Willard on the Beatitudes…
In the Divine Conspiracy he writes, “Those poor in spirit are called blessed by Jesus, not because they are in a meritorious condition, but because, preciously in spite of and in the midst of their ever so deplorable condition, the rule of the heavens has moved redemptively up and through them by the grace of Christ.” (102)
So, what does this “new” (”fresh” is probably a better word) look at the beatitudes mean for us?
Willard says, it means that “they serve to clarify Jesus’ fundamental message: the free availability of God’s rule and righteousness to all of humanity through reliance upon Jesus himself, the person now loose in the world among us. They do this simply by taking those who, from the human point of view, are regarded as most hopeless, most beyond all possibility of god’s blessing or even interest, and exhibiting them as enjoying God’s touch and abundant provision from the heavens.” (116)
D.G. Hollums said...
104/11/07 6:41 PM | Comment Link |
Kingdom thoughts!!1 Awesome awesome awesome! Thanks!
ed c said...
204/12/07 3:10 AM | Comment Link |
“the rule of the heavens has moved redemptively up and through them by the grace of Christ”
Sounds good, but I don’t quite get it to be honest.
Also, is this quote taking the “poor” and the “poor in spirit” as the same people? Are are we talking about the physically poor or the humble? Both? Sorry to muddy the waters.
The Hosh said...
304/12/07 4:43 AM | Comment Link |
Dallas Willard = THE MAN.
Thanks for blogging again, I am glad that I found you! Keep it up!
Your article is really defining my thinking lately. I have been reading it again and again over the past couple of weeks. I think I am going to preach a lot of it, if you don’t mind ;)
D.G. Hollums said...
404/12/07 5:51 AM | Comment Link |
OK, well it has been a while since i read this book, but I did purchase it via iTunes to remind me of the thoughts found with in it..and it was my understanding that these poor in Spirit were the Spiritual zeros/spiritual bankrupt, those who one would not consider to be “Christian” or “spiritual” and yet, when they experience The kingdom of God they experience blessing. Therefore they are blessed! and those shifts our thinking from what i have always heard of this sermon of blessings to be for already Christians, but it was my understanding that Willard was saying this to have the meaning that if someone were to allow Christ to be their king…and join into this new Kingdom, then they would experience blessing.
And then I tookk this further and thought…if we were already living in this Kingdom, then it would be us (the kingdom citizens/builders) whom God is calling to be the blessing to all of these that will experience blessing…..so in turn when I re-read this sermon on the Mt. it is calling me to live a life that is always seeking out the “poor in spirit”, the “meek”, those who mourn…etc…
and ultimately Christ is offering them all access to eternal life now in the present age.
OK I have written too much..better go, but at least we can keep the discussion going a little more now…look forward to other comments on this subject.
ryan said...
504/18/07 5:45 PM | Comment Link |
I’ve been thinking about this a few days and maybe I need to read it from the source, but I’m not following how the “poor in spirit” could be defined as the spiritually bankrupt or spiritual zeros. it doesn’t seem to fit with the flow and context of the rest of the beatitudes that describe a positive “type” of person or an action that is desired and a positive blessing as a result.
D.G. Hollums said...
604/19/07 6:44 AM | Comment Link |
I had the same question Ryan. Until I got that Willard (at least to me) seemed to be saying that these beatitudes were describing people being blessed when they entered into the Kingdom. In other words, those that would be poor in spirit, were non-Christians that had no spiritual life, but when they experience the Kingdom in their lives (i.e. accept Christ and allow Christ to be their King over their lives) then they experience and live blessing.
And so goes for the rest of the list.
And this would force Christians to always be seeking after those who are poor in spirit or peacemakers, because we who Christ has called to be his hands and feet can help them see and experience the blessing of the Kingdom in their lives…..
now, please understand…this is my interpretation of this part in his book, and I might be wrong… but it was a very unique and different way of reading it..and I myself am still fleshing it out. Hope this says something to keep the discussion going.
Shasta said...
706/16/08 2:09 PM | Comment Link |
I interpret this totally differently. I feel that the poor and the poor in heart often recognize in others the things they have experienced. They see more clearly and often work harder to bless others thus bringing about the blessings and purpose of Christ.
Often those who are poor, give the most to help out others who are less blessed than themselves. They know what it is like to go hungry, so they will share even if it means they won’t have enough to eat themselves.
The poor in heart also see others hurts. They can relate to them, offer comfort, and support but they are unlikely to judge as others might who haven’t experienced the same things might.
Just my humble opinion,
Shasta