A retired professor of Biblical Studies shares his duly researched insight into Jesus’ core message:
Not the acceptance of statements to be believed and the duty to constantly observe divine instructions, but just one experience of an inner transformation of thinking and living (metanoia) by which the rest of one’s life is changed.
In a reader-friendly way the author shows how the early Church Fathers constructed a dogmatic system that was on a different wavelength than Jesus’ non-doctrinal message, and how in the 16th century the Reformers stopped short before taking metanoia seriously.
He indicates how metanoia radically differs from effort ethics and content faith, but realises how these well-intentioned traditions have become deeply entrenched. To tradition-bound Christians he therefore suggests a contextually reinterpreted allegiance to the convictions that are compatible with Jesus’ essential message.
But to all Christians he convincedly propagates Jesus’ call to experience inner change of mind, and its spontaneous outcome of radiant living.
