Unorthodox Messages Of Change In The Bible

Throughout history, novel ideas that end up being the basis of change are initially widely rejected. Martin Luther’s religious ideologies caused a major theological shift for many people. Mahatma Gandhi’s non-conformist practices revolutionized the way people fight oppression. Individuals that inspired change can be seen as prophets. A prophet is a person with an unorthodox message that challenges established traditions or practices, and being on the road means being separated from a society. As a result, a prophet needs to be on the road in order to develop a message that opposes accepted beliefs. In order to be considered a prophet, a person needs to preach a message that challenges established traditions. This message can be in direct contrast
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah offers a novel interpretation for why bad things happened to the Jewish people. According to Isaiah, the people were receiving harsh punishments because they failed to take care of the poor, and needed to “learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Is 1:2-17 NRSV). Isaiah developed this explanation from the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. He claimed that the reason for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was failure to take care of the poor, contrasting the widely held belief that the sin of those cities was homosexuality (Is 1:1-31). Additionally, in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers teachings that directly contrast the Jews’ current practices. As he says, “You have heard that is was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:43-44). The Jewish lLaw clearly states to hate your enemies, but Jesus is saying you should love and pray for them. These biblical texts support the definition of a prophet developed by Kurth, as all three portray a character preaching a message that challenges an established tradition or
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus emphasizes the need to be separate by leaving his hometown. He even goes so far as to say, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown” (Lk 4:16-30). As with Dean from Manning’s prophetic retelling, Jesus highlights the importance of being on the road in this passage. In Thomas Merton’s “Fire Watch,” the monk on the nightly fire watch separates himself from the others in order to be able to contemplate God. Walking around the monastery at night is the monk’s version of being on the road. As with Dean and Jesus, the monk creates a prophetic persona by being on the road in the