Evangelical Christian teachers and preachers argue over infant baptism, women pastors, the rapture, and who gets communion and when. We tend to argue the most with those who are the closest to us. Are these arguments (or sometimes battles) theological driven, or are they driven by competing for the same people?
The Jewish populace had religious options, like the Essenes, Zealots, Pharisees and the Sadducees. Now everyone is giving Jesus their ear, and the group closest to Jesus and his followers were the Pharisees. Both had a similar audience—ordinary Jewish folks—and a similar biblical foundation, yet they were at odds on some issues: Jesus’ idea of the kingdom, his own way of “observing” the law of Moses and his approachability to the marginalized. They were close but too close, so they argued a lot.
About Corey Sharpe
Where do we get our beliefs?
Three theological perspectives have significantly shaped my Christian identity: Evangelicalism, the early Methodist tradition and liberation theology.
From my coming to faith in a Baptist church and throughout my education in a Baptist school and college, I was nurtured by convictions that emphasized a spiritual rebirth, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the centrality of the Bible. Even when I disagree with certain aspects of evangelicalism, it has deeply influenced my sense of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
My seminary studies spawned my interest in early Methodism, particularly its approach to spiritual formation. Its leaders were convinced that only a foundation of doctrine and discipline would lead to a meaningful transformation of the heart and mind. In other words, having the mind of Christ enables me to be more like Christ.
Life in a suburban culture obscures the increasing gap between the poor and rich, as well as the Bible’s close identification with the poor. My doctoral work in socio-cultural context exposed me to liberation theology, which helps me see redemptive history as a history of oppressed groups, written from the perspective of the powerless, about a God who is actively involved with the poor in their struggles.
I am now the pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in St Mary’s County, Maryland. Together my wife and I have 4 children.
The Other Six Days 