God Knows Suffering
Stephan Wahl | 09.05.2004 13:52 | Anti-militarism | World
This interview is translated from the German in Spiegel 2004. Faith is a counter-power to a culture of fear, an economy of greed and a politics of lies. The gospel is the trans-valuation of all values, giving new meanings to strength, security and health. Jesus' parables like zen koans have the power to turn the world upside down. Cf. Walter Wink's The Powers That Be, a critique of redemptive violence and the warrior mentality.
‘GOD KNOWS SUFFERING’
Stephan Wahl, 43, Catholic Priest and “Word for Sunday” Spokesperson on Faith Today
[This interview is translated from the German in: Der Spiegel 16,2004.]
SPIEGEL: Mr. Wahl, Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the manger, the three kings, Herod’s infanticide – all these are merely legends. When will you apologize to “Word for Sunday” viewers for the historical lies in the Bible?
WAHL: For me, Jesus’ history has not ended. His life is not only an historical date. Bethlehem or Nazareth, what is most important is that God became a human being. Even if I lived for a long time in Jerusalem, I could not cling to historiographically authenticated places. However these places help in making us aware that God really walked on dusty roads.
SPIEGEL: Do you believe in something that didn’t exist historically as the gospels report?
WAHL: That Jesus existed is beyond question for me. Still I seek a connection to Jesus Christ today. I don’t only see him as an historical figure who looks at me across the centuries. With the gospels, we encounter one who goes beyond normal historical facts. In a leap of faith, we assume what the gospels report is true.
SPIEGEL: What does true mean?
WAHL: In Jesus Christ, God in a concrete hour of history became a person and is also experiencable today in my life. What distinguishes Christianity from other religions is the belief that God experienced human existence in his own flesh through his Son and doesn’t observe the fullness of human existence from a safe distance.
SPIEGEL: Did Mel Gibson’s passion film strengthen you in these pious feelings?
WAHL: The Pasolini film impressed me even more. Gibson reduces faith to suffering and sacrifice. The thought that God died on the cross to redeem us moves and frightens me. I don’t need any close-up shots on how the skin breaks open.
SPIEGEL: What can the believer know about the passion of Christ?
WAHL: He can recognize humanity ability or capacity and what people must endure because of others. All the suffering that people pass through is not alien or foreign to God. Earlier in the day when I saw the film, I visited a dying colleague. I can say: God knows this suffering, not God presented this suffering. Many questions are still unanswered. But everything is meaningless if I can’t believe God knows suffering.
SPIEGEL: Can the passion scenes stir young people growing up without knowledge of the Bible?
WAHL: Hardly, I fear, but who can know? God knows many ways. Perhaps the film will awaken the curiosity of learning more about Jesus Christ. The theme of the film is Jesus Christ. The film engages people and prompts discussion.
SPIEGEL: What helps counter the lack of education regarding faith?
WAHL: There is no way back to the lecture mode. Passing on personal experiences of God is central. This also marked the beginning of our faith. The historical facts about the beginnings and the commitment to tradition are important. But how believing people structure the world today is primary – in trust and respect for God.
Stephan Wahl, 43, Catholic Priest and “Word for Sunday” Spokesperson on Faith Today
[This interview is translated from the German in: Der Spiegel 16,2004.]
SPIEGEL: Mr. Wahl, Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, the manger, the three kings, Herod’s infanticide – all these are merely legends. When will you apologize to “Word for Sunday” viewers for the historical lies in the Bible?
WAHL: For me, Jesus’ history has not ended. His life is not only an historical date. Bethlehem or Nazareth, what is most important is that God became a human being. Even if I lived for a long time in Jerusalem, I could not cling to historiographically authenticated places. However these places help in making us aware that God really walked on dusty roads.
SPIEGEL: Do you believe in something that didn’t exist historically as the gospels report?
WAHL: That Jesus existed is beyond question for me. Still I seek a connection to Jesus Christ today. I don’t only see him as an historical figure who looks at me across the centuries. With the gospels, we encounter one who goes beyond normal historical facts. In a leap of faith, we assume what the gospels report is true.
SPIEGEL: What does true mean?
WAHL: In Jesus Christ, God in a concrete hour of history became a person and is also experiencable today in my life. What distinguishes Christianity from other religions is the belief that God experienced human existence in his own flesh through his Son and doesn’t observe the fullness of human existence from a safe distance.
SPIEGEL: Did Mel Gibson’s passion film strengthen you in these pious feelings?
WAHL: The Pasolini film impressed me even more. Gibson reduces faith to suffering and sacrifice. The thought that God died on the cross to redeem us moves and frightens me. I don’t need any close-up shots on how the skin breaks open.
SPIEGEL: What can the believer know about the passion of Christ?
WAHL: He can recognize humanity ability or capacity and what people must endure because of others. All the suffering that people pass through is not alien or foreign to God. Earlier in the day when I saw the film, I visited a dying colleague. I can say: God knows this suffering, not God presented this suffering. Many questions are still unanswered. But everything is meaningless if I can’t believe God knows suffering.
SPIEGEL: Can the passion scenes stir young people growing up without knowledge of the Bible?
WAHL: Hardly, I fear, but who can know? God knows many ways. Perhaps the film will awaken the curiosity of learning more about Jesus Christ. The theme of the film is Jesus Christ. The film engages people and prompts discussion.
SPIEGEL: What helps counter the lack of education regarding faith?
WAHL: There is no way back to the lecture mode. Passing on personal experiences of God is central. This also marked the beginning of our faith. The historical facts about the beginnings and the commitment to tradition are important. But how believing people structure the world today is primary – in trust and respect for God.
Stephan Wahl
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