Monday, April 13, 2015

What's expected

To answer this, let’s first note two things about Jesus’ teaching on discipleship. First, it takes its cue from the presentation in the book of Deuteronomy regarding (a) who Israel was divinely commissioned to be and (b) what faithful Israelites were exhorted to do to avoid showing themselves as a “wicked and adulterous generation.” This notably involved, among other things, not grumbling against God when he provided for their needs, not doubting the efficacy of his ways for them to bring them to their promised destiny, and not putting him to the test. This fact will prove to be significant when we come below to assess the long-standing and widespread view that the aim of the Disciples’ Prayer is to pray down into the present some things that Jews thought to belong properly to Israel’s expected future.—The Disciples’ Prayer, page 68

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