Marginal Christianity

Fasting and Feasting (2:18-20) The rock group Chicago (yes, I know I’m dating myself) long ago had a hit song titled “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.” That’s the question at issue in these Markan stories and, indeed, for the gospel as a whole. The New Exodus has been launched. Decision-time is here! And Jesus is at the center of it all! His popularity with the people and scrutiny by the authorities continues to grow. Pharisees fasted on Mondays and Thursday and following the protocol of accepted (but not scriptural tradition). Fasting in connection with prayer, penitence, and preparation for new ventures has been practiced from early times in many cultures and religions. The Bible recognizes it as regular in mourning for the dead ( 1 Samuel 31.13), expressions of penitence (Nehemiah 9.1), intercession (2 Samuel 12.16 ), and prayer for God’s aid ( Judges 20.26). Fasting was undertaken for personal reasons (Psalm 25.13), as a national act in the face of calamity (Joe...

Posted  APR 1 2014   by  ZACK HUNT   with  4 COMMENTS X Hey  Facebook  fan! If this post inspires you or makes you think please  like it and share it with your friends.  Keep the Faith!   112   95   1   214 Google + 0 Last week was a bad week. Not just for World Vision, but for the church. The zeal with which so many Christians abandoned their  sponsored children  in the name of theological purity wasn’t just embarrassing. It was repugnant and exposed the hate of so many that for so long has been hidden under the guise of “a difference of opinion.” In the time that has past since that epic fiasco, I’ve found myself returning over and over again to a verse I admit I rarely visit. It’s one of those odd, seemingly out of nowhere sayings of Jesus that are sometimes hard to understand and apply to modern life because they’re full of archaic language and images that have little or...