There are a number of texts that call up images of this stumbling block. If you care to follow this up they are: 1 Peter 2:6-8; 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans 9:33; Acts 4:11; Luther 20:17-18. Here is what Alison goes on to say.
The theology behind this nexus of ideas seems to be as follows: God has given Jesus into the midst of Israel, which has been scandalized by him and has killed him, fulfilling the Scriptures. However, for those who can overcome the scandal of his death, he is the foundation of a new edifice. Where in the original Isaian passage the happening is related in terms of God tripping up Israel, with God himself causing the scandal, the apostolic witness (made especially evident in the Lucan parable of the tenants) shows the scandal to be purely the result of human violence and self-deceit, violence and self-deceit made visiblein the persecution and murder of the prophets and finally in that of the Son. For those already locked in these attitudes leading to death, then, it appears scandalous that the rejected one should be the new foundation.
The new edifice will be one of nonviolence. It will be a residence of forgiveness that does not demand sacrifice - but only the sacrifice of one's life for the well-being of the other. In that way, this new building built on this cornerstone will not fall for the need to fight back or put down or prove oneself better or holier than thou. Instead this way of peace will be
Connection: We have so much to put to life - it really is exciting and it really is the power for life that is still driving a whole new world of life in the midst of our brokenness.
No comments:
Post a Comment