Yeshua in Context >> Discipleship - Formation
Storytelling in the Gospels: The Disciples' Call
Are the stories in the Bible straightforward reporting of fact? It is possible that there is no such thing. Hopefully most readers (and movie viewers) understand that the way you tell a story shapes the message. That is, the same events can be told by different storytellers and different morals and themes can be emphasized. Everyone reporting an event or telling a story must choose things like what to include and exclude, what order to tell it in, what parts to emphasize, and how to comment on the story beyond simple reporting. The call of the first disciples is a perfect example of the difference the storytelling can make. You'd almost think Mark and the Fourth Gospel are telling of completely different events. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Aims of Yeshua , Disciples & Named Characters , Discipleship - Formation , Literary Features
Disciple-Fail in Mark
I'm not sure if the Fail Blog will take notice, but the gospel of Mark has a strong theme of disciple-fail. Is this simply a relic of the past or is disciple-fail a live option for modern disciples too? What are the types and symptoms of disciple-fail in Mark? It is an illuminating topic to delve into. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Disciples & Named Characters , Discipleship - Formation
The Narrow Road
Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. -Matthew 7:13-14, NET The beauty of Yeshua's teaching here is easily lost through a number of false assumptions: (1) Yeshua's main concern is where people will dwell in the life to come (2) Yeshua teaches that few will ultimately find a good afterlife (3) Destruction and life are terms referring primarily to the afterlife Each of these assumptions can be shown false. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Discipleship - Formation , Life to Come , Teaching of Yeshua
Essentials for Discipleship (Formation)
This is a preliminary list which may be added to over time or modified. Replacement at the level of ideas (truths to replace falsehood and subtle errors). Example: Yeshua sought to replace his disciples' notion that "Messiah's coming is to bring retribution on Israel's enemies and to glorify us nationally" with a different notion that "Messiah's coming is about healing Israel and the nations and the path begins with suffering." In our time, a notion that needs replacing is "Yeshua came to reward me with an opulent afterlife experience." ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Discipleship - Formation , Teaching of Yeshua