Jesus the Teacher within, Laurence Freeman.

This was a difficult book for me to read. I thought I was going to read the standard Christian theology. Yet as I was ploughing my way through, it was if I was reading a completely different genre. There where words which I was unsure of there meaning in the context of Christianity. Words such as 'ego', 'self', words which seemed more at home with psychology text book than Christian writings.
The book ultimately asks the reader one question. "Who do you think I am?", the same question which Jesus asked Peter, his disciple. It is a question which is explored in depth in the book probing us for the answer to the question.
I came to the conclusion that it is not so much the answer to the question but the process which gives the reader an inkling to the answer. The following, responding, the listening to Jesus which points us to that answer.
One of the aspects of the book which I really appreciated and I don't know if it was deliberate was that the Freeman wrote as if the reader may not necessary ascribe to Christianity. I think most Christian books assume to much of the reader. In the search for "who you think Jesus is", even if you are not a Christian there maybe spiritual enlightenment on the way.
Lawrence Freeman is a Benedictine monk and director of 'World community for Christian meditation'. This shines through in the book. Meditation, space and contemplation are often written and referred to in the book as a method of entering the question of 'Who Jesus is'. I found myself wanting to experience and develop this type of space in my life as I read. A way in which to draw closer to Jesus of which I really haven't experienced or even given time.
I will be reading more of Lawrence Freeman.

The Jesus question

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As I've written about in previous post, the Jesus question is of ultimate importance. Laurence Freeman in his book 'Jesus, the teacher within' writes about the importance of Jesus.

The question of who we say Jesus is has been the pole star of this book. Essential to our response to it is how well we know ourselves. There are of course many question that Jesus raises for humanity. Questions concerning God, truth, life's meaning, peace, justice, compassion, forgiveness, religion, community, love. To those who want to listen, however, they are all constellated by his redemptive question as to what leads us on the way of self-knowledge. It is self-knowledge that underpins the whole quest of this question.

Its interesting that Freeman has placed the 'we' in italics. It is our world view that as a Christian which is shaped by how we view Jesus. When Jesus asks the question 'Who do yo think I am' he is also asking us. Not just his disciples. It is the the ultimate quest, one which will never end. It is no wonder that Albert Schweitzer called his book the "The Quest for the historical Jesus". That yes I am still plugging my way through it.

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Jesus the teacher within

Jesus the teacher within, by Laurence Freeman.

Laurence Freeman is a Benedictine monk who is well known for his work in Christian meditation.

Just some quick thoughts and quotes::

:: His anger was reserved for the rigidity of religious authority, the sin that denies that it is sin and even claims to be from God. It was not directed against ordinary sinners. His power was felt not in punishment but in the reintegration of the sinners both to himself and society. He called them to repentance and a new life: 'go and do not sin again' as he told the woman he saved from being stone do death. He convinced people that they were forgiven and he empowered them to take advantage of the invitation to live more full that is intrinsic to that discovery. Jesus' compassionate response to sin emphasises both the person's will to transcend the habit of sin and the action necessary to fulfil  that intention. People did not leave his presence fixated on their sinfulness. They left in liberty to live differently.


I love this paragraph. Its the reason that I put up my hand and say I want to be a Christian, why I follow Jesus. 
Interesting the line 'fixated on there sinfulness'. I think most of my past Christian life was like this, guilt going into Church, guilt during Church. I'm not sure other than social reasons I went to Church. I'm sure that I'm not the only one either. 

::"Faith is not the dream but the felt conviction that things will eventually work out for the best." Yep,  this has come with age for me.

::"Seeing Jesus as a guru who teaches by means of question and presence, rather that as a moralist and rule-giver, may be a challenge for many Western Christians"

:: Lawrence made the distinction between 'pantheistic' God is everything vs pantheism God is in everything. I had never made this distinction, and it is a very important one. I could radically change how people view the Holy Spirit.