Beatitudes and Mark D.

This is a quick little blog blurp (are those real words?) about some ethics reading I have been partaking in for class and the current conversation that Mark Driscoll has caused concerning the subordinate role of women within the Christian community.

For class we are reading Kingdom Ethics: Following Jesus in Contemporary Context by Glen H. Stassen and David P. Gushee. I have just finished the second chapter and I love it. The basis of the book is the Sermon on the Mount. The argument is the Sermon on the Mount is the heart of Kingdom Ethics. The authors give some great exegetical work into each Beatitude to draw out the historical, cultural and biblical context of each Beatitude, one in which removes the individualistic Western view of humanity. I never get tired of a middle finger to the Enlightenment. So here in short the authors give us a more direct translation of the Sermon on the Mount and one that will be pertinent when considering the work of Mark.

1.     Blessed are the humble before God, who cares for the poor and humble.

2.     Blessed are those mourn what is wrong and unjust and sincerely repent, for God comforts those who suffer and those who truly repent.

3.     Blessed are those who are surrendered to God, who is the God of peace.

4.     Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for a justice that delivers and restores to covenant community, for God is a God who brings such justice.

5.     Blessed are those who, like God, offer compassion in action, forgiveness, healing, aid and covenant steadfastness to those in need.

6.     Blessed are those who give their whole self over to God, who is the only One worthy of the heart’s full devotion.

7.     Blessed are those who make peace with their enemies, as God shows love to God’s enemies.

8.     Blessed are those who suffer because of their practice of loyalty to Jesus and to justice.

I do not know Mark personally, but I have read some of his work and heard a couple sermons, which I admit was difficult to do. I can’t see his view of women in the Church being anything close to what Jesus’ ministry did and continues to do. I know the argument for what he is advocating and if you would like the Church to be stuck in time then by all means take a seat. I would rather see the Church moving and moving in a way that looks like the above characteristics.

Our ethics are shown in our communities. There is nothing individual about this. We are community that moves towards justice and suffers because of it. We are a community offering mercy in action.

So far I think Mark has a more personal agenda then a Church agenda. I see a neo-conservatism dressed up as a being “cool” or “hip”. I am not too worried about him though because the Gospel is much bigger than him and when you put yourself up on the soap box and bully people around God’s right hand has a power jab. He picks you up though after your ass meets the ground.