A Temple-Based Religion...

You can read the whole thing here.

A friend emailed me the link and asked me about this quote:

"I still haven't shaken my position that much of the traditional church today is a Jewish Temple-based form of Christianity which attempts to repair the veil that God ripped in half as Jesus finished his work upon the cross."

I find it an interesting quote with very interesting ecclesiological presuppositions as well as implications. I thought it might make for some good discussion here... we haven't had much recently.

I addressed three areas:

1) "much of the traditional church today is a Jewish Temple-based form of Christianity" Is this really problematic? Much like Methodism was a "renewal movement" withing Anglicanism, wasn't Chritianity a similar "fulfillment movement"? Christ was a devout Jew. Most of his disciples were devout Jews. Is it really problematic or surprising that there are still very clear similarities in the religion?

2) "working to repair the veil that God ripped in half." I haven't studied this small detail in the crucifixion account enough to comment very intelligently about it. I know much was made of it in my upbringing and in pop theology, but I have never studied it much aside from that. Perhaps some of you could help at this point.

3) "Jesus finished his work upon the cross." Perhaps this gentleman should pay a little closer attention in liturgics class. I recall a phrase "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." Only one of these is finished, so I am not sure in what sense Jesus finished his work on the cross. Resurrection, constant intercession on behalf of the saints, second coming/judgement follow crucifixion. And we can't forget the work of Christ in the world today through his body the church.

I suppose I might have picked things apart a bit too much. Feel free to respond to my response or to add your own.

For you and with you,

EF+