In the last essay I submitted to this website, I argued the Bible was not relevant for Christians when it came to deciding on an appropriate position to take on political issues. There are two problems in this regard. The first is that the Bible is a very human book with differing positions on who Jesus was and what he said. The result is you can find a passage in the Bible to support any political position you choose to take.

The second problem is context. Jesus’ teachings relate to a first-century society that couldn’t be more different from our world two thousand years later. For a detailed discussion of these points, see my essay entitled “The Relevance of Whisper Ethics.”
The issues described above suggest a larger question of the relevance of the Bible itself for the Christian faith in the twenty-first century. I would like to suggest the author of the Prologue to John’s gospel (1:1-1: 18) has a good answer to this question. “In the beginning was the Word” (1:1), and “the Word became flesh.” (1: 14)

When God wanted to communicate with us humans, she didn’t send a text or inspire a sacred scripture. Instead, God sent a person. “And the Word became flesh.” One of the first acts of this person was to cleanse the Temple. (John 2: 13-22) Jesus’ attack on the Temple made very clear that he would define religion in the future. It would no longer be about sacrifice and ritual, but rather about love of God and neighbor. In verse after verse, John tells us if you want to know what God is like look to Jesus.

What does the picture of Jesus in the four gospels tell us? In point of fact, this picture clearly spells out his religion. The God of Jesus was one of love and forgiveness. He addressed God as Abba, a term of endearment. As the parable of the Prodigal Son tells us, compassion is one of God’s defining characteristics. The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us again that religion is about loving your neighbor not sacrifice or Temple worship. Economic and social justice are a major focus of Jesus’ teachings as is nonviolence and reconciliation with your enemy. He is radically inclusive, inviting all to eat with him at his table. These meals are celebrations of joy and gratitude. His vision is concerned with what life might be like if God’s love took control of your heart.

The religion of Jesus has no passages from scripture to ponder, debate, or cite. There is nothing to believe, no creeds to recite. It’s all about opening your heart to God’s love so that you can live differently. The point is to follow the example of this wonderful man. This picture from the Bible is all we need to make our lives different and the world a better place.

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Dr. Rick Herrick (Ph.D., Tulane University), a former tenured university professor and magazine editor, is the author of six published novels and two works of nonfiction. His latest books are A Christian Foreign Policy, A Man Called Jesus, Jeff’s Journey, A Second Chance. and Moving Beyond Belief.  His musical play, Lighthouse Point, was performed as a fundraiser for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Herrick is currently retired, living in Bluffton, SC. He is married with three children and seven grandchildren. You can find him at https://rickherrickauthor.com.