Brian Zahnd & John Dominic Crossan: God, Violence, Empire, & Salvation
Mar 4, 2024
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Brian Zahnd, the creator of Word of Life Church, teams up with John Dominic Crossan, a leading historical Jesus scholar. They dive into the complexities of God, violence, and salvation, exploring non-violent readings of scripture. Zahnd reflects on bridging academic theology with practical faith, while Crossan emphasizes the communal nature of salvation. The duo also challenges traditional notions of resurrection and discusses accessible theological texts, making profound ideas relatable for everyone, regardless of their background.
The historical context of Jesus' life is crucial for understanding his teachings as a challenge to violent imperial systems today.
Salvation is framed as communal belonging to God's kingdom, emphasizing collective redemption and justice over individualistic experiences.
Different interpretations of the Book of Revelation highlight the importance of non-violent resistance to oppression, challenging traditional violent associations.
Deep dives
Engaging with Historical Jesus
The conversation emphasizes the need to engage with the historical context of Jesus to fully understand his teachings and actions. Brian Zahn, a pastor, shares how he draws upon historical Jesus research to present Jesus as a challenge to the Roman Empire, emphasizing nonviolent resistance rather than violent insurrection. This perspective invites congregations to view Jesus' mission in a contemporary light, connecting it to their own cultural and political contexts. By teaching the historical backdrop of Jesus' life, Zahn aims to help church members grasp the radical nature of his message, fostering an understanding of faith that transcends individual salvation.
Understanding Salvation
The discussion highlights the concept of salvation as a communal belonging to God's kingdom rather than merely an individualistic experience. Salvific understanding is framed around Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, which focuses on collective redemption and justice. This perspective challenges the prevailing notions of personal salvation found in many congregational settings, shifting the focus to the transformative nature of belonging to a faith community. Brian emphasizes that this shift takes time and persistent effort in preaching, but it ultimately leads to deeper engagement with the essence of Jesus’ message.
Interpreting Revelation and Non-Violence
The podcast explores different interpretations of the Book of Revelation, particularly through a non-violent lens. Brian and Dom discuss how Revelation has often been misinterpreted to justify violence, contrasting that with a view that sees it as a call to radical, peaceful resistance to oppressive powers. Dom points out that interpreting Revelation requires recognizing its historical context and symbolic language, which can be dissociated from violent imperial ideologies. This interpretation challenges hearers to reconsider their understanding of divine justice and encourage a movement away from a conflated Christian nationalism.
Cultural Implications of Historical Contexts
The dialogue delves into the cultural implications of the historical contexts surrounding biblical texts, urging believers to confront the challenges that arise when interpreting scripture in their respective cultural settings. Both speakers argue that the historical context of Jesus and early Christianity must be considered to avoid misapplying ancient texts to modern political issues. By drawing parallels between the Roman Empire and contemporary society, they encourage church members to critically evaluate their beliefs and practices in light of a broader understanding of faith. This makes faith a living, contextual challenge rather than a static, traditionalist view.
Metaphors and Realities in Theology
The episode discusses the power of metaphors in shaping theological understandings. Dom argues that metaphors are not merely illustrative but can shape how believers perceive reality, influencing their beliefs and practices. The conversation suggests that C.S. Lewis’ imagery serves as an illustrative tool in discussing faith, while simultaneously introducing more complex considerations of how images can shape perceptions of the divine. By recognizing the implications of metaphors, believers are encouraged to engage with the richness and depth of their faith, allowing for a broader exploration of what salvation and justice mean in today’s world.
In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Brian Zahnd & John Dominic Crossan. Brian kicks things off by sharing how Dom's work on the historical Jesus and his conflict with Rome challenges us today. We end up tackling a host of questions from members of the online class and end with a conversation on the resurrection.
Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Known for his theologically informed preaching and his embrace of the deep and long history of the church, Zahnd provides a forum for pastors to engage with leading theologians and is a frequent conference speaker. He is the author of several books, including When Everything's on Fire, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, A Farewell to Mars, and Beauty Will Save the World.
John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida.