Traditional views of Jesus

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 10

Traditional views of Jesus

New Zealand Jesus. By G. A. F. Knight. Presbyterian Church of -New Zealand. 48 pp. N.Z. price 80c. This booklet by the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church is a lightweight and unconvincing representation of fairly traditional Christain views about Jesus. And by and large .the author uses. Biblical material about Jesus with few acknowledged qualms about its accuracy, which is surprising since he is a distinguished Old Testament scholar. Contradictions from traditional views of Jesus remain unresolved. For example, Professor Knight’s Jesus is, ?n one and the same page, so humble [like God) that he could not say he vas like God, and yet so vain that he implied “that he was the only real nan who had ever been . . .” And a Fundamental tension in most religious

views is re-stated with no attempt at resolution. For Christians: “there is no selfish wondering whether we are saved.” But this is not because, as is implied earlier, such Christians are completely unconcerned about their own fate, being concerned only for others (like Jesus)! is because - y “a long two thousand’'fears ffcga. Jesiis. saw to the t whole saving business,” i.?.'they don’t need to wonder selfishly because they are saved already. There is virtually no attempt to justify the title,'“New Zealand Jesus.” The booklet may convince some New Zealand Presbyterians that their present Moderator has fairly inoffensive orthodox views. It is unlikely to convince any non-Christian New Zealanders that Jesus is alive and well in, let alone relevant to, presentday New Zealand.