The Last Week
Summer 2007 Bible Study

Chapter 1

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

Scripture Study Group found itself in the Upper Room of the Parish Center because of a large funeral in the church and in Hospitality Hall. It was fortunate that the big room was available, because we had 24 people in attendance - great for a beautiful, warm July evening. Welcome to new members.

Our facilitator picked up from Borg and Crossan's recommended prep questions, and did a round-the-room query of our earliest memories of Holy Week. The wide varieties of religious experiences demonstrated itself vividly. Those raised in the Roman tradition recalled the many ecclesiastical rituals and their parts in them, including choir and altar boyhood, as well as the "giving up" sacrifices. Those from the Protestant churches remember a more low key pattern of church events during Holy Week, but remembering some stirring Easter celebrations. Many of us contrasted our childhood memories with later and current adult experiences, attributing the changes both to personal maturation and to changes in church practice from pre-Vatican II times. What our leader for the night noticed was a commonality in the settings for the most memorable events - they occurred in community.

Then we took a break for treats and conversation. We were blessed with a homemade combo of sweet fruits, including strawberries, grapes, and bananas, with egg shell pasta. Very yummy! Sugar cookies were also available for anyone who was lacking in carbohydrates, as well as the traditional church basement coffee. Thanks, Nancy.

Reluctantly, we relinquished out table fellowship to return to the circle of chairs. We proceed through Chapter One, Palm Sunday. The authors make a remarkable connection of the procession of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey from the East with the simultaneous entry of the Roman governor and his legions from the West. Jesus' entry was a planned political counter-demonstration, they tell us. The crowds were cheering for Jesus as a liberator from domination and corruption. They had heard his radical message of justice and the presence of the Kingdom of God (opposed to the Kingdom of man, including the Emperor). A thoughtful question raised the issue of how do the authors know this is the right slant on this passage in Mark, as contrasted with the more conventional interpretation of the procession as an exercise in the worship of Jesus as a divine being fulfilling prophecies. The wide ranging discussion revealed our many views of many issues, including historicity, inspiration, and the function of a good story. Thanks, David T, for leading two sessions in a row.

David's notes follow:

THE LAST WEEK
QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER ONE

  1. What are the two processions and what do they signify? Pp. 2...3...(theology, social order of Rome and counter demonstration...)
  2. An important theme is Jerusalem's role and ambiguity. (1000 yrs., positive and negative. A hope for future glory, God's dwelling place on earth, etc.) .
    1. What is significant about this theme in the Jewish Bible and Jewish practice?
    2. What had its role and significance become in the time of Jesus?
    3. What was Pilate's role in the governance of Jerusalem and Judea?
    4. What was the economic situation in the Jewish homeland in the time of Jesus?
    5. What are the three characteristics of a "domination system" at that time? Is there any resemblance to today?
  3. What role does Jerusalem play in the Gospel of Mark? P 27...
  4. What impression do you get of Jesus from this chapter?
We are on the Way with Mark. We regain our sight through Jesus. We can then follow Jesus. Thus we become genuine disciples following Jesus to Jerusalem...to confrontation with the 'dominion system'. This can lead to death and resurrection. Jesus was a part of Judaism!

Jesus' protest was against a domination system legitimated in the name of God, a domination system radically different from what the already present and coming kingdom of God, the dream of God, would be like.... His was a Jewish voice, one of several first centuries Jews about what loyalty to the God of Judaism meant.

There are two processions into Jerusalem. Which one do we want to be in?

In talking to Marcus Borg after the Quaker Convention in River Falls, Wis., last Thursday I asked how Mark's gospel morphed into the Nativity Narrative in Luke and Matthew? (Mark has no Nativity Narrative or Resurrection Narrative, yet it is the earliest written of the Gospels-around 60 c.e.) Borg said that the Nativity Narrative is an aphoristic parable. He said that he and Crossan's next book would be about the Nativity Narratives.

According to Borg in "The Meaning of Jesus" an aphorism is a compact crystallization of insight that invites further insight." A parable "invites the hearer to enter the world of the story and to see something differently because of the story."

"The primary purpose of both is to invite hearers into a different way of seeing-of seeing God, themselves, and life itself. ...He taught a path of transformation centered in the sacred. His wisdom teaching invited people to life in the Spirit.

It seems to me that the beautiful Narrative stories invite one to complete the 'life story' of Jesus and help lead us down the 'path' Mark is alluding to. Whether they are 'true' or 'historical' did not concern the early church. (My comment)

Thank you so much David T.

Next week July 24 7:00 PM Chapter Two, "Monday", The Last Week by Borg and Crossan.

Peace,
Bob Beutel
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694
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