I love the second chapter in this book which is called "How Human was Jesus?" The first sentence of this chapter reads, "Jesus was a dude. Like my drywaller dad, he was a construction worker who swung a hammer for a living." (Driscoll, pg. 31) It goes on to talk more of this with Driscoll's typical style of writing to include, "...he likely had calluses on his hands and muscles on his frame, and did not look like so many of the drag-queen Jesus images that portray him with long, flowing, feathered hair, perfect teeth, and soft skin, draped in a comfortable dress accessorized by matching open-toed sandals and handbag." "No, Jesus was not the kind of person who, if walking by you on the street, would require you to look for an Adam's apple to determine the gender." (Driscoll, pg. 31) You just gotta love that type of confrontational no messing around writing.
I can't wait to finish the book because Driscoll is dead on with this world's preconceived idea of Jesus. That idea is that Jesus was this stoic boring guy that seemed to be on prozac. In scripture we see Jesus throwing over tables, confronting demons, killing pigs by sending demons into them, partying with the sinners and low-lives. Not to say that Jesus sinned, but he did all of these things in a manner of not sinning and to show people the way to Him. It's a lot different than the Jesus we see in the picture Bibles holding the lamb. The Jesus we see in scripture is approachable, but also a man to reckon with. He is love, but he is also a voice of strength and truth. He is God, but he is also the man that simply wants a relationship with us.
Mark Driscoll paints a clear picture of why Jesus is God, and why Jesus is the one true way to Heaven. I can't help but think that if we all as Christians have that determination to be up front about the truth about Christ things would be better off. I mean Christ did say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) We need to hold onto that view and not be afraid to spread it. I understand that it is hard for people to confront people with this idea and say someone is going to Hell, but if we believe that all scripture is God-breathed then we cannot back away from this simple fact that Christ is the only way. Not Buddha, Muhammad, Jewish, or good deeds. I though of all this when I was watching Joel Osteen being interviewed by Larry King. Larry King asked him something along the lines of if you have to be Christian or believe in Christ to get to heaven. Joel had a great opportunity to be confident and resolute in this message to America (which may have gained a little respect for him in my book) but Joel simply danced around the question being wishy washy and didn't just come out and say the truth that Christ is not A way but he is The Way. And its not just Joel Osteen. Driscoll talked of a female pastor who did the exact same thing on a radio broadcast in the Seattle area in "Vintage Jesus."
All I'm trying to say is when you get into those inevitable theological discussions about religion and spirituality and Christ, don't shy away from what you know to be truth. Be firm in what you say, confront false teachings, and stick to your beliefs. Christ was a tough, muscular, carpenter that worked with hand tools his entire life, and He is the only way to Heaven. Oh and go buy "Vintage Jesus" and see even more what I'm talking about.
