The Tent: A safe place for shepherds to reflect together
RegisterRegister   Log inLog in 

Blood

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic
ShepherdLeader.com Forum Index -> While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks -> Day 24: A Living Sacrifice
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
corinthpastorbob



Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 42
Location: Hickory, NC

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:28 am    Post subject: Blood Reply with quote

I'm not too fond of blood. I would have made a terrible doctor, and sometimes my queasiness isn't too good for pastoral work either. I don't know that I could have done what Dr. Laniak did.

I also think that the evangelical tradition probably emphasizes blood more than the Bible does. To be sure, there are frequent and key passages on the centrality of blood in the sacrificial system of the old covenant, and on the blood of Christ. But under the new covenant the blood is no longer a constant physical and literal reminder - it is a once-and-done completed sacrifice to be remembered and proclaimed.

In retrospect, I'm surprised at the popularity of "The Passion of the Christ" among evangelicals. Its fascination with the physical suffering of Christ was more Roman Catholic (where relics of Christ's suffering, crucifixes, and transubstantiation are part of the tradition) than biblical. The gospels are content simply to say, "they crucified him." Mel Gibson's film overplayed the physical suffering, if that is possible (I counted 100 lashes of the whip instead of 39) - which is not the primary point of his suffering. It is his sacrificial substitution. The biblical narrative is not designed to evoke pity (as "Passion" does), but faith.

And sacrifice. So I find Tim Laniak's story a beautiful balance that makes the point graphically and powerfully. It is about blood, yes, but it's ultimately about laying down life - Jesus Christ's for mine and mine for whomever, whatever, whenever, wherever he calls me.
_________________
Bob Thompson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
ShepherdLeader.com Forum Index -> While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks -> Day 24: A Living Sacrifice
Post new topic   Reply to topic All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   ProfileProfile   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group