Here is the audio from this past Sundays gathering looking at John 1:1-18, the Word made flesh.
My review of "A More Christlike Word" by Brad Jersak
Before beginning my review of the book “A More Christlike Word” by Brad Jersak, I need to make two brief statements. First, the review of this book is my thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and opinions and may not reflect the thoughts, ideas, beliefs and opinions of the Veritas Community. Secondly, I received this book from the Speakeasy Book Blog program in exchange for a review of the book.
And so now onto the review…
When you hear or see the phrase Word of God, what immediately comes to mind? For most people when they hear that, their mind goes right to the Bible. But when we find the phrase Word of God or just Word (notice the capital W in Word) in the Bible, it is referring not to the Bible but to Jesus, who is the Word of God. Just read John 1 and you’ll see that it is referring to Jesus himself.
Jersak, in this third installment of his A More Christlike series, wants us to see all of Scripture through the lens of a cruciform hermeneutic. Or put in another way, he wants us to see all of Scripture through Jesus. That all of Scripture points us to Jesus. Yes even the violent portrayals of God in the Old Testament can actually point us to Jesus. (more on that in a moment)
One of my favorite quotes in this book is ““The Word of God is inspired, inerrant and infallible and when he was 18, he grew a beard” All too often in many Christians theology, it is almost like we have elevated the Bible to a third part of the Trinity, and almost as it stands over Jesus, instead of the other way around.
One of my biggest struggles throughout the last probably tens year of my life theologically has been how to read the Old Testament, especially the violent portraits of God. When the narratives seems to point us to God committing acts of genocide. As an Anabaptist, who is committed to the way of peace and non-violence, I’ve had a hard time squaring those pictures of God with the picture of Jesus (the fullest and most complete representation of God), and the prince of peace. I’ve read multiple helpful books that deal with this issue. Books like Crucifixion of the Warrior God and Cross Vision both by Greg Boyd, and Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd.
This book does an equally great job in helping me to understand these problematic texts in the light of both a progressive revelation and a cruciform hermeneutic. Probably one of the most helpful in relation to this was the three points he makes on page 170 when he says, “Every Old Testament Trial (however disastrous and prolonged) prefigures Christ’s ultimate, brutal suffering and death on behalf of those who suffered the trial- and on behalf of everyone. Every Old Testament injustice (by the people, the kings or the priests) prefigures humanity’s ultimate and more wicked betrayal of Christ, through Judas, the Sanhedrin, Herod’s palace, and Pilates empire. Every Old Testament victory (however dubious in its xenophobic violence) prefigures Christ’s ultimate and more beautiful victory over darkness, dread and death.”
Another very helpful part of the book is about half way through when Jersak summarizes (up to that point) what his main points in writing the book were. 1. The Word of God is Jesus Christ. 2. The function of Scripture #1: to point to the gospel. 3. The function of Scripture #2 :a mirror revealing the human condition. 4. What is worthy of God. 5. Interpreting the Scriptures with the fathers.
And so if you have questions about things like violence in the Bible, issues like inspiration and inerrancy, the purpose of Scripture, how to read and understand the Scriptures, progressive revelation, cruciform hermeneutic and many other issues around Biblical interpretation, then you should definitely pick up A More Christlike Word by Brad Jersak.
Advent Week 1: Shepherds and Magi
Here is a brief devotional for our first week in our Advent series looking at Jesus heart for those on the margins….the shepherds and magi.
It's the End of the World as we know it.
Here is the audio from this week’s message looking at Mark 13:1-8.
Pray for One Another
Here is a brief devotional about the importance of praying for one another.
Sent and Sending
Here is a devotional that was given this past Sunday on the Sent and Sending God, Jesus and our being sent and sending each other. Take 10 minutes and give it a listen.
October 10: The Rich Young Ruler
Here is the audio from this past Sunday’s worship gathering. We unpacked Mark 10:17-31 and the story of the Rich Young Ruler. Take some time and listen to the message. Send us your thoughts, questions, comments, and insights into this text. We’d love to hear from you.
September 12: Who do you say I am?
Here is the audio from this past Sunday’s worship gathering. We were exploring Mark 8:27-38 and the question “Who do you say I am?” Take a few minutes to listen and wrestle with this question.
September 5 devotional
Here is the devotional from this past Sunday’s gathering looking at Ephesians 2:19-22.
August 29 Message
Here is the message from Sunday August 29 looking at Mark 7:1-8, 14-15 and 20-23.
Jonah
Here is the audio from today’s sermon on the Old Testament book of Jonah. Take a few minutes and listen to Ryan explore this ancient story with modern relevance.
July 25 Devotional
Here is a devotional that was given yesterday before we talked about and answered the question: To Whom are we sent. Take 5 minutes and listen to Ryan talk about being sent and how that is foundational to the story of the Scriptures.
July 11, 2021 Sermon
Our second week in our new gathering rhythm was devoted to pursuing truth with honest expression. We talked through the connection between discipleship and mission by looking at John 20:19-23. Take a few minutes and listen to Ryan talk about being sent and participating in the Missio Dei.
Uprooted & Replanted Week 4
Here is the audio from this past Sundays message. In this audio we wrap up our series Uprooted & Replanted with an exploration of the Babylonian exile through the lens of Daniel 1. Take a few minutes and listen to Ryan wrap up the series.
Uprooted & Replanted Week 3
In this week’s message we turn the corner and begin to talk about what it looks like to replant in the midst of uprootedness. To look at replanting, we unpack the story of exile from the perspective of Jeremiah. Take a few minutes to listen to Uprooted & Replanted Week 3.