Jesus thought the Torah was good for eternal life, but Christianity Today doesn't want to mention it

 

What Do Christians Do with the Law of Moses?

Brad East, Christianity Today:

... if what you want is the eternal life manifested in the resurrection of Jesus, then fix your eyes on him. Whatever else the Torah is good for, it can’t give you that. What then is the Torah good for? ...

 

 

What did Jesus do with the Law of Moses?

 

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  

 

-- Luke 10:25ff.   

Lecturer in theology says Christians can learn existential gratitude from the spiritual but not religious, who are evidently the reincarnation of Augustine lol

 

The Critique of Religion

King-Ho Leung, Plough

 

... At the heart of “religion,” in Augustine’s portrayal, is what we might call existential gratitude: recognizing our existence as a gift given by God, that we are ourselves created as gifts of God, and that we are called to give to God “the gift of ourselves” – the gifts that we are – as an act of thanks-giving. 

... many who are “spiritual but not religious” or even atheistic may say they are grateful for their existence, as if their existence is a gift given to them, even though they may not believe in a divine gift-giver to whom they feel grateful.

This “spiritual but not religious” attitude of existential gratitude is not about following certain rules or cultural conventions, nor is it about identifying oneself with a particular tribe or social group. It is, rather, as Robert Bellah memorably put it, a “habit of the heart.” And from this kind of gratitude, Christians, perhaps, have something to learn. ...

Right, right, Jesus' message wasn't about doing something in relation to the world. It wasn't about leaving your life and family behind to follow him, or selling everything and giving it to the poor, or forgiving the debts owed to you or the wrongs done to you.

Nay, nay, it was about a feeling in relation to God! It was about thanking God for your beautiful wife and beautiful house, your large automobile, your successful career, and your secure retirement.

True religion is thanking God for the gift of you, the gift that you are.

 

 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 

-- Luke 18:11