Comments on: WWJD … today? http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/ Leaping Point: Take a flying leap and see where you land Wed, 16 May 2012 12:41:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: fwkfuyfxr http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/comment-page-1/#comment-33846 fwkfuyfxr Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:40:07 +0000 http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/#comment-33846 WqUM97 <a href="http://kggosndfaolo.com/" rel="nofollow">kggosndfaolo</a> WqUM97 kggosndfaolo

]]> By: Ken http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 Ken Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:23:13 +0000 http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/#comment-1664 Nathan and D.W.-- Sorry for the much delayed response. Nathan-- I agree with your paraphrase of the question, but it's still a question. And also, not getting me much closer to an answer. The "problem" as I see it is that we are faced with issues and circumstances that those alive in Jesus' times were not. Plus, culturally and politically and technologically and yada yada yada, we are very, very, very, very different. So, one of the challenges is to apply Jesus' teachings to situations he was not specifically addressing --- e.g. terrorism, abortion, stem cell research, pollution. HOW do we decide what Jesus would do since he never addressed these issues? The other challenge is to figure out if what Jesus had to say about situations we <i>are</i> faced with today still apply. I mean, if someone breaks into my house to steal my big screen TV, should I <i>really</i> point out my blu-ray player and help him carry it to his van? Should I <i>really</i> turn the other cheek? Does that apply to terrorist attacks? Should we <i>really</i> sell all we own to follow Jesus? Nathan and D.W.– Sorry for the much delayed response.

Nathan– I agree with your paraphrase of the question, but it’s still a question. And also, not getting me much closer to an answer.

The “problem” as I see it is that we are faced with issues and circumstances that those alive in Jesus’ times were not. Plus, culturally and politically and technologically and yada yada yada, we are very, very, very, very different. So, one of the challenges is to apply Jesus’ teachings to situations he was not specifically addressing — e.g. terrorism, abortion, stem cell research, pollution. HOW do we decide what Jesus would do since he never addressed these issues?

The other challenge is to figure out if what Jesus had to say about situations we are faced with today still apply. I mean, if someone breaks into my house to steal my big screen TV, should I really point out my blu-ray player and help him carry it to his van? Should I really turn the other cheek? Does that apply to terrorist attacks? Should we really sell all we own to follow Jesus?

]]> By: Nathan Pralle http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/comment-page-1/#comment-1495 Nathan Pralle Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:19:01 +0000 http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/#comment-1495 I believe the Jesus of today would do whatever would make the most sense for both him and the world in the context of whatever situation he was placed in. I think the point to the question, "WWJD?", is not to answer with something that the 1st century Jesus would say, or to come up with some sort of stereotypical answer such as, "Sandals, man!", but to cause the recipient of this inquiry to question their action, to think about it, before doing it. Jesus was all about concern for the way he was affecting others and the places he lived in and traveled to. The man was *always* thinking, pondering, and concerned. I don't know as though he made any action without considering the consequences and ramifications of it. Thusly, to reinterpret the question WWJD in the context of a modern society, it might go something like this: "What would a person such as Jesus, who was concerned with promoting good, humility, and wisdom in the world and impacting it in a positive way, do if he was presented with this situation in this context?" I think that is the more appropriate interpretation and allows for a person's individual circumstances. I believe the Jesus of today would do whatever would make the most sense for both him and the world in the context of whatever situation he was placed in. I think the point to the question, “WWJD?”, is not to answer with something that the 1st century Jesus would say, or to come up with some sort of stereotypical answer such as, “Sandals, man!”, but to cause the recipient of this inquiry to question their action, to think about it, before doing it.

Jesus was all about concern for the way he was affecting others and the places he lived in and traveled to. The man was *always* thinking, pondering, and concerned. I don’t know as though he made any action without considering the consequences and ramifications of it.

Thusly, to reinterpret the question WWJD in the context of a modern society, it might go something like this:

“What would a person such as Jesus, who was concerned with promoting good, humility, and wisdom in the world and impacting it in a positive way, do if he was presented with this situation in this context?”

I think that is the more appropriate interpretation and allows for a person’s individual circumstances.

]]> By: D.W. Congdon http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/comment-page-1/#comment-1446 D.W. Congdon Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:20:29 +0000 http://punctum-saliens.org/2007/09/02/wwjd-today/#comment-1446 Ken, Thank you. You've said what I wanted to say very well: "How does this help me TODAY?" That's exactly what I want to ask. I certainly think Jesus calls us to a costly grace and a discipleship shaped by the cross, but I also think our lives are much more complex today than an appeal to first-century lifestyles can possibly acknowledge. Thanks for this excellent follow-up post. I look forward to continuing the conversation. Ken,

Thank you. You’ve said what I wanted to say very well: “How does this help me TODAY?” That’s exactly what I want to ask. I certainly think Jesus calls us to a costly grace and a discipleship shaped by the cross, but I also think our lives are much more complex today than an appeal to first-century lifestyles can possibly acknowledge. Thanks for this excellent follow-up post. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

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