Today, we have the books of the New Testament. There are a number of themes that are evident that emerge, although these books were often written independently of each other. The list here is not exhaustive. However, as a starting place, I would recommend the following themes as central to the message of the New Testament, and the formation of the Christian church.
The Reign of God as Proclaimed and Embodied in Jesus Christ, has Broken into the World brining Liberation and New Creation.
The reign of God is a theme that we see repeated throughout the gospels and other letters of the New Testament. Throughout scripture we read that God is sovereign over creation. Whereas the prophets in the Hebrew scriptures anticipated a day when the reign of God would be made manifest in a new way. We as humans have aa tendency to create systems of oppression and bondage. We discriminate and dominate. In the Hebrew scriptures we see the power of God's liberation in the Exodus and the ministry of Moses. This foreshadowed a greater redemption. The prophets looked for a new day that would dawn. In Jesus ministry, the arrival of that day is proclaimed. As we read early in the first gospel written, the gospel of Mark, "the time is fulled, the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel." Although much of the rest of Jesus ministry and the early time of the apostles and church are spent articulating the exact nature of this new reign begun in Jesus, it remains much of the same work the church seeks to do in our time. Jesus came to proclaim a salvation and liberation that break the bonds of evil, sin and death. This salvation is complete, for individuals, our social structures, and our planet. It breaks down systems of racism, oppression and dominance. This salvation is full and complete. This is the Good News of the gospel in Jesus Christ a joyful message all are invited in live into.
The Inauguration of New Creation is the Fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Protestant and Catholic Bible (although the same in the New Testament but different in that the Catholic Bible includes the Deuterocanonical books that Protestant omits) the Christian New Testament is based on the continuation of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the foundation is laid, and Jesus is viewed as the fulfillment of the ancient promises. The early church never desired to do away with the Hebrew Scriptures, but to interpret its new iteration now in Jesus Christ fulfilled and completed. Christians believed that Jesus was the Messiah (anointed one) promised and foretold by the Hebrew prophets of ancient Israel. Many other Jewish themes continue in Christianity including:
The Covenants, the Sabbath, Care of Creation, Love of God and neighbor, Election of the people of God as witness of God's love and light, the Law of God, God as Sovereign, the Resurrection of the body and the world to come of God's reign, social justice and equality in society.
The light of God's word is ultimately revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus comes as the ultimate fulfillment of God's revelation to all humanity as foretold since ancient times. Jesus reveals God's new creation and the reign of God that has broken into the world. Everything that the ancient Israelites anticipated was now being exhibited in Jesus's life, ministry, death and resurrection.
The Human Response of Repentance, Faith and Action.
The message of the gospel (Good News) of the proclamation of the Bible illicit aa response from those who hear the message. People are called to respond to God's word in grace and gratitude. It will naturally produce actions and faith. The followers of Jesus committed themselves to daily worship, spiritual friendship, Christian teachings, spiritual disciplines such as prayer, charity, and good works, and sharing their love and faith with the world. This good news wasn't just meant for an exclusive group of people, but for everyone. The hallmark of the early communities that followed Christ were committed to inclusion, diversity and equity. Another important implication of the Good News of Jesus was the inclusion of gentiles into the church and the breaking down of all human barriers to full communion and friendship. The church became committed to the diversity and the inclusion of all people. Following Jesus requires a response that acknowledges the new community of faith (the Church) created in Jesus Christ that comes together in the love of God to accept and love each other. Therefore, the church doesn't discriminate based on sexual identities, gender identities, sexual orientation, race, social or economic status. Together, Christians seek to live out their faith in community and serve and impact our world with the mission of Jesus.
The Way of Discipleship is Not Easy.
Christianity and following Jesus requires a commitment to 'discipleship'. Jesus came to show the love of God, that love was a self-giving and self-sacrificing love. This kind of love is fostered in an environment of community, friendship, mutual accountability and faith sharing. Also, the way of discipleship is not an easy way. It is counter cultural and goes against the grain of human tendencies of ego and self centered destructive patterns. Discipleship or the daily spiritual disciplines Christian engage in, in order to be 'transformed by the renewing of our minds" is not any easy path. It often required suffering.
Not all suffering is the same. There is human suffering that results from the evil people do to each other. Crime, assaults, genocide, and war is not part of God's will for humanity. Not all suffering is good, this kind of suffering should never be interpreted as being necessary or beneficial. Natural disasters at times will produce a human suffering as well. Some of this is actually necessary for life on the planet but can be devastating to human existence in the path of the disasters. People should do as much as they can to mitigate against this kind of human suffering. Then there is suffering for the sake of the gospel. This is the kind Jesus took on himself, the actions of a first responder who voluntarily puts themselves in danger in order to rescue or assist someone in need. Both being persecuted for issues of religious conscience, and for the 'sake of the gospel' is a kind of suffering Christians associate with Jesus own journey. It can itself be a way to stand up against evil in the world, seeking to overcome evil with good.
The church is called to be a hospital. A place where people can seek healing and restoration from the damage of sin, evil and corruption in all its forms. Through Word and Sacrament, the church nourishes and nurtures believers to grow into the purpose and fulfillment that God intended for each person. The church is also a sheep pen with its leaders called to be shepherds, people committed to loving self giving and service to the body. The church is not exempt from the very sin and corruption it seeks to eradicate, so mutual accountability, transparency, and power sharing, are required as part of the order and discipline of the church.
Confession, repentance, absolution, restoration and reparations are a cycle, not an end point. The goal of the church is the spiritual growth of people, and the formation of "Christians", that is people that follow seek to follow Jesus in their life and actions, sharing the love, grace and mercy of God with all, working towards human fulfillment and living in harmony with our world. In the world, we are called to be a light, peacemakers, and working towards taking down oppressive structures that dominate and subjugate people. The way of Christian discipleship is a theme that is seen throughout the New Testament, living a life of gratitude and grace, of worship, service and prayer.
As you read and study the New Testament, read through the gospels, and epistles, see if you can identify these themes, what are examples, how does the early followers of Jesus deal with controversies? How are important theological themes of God, humanity, sin, evil, new creation, rescue, redemption, atonement, death, resurrection and hope, and liberation addressed. What is the implication of Jesus death and resurrection. How do these themes help us see the work and mission of the church?
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