Chapter 13 The day religion died Hinge of history- from a supernatural perspective! It is finished! Earthquake! Graves open up!

Temple curtain divided! Who killed Jesus? Who do we blame? Gospels point the figure from a human perspective primarily at the Jewish religious leaders But ultimately it was Gods decision! The religious leaders were people who were addicted to a religious system Religion killed him- and that's me! Religion killed him- beware same attitudes in my heart Everybody dies So what's the big deal with Jesus? Why did Jesus die? Human perspective He was a threat to the powers that be He challenged the institution He had a showdown with the Temple The Jewish leaders interpretation of JesusPeople who disagree with us are attacking God! Tendency for defensiveness with steroids when you believe God is on your side We all like to be right then if we partner that belief with God! Beware, beware, danger! We should see other people through the lens as the victims of the enemy not the enemy themselves ie you become part of a rescue/ redemption plan to rescue those who are victims than condemning others who are enemies Paul had humility - only had it partly figured out. We know in part we prophecise in part There is always a chance you will learn from others Political system partners religious system in crucifying Jesus Political system put him on the cross Religious system- Jews would have had him stoned to death as a heretic From political system perspective - Jesus wasnt seen as trouble - It was the potential riot on their hands with the religious Jews that would

have caused the trouble. Embedded in any human created system are self saving /serving institutions that ultimately will protect their own interests first Beware believing in governments / political systems/ human institutions, to save us potential to dehumanise people and look after their own interests. Contrast religious system which uses force v humility of Jesus with nonviolence l Lays his life down Principle- wipe out your enemies by converting them to become allies. Politics is often in bed with religion Politics gives religion the power to carry out societal law which religion has decided is ultimately right Should there be such a thing a Christian state? Christians -Submissive to authorities but act as a counter culture movement The foot washers of society- salt and light If Christians come to speak to the state then they come as prophets not as a handmaiden Why did Jesus die? Gods perspective Unseen drama- all part of Gods plan from beginning Jesus is self aware of plan knows where his life his headed- to the cross eg Ransom for many John the Baptist - behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world All sounds wonderful - except how do lambs take away sins Through Sacrifice and spilled blood In the narrative of OT Notion of dying / sacrifice for salvation is embedded throughout Sin leads to death but if something dies in right way - Interrupts full consequence ie a sacrificial death rescues me What are the metaphysics of all this Little lamb dying= forgiveness In the beginning of the family of God- early recorded event Abraham being called to sacrifice his sonSacrifice - Common to all world cultures Something in human psyche wants to kill a victim and feel let off the hook In Judaism - not killing people- killing animals This was radically different

Surrounding nations ask -How does this God operate? When Jesus dies - no more killing! What further penalty needs to be paid? Did God need to do this? A or B A God enters into your world Play to your rules Your religious landscape With one message It's all over- I am shutting this down B some higher moral truth to which God has to submit to The absolute and the ethical - Kierkegaard The absolute being the personhood of God The ethical - the rule and laws that governs how God operates in the world What makes right right and wrong wrong? Is the ethical the absolute power or the absolute the absolute power? The absolute is God and that God mediates his relationship with us through the ethical- but God himself is not submitted to the ethical. Eg God can say you shouldn't murder but if God feels there is a reason- he can kill! Faith is an absolute relationship with the absolute mediated through the teological suspension of the ethical (A teleology is any philosophical account that holds that final causes exist in nature, meaning that, analogous to purposes found in human actions, nature inherently tends toward definite ends.) So B is not the answer!! Creator of the universe prepared to go through this to save me from every destructive force - sin, self indulgence, religion, self obsession This is ultimate love Why the cross? It was the way people were killed at that time in history Could have been beheaded! Very little in the narratives on the crucifixion itself ie the details of the physical violence People at that time knew what it was like. Bible does not glorify the specific manner in which he died as something

magical in its redemption In Mel Gibsons The Passion of The Christ - caution Physical suffering was the means to salvation Other people may have died more violent deaths in history! Constantine popularised the symbol of the cross Eg By this sign you will conquer Constantine redeployed a symbol used by the Romans for conquest- the fear of the cross -symbol of roman conquest through violence Now being used for religious purposes Cross no magical power Now- Conquest of Jesus through sacrifice Symbol of the king on the cross as opposed to the kings enemies on the cross! Paradigm shift in how we should advance the kingdom - Foot washing and willing to die not through violence What's to do with me? So what? Removal of sin and exchange righteousness of God - cosmic exchange Need to embrace gift No more religious hoops Celebrate Concept of sacrifice in NT after Christs sacrifice Our sacrifice is now a lifestyle of service Living sacrifices is an oxymoron Made on the altar of service Made day in and day out with all decisions of my life Curtain being torn Irreligious vandalism But it is God himself doing the vandalism God coming out to us We are the new Temple