"The Jesus Creed" by Scot McKnight (book study)

Post by **_Rick_C** » Sat May 12, 2007 1:08 pm

On another thread, FBFF member "schoel" wanted to know if we could start an "FBFF Book Club". I nominated McKnight's book and a couple other folks expressed an interest...so this is the offical "beginning" of our study.

THE JESUS CREED: Loving God, Loving Others
by Scot McKnight

In the Preface, McKnight wrote:"A Jewish expert on the law once asked Jesus what was the most important thing for spiritual formation. Jesus' answer turned history upside down for those who followed him. This book is an invitation for you to explore Jesus' answer to that man. I call it the Jesus Creed, and what he said should shape everything we say about Christian spirituality. Everything."

I heard McKnight give a question & answer presentation on Mary in Paltalk (and think I may have asked him a question, can't recall offhand). He's thought provoking (theological), yet down to earth (practical) and a real nice guy.

Here's McKnight's blog/site: http://www.jesuscreed.org/

I bought this book several months ago and only read up to the 2nd chapter. It was good "devotional reading" but I usually just read the Bible for my "morning devotions".
______________________________________________________________
So, here we are, folks

I'll get us going....

First, what I like about what McKnight wrote (above) has to do with both theology and everyday Christian living. Theology-wise: McKnight takes us back to what was really happening when Jesus spoke with this "expert in the Jewish Law." "What was being said back then"...is a first theological principle for interpreting the Bible! We have to do our best to understand the Bible's cultural and historical setting: Basic Hermeneutics (hermeneuitics being "the art and science of interpretation").

Next: On Creeds
What are they? From the Latin word "credo" meaning, "I believe"; creeds and/or The Creeds of the Church are summarized "statements of faith" that are a general guide for belief and practise. As McKnight says (above) a creed has to do with "everything"!

This is what McKnight sees as Jesus' own creed: what Jesus summarized as his own basic beliefs:

From the Prologue, Scot McKnight wrote:The Jesus Creed
"Hear, O Isreal, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength."
The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
There is no greater commandment than these.

McKnight continues:
Jesus thereby amends the Shema of Judaism (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) by adding Leviticus 19:18, revealing that spiritual formation is about the love of God and others.

This living for God stuff is all about everthing and everyone, isn't it, friends?

Post by **_Michelle** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:31 pm

So. It's been a long, tough, trying day, and I said I would come in here to post something about the first chapter of The Jesus Creed. I can't think of much to add to what Rick said, except to say that this book is very accessible. I've enjoyed what I've read so far. . .

Post by **_TK** » Thu May 31, 2007 12:17 pm

So have you all been praying the Jesus Creed every morning? Let’s get with it folks!

I finished the first several chapters- up through Joseph’s story. I must say that I am very favorably impressed. I learned a couple of things—for e.g. I didn’t know that the Lords Prayer was modeled after the Jewish ritual prayer The Kaddish.

I really like McKnight’s style; he is deep without being pretentious.

He even gave me an idea- my wife and I are going to lead a home cell group in the near future; I thought it might be a good way to start each meeting- with a group recitation of the Jesus Creed. It’s a good reminder of what we should be about. I might even teach through the book.. so far it has a lot of great stuff.

TK

Post by **_Rick_C** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 1:23 pm

Hi TK & Michelle,

I found this a few days ago:
JESUS CREED: "Pepperdine Waves"
two free mp3 sermons by Scot McKnight given at Michelle's Alma Mater!
I've heard the first one...good stuff.

TK wrote:So have you all been praying the Jesus Creed every morning? Let’s get with it folks!

I haven't literally prayed it. But it has seemed to be constantly in my mind since I read the first chapter a few months ago...

In the last month I have had 4 jobs (through temporary agencies) and lost the last one last week. Between the Orientations, paperwork, learning and doing new stuff, meeting new people, driving around a lot to places I've never been, getting sick and going to the doctor, then...it's over....Whew!

I started this thread just after I lost the job I was expecting to get hired in on (as a regular full time employee, not a temp). After 3 other assignments I was let go and this week I've been looking for work.

Anyway, Praise the Lord!
TK, I totally agree with everything you said about this book! God is good: All the time! Speaking of time: I have to go check on a couple jobs.
Till I get work...well, I should have time to read The Jesus Creed some this weekend.

In Christ,
Rick

Post by **_TK** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:35 pm

I'll be praying, Rick C. hang in there!

TK

Post by **_Rick_C** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:43 pm

Thanks, TK...Michelle has been praying for me about this already.
God bless you both and: Have a Good Evening....will be back soon

Post by **_Rick_C** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:03 pm

I made a mistake on the link for the mp3 lectures.

Here's the right one:
"What is the Gospel?" at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.

In the lectures summaries they wrote:Session 1
The Individualistic “Gospel”: What are the weaknesses of an individualistic gospel?
Dr. Scot McKnight
Analysis of a few basic gospel tracts reveals a gospel shaped by a thin view of Scripture, a thin view of Romans, an absence of Jesus' kingdom teaching, and therefore a thin view of community. The gospel God announces in Christ is fundamentally a "community-shaped gospel" designed to be embodied in a community and to be experienced by individuals in that community.

Session 4
The “Gospel” of Embracing Grace: What are the implications of a gospel that embraces grace?
Dr. Scot McKnight
The Bible shows that the gospel is the work of God, the Trinitarian God, in the major moments of redemption to restore "cracked Eikons" to union with God and communion with others for the good of others and the world. Central to this is understanding that the problem (sin) is the problem (it is more than guilt), and that only when we comprehend the problem can we understand the enormity of grace.

I found the above link at:
JESUS CREED: Gospel and church

I had saved the Pepperdine link just for Michelle see, I now recall

Two more lectures by Scot are here:
Theopedia: Scot McKnight: "The Story of the Gospel" and "The Story of the Eikons"

Um, what was the name of that book you guys are reading again? j/k haha

Post by **_Michelle** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 3:54 pm

Thanks for the link, Rick. Yes, I was a Pepperdine Wave; I spent 3 years at that campus and another year at a different Pepperdine campus.

I'm trying to finish this book, but I can't seem to get done. Maybe after this week I'll be able to sit down and finish if. Friday begins my summer break.

Post by **_Rick_C** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:25 pm

You're welcome, Michelle.

I've been busy: looking for work...and may have to be off the web for a month or so. I'm not sure when this may happen. It depends on how soon I start working (I only have a part time job now). Anyway, if I get to "the book" I might post then, lol (been job hunting virtually all the time)!

Post by **_Perry** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:56 pm

Amazon just came thru and the book arrived today.

As it turns out, I'm about to kick off a short vacation by going down to Georgia and meeting Steve, and Brody, and, hopefully, Derek. This book should make great reading for this trip.

Perry