Teaching Nonviolent Atonement
I’m starting a new discussion series on Facebook titled Nonviolent Atonement and the Lectionary. We’ll explore the upcoming lectionary texts in relation to mimetic theory, nonviolence, and the atonement. This first installment is about Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28.
These are difficult texts that I would probably avoid if I didn’t follow the lectionary, but I follow the lectionary because it forces me to deal with texts about … demon possession. Fun!
In Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Moses, the great prophet of Israel, has led the people out of slavery in Egypt and the people are about to enter the new land. But they will go without their prophet Moses, because he is about to die. Moses promises them that new prophets will arise after he is gone. He tells the people they should listen to the prophets, but he also warns the prophets that they should only speak for God, not for themselves or other gods. Otherwise, there will be disastrous consequences. What does it mean to be a prophet? From the life of Moses, it means leading people away from slavery and into freedom.
Mark chapter 1, verses 21-28. Jesus and his disciples go to the city of Capernaum. Jesus entered a synagogue there and began to teach with authority. Everyone was amazed at his teachings. A man with an unclean spirit comes to Jesus and Jesus heals the man. Jesus is seen as a prophet, but more than a prophet. Part of his prophetic role is to lead this man who is enslaved to the unclean spirit into freedom from that spirit and into the freedom to receive God’s love and healing.
Check out the video above for more on these texts!
Image: Copyright: michaklootwijk / 123RF Stock Photo
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