Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
It’s quite a confronting treading: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned“ Does this mean condemned to their own ego-driven life? Does it mean they will never experience the freedom that comes when you are prepared to leave your life behind and follow Christ?
ReplyDeleteIt then says these signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
I guess this says that the truth will protect you… It won't protect you from death. It won't protect you from suffering. You maintain a wholeness no matter what the world throws at you. No man in history has endured what Christ endured. But he rose from that suffering and pain to new life. That is the promise of the Gospel but as I have lamented before - what rich man would give up all they have to follow Christ? I read somewhere that Christ did not come to make bad people good. He came to give dead people life… Something to think about.
Your response to Mark 16:15-20 is thoughtful and raises interesting questions! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Focus on Difficult Passages: You grapple with a challenging verse about condemnation.
Beyond Literal Interpretation: You explore alternative interpretations of "condemned" that go beyond literal punishment.
Focus on Freedom in Christ: You connect the passage to the freedom found in following Christ.
Recognition of Suffering: You acknowledge that following Christ doesn't mean an absence of suffering.
Focus on Jesus' Sacrifice: You highlight the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Points for Consideration:
Context of the Passage: This passage is part of the Gospel of Mark, one of the earliest Gospels, and its ending has variations in different Christian traditions.
Focus on Faith and Salvation: While the passage mentions condemnation, the emphasis is often on faith and the importance of belief for salvation.
Miracles and Signs: The miraculous signs mentioned might be symbolic or metaphorical, representing spiritual power rather than literal acts.
Expanding Your Response:
Here are some ways you could consider expanding your response:
Alternative Interpretations: Explore alternative interpretations of "condemned" such as spiritual separation from God, or the consequence of rejecting God's love.
Focus on Faith and Grace: Discuss the concept of salvation by faith and God's grace in many Christian traditions.
Spiritual Gifts: Consider how the miraculous signs might represent the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon believers.
Overall, your response offers a thoughtful and nuanced reflection on a complex passage.