Which Crown Do You Want?

By Trevin Wax on Feb 28, 2009 in Excerpts | Print This Post Print This Post | Share (Twitter, Email, Facebook)

We follow Christ when we stop showing off earthly crowns of “success” and embrace the crown of thorns that truly models the life of the Savior.

- a quote from my upcoming book, Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals

© Copyright by Trevin Wax | Print This Post Print This Post | Share (Twitter, Email, Facebook)

7 Comment(s)

  1. I don’t know about the ideas which produce this thought. It seems to me that Jesus was pretty “successful” as defined by the Ruling Elite… and pretty much in their face about it. The dualistic “either-or” just doesn’t seem to fit the portrayal we have of Jesus in the Gospels I don’t think. It seems to me that Jesus was “both/and” when it came to “success” and “suffering”… He seems to have lived out of a whole different set of categories.

    Tom Kushman | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply

  2. The true marks of his success were his suffering and dying for the sins of the world. It is in his obedience unto death that Jesus is ultimately faithful.

    Trevin Wax | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply

  3. Tom: a crown of thorn suggests suffering, defeat and submission. As does the cross. The point of the Gospels–the entire Bible–is that first and foremost Jesus is an object we worship, not an example we follow.

    Demian Farnworth | Feb 28, 2009 | Reply

  4. Let me make clear: I believe in the unique, substitutionary atonement of Jesus on behalf of the elect who receive the benefits through faith alone, and I very much appreciate Luther’s thought on Theologia Crucis. I don’t think either of you understand my comment and/or can’t imagine that the quote may be in fact ill-considered. It is the ideas that would produce the thought expressed in the quote that gives me pause and concern. Concern because it seems to me to have as its basis too shallow of perception of the Lord Jesus’ Person and Mission. May Trevin, based on the other things I’ve read of your on this blog, I expected more. That’s all.

    Tom Kushman | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply

  5. Last sentence should read… “Maybe Trevin, based…” Sorry.

    Tom Kushman | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply

  6. Hey Tom, I appreciate the clarity. I guess I’m not seeing why you should be concerned. Granted, Trevin just quoted one sentence, taking it out of context, so who knows what’s embedded around it. I guess that was on purpose so we’ll get the book. ;-)

    Take care.

    Demian Farnworth | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply

  7. His.

    theoldadam | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply

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