Monday, March 15, 2004
Who is Jesus? The Gospel of John proclaims Him to be the living Word who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (1:14) and "we beheld His glory". It has long been a point of contention between both PC and non-PC Christians as to how or whether to portray this. Some decry dramatic adaptations of His life altogether as something approaching idolatry. Others fear the possibility of a non-Christian portraying Him incorrectly.
But among Christians there has been a great debate over the physical appearance of Jesus. Since the days of "King of Kings" and "Jesus of Nazareth" where Jesus is portrayed as light-skinned and blue-eyed, the PC camp and some on the other side of the aisle criticize this as making Jesus a white man, which He certainly was not. Bible-trusting missionaries put on Passion plays using members of the culture they are trying to reach. It is all part of Jesus being "one of us"--a missionary to each culture.
But Jesus did not become an African either. He became a Palestinian Jew. Yes, His message can and should be translated into every language and culture on this planet. If doing "Passion Plays" using natives can do this, by all means, do that. But those who portray Jesus as something different than the people they are trying to reach may have a point as well. The whole message of the Gospel is that Jesus had no share in our curse, in our death, but took these things upon Himself for no other reason than His great love. We hear a lot about how Africans and Koreans will see Jesus as "the white man's God" and the charge has merit. He certainly is not only that. But He was not just a Palestinian peasant either. He was the Son of God. He was part of one culture but also something apart. The great mystery is why someone different, with no obligation, save love, to us should endure what He endured willingly. Perhaps it might be just as powerful for an African audience, provided it is explained, to see a "white" man dying for them as to see one of their own number on that cross. And yes, perhaps it would be powerful for a Caucasian audience to see a movie in which Jesus looks like an Arab or the Jew He actually was to die for them. The message of the Gospel: He was not one of us, but He took our place nevertheless. Just a thought.
But among Christians there has been a great debate over the physical appearance of Jesus. Since the days of "King of Kings" and "Jesus of Nazareth" where Jesus is portrayed as light-skinned and blue-eyed, the PC camp and some on the other side of the aisle criticize this as making Jesus a white man, which He certainly was not. Bible-trusting missionaries put on Passion plays using members of the culture they are trying to reach. It is all part of Jesus being "one of us"--a missionary to each culture.
But Jesus did not become an African either. He became a Palestinian Jew. Yes, His message can and should be translated into every language and culture on this planet. If doing "Passion Plays" using natives can do this, by all means, do that. But those who portray Jesus as something different than the people they are trying to reach may have a point as well. The whole message of the Gospel is that Jesus had no share in our curse, in our death, but took these things upon Himself for no other reason than His great love. We hear a lot about how Africans and Koreans will see Jesus as "the white man's God" and the charge has merit. He certainly is not only that. But He was not just a Palestinian peasant either. He was the Son of God. He was part of one culture but also something apart. The great mystery is why someone different, with no obligation, save love, to us should endure what He endured willingly. Perhaps it might be just as powerful for an African audience, provided it is explained, to see a "white" man dying for them as to see one of their own number on that cross. And yes, perhaps it would be powerful for a Caucasian audience to see a movie in which Jesus looks like an Arab or the Jew He actually was to die for them. The message of the Gospel: He was not one of us, but He took our place nevertheless. Just a thought.
// posted by The Pendragon @ 3:39 PM 
