:assoofteninthepast,Yahwehwouldmakeuseof"thenations."Inthiscase,hewouldemploythePersians,theBabylonians'successortothestatusoftheworld'ssuperpower.YahwehwouldcalltheirkingCyrus"hisanointed"andgivetohimanexaltedmission:"Iwillmakestraightallhisways;heshallbuildmycityandsetmyexilesfree''(Isa.45:1,13).Ezekielhadasimilarvision.Yahweh'speople,intheirunholiness,hadprofanedhisnameamongthenations.Butattherighttime,to"vindicate[his]holinessbeforetheireyes,"Yahwehwouldpurifyhispeopleandbringthemhome(Ezek.36:2225).

Butitwasalongroadtonationalrestoration.Indeed,thenationasit

hadfirstbeenconstitutedcouldneverberestored.Foronething,manyoftheexilesfromIsraelandJudahweresimplyirretrievable;fromAssyria,BabyloniaandEgyptthey

hadbeenscatteredinalldirections.Someofthesebecamesubmergedinthepopulaceoftheirnewcountries;others,evenindispersion,triedtoretaintheirJewishfaithandidentity.But,asprophetafterprophetremindedthepeople,itwasonlya"remnant"thatYahwehwouldrestoretotheland(Isa.11:16;Jer.23:3).

Furthermore,thereturnedremnantwouldnotbepoliticallyindependent.AsthescribeEzrabewailed,"Weareslavesinthelandyougaveourforefatherssotheycouldeatitsfruit....Becauseofoursins,itsabundantharvestgoestothekingsyouhaveplacedoverus"(Neh.9:3637,NIV).ZealousJewishrevolutionariessuchasJudasMaccabaeus,intheassurancethat"noonewhotrustsinHeavenshalleverlackstrength"(1Macc.2:61,NEB),didtheirviolentbest.Butwiththeexceptionofbriefperiods,itwasforeignersEgyptians(Ptolemies),Syrians(Seleucids),andRomanswhoruledtheJewswhohadreturnedtoPalestine.

ScatteredNationhood

AsecondstrategyfortheIsraelites'nationalfuturewasthatofthescatterednation.Outoftherealitiesoftheirexperience,newthoughtsaboutnationhoodbegantoemerge.Couldanation,Jeremiahpondered,beanationwithoutland?Werethereforcesacommonfaith,acommonhistory,asenseofpeoplehoodwhichweremorepotentanddurableinnation-buildingthanterritory?Atleastasatemporarystrategy,Jeremiahseemstohavethoughtso.HethereforeurgedtheIsraelitesinexiletogetreadyforalongstayseventyyearsandtomakethebestofit.

Buildhousesandliveinthem;plantgardensandeattheirproduce....SeektheshalomofthecitywhereIhavesentyouintoexile,andpraytoYahwehonitsbehalf,forinitsshalomyouwillfindyourshalom.

(Jer.29:57)

Thiswasastrategyforacreativeminority.Evenwhileliving

farfromtheirhomeland,evenwhentheirnumbersweresmall,theJewishpeoplecouldcontinuetokeeptheirsenseofnationalidentity.Fortheyknewonethingverydeeply:theywerecitizensofatransnationalnation,anationthatcouldbefoundinmanylands.Asmembersofthatscatterednation,theywouldbeinaminorityeverywhere.Thereforetheywouldlackthepoliticalpowerthatmembersofeachnation'smajorityhad.But,despitetheirsmallnumbers,theycouldusetheirresources,skills,andvisiontomakeadifference.Byseekingtheshalomofthenationsinwhichtheyhadbeenexiledtheywoulddiscoverawelcomeby-producttheirownshalom.

ThisstrategywassonovelthatfewoftheprophetsseemtohavejoinedJeremiahinconsideringit.TheoutstandingexceptionisthewriterofthebookofDaniel,forwhomthiswasamajortheme.DanielknewwhatitwasliketobeacitizenofYahweh'snationinNebuchadnezzar'sland.FromhisownexperienceandthatofotherJewishaliens,hehadlearnedthatconflictsofloyaltyleadingtolions'densandburningfieryfurnaceswerealmostinevitable.Buthealsoknewthatitwasworththetrouble.Yahweh'speoplecouldmakecontributionstothepagannationsthatnooneelsecouldmake.Andwhentheygotintrouble,surprisingthingscouldhappentothemiftheytrustedYahweh(Dan.3:27;6:23).

TotheJewishpeople,thestrategiesforIsrael'sfuturethatwehavebeenconsideringsofarthoseoftheterritorialnationandthescatterednationwouldnothaveseemedfarfetched.TheformeroftheserepresentedtheprofesseddesireofallJewishpeople,whetherornottheyactuallyreturnedtoPalestine.Thelatter,incontrast,requiredaleapofspiritualimagination.Butitwasawayofgivingmeaningtowhattheywereactuallyexperiencing.

ANewInternationalism

Attimes,however,Yahwehinspiredprophetstosetforthstrategiesforthenation'sfuturewhichwentfarbeyondany-

thingthattheirsanercontemporariescouldhaveimagined.Thesevisionscouldbemind-blowingintheirimaginativepower.Theycouldhelpthepeopleseetheworldandtheroleoftheirnationinitinanewway.TheycoulddeepentheirfaithinYahweh.Andaboveall,inatimeofpainandperplexitytheycouldgivethepeoplehope.

AstrikingexampleofthisisathirdstrategyforIsrael'sfutureparticipation,alongwithmenandwomenfromeverynation,inanewinternationalism.Whatathought!Yahweh,throughthehistorywhichtheOldTestamentrecords,hadbeenworkingonhisprojecttheblessingof"allthefamiliesoftheearth"(Gen.12:3).Hisroutetowardthisgoalhadbeencharacteristic.Hehadcalledrealpeople,AbrahamandSarah,torespondinriskyfaith;andoutoftheirresponsehehadformedtheIsraelitenationwhichhadbeenveryconsciousofbeingalone,unlikeothernations.Now,however,accordingtoseveralprophets,Yahwehwasplanningtotakeanothergiantsteptowardhisgoal.Yahwehwasgoingtobursttheboundariesofnationandrace.

HowwasYahwehgoingtoaccomplishthis?Byreassertinghiskingship.DuringtheperiodoftheIsraelitemonarchieshisroyalrolehadbeeneclipsed.

1IButYahwehwasnowonceagainabouttoasserthimselfasking."AsIlive,saystheLordYahweh,surelywithamightyhandandanoutstretchedarm,andwithwrathpouredout,Iwillbekingoveryou"(Ezek.20:33).AndnotonlyKingoverIsrael.Yahwehwillbe"kingoveralltheearth"(Zech14:9);hewillbe"Kingofthenations"(Jer.10:7).Heisnotmerelythesaviorofhisownnation;thereisnonationwhosesaviorhewillnotonedaybe!

Turntomeandbesaved,alltheendsoftheearth!ForIamGod,andthereisnoother.

BymyselfIhavesworn....Tomeeverykneeshallbow,everytongueshallswear.

(Isa.45:2223)

Everyknee,fromeverynation.Twoprophets,IsaiahandMicah,hadavisionofhowthingswilllookwhenYahwehestablisheshiskingshipoverallthenations(Isa.2:24;Mic.4:14).FromeverydirectionpeoplearestreamingtowardYahweh'smountain."Allthenations"arecoming,exuberantintheireagernesstostudyhisLawandtowalkinhispaths.AsYahwehcarriesouthisroyaltaskofjudgingthenations,thenationsarediscoveringthathisLawopensnewpossibilitiesforthem.Nolongeraretheydoingwarstudies;theyareintheirfactoriesandarsenals,convertingmilitarymachineryintotoolsthatfosterlife."Theyshallbeattheirswordsintoplowshares,andtheirtanksintotractors."

Thiswasavisionfor"thelatterdays,"butitwasalsoaninvitationwhichhadimmediaterelevance."Come,"Isaiahinvitedthepeople,"letuswalkinthelightofYahweh"(Isa.2:5).BecauseYahwehistheircommonKing,allnationswillfindtheirunity.

TheMan

ThisstrategyforIsrael'sfuturewasshatteringinitsscope.Buthowcoulditcomeabout?HowwouldYahwehreasserthiskingship?Bymeansofafourthstrategywhichtakesus,asittooktheIsraelites,intotherealmofwonderandmystery,indeedofholiness.YahwehwouldsendaMan.ThispersonwouldrepresentthenationofIsraelasitwasmeanttobe.HewouldbeaKing,not"likeallthenations"afterthemannerofSaulandhissuccessors,butlikeYahwehhimself.Byhislifeandhissuffering,hewouldshowthenationwhatitmeanttobeholy.Indeed,byhisfaithfulnesshewouldenableGod'speopletobeholy.

2

SomeprophetsweresurethattheManwouldbeaking.Notonlydo

theygivehimroyaltitles"yourking"(Zech.9:9)and"Prince"(Isa.9:6);hewillalsodescendfromtheIsraeliteroyalline,thehouseofDavid(Isa.9:7;11:10).Andlikeallkingshewillbeanointed.Messiah(mashiah)means"anointedone."

ButtherewouldbesomethingstrangeabouttheMan,somethingwhichwouldinvitepeopletothinkagainabouttherealmeaningofkingship.Themostcharacteristictitlethatisusedforhimisnotkingbutservant(Isa.42:1;49:3;52:13;Ezek.37:24).Furthermore,hisanointingwouldbepeculiar:itwouldbe,notbythecustomaryoil,butbynothinglessthan"theSpiritofYahwehGod"(Isa.42:1;61:1).Andinneitherhisservanthoodnorhisanointingwouldheremainalone.Hewouldbethefirstamonganationofmenandwomen,allofwhomwouldbeanointedbythesameSpirit(Ezek.36:26;Joel2:28).

Thisservantpeople,followinginthestepsoftheServant,wouldpointthewayforallofhumanity."Iwillgiveyou,"saidYahweh,"asalighttothenations"(Isa.49:6).Andthislightwouldnotonlyshine.Initsbrightnessnewwaysofdealingwitholdproblemswouldbecomeclear.Whentheyhadcalledforahumanking,theIsraelitepeoplehadchosentolive"likeallthenations."Theydidsointhewaystheysoughtsecurity,especiallyintheirbasichumanneedsofprovisionandprotection.Nowthatwouldchange.ThroughsendinganewKingwhowouldbedifferentfromtheoldkings,Yahwehwouldenablehispeopletoturntheirbacksonthewaysofthenations.Indeed,throughtheriskinessoffaithfulnesswhichtheMessiahwouldpioneer,Yahwehwouldgivetohispeoplenewalternativeswhichwouldbegoodnewsforallnations.

MessianicProvisionandProtection

WhentheServant-Kingwouldcome,therewouldthusbechangeintheareaofprovision.Therecanbenoquestionofhiscommitmenttojustice:theServantwillpersistuntil"hehasestablishedjusticeintheearth"(Isa.42:4).Thepoorandthemeekhewilljudgewithjustice(Isa.11:4;9:7).

Thisjusticewillnotbetheoretical;itwillbeanewexpressionofan

oldprogram.TheAnointedOne(Messiah)willdonothinglessthanproclaimJubilee!Hewillbringgoodnews

tothepoor,"proclaimlibertytothecaptives,"and"proclaimtheyearofYahweh'sfavor"(Isa.61:12).AccordingtoJewishwritingsinthecenturiesjustbeforeJesus,IsaiahhadtheJubileeinmind.

3Andinviewofthewordsthatheusedinthistext,andinlightofthestorythatwehavetoldsofar,thisisnotsurprising.

WhyshouldYahweh,indoingsomethingnew,notbringouttheoriginalintentofsomethingold?WouldnottheMessiahbeaprophetlikeMoses(Deut.18:18)?WouldhenotbringIsrael'searliesttraditionstofulfilmentbybringinganewExodusandbygenuinelyobservingtheLaw?Ifahumanking,inarestoredIsrael,wouldproclaima"yearofliberty"sothat"noneofmypeopleshallbedispossessedofhisproperty"(Ezek.46:1718),howmuchmorewouldtheMessiahproclaimlibertyinadefinitiveway!WhenthepeopleofGodputtoworkthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequality,everyonewillsee"thattheyareapeoplewhomYahwehhasblessed"(Isa.61:9).

WhentheServant-Kingwouldcome,therewouldalsobechangeintheareaofprotection.As"PrinceofShalom"(Isa.9:6)hewillhaveapeacemakingagendaofbreathtakingscope.Nothinglessthanthereconciliationofallwarringpartsofcreationwolvesandlambs,suckingchildrenandsnakeswillbethegoalofhiskingdom(Isa.11:68).Wherehisholinessismanifestedtherewillbefullness,fullnessoftheknowledgeofYahweh.Andtherewillbenohurtingordestroying(Isa.11:9).

Thisshalom-makingwillnotbetheoretical;itwillbepursuedbynewactsoffaithfulnesssimilartothosethatwehaveobservedthroughouttheOldTestament.ThustheServant-King,likeJoshuabutunlikeDavid,willsmashthelatestinmilitarymachinery.4

Rejoicegreatly,OdaughterofZion!Shoutaloud,OdaughterofJerusalem!Lo,yourkingcomestoyou;

triumphantandvictoriousishe,humbleandridingonanass,onacoltthefoalofanass.IwillcutoffthechariotfromEphraimandthewarhorsefromJerusalem;andthebattlebowshallbecutOff,andheshallcommandshalomtothenations.(Zech9:910)

IntheMessiah'skingdom,therewillbevictorybynewmeansbyhumility,persistence,andfaithfulness(Isa.42:34).

ShalomThroughSuffering

Andbysuffering.Sofar,instatingtheapproachestojusticeandpeace,toprotectionandprovision,thattheMessiahwouldbring,theprophetswereconservative;theywerereaffirmingthebestinIsrael'straditions.InpredictingtheServant-Messiah'ssufferingasameansofestablishingjustice,however,oneprophet,Isaiah,wasbeingradical.Therewere,ofcourse,hintsofthisbefore.ThroughouttheOldTestamenttherearerepeatedreferencestoGod'ssufferingwithhispeople,andtohistakingtheinitiative,unmeritedbyhispeople,tobringthemlifeandpeace.ThestoryofbothTestamentsisoneofgrace.

Now,however,weencountertheJustOne,Yahweh'sServant,whowouldmakemanypeopletobeaccountedrighteousbybearing,inhimself,theirsins(Isa.53:11).WemeettheOnewhowouldbebatteredfortheirwrong-turnings.Werealizethatitwouldbeuponhim,theServant-King,thatYahwehwouldimposethe"punishmentthatgaveusshalom"(53:5).InthePersonwhowouldbringaboutshalom,whowouldintroduceJubileeandbanchariots,therewouldbenotsuccessbutsuffering.Andsomehowsufferingasnoamountofchariotsandbattlebowswouldchangetheworld.

Thisideawasalmostunthinkable.Forgoodreasonitwould"startle

manynations."Kingsespecially,expertsinconventionalwaysofmanagingevents,wouldbedumbfounded;they

"shallshuttheirmouthsbecauseofhim"(Isa.52:15).ButforthosewhohadlistenedtoYahweh,newpossibilitiesforboththeMessiah-Kingandthenationwhowouldrecognizehissovereigntybylivinginhiswaywouldbecomeclear.Theywouldknowthatitis"notbymight,norbypower,butbymySpirit,saysYahwehofarmies"(Zech4:6).ThisSpirit-anointedMan,Servant,andKing,willhavethebiggestchapteralltohimself.

PARTIIITHENEWTESTAMENTLANDSCAPE

Chapter9HolySolutionsforanUnholyMessWhew!We'vesurvivedthelonghaulofthepreviouschapters.Ourballoon'sairworthinesshasbeentested.And,despitemomentarydoubts,we'restilloncourse,withourtrustytelescopeattheready.

Thisisfortunate,forwearenowbeginningthemostimportantpartofourjourney.AftertheloftyarcwhichtookusacrossOldTestamentkingsandprophets,wearenowgoingtoseehowreliableourballoonisatalowaltitude.Forwearegoingtobelookingnotacrossamilenniumbutattheeventsofthreeyears.And,despiteourlowaltitude,weshallhavetouseourtelescopeandfocusitsharply.Forourprimaryinterestwillbeinoneman,amanwhowasobscureand,byallordinaryindicators,unsuccessful.Hisbrieflifeendedinrejectionandapparentfailure.But,mysteriously,miraculously,thismanJesusfromthevillageofNazarethintheRomanprovinceofGalileeisthekeywhoenablesustounderstandthewholestorythatwe'vebeentelling.Inhim,accordingtomissionary

theologianLesslieNewbigin,''thewholemeaningofthestoryisdisclosed."

1

Butwhatisthatmeaning?Christians,bothlearnedandsimple,lovetotellthestoryofJesus;buttheyhaveoftendifferedintheirunderstandingofhim.Mytreatmentinthischapterandthenextwillnotsettlethesedisputes.ButIdoinsistononething.OurinterpretationofJesusdependsuponmorethanourgeneralknowledgeoftheBibleandourspiritualperceptiveness;italsodependsuponourunderstandingofthetimesinwhichhelived.Wemaywellbelievethat"JesusChrististheanswer,"butwewon'tunderstandhisanswersunlessweknowmoreaboutthequestionsthatwerebeing,puttohim.Historyisimportantafterall!

Toseewhythisisso,letustakeagoodlookatJesus'countryandhiscontemporaries.Todosowilltakeapinchofpatience,butitwillbetimewellspent.ForsomebackgroundwillhelpustohearJesusbetterashespoketohisownsituationandtoourswiththeauthorityofGod.2

PalestineinCrisis

WhenJesuswasborn,probablyabout5B.C.,Palestinehadbeenundertheruleofforeignersforoverfivehundredyears.TheAssyriansandBabylonians,youwillrecall,haddeportedalargeproportionoftheJewishpeople.Andwhentheexileswereallowedtoresettlethelandoftheirancestors,theyneveragainhadtruepoliticalindependence.ThescribeEzrawhowasinstrumentalinthisresettlementwasdeeplyconsciousofthis."Behold,"hewailed,"weareslavesthisday;inthelandthatyougavetoourfatherstoenjoyitsfruitanditsgoodgifts,behold,weareslaves"(Neh.9:36).TheIsraelites,Ezrarealized,werebackinthebrickyard.Astheyearswent

by,thenationalidentityoftheiroppressorsvaried;armyafterarmytrampledthelandandempireafterempireasserteditsdominance.TheJewishpeoplebewailedtheirbondageandlongedtogovernthemselves.

AsJesusgrewup,Palestinewasgovernedbythesuperpowerofthemoment,Rome.(Partofit,Galilee,wasruledontheRomans'behalfbyclientkings,theHerods.)Formostofus,theRomanEmpirehasagoodreputationforeffectivejusticeandenlightenedadministration.ThiswasnotatallthewaythatmostofJesus'Jewishcontemporariesperceivedit.Indeed,inthreevitalareasoftheirnationallifetheyhadbittergrievancesagainstRomanrule.

Themostimportantofthesewasreligion.Sometimesintentionally,sometimesuncomprehendingly,RomangovernorscommittedoutragesagainstJewishlawandcustom.TheprovincialgovernorPilate,forexample,hadtheaudacitytoimportgravenimagesofCaesarnolessintotheHolyCityofJerusalem.

3TotheJewishpeople,provocationssuchasthiswereattacksupontheveryheartoftheirnationallife;andtheyrespondedsometimesnonviolently,sometimesveryviolentlywithactsofanti-Romandefiance.

ThesecondareaofnationalgrievanceagainstRomanrulewasthatofeconomics.TothecustomaryJewishtithesandtempletaxes,whichbythemselvesdemanded20percentoftheincomeofmostcitizens,theRomansaddedtheirowntaxescustoms,tolls,andtributewhichdoubledthepeople'staxburden.OnlyinthebestofyearscouldtheJewishsmallfarmerspay40percentoftheirearningsandhaveenoughleftoverforessentialpurchases.Sotheyfacedunpalatablechoiceseithertocutcomersontheirreligioustaxes,therebybecoming"sinners"intheeyesofobservantJews;ortoborrowmoney,therebyrunningtheriskoflosingtheirlandsandbecoming"hirelings,"4UnderRomanrule,taxanddebtandlandlessnesswereinterlinked.Nowonderthepeoplewereangry.AttheveryoutsetoftheJewishRevolutioninA.D.66,pent-uphostilityattheeconomicsofRoman

ruleburstout.TherevolutionariesmarchedtotheJerusalemRecordOfficeandputittothetorch,destroyingthebondswhichrecordedtheirindebtedness.5

ThethirdareaofJewishgrievancehadtodowithgovernmentitself.Romanrulewasforeignrule;itwasaperpetualremindertotheJewsthattheywerebeinggoverned,ultimately,intheinterestsofothers.Furthermore,theyhadtheologicalobjectionstoRomangovernment.YahwehwasIsrael'srightfulKing.Never,hehadcommandedthem,weretheytoappointaforeignertoruleoverthem(Deut.17:15).AndnowtheywereservingCaesarasrepresentedbythird-ratecolonialadministrators!

Theindignityofallthis,andthetheologicaloffense,werecompoundedbytheRomans'habitualbrutality.TheNewTestamentwritersgiveusglimpsesofthepainoftheJewishpeople.Luke,forexample,recordsthatPilate,inanattempttodeterrevolutionaryactivity,mingledthebloodofGalileanswiththeirsacrifices(Luke13:1);wecaneasilyimaginehowmuchthisaction,whichcombinedcrueltyanddesecration,inflamedJewishreligiouspassions.Thefirst-centuryJewishhistorianJosephusgivesusafulleraccountofasimilarepisode.Firstofall,Pilate,whohadastrongpracticalstreak,seizedsomethingapparentlyuseless(thesacredtreasureofcorban)topayforsomethingobviouslyusefulafifty-milelongaqueduct.WhenthecitizensofJerusalemhowledtheirprotests,Pilateorderedhistroops,inmufti,withclubsundertheircloaks,tominglewiththecrowd.

HenowgavethesignalfromthetribunalandtheJewswerecudgelled,sothatmanydiedfromtheblows,andmanyastheyfledweretrampledtodeathbytheirfriends.Thefateofthosewhoperishedhorrifiedthecrowdintosilence.

6

AlloftheseaspectsofRomanrulethreatenedthefutureoftheJewishnation.Therewasalsosomethinglessvisibleandmoreseductiveat

work.Romanrulerepresentedmorethanpolitico-militaryimperialism;italsorepresentedculturalimperialism,theimperialismofthedominant,paganHellenistic

world-culture(aspowerfulthenastheworld-culturetodaywhichisrepresentedbyCoca-ColaandDallas).TosomeJews,tiredofthelaw-ladenrigorsofJewishlife,thevaluesofGreco-Romancivilizationseemedliberating(1Mace.1:1115).And,evenforthoseJewswhofoundHellenismoffensive,itallseemedsoirresistible!

ObservantJewswereawareofthedangersofthisadaptation.Theyknewthatthespiritualresourcesofthepeoplewereatalowebb.Forcenturiestheyhadnothadaprophet(Ps.74:9;1Mace.4:46);theywereexperiencingafamineafamineofSpirit,of"hearingthewordsofYahweh"(Amos8:11).What,intheirsituation,couldtheydotoprotecttheirnation'sJewishidentity?Howcouldtheypreventitfrombeingengulfedbythealluringwaysofthenations?Howcouldtheykeepfrombecominglikeeverybodyelse?

Partoftheanswerlayindefiningpreciselywhoeverybodyelsewas.Around460B.C.thescribeEzramadeanimportantcontributiontothisdefinition:heextendedtheLawprohibitingintermarriagewithsevenCanaanitenations(Deut.7:14)toincludeallnon-Jews(Ezra9:2).TheJewscalledthesenon-Jewsthenations(Gentiles),andtheyhadalowestimateofthem.Thecitizensofthe"nationsoftheworld,"theywereconvinced,wereidolatrous,immoral,anduntrustworthy.IntermarriagewiththemwouldcontaminatetheJews.

TheJewishpeopleevenviewedtheircousinstheSamaritans,descendantsofthekingdomofIsraelwhosharedagreatdealofcommonhistoryandfaithwiththeotherIsraelites,asGentiles(Luke17:18).TheSamaritansrespondedtoJewishdisdainbyerectinganalternativetempleonMountGerazimand,onoccasion,bysymbolicactsofviolence.InA.D.8,forexample,agroupofSamaritancommandosenteredtheJews'templeinJerusalemtoscatterhumanbones,therebyrituallydesecratingit.TothistheJewsrespondedwith"implacablehatred."

7

Andtheybuiltwalls.Betweenthemselvesandtheothernations(includingtheSamaritans)theJewishleadersattempted

toconstructan"impenetrablebarrier."

8AGentilewomansucklingaJewishbaby?Never,saveinthepresenceofaJewishperson.OtherwisetheGentilenursemightpoisonthechild!9Thiswall-building,theJewishleadersfelt,wasnecessaryforthesurvivaloftheirnation.Onlyiftheyweredistinctfromthenationscouldtheybeaholynation,retainingtheirnationalidentityandhonoringGodbytheirwholecompassoflife.ItwasthroughholinessthattheJewshopedtosurviveasanation.

StrategiesforaHolyNation:TheEstablishment

Buthowshouldtheygoaboutpromotingtheholinessofthenation?TheJewishleadersnevercompletelyagreed.Infact,duringJesus'lifetimethereweretwomajorapproaches.

ThefirstofthesewasthatofthereligiousestablishmentinJerusalem.PriestlyaristocratssuchasAnnasandCaiaphasbelongedtothis;soalsodidothermembersoftheSadducees,aconservativereligiousparty.TheSadducees'observanceswereguidedsolelybythewrittenbooksoftheLaw.UnlikethePharisees,theywerenotwillingtoacceptthemorerecent,unwritteninterpretationsoftherabbis.Furthermore,againunlikethePharisees,theSadduceeshadnotimeforrelativelyrecenttheologicalconceptssuchastheresurrectionofthebody.

Inthecrisisfacingtheirnation,themembersoftheestablishmentadoptedacharacteristicapproach.Theywereresponsiblerealists.ThroughthecouncilcalledtheSanhedrinthey,onbehalfoftheJewishnation,exercisedasmuchcivilpowerastheRomansallowedthem.Tobesure,wherenecessary,asinmattersoflawandorderandoftaxation,theycooperatedwiththeRomans.Buttheydidsoforgoodreasons.TheycaredabouttheJewishnationandwantedtopreserveas

muchindependenceforitaspossible;evenmoreimportant,theyweredeterminedtoprotectthereligiouscoreofJewishlife,theworshipinthetempleinJerusalem.

Whatwasthealternativetomakingthebestpossiblear-

rangementwiththeRomans?TheRomans,afterall,weretheworld'ssuperpower.AndiftheJewsprovedoffensive,theoccupationforceswould"comeanddestroybothourholyplaceandournation"(John11:48).Theholinessofthenation,themembersoftheestablishmentwereconvinced,couldbestbemaintainedbyobservantworshipintheTemple.Andthatrequiredrealismandcompromise.

StrategiesforaHolyNation:RenewalMovements

Totheotherapproach,thatoftheJewishrenewalmovements,theestablishment'spositionseemedflabbyandunprincipled.Holiness,afterall,meantseparationseparationfromeverythingimpure.Unholinesswascontagious.CollaborationwiththeGentileoccupationforceswasrituallydefiling;andthetroopswereamajorimporteroftheculturalinfluencesthatwerethreateningIsrael'swayoflife.Moreover,accordingtotheLawIsraelwastobeanationholyinallaspectsofherlife.Itwasn'tenoughtohaveoneplacetheTemplethatspecializedinholiness.

Therenewalmovementscouldagreeonsomethings.Theycouldagreethattheestablishmentwassellingouttotheenemy.TheycouldalsoagreethatnationalholinessmustbethefocusoftheJewishpeople'sresponsetothecrisisposedbyRomanoccupation.Theycouldevenagreethatthisholinesscouldonlybeobtainedbybuildingwalls,isolatingthemselvesfromallthingsimpure,andprotectingthemselvesagainsttheseductivepollutionofthenations.Buttheycouldnotagreeabouthow,inpractice,topursuethisgoalofnationalholiness.

Onerenewalmovement,therevolutionaries,hadaforthrightapproach.Theywereconvincedthattherecouldneverbetruenationalholinessuntiloneessentialthinghappenedtheoccupyingforcesofthenationsmustbedrivenout!JohntheBaptist'sfather,thepriestZechariah,mayormaynothavebeensympatheticwiththerevolutionaries;butinhisfamoussongheexpressedanunderstandingwithwhichtheywouldagree.TheJewishnationcouldonlyserveGod"withoutfear,inholinessandjustice"whenitwas"deliveredfromthehandofourenemies"(Luke1:7374).

InthecenturyandahalfsincetherevoltofJudasMaccabaeus,

10groupswhowere"zealousforthelawandwhostrovetomaintainthecovenant"(1Macc.2:27,NEB)frequentlygaveparamilitaryexpressiontothisstrategy.These"Zealots"donotseemtohavebeenanorganizedpoliticalmovementuntiltheoutbreakoftheJewishWarinA.D.66.ButthroughoutJesus'lifetimetheyrepresentedatendencywhichhadconstantpopularsupport,andwhichonoccasioncouldleadtoinsurrectionswhichtheRomanshadtotakeseriously.AtaboutthetimeofJesus'birth,forexample,alarge-scaleJewishrebellionforcedtheRomanstousedrasticmeanstorestore''lawandorder";theyburnedthetownofSepphoris,onlyfourmilesfromNazareth,andcrucifiedtwothousandallegedrebels.11Inthesucceedingyears,

evenwhenthismovementwaslyingdormant,itsstrategyforholinessretaineditsappealtomany.Individualsandsmallbandsofpiousrebelscould

easilyactuponit,

12AndinthenationalcrisisofA.D.60s,therewerethousandsofpeople,EssenesandPhariseesamongthem,whoflockedtotheanti-Romanrevolutionarycause.

Asecondrenewalmovement,theEssenes,hadastrategyfornationalholinesswhichwasequallyclear-cuttotalseparationfromtheworld.Noone,theyfelt,whowasrubbingshoulderswithGentilesandsinnerscouldachievetheholinesswhichtheLawrequired.Sotheythe"peopleofperfectholiness"withdrewfromthehurly-burlyofdailyPalestinianlifeandconstructedanidealcommunityatQumran,aremotespotbytheDeadSea.13Therethey,unliketheapostateJewswhoremainedbehind,sharedtheirpossessionsandstrenuouslyattemptedtokeepthewholeLaworalaswellaswritten.Bylivingasaholyremnant,theEsseneshadtheinterestoftheentireJewishnationatheart.TheywereaimingtoremainfaithfuluntilGodwouldactagainstthenationswhowerepollutinghisland.Then,whenheacted,theywouldrenouncetheirusualnonviolenceandjoinhisangelsinthebattleforholiness.

BetterknownthaneithertheRevolutionariesortheEsseneswasathirdrenewalmovement,thePharisees.Inmattersofdoctrineandpractice,thePhariseeshadmuchincommonwiththemembersoftheothermovements.HolinesswascentraltotheirgoalfortheJewishnationaswell;forgoodreasontheychosethenamePharisee,whichinthelocalvernacularofAramaicmeantthe"separatedones."14Buttheyadvocatedauniquestrategyforachievingthisgoalseparationwithinsociety.

Howcouldtheyachieveholinesswithoutwithdrawingfromsocietyaltogether?Theyadvocatedtwomethods.Thefirstofthesewasa

strictobservanceoftheLaw,notonlythewrittenLawofthePentateuch,towhichtheSadduceeslimitedthemselves,butalsotheorallytransmittedinterpretationsbytherabbis.Theseoralinterpretations,"thetraditionoftheelders"(Matt.15:2),intensifiedthewrittenLawintwoways.Theyrequiredmeticuloustithing;notonlymustonepayatitheupon

everythingthatoneearnedorharvested,butalsouponeverythingthatoneboughtandate,incaseearlierhandlershadfailedtotitheproperly.Inaddition,theoralinterpretationsrequiredstrictritualpurity.Contactwithanythinguncleanwasprohibited.Indeed,thePharisaicmovementexpecteditsmembers,mostofwhomwerelaymen,toobservethesamerequirementsofholinessritualhand-washingsandalltherestasthepriestsintheTemple.

TothisrequirementofLaw-observancethePhariseesaddedasecondrequirementselectiveassociation.Ofcourse,thePhariseemustavoidcontactwith"thenationsoftheworld,"the"godlessGentiles";inthequestforholinesstherecouldbenoroomfortheoutsider.ButritualimpuritycouldalsoresultfromcontactwithlessobservantJewishinsidersaswell,whomthePhariseescalled"sinners."Andofthese,people''whodonotknowtheLaw[and]areaccursed"(John7:49),therewasagrowingnumber.

Thereweremanyreasonswhythese"sinners"probablythelargemajorityofthepopulationoffirst-centuryPalestinefailedtokeeptheLaw.Butamajorreasonwaseconomic.Aswehavealreadyseen,thetaxesreligiousaswellasRomanwhichfirst-centuryJewswererequiredtopaywerecrushing.Onlythebetter-offcouldaffordtopaythemboth,andmanypoorerpeoplestayedsolventonlybydefaultingonthereligioustaxes,whichwereoptional.Furthermore,payingtithesuponpurchasesaswellasincomecouldbeburdensome,especiallyforpeoplewho,strugglingtomakeendsmeet,wereindangeroflosingtheirland.Asthefirstcenturyprogressed,therefore,moreandmoreJewishpeoplewere,bythePharisees'standards,manifestLaw-breakers.AndthePhariseesrespondedbydisparagingthem,avoidingthem,andmostdecidedlybynevereatingwiththem.

Thesethreerenewalmovementsthushadmuchincommon.Intheirprescriptionsforthenationalcrisisoftheirtime,allof

themrevolutionaries,Essenes,andPhariseesalike-advo-

catedamoreintenseobservanceoftheLaw.Andthisinvolvedholinessasthekeytonationalrenewal.Furthermore,allofthemovementsviewedholinessdefensively.Theholinessofthings,ofpeople,evenofGod,mustbeprotectedfromdefilementbycontactwitheverythingthatwasunclean.

Thissoundslikeapurelyreligiousmatter,butlikemostaspectsofreligioninfirst-centuryPalestineithadeconomicandpoliticalimplications.Economically,wehavenotedthatholinesswasexpensive;onecouldmaintainone'sholinessonlybypayingtaxesandtithesandbyengaginginactsofpurificationthatcouldbefinanciallydraining.Onlythebetteroffcouldaffordthis;andsomeofthepoorerJews,intheirattempttosustainaholylifestyle,losttheirlands.TheresultofthecostofholinesswasanincreasinginternaldivisionwithinJewishsociety,betweenashrinkingnumberofobservantJewsandagrowingnumberofmarginalpeoplewhomtheirwealthiercounterpartscalled"sinners."

Holinessalsohadpoliticalconsequences.AlloftheJewishrenewalmovementsagreedthattheGentileswhoruledPalestinewereanoffensetoGod'sholysovereigntyovertheland.Theirverypresencewasatransgressionoftheseparatenesswhichholinessrequired.Asacategory,theGentileswereoutsiders,withouthope."NoGentile,"onerabbideclared,"willhaveapartintheworldtocome."

15ThepiousandpowerfulJewsviewedtheGentilesasfundamentallydifferentfromthemselves;theyexcludedanddehumanizedthem.Thenextstepwastobepreparedtokillthemingoodconscience.WheninA.D.66(aboutthirtyyearsafterJesus'crucifixion)theJewishWaragainsttheRomansbrokeout,thereweremanycauses.ButnotleastamongthemwastheJewishrenewalmovements'questforholiness.16

Chapter10Jesus,theHolyOneGetoutthetelescopes!Forsometimenowwehavebeenhoveringlowoverfirst-centuryPalestine,butwemustnowfocusoursightsevenmoreprecisely.Aswedoso,weshallseeanoutburstofholiness.Thiscameinasurprisingform.AndnoonewasmoresurprisedthanaGalileanpeasantnamedMary,whoheardthisfromGod'smessengerGabrielaboutachildwhichshewouldbear:

TheHolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepowerofthemostHighwillovershadowyou;thereforethechildtobebornwillbecalledholy,theSonofGod.(Luke1:35)

Duringhisshortcareer,Mary'ssonJesuswasrarelytobecalledholy.Itwasonlytheforcesofthespiritualoppositionwhorecognizedhimforwhohewas,"theHolyOneofGod"

(Mark1:24).

1Furthermore,Jesushimselfapparentlyhadlittletosayaboutholiness;accordingtotheNewTestamentaccounts,Jesusrarelyusedtheword.Nevertheless,whenwelookatJesus'teachingsmoreclosely,weshallseethatmuchofthetimehewastalkingaboutholiness,indeedsocialholiness.EchoingtheHolinessCodeofLeviticusbutwithanewaccentthatspokeintothecrisisofhistime,Jesussaid,"Bemerciful,evenasyourFatherismerciful"(Luke6:36).

Furthermore,therewassomethingaboutJesushimselfwhichwasholy.Livingforce,separateness,God-likeness,dynamismhiscontemporariessawallofthesequalitiesofholinessinJesus.Andtheirresponsetohimwasthatofmenandwomenineveryagetoholinessbothfascinationandrepulsion,deepattractionanddread.RepresentativeofthisresponseisthatofhisfollowerPeter.KneelingatJesus'feetamidstadeck-fullofmiraculouslycaughtfish,Peterblurtedout,"Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord"(Luke5:8).

Jesusdidn'tdepartfromPeter.Byremainingfaithfultohimandhisotherfollowers,Jesuswasschoolingthem,notonlyinfaithfulness,butinholiness.Bylisteningtohim,watchinghim,imitatinghim,theywerelearningtobelikehim."Everyone,"Jesussaid,"whenheisfullytaughtwillbelikehisteacher"(Luke6:40).Theirattemptstofollowhimwereofteninept.Butinthemsomethingimportantwashappening.AsJesus'followersimitatedJesusandallowedhimtoshapetheircommonlifesothatitlookedlikehim,thesemenandwomenwereextendingthepersonandworkoftheHolyOne.Infact,theywerethefirstcitizensofanewnationanationofJesus-peopledrawnfrom"everynation,fromalltribesandpeoplesandtongues"(Rev.7:9).ThroughthemGodwouldworktoliberatetheentire

humanraceandrestorehiscreation.

EncounteringtheHolyOne

Thesemomentousdevelopmentsbeganverysimply.InaboutA.D.30,JesuslefthisjobinhishometownofNazareth

andcametotheJordanRiver,wherehiscousinJohnwaspreaching.

AccordingtotheGospelwriterLuke,God'sHolySpirithadbeenexceptionallyactiveoflate,moreactiveinfactthanforhundredsofyearssincetheendoftheageoftheprophets(Luke1:15,35,42,67;2:27).JohnwasthemostprominentoftheseSpirit-visitedmenandwomen.Whenpeoplecametohimwhoreallywantedtochangetheirallegiancesandlifestyles,Johnbaptizedthemintheriver.Buthealsopointedthemtowardthefuture.Soon,hepromised,amightieronewouldcomewhowouldbaptizewithsomethingpurerandmorepowerfulthanwater"theHolySpirit"(Luke3:16).

Jesusapproachedhiscousin,askingtobebaptized.Wedon'tknowverymuchabouthisbaptism;theGospelwriters'accountsofitarebrief.Buttheygiveenoughdetailtoindicatethat,throughhisexperienceatthisevent,somethingdeeplyenergizinghappenedtoJesus.Lukerecordsthat"theHolySpiritdescendeduponhiminbodilyform,asadove"(Luke3:22).

Jesus,inshort,encounteredtheHolyOne.Andhedidnotsimplyexperiencealivingforce.Heknewthepresenceofapersonwho,asFather,addressedhimasSonanddeepenedtheirparent-childrelationshipoftrustandcaring.Becauseofthisrelationship,thewordswhichfollowed,commissioninghimtobeajustice-bringingServant-King,wouldsustainJesus:"YouaremybelovedSon;withyouIamwellpleased."

2Thereafter,throughtemptationandconflict,God'sfatherlycarewouldneverfailJesus.

FoundingaFourthRenewalMovement

EmpoweredbyGod'sHolySpirit,Jesusbegantoappearinpublicin

hishomeprovinceofGalilee.Whenhespoketopeople,othersgatheredround,fortherewassomethingauthoritativeabouthisteachingandcompellingabouthisperson.Furthermore,whenillandpossessedpeoplewerebroughtto

him,Jesustouchedthemandhealedthem.IncompassionJesusreachedouttothepeople.Forgoodreason,crowdsbegantofollowhimwhereverhewent.

OnecanunderstandwhyhiscontemporarieswereattractedtoJesus.Eventoday,communicatedbythewrittenword,helooksatusandaddressesusindividually,challengingustouseourimaginationsandtoenternewdepthsthatwepreviouslyhadhardlyknownwerethere.Hispersonality,teaching,andactioninanamazingwaycoverthebreadthofhumanconcern.Nowritercandojusticetohim,whichisprobablythereasonwhysomanyofusgoonwritingabouthim!TosayanythingworthwhileaboutJesus,onemustthereforebedisciplined;andintalkingabouthimastheHolyOneIshallbedeliberatelyrestrictingmyscope.Nevertheless,wewillnotbeabletoappreciatehowconcernedJesuswasaboutholinessunlesswebeginwithsomebasics.

WemuststartwhereJesusdidwhenhefirsttouredGalilee.TheGospelwriterMarksummarizedJesus'messageinonesentence:

Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodisathand;repent,andbelieveinthegoodnews.(Mark1:15)

ItishardforustoappreciatehowarrestingthismessagesoundedtoJesus'contemporaries,forthevocabularytendstostrikeusaseitherold-fashionedorpiouslyirrelevant.ButJesus'hearersknewthathewasn'tsimplyspeakingaboutwhatpeopledidwhentheywereinchurch(synagogue);hewas,theyimmediatelyrealized,talkinginboldtermsaboutthewholeoflifeandthedirectionofhistory.

Firstofall,Jesuswasannouncinganevent."Thetimeisfulfilled."NOW!Thetimeofpreparationisover;theageofincompletenesshasbeensuperseded.Somethingishappeningwhich,whilebuiltonwhatGodhaddoneearlier,takesittoits

destination.Whatistheeventwhichbringseverythingtoaclimax?ItisthearrivalofGod'skingdom.Weekinandweekoutintheirsynagogues,thepeoplehaddutifullylistenedtorabbisreadingfromscrollsthewordsoftheprophetsaboutthefuture.

Yahwehwillreasserthiskingshipandpower.Yahwehwillovercomeallopposition.Yahwehwillrootoutallinjusticeandhealallunwholeness.Andnow,asJesusaddressesthepeople,thescrollsleaptolife.Godisgoingontheoffensive,initiatingarenewalmovementofcosmicproportions.Isittrue?ArethepowerandauthorityofGod'sfuturebreakingintothepresent,ourpresent?

Ifso,thenJesus'hearerscouldrespondtothesecondpartofhismessage-hispronouncement,directedtoeachoneofthem,ofademand.Repent!Changeyourmind.Changeyourheart.Changeyourlifestyle!God'skinglyoffensivewillbeupsettingfirmlyentrenchedwaysofdoingthingsandexploringnewground.IfyouwanttoparticipateinwhatGodisdoing,youmustbecommittedtoongoingchange.Youmustalsobewillingtofacerisk.AsGodturnstheworldupsidedown,thingswon'tbeeasy;political,economic,andreligiousstructureswillnotsubmittohisauthoritywithoutastruggle.Soifyourepentyoumustalsobelieve.YoumustrespondtoGod'sinitiativebylivingattheedgeofthepossiblebyactivetrustinhisconcretegrace.

JesusdidmorethanannouncetheimminenceofGod'skingdom.Byhiseveryactionhehimselfbroughtitintotheexperienceofhiscontemporaries.Wheretherewasillnessanddemon-possessionheconfrontedit.Wheretherewerepeoplewhomtheotherrenewalmovementshadmarginalizedtax-collectors,thepoor,"sinners"hegavethemthetokenofgenuineacceptance:tablefellowship.Andquicklyhebegantobuildamovement,acommunityofpeople(someontheroadwithhim,someintheirhomes)whowerewillingtotakerisksforthekingdomwhichhewasbringing.

HolinessontheOffensive

Whydidmenandwomenjoinhisrenewalmovement?Whydidtheyrespondtohiminriskyways?WhydidPeterandAndrew,whenJesussaid"Followme!"leavealltheirsourcesofsecuritytheirnets,boat,father,andservants(Mark1:1620)?Why,similarly,didthetax-collectorLevigiveuphisthrivingbusinessforthediceyprospectsofdiscipleship(Mark2:1314)?Whydidsomanywomen,includingJoanna,thewifeofHerod'ssteward,joinhisentourageandsupporthimwiththeirresources(Luke8:3)?Thereweremanyreasons,nodoubt.Butnonewasmoreimportantthanthis:inJesustheyencounteredtheholinessofGod.

Allofus,whetherwerecognizeitornot,haveadeeplongingforalivingexperienceofultimatereality;andwhenweexperienceGod'spresencepersonallywecandiscoverreservesofenergyandcommitmentthatwedidnotknowwepossessed.SoitwaswiththemenandwomenwhoweredrawntoJesus.Inhimtheycamefacetofacewithallfourofthecharacteristicsofholinesswhichwenotedasearlyaschapter2.Jesus'beingwasfilledwithalivingforce,notonlywhenhewastransfiguredbeforetheireyes(Luke9:29)butineverydaycircumstances.Inthefullnessofhishumanity,whichradiatedlovingenergy,Jesuswassomehowseparate,differentfromanyonetheyhadmetbefore.WhenJesuslookedatpeople,hetookthemseriously,soseriouslythathepenetratedtheirfacadesandexposedtheirinnerbeings;hereallysawthem.Andthey,inturn,sawinhimnolessthantheFather(John14:9).Inthisencounter,Jesuswasdemonstratinggodlikeness,challenginganddeepeningtheirintuitionsofwhatGodislike.Andoutofhimflowedadynamicpowerthroughwhichholinessfloodedintotheworldinordertochangeit.

Trueholiness,Jesuswasshowingthem,farfromneedingtobeprotectedwithsanitarywrapping,wasalife-givingforcethatbursts

throughallhumanlimits.Itwasnotindangerofbeinginfectedbythewaysofthenations;itwasitselfcontagious.

Whenholinessencounteredimpurity,impuritywasputonthedefensive.WhenthewomanwhohadbeenrituallyuncleanbecauseofherflowofbloodtouchedJesus,sheknewthataccordingtotherulesoftheotherJewishrenewalmovementsshewouldbemakinghimunclean,unholy.Instead,tohersurpriseandjoy,holinessflowedintheotherdirection!Wholeness,life,acceptancewereJesus'giftstoher,forhisholinesswasaforceforchange(Luke8:4248).

Forgoodreason,membersoftheotherrenewalmovementsfoundJesus'approachhardtounderstand.Theirchiefconcernwasdefensive;itwasprotectionoftheseparatenessofholiness.AndJesus,thismanofimmensespiritualpower,keptchallengingtheirrules.Asaresult,manyofthemmusthaveexperienceddeepinnerconflict;weknowthatanumberofPhariseesdid(Mark12:34;John19:39).Andyetthemajorityofthemralliedroundtheirtraditionalconvictions.Confrontationwasinevitable.PhariseescriticizedJesus'disciples(andbyimplicationJesushimself)forbreakingtherulesofpurity:theyhadeatenwithoutwashingtheirhandsproperly(Mark7:5).AndJesusattractedtheirirebysittingattablewithunholypeople"sinners,"collaborators,thepoor.Doeshenotknow,theyaskedasawomanwashedhisfeetwithhertears,"whatsortofwomanthisiswhoistouching[thatis,polluting]him,forsheisasinner"(Luke7:39)?

JesustookthePharisees'concernforholinessseriously.Buthetriedtodeepentheirunderstanding.Itwaseasyenough,Jesustoldthem,tohonorGodwithlipsandlimits;butitwasquiteanothermattertohonorGodwithone'sheart.Swallowingsomethingrituallyuncleandidn'tdefileaperson;itwas"fromwithin,outoftheheart"(themotivationalcore)ofapersonthatcameallkindsofcorrosivefilththatdefiletheworld(Mark7:123).Byeverthingthathedidandsaid,Jesuswasattemptingtofreepeoplefromfilthforlove.Byhisownactions,andbyparablessuchasthatofthewaitingfather,

3heinvitedpeopletoexperienceGod'sloveforthem,hiswayward

children(Luke15:1132).Ifonlytheycouldadmittheirsinandsickness,Godwouldembracethemwithhealingforgiveness.Andoutofhisloveforthemcouldcomearesponseontheirpart:loveforGod"withalltheirheart"whichwouldexpressitselfinlovetoothers,whethertheywerePhariseesorenemies(Mark12:3031).

TheWeightierMattersoftheLaw

JesuswasalsoconcernedtobroadenthedimensionsofthePharisees'concernforholiness.Itwasallright,Jesusgrantedthem,topaytithesonthemostminorfoodsthatoneconsumed,evenherbssuchasmintanddillandcummin.Butthereallyimportantareasofstruggleforholinesswereelsewhere:"theweightiermattersofthelaw,justiceandmercyandfaith."

Jesuswasconvincedthatthereligiouspeopleofhisday,byelaborateactsofpietycoupledwithanunjustlifestyle,werebeingspectacularlyunholy.Ashehumorouslyputit,itwasasiftheywere"strainingoutagnatandswallowingacamel!"Ceremonialholinesswasnotthathardforrichpeopletoachieve;itwasinjustice,extortion,andgreedthatweretherealchallenge.Andthesethings,doneinthenameofholiness,weretearingPalestiniansocietyapart(Matt.23:2326).

Jesusthusnotonlyrootedholinessintheheart;hebroughtitintoeveryareaoflife.Evenintotheareasofprimaryhumanneedprovisionandprotection.Weshouldnotbesurprisedbythis.Forwehaveseenhow,intheExodus,Lawandtheprophets,Godrepeatedlyshowedhisdeterminationtoformanationwhowouldrespondtotheseeverydayconcernsinaholyway.AstheonewhocametofulfilltheOldTestamentandbringGod'skingdom,JesuswasboundtoreassertGod'sdeterminationinwaysthatrespondedtothecriesofthepeopleinhisday.

Thepeopleoffirst-centuryPalestinehadgoodreasontoworryabout

provisionandprotection.Forthemthesewerenot

''issues"tobediscussed.Theywerequestionsofsurvival:howcanwekeepourheadsabovewaterinanageofbadharvestsandcripplingtaxes?HowshouldwerespondtotheenemywhoisoppressingusandoccupyingGod'sland?Ifholinesshastodowith"justiceandmercyandfaith,"howdoesitaddressitselftoquestionssuchasthese?

Jesus'Agenda

AsLuketellsthestory,itisclearthatJesus,fromtheverystartofhisfirstspeakingtourinGalilee,wasdealingwithmattersofprovisionandprotection.InthesynagogueofhishometownofNazareth,hereadanOldTestamenttext(Isa.61:12)whichservedasanagendaforhispubliclife:

TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehasanointedmetopreachgoodnewstothepoor.Hehassentmetoproclaimreleasetothecaptivesandrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythosewhoareoppressed,toproclaimtheacceptableyearoftheLord.(Luke4:1819)

BychoosingthistextfromIsaiah61,Jesuswasemphasizingthatthe"acceptableyearoftheLord,"theJubilee,whichhadbeenimportanttotheLawandtheprophets,wascentraltohisvisionaswell.Inasocietyinwhichthepiousseparatedthemselvesfromthe"sinners"byaneconomicbarrier,God'skingdomwouldbring"release"and"liberty"topoorpeople.

4Itwouldalsobringgoodnewstotheoutsiderandenemy.Jesusscandalizedhishearersbystoppinghisreadingjustwhenitcametothegoodpart"andthedayofvengeanceofourGod"(Isa.61:2b).5WhatrightdidhehavetoamputatethepropheticWord?Andwhat

galldidittaketopointoutthatGod,bymakinguseofaSidonianwidowandhealingaSyrian

leper,hadbypassed"many...inIsrael"(Luke4:2527)?Jesus'hearerswerefurious,fortheGentileswereunclean;theywerecrueloppressors.

Wedonotgenerallyviewassuccessfulasermonwhichendsinanattempttoassassinatethepreacher!ButinhisNazarethsermonJesus,byproclaimingJubileeandannouncingGod'soverturetotheoutsiders,hadstatedthemesofgreatimportancetohisfellowJews.Theywerethemestowhichhewouldbereturningfrequentlythroughouthispubliclife.And,asweshallsee,theywerethemesthathadeverythingtodowithholinessasJesusconceivedit.Letuswatchhimashedevelopedthemboth.

JesusandJubileeEconomics

WealthwasoneofJesus'favoritetopics.Hewasdeeplysuspiciousofit.Thiswaspartlybecauseofwhatitdidinsociety,creatingseparatecastesofrichandpoor.PeoplelikeBiggerBarns,Esq.,accumulatedanunneededsurplus(Luke12:1620);others,likeLazarus,wereoppressedbecausetherichwereblindtotheirsufferinganddeaftotheprophets(Luke16:1931).Jesuswasrepelledbythissituation.Hisheartwentouttopoorpeople,andhehadgoodnewsforthem.

ButJesuswasalsoconcernedforrichpeople.Heknewthattheirwealthwasanalternativegod,whichtheycouldn'tserveatthesametimeasYahweh(Luke16:13).Wealthmadeagrabattheirheart(12:34);whentheytriedtorespondtoJesus'goodnewsitchokedthem(8:14).Itcreatedasourceofsecuritywhich,forthefaithless,wasmoreattractivethanareequalizationofresourceswhichrequiredonetotrustintheFather'sknowingcare.Smallwondertherichyoungman,whohadkeptalltherulesandwhomJesusloved,walkedsadlyawayfromJesusratherthangivetothepoor(Mark10:1722).Forpeoplelikehim,peoplewithvestedinterestsinthewaythingswere,

God'skingdomwouldbebadnews."Howterribleforyouwhoarerichnow;youhavehadyoureasylife"(Luke6:24,TEV)!

Forpoorpeople,however,therewasgoodnews.TherewasalsogoodnewsforthosewhowerewillingtorespondtoJesus'invitationtonewlife.ForGodwasontheoffensive,andthingsweregoingtochange.Jesuscautionedhisdisciplesthattheyshouldbecarefulhowtheywentaboutthischange;theyshouldnever,forexample,"dotheirjustice"(not,mosttranslationstothecontrary,"practicetheirpiety")

6ostentatiouslytogaintheapprovalofothers.Butheassumedthattheywouldbedoingjusticebygivingtothepoor(Matt.6:12).LifeinGod'skingdomwouldbemarkedbyspontaneoussharingandgenerosity.

Therewouldalso,however,bestructuresforreequalizingwealth.ItisnotsurprisingthattheJubileewasimportanttoJesus.Aswehaveseen,ithadbeenanintegralpartoftheOldTestamentLaw;andrepeatedlytheprophetshadtriedtogetGod'speopletopracticeit.ForsomeonewhocametofulfiltheLawandtheprophets,areactivationoftheJubileewouldbenatural.

ButJesuswasnotanantiquarianoralegalist;hewasflexibleinapplyingtheJubilee.ForcircumstanceshadchangedsinceLeviticus25hadbeenwritten;vasturbanwealthandextensiveGentilelandholdingwouldmakeastrictapplicationofJubileeimpracticable.Furthermore,theRomanswouldalmostcertainlyhavenothingofit!

SoJesusbeganbycreatingaformoftheJubileethatwasappropriatetothesocialandpoliticalconditionsofhisownday.Toall,asinhisNazarethsermon,Jesusannouncedthepossibilityofreequalization.Ofhisdisciples,thosewhohadrespondedtotheFather'slovebysteppingoutintoinsecurityandfaith,Jesusexpectedreequalization.Amongthem,thespiritoftheLawwouldlive.Intheirloveforeachothertheywouldfindwaystohelprichpeopletostopbeingrichand

poorpeopletostopbeingpoor.Onceagainthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandequalitywoulddemonstratehowvalidtheywere.

SoJesus'discipleswouldlendwithoutexpectinginreturn,therebyhelpingthepoor(Luke6:34;Lev.25:3637;Deut.15:710).IntheirawarenessoftheFather'sforgivenessoftheirdebts,theywouldforgivethedebtsofothers(Matt.6:12;18:32).Theywouldselltheirgoodsandgivetopoorpeople(Luke12:33).Andtotheirsurprise,theywouldfindthattheywerenotonlygivingbutreceivingabundantly(Mark10:30).

HolinessandProvision

Butwhatdothesekingdomeconomicshavetodowithholiness?Agreatdeal.ForinthemJesuswassketchingtheoutlinesofanapproachtotheprimaryhumanneedofprovisioninwhichallfourofthethemesofholinesscometogether.

Firstofall,JubileeeconomicswillbepossibleforJesus'disciplesbecausetheyhaveencounteredGodasalivingforceastheforgivingone,astheall-knowingandcaringFather.Withoutthisencounter,nothingtrulynewispossible;withit,everythingispossible!Justbeforeheurgedthemtoselltheirpossessionsandredistributetheirwealth,Jesustoldhisdisciples,"Donotbeafraid,littleflock,foryourFatherispleasedtogiveyoutheKingdom"(Luke12:32,TEV).KnowledgeofthemercifulFatherbanishesthefearthatleadstodefensivenessandself-protection,andisapreconditionofeverythingthatJesusaskshisdisciplestodo.

BecausethedisciplesknowtheFatherandareknownbyhim,asecondoftheholinessthemesispossibleforthemtheycantaketheriskofbeingdifferent!TheirqualityofliferequiresthemtotakeseriouslythegoalofthePhariseesseparation-butinamuchmorefundamentalwaythanthePhariseeshadeverconsidered.Forthedisciples'lifestyle,unlikethatofthePharisees,istobetrulysetapartfromthewaysofthenations.Jesustookthisholinesstheme,so

familiartotheotherJewishrenewalmovements,intounfamiliarterritory.Hewasnotprescribingritualpurity;hewasprescribingaradicallytrustingapproachtolife."Donotbeanxious,"Jesustoldhis

disciples.Don'tworryaboutpossessions,clothing,orfood!That'swhattheGentiles(and,byimplication,thePharisees)do.Jesus'followersaretobedifferentfromthem.Theywillgivepriorityto"God'skingdomandhisjustice",andGod,whoknowsalltheirneeds,throughhisconcretegracewilltakecareofthem(Matt.6:2533).

NotonlywillGodtakecareofJesus'disciples;hewillalsoreshapethemintohisownimage.AspeoplewhohaveexperiencedGod'sforgivenessoftheirdebts,theywillforgivethedebtsofothers.TheywillbegintotreatothersasGodhastreatedthem.Andastheydoso,theywillbegintoexpressathirdoftheholinessthemesgodlikeness.IntheLawGodhascommandedhispeople,"Youshallbeholy,forIYahwehyourGodamholy"(Lev.19:2).AccordingtoJesus,thatcommandisstillvalid;hisdisciplesaretocontinuetodemonstratethelifeofGodtotheworld.Buttheyaretodosoinaspecificway.They,inthesphereofeconomics,areto"bemerciful,evenasyourFatherismerciful"(Luke6:36).

Andfinally,astheyrespondtoJesus'messageofJubileetheywillexperiencethefourthcharacteristicofholiness,itsdynamism.Godisatwork;heisontheoffensivetochangetheworld.And,whenpeopleencounterhispersistentmercyinJesus,surprisingthingscanhappen.ThiswastheexperienceofaleadingtaxcollectornamedZacchaeus.Thismanwasrich,corrupt,andquiteunsuitableforthecompanyofaLaw-observingJew.SoJesusinvitedhimselftoZacchaeus'shouse!SensingGod'sacceptanceinJesus,Zacchaeusrepented."TakingthemessageofJesusquiteliterally,"

7heredistributedhisgoods.Notonlydidherepayfourfoldeverythingthathehadextractedbyfraud;hejoyfullygavehalfofhisgoodstopoorpeople.ItwastoZacchaeus'shouse,andnotthatoftherichyoungrule-keeper,thatsalvationhadcome.Thetax-collectorwhopracticedJubileewasthe"sonofAbraham"(Luke19:110;cf

18:1823).

ZacchaeusrepresentsthedynamicpowerofGod'sholinessto

makeunjustlivesjust.LikeallthemenandwomenwhofollowedJesus,hisvalueshadchanged,forhehadanewformofsecurity.Itdoesnotappear,however,thatheleftallpossessions,home,andsettledexistencetofollowJesus.He,likeotherswhoremainedathome(Mary,Martha,andLazarus,JosephofArimathea;theex-demoniacofGadara),begantoliveinanewwaywherehewas.

Others,however,heardJesuscallthemtoleavehomeandallthesecurityitrepresented,towalkwithhimtowardJerusalem.Agroupofwomen,forexample,puttheirresourcesatthedisposalofJesusandtheotherdisciplesastheytraveledtogether(Luke8:23).AndPeterononeoccasionvehementlyremindedJesusthatheandtheotheritinerantdiscipleshadleft"everything"behind.JesushonoredPeterforthis.ButheremindedhimthatinGod'skingdom,unlikemanysocieties,everyonewouldbeareceiveraswellasagiver.Asocietyofjusticeandsufficiencywascomingintobeinginwhichthosewhogaveawayhousesandlandsandfamilieswouldreceiveback"ahundredfoldnow"(Mark10:30).Now!God'skingdomwasbreakingin,bringingrelationshipsof"justiceandmercyandfaith"whichpointedthewaytoholinessforallhumanity.

TheJesusmovementhadadistinctiveapproachtotheeconomicsofholiness.God'sparentalloveandmercywereinvadingalloflifeeveneconomics.Farfromexcludingpoorpeopleastheotherrenewalmovementsdid,Jesusgavethemtheresourcestheyneededtoliveandaspecialplaceinhisaffections.Furthermore,torichpeoplehegavetheopportunitytochange.Andtoall,hegavestructuresforadistinctivelifestyleofsocialholiness.ItwouldbeunlikethenationsbutlikeGodandaforceforchangetowardtheholycity.

RedefiningtheHolyNation

Jesus'attitudetophysicalsecuritywasasdistinctiveashisteachingon

wealth.Aswehavenotedearlier,thePalestineofJesus'daywasaviolentsocietymarkedbyhighbarriers

betweenthe"ins"andthe"outs."TheotherJewishrenewalmovementsspecializedinthebusinessofcategorizingpeople.EitheronewasamemberofGod'snationoramemberof"thenations"(Gentiles).Andwhereastheformercategorywasselect,thelattercategorywasalmostasbroadashumanityitself.Inthisclassification,eventheSamaritanswerecountedasGentiles(Luke17:18).AllofthemwereGod'senemies.Onhisdayofjudgmenthewouldhavepityuponhispeople.Buthewould"rousehiswrath,pourouthisfury,destroytheadversary,wipeouttheenemy''(Ecclus.36:7,NEB).Themembersofthethreerenewalmovementslivedinconstantanticipationofthatday.

Fromtheverystartofhispubliclife,however,Jesussethisrenewalmovementmovinginadifferentdirection.ItwasnotthatJesuswasflatteringinhisassessmentofthenations.Heknewfullwellthat"thekingsofthenationsexerciselordshipoverthem"andbuiltstatuesofthemselves,callingthemselves"benefactors"(Luke22:25).HeknewthattheGentileshatedtheirenemies,prayedemptilyandworriedaboutpossessions(Matt.5:47;6:7,32)."Itshallnotbesoamongyou,"Jesuswarnedhisfollowers(Matt.20:26).Hewantedtostartarenewalmovement,notsimplyapiousrepetitionofwhattheGentileswerealreadydoing.

YetinhisunderstandingofGod'spurposes,Jesusclearlyhadaspecialplacefortheseoutsiders.Oneindicationofthiswashisfamousstatement,"RendertoCaesarthethingsthatareCaesar's,andtoGodthethingsthatareGod's."Withthesewords,JesusorderedhisdisciplestoviewCaesar'slocalmillionstheRomanoccupationforcesverydifferentlyfromthewaytheotherrenewalmovementsviewedthem(Mark12:17).Caesar'splacewasnotequaltothatofGod's,ofcourse,norwasitindependentofit;Caesar'sauthoritywasderivedfromGod,andextendedoveronlyapettypartofthedivinedominion,ButJesuswasconvincedthattheRomanshadaroleto

playaroleofjudgmentsimilartothatwhichtheAssyrians

andtheBabylonianshadplayedinearlierJewishhistory.LikeJeremiah,Jesusknewthatthenationswerenotsimplytheretobehatedandevicted.Godcouldusethem.

8

FromhisNazarethsermononward,JesusalsocontinuedtodrawillustrationsoffaithandfaithfulnessfromtheenemyGentiles.ItwasthefaithofanoccupyingsoldierwhichdrewfromJesusthebarrier-shatteringstatementthat"manywillcomefromeastandwestandsitattablewithAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofGod"(Matt.8:11).And,tothechagrinofalawyerwhowasgrillingJesus,itwastheenemySamaritanwhoillustratedforJesuswhatitmeanttobeaneighbor(Luke10:2937).

InJesus'schemeofthings,unlikethatoftheotherrenewalmovements,theoutsiderwasimportant.ThiswasinkeepingwiththewaythatJesuswastakingtheLawseriouslyandintensifyingit.Love,JesusconcurredwiththeOldTestamentwriters,wastheall-encompassingprincipleoftheLaw(Matt.22:40;Lev.19:18).ButwhereastheLeviticalLawcommandedloveofneighbor(thatis,fellowIsraelite),Jesuscatapaultedtheloveprincipleacrossnationalbarrierstoculminateinlovefortheenemy.ItistheenemySamaritanwhodemonstrateswhatneighborloveis;anditisthenationalenemy,theRomans,whoseinclusiondisplaystheFather'sloveandshapestheloveoftheJesus'followers(Luke10:29;Matt.5:4348).9

Jesus,inshort,wasnotonlyintensifyingtheLaw;hewasredefiningtheJewishunderstandingofnationhood.HestoodatthedecisivetransitionpointinholyhistoryandclaimedGod'spromisetoAbrahamforhisownday.Nolongerdid"allthefamiliesoftheearth"needtowaittoclaimtheirblessing(Gen.12:3).Tothem,thenations,JesuswasopeningthepossibilityofbeingpartofGod'sholynation.

Thenewcovenantwouldnotbeforinsiders;itwouldbefor"many"(Matt.26:28).

Throughthisdecisivebreakthrough,Jesusendedtheeraoftheholywar.Nolongerwoulditbeanappropriatemeansof

protectingthepurityofGod'snation.God'snation,Jesuswasimplying,isamissionarybody;itsmembersarebeingdrawnfromthecitizensofallnations.Theoutsidercannolongerbeseenassomeonefundamentallydifferentfromoneselfwhomaybesacrificedforthepurityofthenation.Fortheoutsiderisapotentialinsider,apotentialbrotherorsister.ToprotecttheholinessofGod'sexpanding,missionarynation,theoldmethodswouldnolongerdo.

10

HolinessandProtection

TheholinessofGod'snationwouldnowcometobepreserved,notbykillingnationalenemiesbutbylovingthem.WehavealreadyseenthatJesushadclaimed,intheareaofprovision/economics,thatholinessisasocialreality.Hisapproachtotheareaofprotectionwassimilar.Indeed,inacompactbutpowerfulpassageintheSermonontheMount(Matt.5:4348),thefourholinessthemesdovetailbeautifully.11

WhydidJesusdaretocommandhisfollowerstolovetheirenemies?BecausetheyhadexperiencedthefirstthemeofholinessGod'slivingforce.Atthetimeofhisbaptism,JesusintheSpirithadencounteredYahwehtheeternalone,theAlmighty,inwhosepresenceonetakesoffone'ssandalsasFather.Hisgreatsecurityofpersonandpurposehadbeenrootedinthatparent-childintimacy.InJesus,thediscipleshavemettheFatheraswell.Theyhavebeenmovedbyhisacceptanceandmercy.He,theyhavediscovered,isinfinitelygenerous:"Hemakeshissunriseontheevilandonthegood"(Matt.5:45).TheFatherwhogivesgoodgiftstohischildren,wholavishesonthempersistentparentalcare,andwholongstoknowthemintimatelywillempowerthemtodosomethingthatgoesagainstalltheirreflexestolovetheir

enemies.

Doingsomethingthatseemsunnaturalleadstothesecondthemeofholinessseparateness.FortheJewishrenewalgroupsthiswastheheartofthematter;nothingwasmoreimportanttothemthanbeingdifferent,especiallyfromthetax-

collectorsandthenations(Gentiles).Bothwere,bydefinition,unholy.

Jesusacceptedthisconcernforseparateness,buthedeepenedit.Boththetax-collectorsandthenations,hepointedout,actedlovinglytowardstheirownkind,butonlytowardtheirownkind(Matt.5:4647).ButinexpressingtheirlovetheJewishrenewalgroupswerenodifferent.Theywerenolessselective.Thisselectivity,Jesuswasconvinced,wasunholiness.TheproblemwiththePhariseeswasthatinthisall-importantareatheywerejustlikethenationsjustliketheiroppressors,theunholyRomans.Evictingthemattheedgeoftheswordwouldn'tmakePalestineaholierplace;inJewishheartsthevaluesofthenationswouldstillreignsupreme.Jesus'followerswouldbeholyonlyiftheyweregenuinelydifferentdifferentbothfromthenationalenemy(theRomans)andfromtheirenemy'smostcommittedenemies(theotherJewishrenewalgroups).

Butholinessisnotonlybeingdifferent;itisalso,inthethirdplace,beinglikeGod.TheFather,Jesusknew,isanenemylover;theoutsideriswithinnotwithouttheboundsofhiscompassionatecaring.BeliketheFather,Jesusinvitedhisfollowers.Behissonsanddaughters,sharinghisfamilylikeness!Youwillbehischildrenifyouarepeacemakers(Matt.5:9);youwillalsobehischildrenifyouloveyourenemies(5:45).TobepeacemakingenemyloversisnotoptionalforJesus'followers;itisessentialforthembecauseofthecharacteroftheFatherwhosechildrentheyarediscoveringthemselvestobe.IntheNewTestamentcounterparttotheOldTestamentcommand:"BeholyasIamholy,"Jesusissuedanewholinesscommandwhichatthesametimewasalovecommand:'You,therefore,mustbeperfect,asyourheavenlyFatherisperfect"(5:48).Perfect,mature,complete,undiscriminatingingoodnesseventotheextentoflovingtheenemyinthiswayGod'schildrenaretoresembletheirFather.

Theyaretodosoforareason,whichtakesustothefourththemeofholiness,itsdynamism.God'skingdom'sstance,wehavenoted,wasoffensive,notdefensive;andGod'sholinesssimilarlyisonthemove,intheworld,forchange.God'sprojectisamissionaryprojecttheinvitingofmenandwomenfromeverynationintohisholynation.Jesus'disciplesweretoprayfortheirenemies(5:44).Maytheyceasetobeunjust!Maytheybeincorporatedintoyourpeople!ForJesus,peopleasimprobableasanenemyRomansoldierweresignsofGod'sprojectatwork.Faith,Jesusknew,wasnotlimitedbynationallabels.AndthetimewouldcomewhenmanywouldcomefromeastandwesttobanquetwiththeJewishpatriarchs(Matt.8:1112).Don'tkilltheRomans,Jesuswasimplying.Forifyoudo,youmaybeslayingapersonoffaith.Andfurthermore,youwillbeimpedingGod'sdesign,inwhichRomansandJewswillbecomefellowcitizensinonenation.

Jesus'PropheticWarning

Bycallinghisfollowerstobe"childrenofpeace"(Luke10:6)Jesuswaschallengingsomeofthemostdeeplyheldassumptionsofhisage.Fearsaboutpersonalinsecuritywereboundtoarise,forprotectionisoneoftheprimaryhumanneeds.IfIamloving(nonviolent),whatwillhappentomeandmylovedones?

Tothisbasicconcernforprotection,Jesusrespondedashehadinhisteachingaboutprovisionbytellinghisfollowersnottobeafraid."Itellyou,myfriends,donotfearthosewhokillthebody,andafterthathavenomorethattheycando"(Luke12:4).Why?BecauseyouhaveaFather!Godknowshischildrenintimately;nodetailoftheirlives,noteventhenumberoftheirhairs,istoopettyforhim.Lovinglyheholdstheminhishand;and,intheagetocome,hepromisesthemeternallife.SuchlovebanishesfearandenablesJesus'disciplesfaithfully,imprudentlytofollowhimintoriskyterritory.

Personalsafetywasimportant.Butthemostimmediate

concernofJesus'hearerswaswiththeiroppressed,occupiednation.Thiswasnotsimplyamatteroftasteingovernments;itwasamatterofdeepreligiousconviction.TheRomanoccupationofthePromisedLand,manyJewswereconvinced,wasaninsulttoYahweh.ToliberateGod'sland,theywouldbewillingtouseanymeansthatseemedlikelytowork.Andultimately,militaryviolenceseemedtheonlyrealpossibility.FortheRomanlegionarieswerehardmenwhokeptthepeacebyoverwhelmingforce,andthesituationinPalestinewouldnotchangeuntiltheyweregivenatasteoftheirownmedicine!Incontrasttothecommonsenselogicofthisposition,Jesus'approachofnonviolentenemylovingmusthaveseemedtheessenceofunrealism.

Jesusacceptedthischallengeandmetithead-on.The"realistic"people,hewasconvinced,hadgotitwrong.Theanti-RomantendencyoftheJewishrenewalmovementswouldlead,nottotheshalomofthenation,buttoitsdestruction.RepeatedlyJesuswarnedhishearersoftheconsequencesiftheyrefusedtorespondtoGod'skingdombyrepentingchangingtheirideasandtheiractions."Unlessyourepent,"Jesustoldthem,"youwill...perish"(Luke13:3,5).

JesussoundsjustlikeJeremiah!Sixhundredyearslater,Godwasonceagainofferinghispeopleachoice.Itwas'achoicebetweentwoapproachestothenationalcrisis:acommonsenseapproachleadingtowar,andaneccentricapproachwhichJesuscalled"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42).TheformerofthesewasnotwhatGodwanted;warwithRomewasnothispreferredmeansofbringinghisprojecttofruition.Instead,GoddesiredthathispeoplearresttheslidetowarbyrepentingandinfaithchoosingJesus'eccentricapproach,thekingdomapproachofshalommakingandenemyloving.Thewayofholiness,God'sway,meantadoptingaseparate,differentapproachtothebiggestpoliticalquestionofJesus'day.Thepeoplecould,ofcourse,choosenottorepent.Thischoicewouldhave

inevitableconsequences.AsinJeremiah'sday,God

wouldnotprotectthepeoplefromthelogicoftheirchoices.Injudgment,hewouldpermittheviolenceofthenationstosuppresshisownpeople'sviolence.InJesus'tersewords,"Allwhotaketheswordwillperishbythesword"(Matt.26:52).

"Weepforyourselvesandforyourchildren,"JesuswarnedthewomenofJerusalem(Luke23:28).For,throughmilitarymeans,God'sjudgmentiscoming.Jerusalemthecityofshalomwillbesurroundedbyarmies(21:20).Thesearmieswillusestate-of-the-artsiegeequipment.Andwhenthedefenders'resistancehasbeenworndown,theirbesiegerswill"dashyoutotheground,youandyourchildrenwithinyou,andtheywillnotleaveonestoneuponanotherinyou"(19:4344).Atthisprospect,Jesus,likeJeremiah,wept(19:41;Jer.9:1).

TheSchoolofHoliness

Jesusdidnot,however,despair.ForevenifthenationofIsraelrejectedhisholyway,Jesuswaspreparingclustersofmenandwomenwhowouldresponddifferently.Itsoundsgrandiosetocallthisa"fourthrenewalmovement."DuringJesus'ministry,itsinnercoremusthavebeennumericallytiny.ItscomprehensionofwhatJesuswassayinganddoing,andevenitsfaithfulness,werealsosuspect.Atcriticalmomentsitsmemberswereinclinedtobehaveinquiteunholywaysortoturntailandrun!Nevertheless,amongthisgroupofTeacherandstudentssomethingimportantforthecompletionofGod'sprojectwasgoingon.

TheTeacher'sassignmentwasbothsimpleandintenselydemanding.HisstudentsweretodonothinglessthantoimitatetheHolyOne.Bylisteningtohim,watchinghim,adjustingtheirreflexestohis,theywerelearningtobelikehim."Everyone,"Jesussaid,"whenheisfullytaughtwillbelikehisteacher"(Luke6:40).Inhis"schoolof

holiness,"Jesuswaspreparinghisstudentstobeholyashewasholy.Bybeingextensionsofhisownpersonandway,theyweretobeexpressionsof

God'sintentionforallofhumanity.

Jesus'studentswouldbeacommunityofdoers.Theyweretoobeyaswellastoimitate.Inthepast,theIsraelites,asGod'smoreorlessholynation,haddefineditselfbyphysicaldescent.Itsmemberswere"childrenofAbraham."Jesus,however,wascallingintobeingapeoplewhosemembershipwouldberootedintheirobedience.IftheyloveJesus,theywillkeephiscommandments(John14:21).Theywillbemembersofhisfamilyifthey"hearthewordofGodanddoit"(Luke8:21).TheywillbechildrenofAbraham,notiftheirgenesareright,butiftheydowhathedidinfaithfullygoingoutintorisk.(John8:39),

Jesus'followersweresuretogetintotrouble.People,institutions,andspiritualforceswhichwerecommittedtounholinesswoulddenigrateandexcludethem.Thecostcouldbehorrendous.Jesusofferedtohisfollowersaparadoxicalpromise.Ontheonehand,aswehaveseen,heassuredthemoftheFather'sknowinglove,ofhisprovisionandprotection.Ontheotherhand,hepromisedthemconflictandsuffering.

Jesussentouthisfollowersas"lambsinthemidstofwolves"(Luke10:3).Heofferedthematradition,thetraditionoftheprophets,whothroughtheircommitmenttothewordandwayofYahwehcollidedwithkingsandpriestsand,fortheirpains,werereviledandpersecutedanddefamed.Forhisfollowers,thistraditionwastobenotoptionalnoracauseforcomplaint;itwastobeasourceofblessingandrejoicing(Matt,5:1012).Aboveall,Jesuscalledhisfollowersto"denythemselvesandtakeuptheircrossesandfollowme"(Mark8:34).Forthem,God'sprovisionandprotectionthusdidnotmeantheassuranceofahappyoldageinaHebronretirementhome;itmeantthatGodwouldsupplyeverythingnecessaryastheyfollowedtheirTeacherintoconflict.

CleansingtheHolyPlace

AndintoconflictJesuswent.Sensingthathisministrywasapproachingitsclimax,Jesus"sethisface"togototheholy

city,Jerusalem(Luke9:51).Whenheeventuallyenteredthecity,acrowdofadmirersspreadpalmbranchesonhispath,therebyproclaiminghimaspotentialliberatorfrom"aformidableenemy"(1Macc.13:51,NEB).Shoutinghispraises,theyacclaimedhimasKing:"BlessedisthekingdomofourfatherDavidthatiscoming!"(Mark11:710).Jesusdidnotdenytheiracclamation,butfollowingZechariah'sprophecy(9:910)hechoseameansoftransportacolt,notachargerthatwouldforcepeopletorethinkthemeaningofkingship.InGod'splan,itisJesus,notHerodorCaesarorDavid,whohasspokenthefinalwordabouthowtobeKing.

OnceintheHolyCity,Jesusmadestraightforthe"holyplace."Hehadanunerringsenseforthepropersettingtoexercisehispeculiarpolitics,thetemple.Whathefoundtherecuthimtothequick;itwasadenialofholinessashehadbeenteachingit.Hefound,inthefirstplace,economicinjustice.Jesusdoesnotseemtohaveobjectedtothebuyingandsellinginthetemple.Peoplehadtohaveproperlypurifiedanimalsfortheirsacrifices.AndsinceRomancoins,whichhadidolatrousimagesonthem,wereobviouslyunsuitablefortempletransactions,aspecialtemplecurrencyneededtobeobtainedatthetemplebureaudechange.Butundertheguiseofprotectingthetemple's"holy"separateness,thetemplebusinessmenwerefleecingthepoor.Despitetheelaborategesturesatpurity,thiswasjustlikethebusinessworldoutside;anditwasutterlyunliketheGod,inwhosenameitwasdone,whodemonstrateshisholinessbyprovidingfortheweak.Placinghimselfintheprophetictradition,theoutragedJesusquotedfromJeremiah:thetempleauthoritieshadmadetheholyplace"adenofrobbers"(Jer.7:11;Mark11:17).

Jesus'secondobjectionhadtodowiththelocationofallthebuyingandsellingthecourtofthenations(Gentiles).Ofcourse,thetransactionshadtotakeplacesomewhere;butwhentheanimals'cagesandsellers'tablessprawledout,thepreciousspacereservedfor

theoutsiderwasdiminished.God's

holypurpose,Jesuswasconvinced,wastoincludetheoutsidertheenemiesweretobeloved,thenationsweretobebroughtin.Buthere,inIsrael'sholyplace,intheinterestsofholiness,theoutsiderswerebeingsqueezedout.QuotingfromIsaiah,theinfuriatedJesusproclaimed,"Myhouseshallbecalledahouseofprayerforallthenations"(Isa.56:7;Mark11:17).

ButJesusdidmorethanquotetheprophets.Hetooktheoffensive!Thisunholyplace,inwhose"holy"ceremoniesJewishpeopleofallpartiesweretrustingfortheirsecurity,mustbemadeholy.SoJesus,brandishingawhipofcords,evictedtheanimalvendorsandmoney-changers.

13Coinsclankedontheground;animalssquawkedandlowed(John2:1415).God,Jesusknew,wantedmorethanritualholiness.Hewantedsocialholiness.JustlikeJeremiah,Jesusknewthatliturgicalobservanceswouldnotprotectthenation;itwoulddonogoodtochant"thisisthetempleoftheLord,thetempleoftheLord,thetempleoftheLord."Onlyifthetemplewasaplacewherepeoplecould"trulyexecutejusticeonewithanother"woulditbeaplaceofholiness(Jer.7:45).

JesusintheLeastHolyPlace

Thatdidit.Thetoppeoplehadhadenough.Forsometime,thereligiousestablishmenthadbeenseverelyirritatedbyJesus.Nowtheirpatiencesnapped.TheywereafraidofJesus;thestrangeauthorityofhisholiness,whichattractedsome,wasrepellenttothem.Andnow,aftertheuproarinthetemple,theyhadaperfectexcusetodestroyJesus(Mark11:18).SotheybegantonegotiatewithmembersofotherJewishgroupswithwhomtheywereusuallyatloggerheads.

Playingontheguiltyoutrageofotherwiseantagonisticgroups,the

leadersoftheestablishmentformedanalliancetosilenceJesusonceandforall.AmongthePharisees,theyfoundpeoplewhosepretensionstoholinesshadbeensosearchinglyexposedbyJesusthattheywerereadytojoinevenwiththe

establishmenttogetridofhim(Matt.23).Soalsoweremembersoftherevolutionaryunderground,whohadgivenuptheirhopethatJesuswouldbeakingwhowouldevicttheRomans.Eventhecommonpeople,withwhosepredicamentJesushadhadsuchsympathy,turnedagainsthim.WhenPilateofferedtoreleasetothemonepersonBarabbas,whohadbeenimprisoned''forarisingthathadtakenplaceinthecity,andformurder,"orJesusthepeoplechosetheliberatorwhomtheycouldunderstand(Luke23:19,NEB).

SoJesuswastakentotheplaceofultimatedefilementthePlaceoftheSkulltobeexecuted.Nailingpeopletotreesuntiltheydiedofbleedingandexposurewasthemostcruelformofcapitalpunishmentknowntotheancientworld.ForJewishpeopleitalsowasasignoftheabsoluteoppositeofholiness.AstheOldTestamentLawdecreed,"ahangedmanisaccursedbyGod"(Deut.21:23).Mournfulfollowers,mostlywomen,surroundedtheHolyOneasheslowlydied.Otherbystandersmockedhim."HetrustsinGod;letGoddeliverhimnow,"unleashingtheangelicforcesofholywar(Matt.27:43).Jesusrefused.Somehow,amidsthisexhaustionanddelirium,befocusedhisattentiononhisenemies:"Father,forgivethem,fortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing"(Luke23:34,NIV).Andthen,thevictimofinjusticeandexclusion,hedied.

TheNewExodus

Atthatverymoment,whentheHolyOne"yieldeduphisspirit"intheleastholyplace,momentousifinvisiblethingswerehappening.AsChristiansJewsandGentilesalikelatercametorealize,thepunishmentwhichhadkilledJesuswaslife-givingforthem.Becausehehadbornetheirsins,theyhadbeenaccountedjust.Hisbloodhadbeenpouredoutfor"many"forallpeople(Isa.53:5,11;Matt.26:2728;John11:32).

Visibleandterrifyingthingswerehappeningaswell.Anearthquakerockedtheholycity.Intheheartofitsreligiouslife,

thetemple,therewasamonumentalrippingsoundasthevastcurtainwhichenclosedthe"holyofholies"wassplitfromceilingtofloor(Matt.27:51).AndatthePlaceoftheSkullanoutsiderthecommanderoftheRomanexecutionsquad,nolessmadethestatementwhichwastheculminationofJesus'story:"TrulythismanwastheSonofGod!"(Mark15:39,NIV).

Almosttheculmination,thatis.Forstrangethingscontinuedtohappen.Twodayslater,Jesus,inbodilyform,begantoappeartohisdisciples,firstofalltothewomen.Soonheappearedtothemenaswell.AstwoofhisfollowerswalkedtothenearbyvillageofEmmaus,Jesusjoinedthemontheroad(Luke24:1335).Theywere,theyadmitted,bitterlydisappointed,becausethe"prophetmightyindeedandword"hadnot,astheyhadhoped,liberatedIsrael.Jesuslistenedpatientlytotheirstory.Andthen,"beginningwithMosesandalltheprophets,"hebegantogivethemnewglasseswithwhichtoreadtheOldTestament.

WhydidhebeginwithMoses?ItwasnoaccidentthatJesusstartedthere.FortheExodus,inwhichMosesplayedsuchacentralrole,wasthefoundationaleventofIsrael'shistory.TheExodus,infact,gavetheIsraelitestheirsenseofnationalidentity.AndthereaftertheJewishpeoplekeptlookingbacktotheExodus.IndarktimesitservedthembothasareferencestandardfortheirdeparturefromGod'swayandasasourceofhope.AndinthefuturetheJewishpeopleweresurethatGodwoulddoitagain.Asonescholarhascommented,theywereconvincedthat"allofGod'sredemptiveacts[would]followthepatternoftheExodus."

14

ThenewExodus:anearthshakingconclusion!ButasJesus'followersmetwithhimduringhisresurrectionappearances,itallfellintoplace

forthem.TheyheardhiminterpretingtheHebrewScripturesandbroadeningtheircomprehensionofthekingdomofGod.Theyrealizedthattheywereexperiencing,throughJesus'life,death,andresurrection,nothinglessthan

liberationthepromisednewExodus.That,theGospelwriterLukewasinformed,iswhatJesusdiscussedwithMosesandElijahonthemountofhistransfiguring:nothinglessthantheExodus(departure)"whichhewastoaccomplishatJerusalem"(Luke9:31).

BetweenthenewExodusandtheoldtherewerecrucialdifferences.InthenewExodus,liketheold,thereweremiracles;butinthenewExodusthesewerenottotorturebuttoheal,nottocoercebuttoinvite.Evenmoreimportant,bothExodusescametoaclimaxwiththedeathsofeldestsons.ButwhereasintheoldExodustheseweredeathsofsonsofcountlessEgyptianfathers,inthenewExodustherewasonlyonedeaththeonlySonoftheFatherwholovedtheworldsomuch.

Inotherways,however,thenewExoduswasliketheold.OnceagainGodhadactedtospringoppressedpeoplefreefromhardlaborinabrickyard.Onceagainthiswashisworkofconcretegrace.Intheresurrection,justasinthebattleattheRedSea,therewasnohumanparticipation.OnceagainGod'sactionnotonlyfreedoppressedpeople,butfreedthemtobeapeople,tobecomeanation.OutofJesus'Exodus,anewIsrael,atransnationalholynation,wascomingintoexistence.

ItwouldtakeJesus'followersalongtimereallytounderstandwhatGodhaddonefortheworldinJesus.Theexplorationoftheirnewfoundfreedomthe"gloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGod"wouldnothappenquickly.Theywouldalsofaceimposingchallenges,challengeswhichwouldtaxtheirjudgementandtheirdiscernment,astheytriedtoconstructapatternofcommonlifethatwouldreallyresembleJesus,theHolyOne.

Howcouldtheydoit?HerewasthebiggestassignmenttheirTeacherhadevergiventhem.InhisfarewellwordstothembeforeascendingtotheFather'spresence,Jesusmadeapromisetothem.Theywereto

haveanewimmersioninholiness.Untiltheyhadreceivedthistheyshouldwait:"Stayinthecity,untilyouareclothedwithpowerfromonhigh"(Luke

24:49).Andwhenthatpowerwasunleashed,whocouldforetellwhatbreakthroughswouldoccurwhensocialholinesswasunleashedontheworld?

Chapter11HolyOnes:BreakthroughsHoldtight!Afterflyinglow,whichwe'vehadtodototakeacloselookatJesusofNazareth,wemayfindittakesourbreathwhenourballoonsoarshighagain.Butwe'vegottoincreaseouraltitude,becauseonceagainweneedabroaderperspective.TheholinesswhichwesawinJesus'lifewasnotsomethingjustforhim.Godwantedotherstoexperienceittoo.Andwhentheydidso,remarkablethingshappened.Peoplechangedtheirideas,jettisonedtheiroldsecurities.Someofthembegantotravel,carryinggoodnews,notjustforJews,butforeveryoneintheRomanEmpire.Towatchthesethingshappen,we'vethereforegottoflyhighhighenoughtooverlookRomeaswellasJerusalem.

Whatwerethesepeoplesayingastheyscatteredoutacrosstheempire?Theyweresayingthingswhich,todispassionateobserversatthetime,wereincredible,evenscandalous.TheyweresayingthatJesusofNazareth,sorecentlycrucifiedasacriminal,wasliving.Theyhadseenhim,touchedhim,been

touchedbyhim(IJohn1:1).Afterfortydaysofphysicalcontactwithhim,theyhadwatchedhimascendintotheclouds.Buthehadnotdepartedintoirrelevance.Thiscrucifiedmanwas"LordandMessiah"(Acts2:36),bothGodandthekingthatIsraelhadbeenwaitingfor.Farfromdiminishinghisauthority,hisascensionincreaseditbymakingituniversal.JesuswasLord,Lordofall,towhomeveryoneowedobedience(Phil,2:11).

ButJesuswasnotadistantLord.Ashepreparedtoleavehisfollowers,hehadgiventhemapromise.Hewouldnotleavethemorphans;hewouldcomebacktothem.ThroughthesameHolySpiritwhohaddescendeduponhimathisbaptism,hewouldequipthemwiththepowerofholiness,remindingthemofhisteaching,andenablingthemtofollowhimintoconflict(John14:18,27;15:26).

Jesuskepthispromise.ThroughtheSpirithisfollowersexperiencedthelivingforceofGod'sholiness.TheyknewthattheHolySpiritwasremakingthem.Theyweredifferentnow;infact,theywereconvincedthattheywerecomingtoresembleJesus."Beingchangedintohislikenessfromonedegreeofglorytoanother"ishowoneofthemputit(2Cor.3:18).Othersnoticedthedifferenceaswell.ThisnondescriptbunchexudedthecharacterofJesus(Acts4:13).

NolongerweretheyuncertainaboutwhoJesuswas.He,theydeclared,wasGod'sHolyOne(Acts3:14;Rev.3:7).Andthey,inturn,wereconfidentintheirownstatus.RepeatedlyusingthesameGreekwordforthemselvesthattheyusedforhim,theyboldlycalledthemselves"holyones."IfJesuswastheSaint,"theywere"thesaints."

1Theyknewthattheir''saintliness"wascloselylinkedtohis.FortheyrealizedthattherecouldbenoholinessthatwasnotinkeepingwithJesus.Histeaching,hischaracterthesewerethestandardsforholy

living.

Jesus'followersnotonlyknewwhotheywere;theyalsohadastrongsenseofgroupidentity.Inviewoftheirdiversesocial

origins,thisisremarkable.ButjustasJesushadmanagedtofindcommongroundforincompatiblestostandon,soalsothecommunitiesofhisfollowersgavedignitytooutsideraswellasinsider,toweakaswellasstrong.UnderJesus'all-embracinglordship,therewasroomfornon-JewsaswellasJews,womenaswellasmen,slavesaswellasfreeevenfortheproverbiallywild"Scythians"(Col.3:11).

Andwhatevertheirindividualorigin,intheMessiahJesustheysensedthattheytogetherhadinheritedamomentouscalling.TheyweretobenothinglessthanGod's"holynation"(1Pet.2:9).InthemGodwaskeepingapromisewhichhehadmademanycenturiesearlierthroughIsaiah;hewasforminganew,transnationalnationthatwouldbe"alightforthenations"(Isa.49:6;Acts13:47;26:23).

Lifeforthisnew"holynation"wouldnotbeeasy.TheExoduswhichtheyhadexperiencedthroughJesus'deathhadbroughtthemfreedomandforgiveness.Thatwasexhilarating.Butithadalsobroughtthemintothewildernessofchange.Allkindsofquestionsmusthavepoppedintotheirminds.Iftheywerenottoliveliketheothernations,howthenweretheytolive?Whatdiditmean,inthesocietyofEphesusorRome,tobeholyasJesuswasholy?

Astheytriedtoanswerthesequestions,theHolySpiritledthem.SometimeshedidsobycallingtomindateachingofJesus,orapassageintheHebrewScriptures,thatspokedirectlytotheirsituation.Atothertimesheactedimmediately,miraculously,achievingbreakthroughswhichnewlydemonstratedtherelevanceofJesus'holiness.Bythisstageofourstory,wewillnotbesurprisedtolearnthatseveralofthesebreakthroughshavetodowiththeprimaryhumanneedsofprovisionandprotection.

Norwillwebesurprisedthatthesebreakthroughs,andtheJesusmovementthatwasempoweredbythem,ledtoconflict.

Unappreciativepeoplewhoseoppressionwasbeingexposedaccusedthemofturning"theworldupsidedown"(Acts

17:6).The"holyones"themselveswereawarethatthey,although"merenothings,"hadbeenempoweredbyGod"tooverthrowtheexistingorder"(1Cor.1:28,NEB).TheyknewthatGod'skingdomwasontheoffensive;itwasaforceforchangetowardtheholycity.Andasthekingdomcame,Jesus'followerswouldhavetoliveinnewways,trustingactivelyinGod'sconcretegrace.Itwasexcitingbusiness,andintenselyrisky.Letuslowerourballoonasthebreakthroughstakeplaceandthenfiretheburnerstosoarupforanoverview.

JubileeonPentecost

ItwasfiftydaysaftertheJewishPassover.DuringthefirstfortyoftheseJesushadappearedregularlytohisfollowers,teachingthemaboutGod'skingdom(Acts1:3).Butnow,tendaysafterhisascension,hisfollowersweregatheredtogethertocelebratetheJewishFeastofWeeks.

"Suddenlyasoundcamefromheavenliketherushofamightywind,"andtheSpirit'sfirstbreakthroughwasunderway(Acts2:2).Fireliketonguesrestedontheirheads,and,asJesushadpromised,theywereenvelopedintheHolySpirit(1:5;2:3).Astheyexperiencedthelivingforceofholinesssomethingexpansive,propulsivewashappening.Theholinesswhichtheywereexperiencingwouldnotletthemstayintheseclusionoftheirmeetingroomitwasaforceforwitnessinthestreetsoutside.Intheencounterswhichfollowed,theSpiritofholinessmadetheScripturescometolifeandgavetoJesus'followerswordswhichtouchedtheirhearers'hearts.Andpeopleresponded.TheyrepentedoftheirpartwhetherasbystandersorcheerleadersinJesus'crucifixion.Intheireagernessto"savethemselvesfromthiscrookedgeneration,"theyopenedtheirlivestoradicalchange(2:40).

Whatwasthefirsteffectofthelivingforceofholiness?Itwasa

changeinJesus'followers'approachtoprovisionandwealth.Theirlifewasnotonlycharacterizedbytempleworshipandtablefellowship,byprayerandwitness;itwasalso

characterizedbyeconomickoinonia"makingthingscommon"(2:42).Itwasn'tthatalltheirprivateresourceswerecommunalized;itwasn'tthattheirfinanceswerecompletelymanagedbyanapostoliccentralcommittee.ButtheJerusalemchurchwasevolvingaformofeconomiclifewhichwasradicalandnew,andwhichgavesocialexpressiontoholiness.Howdiditwork?

Inthefirstplace,fromPentecostonwardtheJerusalemChristianschallengedtheprivatenessofproperty:"Noonesaidthatanyofthethingswhichhepossessedwashisown"(4:32).Individualbelieversretainedlandsandpossessions.Buttheynolongersaid,"They'remine!"andinsistedonexclusivecontrolofthem.Insteadtheyput"their"possessionsatthedisposaloftheentirechurch.EvenafterAnaniashadgivensomepropertytothechurch,he,likeeveryotherbeliever,coulduseit.AsPeterremindedhim,"Afteritwassold,wasitnotatyourdisposal?"(5:4).Theholdofeconomicsecurityuponthebelievers'heartswashardtobreak.ButthesuddendeathsofAnaniasandSapphiraremindedthesoberedbelieversjusthowdeterminedGodwastobreakit.

Second,theJerusalemChristianssetouttoendinequality.Whentheeconomicneedofsomebelieversbecameapparent,othersofthemwhohadmorethantheyneededsoldtheirpossessionsandpropertiesandbroughttheproceedstotheapostles(2:45;4:34).Outofacommonfunddistributionsweremadetoneedymembers.Whenadministeringthisfundbecametootime-consuming,theapostlesassignedthetasktosevenothers(6:3).Voluntarily,withoutcompulsionbutpowerfully,aprocessofreequalizationofresourceswastakingplaceamongtheChristians.Theresultwasstriking"therewasnotaneedypersonamongthem"(4:(34).

2Socialholinesswasgoodnewsforpoorpeople.

Whatwashappeningherewasrisky;initsholinessitwasquiteunlikesensiblefirst-centuryeconomicbehavior.Butitwasnotanapproachsodrasticastobeludicrouslybeyondthe

reachofordinarybelieversthenornow.TheJerusalemChristiansdidnotimmediatelyinundatethecity'srealtorsandpawnbrokerswithlandsandgoods.Theysimplymadetheirpossessionsavailabletootherbelievers.Asneedsbecameapparent,theywerewillingtoreducetheir"private"propertytomeetthoseneeds;andastheydidthesethings,theyfoundacommonfundtobeanindispensabletool.

WhyshouldtheJerusalemChristiansnotlivelikethis?TheirleadershadjustspentthreeyearswiththeHolyOne.Theyhadwatchedhimdealwithmoneyandpossessions.TheyhadheardhimashehadrepeatedlytalkedaboutastyleofeconomicswhichwouldbeanewexpressionoftheoldlawofJubilee.Wasn'titappropriatethatthey,onthefiftiethday(Pentecost),shoulddowhatGodhadcalledhispeopletodoonthefiftiethyearmakeJubilee?InlightofJesus'teachings,wasn'titfittingthattheyshouldexperienceholinessintheareaofprovision?

Howcouldtheyhavedoneotherwise?These"JerusalemChristiansweresimplydoingwhattheyhadbeentaught."

3Astheydidso,theywerepioneeringastyleofJubileelivingthatwouldbeechoed,inavarietyofways,bycountlessoftheearlychurches.Clearlytheresultwasenrichingpeople'slives.Thechurchgrew,andtheyallexperiencedwhatLukecalled"greatgrace"(Acts4:33)concretegrace.

EnemyLovinginCaesarea

Itwasnoontime.Peter,whohadbecomeaninfluentialChristianapostlewithanitinerantministry(Acts9:32),wasstayinginaseasidehouseintheJewishtownofJoppa.AfaithfulobserveroftheJewishhoursofprayer,onschedulePeterclimbeduptotheflatroofofthehousetopray.Onemomenthewasveryawarethatitwasalmost

lunchtime.Thenextmomenthewastransfixedbyawakingvision.

Itwasavisionofunholiness.Petersawavasttableclothdescendingfromheaven.Onitwerereptiles,birds,possibly

evenpigs.AndPeterheardavoice,"Getup,Peter;killandeat"(10:13,TEV).Peterwasrevoltedbythesuggestion:"NoLord;forIhavenevereatenanythingthatiscommonorunclean.""WhatGodhascleansed,"thevoiceresponded,"youmustnotcallcommon"(10:1415).Threetimesthevisioncameback,invitingPetertobreakhisreligioustaboos;andthreetimes,despitehishunger,heheldfirm.Whatdidthevisionsmean?Peterwasnotanaturalrebel;reflexivelyheobeyedtheLaw.WerenotitsregulationsmeanswhichGodhadgiventohispeopletoprotectthemfrom"commonness,''thewaysofthenations?

Peter'srooftopmusingswereinterruptedbyashoutfromthestreetbelow."IsthiswhereSimoncalledPeterisstaying?"Ashepeeredovertheedgeoftheroof,feargrippedhisstomach.Therewassomethingalarmingaboutthemeninthestreet.Peterdidn'tknowanyofthem;andoneofthemwasclearlyasoldier,amemberoftheRomanoccupationforcewhichwashisnation'senemy.Fromrumorandpersonalexperience,PeterknewalotaboutRomanbrutality.Hisinstinctsadvisedcaution.

Butthenthetableclothvisionsflashedintohismindagain.Wastheresomeconnectionbetweenthemandthemeninthestreet?InrecentmonthstheSpirithadbeendoingsomecuriousthings.WhenChristianshadfledtoSamariatoescapetheSaul-ledpersecutioninJerusalem,theSpirithadanointedtheenemySamaritans.Peterknew.Hehadbeenthere(Acts8:17).ThentherewastheexperienceofSaul,thattirelesspersecutoroftheJerusalemchurch.Ablazingexperienceofholinesshadknockedhimoffhiscamelandgivenhimamissiontobearwitnesstothenations,"thattheymayturnfromdarknesstolight...and...receive...aplaceamongthosewhoaremadeholybyfaith"(Acts26:1819).ThishadstaggeredPeter.WasGodreallygoingtousezealousPaul,nottoexcludethenations,buttoincorporatethemintothefirethatGodwasignitingtobring"lightto

thenations"(Isa.42:6)?

Peter'shurriedthoughtswerecutshortbyinnerpromptingofGod'sSpirit."Accompany[thesemen]withouthesitation;forIhavesentthem"(Acts10:20).SoPeterwentdowntotalktothestrangers.Withthemenstillinthestreet,Peterstoodinthedoorwayandlistenedtotheirmessage,Asurprisingoneitwas,too.Theirmaster,Cornelius,was,ofallthings,aGentilesoldier,anofficerintheRomanoccupationforces.ThatwasenoughtoputPeteronhisguard.But,themessengerscontinued,CorneliuswasdeeplysympathetictotheJewishfaith;hewasa"justGod-fearer."Furthermore,he,likePeter,hadhadavision.AnangelhadinstructedhimtosendtoJoppaforPeter,toinvitehimtohishouse,andtolistentowhathehadtosay(10:22).

HowwasPetertorespond?Forhimthestakeswerehigh.HewasaleaderofaMessianicrenewalmovementwhichwasconstantlyinhotwaterwithpiousJewishpeople.Hehadtakenrisksenoughalready.WhyshouldhecompoundhisproblemsbyconsortingwithGentilesenemysoldiersatthat?Hewouldcertainlybecomerituallydefiled,andwhocouldpredictwhatfatewouldbefallhimamongtheRomanlegionaries?

Rememberinghisvisions,Peterponderedthematter.Thenhetookarisk.Makingoneofthepivotaldecisionsinholyhistory,Peterinvitedthemessengerstobehisguests(10:23).Andthenextmorning,alongwithsomemembersoftheJoppacongregation,hesetoutonthetwo-daywalktotheRomancityofCaesarea,whereCorneliusalongwiththeRomanprocuratorandcountlesssoldierswasstationed.

InCaesarea,thingsquicklycametoahead.Ineagerexpectation,Corneliushadpreparedfortheeventbyinvitinghisrelativesandclosefriends(manyofthemprobablysoldiers).Peterhadalsopreparedhimself.HehadprayedabouthisvisionandhadconcludedthatGodwantedtobreakthroughthebarriersofholiness.Nolonger

couldanypersonbecalled"commonorunclean";nolongercouldanynationbeviewedasoutsidetheboundariesofGod'snation(10:28).Afterlisten-

ingtoCornelius'sstory,PeterinsomedetailtoldhimandhisfriendsthegoodnewsofJesus.He,theJewishMessiah,isLordofall!(10:36).

WhilePeterwasspeaking,thepowerofholinessinterruptedhim.TheHolySpiritfelloneveryonethere.TheJewishChristianswhowerewithPeterwereamazed(andpossiblyalarmed)bythis,buttheevidencebeforethemwasbeyonddispute.IntheSpirittheoutsiderswerepraisingGodandspeakingintongues.Enemyoutsiders!Peterknewwhathehadtodo.RecognizingtheinitiativeofGod'sholiness,hecommandedthathisnation'senemiesbebaptizedintoGod'sholynation(10:4448).

Fromhispastexperience,PeterknewthatwhenGodrevealshisholinessthingschange.OnPentecostGodhadledhispeopletopracticeJubilee.Andnow,inCaesarea,hewasleadingthemtopioneerinanotherareabyincludingtheoutsiders,bylovingtheirenemies.HowironicofGodtochoosethemostfearfulofoutsiders,anenemyofficer,tomakehispoint!

ANationofExiles

IntheepisodesinJoppaandCaesarea,Godmayhavemadehispoint.Buttopeoplefurtheraway,inJerusalem,forexample,itseemedlessclear.Wehavefocusedourtelescopeonthebreakthroughs,butwecannotcontinuetofollowthestoryindetail.Instead,ourballoonmustzoomupwardsowecangetageneralimpressionofwhatwasgoingon.Fromagreaterheightwecanobservefurtherbreakthroughs,suchasPaulandBarnabas'sdecision,"Behold,weareturningtothenations"(Acts13:46).WecanalsotakenoteoftheconferenceinJerusalem,inwhichPaulandtheJerusalemleaders(includingPeter)struggledlongandhardaboutthecompositionofGod'snation(Gal.2:910;Acts15).

Throughthestruggleandtherewasagreatdealofitsomethingnewwasemerging.Peterhimselfexpresseditbest

inaletterthathewrotefromRometocongregationsinAsiaMinor(nownorthwesternTurkey).SomeoftherecipientsofPeter'sletterwereJewishinraceandheritage;rathermoreofthemwerenon-Jewish.Buttogethertheywereformingsomethingnew.

Youareachosenrace,aroyalpriesthood,aholynation,God'sownpeople....OnceyouwerenopeoplebutnowyouareGod'speople.(1Pet,2:910)

Inthesecongregations,asinmanyplacesintheMediterraneanworld,JewsandGentileswerecomingtogethertobesomethingthat,beforeJesus,theJewsalonehadbeen"aholynation."Indeed,theyhadnowbecomeamultiethnic"chosenrace."Despitetheirdifferences,inJesusChristtheywereonepeople,''fellowcitizens...[in]thehouseholdofGod"(Eph.2:19).But"God'speople,"ashewasnowshapingtheirlife,wouldnothaveanationallifelikeothernations.Intheir"holiness"theywouldbeprettyunusual.

Foronething,theywouldnothavealand.Theywerecalledtobeascatterednation,tolivein"dispersion"(1Pet.1:1).WhenPeterusedthisterm,itwasbynomeansanewone.InthecenturiessincethegreatdeportationswhichendedthemonarchiesofIsraelandJudah,countlessJewshadlivedawayfromtheirland,inwhattheycalled"thediaspora."ManyJewishpeopleintimeadjustedtothisscatteredexistence;andJeremiah,aswehavenoticed,hadseenthisasawayforward(Jer.29:57).Butformostpeoplediasporalivingseemedtobesomethingsecondbest.Anationneedsitsland.

ForthemembersofGod's"holynation"inJesusChrist,however,diasporalivingwouldbenormal.WhereverChristianslived,theywouldbe"aliensandexiles"(1Pet.2:11).LikeAbrahamandSarah,theywouldbe"strangersandexilesontheearth"(Heb.11:13).Everywheretheywouldbeathome,butnowherewouldtheybefullyathome.Fortheywouldbe"seekingahomeland,"anticipatinga

bettercountry,looking

for"thecitywhichistocome"(Heb.11:1416;13:14).AsPaulputit,theywouldbe"citizensofheaven"(Phil.3:20NEB).

God'sholypeople,havingexperiencedanewExodusinJesus,wouldbeanationinthewilderness.UntilGod'skingdomcomesfully,theywillnothavealand.Butasanunencumberednation,theyareuniquelyequippedtobeanationonthemove,takingrisks,achievingbreakthroughs.Inthisnewnation,itisnotonlyJewandnon-Jewwhohavefoundequalstatus;itisslaveandfree,maleandfemale(Gal.3:28).Forthem,GodtheirKinghaspreparedawayoflivingthatwillbeholydifferentfromthenationsamongwhomtheywillbeliving.AsPeteradmonishedhisfriendsinAsiaMinor,"Maintaingoodconductamongthenations"(1Pet.2:12).

Thisconduct,bythestandardsofthenations,willbeunusual.AccordingtobothPaulandPeter,itischaracterizedbyaresoluterefusaltoconformtothewaysofthenations."Donotbeconformedtothisworld,"PaulurgedtheRomanChristians,"butbetransformedbytherenewalofyourmind,thatyoumayprovewhatisthewillofGod,whatisgoodandacceptableandperfect"(Rom.12:2).Insteadoftheideaofperfection,Peterusedthelanguageofholiness.

Asobedientchildren,donotbeconformedtothepassionsofyourformerignorance,butashewhocalledyouisholy,beholyyourselvesinallyourconduct.(1Pet.1:1415)

Inallyourconduct.PeterandPaul,liketheirMasterJesus,hadavisionofholinessthatwouldencompassalloflife.Theyhadlearnedhowthisworkedoutinthecrucialareasofprovision(Jubileeeconomics)andprotection(enemiesbecomeinsiders).Letuswatchasthisnationofaliensandexilesdevelopsitsholylifestyle,deviantasJesuswasdeviant.

Chapter12HolyOnes:LivingLikeJesusThroughouttheRomanEmpire,theearlychurchesweretruetothetraditionofsharingwhichtheHolySpirithadbeguninJerusalemonPentecost.ItwasapatternoflifewhichtheysawasanexpressionoftheirconformitytotheHolyOne,Jesus.Intheareasofprimaryhumanneedprovisionandprotectionwhatwastheirlifelike?

Tobeginwith,theearlyChristians,likethedissidentprophetsoftheOldTestament,wereseverelycriticalofrichpeople.Inthis,James,theleaderofthechurchinJerusalem,wasmostsevere.Judgmentwasabouttocomeontherich,"Comenow,yourich,weepandhowlforthemiseriesthatarecominguponyou."Theyhadbecomewealthybyunjustmeansbyunderpayingtheirworkersandcheatingtheirfarmlaborers.AsintheExodus,theLordhadheardthecriesofpoorpeopleandwasabouttocometoendtheirexploitation(James5:16).Paul'swarningswerealsourgent.Hewaskeenlyawareofwhatwealthwoulddotorichpeople;itwouldensnarethem

withitsallurements,plungingthemtodestruction.For"theloveofmoneyistherootofallevils"(1Tim.6:910).

FortheseearlyChristians,thewordthatbestexpressedtheproblemthattheywerefacingwaspleonexia,whichhasgenerallybeentranslated"covetousness"or"greed."TheyhadlearnedtobeconcernedaboutthisfromJesushimself."Watchout!"hehadcautionedhisdisciples."Beonyourguardagainstallkindsofgreed;aman'slifedoesnotconsistintheabundanceofhispossessions"(Luke12:15,NIV).IftheHolyOnehadwarnedagainstcovetousness,theholyonessaintsmusttrytorootitoutoftheirlives.

Butwhatwascovetousness,andhowdiditwork?Atitscore,covetousnesswasdiscontent.Itwaswantingmorethanwasnecessary.Itwasacravingthattookonaspiritualforceandbecameanalternategod."Covetousness,"Paulstatedmatter-of-factly,"isidolatry"(Col.3:5;Eph.5:5).Initsdiscontent,itdestroyspeople.ItshatterstheirrelationshipwithGod.Italsodisfigurestheirrelationshipswithotherpeople:ittakesfromthemwhatistheirs(see2Cor.9:5);itdefraudsthem(1Thess.4:6).Forgoodreason,Paulbracketscovetouspeoplewithrobbers(1Cor.5:910).

IntheearlyChristiancommunities,therewasarevulsionatcovetousness.Covetouspeople,Paulwasconvinced,wouldhavenoinheritanceinthekingdomofGod(1Cor.6:10).Forcovetousnesswasaslikelytoblowthemoffthekingdomcourseassexualimmorality.Bothwerethereforemattersonwhichthechurchwouldexerciseitsdiscipline(1Cor.5:911).Justasmuchasinsexualmatters,theattitudetopossessionsisanareainwhichGodwantshisholyonestobesanctified,tobeunlikethenations(1Thess.4:37).Hewantsthemtobeeconomicallyholy.

EconomicHoliness

God'seconomicprogramforhisholyoneswasbasedontwoprinciples.TheearlyChristiansknewthatthesewerenotnew

ideas.TheyheardabouttheminthestoriesandteachingsthattheykeptrepeatingabouttheirMaster,Jesus.Butitisclearthatatleastoneofthem,Paul,tracedtheseprinciplesmuchfartherbacktotheExodus.ForGodhadnotgivenuponhis"mannaprinciples".Sufficiencyandequality,contentmentandsharingthesewerethebasisoftheeconomiclifeoftheearlyChristians.

Contentment(autarkia)wasthebelievers'antidotetocovetousness.Itwasnotapositionofpovertyorneed;itwasapositionofenough.

1ContentmentwasGod'stwo-handedprovision,bothfortheindividualandfortheneighbor."Ifwehavefoodandclothing,"Paulwrote,"withtheseweshallbecontent"(1Tim.6:8).Butnotjustenoughofthesebasicsforoneself;theremustalsobeenoughtogive.Thereasontowork,accordingtoPaul,isto"beabletogivetothoseinneed"(Eph.4:28).Godmeanthispeopleto"haveenoughofeverything[sothatthey]mayprovideinabundanceforeverygoodwork"(2Cor.9:8),Contentmentwasaroadtofreedom:"Keepyourlifefreefromloveofmoney,andbecontentwithwhatyouhave''(Heb.13:5).AndGod'speoplecouldliveinthefreedomofthisenough-nessbecauseofarealitythathehadshownthemsincetheExodus.TotheearlyChristians,GodrenewedthepromisethathehadmadetoJoshuaasheheadedintotheunchartedterrainofthewilderness:"Iwillneverfailyounorforsakeyou"(Josh.1:5;Heb.13:5).BecauseGodwasafaithfulprovider,thebelieverswouldbefreetoliveariskylifeofcontentmentinsufficiency.

Butnotalifeofself-sufficiency.WhenpaganGreeksusedtheword"autarkia"(contentment)theymeantanindividualpossessingresourcesenoughtostandalone.2ButthepostresurrectiondisciplesofJesusknewthattheycouldonlyexperiencecontentmentinsufficiencyiftheyalsowerecommittedtoasecondprinciplekoinonia.ThisGreek

word,oftentranslated"sharing"or"fellowship,"means"makingcommon."AllChristiansknewkoinoniainthegospel;theyhadfellowshipin

spiritualblessings,inChrist'ssufferings,intheHolySpirit,intheireucharisticmeals,intheircommonlifewithotherbelievers.

3Clearly,koinoniawasamany-facetedrealitywhichenrichedallaspectsoftheearlyChristians'life.

Itwasonlynaturalthatkoinoniahadtodowitheconomicsaswell.FullyathirdoftheoccurrencesofthewordintheNewTestamenthavetodowithfinancialsharing."Donotneglecttodogoodandtosharewhatyouhave,"theepistletotheHe-brewsexhorted(13:16).PaulsaidsomethingverysimilartotheRomanChristians:"Contributetotheneedsofthesaints"(Rom.12:13).Whatdidtheseexhortationsmean?WasPaultellingtheRomanstoremembertoputsomethinginthecollectionbasket?Orwashetellingthemtodosomethingmoreunconventional?

GraceandReequalization

Aswehavenoticed,inthepost-PentecostJerusalemchurchtherewasmorethanawhiffofJubileeintheair.Butwasthe"makingcommon"whichtheyexperiencedafailure,somuchsothatnootherchurchwantedtogodownthesameroad?Toanswerthisquestionwedonothaveasmuchevidenceaswewouldlike.ButonethingmayhelpusPaul'seffortsonhisthirdmissionaryjourneytoraisemoneyamongtheGentilechurchesforthelargelyJewishChristiansinJerusalem.4Tothissubject,Paulkeptreturninginhisletters(Rom.15:2532;1Cor.16:14);andinoneofthem,2Corinthians,hewrotenolessthantwochaptersaboutit(89).

Briefly,thiswasthesituationoftheChristiansinJerusaleminthemid-50sA.D.InthetwodecadessinceJesus'resurrection,theirchurchhadgrownrapidly.Amongthenewbelieverstherewasawidevarietyofpeoplepilgrims,proselytes,evensometemplepriests.

Inevitablytherewerealsoneedypeople,especiallywidows(Acts6:17).AllofthemwereheavilytaxedbytheRomanauthorities.Wedonotknowwhether,asthedecadeswentby,theJubileeeconomicsoftheJerusalem

churchimpoverisheditsmembers.Nobiblicalwriterclaimedthatitdid;indeed,asweshallsee,Paul,inseekingtorallytheresourcesofGentileChristianstomeettheneedsoftheirbrothersandsistersinJerusalem,specificallyrecommendedmeasuresofJubilee-likeeconomics.Thefactsthatwedoknowarethese:inthelate40stherewasaseverefamineinJudea(Acts11:2728).

5DespitethereliefwhichtheAntiochchurchsentatonce,bythemiddleofthenextdecadetherewerestillmany"pooramongthesaintsatJerusalem"(Acts11:2930;Rom.15:26).AndPaul,perhapspartlytoremindtheJerusalemChristiansthattherewereGentilesintheworldwidechurchaswellasJews,wasdeterminedtohelpout.

Todoso,Pauldecidedtoraiseacollection.FromthechurchesinMacedonia,Galatia,andAchaiaheaskedformoneymoneywhichhe,alongwithotheremissariesrepresentingthechurches,couldcarrypersonallytoJerusalem.Onthefirstdayofeachweek,believersshouldsetasideasmuchmoneyastheycouldforthisproject,voluntarilybutgenerously(1Cor.16:23).ToencouragetheCorinthianstogivemore,heextolledthegenerosityoftheMacedonians;andinMacedoniahewasfullofthepraisesoftheCorinthians(2Cor.8:14;9:12)!

WhatwasPaul'sthinkingbehindthisproject?Intheremarkablechaptersin2Corinthians(89),hespellsitoutinsomedetail.Thethemeofthesechaptersisgrace.Inoneformoranotherthewordoccursnofewerthantentimesinthesechapters.Godhasbeengracious.SoalsohastheLordJesusChrist.InaprofoundsentencewhichhasbecomeanessentialpartofChristmastimecarolservices,Paulexults:

ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,thatthoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehebecamepoor,sothatbyhispovertyyoumightbecome

rich.(2Cor.8:9)

God'sgrace,andthegraceoftheLordJesus,weregiftstotheGentileChristians.Butthesegiftsrequiredaresponsein

kind.Godhadgiventothemabundantly,"sothatyoumayalwayshaveenoughofeverythingandmayprovideinabundanceforeverygoodwork"(9:8).BecauseJesushadbeengracious,thesaintsshouldlikewiseparticipateinthecollectionwhichPaulcalls"thisgraciouswork"(8:6,19).Theholinessthemeishere:thebelieversweretobegraciousasGodinChristwasgracious.

Concretelygracious.Toshowhowtheyshouldbegracious,Paulexpoundshisunderstandingofaninterdependentworldwidechurch.Atthetimeofhiswritingtothem,theCorinthianswereprosperingwhiletheJerusalemiteswereinneed;laterthesituationmightbereversed."Asamatterofequality,"theCorinthiansshoulddrawfromtheirabundancetohelptheirbrothersandsistersinJerusalem.Onanotheroccasion,resourcesmightflowintheotherdirection."Then,"saysPaul,"therewillbeequality"(8:1314NIV).

Todrivehomehispoint,PaulappealedtothehistoryofGod'speople.RightaftertheExodus,whenthepeoplewereinthewilderness,Godgavethemmanna.And,accordingtothepassagefromExoduswhichPaulquotes(16:18),themannahadtwoprinciples:"Hewhogatheredmuchhadnothingover,[equality],andhewhogatheredlittlehadnolack[sufficiency]"(2Cor.8:15).Now,inthewildernessfollowingthenewExodusinJesus,God'speopleweretolivebythesameprinciples.

Paul'saimwasnottomakehisfriendsfeelguilty;nordidhewanttobindthembyquotas.Allgivingwastobevoluntary,motivatedbythegraceofGod."Godlovesacheerfulgiver"(9:7).NorwasPaulattemptingsomethinglegalisticormechanistic;hewasnotestablishinganinternationalcommonpurse.Buthewasappealingtothedeepestrealitywhichthebelievershadexperienced,therealityofGod'sgrace.Andtothisgrace,whichtheyhadexperiencedconcretely,hewasaskingforaconcreteresponse.Godisagenerous

provider.Inhisgracehewillensurethathispeople"mayalwayshaveenoughofeverything"(9:8).Hewillincreasethe"harvestof[their]jus-

tice"(9:10).Cantheyrespond,inthanksgiving,worship,andobedience,bygivingtoGodthroughestablishingequalityamonghispeople(9:1213)?Ifso,theywillparticipategenerouslyinwhatPaulcalls"thekoinoniaoftheservicetothesaints"(8:4;literal).

Paul'sJubilee-styleapproachtoeconomicrelationsbetweenchurcheshelpsusunderstandhisinstructionstoindividualchurches.AsEvangelicalNewTestamentscholarF.F.Brucehascommented,"Thattheaffluentshouldsupplythedeficienciesoftheneedywasasdesirablebetweenchurchesasitwasbetweenmembersinanyonelocalchurch."

6LetusreturntoRomans12:13.Aconventionaltranslationreads,"Contributetotheneedsofthesaints."But,inlightoftheexperienceoftheJerusalemchurchandofPaul'sprinciplesin2Corinthians89whichreinforcetheJerusalemexperience,thisismorelikelytomean:"Withregardtotheneedsofthesaints,practicemakingallthingscommon!"7Ifso,thishelpsexplainwhy,inwritingtotheChristiansinThessalonica,Paulwassoeagertoestablishanotherprinciple:"Ifanyonewillnotwork,lethimnoteat''(2Thess.3:10).Inacommunityinwhichwidespreadfinancialsharingwastakingplace,somepeoplemusthavefoundittemptingtobecomelayabouts.Spongingwasnomoreholythanself-sufficienteconomicindividualism.Buttherewasanalternative!Inhisconcretegrace,Godwashelpinghispeopletopioneeralifestyleofcontentmentandsharing.

Protection:LivingintheDiaspora

IfJesus'postresurrectiondiscipleswerediscoveringnewapproachestotheperennialproblemofprovision,howabouttheirprotection?Howshouldtheydealwiththeirenemies?Howshouldtheycopewith

persecution?Howshouldtheyviewtheirgovernment?They,the"exilesoftheDispersion"(1Pet.1:1),wouldnotfindthesetobeeasyquestions.Butitisinstructivetowatchthemworkingtowardanswerswhich

wouldbeconsistentwiththeirstatusasa"holynation."

ForsomeofJesus'followersthemembersofthechurchesinPalestinecircumstancesremainedquitesimilartothosewhichJesushimselfhadfaced.TheirlandwasstilloccupiedbytheworldempireofRome.TheirfellowcitizensincreasinglyresistedtheoccupationasanoffensetoGodandadenialofhiskingship.Theresultwaswar.Afteraperiodofgrowingtensionpunctuatedbyoccasionalinsurrections,inA.D.66hostilitiesbrokeoutbetweentheJewishpeopleandtheRomanswhichlastedforfouryearsandledtothedestructionofJerusalem.InthePalestiniansetting,Jesus'command,"Loveyourenemies,"thushadameaningwhichwasunmistakeablyrelevanttothepoliticalsituation.Despitethis,identifyingwiththeirfriendsandrelativesbyjoininginthearmedstruggleagainsttheirnation'senemymusthavebeenatemptationtosomebelievers.Jerusalem-basedChristianwriterssuchasJamescautionedagainstviolenceandwarnedthat"theangerofmandoesnotworkthejusticeofGod"(James1:20;4:13).Whentherevolutionbrokeout,thechurchmaintaineditsnonviolencebyfleeingnortheastwardsfromJerusalemtothetownofPella.

8

ThePalestinianbackgroundwasobviouslyverymuchinthemindsoftheotherapostles.Peter,forexample,asagoodGalilean,wouldhaveknowningreatdetailabouttheabrasiveedgeofRomanrule.AndPaul,asayouthfulPharisee,wouldhavefoundtheRomans'tamperingwithreligiontobeanoffenceagainstGod'sholiness.Forbothofthesemen,goodJewsastheywere,theRomanoccupationofthePromisedLandwouldhavebeendeeplyobjectionable.

ButwithinafewdecadesofJesus'resurrection,PeterandPaulhadtraveledtootherpartsoftheempireandwerehelpingchurchestoface

situationsverydifferentfromthatofPalestine.UnquestionablyJesus'disperseddiscipleswerestillaliens.Intheirholinesstheywerelivingdifferentlyfromtheirneighbors.Asaresult,theywerestillsubjecttopressureandpersecution.Butthesocietiesaroundthemwerequiteunlikethatof

Palestine;theywerepagan,notJewish,andweremoreremotefrommilitaryaction.Furthermore,formostearlyChristiansthemilitaryprofessionwassimplynotanoption.Recruitmentwasgenerallyvoluntary,andtheJewsamongthemwereforbiddentoserveintheRomanlegions.

9

ThesocietiesinwhichtheChristianswerenowlivingvariedconsiderably.InthecitiesofAsiaMinortowhichPeterwroteintheearly60s,therehadforsometimebeenrestivenessatRomanrule.Therewerealsolong-standingsocialtensions.Theurbanlowerclasses,forexample,hadaheritageofindustrialturmoilandrevolutionaryagitation.Significantly,manyofthebelieversinAsiaMinorcamefromthispartofsociety.10AndwhenChristiansbegantoliveinadistinctivemanner,theirneighborsshowedconsiderablereadinesstoresorttotaunts,discrimination,andworse;Peter'sletterissaturatedwithreferencestosuchacts.11

InRome,towhichPaulwrotehisgreatletter,therewasalsorecenthistoryofturbulence.12ChristianshadcomeearlytoRome,wheretheymetinthesynagoguesofthesubstantialJewishcommunity.WhentheytalkedaboutJesus,tensionsboiledover.Asaresultofriots"impelledbyChrestus,"13inA.D.49theemperorClaudiusexpelledthemorevociferousJewsonbothsidesoftheargumentaboutJesus'messiahship,includingtheChristiantentmakingcouplePriscillaandAquila(Acts18:23).Withinafewyearstheexiles(includingPriscillaandAquila[Rom.16:35])begantotricklebacktoRome,especiallyduringtheearlyyearsofNero(whoin54succeededClaudius).Therewerestilltensions.Thelowerorderswereangeredbythewaytheyweretaxed,andathreatenedtaxrevoltforcedNerotoconsiderrevampingtheRomansystemoftaxation.14Furthermore,the

Christians,nowmeetingseparatelyfromtheJews,wereundercontinualpressure.AsoneofPaul'sfirstRomanacquaintancesinformedhim,"Everywhere[thesect]isspokenagainst"(Acts28:22).Insuchanatmosphere,itwaspossibleforNero,inthemid-60s,to

blametheChristiansfortheburningofRomeandtoexecutemanyofthemmostlikelyincludingtheirleadersPeterandPaulasarsonists.

15

SoJesus'discipleswerenowinavarietyofpoliticalandsocialsituations.Theircommunities,livinginanewwaywithoutwithdrawingfromtheoldsociety,wereunderpressure.Nowherewaspersecutionfaroff.Howshouldthey,inthesecircumstances,relatetotheirneighborsandtothestate?

AForeignPolicyforaHolyNation

Putsimply,itwasaquestionofforeignpolicy.Inthechurch,GodhadbroughttogetherenemiesJewandGentiletocomprisea"holynation."Thisnationwasnotsupposedtobeconformedtotheworld,butitwasverymuchenmeshedintheworld.The"holynation"thereforehadtodecidehowitwastorelatetothe"nations"whichsurroundeditandwereoftenhostiletoit(1Pet.1:14;2:9,12;Rom.12:2).

Todecidehowtheyweretodothis,thepostresurrectiondiscipleslookedtotheirMasterJesus.Theirapproachtohimisinteresting.Itwasnotalegalisticapproach;theearlyChristiansshowedconsiderablefreedominmixingandmatchingquotesfromhisteaching.Buteverywhere,theirdesirewasclear.TheywantedtobetruenotonlytowhatJesussaidbuttowhathewasanddid.

Inconstructingtheirforeignpolicy,theChristianslistenedtoJesus,anddrewfromhisteachingseveralprincipleswhichtheyrepeatedfrequently.Oneofthesewasapotentwarning.Don'tretaliate!"Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil"(Rom.12:17;1Thess.5:15;1Pet.3:9;citingMatt.5:39).InRomans12,Paulelaboratesuponthis."Donottakerevenge,myfriends,"and"Donotbeovercomebyevil"(12:19,

21,NIV).

Ontheotherhand,theChristiansheardJesusgivingthemencouragementtowardpositivealternatives."Alwaysseektodogoodtooneanotherandtoall"(1Thess.5:15,citingLuke6:27).Peter'sletterisfullofadmonitionstodo"goodworks"

(1Pet.2:12,15).HeandPaulalsoencouragedthebeleaguereddisciplestoblessthosewhowereharassingthem(3:9;Rom.12:14).Alsoafamiliarrefrainwastheadmonitiontoliveatpeace."Ifpossible,sofarasitdependsuponyou,livepeaceablywithall"(Rom.12:18;1Pet.3:11,citingMark9:50).Althoughtheywerenottoavengethemselves,theycouldrelyonGodtogiveappropriatepunishmenttotheirnation'senemies(Rom.12:19).

16Unlikemanyoftheircontemporaries,theywerenottobeparticipantsinanti-Romanarmedstruggle;insteadtheyweretobe"zealotsforthegood"(1Pet.3:13).17

Indeed,theseChristians,liketheirMasterJesus,weretobesubordinate.18"BesubjectfortheLord'ssaketoeveryhumaninstitution,"Peterurgedhisreaders;andPaul,inafamouspassage,saidvirtuallythesamething(1Pet.2:13;Rom.13:1).ThesenewChristiansweretogoonlivingas"freepeople,"but"withoutusing[their]freedomasapretextforevil"whichcouldincludeanti-Romanagitation(1Pet.2:16).Subordinationwouldbeanecessarypartofthestanceoftheholynationtowardthenations.

Butwhatdoessubordinationmean?Itmeansacceptingapatternofpower,anorderofauthority.Ahierarchicalterm,subordinationmeanslivinginasituationandnotwithdrawingfromitinwhichsomeoneelsehasmorepowerthanwedo.Itmeansrecognizingtheirauthority,acceptingthattheyareintheirpositionofresponsibilitytodoataskthatisimportanttoGod.Thegoverningauthorities-emperors,governors,andtheresthavebeen"ordered"byGod(Rom.13:1;1Pet.2:13).Theyarehisinstrumentstoencouragegoodbehaviorandtojudge,punish,evenavengebadbehavior(Rom.13:35;1Pet.2:14).Jesus'disciplesaretorecognizeCaesar'sGod-givenauthorityandtorendertohimwhatishis.Theyaretoprayfortheauthorities,andto

givethem(accordingtotheirdue)honorandtaxes(1Tim.2:2;1Pet.2:17;Rom.13:67).19

Byurgingsubordinationlikethis,PeterandPaulwerenotgivingcarteblanchetotheRomanauthorities.Rome,afterall,

wasapagan,persecutingempire.Significantly,PeterandPauldidnoturgethebelieversto"obey"theauthoritiesasaslaveobeysamaster.

20Clearlytheyassumedthatattimestheirfellowbelievers,liketheearliestChristians(Acts5:29),wouldhavetobedisobedient.TheallegiancetheyowedtoGodwaslife-encompassing,vastlylargerthantheallegiancetheyowedtoCaesar(cfMark12:17).

Furthermore,therewasonethingtheauthoritiesdidthattheChristianswerenottotakepartin.Thegovernmentis"anavengerofwrath"(Rom.13:4,literal);butthecommandtoJesus'disciplesis,"Beloved,neveravengeyourselves"(12:19).Thisisnotbecausetheyareprivatecitizens;itisbecauseGodistheavengerofhisholynation.AshetoldhisnationthroughMoses,"Itisminetoavenge;Iwillrepay"(Deut.32:35,NIV).ImitatorsofGodinsomanyotherareas,thebelieverswereforbiddentoimitatehisvengeance.21

Beingsubordinate,doinggood,notretaliatingoravengingthemselvesthiswasacuriousforeignpolicy.ButforGod'sholynation,itsignifiedadistinct,Jesus-likealternativeintheworldofnations.And,ifwegiveitabitofthought,wewillrealizethatithaddeeprootsinIsrael'spast.

LivinginBabylon,LivinginRome

AlmostsevenhundredyearsbeforePeterandPaulwrotetheirletters,anotherworld-empire,Babylon,wasamassingitsforcesforafinalassaultonthecapitalofIsrael,Jerusalem.ManyIsraelitesweresurethatthiswouldbetheendofGod'sholynation.ButthedissidentprophetJeremiahdisagreed.HehadnoillusionsaboutBabylon'sviolenceorpaganness.Butshockingthoughthismightseemtoconventional-mindedIsraelites,GodhadapurposeinBabylon'srise.ThreetimesJeremiahassertedthatBabylonwasGod's"servant"(Jer.

25:9;27:6;43:10).Nebuchadnezzar,theBabylonianking,wasthebearerof"thesword"ofYahweh;hewastheinstrumentofYahweh's"fierceanger"(25:38).22

Inthissetting,Jeremiah'smessagetothepanic-strickenIs-

raeliteswasdemandingbutsimple.Relax!GodisusingtheBabylonians,anunholynation,tojudgehisholynation.God'speoplearenottorespondbybecomingBabylonians;noraretheytomatchtheBabyloniansinmilitarymight.Insteadtheyaretobesubordinate(38:2,2021).TrusttheLordandsurrender!Stoptryingtocontrolthesituation,butdon'tgiveupyourvalues.Induecourse,thingswillchange.Babylon,whichatthemomentisjudgingothers,willbejudged(Jer.5051).Butuntilthen,God'speopleareto"seektheshalom"ofBabylon.Indeed,theyaretopraythatBabylonmayhavethis,forIsraelwillnotfinditsownshalomexceptinthemostsurprisingofplacestheshalomofitsunholyenemy(29:7).

DidtheparallelwithBabylonpointawayforwardfortheChristiansintheirdealingswithRome?ForsomeofthemforPeterandtheJohnofRevelation,clearly,andpossiblyalsoforPaulitdid.Forthem,unlikemostmoderncommentators,Babylondidnotsignifybadgovernment;itsignifiedthegoverningauthoritiesofthe"nations."NorwasBabylonatermofabuse.Babylonwasaneutralterm,describingauthoritiesthatcouldbebasicallybeneficentbutthatcouldalsobeunjustandpersecuting.AndRome,likeBabylonmanycenturiesearlier,wasaworldempirewhichGodcoulduse.

Peterwasexplicitaboutthis.HewasfullyawareofthegoodthatRomecoulddoinfurtheringjustice,andheurgedhisfellowbelieverstobesubordinatetoit(1Pet.2:1314).Nevertheless,hecalledit"Babylon"(5:13).

23Hewellknewthattheemperor'sofficialsweresummoningChristianstoappearincourtandwouldshortlybeinflictinga"fieryordeal"uponthem(3:15;4:12);yetheexhortedthebelieversto"honortheemperor"(2:17).InthebookofRevelation,Johnpredicted

thatthingswouldgetstillworse.Babylon(Rome)wouldpersecutethebelieversmoreandmoreseverely,becoming"drunkwiththebloodoftheholyones"(Rev.17:6).Hermisuseofpowerandhereconomicluxurywouldalsobecome

intensified(18:3).Asthebelieversenduredandprayed,GodhimselfwouldpresideoverthefalloftheBabylonian(Roman)Empire(13:10;18:2).

UnlikePeterandJohn,theapostlePauldidnotexplicitlycomparetheRomanEmpirewiththatofBabylon.ButhiscommentsabouttheRomanauthoritiesinRomans13areastonishinglyparallel,notonlytowhatPeterwastosayinhisepistle,buttowhat,manycenturiesearlier,JeremiahhadsaidaboutBabylon.Theauthoritieswere"God'sservant";andassuchtheywereauthorizedto"bearthesword"andto"execute[God's]wrath"uponthewrongdoers(Rom.13:4;cf.Jer.25:9,38).

24

Inlightofthis,howwereChristianstoviewtheimperialauthorities?Ofcoursetheyweretobesubordinate.Morethanthat,theywereactivelytoprayfortheauthorities(1Tim.2:2).And,mostcharacteristicofall,theyweretogivethemrespectandhonor(Rom.13:7).Inaseriesofadmonitions,Peterputthemattersuccinctly:

Honorallpeople.Lovethebrotherhood.FearGod.Honortheemperor:

(1Pet.2:17)

ThattheChristiansweretotreattheemperorwithrespectisobvious.Butseveralotherthingsareclearaswell.TheChristiansweretohaveloyaltiesofadifferentkindtotheirownnation,"thebrotherhood,"whichtheyweretolove,andtotheirnation'sKing,God,whomtheyweretofear.Furthermore,thebelieversweretotreattheemperorwithhonor.Butthen,theyweretotreat"allpeople"withhonorit'sthesameword.Thesameegalitarianthrusttreating"allpeople"likekingsispresentinPaul'sinstructiontoTimothythat"prayers,intercessions,andthanksgivingsbemadeforallpeople,forkingsandallwhoarein

highpositions...(1Tim.2:12).

Everybodythatwasthepoint.FortheChristians'overridingconcernwasamissionaryone.Theirnationwasonethat

hadexpandingboundaries.InGod'sdesign,outsidersandenemies,evenpeoplewhonowpersecutedthem,weredestinedtobefellowcitizens.Whyprayfortheemperor?AccordingtoPaul,sothatthechurchmayliveaquietandpeaceablelife,forGod"desiresallpeopletobesaved"(1Tim.2:24).WhyshouldChristiansbehavewellamongthenations?SothatthenationsmayseetheirgoodworksandbedrawntoGod'sholynation(1Pet.2:12).Holiness,Peterdeeplybelieved,wasattractive.PatienceandnonretaliationinthefaceofabusethisdeviantwaywasJesus'way.Nothingwasmorelikelytodrawthenationstohimthanlivesthatlookedlikehis(1Pet.2:2021;3:1,1518).

GrowingUp

TheconfidenceoftheseearlyChristiansisastonishing.Ontheonehandtheycouldberealisticabouttheirapparentobscurity.Paulknewverywellthatnotmanyofhisfellowbelievers"werewisebyhumanstandards;notmanywereinfluential;notmanywereofnoblebirth"(1Cor.1:26,NIV).Butitwasthesenobodies,whoselifestylewassodeviant,whoweregoingtobeimplementsinGod'shandsashewentaboutchangingtheworld.HavingtastedtheholinessofGod'sSpirit,theywerethefirstfruitsofthefuture.Throughthem,thechurch,Godwasgoingtodeclarehiswisdomtothe"rulersandauthorities"(Eph.3:10,NIV).

Forthatreasontheycouldn'twithdrawfromtheworld.Itwouldbedisastrousiftheydidso,andPaulurgedthemtocontinuetorubshoulderswith"theimmoral...thegreedyandrobbers,andtheidolators."Iftheydidn'ttheywouldhaveunthinkablethought"togooutoftheworld"(1Cor.5:10).ButPaul,likeJesus,knewthatholinesswascontagious.Anunbelievinghusband,forexample,is"madeholy"throughhisChristianwife(1Cor.7:14;seealso1Pet.3:16).Armedwiththiscontagiouspower,theearlyChristiansseemto

haveparticipatedasmuchaspossibleintheeconomicandsociallife

oftheRomanEmpire.Manywereartisans,andbythe50ssomeevenwerefoundinCaesar'shousehold(Phil.4:22).

25ButtheearlyChristiansknewfromhardexperiencethatholinesscouldalsoprovokehostility.Paulwasawarethatthe"aromaofChrist"couldseemastenchtopeoplecommittedtoadeath-wardscourse(2Cor.2:15).Peter'sexperiencewassimilar.Heknewthatitwashisfellowbelieversabout-facetowardholinessthathadcausedthemtoberejectedbytheirneighbors("thenations")(1Pet.3:1417;4:34).

Butwhatevertheirexperienceandtheirroleinsociety,allofthemhadthesamevocationtofollowJesus,theHolyOne.Theonlyreasontheirmovementwasmovingatallwasthathewasamongthem,pulsatingwithlifeandleadingthemforward.HewastheirLord,andthey"livedinhim"(Col.2:6).Andastheydidso,theycametobelikehim.

TheearlybelievershadanumberofwordsforthisprocessofcomingtoresembleJesus.Oneterm,whichChristiantheologianshavelaterusedextensively,is"sanctification,"whichmeansmakingholy.Attimes,theearlyChristiansemphasizedthatGod,throughJesus'sacrificeofhisbloodandthroughhisHolySpirit,hadalreadymadethemholy(Heb.10:10;13:12;Rom.15:16;1Pet.1:2).Afterall,theirstatuswasthatofsaintsholyones.Atothertimes,theChristianswereveryawarehowincompletewastheirtransformationintotheimageofChrist.Howmuchthe"holyones"stillneededtobechangedforthemtobelikehim!Sanctificationwasthusaprocessaswellasastatus.Thebelieverswereto"striveforpeacewithallpeople,andforholiness"(Heb.12:14);theyweretooffertheirbodiesin"slaverytojusticeleadingtoholiness"(Rom.6:19,NIV).

Butthereisanothertermwhichtheearlybelieversusedwhichis

easiertounderstandthansanctification;itisgrowingup.TheGreekwordwhichtheyusedisteleios,whichisoftentranslated"perfect."Butsinceithadtodowithreachingagoal,thewordgenerallymeant"maturity"ratherthanflaw-

lessness.JesushadtoldhisdisciplesthatwhentheyhadlearnedtolovetheirenemiestheywouldbematureperfectastheirFatherwasperfect(Matt.5:48).Nowhisdisciplesusedthesameterm.IntheconfidencethatJesushimselfwastheperfectimageoftheFather,theyurgedeachothertogrowupintotheimageoftheSonwhoalsowasanenemylover(seeCol.1:28).

This,indeed,wasthecallingofthechurch'sleaders.Itwasnotonlytoexercisetheirgiftstoequiptheholyonesforservice;itwasalsotoenablethemto''becomemature,attainingtothewholemeasureofthefullnessofChrist"(Eph.4:1113,NIV).Toprotectthechurch'sresemblancetoJesus,theyneededattimestoexerciseaformofdisciplineuponmemberswhoweredepartingfromhisway.Whenmemberssuccumbedtoimmorality,covetousness,oridolatry,adisciplinaryprocessmightbebegun.Ifneitheraconversationnoramoreformalwarningsucceededinrestoringrightbehavior,exclusionfromfellowshipmightensue.Inthatextremecircumstance,asignificantwordwaspronounced:Anathema.Thisisthewordwhich,intheGreekOldTestament,wasusedtotranslatetheHebrewwordforholywarherem.

26Godhadn'tgivenuponhisdeterminationtoprotecthisnation'sholiness.ButafterthecomingofhisSon,themethodswhichheauthorizedwerenolongerthesame.Excommunication,notkilling,wasnowtheultimatepenalty.Infact,theanathemaofexclusionwassomethingwhichholywarcouldneverbesomethingtherapeutic,whosegoalwasreconciliation(2Cor.2:511).Andatalltimes,theleadershadtokeepsettingtheirbearingsbyJesus,whowasGod'sdemonstrationofwhatitmeanstobegrownup!

FollowingthePioneer

TobeaChristian,insum,wassimplytofollowJesus.Acceptinghisacceptanceandforgiveness,thedisciplesbegantowalkinthestepsoftheMaster(1John2:6).Andtoimitatehim.TheholyonesweretobecomeliketheHolyOne;andastheylearnedtobehavelikehim,theydiscoveredwhatitmeant

tobegrownup.TheirattitudetostrangerswastoberootedinthewayJesushadtreatedthem:"Welcomeoneanother...asChristhaswelcomedyou"(Rom.15:7).Theirapproachestoeconomicsandtoconflictwerealsotobemodeledonhim(2Cor.8:9;1Pet.2:21).Andfrequentlytheapostlesusedtheverywordimitate.

27Theydidn'tdothistoencourageaslavishcopyingofJesus'lifestyle.Celibacyandcarpentrywerenotthemainpoint!ButtheywereconcernedthatthebelieversbeattunedtoJesus,puttinghisteachingstoworkandfacingsufferingashehadfacedit(Phil.3:10).

Todothis,theyhadtorememberhim.TheChristianchurcheslivedbypassingonthetraditionsofwhatJesushadbeenlike.AsstoriesaboutJesus'lifeandteachingcirculated,theycollectedthemandwrotethemdown.ThefourGospelsareindicationsofhowimportantitwastoJesus'postresurrectiondisciplestoremembertheirMaster.Theyalsorememberedhimintheirworship.IntheHolySpirit,thedisciplessensedthatJesuswaswiththem.Whentheymettheytoldandretoldthestoryofhislifeandtriumphoverdeath.Intheirlove-feastsandeuchariststheylikewiserememberedhim(1Cor.11:24).Asthey,attheircommunionservices,broughttheirgiftstotheircongregation'scommonfund,theywerecontinuingatraditionthatwentbacktotheirMaster.28

Butthestorywasn'tcompleteyet.Jesus'postresurrectiondisciplesknewthat,howeverrichtheirheritageinthepastexperienceofGod'sholynation,Godwaspropellingthemintothefuture.Thiswasfrightening,fortheirliveswereintenselyinsecure.TobeaChristianwastobearisk-taker.EverydaytheycouldexpectthatGod'sSpiritwoulddocreativethingsinmakingJesus'presencereal.Butthisrequiredfaith,whichwasn'talwayseasy.

Theyhadasourceofencouragement,however.FromJesus,throughtheHolySpirit,theyhadlearnedtoknow(GodasAbba(Rom.8:15).TheyknewthattheywereGod'schildren,lovedandsecure.Sufferingsthebuffetingsandrejections

thatalwayscometogenuinenonconformistsawaitedthem.Butastheyheadedintohardships,theyknewthattheywerefollowingsomeonewhohadbeentherebeforethem.

Jesus,whomtheyhadknownintheflesh,theyconfessedtobe"theimageoftheinvisibleGod"(Col.1:15).SosecurewasheinAbba'slovethathecouldnotbemanipulatednotbyphysicalthreatsorappealstohisgreedorambition.EvendeathcouldnotdestroyhisfaithfulnesstotheFather'sway.ButJesuswasalive!Hehadconquereddeath!Hewasthe"pioneer,thescout,whofreedhisfollowersforlifecreative,deviant,holylifebecausehedeliveredthemfromthefearofdeath(Heb.2:10,15).Inhim,andonlyinhim,theywereaholynation,anationofholyones.Thereisanalternative,becauseJesushasshowntheway.

PARTIVCOMINGCLOSERHOME

Chapter13BetweentheTimesBythistimewemayfeelsomewhatexhausted.Ourballoonhasbeencomfortableenough,butwe'vecoveredsomuchdistancethatwe'retravelweary.Ourmindsmaysoongoonstrike:ifweseeonemoreexcitingeventtheywillrefusetotakeitin!Andthediscouragingthingisthatwe'veonlycometoA.D.60orso.We'restillovernineteenhundredyearsfromhome.Howcanwemakethegiganticleapbetweenthe"holyones"oftheNewTestamentandourowntime?

Itwon'tbeeasy.Tohelpusunderstandthedifficulties,ourballoonrisingtoanimmenseheightwillonceagainbeuseful.Butaftersomehighflyingearlyinthischapter,wewillbeleavingourballoonbehindandgettingdowntoearth.Forthestorythatwe'vebeenretellingmustconnectwithourownlives.Unlessitdoesso,wemayhavebeenself-indulgentandescapist.

TheBible'sstorycanconnectwithourlives.Itsmainactor,theHolyOne,didnotretireattheendoftheBookofActs!He

hasseentoitthatholyhistoryhascontinued.Anditscontinuationisinmanywayssimilartothehistorythatwe'vefoundintheBible.ThesameGodisatwork;hisprojectofare-createdcreation,ofaHolyCity,continuestounfold.Andthehumanparticipantsaremuchthesame.Sothestoryhasitsdownsaswellasitsups.

AsIwritethis,IcannotmuchasIwouldliketoretelltherestofthisstory.Icanonlygiveageneralindicationofitsoverallshapesothatwehavesomesenseofwhereweareinthestoryandwhy.ButIdowantustorealizethis:thestoryisnotyetfinished,andwhetheryouandIlikeitornot,wearegoingtobeapartofit.Thegreatchallengesofeveryeraissuesofprotectionandprovisionarefamiliartousbynow.Ateverystageofourstorytheyhaverecurred.Butnow,today,asaresultofdecisionsthatChristianshavemade,theyarepresentinacuteform.Howwillwerespond?Beforewedecide,wewillattempttoorientourselves,andthentomakeconnectionsbetweenthefirstandthelatetwentiethcenturiesA.D.

DistinctiveChristians

Butisitworththetrouble?Afterall,we'rebusy,responsiblepeople.AsChristiansintheWesternworld,we'redoingourbesttomakeacontributiontooursocietythatisvisiblyChristian.Butatthesametimewemayhaveadeepsenseoffutility.Lookingobjectivelyatourselves,wemayseepeoplewhosewayoflivingintheareasofprovisionandprotection,atanyrateisprettymuchlikeeverybodyelse's.Wehavebecomelikethenations;wehavelostourholiness.Howcouldwehavehelpeddoingso?

Wecouldn'thave!Decisionsthathaveshapedourcivilizationweremademanycenturiesago,longenoughbacktogiveaseeminglyirresistiblemomentumtotheforcesthatcontrolusnow.

Butitwasn'talwaysso.Forseveralcenturiesafterthedeathofthe

apostles,theChristiansintheRomanEmpireandbe-

yondlivedinadistinctiveway.Theywereawarethattheywerecitizensofanewnation,ofatransnationalnation.Oneoftheearliestpost-NewTestamentwritingsputitlikethis.Forthebelievers"everyforeignlandistheirfatherland,andyetforthemeveryfatherlandisaforeignland."

1Whenpeoplecametofaithandwantedtobebaptized,theywereinvitedtochangetheirlifestyleaswellastheirnationalidentity.Justin,aChristianteacherwhowasmartyredinRomealmostacenturyafterPeterandPaul,describedwhatitmeanttoturnaroundandfollowJesus:

AfterbeingpersuadedbytheWord,werenouncethedemonsandnowfollowtheonlyGodthroughhisSon.Wewhoformerlyrejoicedinfornicationnowdelightinself-controlalone.WewhoemployedmagicartshavenowdedicatedourselvestothegoodGodofcreation.Wewholovedwaysofacquiringwealthandpossessionsmorethananythingelse,nowbringwhatwehaveintoacommonfundandsharewitheveryonewhoisinneed.Weoncehatedandmurderedoneanotherandwouldnotshowhospitalitytothosenotofthesametribebecauseoftheirdifferentcustoms.ButnowafterthecomingofChristweeatwithothers,prayforourenemies,andattempttoconciliatethosewhohateusunjustly....TheteachingsofChristwereshortandconcise,forhewasnophilosopher,buthiswordwasthepowerofGod.2

ThisdescriptionofChristianconversioncontainsfamiliarthings,doesn'tit?Thenasnow,becomingaChristianinvolvedrenouncingsexualimmoralityandoccultpractices.ButJustinandhisbrothersandsistersknewthatfollowingJesusmeantotherthingsaswell.ItmeantdecidingtotakeaJesus-likeapproachtothecriticalissuesofprotectionandprovision.Christiansweretolovetheirenemies.ForthreecenturiesnoChristianwriterjustifiedkillinginwarfare,andmanyofthemfor-badeitcategorically.3Christianswerealsoto

participateinaredistributionoftheirpossessionsaccordingtoneed;forearly

Christiancongregationsthecommonfundwasalivingreality.

TheologianskeptalivetherationaleforthecommonfundthatwehaveseeninthewritingsofPaul,basedonthe"mannaprinciples"ofsufficiencyandsharing.

4Afascinatingarchaeologicaldiscoveryshowshowimportanteconomicsharingwasinthelifeofthechurch.IntheportcityofOstiajustoutsideofRome,third-centurybelieversmadeauseoftheircongregation'sbuildingthatspeaksloudlyabouttheirpriorities:theydevotedasmuchspacetostoringgoodstoberedistributedastotheirformalworshipservices.5TheseearlyChristiansweredifferentdifferentfromthe"nations"oftheirday,anddifferentfrommostofus;buttheylivedinawaythatshowedthattheyhadhope.Despitepersecution,whichattimeswassevere,thechurchgrew.

EverybodyaChristian

ButinthefourthcenturyA.D.thingschanged.Aseverepersecutionendedin312whentheEmperorConstantinewasconverted.Thegenuinenessofhisconversionhasalwaysbeendebated,butnobodycontestsonethingthathisconversionwasquiteunlikethatwhichJustindescribed.Constantinegraduallygaveuphisworshipofthesungod,buthedidnotchangehisapproachtowealthorwar.Nordidthemajorityofcourtiersandordinarycitizenswho,asthecenturyprogressed,floodedintothechurch.Theologianscalled"ChurchFathers"valiantlystruggledtoteachtheconverts;manyofthemprotestedatthedilutionofthechurch'switness.Bytheendofthecenturyitwasclearthattherewasnostoppingshortofasocietyinwhichtherewerenonon-Christians.Animperiallawof391madeitofficial.Everyoneintheempirehadtobelongtothechurch,orelse!Persecution,byChristianofficials,wasthefateofthosewhofor

conscience'sakeremainedpagans.

Whatawatershedthiswas!AndithadanunnervingprecedentinbiblicalhistorytheIsraelites'decisiontohaveaking"likeallthenations."Thatdecision,accordingtoevan-

gelistRogerForster,was"asecondbesttowhatGodintendedforhispeople."

6So,inmyopinion,wastheconversionoftheRomanEmpirebylawandforce.

Whatweretheresultsofthe"Christianization"oftheEmpire?Lackingspace,wecannotassesstheseindetail.Itisclear,ofcourse,thattherewerepositiveresultsfortheChristians.Thethreatofpersecutionwasliftedfromthemsolong,thatis,astheytoedthelineintheiropinions.Furthermore,theChristianscouldnowparticipatefullyinthepubliclifeoftheempire.Induecourse,thegreat"Christian"civilizationofmedievalandearlymodernEuropesproutedfromseedssowninthesefourth-centurydevelopments.Thiswasaprettyglorious"secondbest,"wemightthink;anditsheritageofspiritualityandscholarshipisarichresourceforustodrawupon.

Buttherewerealsocosts.Oneofthesewastheremovalofholinessfromordinarylife.Inthefourthcentury,inanepidemicof"sanctification,"churchmenandstatesmenaffixedthelabelof"holy"toplaces,objects,andtimes.Withinthewallsofmagnificentchurchbuildings,awe-inspiringritesweredevelopedwhichweretocommunicateasenseoftheholytothepeople.7

Infact,thepeoplethemselveswerenowbeingclassifiedinanewway.Intheearlydaysofthechurchallbelievershadbeenbothpriestsand"holyones"(saints).Butnolonger.Alatefourth-centurydocumentcarefullydistinguishesbetweenpriestsandthelaypeople,andrevealinglyreferstothelatteraspassengers"and"brutecreatures."8Insimilarvein,thesaints"hadnowbecomespecialChristians,whoobeyed"theteachinggivenbytheperfectMastertothosewhoroseabovehumannature.''9Intothedesertsand

monasteriesthepotentialsaintswenttokeepalivethepracticalityofJesus'teaching.Afloweringofspiritualwritingensued.Butthenewdevelopmentsweretingedwithsadness.WhatallearlyChristianshadacceptedasapartoftheirdiscipleshipwasnowremovedfromeverydaylife.Holinesswasnolongersocial;ithadbeenspe-

cialized.Ordinarybelieversweretoadmireitbutnottocopyit.Itwasbeyondtheirreach.

ThisledtoasecondcosttheconstructionofnewstandardsforChristianbehavior.Jesus'teachingsonlovingtheenemyandsharingpossessionswerenowviewedasextra-costoptionstobepracticedby"holy"peoplespeciallycalledtolivesofstrenuousreligiousobservance.Ordinarybelievers,incontrast,hadtohavenewguidelinesoneswhichwererealistic,nottoodemanding.Todevelopthesenewcodesofbehavior,fourth-centuryChristiansturnedtothe"nations,"topaganphilosophers.

FromtheStoics,theChristianslearnedthatitdidnotmatterhowmuchpropertyonehad;whatmatteredwasone'sattitudetowardsit.RichChristianswereadmonishedtohaveadetachedattitudetotheirwealth,"havingpropertyasthoughonehaditnot."

10FromtheStoics,theChristiansalsoborrowedthecriteriaforgoingtowarwhichmadeupthecoreofthe"JustWar"theory.11ThoughtfulChristianssuchasAugustineofHippoelaboratedthesetheorieswithbiblicalandtheologicalreflections.

Thepost-Constantinianapproachestowealthandwarhadtheirbenefits:theyledtocharitytothepoorandthefoundingofhospitalstocareforthecasualtiesofsociety;theyalsoprovidedsomerestraintsupontheconductofwarfare.ButtheyhadlostsightofwhattheearlyChristianshadtriedtodo.Nolongerweretheytryingtoendpoverty,establishequality,andbringonearthanewnationofpeacewhoselifetogetherwouldbeevidenceofGod'swillforallofhumanity.

ThispointstoathirdcosttheChristiansnolongerviewedthemselvesasanation.Nolongerdidtheyseethemselvesasaliensor"exilesoftheDispersion."TheywereGalatians,Cappadocians,Bithynians,at

homeintheirsocieties(1Pet.1:1,inverted!).Howcouldtheyhavebeenotherwise?EverybodywasaChristian;thelawrequiredthemtobe.Wholebodiesofpeoplewereconvertedasabloc.Evangelizationwascarried

outbystatepower,oftenatswordpoint.Asthemasseswerebaptized,paganaltarsweredestroyedandchurcheswerebuilt.

InLondon,England,ontheeasternedgeofRegent'sPark,IhaveseenamonumentwhichsaysitallareproductionoftheJellingStone,erectedin980inJutland(northernDenmark)byKingCanute'sgrandfatherHarald:

HaraldKingmadethismemorialafterGormhisfatherandThyrahismother:thatHaraldwhowonforhimselfallDenmarkandNorwayandmadetheDanesChristians.

AndmadetheDanesChristians.Ofcourse,theseDaneswouldhavemoresenseofsolidaritywithotherDanesthantheywouldwithotherChristians!Inthepost-Constantinianworld,itwasnolongerfaiththatdeterminedtheprimarynationalloyaltyofChristians.Itwasgenesandgeography.

JustifyingtheInevitable

SoChristianslostmuchoftheirdistinctiveness.AsalogicalconsequenceoftheinnovationswhichcameinConstantine'scentury,theycametobelikethenations.Nolongerdidtheyviewthemselvesasapeoplewhoweredifferent.Tobesure,thingsthathadbeentrademarksofadistinctivewayoflivingremained;butonlytheformsremainedthelife-givingsubstancewasgone.Forexample,jubileeshavecontinuedtobedeclaredintheMiddleAgestoraisemoneyforStPeter'sbasilicainRome,andmorerecentlytocelebratetheanniversaryofaqueen.ButwhensensitiveindividualshaveheardanechoofJesus'teachingsonwealthorwarandtriedtodosomethingaboutit,theyfortheprotectionofthepublichaveoftenbeenremovedfromordinarylife.Societycantoleratemonks,anditknowswhattodowithheretics.ButtheideathatJesushadwantedallofhisfollowerstolivelikehimwasintolerable.Renewalgroupswhodared

tothinksuchthoughtsWaldensians,Anabaptists,Quakerswerepersecutedand

pushedtothemarginsofsociety.Respectablepeoplestigmatizedthemas"sectarians"whohadnothingtosaytothe"realworld."

Meanwhile,therealworldproceededprettywelluntouchedbytheChristianitywhichitprofessed.InthecoolappraisalofaleadinghistorianofthelateRomanempire,ProfessorA.H.M.Jones,thiswascertainlytrueintheareasofeconomicjusticeandthetreatmentofthepoor:"Itisdifficulttoassesswhetherinthesemattersthegenerallevelofmoralswaslowerthanithadbeenunderthepaganempire,butitseemstohavebeennohigher."

12InthecountriesaffectedbytheCalvinistReformation,thingsmayhaveimprovedsomewhat,asthereformerstriedtoreawakenavisionforeconomicstewardshipandtherehabilitationofthepoor.13

Butintheareaofwarfare,theReformationifanythingmadethingsworse.Thescaleandvirulenceofkillingmounted.AfterathousandyearsofJustWarteaching,howlikethenationstheChristianswere!14AsthegreatDutchinternationallawyerHugoGrotiuscommentedin1625,

ThroughouttheChristianworldIobservedalackofrestraintinrelationtowar,suchasevenbarbarousracesshouldbeashamedof;Iobservedthatmenrushtoarmsforslightcauses,ornocauseatall,andthatwhenarmshaveoncebeentakenupthereisnolongeranyrespectforlaw,divineorhuman;itisasif,inaccordancewithageneraldecree,frenzyhadopenlybeenletlooseforthecommittingofallcrimes.15

Thecenturieswentby,andnewforcesoftremendouspowerappearedontheworldscene.These"isms"industrialism,modernnationalism,individualism,socialism,secularism,Marxism,politicalandeconomiccolonialismwerealldevelopedin"Christian"Europe;andallhavebeenimmensemotorsforchange.Ateverystage,theyhavebroughtbothgoodandill.Forexample,thesameforcesthatexploitedthe

"thirdworld's''naturalresourcesandcrippleditsindustryhaveenabledChris-

tianitytobecometrulyaworldreligion.Indeed,thegreatestnumericalstrengthoftheChristianchurchisnowinthesouthernhemisphere.

But,fromaChristianperspective,thestrikingthingaboutthechangesthathaveoccurredisthis:theyhavebeenhappeningfasterandfaster,withamomentumthatappearstobeirresistible.Andincreasinglyitisclearthatseveralofthechangesaretimebombs,tickingawayundercivilizationasweknowit.

TimeBombs

Thefirstoftheseiseconomicthemomentumleadingtounrestrictedgrowth.

16Wecannotexpectapagansocietytogovernitslifebybiblicalidealssuchassufficiency.Butwhenpeoplefloutbiblicalidealslongenoughtheygetintrouble.Asweallowproductiontothunderahead,fewstoptoaskwhatkindofeconomyitis,domesticallyorinternationally,thatthisgrowthisproducing.Thismayinpartbebecausetheanswerstoourquestionarefrightening.Ourpell-mellrushtowardmoreisleadingtoexhaustion:exhaustionoftheworld'secosystem;andalsoexhaustionoftheworld'snonrenewablenaturalresources.Andwhatdowedowiththesescarceresources?Theworldexpends20percentofthemuponeconomicallyunproductiveproducts(weapons).Andwhatwedon'tuseonweapons,we,inthefirstworld,absorbintoourownconsumersocieties.Whatrightdowehaveamere25percentoftheworld'spopulationtogorgeourselveson80to95percentofthesenonrenewableresources?17

Unrestrictedgrowthisalreadytearingourworldapart,forourpagansocietyisalsofloutingthebiblicalidealofequality.Inthefirstworld,unguidedgrowthhasproducedlastingsectorsofunemployedanddemoralizedpeople.Therearealso,eveninEuropeandNorth

America,millionsofpoorpeople(intheU.S.in1984,nofewerthan35million),whomtheFrenchhavebeguntocallthe"fourthworld".18ThiscomesatatimewhenEuropeanshavea"buttermountain"andsomeAfricans

trytodecidewhethertheyoughttoeatonceeverythreedaysoreveryfour.

19Asneverbeforeinhistory,debtiscripplingtheeconomiesofpoornations;someofthemarespendingalmostalloftheirexportearningssimplytoservicetheirdebt.20Suchlevelsofdebtareunsupportable;andasnationsbargaintorescheduletheirdebtsandthreatentocancelthem,tremorsgothroughtheWesternbankingandpoliticalcommunities.Atimebombisticking.EvenintheWestunrestrictedgrowthis"unsustainable,unsatisfying,andlargelyillusory."21

Asecondtimebombismilitarism.Throughouthistorymostcountrieshavehadfactoriesthatcouldmakearms.Intimesofnationalcrisis,thesehavebeenconvertedintotheproductionofweapons.Intimesofpeace,however,mostsocietieshavedemobilizedthemajorityoftheirtroopsandreconvertedtheirarmsfactoriestoproductionforpeacefulpurposes.Untilthepastfortyyears,thatis.SinceWorldWarII,ahistoricalnoveltyhasbecomeanunquestionedpartofourlivesamassive,growingindustrialsystemdevotedsolely,andpermanently,totheproductionofweapons.This"militaryculture"hascomeaboutslowly,ontwosidesoftheglobe,becausetwogreatempireseachfearthatitssecurityisbeingendangeredbyitsrival.Theunprecedenteddestructivepowerofthenuclearbombhasincreasedthissenseofinsecurity.

Themilitarizationofoursocietieshashadcatastrophicconsequences.Immensefundshavebeenspentsince1945thenuclearpowershavespent$34,000,000,000,000onatomicweaponsalone.22Thesefundsalongwiththeevenmoreimmensesumswhichtheyandmanyothercountrieshavespentonconventionalweaponshavebeendivertedfromgenuinehumanneedtomilitaryproduction.Forexample,between1979and1984theUnitedKingdomincreasedits

militaryspendingby20percentinrealterms.TheincreaseintheU.S.'sexpenditurewasvastlygreater.Andduringthisperiodmostrichcountriesweretrimmingawayattheiralreadyscandalouslymeagrebudgetsforaidtothepoorercountries.

Howcanthesemomentumsbeslowed?Bya"nuclearwinter,"certainly.

23Butbyanythinglesscatastrophic?Itishardtoseehow.AsBobGoudzwaard,aDutchChristianeconomist,hasnoted,

Weliveinanageofimprisonedexpertise....Theexpertiseoftechniciansisimprisonedintheprinciplethatwhattechnologycandoitmustdo.24

Agoodexampleofthisisthedevelopmentofspaceweaponry.Justwhenanagreementtolimitnuclearweaponsontheearthiscomingtoseemfeasible,anewfrontieroffearandexpenditureisappearinginspace.This,accordingtotheWallStreetJournal,isthe"businessopportunityofageneration."25Withsucheconomicmotorsatwork,itishardtoseewhatcandivertthetechnologytopeacefulprojects.

Languagecanberevealing.Insurancecompaniesoffersuchreligious-soundingbenefitsas"refugeforlife."Thesalesmenofthenewestspacearmamentssimilarlyusethevocabularyoffaith.Theseweapons,theyassureus,offerhumanity"enormoushope."Itishopeof"assuredsurvival."Infact,theseweaponscould"savemillionsoflives,indeedhumanityitself."26Goodtidingsindeed!Butinwhomdowetrust?Howmanygodshavewegot?Areweabletodetecttheidolatryaroundus?Whenchurchmenechothecomfortablewordsofthearmssalesmen,weareencounteringreligioussyncretisminadvancedform.Anddeepdownasweglancefurtivelyattheheadlinesandwatchtheincessantmilitarizationofoursocietiesfewofusarereassured.Oursocietyisexperiencingthe"disappearanceofhope.''27Andthetimebombofmilitarismtickson.

Thereisnothingnewaboutthis,ofcourse.Thetwotimebombsrepresentinheightenedformthesameprimaryhumanneedsthatwehaveseenthroughoutourstory:provisionandprotection.Theyare

realneeds.Butanycivilization,

evenoneinwhichChristiansplayaleadingpart,getsintroublewhenitgoestolimitlesslengthstosatisfytheseneeds.AsChristianhistorianSirHerbertButterfieldcommentedagenerationago:

Thegravestpoliticalmistakesofthelastfortyyearsinonecountryafteranotherhavebeenduetofearandoveranxiety....WeareflyinginthefaceofProvidenceifwedemandtoogreatsecurityforthefuture.

28

Theinstitutionsandmachinesthatweconstructforoursecuritybecomeendsinthemselves.Theirappetitesforinvestmentandingenuityareinsatiable.DwightEisenhowermaynothaveseenthespiritualrealitiesbehindthewebofinstitutionsthathecalledthe"Military-IndustrialComplex."ButPaulwouldhavedone.Inthefirstcentury,hereferredtosimilarrealitiesbothphysicalanddeeplyspiritualas'principalitiesandpowers."AndmodernChristians,inwrestlingwiththeserealities,areincreasinglyusingatermfamiliartoallBiblereadersidolatry.29

Wefaceformidableforces.Wemustuselanguagetomatch.Whateverwecallthem,thetoolsthatwehavetrustedforoursalvationarebecomingourmasters.Weareimprisoned,trapped.Theslogan"Thereisnoalternative"isapatheticcommentaryonourage.Ourmarchtowarddestructionseemsirreversible.

Chapter14JourneyintoHolinessWearelivinginaremarkabletime.Itisatimeofcrisis.Thereisdanger,immensedanger.Butthereisalsoopportunity.Tous,astoJesus'firstfollowers,comesthecall:"Thetimeisfulfilled,andthekingdomofGodisathand;repentandbelieveinthegoodnews"(Mark1:15).Buthowcanwerepent?Howcanwebelieve,respondingfaithfullytothecomingkingdominatimewhentimebombsareticking?Inasimpleillustration(Matt.7:1314),Jesusgivesusaclue.

TwoRoads

Jesuspicturestheworldasawideroad.Massesofpeople,emergingfromawidegate,arestreamingalongit,walkingcomfortablyalongalevelsurface.Theyaregoinginafamiliardirection.Theirparentshavewalkedinthesamedirection;andatthemoment,theirfriendsandneighborsareattheirside.Surelyitisobvioustoheadinthisdirection.Commonsense,majorityopinion,theexpertsallagreethereisnootherroute

worthtaking.Peopleofmanytraditionsarewalkingsidebyside.But,saysJesus,theyareheadingtowardaprecipice.Theeasyroadleadstodestruction.

Thereis,Jesussays,anotherroad.Onegetstoitbygoingthroughanarrowgate.Andtheroaditselfishard.Itcutsacrossthebroadroad,andisheadinginadifferentdirection.Veryfewpeoplearewalkingonit,andthosewhoaredoingsoarenotfindingiteasy.Othersviewthemasaninconvenience."Everybody"knowsthatthewideroadmakessense.Whycutacrosstheacceptedpath?You'rebumpingintopeople!You'redisturbingthem,unsettlingthemintheirviews!Doyouthinkyouknowbetterthanpeoplehavealwaysknown?But,saysJesus,thehardwayleads,nottotheprecipice,buttolife.

InJesus'time,thebroad,realisticroadledtoconflictwiththeRomansanddestructionofJewishcivilization.Jesuswept,forthepeopleofJerusalemdidn'tknow"thethingsthatmakeforshalom"(Luke19:42).Butheofferedthemanalternativeroad,onethatwasdifficultbutthatwouldleadtolife.Itwasanalternativeofholyliving.

TodayJesusisofferingusthesamealternative.Onceagain,therearetherealistspeoplewhopatronizeandreassure.Surelythebroadroaddoesn'tleadtodestruction;goodChristianshavebeentakingitforcenturies.Precisely.That'swhyit'ssohardtodosomethingnew.Butthereisnothingthatismoredangerousthantheobvious.Thepressuresoftradition,"informedopinion,"military-industrialcomplexes,principalitiesandpowers,andtherestareintense.Butitistheseforcesandinstitutions,andtherealistswhorunandjustifythem,thatarekeepingtheworldoncoursefortheprecipice.

Jesusiscallinghisdisciplestodaytoturntheirbacksonconventionalwisdomandtofollowhim.Hiswaycrossesthecurrentsofourtime.Itisanarrowway,anddifficult;itpromisesnoassuredresults.Neitherwithdrawingnorcompromising,itguaranteesconflict.Butitoffers

thepossibilityofsomethingnew.Jesus'wayisalivingalternative,aholyway.

ExodusPeople

Howdowebegin?Howcanwe"setourheartsonpilgrimage"(Ps.84:5NIV)?Thereisnoeasyformula.But,aswebecomeExoduspeople,wewilldiscoverthatseveralthingsarenecessary.

First,wemustbeopentochange.Mostofusinstinctivelydrawback.JustlikethePhariseesofJesus'day,weresistthekingdomofGodbecausewehaveavestedinterestinkeepingthingsastheyare.Wehavethepointofviewofsettlers.We'requiteathomeinourhomesteads,andwewarnoffanyonewhocriticizesthewaywemanageourpatch!

ButJesuscallsustoleaveourhomesteadsandbecomepioneers.

1Byleaving,wearefollowinghim,followingAbrahamandSarah.Wearediscardingthefalsesecuritiesthathavepreventedusfromfullytrustinghimandlovingourneighbors.Andweareexpressingourhope.InGod'sstrength,changeispossible;theNewCreationisapromisewhichGodcankeep.Wearesureofthis,sosurethatwewillbaseourlivesuponit.

Butwhatwillitmeanforus?Untilwesetoutwecannotknow.EachofusIndividuals,families,prayergroups,churchesbeginsatadifferentplace.Dependinguponwhereweare,theconsequencesofpioneeringwillbecomeclearinadifferingorder.Thisisnotimportant.Whatisimportantisthatwe,asfullyasweknowhow,commitourselvestobefaithfultoJesusandheadfromsecurityintorisk.JohnWimbersaiditwell:"Risk-takingintheNewTestamentisspelledF-A-I-T-H."2

Second,wemustbewillingtokeepchanging.Havingleftfamiliarterritory,pioneersfindthemselvesinsituationsthatsettlersneverencounter.Mostofus,assettlerChristians,areshyoftakingrisks.As

muchaspossible,wecontrolallaspectsofourlives.Weplanforeverycontingency.WehavefaithinGodforlifeafterdeath,butforlifebeforedeathwedoeverythingwecantomakeourownarrangements.Ifwe'reinchargeofourlives,wedon'tneedtochangeandgrow.

Pioneers,ontheotherhand,areconstantlyfacinginsecurity.

Thisisunsettling,andcancausefear.Fearissignificant.Unfacedandunnamed,fearistheenemyofF-A-I-T-H.Butwhenwenameourfearstoourselves,tootherpeople,toGodtheycanhelpusgrow.Eachfearcantellusagreatdealaboutourselves,andcanshowusareasinwhichweneedtoaskGodtohealusanddeepenourfaith.Furthermore,aspecificfearmightindicateanareainwhichGodiscallingustobeobedientinanewandriskyway.

Soourinsecurityissignificant.Wemustnotrunawayfromit,orhuntforexcusesinanewplacetojointhecrowdheadingfortheprecipice.Theprocessisthepoint!Itisvitalthatwestayonthecrossroad,difficultthoughitmaybe.Aswedoso,wemustnotbecomeproudofourprogress.ForGod'sgraceisthepowersourceofthehumbleanddependent."Mygraceissufficientforyou,formypowerismadeperfectinweakness"(2Cor.12:9).Ifwearetobeopentohisworkinourliveswemustbe"vigilanttoremaininsecure."

3

Third,wemustbecommittedtoalongjourney.OurExoduswillnotcatapultusimmediatelyintothepromisedland.Onearthwewillbeexiles,whomGodcallstokeepmoving.Aswemovethroughthewilderness,wewillmeetobstacles.Wewilldiscovernewareasofsininourlives,newwaysinwhichwearecomplicitwithforcesofevilintheworld.Muchthoughwewanttorepentofthese,wemayfindsomeoftheminescapable.ButGod'scallistoajourney,nottoperfectpurityenroute.Theairthatwebreatheishisgraceandforgiveness.

Despiteourfailings,stepbystepGodwillleadusonward.Andaswego,hisSon'spromiseringsinourinnerears:"Iamwithyoualways"(Matt.28:20).TheHolyOne,whoisourgoal,willalsobeourcompanion.4Aswejourneywithhimfromsecurityintorisk,wewill"sharehisholiness"(Heb.12:10).

HolinessontheJourney:LivingForce

Allaspectsofholiness!Withoutanyofthem,thepioneerlifesoonerorlaterbecomesimpossible,andwhetherwearewill

ingtoadmitthisornotwebecomesettlersinanewplace.ButGodiscommittedtoourjourney.Andsothatwecanactuallymovetowardshisgoalforhumanity,theHolyCity,hewantstoequipuswithholiness.

Thefirstaspectofholiness,aswehaveseen,islivingforce.ThelivingGoddoesnotrevealhimselflightly.Buttopeopletodayasthroughouthistory,hecontinuestogiveanexperienceoftheonewhois"highandliftedup"(Isa.6:1).Ourpreparationswhetherthroughcharismaticworship,contemplativeprayer,adream,oraninspiringsermoncanopenthewayforhimtospeak.Butoftenherevealshimselfsurprisingly,inunexpectedplacesandinshockingforms.Hispowerandgracecantakeusaback,dumbfoundinguswithloveandcausingtowellupwithinusbothdreadandhilarity!

WhenJesusathisbaptismmettheFatherasliving,lovingforce,hereceivedmarchingorderstoajourneyofserviceandsuffering.Ourjourneys,bythesametoken,maystartwithanexperienceofhislove.Orwemayexperiencethisenroute,whenwe'reburnedoutafterhavingdoneeverythinginourstrengthtoattainthegoalandfailed!Wheneverthishappens,theFathercallsusbyname;heteachesustocallhimAbba;helovesus.WhenJesuslookedatpeople,theysawloveinhiseyesandtheycouldchange.Forhislovedispelsfear.IntheHolySpirit,wecanknowtheoverwhelmingrealityofbeingsonsanddaughtersoftheFather.Wecanbesecure,secureenoughtorespondtoJesus'callintoinsecurity:"Followme!"Provisionandprotectionmay,accordingtothepsychologistMaslow,beour"primaryhumanneeds."

5Buthowmuchmorethereistolifethanthese!Indeed,itisGod'slovedeeplyexperiencedasalivingforcethatenergizesustoseeprovisionandprotectioninaproperperspectiveandtotakeadistinctiveapproachtothem.

Whenwearewithoutstrengthforthenextlegofourjourney,orwhenwearefacingablankwallandcanseenofaithfulwayforward,wediscoverthatGod'slivingforceis

poweraswellaslove.GodisacontinuingCreator.Inhisconcretegrace,heopenstouspossibilitiesthatamazeus.Sometimes,aswetakerisksinourapproachtoprotectionandprovision,hissurprisescanbeliterallylife-saving!

6OncewehaveencounteredGodaslivingforce,wewillbereadytorecognizetheseasmiracles"cross-currentsthatchangethepreviousdriftofinevitability,anddirectthewholetowardsanewanddifferentend."7

Awordofcautionmaybenecessary,however.ForthereissomethingabouttheexperienceofGod'slivingforcewhich,initsfascination,canbecomeanendinitself.Thisisatemptationwhichwemustreject.Godwon'tallowhisbeautytolingersimplyforustoappreciateitemotionallyoraesthetically.IntheBible,God'sself-disclosureswereneverfortheirownsake.Theywerealwaystoequiphispeopleforchange.WhenGodrevealstoushislivingforce,heisinvitingustokeepmoving,tostayontheroadthatleadstohisHolyCity.Ifwerefusehisinvitation,ourexperiencesofholinesswillnotrecur.Wecansingourchoruseslouderandlonger;wecancontemplatewithevergreaterabandon.ButifwedonotallowGodtogoonchangingus,wewillnotexperiencehislivingforce.Deepinourselveswewillknowthedrynessofhissilence.

Separateness

Thesecondaspectofholinessisseparateness.Aswehaveseen,ataveryearlydate,Godforbadehispeopletobelikethenations.Throughouthistoryhispolicyforthemhasbeenoneofnonconformity.Itstillis.Butateverystage,God'speoplehavefoundithardtoliveseparatelywhileremaininginthethickofthings.

Therearetwoobviouswaysofdealingwiththisdifficulty.Oneisto

maintainseparatenessbywithdrawing.InJesus'timetheEsseneschosethisroute.SeveralcenturiesafterJesus,Christiansbegantowithdrawfromsocietyaswell.Toholdontovaluesthatallearlybelievershadaffirmed,aminorityof

dedicatedChristiansfromthefourthcenturyonwardgaveupondirectparticipationinthelifeoftheempireandbecamemonks.Atalaterdate,renewalmovementswereforcedtowithdrawaswell.Distinctivenesswaspossible,butonly,itappeared,ontheedgesofsociety.Oftenthesegroupsweretolerated;onoccasiontheywereevenvalued.ButonlyaslongastheykepttheirdistanceandrefrainedfromissuingacalltoallChristianstofollowJesusfaithfully.Anditdidn'ttakelongbeforesomemonasticandrenewalgroupsdiscoveredtheseductionofcocoon-likeseparateness.

Morecommonthanwithdrawinghasbeenasecondapproachsurrenderingseparateness.MostChristianshavefeltthatitisimportantthatbelieversoccupythecommandingheightsofeverysocietyforthegoodofsociety.Ofcoursethisrequirescompromise,butonlywiththevaluesofasocietywhichisbasicallyChristiananyway.SincethenationsoftheWesthavebeenChristian,ithasn'tseemedtomatterifthebelieversbecome"likethenations."

Untilrecently,thatis.Oflate,Christiancriticshavebeensensingthatsomethinghasgonewrong.ThelateFrancisSchaefferhasdetectedinWesternChristiansanabandonmentofspiritualprinciple"sheeraccommodationtotheworldspiritofthisage."

8EvangelicalstatesmanJohnStotthasnotedagravitationalpullleadingChristianstolosetheirdistinctiveness:

ProbablythegreatesttragedyofthechurchthroughoutitslongandchequeredhistoryhasbeenitsconstanttendencytoconformtotheprevailingcultureinsteadofdevelopingaChristiancounter-culture.9

SociologistOsGuinnesshaspicturedChristiansasbeinglostina"labyrinthofworldliness."10WhattheydoonSundaymaybedistinctive,buttheirfaithhasnothingtosaytowhattheydofrom

MondaytoSaturday.

Asthetimebombstick,thisproblemhasbecomeacute.As

wehaveseen,Godhascalledhispeopletobedistinctiveinallareas,evenintheareaswhichmostimmediatelyaffectoursecurityprovisionandprotection.Andintheseareas,Christianstendtobejustlikeotherconservativecitizensprudent,cautious,afraidofarockingboat.IfChristianshavehadanydistinctiveness,ithasoftenbeenadistinctivenessofconservativetemperaments,andourdesiretobedifferenthasbeennostalgiaforanidealizedpast.

Godhasanalternative,whichisneitherwithdrawnnor"wet."HeexpresseditinJesus.Jesusalarmedpeoplewhowereafraidofchange.Hewasobviouslyinthemidstofthings;andyethewasinvitinglydifferent.AndJesusprayedthattheFatherwouldprotecthisfollowerssothattheycouldbelikehimintheworld(John17:15).Howharditistobe"apartfromsocietyandopentoitatthesametime"!

11SuchanaccessibleseparatenessispossibleonlytothosewhoarerefreshedbythelivingwaterofGod'sholiness.AndthesepeoplemustkeeptheireyesfixedonJesus.

Godlikeness

TheonlyseparatenessthathasanythingtosaytoourtimeisaseparatenessthatisareflectionofGod.Godlikenessisourthirdaspectofholiness.Howessentialitis!Withoutit,wewouldnotsuspectthatourjourneywasnecessary.WithouttheHolyOne,wewouldlackbothadestinationhisHolyCityandadirectionforourlifeaswego.AnditisJesuswho,asthe"imageoftheinvisibleGod,"revealstouswhatgodlikenessisallabout(Col.1:15).

HowtemptedweChristiansaretooverlookJesus.Itisnotthatwedonottellpeoplegoodnewsabouthimhisloveforoppressedandsinfulpeople,hissacrificialdeath,hisresurrectioninpower.ButJesus

himselfthemanwhosepeculiarholinesssothreatenedtherulersofhisdaythattheyhadtokillhimthisJesuswearetemptedtoforget.Andthatisdisastrousforus.UnlesswespendtimelisteningtoJesusandwatching

himwork,ourunderstandingofholinesswillbecrippled.

ThisisnotanewproblemforChristians.Signsofitwerealreadypresentinthegreatfourth-centurystatementoffaithcalledthe''Apostles'Creed":

Ibelieve...inJesusChristhisonlySonourLord,whowasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,bornoftheVirginMary,sufferedunderPontiusPilate....

Therewerethirty-threeyearsinbetweenhisbirthandhiscrucifixion;inthreeofthesehewasengagedinthemostimportantpubliclifeinhistory.Isitnotimportanttobelievesomethingabouttheseyears?

Ifweglideovertheseyears,wegetthemostcurious,historicallyincredibledepictionsofJesus.Hewas,aCambridgedoninformedusrecentlyinaseriesofbroadcasttalks,amanwhodirectedotherstoturnawayfromthepreoccupationsofhumansociety."

12Thisisanoddview,whichstillcharacterizesmuchChristianpreachingintheWest.ButalthoughitcreditsJesuswithbeingKing,itdoesn'tpayattentiontohiskinglyactsorlistentohisroyalwisdom.Anditrestrictshisrule.NewChristiansareadvisedtochangetheirprivatehabitsbutnottheirpublicbehavior.Sointhecrucialsecurityareasofprotectionandprovision,Christianscontinuetobehavejustlikeeveryoneelse.Consideringwhattheyhavebeentaught,it'snottheirfaultthattheirconscienceshavebeencauterized.Whataneffectthistraditionhashad!AnEnglishEvangelicalairmantestified:

IwasatChristmasIslandinthe1950s,andsawtheBritishnucleartestexplosion.IneverfeltanyqualmspromptedbytheHolySpiritfromit,whereasIhaveinotherareaslikedrinking.13

HowunfairtoJesus,andhowdangerousforthewholeworld,whenweseenothingmoreinChristlikenessthananattitude

thatissweet,strong,andfreeofalcoholandpolitics.

HowfarremovedthisisfromtheJesuswhostridesacrossthepagesofthegospels.ThisJesusshowedalldimensionsofholiness.Hedidn'tdivertpeople'seyesupward,to"theetherealqualitiesofimmortality."

14Thatisnotbiblicalholiness.Ratherheradiatedholinessintothoseplacesthatconventionalcaricaturesof"holiness"ignorethecrunchissuesofhistime,warandwealth.AsSaviorandLord,helovedhiscountry'senemies,includedtheoutsiders,andbroughtjusticetopoorpeople.Howdeeplyintroublewearewhenwedonotallowhimtochallengeus,andtheleadersofoursociety,tolivedifferently!Rememberwhoitwasthatbuilthishouseuponthesand(Matt.7:2427)?ItwasnotthepersonwhorefusedtoacceptJesusasSavior.ItwasthepersonwhoheardJesus'wordsanddidn'tactonthem.Whentherainfell,thatperson'shousefellwithabang.Howisourhousedoing?

Togrowintothegodlikedimensionofholiness,letustakeoffourblinkers.LetuslookresolutelyattheJesusoftheGospels.Andletusallowhimtolookatus,lovingly,searchingly.Letustellandretellhisstory.LetusmemorizehisteachingsthelawoffreedomwhichfollowedthesecondExodus.Aboveall,letuswatchhimatwork,forasherespondedtothepeopleandcrisesofhistime,hewasdoingwhattheFatherwasdoing(John5:20).He,theHolyOneofGod,wasdramaticallydeamonstratingtheFather'sholiness.Ifwearetobeholy,wewillbedrawntodowhathewasdoing.

Dynamism

Doing,indeed,isthepoint;itisourfourthaspectofholiness,itsdynamism.ForinJesusasthroughouttheBible,holinessisonthe

move.Holinessisaforceforchange.Itmendsthingsanditmakesthemwhole.It"shatterstheresistanceswhichhumankindsetsupagainstGod."15Asweyieldourselvestoitspower,itmovesustowardtheHolyCity.

Thereisnoholinesswithoutpower.WhenIsaiah,Jeremiah,

ortheearlyChristiansmettheHolyOne,thingshadtochange.Paulknewthiswell."ThekingdomofGod,"hesaid,"isnotamatteroftalkbutofpower"(1Cor.4:20,NIV).Itspoweraffectsalloflife.InJesuswecanseehowitworks.Athistouch,thedynamicwholenessofholinessenvelopedphysicallyandspirituallycrippledpeopleandhealedthem.Today,inGod'sgrace,manyChristiansareonceagainexperiencingtherealityofthatkindofpower.God'sHolySpiritbringschange,life,wholeness!Howmuchmanyofusneedtogrowinallowingthisdynamicpowertoflowthroughus.

ButtheholinesswhichJesusbroughtdidmorethanchangeindividuals.ItbroughtGod'spowertobearupontheforcesthatwerethetimebombsofhissociety.Jesusdidn'tweepoverJerusalembecauseitwasfullofunhealedblindpeople;theJerusalemiteswereneverreluctanttoaccepthealing.Heweptoveritbecauseitsinhabitants,intheirspiritualblindness,wouldnotacceptwhathewassaying.Theywereclosedto"thethingsthatmakeforpeace."Lovetheirnation'senemies?Never!Jesus'contemporariessegregatedholiness.Theywereopentoitspowertohealillness;buttheywereclosedtoitspowertohealsocialrelationships.Andso,withinafewyears,theirRomanenemiesdestroyedtheircivilization(Luke19:4144).Theclocksontheirtimebombsranout.

Godwantsustoexperiencethefullnessofholiness.Incallingustobeholy,heiscallingustorealignourselveswiththestoryofJesus.JesusisthekeytothemeaningoftheentireBible;heshowsuswhatthestoryisabout,becauseheshowsustheFather.Inwordandaction,hedemonstrateshowcomprehensivetheFather'scareis.Inhiscross,heshowsusthedepthoftheFather'sdeterminationtosetthingsright.Andheinvitesustofollowhim;heinvitesustobeacontinuationofhisstory.Forthatendhewantstoempoweruswiththedynamicenergyofholiness.HewantsustobepeoplewholooklikehimagentsofchangetowardshisHolyCity.

Chapter15NationalHolinessGodiscallingustoholiness,toadistinctivelifethatlookslikeJesus.Howdifficultthisis!Wefeelourselvesisolated.Wearesqueezedbythepressuresofoursocietyintovaluesandlifestylesthatarejustlikeeverybodyelse's.Theyrequirenofaith,andtheirconsequencesforthefutureoftheworldarechoking.WhenwehearJesuscallingustobeunlikethenations,itisnotonlynon-Christianswhodonotunderstand.TheincomprehensionanddisapprovalofotherChristiansisevenmoredistressing.Inourweakness,wemaywellrespondtothemimpatientlyandjudgmentally.It'sexhaustingandspirituallyprecarioustobeaholysoloist!

Thisisasadsituation.ItisadistortionofwhatGodwantsforhisholypeople.Butwehavetoberealistic.Ourjourneywilltakeus,notfromwherewewouldliketostart,butfromwhereweactuallyare.Whenourvisionofsocialholinessisolatesusfromotherpeople,wemustturntoourFatherinprayer.Wemustaskhimaboutourselves.Doweoffendotherpeoplebe-

causeofthingswithinusthatareunwholesomeandabrasive?Isourvisionofholinessflawed?Ifsoandwhosevisionofholinessisnotflawed!wemustopenourselvestoGod'shealing.ButwemustalsoaskGodforcompanionsonourjourney.Perhapsweshouldbeginbypraying,"Lord,givemeacompanion.Andmakemeacompanion."AsGodanswersourprayer,buildingacommonlifeofholyobedience,ourprayerscanbroadeninscope."Lord,thankyouforourprayergroup,whichisexperiencingmanydimensionsofyourholiness.Renewyourentirechurch!Makeittobetheholynationyouhavecalledittobe!"

TheHolyNationForgotten

Aholynation.Ifonlyweexperiencedthismore,manyChristianswouldn'tfeelsoisolated.ButforcenturiesthevastmajorityofChristianstheologiansandlayfolkalikehaveforgottenthatthechurchcanbeaholynation.Wehaveassumedthatweliveontwolevels:thepersonallevel,andthepubliclevel.Inthefirstofthese,weattempttoliveourprivatelivesinasholyawayaspossible,andtosomeextentwecansucceed.Butthingsaredifferentinourpubliclife.Therewerubshoulderswitheveryoneinournation,withourentiresociety.Wecannottransferpatternsofbehaviorfromtheindividualleveltothelevelofsociety.Whenwedo,theresults,"fromthepoliticalperspective,arequiteimpossible."

1Groupsbehavedifferentlyfromindividuals.Personalholinessisdifficultbutpossible;publicholinessisoutofthequestion!

Suchideasarebasedonagreatdealofexperience,andtheyhavemuchtocommendthem.TheAmericanthinkerReinholdNiebuhrstatedtheminclassicalform,buthewasnotbeingoriginal;hewassimplyexpressingthecommonlyheldassumptionsofindividualistic

WesternChristianity.Wehaveourpersonalrightsandwehaveoursocialresponsibilitiesresponsibilitiestoournation.AccordingtoEnglishtheologianKeithWard,we'vegottobeclearaboutwhereourultimateloyalties

lie.Wehavea"specialconcernforthesurvivalofourownculture,language,andtraditionsthat[we]donotfeelforothers...wehaveadutytodefendourfamiliesandcultures,ourcommunitiesandcountriesfromdestruction,tyranny,andsubjugation."

2Theimplicationsforourbehaviorareclear.Inourpersonaldealingswemayforgivedebtsandrejectviolence;butwhenactingasapartofournationdefinedintermsofculture,language,andcountrywemuststandupforitseconomicandpoliticalrights.

HolyNationhoodRegained

Butwhatisournation?Stupidquestion!Ourpassportstellus.WeareArgentinian,British,orCambodian.Butisitthissimple?AsChristiansarewenotmembersofanothernationanothernationtowhichweoweprimaryallegiance?Mighttherenotbeasocialgroup,bothsmallerthanournationalsocietiesandvastlybiggerthanthem,whichGodhasdesignedtogivesocialexpressiontoholiness?ChristianeconomistProfessorBrianGriffithsevidentlyassumesnot:

BecausethekingdomofGoddependsforitsveryexistenceonaninwardsupernaturalpower,itisimpossibletotranslateitintocontemporarysocial,political,andeconomicinstitutions....Therealworldinwhichweliveisafallenworldandnotacommunityofsaints.3

Thereiswisdomhere.IfweattempttoconstructapoliticalplatformforanentirenationalsocietyonthebasisofJesus'kingdomteachings,wewillfail.ButGriffithswordswhichseemtoruleouttheapplicationofJesus'teachingonthesocialplanecontainseedsofsomethingdifferent,moredynamic,morehopeful:"inwardsupernaturalpower...social,politicalandeconomicinstitutions...communityofsaints[holyones]."Thesewordspointtoarealitythatisbothsocialandspiritual,bothinstitutionalandholy.Andithasatransforming

power.InbothOldandNewTestaments,thisrealityisthevehicleforGod'ssocialstrategy.Itishisholynation.Formedbyhissupernaturalpower,itis"electfromeverynation,yetonethroughouttheearth."ThisisthenationinwhichGodhasdesignedholinessall-embracingsocialholinesstotakeonpoliticalandeconomicform.

WhyisitthatweChristiansfinditsohardtothinkofourselvesasmembersofaholynation?Becausewehavebadhabitshabitswhichwereformedwheneverybody,ineverynationin"Christendom,"wasaChristian.Butthatisnolongerthecase.IntheUnitedKingdom,forexample,regularchurchgoingbythelate1970shadfallento11percent.

4ProfessorSirHerbertButterfieldsawthisdeclineinhistoricalperspective."AfteraperiodoffifteenhundredyearsorsowecanjustaboutbegintosaythatatlastnooneisnowaChristianbecauseofgovernmentcompulsion,orbecauseitisnecessarytoprocurefavoratcourt,orbecauseitisnecessaryinordertoqualifyforpublicoffice."5Theoldequivalenceofchurchandnationisgone.Almosteverywhere(IrelandandPolandarenotableexceptions),themasschurchisdead.Soisthe''Christiannation."TheconversionstoJesusthatonepraysforcannotresurrectit.

Isthisareasontodespair?Onthecontrary.AccordingtoProfessorButterfield,oursis"themostimportantandthemostexhilaratingperiodinthehistoryofChristianityforfifteenhundredyears."6Itisatimeformission.Itisatimeforthechurchtoemergeasacommunity,definednotbyculturalcoercionbutbyfaithandsupernaturalpower.ItisatimewhenGod'sholyonescanbegintoreclaimtheirbiblicalidentity.WeareChristians.Asbiblicalpeople,wewillbesubordinatetoaqueenorpresident.ButwewillobeytheKingJesus.Andwewillidentifyourselveswithhimandhisscatteredsubjectsaroundthe

world.Withthemourbond"isstrongerthanthatassociatedwithnational,racial,orethnicties."7

OurnationGod'sholynationcrossesfrontiers.Initscommonlifeandinstitutions,itcangivesocialexpressionto

holiness.Init,Jubileeandenemylovingmakesense.It,notthecivilauthorities,isthebearerofGod'scauseinhistory.Ourprimarywayofbeingsociallyresponsibleisnottofindnewwaysofparticipatinginconventionalpolitics,importantthoughthatmaybe;itisrathertofindnewwaysofmakingGod'sholynationavisible,socialreality.

DualCitizenship

Butdon'twestillbelongtoour"fatherland"aswell?Don'tgenes,geography,andthesocialsolidaritywhichtheyhavealwaysentailedhaveaclaimuponus?AsKeithClementshaswritteninamovingbook,justbecausesecularnationhoodisnot"theultimatedoesnotmeanitisnothing.Preciselyinitsveryhumannature,ithasarightfulclaimonoursolidarity."

8Iagree.ItisgoodtobeAmerican.Americancultureapplepie,theSuperBowl,sodafountains,LeonardBernsteinisasbeautifulandvalidasanyother.BothTestamentsoftheBibletellustoloveourneighbors.Andwhereverwelive,ourcountriesandfellowcitizensmaddeningthoughtheymaysometimesbewillbeeminentlyworthloving.

AsChristians,itisrightforustoidentifywithournativelands.Therearegoodbiblicalreasonsforustoberespectful,loyalcitizens.PeterurgedhisfriendstohonortheemperorofBabylonandtobesubordinatetohisofficials(1Pet.2:1317).Nolessshouldweberespectfulandasobedientaspossibletoourgovernment.DietrichBonhoefferwasdeterminedtobeagoodGermanaswellasaloyalmemberofthecommunionofsaints.Hisstruggletoreconciletheseisworthponderingbyusall.9

Butformostofusthatisnottheproblem.Ourproblemisthis:asWesternChristianswehavehadpracticallynosenseofbeingpartof

aninternational,holynation.TherearepowerfulforcesofpersuasionandpressurethatseektoarouseouremotionsasAmericancitizens.NosuchmediabonanzasencourageoursolidaritywiththenetworkthatunitesChristianbrothers

andsistersBaptist,Catholic,Orthodox,andtherestinEasternEuropeaswellasintheU.S.Evenwithinthiscountry,ChristianshavenotdevelopedanappreciationofthesocialpotentialofbelongingtoeachotherunderthekingshipofGod.

Twothingshaveresulted.Firstofall,inatimeofinternationaltension,theChristians'primarynationalloyaltyemergesquicklyandwithgreatemotionalclarity.They,likeeveryoneelse,assumethattheirprimaryidentityisnotwithotherChristians;itiswiththeirfellowcountrymen.WorldWarIshowedthisinflagrantforminBritainaswellasintheU.S.In1915thebishopofLondonexhortedthenationtosocialholiness:

IthinktheChurchcanbesthelpthenation...bymakingitrealizethatitisenagedinaHolyWar,andnotbeafraidofsayingso.ChristdiedonGoodFridayforFreedom,HonourandChivalry,andourboysaredyingforthesamethings...MobilizetheNationforaHolyWar!

10

SodidtheGermanbishops,forGermanboyswerealsodyingforGod.

Thisisn'tsimplyathingofthepast.Atthemoment,AmericaistargetingeverySovietcitywithnuclearmissilesMinuteman,Poseidon,Trident,andtherest.AndtheSovietcitieshavemillionsofChristianbelieversinthem!11WhatkindofwoundinthebodyofChristwoulditcauseifweusedevenoneofourmissiles?ButfewChristiansseemtoreflectonthat.ForwehavealmostnosenseofChristiannationhood.WelapsereflexivelyintoassumingthatAmericansare"God'speople."Itiseasytoquote2Chronicles7:14:"Ifmypeoplewhoarecalledbymynamehumblethemselves,andprayandseekmyface,andturnfromtheirwickedways,thenIwillhearfromheaven,andwillforgivetheirsinandhealtheirland."

Butitwon'tdotopraythisforAmerica.Wecanonlypraythisforthosewhogenuinelyare"God'speople,"thetransnationalChristiannation.IfweChristiansdon'tthinkofourselveslikethat,perhapsit'stimethatwestartedto.Ourreflexes

wouldhavetochange.Whenpushedtodeclarewhatournationalidentityreallyis,wewouldbeChristiansfirst,Americans(oranythingelse),second.

Thesecondconsequencehasalreadybecomeclear.Becausewe,asChristiansinAmerica,lackasenseofprimarycommitmenttoeachotherandtootherChristiansaroundtheworld,wearedoomedtoliveinanunholywaylikethenations.Wegotochurchasindividuals.Therewereceivespiritualresourcestoliveinthedog-eat-doglifeofmodernsociety.Howisolated,atomized,anddisempoweredweare!Nowonderweareestrangedfromholiness.Nowonderwelivelikeallthenations.Ononepoint,ReinholdNiebuhrwasquitewrong:itismuchharderasisolatedindividualstolivelikeJesusthanitisinthenewsocietyofGod'snation.

APioneeringPeople

ThejourneyonwhichGodhascalledustosetoutisajourneyofdiscovery.Aswetravel,wewilllearnmuch.Wewilllearnaboutnationhood.AsGod'sholynation,wewillfindoutwhatitmeanstobeanationwithoutland.Wewilldiscoverthatourdeepestsolidarityisnotwithourphysicalneighbors,whoshareouraccent,education,andtasteintea;itisratherwiththebelieversinHungary,Haiti,andHartford,Connecticutbelieverswho,becauseofChrist'swork,areourbrothersandsisters.

Whatdelightthereisinthisdiscovery!Whatexcitementthereisindiscoveringtherichhistory,bothcommonanddiverse,whichwesharewithfellowcitizensinGod'snationthatcomefromeverypartoftheworld.Andwhatafirmbasisforwitnesstoindividualsandtogovernmentsthisbaseinholynationhoodwillgiveus!Noteveryonewillappreciatethis.AsScottishBibleteacherJimPuntoncommentedshortlybeforehedied,if"Christiansactedonarealvisionofbeing

thenationofGodtheywouldimmediatelyterrifygovernmentsworldwide."Butcountlessmenandwomenwouldbedrawntoa

worldwidesolidarityofjusticeandlove."

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Howtoliveasaholysocietythisisthesecondthingwewilllearn.Becausewearesoaccustomedtolivinglikethenations,wehavemuchtolearn.Howexcitingitwillbeaswebegintodoso.ThroughouttheBible,Godusedcreativeminorities(anotherwayofsaying"holynations")tomovehistoryforward.13IntheOldTestament,thatwashowGodusedIsraelamongthenations.Andforuspost-NewTestamentChristians,thatisthecallingofChristtohischurch.

Ifwehavelostthisvision,wecanregainit.LiketheearlyChristians,wecanbeanewsocietywhichgivesindividualsthestrengthtoholdoutagainstthevaluesofapaganworld.WecanalsogivesocialexpressiontoJesus'teaching,notjustinindividualcongregationsbutbetweencongregationsandacrosstheworldwideholynation."Thechurchiscalledtobenowwhattheworldiscalledtobeultimately."14Ifwecangraspthisvisionandlivebyitinafearfulworld,wecanbeasourceofimmensehope.

Chapter16SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamiliesButhow?ThisvisionofbeingGod'sholynation,livinginalternativeways"unlikethenations,"trustinglyenteringintoriskbecauseofGod'sreliablegraceitmaysoundgreatbutimpossible;oritmaymerelysoundsuspect!Isitirresponsibleidealismtothinkwemightdevelopawayoflivingbasedonsuchavision?Whatspecificeverydaystepsmightsuchawayoflivingrequire?

Noonecansayexactly.Anditisnotmywishtoprescribedetailsforindividualsorgroups.ButIbelievethatallofus,separatelyandinourchurches,arecalledtotakestepsoffaith.Mindyou,onlyonestepatatime!Jesusdoesn'taskustobekangaroosaswefollowhim(buthealsodoesn'twantustobesloths!).Inthischapter,Ihopetodrawoutsomeprincipleswhichcanguideusaswemakedecisionsforthatnextstepforward.AndIhopethatsomeexamplesandquestionswillstimulateustocontinuewrestlingwiththecomplexitiesthatwefaceinpursuingalifeofholiness.

SaltandLight

Whenwe'retryingtothinkpractically,Jesus'wordsarealwaystothepoint.AbriefburstofhisteachingwhichChristiansconcernedtobeinvolvedinsocietyhavelovedtoquoteisparticularlyrelevant:

Youarethesaltoftheearth;butifsalthaslostitstaste,howshallitssaltnessberestored?Itisnolongergoodforanythingexcepttobethrownoutandtroddenunderfootbyeverybody.Youarethelightoftheworld.Acitysetonahillcannotbehid.Nordopeoplelightalampandputitunderabushel,butonastand,anditgiveslighttoallinthehouse.Letyourlightsoshinebeforeeverybody,thattheymayseeyourgoodworksandgiveglorytoyourFatherwhoisinheaven.

(Matt.5:1316)

"Besaltandlight!"Surelythispassage,morethananyotherintheBible,isacharterforChristianinvolvementinsociety.

Itis,ofcourse.Butitalsohasbecomeaslogan.Becauseitsmeaningispresumablyobvious,Christiansmaynothavethoughtdeeplyenoughaboutit.Indeed,attimesitmayhavestifledourthinking.Butthepassagewhichunderliesthissloganisarichone.Itisnotsimplyacharterforinvolvement;itisacharterforaparticularkindofinvolvement.Itisnotenoughtobeinvolvedinsociety.TobefaithfultoJesus,wemustbesocialinaholyway.Forthe"saltandlight"passageisaholinesstext.

WhydidJesusgivethisteachingtohisfollowers?Becauseheknewthatthey,assuccessorstotheprophets,wouldbeapersecutedminoritylivingunderconstantpressure(Matt.5:1112).Inthisposition,theywouldbesubjecttotwotemptations.EithertheymightwithdrawfromtheworldliketheEsseneshaddone;or,iftheygotinvolved,theymightlosetheirdistinctivenessandbecomejustlikeeveryoneelse.HolinessintheworldthiswasJesus'desireforhis

followers.Withdrawalandcompromisethesewerehowthingscouldgowrongforthem.

Jesusforesawdisasterunlesshisfollowerswerehighlyvisible.

Theyarelight;theyilluminatethewayfortheworld.Buttheirlightmustbesetinaplacewhereitreallymakesadifference;itmustbeonastand,andnotunderabasket!Theircitymustbeonahill.Ifit'sinacanyonitcan'tbeamodelforanyone.

Jesusforesawanotherkindofdisasterifhisfollowerscompromisedtheirdistinctiveness.Theyaresalt,andtheyhavetobedifferenttobeeffective.Onlybykeepingtheirsaltinesscantheyfertilizethesoiloraddspicetothefood.Whentheyfunctionlikethat,theearthbecomesabetterplaceandGod'skingdomisontheoffensive.

1Butiftheirsaltlosesitssaltinessthroughbeingmixedwithwindblowndust,itbecomesuseless.Itisthere,andpresumablyitisstillcalledsalt.Butithasnothingtocontribute.Itcan'tdowhatsaltismeanttodo.

HowwillJesus'followersknowiftheyarebeingsalty?Notbymeasuringtheirinfluenceontheworld,butbymonitoringtheirsimilaritytotheirMasterandtheirfaithfulnesstohisteaching.ItismenandwomenoftheBeatitudeswhoaresalt.Itismenandwomenwhoseheartsarepure,whotellthetruth,wholovetheirenemies,whotrusttheFatherforprovision,whoaboveallelseseekGod'skingdomandhisjustice.Inotherwords,saltinessisthedistinctiveapproachtolifealloflife,includingthesensitiveareasofprovisionandprotectionthatJesustaughtintherestoftheSermonontheMount.ThiswashowJesushimselflived.Jesuswarnedthatitisn'tenoughtomouththerightphrasesinprayer("Lord,Lord"),ortoexercisethespiritualgifts,ifonegoesonlivinglikeallthenations.SaltinessmeansputtingintopracticethewilloftheFather(7:2123).

Jesus'followerscandothisintwoways.Saltandlightoperatedifferently.Tobeeffective,saltmustbescattered.Ingreatchunks,it

iscounterproductive:asaseasoningitisinedible;andasafertilizeritdestroysgrowth.Jesus'followers,likegrainsofsalt,arewillingtoriskminglingwithsocietytoworkthereforthechangewhichthekingdombrings.

Light,ontheotherhand,isawordforgathering,notscatter-

ing.WhenJesususestheword"light,"heisinfactreferringtoaclusteroflights.HeisalludingtothetruenationofIsraelwhichintheOldTestamentisthe"lighttothenations"demonstratingwhataholysocietyislike(Isa.49:6).AndintheSermonontheMount,Jesusiscallinghisfollowerstofulfilthisprivilegedsocialfunction.ItisnottoanindividualonapedestalthatJesuspoints;itistoacitysetonahill,ahighlyvisiblecomplexsocietymadeupofmanyindividuals.

2

Jesus'saltandlightchallengeourlives.Manyofushaveignoredthechallengeentirely,becomingcomfortableinourjobs.Wehavenotaskedifwearedoingholywork,pointingtoJesusandhiskingdom.Someofushavetriedtochoosebetweensaltandlight.Wehaveputalloureffortintoindividualquestionsaboutsaltinessandhavebeenlessconcernedaboutthe"light"ofthechurchwhichcanfunctionasamodelsocietyofjusticeandlove.Othersofus,outoffearorlonghabit,havewithdrawnfromsociety,spendingallofourtimeincellsofChristianirrelevance.Whatevertheflavorofourunfaithfulness,Jesusinvitesustorepent.Heinvitesustobecomewhatheisdistinctive,unlikethenations,butliketheFather,intheworld.Hecallsustobeholyasheisholy.Ourinvolvementinsocietymustbebasedonhim.

PrinciplesofHolyLiving

Butwhatwillitlooklikeinpractice?Inthepagesthatfollow,Icanonlygiveafewhintsandexamples.Mysuggestionsaremodestandtentative.ButIhopetheywillbestimulatingtous.Wecertainlyneedtouseourimaginations.Forateverylevelofourlivesasindividualsandfamilies,atwork,inpubliclife,andinourcorporatelifewithinthechurchsocialholinessiselusive.

Thereasonsforthisarefamiliar.Wemayadaptourselvesunthinkinglytothecustomsofthesocietywhichsurroundsus.Wemayunderestimatethedifficultyofacourseofactionwe'vechosentotake.Wemayattempttoolightlytorequire

standardsofholylivingofpeopleandinstitutionswhicharenotChristian.Aboveall,wemayforgetthatwe'reinhostileterritory.Ifwedothesethings,Jesuswarnsusthatwewon'tbesaltandthatwe'llgettrampled.Butifwepersistinwantingtobetastysaltandclustersofhope-givinglight,hereareafewprinciplesthatmayhelpus.

(1)OurprimarycitizenshipisinGod'snation.AsJesus'discipleswecarrythepassportsofGod'sholynation.Thisnationismadeupofmenandwomendrawnfrom"everytribeandtongueandpeopleandnation"(Rev.5:9).Itspanstheglobe.Itminimizesthepoliticalfrontiersthatcarveitinto"national"units.EverywherewecitizensofGod'snationarelivingasexiles,insaltydispersionamongthe"nations"inBabylon,insocietiesthatlivebyvaluesinmanywaysopposedtothoseofourGodandhisMessiah.Insomeofthesesocietiesitwillbehardertoliveholylivesthaninothers;itmaybeespeciallydifficultinsocietieswhichclaimtobe"Christian."Everywherewewillbeunderpressureandourattemptsasindividuals,families,andchurchestobesociallyholywillbringuponuscriticismand,attimes,exclusionandpersecution.

Becausewearelivingunderpressure,weneedtoexperiencethetangiblerealityofGod'snation,toknowthejoyofliveslivedinfreedomandexpectancy.Weneedthissimplytosurviveinasociallyholylifestyle.Ifweattempttomakeagoofitasholyloners,ourconventional"Babylonian"neighborswilldismissusascranks.Andsoonerorlaterwewillbreakdownandconform.Toremaindistinctivewedesperatelyneedeachother'ssupport.Butthenthat'sthewayGodhasdesignedustolivehehasmadeustobesocialbeings.Wearetobelightaswellassalt,andwecanarriveatmaturityonlyinthecompanyofothers.

TheBibleisnotjustthestoryofholyindividuals;itisthestoryofaholynationwhosesocietyismeanttobeademonstrationtoall

humanityofGod'swillfortheworld.Itisvitalthatwelivetogetherinjusticeandlove.Onlyifwedosocanwe

urgeothersincludingtheinstitutionsofoursurroundingsocietiestoadoptwaysoflivingthatwehavefoundtobelife-giving.

(2)Wecannotapplysocialholinessdirectlytothe''nations."WecannotexpectBabylonitsstateanditsmajorinstitutionstooperatebyChristianstandards.Holylivingisriskyliving,andifpeopledonotknowthesecurityofhavingGodastheirFather,wecannotexpectthemtodosuchcounterculturalthingsaslovetheirenemiesorsharetheirpossessions.

Butwewillattimesfindnon-Christianswhodothesethings.HowcanweexplainourexperiencethathumanistsandadherentsofotherworldreligionsareattimesmoreintunewithJesus'waythansomeChristians?PerhapsbyJesus'repeatedreminderthatGod'skingdomismadeupofsurprisingpeople(e.g.,Matt.8:1112).Thisshouldkeepushumbleandreceptivetoothers.Anditshouldmakeuswillingtocollaboratewithnon-Christians.Afterall,weworksidebysidewiththeminourjobs;whycan'twedosoinorganizationsworkingforthingsthatJesuscaredaboutjusticeandpeace?Aswedoso,wewillneedtobecandidaboutourvaluesandmotivation.Truth-tellingismoreimportanttousthanthe"gains"thatmightbemadebycuttingcorners.Indealingwithouropponentswewillberespectfulandnonviolent.

3AndwewillwanttocommunicatebothvisuallyandverballythatJesusisourreasonforactingandthesourceoftruelife.

(3)WeshouldtakepartinBabylonandtrytoinfluenceit.WemaysenseGod'scalltoparticipateinthesocialandgovernmentalstructuresofourcountries(Babylon).Inmanycountries,thereisampleopportunityforustodoso.Moderngovernmentiscomplexandvaried,andtherearemanylevelsatwhichwecanmake

distinctivecontributions.Butatalltimeswemustbealert.Wemustrememberthatweareparticipating,nottoperpetuatethingsastheyare,buttochangethem.Furthermore,wemustbearinmindtheholinesswhichGodultimatelyrequiresevenofnations.Reequalizationof

resourcesandtheforgivenessofenemiesmayseemdifficult,evenimpossible.ButtheserepresentGod'sconcerns,andtheyarethedirectioninwhichhewillmovehumanhistory.

Ifwe,havingavisionofGod'skingdomandknowinghisgrace,canproposepolicieswhichare"stepping-stones"betweenwhatwenowhaveandtheholysocietythatGoddesires,wecanbeusefullyinvolvedingovernmentalandcorporatestructures.But,asEvangelicalsocialstrategistA.N.Tritonremindsus,"Wecannotjoininallaspectsofsociety."

4Remember,weareaminoritymovement.Itisnotourcallingtoruntheworld.ItisourcallingtofollowJesus,todothosethingsthatareinkeepingwithhislifeandteachingandareafulfilmentoftheLawandtheprophets.Ifweparticipatewithoutreferencetothese,ourcontributionswillbeunholy.Wewillnotbesaltintheworld.

Wecanalsoinfluencethecorporateandgovernmentalstructuresofourtimefromoutside.WherethereareChristiansintheseinstitutions,wecanaddressthemasbrothersandsistersintermsofourcommonallegiancetoJesusandhisway.Wheretheseinstitutionsarerunbynon-Christians,wemustexpressourconcernstotheminsecularlanguage,butwithrespect,fullyconsciousthattheyare"servantsofGod"(Rom.13:4).Attimeswemay,likeJesusandJeremiah,choosedramaticformsofwitness.

Incleansingthetemple,Jesususedanonviolent,directwayofcommunicatingtotheestablishmentofhisday.Themessagegotthrough,andhisenemieschallengedontheirhomegroundimmediatelybegantoplothisdestruction(Mark11:18).Whetherweusewordsoractionstogetourpointacross,ourmessagewilloftenbeoneofwarning.Whennations(andcorporations)floutGod'swillforsharing

andreconciliation,theygetintotrouble,andsodoesthewholeworld.Butweshouldnotsimplyrailorcondemn.Wherepossible,weshouldofferwell-researchedpracticalalternatives,"stepping-stones"towardpoliciesmoreinkeepingwithGod'swill.

SocialHolinessforIndividualsandFamilies

Socialholinessisneveraneasything.Itrequiresrisk-takinginareasofourlivesthataresensitivethesecurityareasofprovisionandprotection."Forbetterorforworse"wearecommittedtothewelfareofthoseclosesttous.Wehavelearnedthewell-establishedpatternsofoursocietyforprovidingthatwelfare.Itmaybeeasierforusasindividualsandfamiliestotakestepsofriskyobediencethanitisforchurchesornations.Butevenonthesmallerscaleitishardtobreakloose.

Whatcanwedo?OnlywhatGodcallsustodo.Buthecertainlyiscallingeachoneofusintosomenewareaofinsecurity.Hewantsustorelyuponhimpractically,notjusttheoretically.Asweexplorenewareasofsharingandreconciliation,hewilldemonstratehisfaithfulnesstous.

Wemight,forexample,startbyaskingourselvessomequestionsaboutmoneyandpossessions.

Whyarewesavingmoney?

Arewesavinginawaythatcontravenesjusticeandpeace(forexample,throughinvestmentsinSouthAfricaorthearmsindustries)?

DoesoursavingsmaskourneedtotrustinGod'sprovision?

Dowereallyneedlifeinsurance?

Howmuchinsurancedowehaveonourpersonaleffects?

Shouldwehavelessvaluablestuffanyhow?

Howmuchdoesadvertisinginfluencewhatwethinkanddo?

Doesourstockpileofpossessionsmeanthatwedon'thavetobedependentonGodforprovision?

Wemightalsothinkmorecloselyabouthowwelive.

5

Whydowelivewherewedo?

Ifwehaveachoice,couldamoveenhanceourobedience

tothelifeandprinciplesofGod'skingdom?

Couldwecopewiththeconsequencesifourmovinghousebroughtisolation,urbanviolence,cultureshock?

Ifwe'intentionallylivednearotherChristianpeople,couldweforma"celloflight"thatcouldhelpuscope?

CouldaclusterofChristianhouseholdsimprovethetoneofanentireneighborhood?

Doweplanourmenusbyunexaminedhabit,respondingtoadvertisingorfollowingthelatesttrend?

6

Couldsimplifyingourdietfreemoneytogiveforfoodforthehungry?

Couldwegoawholeyearwithoutbuyingnewclothinginordertocontributeournormalbudgetedamounttoahard-presseddevelopmentagency?

Wouldweconsiderbypassingapromotionatworkinordertostayinthecommunitywhereourchurchislocatedandwherewearelearninghowwecangiveandreceive?

Howdowecountersociety'spressurestoaccumulatemoreandmorepossessions?

Howdoweteachjusticeandpeacetoourchildren?Doweletthemplaywithwartoys?7

Howcanwesaynotothestereotypingofoutsidersandtothedemeaninglanguageofracismandsexism?

Anyofthesequestionsmayleadustotakeafirststep,asmallstep

towardthelifeofholinessthatGodisaskingofus.Ourlittlestepswillnotbeearthshakinglysignificant.Aretheyworththetrouble?Willtheyhaveausefuleffect?Wecan'ttell,canwe?Butourindividualstepsforwardcanbeimportant.GodbeganhisstorywithindividualsbrahamandSarahwhorespondedtohiscallbydoingsomethingdaft.Similarlyoursmallstepscansetanewdirectionforourlives,andleadustofurtherstepsasGodkeepsusmoving.

Godhasawayofsurprisingus.Ourattemptstobefaithfuloftenhaveasignificancethatwecan'tseeatthemoment.Our

comingtounderstandanoutsider("immigrant")becauseweliveneartohimorhermaychangemorethanjustourownattitudes.Themoneythatwenolongerspendonaninsurancepolicyoranexpensivenewcarmightcombinewiththefinancialgivingofotherstoenableourchurchtoemployanewcommunityworker.Andinanyevent,thetimebombstickingunderoursocietyaregoingtoforceusallintheWestsoonerorlatertolowerourlivingstandards.Wouldn'titbeexcitingifChristianscametodiscovernowthatlifelivedbythe"mannaprinciples"canberichandfull?Wouldn'titbewonderfulifGod'sholynationrediscovereditstrueroleasanationofpioneers?

OnNotInsuringYourself

Friendsofminerecentlydecidednottoinvestinalifeinsuranceandsavingspolicy.Theyaremodestabouttheirdecision.Theyknowthatwhatthey'vedoneisnotnecessarilywhateveryoneintheirpositionshoulddo.Iagree.ButIstillthinkthattheirapproachmayspeaktousall,possiblyasasampleofthewaythatwemightponderthechoicesthatweface.Soatmyrequest,theyallowedmetoreproducetheirprocessofsearchingforGod'sguidance.

Wealmostsignedthepolicy.Itwasn'tthatexpensive,only$25permonth,closedfortenyears.Weassumedweneededittocoverabankloanthatwe'vegot.Butthatwasn'treallyso;itwasmoreofanexcuse.Aswethoughtaboutit,thecostsofthepolicybegantomountinourminds.Itwouldtieupalargeamountofourmoneyoveralongperiodoftime.Howelsewouldweusethemoney?Couldn'twegiveittothechurch,whichcertainlyneedsit?Ortothecharitythatwe'recommittedto?

AndhowaboutAbbaasourProtectorandProvider?Ofcoursehedoeshisprotectingandprovidingworkthroughhumanmeans,butwhatarethemostresponsiblewaysoforganizingthese?Hecallsustotakerisks,andlivinginriskyde-

pendencyisthewaymostlikelytoshowforthhispowerandrealitytoothersintheworld.Butwecouldn'tdiscussthiswithothers,couldwe,andsaywehavefinancialprotection?Mostofourfriendscouldn'tthinkofaffordingapolicylikethisone.Whatrightwouldwehavetotalkaboutit,especiallywhenwehavesomuchmorefinancialsecuritythanmostpeopleanyway?

WhatdoestheBiblesay?Itsaysalotofthings,buttheseparticularpassagesinourlectionaryreadingshavebeenspeakingprettydirectlytous:

Learnnotthewayofthenations,norbedismayedatthesignsoftheheavensbecausethenationsaredismayedatthem,forthecustomsofthepeoplesarefalse.(Jer.10:23)

Irememberthedevotionofyouryouth,yourloveas.abride,howyoufollowedmeinthewilderness,inalandnotsown.IsraelwasholytotheLord,thefirstfruitsofhisharvest.(Jer.2:23)

[Jesusis]thepioneerof[four]salvation....Hepartookoffleshandblood,thatthroughdeathhemightdestroyhimwhohasthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil,anddeliverallthosewhothroughfearofdeathweresubjecttolifelongbondage.(Heb.2:10,1415)

Firstfruits.HowdowelivesowereallyarefirstfruitsofGod'snewthing?Pioneers.Tobethat,somepeoplehavetotakerisksandgooutonalimbaheadofothers.It'snotthatwe'rebeinginanywaysuperior.It'sjustthatforusatthistimewecan'tacceptthisinsurancepolicyandkeepaclearconscience.It'salsonotthatwe'resayingthatlifeinsuranceiswrong.ButthisistheareawherewebelieveGodisaskingustoexpresspracticaltrust.

"Butwhataboutthechildren?Nowyoumustberesponsible."We'realwaysuneasywhenpeoplesaythiskindofthing.Isitanexcusetoconform?Whataboutthechildrenofpeoplewhocan'taffordinsurance?ItlookslikeGodwillcareforus,butheisn'tbigenoughtolookafterthem,too.Wedon'tbelievethat:Godhasn'tchangedhischaracter!Butthisisthegreateststumblingblockforus.Thechildrenthatiswherewegetinsecure

andfearful.Thereforeperhapsweneedtotrustallthemore.Andafterall,howlittlewe'redoing.Ourdecisionabout

theinsuranceissimplyoneact,asymbolicactoftrusttowardGod.Aswestartourfamilylife,we'retrustinghimforthechildrenaswell.It'saverysmallstep.Butonlybystartinginthatdirectioncanwebeopentothenextstepsthathewillshowusforourfuture.

SocialHolinessinOurWork

Ifit'shardtobedistinctiveinthewayweliveasindividualsandfamilies,it'sjustasdifficultatwork.Ofcourse,wewillexperiencethisinmanyways.IfweliveinEastGermany,wemayhavenodifficultygettingwork;butwemayfindthatcertainareassuchaspoliticsareruledoutforus.IntheWest,forsomeofusthebigproblemisthatwecan'tfindanyworkatall.Or,wemayhaveretiredfromtheworkadayworldwithenergiesyettoinvest.Someofushaveworkalright,buttheworkseemsmeaningless.Orotherthingsaboutourworkmaytroubleus.Itmaybeataskmasterabsorbing98percentofourbestenergies.Wecoulddowithmoretimeforourselvesandlesspay,butthatisnotachoice.Ourfirmsmayhaveinvestmentsorcontractsthatseemwrongtous.....

Andsoweneedtolearntoformulatethequestions,tofindwaysofthinkingthroughtheimplicationsofourprinciplesofholylivingfortheworldofwork.AretheresmallstepsoffaiththatputusonthenarrowpathtoadeepertrustinGodastheonewhoprovidesforusinthisvitalarea?

Herearesomequestionstouseasstarters,toprimeourthinking.

IfIamunemployed,canIexpandmyunderstandingof"work"sothatIcanusemytimeandenergiespositivelyforGod'skingdom?WhatwillIdoiftheonlyjobsthatcomemywayareinanindustrywhichisproducingsomethingthatIcannotsquarewithGod'spurposes?

IfIamathome,andamfinanciallysupportedbyanotherperson(myspouse?),canItakeamorevigorouspartin

thechainoflife-supportforoppressedandmarginalizedpeoplearoundme?

IfIamatwork,canIbringkingdomqualitiestomyrelationships?CanIbeapeacemaker,onewhobringstheoutsiderintothecircle,onewhoresistsevilwithgood?

WhatdoesSabbathmeantome?TheBibledoesn'tprescribeanannualholiday,butitdoescallforaSabbathdayholytotheLord.CanItrustGodforprovisionandmeaningevenifI'mnotworkingallthetime?

IfI'monmywayupinmyfirmordepartment,doesthatmeanthatIamtooeasilyconformingtothesystem?AretheretimeswhenIhavebeensqueezedintoitsmould?

8

WhosefingerwouldIratherhaveonthenucleartrigger,aChristian'soranatheist's?OrwhowouldIratherhaveperforminganabortionordoingresearchwithhumanembryos?9Doesitmakeanydifference?

IfI'minvolvedinpolitics,doIagreewithonetheologianthat"theessentialcharacteristicsofasuccessfulpoliticianarepreciselytheoppositesoftheessentialcharacteristicsofagoodChristian"?10Ifthisseemsundulypessimistic,giventhewidevarietyofpoliticalandgovernmentaljobsavailableinmostWesterncountriestoday,isitpossibletobeinvolvedinmanyoftheseinaJesus-likeway:"totakeupononeselfthecross,giveupforceandsplendor"?11Canwe,asoneEnglishChristianMemberofParliamentputitrecently,makeanessentialcontributionthrough"flingingopenthedoorstoreducethenumberofdarkcornerstorenderourstewardshipofpowerasvisibleandaccountableascanbe"?12

IfmyconscienceispinchingmeaboutstayinginthejobIhave,canIdealwiththesequestions?

a.IswhatI'mdoingpromotingjusticeandshalom?Isithelpingthepoororhurtingthem?CouldIimagineJesusdoingmyjob?.

b.DoIhavecloseChristiancontactsinalocalchurch,or

amImoreandmoreassociatingwithpeopleatasimilarprofessionalortechnicallevel?DoIdiscussthedoubtsIhaveaboutmyworkwithanybody?

c.DoIaskfortheprayersofmyfellowChristiansasIstrugglewithmyquestions?HaveIeverthoughtofbringingmybiglifedecisionstomyprayergroupfortheircounselanddiscernment?

IfIquitmyjobforconscience'sake,howwillIprovideformyselfandmyfamily?HowcanIgivetothechurch?Won'tIbewastingmytrainingormytime?Whowillsharethegoodnewswithpeopleatwork?

Isitfool'scouragetothinkupanalternativetypeofjob?HaveIreallyexploredthealternativesthatareavailable?

13IfIwouldratherusemyexpertiseworkingforanorganizationtryingtochangethesystem(liketheNewAlchemyInstituteonCapeCod,whichisdevelopingnewapproachestoenvironmentalissues,orWashington'sCenterforDefenseInformation)insteadofamilitaryindustry,canIactuallyfindajob?CanIcopewiththecutinpayandthehassle?It'ssomucheasiertoworkwithinthesystem!

PrinciplesforInvolvementinWork

Arethereanygeneralprinciplesthatcangiveuspositiveguidanceasweapproachourwork,regardlessofwhetherwe'reaprofessional,amanualworker,orapersonwhoisunwaged,retired,orcommunallysupported?Canweviewworkinitslargersense,notonlyastheeffortthatbringsthepayenvelopebutparticularlyinitscontributiontoGod'sproject?Isuggestthefollowing:

1.Wemustchoosewhatwedo.AsstrangersinBabylon,weChristiansareinaminorityinvirtuallyeverysocietythatwelivein.IntheU.S.

atthemoment,itmayinmanypartsofthecountrybethe"donething"togotochurch;butthepercentageofthepopulacethatisopentofollowingJesusina

costlywayinallareasoftheirlivesissmall.Ourresourcesinpersonnelarethereforescarce.Wecan'tpossiblydoeverytaskinAmericansociety.ButwecanchoosetododistinctivethingsthatpointtowardtheHolyCity.

2.JesusisLord!SowewillnotconcedeanyareaoflifetoSatan.AsJesus'followers,wemaynotbeabletodocertaintasksandbefaithfultohim,histeachingsandhispriorities.Spaceweapons,forexample,mayseemtoustobeutterlycontradictorytoJesus'wayatheftofresourcesfromthepoorandameansofperpetuatinghumanhatredandthedominanceofthestrong.Ifso,wemaynotbeable,ingoodconscience,tobeinvolvedinresearchonspaceweapons,oreventuallyinproductionaswell.

ButJesusisasmuchLordofspaceasheisofeverything.Indeed,thereisnoareaofcreationorhumanexperienceofwhichheisnotthekeytoaproperapproachforhisfollowers.Wemustbecareful,however.ItiseasytotalkgliblyaboutthelordshipofChristbutforthatlordshiptobetheoretical,notreal.Howcanwetell?Byusingthisyardstick:doesthe"lordshipofChrist"agreewiththeteachingandactionoftheJesusofthegospels?Ifitdoesso,weareonsafeground.Ifnotifweseparatethe"lordshipofChrist"fromtheJesuswhoshowsustheFatheratworkinhisworldwearefoolingourselves.WemaystilltalkaboutChristasLord,butthecontentofhis"lordship"maybedeterminedbypragmatismornostalgia.AndhowevermuchwemayrailagainsttheChristianswhodisagreewithusas"humanists''orworse,thepoliciesthatwerecommendwillverylikelybeworldlyanddespairing.JesustheMessiahisourhope;thereisnootherfoundation(1Cor.3:11).Eveninthestubborn,problemareasofourlifewealthandwarhepointsthewayforward.AsMennonitetheologianJohnHowardYoderhaswiselycommented,"IfJesusChristisLord,obediencetohisrulecannotbedysfunctional."

14

Solet'snotwithdrawfromareasoflifethathumansaredistortingforun-Jesus-likeends.Onthecontrary,let'sstayin-

volvedinthem,thinkingandactingasagentsofchange.AswereclaimtheseareasforJesus,heandnotthespiritualoppositionwillbeeffectiveLordthere.

Thisisatoughassignment.Itwillrequiremenandwomenofspiritualstrength,backedupbysupportivecongregations.Ineverymajorareaofhumanconcern,someofuswillbecalledtounderstandtheissuesandmasterthedetails.Thismaymeanlearningtheinsandoutsoftheproposedspaceweaponry,andthinkingthroughtheirimplicationsfortheworld'spoliticalstabilityandeconomicresources.Oritmaymeangainingathoroughunderstandingoftheinternationaldebtcrisis,oramassingeverystatementmadebyamajorpoliticianabouttheNon-ProliferationTreaty.

15Itmaymeanaskingquestionsinaresearchprojectthatnoonehasthoughtofaskingbefore:anEvangelicalChristianhasrecentlycompletedaPh.D.thesisontheeffectsofnuclearwarfareonBritishagriculture.16Oritmaymeanhelpingpolicyformersemergefromtheirtunnelthinking,forexample,byexploringnewapproachestocommonsecurity,includingnonprovocativenonnucleardefense,inCentralEurope.17

Peoplewhorepresentthewell-establishedwaysofthenationsmaydismissusandrejectourattemptstofindnewways.Wewillneedcriticism,andwillneedtolistentoourcriticscarefully.Aretheyofferingusgenuineinsightsandwell-warrantedcorrection?Oraretheyrespondingwiththekindofknee-jerkhostilitywhichJesusreceivedfromtheestablishmentofhistime?Wemustnotbedeterredbyafearofmakingmistakesorbyrejection.Forthetimebombsareticking,andtheworlddesperatelyneedsfollowersofJesuswhowillrespondtothembythinkingnewthoughtsandlivinginnewways.

3.Wemustworkonalternatives.Ineverymajorareaofhumanconcern,someofusChristiansmustworkondistinctivewaysofdoingthings.Manyorthodoxanswersmanifestlyaren'tworking.Pioneersareneeded,walkinginthestepsofJesustowardnewwaysofdoingthingsthatcanofferhope.

InPalestineandIreland,forexample,soldiers,guerrillas,andpoliticianscontinuetobacktheuseofmilitaryforceasifitcouldleadtoasolutionofthecrisesthere.Butinbothlandstheirrelevanceofviolenceisincreasinglyevident;itcannotleadtothereconciliationwhichalonecanbringpeaceandprosperitytothepeople.Inbothlands,therearesignsofhope.Individualsarecrossingbarriers,attimesatgreatpersonalexpense.InNorthernIreland,realhopehasattimescomefromsurprisingsourcessuchasWillWarren,anEnglishQuakerprinterwhodecidedtoretire(ofallplaces)inthedeprivedBogsideareaofDerry.Asanonpartisanchannelofcommunicationbetweenrivalparamilitaryforces,hehelpedsavemanylives.

18Butgroupscanoftendomorethanindividuals.CommunitiesofChristiansarespringingupinareasofintercommunalconflictorurbanblight,wheretheirdeviantwaysoflivingposequestionsandofferpracticalaid.Andhope.AsrecenteventsinthePhilippineshavedemonstrated,nonviolenceoffersawayforward;violenceisadead-end.Theologianscancontributetothisaswell.InIrelandandelsewhere,thewayforwardmaybethrougharediscoveryofforgivenessa"politicsofforgiveness"inwhichneitherpartycanbesuppressedorwishedaway.19

Inbusiness,increasingnumbersofpeoplearedisillusionedbyimpersonalcorporatestructures.Andtheyaredoingsomethingaboutit;theyareorganizingtheirfirmsinanalternativewayasworkers'cooperatives.20Inastrife-riddenindustrialworld,Christiansandnon-Christiansalikeareattractedtoaformofbusinessthatoffersthepossibilityofbothproductivityandpeace.AndmanyChristiansarecommittedtocooperativesforanotherreason:itseemstothemtobetheclosestmodernequivalenttobiblicalpatternsofpropertyholdingandsocietalcooperation.21Sabbath,Jubilee,equality,enoughnessall

seemclosertoacooperative(oreventoapartnership)thantoamultinationalconglomerate.Somepartnerships,infact,dividetheirprofitsincommerciallyeccentricways,settingasidepor-

tionsoftheirprofitsfororganizationsworkingforreconciliationanddevelopment.

22

Instrugglingwiththeinternationaldebtcrisis,Christiansinpoliticsandinternationalagenciescouldworktowardnewapproacheswhicharereflectionsoftheirbiblicalunderstandings.Theymight,forexample,proposeameasureofmodestJubileethattheU.S.andotherWesterngovernmentsforgivethedebtsofthepoorestnations.Ofcourse,themoneywouldhavetocomefromsomewhere.Howmanygunsdowereallyneed?In1983,34sub-SaharanAfricannationsowedtheU.S.governmentthetotalof$1.95billionslightlylessthanthecostofoneTridentnuclearsubmarine.23

SteppingStones

Noneofthesesolutionsisideal.Noneofthemwouldproduceaworldorderbasedon"enoughness"andequality,reconciliationandshalom.Buteachrepresentsastepintherightdirection.Eachcouldfunctionasa"stepping-stone"24leadingfromtheunimaginativementalrigidityofourcurrentorthodoxiestowardsomethingthatoffershope.EachisanattemptbyChristianstothinkofanalternativeapproach;eachshowsthatintheBible,andespeciallyinthethemesofJesus'lifeandteaching,thereiscreativepotentialthatistobefoundnowhereelse.

Couldtheseattemptsbefittedtogethertoprovideacoherentapproachtoourtime-bombthreatenedworld?BobGoudzwaardhaschosentodevotehisenergiestothepoliticalandeconomiclifeofhisnativeNetherlands;butthelargerpictureofthewholeworldunderGod'slordshiphasalwaysbeeninhismind.Outofhisexperienceandconcernhascomethefollowingproposal:

a.ThatweintheWestreorientourassumptionstoalevelofenough.Unendingeconomicgrowthisunrealisticandunsustainable.Formanyofusthismaymeanafallinlivingstandards.

b.Thatwecutourspendingonweapons.Current"defense"effortsareincreasingourinsecurityandcripplingtheworld'seconomy.Atfirstthismightincreaseunemployment,butitwouldfreescarceresourcesforconstructivepurposes.

c.Thatwespendthemoneythatwewerenolongerspendingonarmamentsontwothings:(1)cancelingthedebtsofthepoorestcountriesandrelievingthemofinterestpayments,ononeconditionthattheycuttheirownmilitaryexpenditures;(2)creatingnewjobsmorethanwerelostinthemilitaryindustriesinourowncountriesinareas(housing,hospitals,urbanrenewal)thatmeetgenuinehumanneed.

25

Eachpartofthisproposaliscontroversialandwouldneedtobediscussedindetail.Idonothavethespacetodothathere,nordoIhavethecompetenceineveryarea.ButIdonotneedto.AbundantresearchhasalreadybeendoneoneachpartofGoudzwaard'sproposal.SomeofthisresearchhasbeendonebyChristians.WhenweasJesus'followerstodaydevoteourexpertisetothinkingaboutsuchwaysandtoimplementingthemwehavebeguntofindavalidformofinvolvementinsociety.Weareneitherwithdrawnorcompromised.Wearethesaltoftheearth.

Chapter17SocialHolinessfortheChurchIt'shardtostaysalty.Thepressuresthatsocietyplacesuponusareintense.Wegettiredofwalkingonanarrowway.It'sexhaustingtobeaninconveniencetosensiblepeopleandtofeeloutofstep.Ourself-respectcanbebeatendownbytheridiculeofothers.Ultimatelywewillburnoutorsellout.Wecannotmakeitonourown.

ThatiswhyGodhasdesignedthatwebelightaswellassalt.Hewantsustobegatheredaswellasscattered.Whenweareconsciousthatwedonotstandalone,whenwearejoinedtogetherwithotherfollowersofJesusinasocietylivinginanewwaythenwecanbegintosurviveinsocialholiness.

ThisplaceofChristiansolidarityiscalledthechurch.Whateveritsorganizationalstructures,thechurchisprimarilypeople.ItispeoplewhoknowGodastheirFatherandarethereforecommittedtoeachotherassistersandbrothers.Itispeoplewho,becauseoftheworkoftheHolyOne,knowthattheyareaholynation.WemayliveinBabylon,butour

primarysenseofidentityisnotBabylonian.Sowecanexperiment.WecanattempttoliveinwaysthatmightbeimpossibleforeveryoneinBabylonbutwhicharerightforournation.

SecularmindsrecoilatthethoughtoflivingbyJesus'kingdomteachings,butforusinthechurchtheseteachingsarepracticalandlife-giving.Lovingtheenemy,incorporatingtheoutsider,servingtheweak,re-equalizingwealthalloftheserequireconversion,faith,andGod'ssupernaturalpower;butasChristiansthesearetheairwebreathe.Thelifeofourtruenationisbasedonthem.

Godhasawayoflivingforusthatisholy.Andlikeallholiness,otherpeopleexperienceitasbothrepugnantanddeeplycompelling.Buthoweverothersrespond,thewayGodcallsustoliverepresentstheirtruedestiny,forholinessiswhereheisgoingtotakehisworld.Let'sgetafewglimpsesofwhatachurchthatlivesinthiswaymaylooklike.

FiveCharacteristicsofGod'sHolyNation

NationalSolidarity.

Thishastwoaspects.

a.Wearenotalone.Manypeopleexperiencethesocietyofourpoliticalnationasfragmentedandheartless;theyhaveanoverpoweringsensethattheyareisolated,thatnobodyreallycares.Somesensethisintimesofpersonalcrisis.Others(manyoldpeople,singleparentfamilies,peoplewithoutwork)areawareofitallthetime.God'sholynation,incontrast,isaplacewherepeoplecanknowthattheybelong.InGod'snationwearevalued,notforwhatwemightbecome,butforwhatweare.Inthesecurityoflove,wecandiscoverthatitissafetobeourselves.Wecanbereceiversaswellasgivers;wecangrowfromwhereweareinsteadoffromwherewewouldlike

otherstothinkweare.Itissafetochange.

b.Weexperiencenationalloyaltytoanimmensenation.God'snationspansthedividesthatarethreateningthefutureoftheworldnorthvs.south,eastvs.west,blackvs.white,in-

nercityvs.suburbs.Wemayknowthis,butitisvitalthatwebaseourknowledgeinpracticalexperience.Commitmentstopeopleandgroupsthatarefarfromuscanbeunrealandthereforedangerous.Soitisvitalforustobuildpersonalrelationshipswithpeopleandcongregationsintheotherpartsofourholynation.Wecantwin-linkourchurcheswithcongregationsinCentralAmericaortheinnercity;wecanbepenfriendswithbelieversinEasternEurope;wecangiveupaluxuryholidayinthesunfortheprivilegeofsharingthelothoweverbrieflyofChristianswhoareunderpressure;wecancontributetothecostsofpoorerChristiansvisitingourchurches.And,withinGod'snation,wecanmakeaminimalcommitment:"LettheChristiansoftheworldagreethattheywillnotkilleachother."

1

Provision:Economicsharing.

God'snationhasadifferenteconomicpolicyfromtheothernations.Asitscitizens,wehaveavisionofequalityandsufficiency;wearecommittedtobecontentedwithwhatwehaveandtoreceiveaswellastogive.Wehaveavisionofanationinwhichtherewillbenopoorpeople,andwearewillingtoshareourpossessionstomakethatvisionareality.Withinourcongregations,we,liketheearlyChristians,mayfindacommonfund(calleda"JubileeFund"ora"KoinoniaFund"?)tobeameansofmeetingimmediateneedandofequalizingourwealth.Andofreachingotherswithgoodnews.AgroupofChristianstudentsattheUniversityofSurreywhodecidedtodosomethingJubilee-likepoolingtheirgrantsandgivingwhatwasleftovertopoorpeoplefoundthattheiractionswereinstrumentalinattractingMarxiststoJesus.

BetweenrichpartsofGod'snationandpoorerparts,wecanconsidermeasurestoequalizeresources.Inrecommendingsuchmeasures,

Christianthinkersarenotespousing"pureMarxisttheology";theyaresimplyfollowinginthetraditionofinstitutionsasbiblicalastheJubileeandPaul'scollection

(2Cor.8).

2Aswe,bothinourlocalchurchesandthroughoutourworldwidenation,movetomakethisvisionpractical,pitfallswillappearatsurprisingplaces.Throughsinandbadhabitswewillfail.Butasweexperimentwithnewformsoffaithfulness,God,theGodofprovision,willcometoouraid.Hewillblessuswithmiracles:themiracleofjusteconomicstructuresandrelationships;themiracleofthe"spontaneous"arrivalofdesperatelyneededfoodandmoney;perhapsevenashappenedinthemid-1970stoaTexasprayergroupandtheirpoorfriendsacrosstheborderinMexicothemiracleofahumanlyinexplicablemultiplicationoffood.3

Protection:EnemyLoving

Bothlocallyandthroughouthisworldwidenation,Godgrantscitizenshiptowidelydifferingpeople.AsGod'speoplewemustthereforelearntolivetogether.Reconciliationmustbehighonourlistofpriorities.Toachievethese,wewillhavetolearntolistenbetter,andtocommunicateinwaysthatdon'tthreatenoneanother'sintegrity.Significantly,theapostlePaulcites"speakingthetruthinlove"asthesignofholyliving(maturityinChrist)(Eph.4:15).Aswelearntodothis,andaswelearntoshareourpossessions,wewillbecomeapeopleofpeace.

Butwewillalsofaceotherpeacemakingtasks.Livinginurbanareaswillraiseacutequestionsofinsecurityandrequireustomakedifficultdecisions.4Attimes,ourstandasGod'snationforsocialjusticemayoffendsomeofourneighbors.Soalsomayourattitudetonuclearweapons.Weknowthat,asaholynation,thereisnokindofbombthatcandefendus.PersecutioncannotstampoutthechurchtheRomanimperialauthoritiesand,morerecently,theChinese

communistshavediscoveredthisbutanuclearwarcan.5Ofcourse,ittakesfaithtolivewithoutthebomb;andanon-Christiannationmaynotwanttotakethatrisk.Ontheotherhand,inviewofnuclearproliferationandescalatingfirepower,ittakessomekindof

blindfaithtolivewiththebomb!

Wecanurgeournon-Christiannationtoadoptamoremodest,lessthreateningforeignpolicy.AndatalltimestheloveofChristwillcompelustobearwitnesstowhatweknow.AswetellofGod'sfaithfulnessandwarnaboutthedirectionthateventsaremoving,someofourneighborsandfellowChristianswillfindusoffensive.Thatcannotbehelped.Butreconciliationisourcalling.Asweseektobuildbridgestothosewhomweoffendandwhooffendus,God'scallwillechoinourhearts:"Doeverythingpossibleonyourparttoliveinpeacewitheverybody"(Rom.12:18,TEV).

InvolvementinPilotProjects.

God'snationhasvaluesandprioritieswhicharedifferentfromthoseoftheothernations.WethereforecandothingsthatBabyloniansocietyviewsasodd,unimportant,orimpossible.ThroughoutChristianhistorytherearenumerousexamplesofthis.Itwasthechurchthatpioneeredinschools,hospitals,andmentalhealthcare.Soalsoitdidwiththehospicesfortheterminallyill.Andwithinthepastfewyears,churcheshavebeentakingtheleadinotherareas.Icanlistonlyafew.Inseveralcountries,shelteredworkshopsformentallyhandicappedadultswerefirstestablishedbyChristians.Andmorerecently,Christianlawyershaveworkedhardtofindwaysinjustice.Theyhaveestablishedmediationandconciliationserviceswhichhelpcivillitigantstolistentoeachotherandtosettletheirdisputesoutofcourt."Victim-OffenderReconciliationPrograms,"whichdothesamekindofthingincriminalcases,havebeenequallybeneficial.

6OntheborderbetweenNicaraguaandHonduras,Christianshavefunctionedasakindof"internationalpeaceguard,"standingnonviolentlybetweenwarringpartiesandprayingforpeace.7Indoingthesethings,Christiansarenottryingtoreplacethenational

governments.Butoutoftheirexperimentalwork,newideasandprogramsmayemergewhichgovernmentsmaywanttoadopt.

CommitmenttoPublicWitness.

Thechurch,asGod'sholynation,isnotthesamethingasanynationstate.Butitintenselydesiresthegoodofthecountriesinwhichitfindsitself.Itcancontributetothiswelfareinmanyways.Inpart,itcandosothroughitsknowledge,contacts,andsensitivities.Whenitisfunctioningasitshould,itisgivingitslifeamongpoorpeoplewhoseconcernsitwillrepresent.Furthermore,asatransnationalbody,itwillbeintouchwithenemieswithwhomourgovernmentsareunwillingtocommunicate.Intheearly1980s,AmericanChristiansusefullymaintainedcontactwithVietnamesepeople,whileEnglishBaptiststooktheleadinreestablishingcontactwithArgentiniansaftertheFalklands/Malvinaswar.

8Asanationof''pilgrimsandstrangers,"Christianswillbeespeciallysensitivetotheplightofotherminoritiesracialandreligiousinoursocieties.

ShouldChristiansspeakoutonissuesofpublicpolicy?ShouldcongregationsanddenominationalbodiesspeakaswellasindividualChristians?Ibelievethattheyshould,forthechurchhasauniqueperspective.Inpart,thisisahistoricalperspective.Thechurchexiststoremember,ponder,andcontinuethestoryofGod'sdealingswithmenandwomen.TheBibleisjustasimportanttousininterpretingthecontemporaryworldasanynewspaperorTVprogram.Ourperspectiveisalsoshapedbyoursociology.Asabodywhichspanseverynation,ourpointofviewisnotlimitedbyanypoliticalparty.Andyetthechurchisintheworld.Itsseparateexistenceisfortheworld.AsitsmembersgrowinholinessandbecomelikeGod,theywilllovetheworldmoreandmore.Thus,becauseoftheirperspectiveandbecauseoftheirlove,theywillspeakandactinresponsetohumanhurt.Sundaytradingandchildren'sfantasygamesare

legitimatetopicsforChristianbodiestobeconcernedabout.Soalsoaretheareasofalienationinourworldraceandclass,warandwealth.

Christiansmustnotspeaklightly.Beforewesayanythingwe

muststudycarefullyanddiscernrigorously.Wemustneveraskthestatetodosomethingthatweourselves,asindividualChristiansandcongregations,areunwillingtoputintopractice.Onoccasion,expertChristiangroupsmayhavespecialcompetencetogivedetailedadviceonmattersofpolicy.SomeChristiangroupsnotablytheQuakershavealsomadeimportantbehind-the-scenescontributionstointernationalreconciliation.And,inhumilityandmodesty,therearetwothingswhichallChristiangroupsmayhavetooffer.

Oneisasensitivity,growingoutoftheirmeditationonholyhistory,towhatGodisdoingtoday.In590B.C.,mostJerusa-lemitescouldn'tseewhatwashappening;Jeremiahcould.AsimilarblindnesswasafflictingJesus'contemporaries.Soalsotoday.Oursisadayofofficialoptimism;everything,weassume,willworkoutalright.ButChristians,sensitizedbyholyhistory,willbemoreperceptivethanthat.Insorrowwewillrecognizethatjudgmentislooming.Now,asthroughouthistory,God'sjudgmentisappropriate.Itisnotthatheissayingtous,"You'vebeenplayingwithmatches,soI'mgoingtogiveyouacaning."Heratherissaying,"You'vebeenplayingwithmatches,biggerandbettermatches;and,unlessyoustopdoingthat,you'regoingtoburnthehousedown."

AsecondcontributionthatwecanmakealsocomesfromtheBible.Itisvision.God'sthoughtsabouthowwehumansshouldlivearenotourthoughts.Andifwe'rewillingtolistentohim,ifwehaveroominourheartsforrevelation,Godcanspeaktooursituationwithasimplicitythatisbreathtaking.IntheOldTestamentlaw,inJesus,inthelifeoftheearlybelievers,apatternoflivingisadvocatedandenactedwhichisgoodnews.Jubileemakessense;thecurrenteconomicworldorderdoesn't!Equally,atatimewhenourworldisspendingmoreonarmamentsthantheentireincomeofthepoorerhalfofhumanity,

9itisn'tlovingtheenemythatsoundsabsurd.

MakingpoliticalsenseofJesus'teachingisademandingtask.Butitisonethatsomepoliticalcommentatorsincluding

oneofWestGermany'sleadingTVjournalistsareattempting.

10Shoulditsurpriseus,asChristianslivinginthisdesperatelydangeroustime,thatJesuscanshedmorelightonoursituationthananybodyelse?Itisourprivilege,ashisfollowers,topointhumanitytohim,hisinsights,andhisway.

TheWorshipofGod'sNation

AsGod'sholynation,itisworshipthatkeepsusoncourse.OurworshipofGodwillbeintenselypersonal;itmustbe.Unlessweknowthatwearelovedandforgiven,andunlesswecanoffertoGodourownloveandthanks,ourattemptstobeafaithfulpeoplewillbefruitless.Butequally,unlesswearerespondingtoGod'scalltobefaithful,ourworshipwillbebarren.TherecanbenosocialholinessunlessweasindividualsencountertheHolyOne.Andourlifetogetherashisholynationasthelighttothenationsisrootedinourexperienceoftheonewhoislight.

Whathappenswhenwecometogetherinhispresence?Foronething,werecognizetheonewhoisincharge."TheLordisKing,"wedeclareaswegather."JesusChristisLord!"Inmakingthesestatements,wemaynotrealizethatwearesayingsomethingpolitical.Butweare.Weareexpressingourultimateloyalty.WeareacknowledgingtheauthorityoftheOnewhohasafinalclaimuponourlivesbecausehehasgivenuslife.Whenitcomestothecrunch,wewillobeyhimratherthananyhuman(Acts5:29).Foritishe,ourKingandourRuler,whoisthetrue"Fatherofhiscountry."Ournationallife,ashisholynation,isbaseduponhisunchallengedauthority.

Second,whenwegatherwerememberandgivethanks."OgivethankstotheLord,forheisgood;forhissteadfastloveenduresfor

ever"(Ps.136:1).Andastoryunfolds.ItisthestoryofourKingandhisnation.Itisalongstory,spanningthousandsofyears.Itisastoryofkinglypowerflashingforthtoliberateoppressedpeopleandtomakethemanation.ItisastoryofagraciousGodprovidingandprotecting,givingalaw

toguidehisnationinadistinctivelifestyle.ItisastorythatculminatesinaMan,JesusofNazareth,whoistheimageoftheinvisibleGodandwhohasbornethepunishmentforourwrongturnings.Andthestorycontinuesinanationwhosecitizens,filledwiththeHolySpirit,carrythepersonandlifestyleofJesustotheworld.Thestoryistragic:humansrejectGodtobecomelikeothernations.Thestoryisglorious:Godshowshisfaithfulness,forgiveness,andpower.

Butmostimportantly,thestoryisourstory.Godinhismercyhasgivenusapeopleandalivingpast.Bytellingthestorywestayoncourse.Andthestorygoeson.Inourlivesasindividualsandinourexperienceasanation,Godcontinuestoshowhisactsofconcretegrace.Heforgivesusandhealsus.Heprovidesforusandheprotectsus.HefreesustolivelikehisSon.Hecaresforus.Evenintimesofsufferingandapparentdefeat,heisfaithful.Andwegivethanks.Whenwetellofhisacts,thoseofthedistantpastandthosethathavejusthappened,wepraisehim.

Butwhenweforgethisacts,wegoastray.Whenwedoubthiscapacitytoprotectandprovide,webecomelikeeverybodyelse.Sowe'vegottokeeptellinghisstory;andhe,inturn,willkeeponworkinglovingus,caringforus,givingusanationofsistersandbrothers.Heisgood;wepraisehimandgivehimourthanks!

Third,whenwegatherweexpressourneeds.Becausewehavearichhistory,wecandosointrust.Ateverystage,ourlifewillbeprecarious.Godhascalledustowalkinawayinwhichouronlysecuritywillbeinhim.WeoftencannotforeseehowGodwillprovideforusandprotectus.Butwebaseourbehavioronthebeliefthathewilldoso.Whenweinthepasthaveventuredintoinsecurityhehasbeenfaithful;hewillbesointhefutureaswell.Soweofferourselves,andthethingsthatwecaremostdeeplyabout,toGodwith

confidencebaseduponexperience.Ourintercessionscomeattheintersectionofourpastandourfuture.Wepraynotonlyforourownnationbut

for"allpeople,"includingthose"inhighplaces"(1Tim.2:12).WealsopraythatGod,whohasblessedus,willblessthepeoplewefindmostdifficultourenemiesandpersecutors(Luke6:28).Attimesthesewillbeourrulers.

Finally,wegathertomeetGod.Howimportantthisis,andhowelusive.FortheHolyOnecannotbeprogramed.He,ourSovereign,isnotsimplyatourbeckandcall.Inourdayasthroughouthistory,hisself-disclosuresoflivingforceareunpredictableandmysterious.

Butatleastonethingissure.WearefarmorelikelytomeettheHolyOnewhenwearelivinginfaithfulinsecuritythanwhenweareclingingtohumansecurity.God'spowerisnotmadeperfectinuswhenwearepowerful;itiswhenweareweak(2Cor.12:910).ThisisdifficultformanyofusEuropeansandAmericanstorealize,forwehaveimmensecultural,economic,andmilitarypower.Howironicthatthecurrentnuclearbuildupmayhaveanunexpectedandpositivespiritualby-product:ithasgivenusourfirstrealsenseofpowerlessness.

Butwhenweareweak,Godcanshowhisstrength.Whenourattemptstobefaithfulhavebroughtustotheendofourresources,hecanmanifesthisholiness.Andhowwonderfulitcanbewhenweawake,inthedepthsofourbeing,totherealitiesthatwetalkandsingabout.Oursongstakeonanewmeaning,becausetheyexpressourrealexperience.Whenwedon'tknowhowwe'regoingtocope,then"AMightyFortressIsOurGod"becomesourtrustingexclamation.WhenwearemakingcostlychoicestoobeytheLordratherthanotherlords,then"OWorshiptheKing"statesourdeepestresolve.WhenwearestrugglingtofindwaystopracticeJubilee,dowehaveanygoodsongstosing?Iknowofafew,butweneedmanymore.Whenwearetakingstepsofriskyobedience,wemightevenchoosetosingPsalm46:10accordingtotheoriginalmeaningofitsHebrewwords.Instead

of"BeStillandKnow,"wewillsing"LayDownYourArms,forIAmGod.''

11Itisin

ourweakness(andnowhereelse)thatwewillknowhisempoweringandbecomehisinstruments.

TheLargerView

Wehavecometotheendofthisbook,butnottotheendofourjourney.Itisthereforerightthatweshouldclimbaboardourballoonforonelastoverview.

Look!Fromagreatheight,thingstakeonatrueperspective.Aswelookback,wecanseemorethanweusedtobeabletosee;thepasthasbecomemuchclearertous.ItisGod'sstory,whichbeganatthesourceoftimeandwhichcontinuesuptonow.Ithas,weknow,alreadycometoaclimax,inGod'srevelationofhimselfinfleshandactioninhisSonJesusofNazareth.Hishumaninterventioninhistorywasbrief,butitwasdecisive.Andhisstrategywastheonlyonethatcoulddefinitivelybreakthroughintonewness;JohntheBaptistexpressedhispremonitionofitwhenhecalledJesus"theLambofGod"(John1:36).

Howaboutthepresent?Ifweleanoutandcraneournecks,wecanseeit.Itisthesmallswathofterritoryimmediatelybeneathus.Thingsarehappeningtherewhichlookimportant;immensedestructiveforcesareatworkoppression,war,preparationforbiggerwar.Butamidsttheconfusionwecanalsomakeoutabandofpurposefulpeoplewhoseemtohaveasignificanceoutofproportiontotheirnumbers.Itisnotthattheyarestrong.Invariouswaysallofthemarecrippled,sotheyarehelpingeachotheralong.Theyaresurvivingsolelybyastrengththatcomesfromoutsidethemselves.Andyettheyareonthemove.Theymaybelimping,buttheyaresureoftheirirection.Andwecanheartheirsongsoaringuptous"Jesusshallreign!"

Wherearetheygoing?Aswelookahead,gazingintothedistance,wecandimlymakeoutthefuturewhichistheirdestination.Shiningon

thehorizon,itistheholycityinwhichalloflifereachesitsgoal.Godisitsglory.Itsilluminationisthe

LambwhoisJesus(Rev.21:23).Ourlookintothefuturefillsuswithhope.God'sstory,wecansense,hasanendoftranscendingjoy.AnduntilJesuscomesagaintobringthingstoaconclusion,historywillproceedwithpurpose,forGodisnotfinishedwithhisworld.

Godhimselfisthemainparticipantinthisstory.Hewillbringtheholycity.Sowecanrelax.Everythingdoesn'tdependonus,onourholiness,orourexertions.Butsomehowwecanalsosensethatweweakthoughweareareimportant.Ourtaskisdemandingbutsimple:pressingontowardGod'sfuture,we"followtheLambwhereverhegoes"(Rev.14:4).RelyinguponthepoweroftheHolySpirit,wecontinue,inourpersonallives,insociety,andinourlifetogether,theearthlylifeoftheHolyOne,Jesus.Aswedothis,wearebecomingan"insurgenttypeofChristianity."

12Weareaforceforlifeandchange.

Intenselyawareofthepast,ourorientationisneverthelesstowardthefuture.Asthe"firstfruitsforGodandtheLamb"(Rev.14:4),wethoughweseemtobeinsignificantare"thepresenceofthefutureintheconditionsofhistory."13Sothesocialholinesswhichweareexperiencingnowisimportant.Itisananticipationofthe"justiceandpeace,andjoyintheHolySpirit"(Rom.14:17)whichwillcharacterizealloflifeintheholycity.JesusisLord!Byourlifetogether,weareannouncinghopefully,defiantly,invitinglythatourGod,whohasbeenfaithfulinthepast,willcontinuehisworkinthefuture.God'sprojectwillendtriumphantly.Godhimselfwilldoit!

NOTES

Chapter1

1.Forthisexpressionandmuchmore,IamindebtedtoWalterBrueggemann,LivingTowardaVision:BiblicalReflectionsonShalom(Philadelphia:UnitedChurchPress,1982),p.54.

Chapter2

1.IfirstencounteredthisterminJean-PaulAudet,TheGospelProject(NewYork:PaulistPress,1969).

2.Theologianshavehaddifferingperspectivesontheholycity.Someofthem,especiallyintheEasternOrthodoxtradition,viewtheholycityasarestorationofthingsasGodoriginallymeantthemtobe:holinessisreality"purifiedandrestoredtoitsoriginalstate"(PaulEvdokimov,"HolinessintheOrthodoxTradition,"inMarinaChavchavadze,ed.,Man'sConcernwithHoliness[London:Hodder&Stoughton,n.d.],p.147).Calvinistthinkers,ontheotherhand,tendtoseetheholycityasthesummationandpurificationofhumanhistoryandcreativity(RichardJ.Mouw,WhentheKingsComeMarchingIn:IsaiahandtheNewJerusalem[GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1983],pp.56).Thetwopositions,itseemstome,arecompatible.AsReformedphilosopherNicholasWolterstorffhaswritten,theshalomwhich

Godintendsforallaspectsofhishandiworkwillbe"theeschatologicalcounterpartofcreation"(UntilJusticeandPeaceEmbrace[GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1983],p.130).

3.Inquotingthebiblicaltext,IalmostalwayshaverenderedtheHebrewwordtsadaqandtheGreekworddikaiosuneas"justice"ratherthan"righteousness,"Justiceisawordwhichisless"churchy,"moreordinary,moreearthythanrighteousness.ButGod'sjusticeisnotidenticalwithorlimitedtothemeaningofthewordjusticeincontemporaryEnglishusage.Itisricher,morevaried,andmoreconcernedfortherightnessofrelationships(seeRobertD.Brimsmead,"TheScandalofGod'sJustice,''TheChristianVerdict,6,pt.I,pp.34.

4.KarlBarth,ActioninWaiting(Rifton,N.Y.:PloughPublishing,1969).

5.StanleyHauerwas,ThePeaceableKingdom:APrimerinChristianEthics(London:SCMPress,1984),p.62.Previouslypublished(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1983).

6.TopiousJewsthiswasscandalous,soscandalous,infact,thatthescholarswholatertranslatedtheOldTestamentintoGreeksimplyomittedthesedisturbingpassages.Uponreflection,weshouldbesympatheticwiththeirpiousconcerntoedittheunthinkableoutofholywrit.Wewouldhavejustasmuchdifficultyifamodern-dayJeremiahcalledthecurrentSovietleaderMikhailGorbachev(andnotourWesternleaders)"myservant"!

Chapter3

1.RudolfOtto,TheIdeaoftheHoly:AnInquiryintotheNon-RationalFactorintheIdeaoftheDivineandItsRelationtotheRational,2nded.(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1958),pp.6,

10.

2.GeraldFinzi,writingatthetimeofthecompositionofDiesNatalis(1939),q.DianaMcVeagh(ArgoZRG896[1979]).

3.Evdokimov,"Holiness,"p.148.

4.Wolterstorff,UntilJusticeandPeaceEmbrace,pp.6970.SeealsoBruoggemann,LivingTowardaVision.

5.MaryDouglas,PurityandDanger:AnAnalysisofConceptsofPollutionandTaboo(London:RoutledgeandKeganPaul,1966),p.54.

6.HansWildenberger,Jesaja,I(BiblischerKommentar,X/i)(Neukirchen/Vluyn:NeukirchenerVerlag,19651972),p.249.

7.FrankLake,ListeningandResponding(ClinicalTheologyAssociation,FirstYearSyllabus,No.1[n.d.]),p.9.

8.AbrahamH.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality(NewYork:Harper&Row,1954),p.82.

9.Ibid.,pp.8398.

10.BobGoudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1984).

11.JohnWesley,PrefacetoHymnsandSacredPoems(1739),inhisWorks,XIV,321,quotedbyHowardA.Snyder,TheRadicalWesley(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1980),p.88.

Chapter4

1.Otto,IdeaoftheHoly,p.6.

2.ThemeaningofExodus13:18isunclear.

3.MillardC.Lind,YahwehIsaWarrior:TheTheologyofWarfareinAncientIsrael(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),p.23.

4.Somescholarshaveobjectedthatitdidn'thappenlikethis.Thebiblicalwriters,theyhavecontended,mayhavecreditedYahwehwiththevictoryattheRedSea.Butthiswasa"theologizing"andsanitizingofwhatreallyhappened,writtenmanyyearsaftertheevent.Thisvictory,likelaterIsraelitevictoriesatJerichoandelsewhere,werereallyattainedbybruteforceandmilitaryprowess.Ihavetroublewiththisobjectionfortworeasons.Inthefirstplace,unlikesomescholarsIhavenophilosophicaldifficultiesinacceptingthatmiraclescanactuallyoccurinthepresentdayaswellasinbiblicaltimes.Second,evenscholarswhoacceptacriticaldatingofthetextofthePentateuch,viewthehymnofMosesandthepeopleinExodus15asveryearly(e.g.,F.M.Cross,CanaaniteMythandHebrewEpic[Cambridge,Mass.:HarvardUniversityPress,1973],p.123).Andthishymn,whichtellsthestoryof"thecentraleventinIsrael'shistory,"describesanunassistedmiraclebyYahweh.

5.BrevardChilds,Exodus:ACommentary(London:SCMPress,1974),p.237.U.S.edition:TheBookofExodus:ACritical,TheologicalCommentary(Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1974).

6.Onthesignificanceofmurmuring,seechapter5below.

7.LesslieNewbigin,TheOtherSideof1984(Geneva:WorldCouncilofChurches,1984),p.49.

Chapter5

1.ForprofoundcommentontheExodus,seeJohnH.Yoder,"ExodusandExile:TheTwoFacesofLiberation,"Missionalia,2,i(April1974).

2.MartinNoth,TheHistoryofIsrael(NewYork:Harper,1958),p.3.

3.ChristopherJ.H.Wright,LivingasthePeopleofGod:TheRelevanceofOldTestamentEthics(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1983),p.83.

4.GordonJ.Wenham,TheBookofLeviticus(TheNewInternationalCommentaryontheOldTestament)(London:Hodder&Stoughton,1979),p.320.U.S.editionpublishedbyEerdmans,1979.

5.AndréNeher,L'EssenceduProphetisme(Paris:PressesUniversitaires

deFrance,1955),p.162.

6.CarlvonClausewitz,OnWar,transl.MichaelHowardandPeterParet(PrincetonUniversityPress,1976),I,i,24;JohnHowardYoder,TheOriginalRevolution(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1971),p.104.

7.Ihavetakenthe"holywar"seriouslybecauseChristianfriendshave,formanyyears,assuredmethatGodintheOldTestamentapprovedofwar.SoIhavebeenconcernedtoseewhatsortofwarfareitwasthatGodapproved.Ihavenotedtwothings.First,theformofwarfarethe"holywar"ofwhichtheOldTestamentapproves,isdramaticallydifferentfromotherwarfareancientandmodern.ItrequiresintentionalweaknessinanticipationofGodsmiraculousassistance.Italsorequiresgenocide.BothofthesecausedifficultiespracticalandmoralformostChristianstoday.Second,asweshallseeinChapter6,theformofOldTestamentwarfarethatmostcloselyresemblesmodernwarfarethatfoughtbythekingsandtheirarmiesiscondemnedbyOldTestamentwriters.BothSamuelandthelaterprophetssawitasapostasy(e.g.1Sam.8).WhydomodernChristiansdismissas"unique"theformsofwarfareofwhichYahwehapproved,andespouseuncritically(andpurportedlywithOldTestamentjustification)theformofnationalwarfarewhichYahwehsawasarejectionofhimselfandanadaptationtothewaysofthenations?DoweturntotheOldTestamentforrevelationorforself-justification?TheOldTestament,tobesure,doesnotadvocatesystematicnonviolence.Butitdoesnotteachanyothertheoryofwarfare(thejustwarorotherwise)thatmodernChristianscanlivewithcomfortably,either.ForadherentsofChristiannonviolence,atanyrate,theissueissettlednotbytheOldTestamentbutbytheonetowardswhomtheOldTestamentwaspointingtheMessiahJesuswho,inlivingandteachingadifferentapproachtonationalenemies,wastheFather'sperfectrevelationofhimself.

8.DonaldW.Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee(Luke4:1630):TheYearofJubileeanditsSignificanceintheGospelofLuke(Ph.D.thesis,UniversityofSt.Andrews,1979),p.23.

9.RecentscholarshavebeenmoreinclinedthantheirpredecessorstoviewtheJubileelawsasbothancientandinfluentialinIsraelitelife.SeeA.vanSelma,"Jubilee,Yearof,"inTheInterpreter'sDictionaryoftheBible,Suppl.vol.(Nashville,AbingdonPress,1982),p.497.

10.Isaiah38:6;2Kings19:7;1Samuel7:10;Joshua10:11;Judges5:21.

11.Cross,CanaaniteMythandHebrewEpic,p.156;WilliamFoxwellAlbright,TheArchaeologyofPalestineandtheBible(NewYork:FlemingH.RevellCo.,1935),pp.109,121.

12.JamesB.Pritchard,ed.,TheAncientNearEast:AnAnthologyofTextsandPictures(Princeton,N.J.:PrincetonUniversityPress,1958),pp.190191.

Chapter6

1.Pritchard,AncientNearEast,pp.188189.

2.Seealso10:18;12:6f.

3.Lind,YahwehIsaWarrior,p.100.

4.SeeNeher,Essence,p.291.

5.Cf.1Samuel16:14.

6.E.g.,Joshua8:12;Judges20:23;1Samuel23:912;2Samuel5:23.

7.Seealso1Samuel27:2;2Samuel15:18;20:7.

8.RolanddeVaux,AncientIsrael:ItsLifeandInstitutions,2nded.(London:Darton,LongmanandTodd,1965),p.220.

9.E.g.,1Chronicles19:6f.

10.E.g.,David'scaptureoftheJebusitecityofJerusalem(2Sam.5:6).

11.YigaelYadin,TheArtofWarfareinBiblicalLandsintheLightofArchaeologicalDiscovery(London:WeidenfeldandNicolson,1963),p.283.

12.DeVaux,AncientIsrael,pp.229230.

13.1Kings5:1315.ThereissomeapparentconfusioninthetextastowhetherSolomonimpressedIsraelitesintohiscorpsofforcedlaborers,orwhether(as1Kings9:2022seemstosuggest)heobtainedhis"forcedlevyofslaves"solelyfromtheremnantsoftheCanaanitepeopleswhomtheIsraeliteshaddisplaced.InviewofthesheersizeoftheconscriptedlaborforceandoflaterdevelopmentstherevoltofthepeopleofIsraelagainstSolomon'ssonRehoboaminwhichtheystonedtodeaththe"taskmasterovertheforcedlabor"(1Kings12:4,

18)itisclearthatthecorpsofforcedlaborerswasnotdrawnentirelyfromnon-Israelites.


15.Ibid.,p.73.

16.ClausWestermann,OneThousandYearsandaDay:OurTimeintheOldTestament(London:SCMPress,1962),p.101.

Chapter7

1.SeealsoJeremiah6:17;Ezekiel33:7;Hosea9:8.

2.ClausWestermann,BasicFormsofPropheticSpeech(London:LutterworthPress,1967),p.95.

3.SeealsoJeremiah2:34.


5.This,asalways,wasbothatheologicalandamilitaryquestion.See2Kings2:12;6:17.

6.SeealsoIsaiah31:1;Jeremiah2:3637;Ezekiel17:17;Hosea8:710.

7.SeealsoIsaiah2:7;Hosea8:14;10:1314.

8.Forotherpropheticpassagesmakingthisinterconnection,seeJeremiah2:2637,Hosea8:414.

9.SirHerbertButterfield,ChristianityandHistory(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1950),p.58.

10.SeealsoJeremiah27:6;43:10.ThiswasashardforlaterJewishscholarstoacceptasitmusthavebeenforJeremiah'scontemporaries.ThetranslatorswhorenderedhisHebrewtextintoGreek(intheSeptuagint)ineachcasesimplyomittedthephrasesdesignatingNebuchadnezzarasYahweh'sservant."

11.IfirstencounteredthisexpressioninAndréTrocmé,ThePoliticsofRepentance(NewYork:FellowshipPublications,1953).

12.MosheWeinfeld,DeuteronomyandtheDeuteronomicSchool(Oxford:ClarendonPress,1972),pp.151155,citedbyLind,YahwehIsaWarrior,pp.164,213.Forcomparablepassages,see1Kings15:11;22:43;2Kings18:3.

13.Apartiallistincludes:1Kings20:1321;20:2830;2Kings6:819;7:38;19:1437(seeparallel2Chronicles32:2022;Isaiah37:1438);2Chronicles13:1316;14:913.Seealsothechronicler'scommentonKingUzziah:"Hewasmarvelouslyhelped,tillhewasstrong"(2Chronicles26:15).

14.Thecorrectnessofthisrendering,whichissimilartothatoftheTEV,isvouchedforbycommentators:A.A.Anderson,TheBookofPsalms,NewCenturyBible,(London:Oliphants,1972),I,p.360publishedintheUnitedStatesbyEerdmans,andArturWeiser,ThePsalms(Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1962),p.373.

Chapter8

1.Neher,Essence,p.291.

2.InthepassagesthatdealwiththeMan,thereissomeambiguityastowhethertheyrefersolelytoanindividual,orwhethertheyreferto

theentireIsraelitenation.Withmanyscholars,Iassumethattheprophets'emphasesvaryfrompassagetopassage,butthatinsumtheywerereferringbothtotheindividualandtothenation.Indeed,inthethinkingoftheprophets,thesetwowereintertwined:thepurposeoftheindividualwastoshowwhattheentirenationshouldbelike.

3.ForcommentonthisDeadSeadocument,Melchizidek11Q,seeR.B.Sloan,TheFavorableYearoftheLord:AStudyintheJubilaryTheologyintheGospelofLuke(Austin,Texas:ScholaPress,1977),pp.4546.

4.SeeJoshua11:9;2Samuel8:4,andchapters4and5above.

Chapter9

1.LesslieNewbigin,TheOpenSecret:SketchesforaMissionaryTheology(GrandRapids,Eerdmans,1978),p.99.

2.ThischapterandthenextowemuchtoMarcusJ.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPoliticsintheTeachingsofJesus(NewYork:EdwinMellenPress,1984).

3.Josephus,JewishWar,II,ix,4.

4.F.F.Bruce,"RendertoCaesar,"inE.BammelandC.F.D.Moule,eds.,JesusandthePoliticsofHisDay(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1984),p.254.

5.Josephus,JewishWar,II,xvii,6.

6.Josephus,JewishWar,II,ix,4(trans.G.A.Williamson[Harmondsworth,Middx.:Penguin,1959],p.157).

7.JoachimJeremias,Jesus'PromisetotheNations(London:SCMPress,1958),p.43.

8.EncyclopaediaJudaica,7,p.411,s.v."Gentile."

9.JewishEncyclopedia,newed.,5,p.621,s.v."Gentile."

10.LeaderoftheJewishrevoltagainstAntiochusIV,theSyrianrulerofPalestine,inthe160sB.C.

11.Josephus,Antiquities,XVII,x,910.

12.See,forexample,thePhariseeGamaliel'ssummaryinActs5:35ff.

13.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPolitics,p.57.

14.RichardJ.Cassidy,Jesus,PoliticsandSociety:AStudyofLuke'sGospel(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1978),pp.121,197.

15.RabbiEliezerbenHyreanus,q.Jeremias,Jesus'Promise,p.41.

16.Borg,Conflict,HolinessandPolitics,p.66.

Chapter10

1.TheconfessionthatJesuswastheHolyOnewas,however,centrallyimportanttohisdisciplesafterhisresurrection(Acts2:27;3:14).

2.ThiscommissioningfromtheFatherwasdrawnfromaroyalpsalmanda"servantsong"(Ps.2:7;Isa.42:1).

3.The"WaitingFather,"accordingtoasermonofHelmutThielicke,isthemainpointoftheparableofthe"prodigalson"(TheWaitingFather[NewYork:Harper&Brothers,1959],pp.2629).

4.TheGreekwordaphesis,translatedhereas"release"and"liberty,"occursintheGreekOldTestamentinallofthepassageshavingtodowiththeJubileeandsabbathyears,e.g.,Leviticus25:10,11,13,28;27:17;Deuteronomy15:1,9;Isaiah61:1;Jeremiah41:8[MT34:8];Ezekiel46:17.SomeofJesus'contemporarieslinkedthepropheticpassagewhichJesuswasquoting,Isaiah61:12(alongwithaphraseofIsaiah58:6)withtheJubilee(Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee,p.92).FordiscussionoftherelationofJesus'NazarethsermontotheJubilee,seeJohnH.Yoder,ThePoliticsofJesus

(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1972),pp.3440;J.MassyngbaerdFord,MyEnemyIsMyGuest:JesusandViolenceinLuke(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1984),5560;Sloan,FavorableYear,passim.

5.Jeremias,Jesus'Promise,p.45.

6.ThemeaningoftheGreekwordsisquiteclearhere.BecausetranslatorshavefoundithardtoimaginethatJesuscaredaboutthereligiousdimensionsofsocialissues,theyhaveconsideredalmsgivingtobeadeedofpietyratherthanofjustice-makingandreequalization.Hencetheirattachmenttotheircustomarymistranslation.

7.Blosser,JesusandtheJubilee,p.283.

8.ThisinterpretationisbroadlyinharmonywiththatofF.F.Bruce,"RendertoCaesar,"p.260:"Jesus'counselofnon-resistancetoRomewasonallfourswithJeremiah'scounselofsubmissiontoBabylon,"

9.SomewritersmaintainthatJesus,incommandinghisdisciplestolovetheir"enemies,"hadonlypersonalenemiesinmind.ThisinterpretationmightmakesenseifJesushadbeenspeakinginaprosperousAmericansuburb,buthewasn'tHewasspeakingina"politico-religioustinderbox,"alandbrutallyruledbyanoccupyingarmy.WhenJesussaid"enemies,"everyoneknewwhohewastalkingaboutanditwasn'tsimplythecantankerouspersonnextdoor!Mostrecentscholarswhohavelookedatthisquestionagree:Jesuswastellinghisdisciplestolovetheirnation'senemies,theRomans.Forcarefulstudiesofthisissue,seeMartinHengel,VictoryoverViolence(London:SPCKPress,1975);WilliamKlassen,LoveofEnemies(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1984);RichardJ.Cassidy,Jesus,PoliticsandSociety(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1990).Forabriefsurveyoftheissue,seeWillardSwartleyandAlanKreider,"PacifistChristianity:TheKingdomWay,"inO.R.Barclay,ed.,Pacifismand

War:WhenChristiansDisagree(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1984),pp.4043.

10.Yoder,OriginalRevolution,p.108.

11.ThesamecomingtogetherofholinessthemesoccursintheparallelpassageintheSermononthePlain(Luke6:2736).

12.ThetranslationwhichbestcapturesthemeaningofMatt.5:48isthatoftheNEB:"Theremustbenolimittoyourgoodness,asyourheavenlyFather'sgoodnessknowsnobounds."

13.SomepeoplehaveusedthiswhiptoindicatethatJesuswasno"pacifist."ThepassageclearlyindicatesthatJesuswas,onoccasion,willingtouseforceagainstproperty.Acarefultranslationoftheverse(John2:15),suchasthatoftheNIV,however,indicatesthatJesusdidnotusethewhipagainstthesellersandmoneychangers.(Andevenifhehadusedthewhipagainstthepeople,thereisaconsiderabledifferencebetweenwhippingpeopleand

killingthem.)

14.E.EarleEllis,"HowtheNewTestamentUsestheOld,"inI.HowardMarshall,ed.,NewTestamentInterpretation(Exeter:PaternosterPress,1977),p.211.U.S.editionpublishedbyEerdmans.

Chapter11

1.PaulMinear,ImagesoftheChurchintheNewTestament(London:LutterworthPress,1961),p.137.U.S.edition,Philadelphia:WestminsterPress,1970.

2."Theearlychurchsoughttoapplyjubileeprinciplestoitssocio-economiclife;indeed,LukeseemsdeliberatelytodescribeitsachievementsintermsthatechothesabbaticalpromiseinDeuteronomy15thatGodwouldrichlyblessanobedientpeople"(Wright,LivingasthePeopleofGod,p.101).

3.VirgilVogt,TreasureinHeaven:TheBiblicalTeachingAboutMoney,FinancesandPossessions(AnnArbor,Michigan:ServantBooks,1982),p.79.

Chapter12

1.JohnV.Taylor,EnoughIsEnough(London:SCMPress,1975),p.45.

2.ColinBrown,ed.,TheNewInternationalDictionaryofNewTestamentTheology(Exeter:PaternosterPress,19751978),III,p.727.U.S.edition:GrandRapids,Mich.:ZondervanPress,19761978.

3.Philippians1:5;Romans15:27;1Peter4:13;2Corinthians13:14;1Corinthians10:16;1John1:3,7.

4.Onthis,seeKeithF.Nickle,TheCollection:AStudyinPaul'sStrategy,StudiesinBiblicalTheology,48(London:SCMPress,

1966).

5.JoachimJeremias,JerusalemintheTimeofJesus(London:SCMPress,1969),p.140.

6.F.F.Bruce,1and2Corinthians,NewCenturyBible(London:Oliphants,1971),p.223,U.S.edition,Eerdmans.

7.Vogt,Treasures,p.82.

8.Eusebius,EcclesiasticalHistory,III,v,p.3.

9.Jean-MichelHornus,ItIsNotLawfulforMetoFight:EarlyChristianAttitudesTowardWar,ViolenceandtheState,reviseded.(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),p.17.

10.BoRiecke,TheEpistlesofJames,PeterandJude,TheAnchorBible(GardenCity,NewYork:Doubleday,1964),pp.73,96.

11.IPeter1:6,7;2:12,20;3:6;3:1517;4:4,12,19.

12.Forgeneralbackground,seeRaymondE.BrownandJohnP.Meier,

AntiochandRome(London:GeoffreyChapman,1983),chap.6.

13.Acorruptionof"Christ,"fromSuetonius,Claudius,25,4,quotedbyBrownandMeier,AntiochandRome,p.100.

14.J.Friedrich,W.Pöhlmann,P.Stuhlmacher,"ZurhistorischenSituationundIntentionvonRom.13:17,"ZeitschriftfürTheologieundKirche,73(1976),pp.131166.

15.BrownandMeier,AntiochandRome,p.124.

16.ThepassagewhichPaulciteshere,Deuteronomy32:35,referstoGod'svengeanceagainstIsrael'scollective,nationalenemies,notagainstthepersonalenemiesofindividualIsraelites.ItwillnotdotodistinguishbetweenthepersonalethicsofRomans12andthepublicethicsofRomans13.BothchaptershaveasmuchtodowiththepublicbehaviorofGod'snationaswiththebehaviorofindividualdisciplesofJesus.

17.Reicke,Epistles,p.107.

18.Yoder,PoliticsofJesus,pp.163192.

19.Idonotmeantoimplythatthereisneveracasefortax-refusalbyChristians.Foradiscussionofthisissue,seeDonaldD.Kaufman,WhatBelongstoCaesar?(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1969);WillardM.Swartley,"AStudyonthePaymentofWarTaxes,"Sojourners,February1979,p.1820;LynnBuzzardandPaulaCampbell,HolyDisobedience:WhenChristiansMustResisttheState(AnnArbor,Michigan:ServantPublications,1984),chap.8.

20.TheGreekwordfor"obey,"hupakouo

*,isdifferentfromthewordfor"besubordinate,"hupakouo*.

21.JohnPiper,"LoveYourEnemies":Jesus'LoveCommandinthe

SynopticGospelsandintheEarlyChristianParaenesis,SocietyforNewTestamentStudies,MonographSeries,38(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1979),p.62.

22.Similarly,EzekielconveyedYahweh'smessagethat"IwillstrengthenthearmsofthekingofBabylon,andputmyswordinhishand"(Ezek.30:24).

23.Analternativeinterpretationwouldsuggestthat,forPeter,"Babylon"connotednotjustRome,butanypagansocietyinwhichJesus'followerswouldbe"aliensandexiles"(1Pet.2:11;J.N.D.Kelly,TheEpistlesofPeterandofJude[London:Adam&CharlesBlack,1969;U.S.edition,GrandRapids,Mich.:BakerBooks,1981.],p.219).ThiswouldnotalterthebasicsocialstrategythatIfindPetertobesuggesting.

24.Tothebestofmyknowledge,commentatorshavenotexaminedthepossibilitythatBabylonlaybehindPaul'suseofthe"servant"terminologyforthestate(Rom.13:4).TheexegetewhocomesclosesttoseeingthisemphasisisC.E.B.Cranfield(TheEpistletotheRomans,InternationalCritical

Commentary[Edinburgh:T.&T.Clark,1979],II,p.665),whocitesIsaiah10:515,apassagethatreferstoAssyriabutthatdoesnotuse"servant"language.TheJeremiahpassagesaboutBabylon(25:838),ontheotherhand,usenotonlyapagannationasGod'sservant,butalsotalkabout"sword"and"wrath."Iwouldbegratefulifcompetentbiblicalscholarswouldtestthishypothesis.

25.WayneA.Meeks,TheFirstUrbanChristians:TheSocialWorldoftheApostlePaul(NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress,1983),p.73.

26.RebeccaYoder,"OldTestamentCheremandNewTestamentSentencesofHolyLaw,"OccasionalPapersoftheCouncilofMennoniteSeminaries,1(1981),pp.1934.

27.1Corinthians4:16;1Corinthians11:1;Ephesians5:1;1Thessalonians1:6;2:14.

28.Forthepracticeacenturylater,whichisprobablyincontinuitywithearliercustoms,seeJustin,IApology,p.67.

Chapter13

1.LettertoDiognetus,5.5.

2.Justin,IApology,14.

3.E.g.,Hippolytus,ApostolicTradition,16;RolandH.Bainton,"TheEarlyChurchandWar,"HarvardTheologicalReview,39(1946),pp.189212.

4.CharlesAvila,Ownership:EarlyChristianTeaching(London:SheedandWard,1983),pp.36,39.

5.AxelBoethiusandJ.B.Ward-Perkins,EtruscanandRomanArchitecture(PelicanHistoryofArt)(Harmondsworth,Middx.:PenguinBooks,1970),plates152154.

6.RogerForster,"TheChurchThatMakesforPeace,"inDanaMillsPowell,ed.,DecideforPeace:EvangelicalsandtheBomb(Basingstoke,Hants:Marshalls,1986).

7.AlexanderSchmemann,IntroductiontoLiturgicalTheology(LeightonBuzzard,Beds.:TheFaithPress,1966),chap.3.

8.ApostolicConstitutions,II,58.

9.Eusebius,DemonstratioEvangelica,I,8,29b.

10.JuliodeSantaAna,GoodNewstothePoor:TheChallengeofthePoorintheHistoryoftheChurch(Geneva:WorldCouncilofChurches,1977),p.77.Intheireconomicthinking,someChristianshadbeenborrowingfromtheStoicsforsometimepriortoConstantine(RedmondMullin,TheWealthofChristians[Exeter:PaternosterPress,1983],pp.6566).

11.JohnEppstein,TheCatholicTraditionoftheLawofNations(London:CatholicAssociationforInternationalPeace,1935),pp.57ff.

12.A.H.M.Jones,TheLaterRomanEmpire,284602(Oxford,BasilBlackwell,1964),II,p.978.

13.W.K.Jordan,PhilanthropyinEngland,14801660(London:GeorgeAllenandUnwin,1959),pp.165ff.ItwasonlyamongtheReformation'sradicals,bothonthecontinentandinEngland,thattrueideasofequalitydeveloped.SeeDonaldDumbaugh,ed.,EveryNeedSupplied(Philadelphia:TempleUniversityPress,1974);ChristopherHill,WorldTurnedUpsideDown(Harmondsworth,Middx.:Penguin,1975).

14.''Itremainsanopenquestionwhetherjustwartheorieshavelimitedmorewarsthantheyhaveencouraged"(FrederickH.Russell,TheJustWarintheMiddleAges[Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,1975],p.308).

15.HugoGrotius,OntheLawofWarandPeace(1625),sect.28,inArthurHolmes,ed.,WarandChristianEthics(GrandRapids,BakerBookHouse,1975),pp.235236.

16.Goudzwaard,IdolsofourTime,p.52.

17.OralcommunicationfromJohnMitchell,director,WorldDevelopmentMovement.

18.RuthLegerSivard,WorldMilitaryandSocialExpenditures,1985(Washington,D.C.:WorldPriorities,1985),p.26.FortheU.K.in1984,7.5millionpeople1inevery7peoplewerelivinginpoverty(JoannaMackandStewartLansley,PoorBritain[London:GeorgeAllenandUnwin,1985],p.182).

19.Newsweek,November26,1984,p.23.

20.U.S.Bishops'PastoralLetter(firstdraft),"CatholicSocialTeachingandtheU.S.Economy,"Origins,14,no22/23(November15,1984),p.373.

21.A.B.Cramp,EconomicsinChristianPerspective:ASketch-Map(Toronto:InstituteforChristianStudies,n.d.),VIII/36.

22.Sivard,WorldMilitaryandSocialExpenditures,1985,p.5.

23.Accordingtoinfluentialscientists,amodestexchangeofnuclearweaponsbetweenthesuperpowerswouldreleasesomuchsmokeanddustintotheatmospherethattheearthwouldbedarkenedandtheearth'stemperaturewouldplummet.Manyofthosewhohadsurvivedtheblastandradiationofthenuclearexplosionswoulddieofcoldandstarvation.SeeR.P.Turcoetal.,"NuclearWinter:GlobalConsequencesofMultipleNuclearExplosions,"Science,December23,1983,12821292;andtheexhaustivestudyofMarkHarwell,EnvironmentalConsequencesofNuclearWar(NewYork:JohnWiley,1986).

24.Goudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime,p.95.

25.QuotedintheObserver,May26,1985,p.13.

26.Guardian,April4,1985,p.14;February9,1985,p.6;Times,February8,1985,p.8.

27.Newbigin,TheOtherSideof1984,p.1.

28.Butterfield,ChristianityandHistory,p.106.

29.ThisisastrueofEvangelicalCalvinistsasitisofliberationtheologians.SeeespeciallyGoudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime;PabloRichard,etal.,TheIdolsofDeathandtheGodofLife(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1983).OtherwritersforwhomthishasbeenanimportantthemeareRichardMouw,NicholasWolterstorff,JimWallis,DaleAukerman,KeithClements,JacquesEllul,andKarlBarth.

Chapter14

1.ThisisathemeofGeraldCoates("PioneersorSettlers,"Pioneer,1,i[Spring1983],pp.810);andofVernardEller(TheOutwardBound:Cara-vaningastheStyleoftheChurch[GrandRapids,Mich.:Eerdmans,1980],pp.1126).

2.QuotedbyGrahamCray,inasermoninSt.Michael-le-Belfrey,York,England,May5,1985.

3.JeanVanier,CommunityandGrowth(London:Darton,Longman,andTodd,1979),p.105.

4.AlanJones,JourneyintoChrist(London:SPCK,1978),p.4.

5.Maslow,MotivationandPersonality,pp.8298.

6.SeeRenéLaurentin,MiraclesinElPaso?(AnnArbor,Mich.:ServantBooks,1982);JohnH.Yoder,WhatWouldYouDo?(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1983),pp.2835.

7.Evdokimov,"HolinessintheOrthodoxTradition,"p.159.

8.FrancisSchaeffer,TheGreatEvangelicalDisaster(Westchester,Ill.:CrosswayBooks,1984),p.115.

9.JohnStott,ChristianCounter-Culture:TheMessageoftheSermonontheMount(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1978),p.63.

10.OsGuinness,TheGravediggerFile(London:HodderandStoughton,1983),p.122.

11.Vanier,CommunityandGrowth,p.75.

12.E.R.Norman,ChristianityandtheWorldOrder(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1979),p.78.

13.QuotedinMalcolmDoney,"FaithintheForces,"Today,September1982,p.19.

14.Norman,ChristianityandtheWorldOrder,p.2.

15.Wildenberger,Jesaja,p.249.

Chapter15

1.ReinholdNiebuhr,MoralManandImmoralSociety(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1932),p.270.

2.KeithWard,"TheJustWarandNuclearArms,"inFrancisBridger,ed.,TheCrossandtheBombChristianEthicsandtheNuclearDebate(London:Mowbray,1983),p.55.

3.BrianGriffiths,TheCreationofWealth(London:HodderandStoughton,1984),pp.6263.

4.NatiomkideInitiativeinEvangelism,ProspectsfortheEighties:FromaCensusoftheChurchesin1979(London:TheBibleSociety,1980),p.15.

5.Butterfield,ChristianityandHistory,p.135.

6.Ibid.

7.RichardMouw,CalledtoHolyWorldliness(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1980),p.66.

8.KeithW.Clements,APatriotismforToday:DialoguewithDietrichBonhoeffer(Bristol:BristolBaptistCollege,1994),p.60.

9.TheClementsbook,citedinthepreviousnote,isapenetratingstudyofBonhoeffer'sstruggleswithnationhood.

10.A.F.Winnington-Ingram,q.byAlbertMarrin,TheLastCrusade:TheChurchofEnglandintheFirstWorldWar(Durham,N.C.:DukeUniversityPress,1974),p.139.

11.WalterSawatsky,SovietEvangelicalsSinceWorldWarII(Kitchener,Ontario:HeraldPress,1981),p.14;DavidB.Barrett,ed.,WorldChristianEncyclopedia(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1982),p.696.

12.ConversationwithJimPunton,January29,1986.

13.AccordingtoChristianhistorianSirHerbertButterfield,"themostpowerfulorganizationalunitinhistorythemostperfectinstrumentforpryingopenanystatusquoisthegroupofpeoplewecalla'cell'"(HistoryastheEmancipationfromthePast[London:1956],p.17).

14.JohnHowardYoder,ThePriestlyKingdom:SocialEthicsasGospel(NotreDame,Indiana:NotreDameUniversityPress,1984),p.91.

Chapter16

1.Incontrasttomanyinterpreters,whoviewthesaltprimarilyasapreservativewhichkeepsthingsfromspoiling,IthinkitismorelikelythatJesushadinmindthemorepositivepropertiesofsalt:seasoning,whichmakesgoodfoodtastebetter,andfertilizer,whichmakesgoodsoilmoreproductive(cf.Luke14:3435).This,Ibelieve,isinkeepingwithJesus'visionofholiness,whichwasnotdefensive,butoffensive.OnthisreadingofMatthew5:13,seeNewInternationalDictionaryofNewTestamentTheology,III,pp.443,445.

2.Thecorporatenatureof"light"haseludedmostWesterncommentators(butseeJohnDriver,KingdomCitizens[Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980],p.73,andEberhardArnold,SaltandLight[Rifton,N.Y.:PloughPublishing,1967],p.21,whogetitright).Ithas,however,beenobvioustothepeasantBiblereadersofSolentinameinNicaragua.SeeErnestoCardenal,ed.,TheGospelinSolentiname(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1982),I,p.194.

3.ChristianscanlearnanimmenseamountaboutthesevaluesthatwefindinJesusfromnon-Christians,notleastthoseintheGandhiantradition.

4.A.N.Triton,SalttotheWorld:TheChristianandSocialInvolvement(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1978),p.54.

5.Forideasandtestimonies,seeDorisJanzenLongacre,LivingMorewithLess(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980).

6.Fornutritionalinsightandgoodrecipes,inaframeworkofkingdomtheology,seeDorisJanzenLongacre,MorewithLessCookbook(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1976).

7.Forhelpfulhints,seeJ.LornePeachey,HowtoTeachPeacetoChildren(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1981);KathleenandJamesMcGinnis,ParentingforPeaceandJustice(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1981);JacquelineHaessly,Peacemaking:FamilyActivitiesforJusticeandPeace(NewYork:PaulistPress,1980).

8.ForperceptivecommentsonthedifficultiesofChristianinvolvementbysomeonewhoknows,seeNeilSummerton,"TheJustWar:ASympatheticCritique,"inBarclay,ed.,PacifismandWar,pp.203204.SeealsoausefulcollectionofreflectionsandcasehistoriesbyNorthAmericanMennonitesinprofessionallife(DonaldB.KraybillandPhyllisPellmanGood,eds.,PerilsofProfessionalism[Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1982]).

9.SeethefascinatingdebateintheGeneralSynodoftheChurchofEnglandbetweenthelateRaymondJohnston,whosawtheresearchas"wronginprincipleandcontrarytoChristianstandards,"and'CanonDouglasRhymes,whowasconcernedthatChristiansbeabletoinfluencegeneticengineering(Guardian,July5,1985,p.3).

10.PeterHinchcliff,HolinessandPolitics(London:Darton,Longman,andTodd,1982),p.2.HinchcliffproceedstoponderthisapparentpolarityandtheChristian'sparticipationinpoliticsinaprofoundway.

11.Thisquote,fromasixteenth-centuryAnabaptist,comesfromJohnH.Yoder,"AnabaptistsandtheSwordRevisited,"ZeitschriftfürKirchenges-chichte,85(1974),p.132.

12.SimonHughes,"TruthtoTell,"ThirdWay,March1986,p.21.

13.Forexamples,seeGeorgeMcRobie,SmallIsPossible(NewYork:HarperandRow,1981).

14.Yoder,PriestlyKingdom,p.37.

15.TheGreenpeaceofficeinLewes,Sussex,iscommendablydoingthis(Guardian,February29,1985,p.2).

16.Guardian,September29,1983,p.2.

17.E.g.,theworkofCatholicthinkerStanWindass,inStanWindass,ed.,AvoidingNuclearWar:CommonSecurityasaStrategyfortheDefenceoftheWest(London:Brassey'sDefencePublishers,1985).

18.JohnLampen,ed.,WillWarren:AScrapbook(London:QuakerHomeService,1983).

19.Seethestudypacket,includingcontributionsbymanyIrishandEnglishpeopleandformativetheologicalcontributionsbyHaddonWillmer,availablefrom:ForgivenessandPoliticsStudyGroup,2EatonGate,LondonSW1W9BL,England.

20.TheFutureofWorkerCo-opsinLondon(London:IndustrialCommonOwnershipMovement,1986).

21.A.B.Cramp,EconomicsinChristianPerspective,VIII/38,IX/25;ChristianArena,June1985.

22.CarlKreider,TheChristianEntrepreneur(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980),pp.177178.

23.Origins,14,no22/23(November15,1984),p.381.

24."Stepping-stone"isawayofexpressing,innontechnicallanguage,whatethicistscalla"middleaxiom"(JohnH.Yoder,TheChristianWitnesstotheState(Newton,Kans.:FaithandLifePress,1964),pp.7273.

25.Goudzwaard,IdolsofOurTime,p.106,Forhiscommentsonthemultilateralaspectsofdisarmament,seeibid.,pp.7075.

Chapter17

1.JohnStoner,"AModestProposalforChristianUnity,"OneWorld,May1984,p.18.Ipersonallywouldwanttomakealargercommitmentaswellnottokillnon-Christians,either.ForourGod"hascompassionoverallthathehasmade"(Ps.145:9).Givena

missionaryunderstandingofGod'sprojectforhiscreation,theoutsiderisalwaysapotentialbrotherorsister.

2.ArchbishopofCanterbury'sCommissiononUrbanPriorityAreas,FaithintheCity:ACallforActionbyChurchandNation(London:ChurchHousePublishing,1985),pp.158159.

3.Laurentin,MiraclesinElPaso?

4.DaveJackson,Dial911:PeacefulChristiansandUrbanViolence(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1981).

5.ForarecentillustrationofthecapacityoftheChristianchurchtogrowunderpersecution,seeDavidH.Adeney,China:TheChurch'sLongMarch(Ventura,Calif.,RegalBooks,1985),pp.140143.

6.LynnR.BuzzardandLaurenceEck,TellIttotheChurch(Elgin,Ill.:DavidC.CookPublishingCo.,1982);RonaldS.Kraybill,RepairingtheBreach:MinisteringinCommunityConflict(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980).Forvictim-offenderreconciliation,seethelengthyhow-to-do-itmanual,TheVORPBook(availablefromthePACTInstituteofJustice,106N.Franklin,Valparaiso,Ind.46383,USA).

7.Forthestoryofmembersof"WitnessforPeace"underfire,seeSojourners,October1985,pp.710.

8.PaulG.Weller,"ForHeIsOurPeace:BaptistResponsibilitiesinBritish-ArgentinianReconciliation,"BaptistQuarterly,31(1985),pp.6673.

9.LesterR.Brown,etal.,StateoftheWorld1986:AWorldwatchInstituteReportonProgressTowardaSustainableSociety(NewYork:Norton,1986),p.197.

10.SeethemanifestobyaleadingWestGermanTVjournalist,AlbrechtAlt(PeaceIsPossible:ThePoliticsoftheSermomontheMount[NewYork:ShockenBooks,1985]).

11.Seeabove,Chapter6,note13.

12.HerbertButterfield,WritingsonChristianityandHistory,ed.C.T.McIntire(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1979),p.254.

13.JürgenMoltmann,TheChurchinthePoweroftheSpirit(London:SCMPress,1977),p.193.

SUGGESTIONSFORFURTHERREADINGBorg,MarcusJ.Conflict,HolinessandPoliticsintheTeachingsofJesus(NewYork:EdwinMellenPress,1984)

Brueggemann,Walter.LivingTowardaVision:BiblicalReflectionsonShalom(Philadelphia:UnitedChurchPress,1982)

Butterfield,SirHerbert.ChristianityandHistory(NewYork:CharlesScribner'sSons,1950)

Cassidy,RichardJ.Jesus,PoliticsandSociety:AStudyofLuke'sGospel(Maryknoll,N.Y.:OrbisBooks,1978)

Clements,KeithW.APatriotismforToday:DialoguewithDietrichBonhoeffer(Bristol,England:BristolBaptistCollege,1984)

Goudzwaard,Bob.IdolsofOurTime(DownersGrove,Ill.:Inter-VarsityPress,1984)

Hauerwas,Stanley.ThePeaceableKingdom:APrimerinChristianEthics(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1983)

Kraybill,DonaldB.TheUpside-DownKingdom(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1978)

Kraybill,DonaldB.,andPhyllisPellmanGood,eds.Perilsof

Professionalism:EssaysonChristianFaithandProfessionalism(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1982)

Kreider,Carl.TheChristianEntrepreneur(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)

Lind,MillardC.YahwehIsaWarrior:TheTheologyofWarfareinAncientIsrael(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)

Longacre,DorisJanzen.LivingMorewithLess(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1980)

Longaere,DorisJanzen.MorewithLessCookbook(Scottdale,Pa.:HeraldPress,1976)

McRobie,George.SmallIsPossible(NewYork:HarperandRow,1981)

Mouw,Richard.CalledtoHolyWorldliness(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1980)

Newbigin,Lesslie.TheOpenSecret:SketchesforaMissionaryTheology(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1978)

Otto,Rudolf.TheIdeaoftheHoly:AnInquiryintotheNon-rationalFactorintheIdeaoftheDivineandItsRelationtotheRational,2nded.(NewYork,Oxford:UniversityPress,1958)

Vanier,Jean.CommunityandGrowth(London:Darton,LongmanandTodd,1979)

Vogt,Virgil.TreasureinHeaven:TheBiblicalTeachingaboutMoney,FinancesandPossessions(AnnArbor:ServantBooks,1982)

Wallis,Jim.TheCalltoConversion(SanFrancisco:HarperandRow,1983)

Wright,ChristopherJ.H.LivingasthePeopleofGod:TheRelevance

ofOldTestamentEthics(Leicester:Inter-VarsityPress,1983)

Yoder,JohnHoward.ThePoliticsofJesus(GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1972)

Yoder,JohnHoward.ThePriestlyKingdom:SocialEthicsasGospel(NotreDame,Ind.:UniversityofNotreDamePress,1984)

INDEXOFSCRIPTURESANDOTHERANCIENTWRITINGS

Genesis

12:3 35,128,163

49:10 92

Exodus

1:7 53

1:15-22 53

2:11-14 54

2:23-25 54,95

3:4-5 55

3:5 37

3:6-8 55

3:10 55

3:18 56

3:20 56

4:15 56

4:31 56

5:1 57

7:4 57

8:19 57

12:39 58

14:13 51,66

14:13-14 58

14:25 59

14:27 59

14:31 59

15 19-21

15:1 63

15:1-3 20

15:1-18 63

15:7 64

15:9 63

15:10-11 20

15:11 42,63

15:13 21,66

15:16 66

15:17 21,64

15:18 64

15:21 63

15:24 60

15:27 60

16:3 60

16:4 61

16:13 61

16:18 192

16:20 61

16:23 61

16:32-35 63

17:8 83

19:5 40

19:6 35,69,87

19:16-19 69

21:1-2 71

22:21-23 70

23:9 70

23:10-13 71

23:11 72

23:20-23 75

32:5 84

Leviticus

10:10 39

11:44 40

11:45 42

19:2 70,160

19:9-10 73

19:18 163

19:25 77

19:36 41

20:7-8 40

21:17 41

22:32-33 65

23:18-20 41

25:10 72,74,276

25:11 276

25:12 72,74

25:13 276

25:20 74

25:23 72,74

25:28 276

25:36-37 159

26:6 88

27:17 276

Numbers

11:5 83

11:8 61

11:31 61

13:28 83

13:33: 83

14:4 83

14:22-23 83

16:13 83

20 84

23:9 35

24:8 77,87

Deuteronomy

4:20 70

4:23 70

79 35

7:1-4 141

7:6 40

7:8 35

8:4 74

8:17 73

12:29 87

12:30 88

13:15-16 76

14:28-29 73

15:1 276

15:2 72

15:4 111

15:4-5 74

15:7-10 159

15:9 276

15:11 74

15:15 73

17:14-20 92

17:15 140

18:9 70

18:18 131

20 75

20:1 77,78

20:5 78

20:5-9 78

20:10-15 76

20:16 76

20:18 77

21:23 172

23:14 75

24:19-22 73

26:19 88

28:7-9 79

32:35 198

32:51 84

Joshua

1:5 189

5:12 79

6:24 80

7 80

7:11 76

7:12 80

8:2 274

10:11 117,274

11:6 78-79

11:9 98,275

24 52

Judges

45 81

4:3 81

5:3 81

5:21 274

67 80

6:5 81

6:24 41

7:2 79

7:22 81,92

20:23 274

1Samuel

4:9 89

67 89

7:2 89

7:3-6 89

7:7-11 90

7:10 274

7:12 90

8:2 91

8:5 91

8:7 92

8:8 93

8:9 93

8:11-18 93

8:17 95

8:18 95

8:19-20 95

8:20 87

10:5 106

10:6-10 96

10:17-19 96

10:18 274

11:5 96

11:6 96

11:7 96

11:13 96

12:6 274

12:6-18 96

12:19-25 96

14:52 97

15:18-19 96

16:14 274

17:45-47 96

18:7 96

22:2 97

23:9-12 274

27:2 274

2Samuel

5:6 274

5:23 274

8:4 98,275

12:7 106

12:21 99

15:1 98

15:18 274

16:23 97

17:14 97

20:7 274

24:10 99

1Kings

1:5 98

5:13-16 99,274

9:15 99

9:20-22 274

10:26 99

11:1-4 101

11:30-39 102

12:4 274

12:18 100,102,274

15:11 275

20:13-21 275

20:28-30 275

21 80

22:6 106

22:8 107

22:22 108

22:27 107

22:43 275

2Kings

2:12 275

6:8-19 275

6:17 275

7:3-8 275

18:3 275

19:7 274

19:14-37 275

2223 119

22:2 119

25:9 123

1Chronicles

21:3 99

2Chronicles

7:14 237

9:3-4 237

9:8 100

9:22 102

13:13-16 275

14:9-13 275

19:6 274

20:1-4 120

20:5-12 120

20:14-19 120

20:20 120

20:21-24 121

26:15 22,275

28:23 115

32:20-22 275

36:21 123

Ezra

9:2 141

Nehemiah

9:36 138

9:36-37 126

Job

38:23 117

Psalms

2:7 276

34:7-9 82

44:9-11 105

44:18 105

44:23-24 105

46:1-2 121

46:6 121

46:7 122

46:8-9 121

46:10 121,268

46:11 122

74:9 141

78 121

78:41-42 84

84:5 223

84:11 82

136 121

136:1 266

137:1 124

137:4 124

145:10-12 43

145:21 43

Isaiah

2:2-4 129

2:5 129

2:7 275

2:7-8 115

2:12 115-116

3:14-15 112

3:16 112

5:7 111

5:8 111

5:9 23

5:16 23

6 21-23,106

6:1 225

6:3 22

6:8 42

7:9 23,120

7:1-9 119

9:6 129

9:7 129,130

9:19-21 113

10:1 111

10:2 111

10:5 116

10:5-15 278

10:12 117

10:15 116

11:4 130

11:6-8 30,131

11:9 48,131

11:10 129

11:16 126

28:21 117

29:3 117

30:1-2 113

30:12-13 116

30:15 119

30:30 117

31:1 113,275

37:14-38 275

38:6 274

40:15 34

42:1 130,176

42:3-4 132

42:4 130

42:6 182

44:17 115

45:1 125

45:1-5 34

45:13 125

45:22-23 128

49:3 130

49:6 35,130,173,243

52:13 130

52:15 133

53:5 132,172

53:11 132,172

56:7 171

58:2 114

58:3-4 114

58:6 276

58:6-7 114

58:9 114

61:1 130

61:1-2 131,156,276

61:9 131

Jeremiah

2:3 110

2:26-37 275

2:34 275

2:36-37 275

5:28 111

6:4 75

6:14 110

6:16 110,118

6:17 274

6:19 31,116

7:4 109

7:4-5 171

7:5-7 118

7:11 170

7:22-28 118

7:31 114

8:15 110

9:1 168

10.7 128

11:21 107

14:13 109

14:14 108

22:13 111

22:15-16 119

23:3 126

23:17 109-110

23:18 105,107-108

25:8-38 278

25:9 34,116,198,200

25:12 117

25:38 198,200

27:6 34,198,275

28:2 106

29:5-7 126,185

29:7 199

34:8-10 122

34:13-16 123

34:17 123

35:15 119

37:13 107

38:2 199

38:4 107

38:20-21 199

39:6-9 123

39:10 123

41:8 276

43:10.1 34,198,275

5051 199

51:20 116

Ezekiel

2:2-3 106

3:17 107

13:2 107,108

13:3 108

13:6 108

13:11 110

13:13 117

17:17 275

18:32 118

20:33 128

30:24 278

33:7 274

36:22-25 125

36:26 130

37:24 130

46:17 276

46:17-18 131

Daniel

3:27 127

6:23 127

Hosea

8:7 116

8:7-10 275

8:4-14 275

8:14 275

9:7 107

9:8 274

10:13-14 116,275

Joel

2:28 130

Amos

3:8 108

3:15 111

5:14-15 118

5:18 116

5:21-24 113-114

7:12-13 106

8:3 116

8:11 141

Micah

3:5 75

3:8-9 102

3:11 109

4:1-4 129

5:10-11 113

6:4-5 118

Habakkuk

1:6 33

1:13 116-117

2:1 107

2:18 115

Zechariah

4:6 133

9:9 129

9:9-10 131-132,170

14:19 128

Matthew

5:9 165

5:10-12 169

5:13 281

5:13-16 241-243

5:14 36

5:39 196

5:43-48 164

5:44 166

5:45 164,165

5:46-47 165

5:47 162

5:48 165,203,277

6:1-2 158

6:7 36,162

6:12 159

6:25-33 160

6:32 162

7:13-14 221

7:21-23 242

7:24-27 230

8:11 163

8:11-12 166,164

15:2 145

18:32 159

20:26 162

22:40 163

23 173

23:23-26 155

26:27-28 172

26:28 163

26:52 168

27:43 172

27:51 173

28:18-19 48

28:20 224

Mark

1:15 151,221

1:16-20 153

1:24 148-149

2:13-14 153

7:1-23 154

7:5 154

8:34 169

9:50 197

10:17-22 157

10:30 159,161

11:7-10 170

11:17 170,171

11:18 171,246

12:17 162,198

12:30-31 155

12:34 154

15:39 173

Luke

1:15 150

1:35 148,150

1:42 150

1:67 150

1:73-74 144

2:27 150

3:1-3 34

3:16 150

3:22 150

4:18-19 156

4:25-27 156-157

5:8 149

6:24 157

6:27 196

6:27-36 277

6:28 268

6:34 159

6:36 149,160

6:40 48,149,168

7:39 154

8:2-3 161

8:3 153

8:14 157

8:21 169

8:42-48 154

9:28-36 39

9:29 153

9:31 174

9:51 169-170

10:3 169

10:6 166

10:29 163

10:29-37 163

12:4 166

12:15 188

12:16-20 157

12:32 159

12:33 159

12:34 157

13:1 140

13:3 167

13:5 167

14:34-35 281

15:11-32 154-155

16:13 157

16:19-31 157

17:18 141,162

18:18-23 160

19:1-10 160

19:41 168

19:41-44 231

19:42 29,167,222

19:43-44 168

21:20 168

22:25 162

23:19 172

23:28 168

23:34 172

24:13-35 173

24:49 174-175

John

1:36 269

2:14-15 171

2:15 277

5:17 51

5:20 230

7:49 146

8:39 169

11:32 172

11:48 143

14:9 153

14:18 177

14:21 169

14:27 177

15:26 177

19:11 34

19:39 154

Acts

1:3 179

1:5 179

2:2 179

2:3 179

2:27 276

2:36 177

2:40 179

2:42 180

2:45 180

3:14 39,177,276

4 24-26

4:13 177

4:29-30 25

4:32 180

4:33 181

4:34 180

5:4 180

5:29 198,266

6:1-7 190

6:3 180

7 52

8:17 182

9:32 181

10 42

10:13 182

10:14-15 182

10:20 183

10:22 183

10:23 183

10:28 183

10:36 184

10:44-48 184

11:27-28 191

11:29-30 191

13:46 184

13:47 178

14:22 32

15 184

17:6 178-179

18:2-3 195

26:23 178

26:28-29 182

28:22 195

Romans

6:19 202

8:15 204

8:22 31,32

8:25 32

12:2 186,196

12:13 190,193

12:14 197

12:17 196

12:18 197,263

12:19 196,197,198

12:21 196

13:1 197

13:3-5 197

13:4 34,198,200,278,246

13:6-7 197

14:17 270

15:7 204

15:16 43,202

15:25-32 190

15:26 191

15:27 277

16:3-5 195

1Corinthians

1:26 33,201

1:28 33

3:11 254

4:16 279

4:20 231

5:9 188

5:9-11 188

5:10 201

6:10 188

7:14 201

10:16 277

11:1 279

11:24 204

16:1-4 190

16:2-3 191

2Corinthians

2:5-11 203

2:15 202

3:18 40,177

5:17 30

89 190,191

8:1-4 191

8:4 193

8:6 192

8:9 191,204

12:9 224

12:9-10 268

8:13-14 192

8:15 192

8:19 192

9:5 188

9:7 192

9:8 189,192

9:10 191-192

9:12-13 192

13:14 277

Galatians

2:9-10 184

3:28 186

6:15 30

Ephesians

1:10 30,47

2:15 35

2:19 185

3:10 201

4:11-13 203

4:13 44

4:15 262

4:28 189

5:1 279

5:5 188

Philippians

1:5 277

2:11 177

3:10 204

3:20 186

4:22 202

Colossians

1:15 205,228

1:20 30

1:28 203

2:6 202

3:5 188

3:11 178

1Thessalonians

1:6 279

2:14 279

4:3-6 44

4:3-7 188

5:15 196

2Thessalonians

3:10 193

1Timothy

2:1-2 200,267

2:2 197,200

2:2-4 201

6:8 189

6:9-10 188

2Timothy

3:12 39

Hebrews

2:10 205

2:15 205

6:5 32

9:13-14 43

10:10 40,202

11:13 185

11:14-16 186

12:10 28,224

12:11 47

12:14 32,202

13:5 189

13:12 43,202

13:14 186

13:16 190

James

1:20 194

4:1-3 194

5:1-6 187

1Peter

1:1 185,193,214

1:2 43,202

1:6 278

1:7 278

1:14 196

1:14-15 36,186

1:15 44

2:9 36,178,196

2:9-10 185

2:11. 185,278

2:12 186,196,201,278

2:13 196-197

2:13-14 199

2:13-17 236

2:14 197

2:15 197

2:16 197

2:17 197,199

2:20 278

2:20-21 201

2:21 204

3:1 201

3:1-6 201

3:6 278

3:9 196,197

3:11 197

3:13 197

3:14-17 202

3:15 199

3:15-18 201,278

4:3-4 202

4:4 278

4:12 199,278

4:19 278

5:13 199

2Peter

3:10 31

3:13 32

1John

1:1 176-177

1:3 277

1:7 277

2:6 44,203

3:2-3 44

Revelation

3:7 43-44,177

5:9 244

7:9 149

13:10 200

14:4 270

17:6 199

18:2 200

18:3 199-200

2122 30

21:5 30,48

21:23 269

Apocrypha

Ecclesiasticus

36:7 162

1Maccabees

1:11-15 141

2:27 144

2:61 126

4:46 141

13:51 170

GreekandLatinAuthors

ApostolicConstitutions

II,58 213

Diognetus,Epistleto

5:5 211

Eusebius

DetnonstratioEvangelica

I,8,29b 213

EcclesiasticalHistory

III,v.3 194

Hippolytus

ApostolicTradition

16 211

Josephus

Antiquities

XVII,x,9-10 144

JewishWar

II,ix,4 139,140

II,xvii,6 139

Justin

IApology

14 211

67 279

Suetonius

Claudius

25,4 195

GENERALINDEX

A

Aaron57,64,84

Abraham52,54,128,163,169,185,223,248

Absalom98

Achaia191

Adonijah98

Ahab106,107

Ahaz23,115,119,120

Ahijah102

Ahithophel97

Amalekites96

Ammonites99

Amos106,108,114,118

Anabaptism215

Ananias180

Andrew153

Annas142

Arameans98

Assyria22,23,34,102,104,109,113,116,119,123,125,138,162,278

Astarte85,89,102,115

Augustine214

B

Baal85,89,102,115

Babylon34,102,104,106,109,116,118,122-125,138,163,198,199,236,244,245,278

Baptism150,164,177,184,225

Barabbas172

Barak81-82

Barnabas184

Bethel106

Bonhoeffer,Dietrich236

Bruce,F.F.193

Butterfield,SirHerbert116,220,235

C

Caesarea183-184

Caiaphas142

Caleb83

Calvinism216,280

Canaan52,93,98

Canaanites70,81,141

Chaldea116

Chariots58,78-79,81,94,98,112-113

Childs,Brevard59

Civildisobedience53,246

Claudius195

Clements,Keith236

Commonfund180,190-193,211-212

Constantine212

Contentment189

Cooperatives256

Corban140

Corinth191

Cornelius183

Covenant89

CovenantCode71,75

Covetousness188

Cranfield,C.E.B.278

Cyrus34,125

D

Daniel127

David96-98,103-104,124,131

DayoftheLord31-32,115-116

Deborah81

Debts72

DeuteronomicCode75,92

Douglas,Mary41

E

Ebenezer90

Eisenhower,DwightD.220

Elijah174

Elim60

Egypt52,56,57,59,67,73,83,95,104,111,113,119,123,126

Emmaus173

Essenes145-146,226,241

''Establishment"142-143

Evdokimov,Paul41

Exodus19-21,42,57-60,65-66,70-71,73-74,77,88,92,95,110,112,118,120,131,155,174,178,187,189,192,223-224,230

Ezekiel107,118,125

Ezra126,138,141

F

Fear59,77,120,159,166

Finzi,Gerald39

Forster,Roger213

Francis,ofAssisi38

G

Gabriel148

Galatia191

Galilee139,150,156

Gerazim,Mount141

Gideon81,89,91

Goliath96

Gorbachev,Mikhail272

Goudzwaard,Bob257-258

Grace58,71,92,132,191-192,240

Grace,concrete59,64,70,73-74,78,83,86,90,93-94,110,121,152,181,267

Griffiths,Brian234

Guinness,Os222

H

Habakkuk107,115-117

Hananiah106

Harald,kingofDenmark215

Hellenism140-141

Hezekiah119

Herem75,203

Herod139

Hinchcliff,Peter282

Holiness27,37-44,65,67-68,74,79,88,110,118,121,129,142,144-147,149,153-155,161,164-165,168,174,176,178-179,184,186,188,201,225,232,241,245

Holiness,dynamism41-42,160,166,230-231

Holiness,godlikeness40-41,160,165,228-230

Holiness,livingforce37-39,55,159,164,224-226

Holiness,separateness39-40,159-160,164-165,226-228

HolyCity30-32,41,48,179,228,231,270

HolySpirit26,32,36,43,89,91,96,102,107,130,133,141,148-149,156,164,177,182,184,187,190,201,204-205,225,229,231,270

HolyWar74-79,94,96-98,117,120,163-164,203,237

Hosea107,116

Huldah118

I

Idolatry68,76,79,84-85,89,93,101-102,188,203,219-220

Imitation70,168,203-204

Ireland256

Isaiah21-23,35,38,42,114,117,120,125,129,132,171,178

Israel104,112,123,125

J

Jabin78

Jacob52

Jael82

Jahaziel120

James187,194

Jehoshaphat120

JellingStone215

Jepthah189

Jeremiah34,107,118,122,126,167-168,170,185,200,246,265,272,275-276

Jericho80

Jerusalem21,99-101,103-104,106,117-118,123-124,139-140,142,161,168,170,176,180,182,184,198,265

Jesus25-26,31,34,36,38,44,48,51,138,144,147,148-175,176-186,188-189,192,194-196,201,203-205,211,221-222,225-232,235,241-243,246,254-255,258,265-266,269-270

JewishWar139,147,194

Joab98-99

Joanna153

John(theapostle)25

JohntheBaptist150,269

John(theseer)199-200

Jones,A.H.M.216

Joppa181,182

JordanRiver150

Joseph52-53

Josephus140

Joshua52,80,83,98,131

Josiah118-119

Jotham22

Jubilee26,39,72-74,79-80,94,111-112,114,119,123,131-132,156-158,160,181,184,190-193,215,236,261

Judah103,112,115,120,123,125

JudasMaccabaeus126,144,276

Judges89-90,96,98,102

JustWartheory76,214,216,273,279

Justice73,111-112,117,119,130,132,150,155,158,160,170,230,239,243-244,262

JustinMartyr211-212

K

Kingship68,77,88,90-103,106,111,128,130-132,170,200,212

KingdomofGod152,155,157,159,161,166-167,173,179,188,221,231,234,243,245

Kishon(brook)81

Koinonia180,189-190,193,261

L

Lake,Frank44

Law67,69-79,81,88-89,92,94,110-112,115,118,122,129,131,141-142,144-145,155-156,158,160,163,172,182,246,265

Lazarus157

LiberationTheology280

Liberty71-72,122,156,276

Lind,Millard93

Luke34,140,150,156,174

M

Macedonia191

Manna61-62,79,192

Mannaprinciples61,74,94-95,111,131,158,189,192,212

Marah60

Mark151

Martha161

Mary,ofBethany161

Mary,motherofJesus148

Maslow,Abraham45,225

Massah83

Materialism46-47,94

Meribah84

Messiah129-133,177-178,183,195,244,254

Micah103,129

Micaiah107

Midian54,80-81,91

Militarism47,93-94,218-219

Militaryinferiority77-79,94,98

Miracle57,75,80,95,120

Mission47-48

Moses53-63,69,131,198

Murmuring(whining)60,82-84,72

N

Naboth80

Nathan106

Nation,Holy34-36,42,69-70,87,101,105,116,125,130,142-143,161-164,169,173,185-186,196-198,205,233-236,239-240,244,260,264

Nations,the(Gentiles)33-34,87,90,95,105,111,116-117,130,141-142,145-147,157,159,162-163,170-172,183-184

Nazareth137,144,149,156-158

Nebuchadnezzar34,104,106,116,127,198,275

Neher,Andre74

Nero195

Newbigin,Lesslie138

Niebuhr,Reinhold233,238

Noth,Martin68

Nuclearwinter280

O

Ostia212

Othniel89

P

Paul(Saul)33,182,184,186,188-189,191-192,194-195,197-198,201-202,220,231,262

Pella194

Pentateuch145

Pentecost179-181,184,187,190

Persia104,125

Peter24-25,35,39,42,44,149,153,180-184,186,194-195,197-202,236

Pharisees142,145-146,154-155,165,171

Philistines89,96

Pilate,Pontius34,139-140

Pioneer203-205,224

PoorPeople111,119,160

PriscillaandAquila195

Project,God's30,37,66,270

Prophets,Dissident102,106-107,110-119,122,125,127,132,141,152,155-156,169,173

Prophets,Establishment106-110

Protection45-47,57-60,74-80,96,131-132,164-166,193-196,262-263

Provision45-47,60-62,71-74,79-80,130-131,159-161,181,261-262

Psalms62,82,84,105,121

Puah53

Punton,Jim238

Q

Quakers215

R

Red(Reed)Sea58-60

Reequalization73-74,158,180

Reformation216

Rehob98

Rehoboam100,102,274

Renewalgroups143-147,150-152,161-162,168,183,215,226

Repentance117-119,152,167,221-222

Romans126,139-147,158,162,165,167,170,172-173,182-183,194-195,231

Rome34,104,176,178,185,194-195,199

S

Sabbath(day)39,61-62,252

Sabbath(year)71-72,74,79-80,94,112,114,119,123

Sadducees142,145

Saints(HolyOnes)177,179,190-191,193,213-214,234

SaltandLight241-243

Samaria100,103

Samaritans141,163

Samuel89-96,101

Sanctification202,213

Sanhedrin142

Sapphira180

Sarah52,128,185,223,248

Saul96-97,106,129

Schaeffer,Francis227

Sepphoris144

SexualImmorality44,188

ShalmaneserIII85,90-91

Shalom41,88,107,108-110,126,131-132,168,199

Sheba,Queenof100

Sherman,GeneralWilliamT.75

Shiphrah53

Sinai67

Sisera81-82

Skull,Placeofthe172-173

Slavery71,73,83,92,95,112,119,122-124,138

Solomon99-103,124

Stephen52

Stoics214,279

Stott,John227

Subordination197-198,200,235

Syria115,126

T

Taxation139,142,147,156,160,190,195,197,278

Temple99,101,109,115,139,141,143,146,169-171,190,246

Thessalonica193

Timothy200

Tithes145-147,155

Triton,A.N.246

U

UrinChaldea35,53

Uzziah22-23

V

Vaux,Rolandde97-98,100-101

Victim-OffenderReconciliationProgram263

W

Waldensians215

Ward,Keith233-234

Warren,Will256

Weaponry58-59,63,75,78-79,92,94,98,112-113,115-116,129,131-132,218-219

Wenham,Gordon72

Wesley,John38,47

Wilderness57-58,68,186

Willmer,Haddon282

Wimber,John223

Windass,Stan282

Wolterstorff,Nicholas271

Worship42-43,60,62-65,82,109,113-115,120-121,142-143,204,266-268

Worship,praise63,82,267

Worship,storytelling43,63-65,90,118,266-267

Worship,trust114-115,121-122,266

Wright,Christopher72

Y

Yadin,Yigael98

Yoder,JohnHoward254

Z

Zacchaeus160

Zealots144,197

Zechariah(priest)144

Zechariah(prophet)170

Zedekiah122-123

THEAUTHOR

In1966AlanKreiderarrivedinLondon,England,asayoungAmericangraduatestudentdoingathesisontheEnglishReformation.Tohisgreatsurprise(andpleasurehelovesEngland!),hehasspentmostoftheyearssincetheninLondon.Hisprimaryconcernhasshiftedaswellfromacademichistorytotherenewalandmissionofthechurch.

Histraininghasbeenstrictlyhistorical:fromGoshenCollege,wherehedidhisundergraduatetraining,toHarvard

journey towards holiness: a way of living for god's nation

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