Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Bastardly Bashing

I was reading for New Testament yesterday afternoon. It is a book on anthropolgy focused on the people of 1st century Palestine. You can understand why it is required for New Testamen. Anyway, there is a rather long chapter on marriage and the importance of family lines. Interesting stuff to say the least. I ran across a section where the author was explaining the literal mean of "this adulterous generation" which was spoken by Jesus. Literally, it means 'bastard sons and daughters.' What an insult! So much for the cuddly Jesus typically portrayed.

That got me thinking. Does calling someone a bastard really hold the weight that it used to? I think it is one of those words that we are all taught not to use but we don't really know why. Like 'pissed'.

On a side note: We watched parts of a rendition of the Gospel of John in class. It was quite interesting considering the person that played Jesus also plays Desmond on Lost. Allen, a friend of mine and Dru, immediately texted Sarah (his wife) about it. She replied with this statement and question:

"Get out! At the crucifixion does he turn to the thief and say, 'See you in another life brother.'?"

That's terribly naughty...but hysterical.

Comments:
It is always funny to see who plays Jesus. Last year I got a wild hair to see "The last temptation of Christ", and William Dafoe's (?) characterization of Christ was interesting to say the least. But it didn't get really screwed up until I watched "The Boondock Saint's" a week later.
 
that word holds a lot of weight with me bro.
 
I don't doubt that. I suppose my question would be better put if said, "Does that particular accusation have and adverse affect on the individual in society as a whole?"

Of course when Christ used the phrase it was meant towards the group or literally the generation where they would find their identity and honor or dishonor according to their particular heritage. Literally, who they were, their identity, was wrapped in who and where they came from.

Our day is a bit different in that we are not bound to socioeconomic classes in the same manner. We are able to break away from our class systems.

I guess my thinking is, and I really am not trying to be offensive here, that the label, in this particular case, does not define who you are. This is a 'common', and I use that term very very loosely, state of any number of folks in our society.

In the end, no matter how we slice and dice it, we're all on the same playing field. Everyone of us is a no good, low down, dirty, rotten, cheat, and crook who needs the grace and redemption of our Savior. Only then can we adopted out of our 'bastardly' state and adopted into the heavenly realm of the Triune Father.

I love ya...thanks for helping me rethink...
 
An Addendum:

Perhaps I spoke to quickly in saying that we are not also wrapped up in our relationships or even non-relationships. We are defined by where we come from to a certain extent. I would like to put the primary focus of what I previously said on the very last paragraph. By accepting Christ we are turn re-ordering our previous lineage. We are no longer bound to the fallen earthly state but are consequently elevated to loving realm of the Trinity.

Perhaps I am still digging...I'll stop now.
 
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