Chapter Three In chapter three of, After you Believe, N.T Wrights explains the human calling to reign over creation and ultimately achieve God’s vocation and intended image for humankind. In the creation account found in Genesis, humans are given reign and dominion over creation. What does the word ‘reign’ imply in this context. It is unlikely that God gave us ‘reign’ to destroy his beautiful world. Nature is a project that humans should protect and maintain. As humans, we need to enable God’s creation, the plants and animals, to flourish; ultimately glorify the image of God. Wright suggests that God gave humans dominion over creation in order to teach us what being created in God’s image is about. This lesson of sovereignty will teach
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Paul expressed that humans are justified not by works but faith. This is probably due to the intended audiences of their books. While Paul’ purpose was to evangelize, Matthew’s Gospel was intended for people who had already accepted faith and needed guidance on how to live a Christian life. The sermon on the Mount is an example of this. A component of maturing as humans is to learn how to question things and read them with a questioning eye. (102) There are various ways of interpreting the sermon on the Mount, however, Wright argues that the central truth in this passage is that Jesus’ work is God’s future in the present; which are life habits that we can practice. (103) The Beatitudes are announcing a reality that wants to renew the world. (104) Habits such as meekness, humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking should therefore be formed in order to anticipate the future. These habits are “the language of life,” a life which is possible through Jesus. (105) I appreciate the image and connotation associated with the “language of life;” it seems to fit. The Beatitudes encourage those who suffer, who mourn, who are hungry for justice, who are persecuted, by suggesting that they will one day be fulfilled. The Beatitudes are not a set of rules, rather virtues. They are Jesus’ call for us to live authentic lives by following his example.
Paul expressed that humans are justified not by works but faith. This is probably due to the intended audiences of their books. While Paul’ purpose was to evangelize, Matthew’s Gospel was intended for people who had already accepted faith and needed guidance on how to live a Christian life. The sermon on the Mount is an example of this. A component of maturing as humans is to learn how to question things and read them with a questioning eye. (102) There are various ways of interpreting the sermon on the Mount, however, Wright argues that the central truth in this passage is that Jesus’ work is God’s future in the present; which are life habits that we can practice. (103) The Beatitudes are announcing a reality that wants to renew the world. (104) Habits such as meekness, humility, mercy, purity, peacemaking should therefore be formed in order to anticipate the future. These habits are “the language of life,” a life which is possible through Jesus. (105) I appreciate the image and connotation associated with the “language of life;” it seems to fit. The Beatitudes encourage those who suffer, who mourn, who are hungry for justice, who are persecuted, by suggesting that they will one day be fulfilled. The Beatitudes are not a set of rules, rather virtues. They are Jesus’ call for us to live authentic lives by following his example.