From Revolutionary to Redeemer

I just finished Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.

It is a deeply interesting and provocative read.

Like Aslan I came to Christ out of a longing to belong, but for different motivations.

His because he was a U.S. transplanted Iranian who wanted acceptance in a hostile new place.

I just wanted a girl.

In my early 20’s I was a wild child. That is, until one night at a party I met this tall, big brown eyed USC coed.

We continued our wild ways for a time until she told me she felt compelled to go to church. She had grown up as a Christian and she felt pulled to reverse direction (repent, in spiritual parlance).

Soon thereafter I was faced with a decision myself. Repent and accept Christ as Savior, or lose my girlfriend.

I repented.

And for the better part of the next two decades I lived the life of a borne-again Christian.

But my nature compelled me to question…even though I did so inside my head, since doing so openly would not go over so well with the brethren.

I was always drawn to the book of James. It seemed odd and out of place in the midst of Paul’s more popular epistles.

In fact, James in many ways seemed to contradict what Paul was saying.

So much so, in fact, that the great protestant reformer, Martin Luther, wanted to de-canonize the book written by Jesus’ own brother altogether.

I read in Zealot about how this odd book that is hidden among-st Paul’s many faith without works exhortations could hold important truths as to how a Jerusalem based revolutionary movement became a dominant world-wide religion in a relatively short period of time.

You see, James was the brother of Jesus (not cousin…brother). Perhaps there is no New Testament figure who was closer to the man himself…the historic man who actually lived in the land the Romans called Palestine.

Whereas Paul came on to the scene a good many years after Jesus’ death on the cross.

There are dramatic parallels to what Jesus said and what the book of James proclaims.

That is, faith-based works, especially those directed to the poor, are what God seeks.

And, like Jesus, James had some pretty heavy admonishments for the rich.

The Jewish Mosaic Law also features prominent in James, as it did in the words of Christ.

Whereas Paul tends to dismiss the importance of the Law altogether.

The premise, or conclusion, of Aslan’s Zealot is that Jesus, the historic man, was a revolutionary. He was a Jew who headed a messianic movement directed specifically at Jews. His goal was to topple the prevailing order. And order in which the synagogue and its rulers were becoming increasingly wealthy at the expense of the poor. And order in which the government of Rome manipulated them at will.

Jesus’ goal was to cleanse the temple…to reestablish not a spiritual heavenly kingdom, but a kingdom right here on this earth, in that specific place (Jerusalem) and for one specific people…the Jews.

He failed and was crucified by the Romans for treason.

That was the only reason the Romans crucified people.

And all this happened in the few decades that passed after his death.

One thing that Aslan points out that resonated with me is that the contrast one can observe between the book of James and the epistles of Paul at least partially reveals the answer.

Paul was a Hellenistic and educated Jew. He took the movement from Jerusalem to the Greek world. And in the process he transformed the message of Christ from one of revolution against Rome to redemption and salvation of the world.

So much so, that the Romans eventually made it their own official religion.

Do you think Jesus the Jewish revolutionary really ever envisioned such a thing?

Now why would Paul do that?

Well, you’ll have to admit it’s a pretty cool thing to have accomplished.

Actually, that’s a question that Aslan fails to answer.

Aslan’s book does not purport to solve all the mysteries of the universe, but it does make one think…

and question…

and that’s a good thing.

So, where does all this leave me…from a faith perspective?

I’ve written before that I believe one should question authoritative propositions.

And in the U.S. there’s hardly less of an authoritative proposition as the one that says the bible is inerrant and must be accepted…lock, stock and barrel.

Despite its obvious inconsistencies.

Like those between the book of James and the epistles of Paul.

And since we all want to belong, we accept that proposition, even when the facts potentially suggest otherwise.

I consider myself a follower of Jesus, the historic revolutionary.

But not a follower of Paul.

Paul may well have fabricated a heavenly version of Jesus Christ who is presented as the faith-based redeemer of those pre-chosen by God.

That’s a worldview that can have dangerously divisive repercussions…

as it certainly has.

One whose message would probably not resonate so well with the religious-right in this current day and age.

He would definitely be considered a progressive.

But that also happens to be the Jesus that is currently more in line with my personal world view.

And yes, Reza Aslan, formerly a Christian, is now a Muslim…

just wanted to get that out in the open.

Even so, he has a well-educated and informed thing or two to say that’s worth listening to.

image credit: Digo_Souza via Compfight cc