Jesus taught people, using parables . . . [Jesus taught] always in the context of his relationship with people. He connected with a person or crowd first, then mingled in some appropriate, often challenging, teaching. Person first. The [clerical leadership of the] Church teaches doctrine, using theology . . . [it] emphasizes doctrine. Believe this; memorize that; do this; don’t do that. It is not person first; it is doctrine first.
– Tom Smith
See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Why Jesus is My Man
The Wild Gaiety of Jesus' Moral Teaching
Jesus: Path-Blazer of Radical Transformation
In the Garden of Spirituality - Adrian Smith
In the Garden of Spirituality - James C. Howell
Jesus and the Centurion (Part 1)
Jesus and the Centurion (Part 2)
That's because people and relationships are not given to dualistic, diachotomous pronouncements. Doctrines and abstract theology is much neater and cleaner.
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