Robert Wright has penned a rather lengthy piece on a book he has out regarding the possible happy outcome for Christians, Jews, and Muslims: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200904/globalization-religion. Really though, the article is a pretty darn good primer on the historical reading of the three religions, especially, Christianity. What Wright does is to place the formation of the religion (and notably, Paul) in the context of their times. Some folks don't think that's of much importance and more power to them, but I think it's crucial to understanding more of what Jesus was and was not about. Again, a little long, but Wright has pulled together most of the scholarship regarding the Historical Jesus into a nice summary.
A final note: Wright thinks the three religions can find common ground and a means to living with one another. I'll forgive the fine doctor for his equanimity here, but it's not really Baptists or the Mai Jong group at Beth Israel that's waging jihad. I think the infidels are just fine with the Muslims of the world. They do have a problem, however, with getting blown up for not bowing toward Mecca.
2 comments:
Mr. Wright attributes a lot of historical theology to economic and power motivations, but doesn't similarly use these motivations to explain current world events. Concentration of wealth is, in my opinion, the true source of conflict in the Arab world. The "haves" have used clerics to convince the "have-nots" that religion is the center of the conflict. It is not.
Well said.
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