Throughout history, a lot of things have been taken for granted until they are challenged. Only then do people think seriously about them and think of better ways to represent them. Paradigm shift then takes place. Of course, things do not develop as tidily as I have just mentioned.
For example, traditional Jewish teachings hold that Elijah will appear three days before the Messiah comes. The mission of Elijah is to prepare the people to receive the Messiah etc. Problem arose during the Transfiguration of Jesus.
For example, traditional Jewish teachings hold that Elijah will appear three days before the Messiah comes. The mission of Elijah is to prepare the people to receive the Messiah etc. Problem arose during the Transfiguration of Jesus.
It all began when Jesus did an opinion poll. He asked his apostles what the people thought about him after all these years of preaching.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" (Matthew 16:13)
The apostles reported different images of Jesus. Some said John the Baptist. Some said the prophets etc. Then Jesus asked them directly what they thought he was.
Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16).
Then for the first time, Jesus told his apostles his real plan ---- to die and come back to life again. A dead Christ? It was too much for the apostles to swallow. Their traditional concept of Christ was challenged. They expected a military leader to drive out the Romans rather than a dead Jesus. Peter took Jesus aside and tried to dissuade him.
And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you."
But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men." (Matthew 16:22-23)
Obviously, something had to be done and Jesus decided to show them the glory of resurrection so that they had greater faith in his passion. So, six days later, Jesus brought Peter, James and John to go up a high mountain and showed them the glory of resurrection. Moses and Elijah appeared (Matthew 17:1-2). This is known as Transfiguration.
This arrangement is contrary to the traditional interpretation of the role of Elijah. They had found the Messiah in Jesus. Six days later, but not three days before as stipulated in the traditional understanding, they saw Elijah. Christians have to rethink about the traditional Jewish interpretation.
He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:11-13).
Like Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, the Jewish interpretation is not totally wrong but inadequate. It is true that Elijah must come to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. While Newton's laws gave way to Einstein's general theory of relativity, the Jewish interpretation must be modified to fully grasp God's will. The Messiah comes, not to liberate them from the Romans, but from the bondage of sins. Therefore, he would be fight against Satan and not Romans. John the Baptist was the Elijah. The way he died had shown that the Messiah had to be rejected by the Jewish authority. The Messiah must die.
Here is the paradigm shift. The career of the Messiah is understood in a totally different way. A new religion arose. Of course, there were many other factors contributing to the split up between Judaism and Christianity.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" (Matthew 16:13)
The apostles reported different images of Jesus. Some said John the Baptist. Some said the prophets etc. Then Jesus asked them directly what they thought he was.
Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16).
Then for the first time, Jesus told his apostles his real plan ---- to die and come back to life again. A dead Christ? It was too much for the apostles to swallow. Their traditional concept of Christ was challenged. They expected a military leader to drive out the Romans rather than a dead Jesus. Peter took Jesus aside and tried to dissuade him.
And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you."
But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men." (Matthew 16:22-23)
Obviously, something had to be done and Jesus decided to show them the glory of resurrection so that they had greater faith in his passion. So, six days later, Jesus brought Peter, James and John to go up a high mountain and showed them the glory of resurrection. Moses and Elijah appeared (Matthew 17:1-2). This is known as Transfiguration.
This arrangement is contrary to the traditional interpretation of the role of Elijah. They had found the Messiah in Jesus. Six days later, but not three days before as stipulated in the traditional understanding, they saw Elijah. Christians have to rethink about the traditional Jewish interpretation.
He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:11-13).
Like Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, the Jewish interpretation is not totally wrong but inadequate. It is true that Elijah must come to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. While Newton's laws gave way to Einstein's general theory of relativity, the Jewish interpretation must be modified to fully grasp God's will. The Messiah comes, not to liberate them from the Romans, but from the bondage of sins. Therefore, he would be fight against Satan and not Romans. John the Baptist was the Elijah. The way he died had shown that the Messiah had to be rejected by the Jewish authority. The Messiah must die.
Here is the paradigm shift. The career of the Messiah is understood in a totally different way. A new religion arose. Of course, there were many other factors contributing to the split up between Judaism and Christianity.
During Reformation, Martin Luther raised a lot of issues that had been taken for granted for centuries. Catholics had never questioned that there were seven sacraments and 73 books in the Bible until they were challenged by Luther. Thanks to Luther, the Catholic Church had a chance to reflect on the real characteristics of the Catholic Church, the theology of sacrament and the true characteristics of revelation itself.
Dear Lord, I pray for myself and the Church. May we humbly accept other people's criticisms and suggestions. For the last 4 centuries before Vatican II, the Church has been too defensive. I pray that the modern Catholic Church is able to better re-present You to the world. Amen.
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