Compared to Jesus . . .
In an earlier post I made the claim -- "Jesus was a community organizer. " This claim, which is not unique to me, was made in an effort to reclaim the role of the community organizer from the ridicule extended to Obama's work in Chicago.
What I found interesting in the comments that were registered here was that several people thought it inappropriate that I make a comparison of Jesus to a political figure. I'm assuming that they saw me as denigrating Jesus by comparing him to a mere politician when Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I in no way wish to denigrate the one I call Lord. I a m a follower of Jesus. But, I wonder if this critique doesn't represent an expression of docetism. Docetism is an ancient "heresy" that denies the humanity of Jesus. There is within modern Protestant circles a serious discomfort with the humanity of Jesus. Many want protect his identity from contamination -- so suggesting his ministry might have social, cultural, or political implications is seen as a threat. But, I would suggest that the very point of the doctrine of the incarnation is that Jesus is fully human and that as a human being he reveals the fullness of God's person to humanity. He was, as Hebrews suggests, like us in all things, though without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Now, I would agree that Jesus was not a community organizer in the sense that Barack Obama was one, but Jesus was still an organizer. He developed a following that the Romans and their Jewish collaborators saw as a threat. Jesus died on a cross because the Romans perceived him to be a threat to their rule -- remember the Romans crucified rebels. Of course, Jesus method and message was quite different from the Zealots and others who argued for violent rebellion against Rome. Jesus proclaimed a message of peace and justice, but it was still a radical message, one that Christians still have a problem digesting. And remember that his message did have grassroots appeal, and I don't think it was because the people saw in him the atoning sacrifice for their sins -- that is a later interpretation of his purpose.
What I found interesting in the comments that were registered here was that several people thought it inappropriate that I make a comparison of Jesus to a political figure. I'm assuming that they saw me as denigrating Jesus by comparing him to a mere politician when Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I in no way wish to denigrate the one I call Lord. I a m a follower of Jesus. But, I wonder if this critique doesn't represent an expression of docetism. Docetism is an ancient "heresy" that denies the humanity of Jesus. There is within modern Protestant circles a serious discomfort with the humanity of Jesus. Many want protect his identity from contamination -- so suggesting his ministry might have social, cultural, or political implications is seen as a threat. But, I would suggest that the very point of the doctrine of the incarnation is that Jesus is fully human and that as a human being he reveals the fullness of God's person to humanity. He was, as Hebrews suggests, like us in all things, though without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Now, I would agree that Jesus was not a community organizer in the sense that Barack Obama was one, but Jesus was still an organizer. He developed a following that the Romans and their Jewish collaborators saw as a threat. Jesus died on a cross because the Romans perceived him to be a threat to their rule -- remember the Romans crucified rebels. Of course, Jesus method and message was quite different from the Zealots and others who argued for violent rebellion against Rome. Jesus proclaimed a message of peace and justice, but it was still a radical message, one that Christians still have a problem digesting. And remember that his message did have grassroots appeal, and I don't think it was because the people saw in him the atoning sacrifice for their sins -- that is a later interpretation of his purpose.
So, was Jesus a Community Organizer -- yes I would say so. And a governor didn't like his work.
Comments
Jesus dwelt among us not only to be crucified and resurrected, but to show us the human face of God and to call us to join him in kingdom living now as well as in the world to come.
And that divine face was one of loving kindness, healing, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness.
And those who choose to undertake Kingdom living in this world are taught by Jesus to be concerned with feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, caring for the alien, clothing the naked and housing the homeless. And freeing the oppressed.
All of those injunctions were intended to bring about Kingdom living here on earth - for in heaven none of these things will be of any concern.
God thought these teachings were of such value that God made certain they were preserved in Scripture - not as insignificant details but as the heart of Jesus teaching ministry. No true Bible-believers cannot ignore Jesus' teaching about taking personal responsibility for caring for the poor and oppressed.
Jesus was a community organizer. When he calls upon his disciples to take up our crosses and follow him, he is not calling on us to endure crucifixion but to take up the burden of caring for the less fortunate - the least of these. And either the government is going to do it (anathema to Republicans) or some community organizer is going to get it done. It is hardly Christian to knock someone for at least trying to respond to the Biblical imperative.
(And it is unfair to suggest a political motive - running for the presidency was hardly on the horizon for a young black lawyer fresh out of law school in 1992.)
Kingdom living is not about us and our salvation, it is about those whom we are called to care for.
John
To question whether Jesus was a community organizer in the modern sense is certainly not docetic. That's christology on stilts.
The problem in such a comparison is that it compares apples to oranges. So if the comparison doesn't really work, why try it? The whole context of this discussion has centered around those who want to use Jesus to bolster Obama's bona fides as an experienced leader. So, this is really not about Jesus; it is about the Democratic nominee for president.
Secondly, to speak of Pontius Pilate as a governor in this context, is nothing more than a thinly veiled and unfair shot at Sarah Pailin as a governor. Of course, Pilate was not a governor in the way Pailn nor any other governor is. So again, what's the point of the comparison?
These kinds of comparisons are nothing more than some Christians wanting to justify their democratic politics by subtly baptizing it with such "Christian" comparisons.
The Republicans do it too and that is unacceptable as well.
In this post I wanted to get away from the issue of Obama, but focus on whether we can be compared to Jesus. Raising the issue of Jesus as community organizer was not so much to raise up Obama as it was to raise up community organizing. Obama's time as a community organizer was an important part of his preparation for his future work. But he was, remember, doing this as a very young man. The comparison to Pilate -- remember -- wasn't in the post, but in comments. I do realize that part of the response has been to make this comparison. But that's not my point here or there.
My point is that Jesus has chosen to identify himself with us. Irenaeus spoke of Jesus experiencing each par of human experience, sanctifying it as he went along.
Bob, I do think you were using this post to lift up Obama, it did seem VERY thinly veiled. I agree with the other posters.. Jesus did more.. MUCH more than simply organize a community. He established a contrary Kingdom to the world. He called on more that a community coming together.. he asked for people's lives to live for a new Kingdom. Thats much greater than getting a bunch of people to rally around a simply issue.
I do think its honorable that Obama was involved heavily in his community. However.. I would ask that community their thoughts on him after one year when he is in office. My bet is.. beyond throwing some extra cash.. attention is to much greater things.