In an excellent book I’m reviewing, Love Divine & Human, Thomas Jay Oord responds in a fitting manner to a chapter in the volume by Kevin Vanhoozer on Oord’s work in dialogue with John Webster. Among Oord’s many insightful and interesting thoughts, one thing in particular caught my eye and raised an exegetical question mark. Oord comments on p. 33 to: “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:41. He writes: “Interestingly, the straightforward reading of this exclamation in Mark leads one to regard the wind and sea anthropomorphically. The language of the text suggests that wind and sea act like personal entities capable of choosing to obey Jesus (or perhaps not). If the wind and sea are capable of obedient responses, my view that miracles require creation to cooperate with God fits this story well.” Thus, according to Oord, miracles require the cooperation of creation with God. I’m not entirely convinced of his interpretation of this story for the following reasons. First, this text poses a question, and is not merely an exclamation. Second, it seems unlikely that the narrator aims to point out that wind and sea, and their choice to obey or not, is the main issue at hand. Third, it is doubtful that the author/narrator is suggesting Oord’s thesis here, though it may be pertinent elsewhere in regard to other biblical texts. Fourth, in what appears to be a better reading of this story it is more likely that Jesus performs some kind of act of mastery and hence the question that arises, as often in this gospel, relates to his identity. Who is Jesus?
Thursday, August 20, 2020
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2 comments:
Greg - Thanks for weighing in on the wind and waves example I used in my essay. I thought you might appreciate my quick responses to your four final points:
"First, this text poses a question, and is not merely an exclamation."
ME: True. It is a question. But if the mastery thesis is true, one might have thought Jesus would ask, "Can't you see that I control even the wind and waves?"
"Second, it seems unlikely that the narrator aims to point out that wind and sea, and their choice to obey or not, is the main issue at hand."
ME: Why is this unlikely? It's only unlikely if one begins by thinking Jesus can control wind and waves. It's likely if one thinks Jesus can't.
"Third, it is doubtful that the author/narrator is suggesting Oord’s thesis here, though it may be pertinent elsewhere in regard to other biblical texts."
ME: I agree the author probably isn't assuming my thesis. But I do think the author is assuming agency in creation. Such animism is common in the biblical text.
"Fourth, in what appears to be a better reading of this story it is more likely that Jesus performs some kind of act of mastery and hence the question that arises, as often in this gospel, relates to his identity. Who is Jesus?"
ME: If I understand what you mean by "Mastery," I'm rejecting that view. But I do agree that this story speaks to Jesus' identity. I think it reveals Jesus who acts in relation to creation through uncontrolling love.
My bottom line: This text doesn't prove my thesis. But it is one among many that present a cumulative case for the greater plausibility of my thesis than alternatives.
Thanks again for reflecting!
Tom
Tom,
Thanks for your comment.
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