Thursday, July 21, 2005
The struggle with religion in the Hebrew Scriptures
A while back I posted some thoughts concerning "Religion and the division of reality". I don't intend for this blog to become a highly technical writing, but occasionally I will attempt to tackle some of the foundational philosophical and theological issues concerning Jesus and the End of Religion. Here's some more:
While Jesus and his early followers certainly confronted religion as no one else, it would be misguided to assume that this struggle was new to them. In fact, it can be demonstrated that the Hebrew faith had its roots in the rejection of religious systems, towards a radical new understanding of God.
The Hebrew faith, and its early leaders Abraham and Moses, came out of the religions of the great centers of the ancient world: Mesopotamia and Egypt. Both of these cultures had highly elaborate religions which held that natural things mediated the presence and power of gods. On the other hand, this new people was monotheistic, believing in One transcendent God (i.e. Yahweh) and a simple practice of faith. God was not to be confused with creation (Deuteronomy 4:15-19).
To their neighbors, the Hebrews appeared as irreligious since they lacked the idols and concrete expressions of God, although Abraham and Moses still had a simple, austere religion. They lived in the presence of God (Deuteronomy 4:7) by faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:13).
The ultimate sign of rejection of the religions around them, can be found in two exoduses that the Hebrew people made from these religions. Abraham left Mesopotamia. Moses led Israel from Egypt.
These children of Israel (i.e. Jacob - another early patriarch) were distinct, anticipating God's kingdom on earth; but tried to sacralize space and time in order to bring God nearer to them. They were constantly attracted to religions around them since these systems offered stability, order and continuity. The Law, cultic system, and the provision of a king (1 Samuel 8:5-22) were established as concessions to their immaturity.
After years of religious failures the prophets tried to rescue the faith of Abraham and Moses, opposing the temple cult, sacrifices, and festivals which had taken the place of justice (Isaiah 1:10-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8). They anticipated a new world order!
While Jesus and his early followers certainly confronted religion as no one else, it would be misguided to assume that this struggle was new to them. In fact, it can be demonstrated that the Hebrew faith had its roots in the rejection of religious systems, towards a radical new understanding of God.
The Hebrew faith, and its early leaders Abraham and Moses, came out of the religions of the great centers of the ancient world: Mesopotamia and Egypt. Both of these cultures had highly elaborate religions which held that natural things mediated the presence and power of gods. On the other hand, this new people was monotheistic, believing in One transcendent God (i.e. Yahweh) and a simple practice of faith. God was not to be confused with creation (Deuteronomy 4:15-19).
To their neighbors, the Hebrews appeared as irreligious since they lacked the idols and concrete expressions of God, although Abraham and Moses still had a simple, austere religion. They lived in the presence of God (Deuteronomy 4:7) by faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:13).
The ultimate sign of rejection of the religions around them, can be found in two exoduses that the Hebrew people made from these religions. Abraham left Mesopotamia. Moses led Israel from Egypt.
These children of Israel (i.e. Jacob - another early patriarch) were distinct, anticipating God's kingdom on earth; but tried to sacralize space and time in order to bring God nearer to them. They were constantly attracted to religions around them since these systems offered stability, order and continuity. The Law, cultic system, and the provision of a king (1 Samuel 8:5-22) were established as concessions to their immaturity.
After years of religious failures the prophets tried to rescue the faith of Abraham and Moses, opposing the temple cult, sacrifices, and festivals which had taken the place of justice (Isaiah 1:10-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8). They anticipated a new world order!
