Jesus and Empire

EMPIRE SERIES by Bob Reuschlein (848-5248, earlwal@chorus.net) Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society 2010 Whenona Drive Madison, Wisconsin, 53711 Directions: Go to South frontage road of beltline between Seminole Highway and Verona Road. Go South on Whenona Drive to Crawford "Jesus and Empire" - Sunday, December 4 - 10am I spent five years in two hour classes every Sunday afternoon discussing the "Teachings of Jesus" lead by Boyce Totz at the local Friends Meeting House on Roberts Court. Starting with the book "Jesus Before Christianity" by Albert Nolan, I learned this man was far more subtle than the simplistic deity he's been portrayed as by modern religion. His message of radical egalitarianism contrasts with the "corrupted by power" individuals who preach in his name today. Marcus Borg, one of the main Jesus seminar types, has concluded that the main mission of Jesus was to challenge the system of dominance of some people over others. In this very fundamental way he challenges the essence of empire, which is control. That control alienates the rich and powerful from others, diminishing them as "hollow sepulchers full of dust", as they cut themselves off from the "kingdom of heaven", i.e. enjoying the full fellowship of human experience. Thus I see Jesus as one of the first Unitarian Universalists. I will cite several scriptural passages to support my conclusion