A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I I : Mas ter i ng the New Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

c. Jesus as the staunch moralist of conservative ethical theologies

d. Jesus as the personal helper of devotional theologies

C. A non-moldable Jesus: you cannot form him according to your own images

1. Jesus is not tameable ; he cannot be domesticated or manipulated , 2 Cor. 5.16 – From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 2. The Jesus of historical truth is not the Jesus of the contemporary imagination , Rev. 1.17-18 – When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

John 21.20-22 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” [21] When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” [22] Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” Matt. 16.27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

3. No one can claim an absolute knowledge of our Lord.

a. The knowledge of Jesus fully is reserved to the Father, Matt. 11.27 – All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

b. It is possible to be mistaken in claiming that one knows Christ, Matt. 7.21-23; 25.11-12; Luke 6.46; 13.25.