A Glimpse of Jesus; Chapter 4; Deliverance Through Storytelling

I must be honest. This chapter was the most uncomfortable one so far in this book. Perhaps I am not understanding Manning's intent as I find his style of writing and wording poor and often showy. Many of his statements and view points sound new age and leave me with a "check in my spirit" if I dare to be so cliche.

Manning quotes another author, "Only mystics, clowns and artists, in my experience, speak the truth," (pg. 5) and though he says the author overstates the truth, he uses it as an argument that "Christ is far too serious a business to be left to the theologians and exegetes alone." He speaks of "imagination as guides to religious truth." (pg. 6)

His descriptions of Jesus also disturb me. "The stories (parables) were intended, not only to defend his own notorious conduct with sinners...", speaking of Jesus. In page 78, he says, "Jesus, who flinched, talked back to and questioned his Abba." I found that quite a bold, if not offensive statement to say that Jesus talked back to His Father.

I think his final paragraph in this chapter sums up my feelings. "In our cynical, disillusioned world, we may ask, 'Is this promise of a new way of life merely an illusion, a figment of the imagination? Absolutely not. Let us make a critical distinction: illusion is a denial of reality, while imagination creates and calls forth new reality that has not yet come to birth." As hard as I've tried, I can not find a way to make this paragraph sit well with me.

Chapeter 4 "Deliverance Through Story Telling

Telling a story about people (as Jesus did) means that you are in touch with people. To tell a story means we have come down from our ivory towers and have walked at street level with real people with real needs. They are windows into how our theology is applied in real life situations, something the Pharisees were unable to do. This is what Jesus did as he spoke in parables/stories. He was applying theology in compassionate and loving ways. This is particularly true in the case of the parables described in Luke 15 – "The Lost Sheep, "The Lost Coin and "The Lost Son”.
I am reminded that my life must interact with others in such a way that I have some stories to tell about how “my theology” brought healing and wholeness to others. How it showed the love, mercy and compassion of Christ. It is not enough for me to hold close to theological truths and to hold people at a distance. I must have stories about people who have been touched by my influence of both, the mercy and compassion of God and the doctrine of God.

Healing Through Meal Sharing

Chapter 3 “Healing Through Meal Sharing”

I loved this chapter because it was so practical and relational. I think meal sharing is one of the most effective ways to build relationships with others. It has been over a meal that I have led people to Christ, encouraged believers and received encouragement myself. The opening of one’s home to others is to open one’s heart and there is an intimacy we experience at the “table” that is hard to replicate anywhere else. I think if church members simply reached out more and invited others to their tables the love and unity in the church would increase and the gossip and division would decrease. I am challenged by this chapter to be more intentional about inviting others, churched and unchurched, to my table.