Last weekend, several of us went to the Promise Keeper's conference in Jacksonville, FL. Outstanding conference, better than most in recent years. Once again, PK deviated from their former traditional format, instead focusing on shorter segments and more audio-visual stimulation, definitely geared for the younger generations.
On Friday night, instead of the normal second speaker who calls Christians to rededicate their lives to Christ, PK showed a video clip from Rob Bell's Nooma series, called "Dust." In this video, Bell made a point about being a disciple of Christ as related to Jesus' command to "take up my yoke." He explained in the film that a rabbi's interpretations and teachings were called their "yoke" and that when a rabbi asked you to "take up his yoke," he was actually asking you to come and follow him and his teachings. The goal, as a disciple of the rabbi, was to become like the rabbi, learning and then spreading his yoke to others.
This was an amazing teaching and certainly could cause you to see several passages in the Bible in a different light, especially the time Peter walked on water. However, when I went back and tried to find the source for using the word "yoke" in this manner, I struck out. Every message and interpretation that used "yoke" in this manner was based on the teaching of Bell. When I went to Strong's, it did not define yoke in this manner, either. I even did some searching on some Jewish sites, and could not find this definition of yoke in there at all. However, the Jewish sites did talk about taking up the "yoke" of the Torah.
This leads me to some concern. What are we supposed to do with such a teaching? It has obviously been picked up and taught by many others who took Bell's "yoke" upon themselves, but is it true? Why is Bell the only one who came up with this unique interpretation of Jesus' words, relating them not to the yoke of oxen but to the yoke of a rabbi's interpretation and teaching?
I am not saying that Bell is wrong. And I certainly am no scholar of the rabbinic traditions. [I would very much like to know if this teaching is true or not. If anyone knows or can point me to a source other than Bell, please let me know.] But, I am concerned that the Christian community would accept these teachings without verification from some other source. I am concerned that some in the Christian community would go out and teach this as truth without first verifying the interpretation. In the book of Acts, we read of the Bereans, who did not accept the Apostle Paul's teachings at face value but tested them against the Holy Scriptures. Should we be doing less than they?
16 comments:
I saw the video a few weeks ago, too. I don't know of its authenticity, though.
Did Bell make really make the point about Jesus saying "take my yoke" as being his teachings. In the Dust video he never draws that paralell. I know because that verse popped into my mind as soon as he mention this idea of the rabbi's yoke, but he never attached that to Matthew 11:29-30 from what I heard. The greek word translated yoke in Matt 11 is zugos which really refers to the object that kept oxen together. I think Bell explains very well what it means to be a disciple and I too questioned if this idea of the yoke tied to Matt 11 from what I can find so far it does not? Any new insight on this?
As best I remember, Bell did make the connection between "Take up my yoke" and taking up the teachings of Christ. Despite this one questionable area, I did find the rest of his teaching sound.
So far the only connection I've found for "yoke" as a metaphor for following a teaching is from Ecclesiasticus 51:34 where seeking Wisdom is pictured as "submitting your neck to the yoke." Even though Ecclesiasticus was not part of the Jewish cannon, it's ideas had some influence on the metaphors the Rabbis might have used. It makes sense to me that Christ may have been referring to a double yoke which would mean walking and working by his side.
Bell clearly makes this point in his book, Velvet Elvis. p. 47. He offers no footnote. likewise on several other very intersting takes on 1st century customs that we've misinterpreted today ("Jesus is Lord" was a copy of Roman times praises for Caesar; that christ was raised was not an unusual claim for the 1st century -- lots of gods had such a claim; etc.). again, intersting but I'd like some references.
I have also seen those videos and found them very interesting. I also have questions because I am a person who does not like going around quoting others I do not know, so I have begun my own research into the topic. I have found a website with a sermon by a minister who talks on this subject. The website is http://mcdonaldroad.org/sermons/03/0125kc.htm . He references a coupld of different books which I have not read yet, but I am going to. They are: 1-The Works of Josephus, 2-What the Jews Believe by Rabbi Philip Bernstein, and 3-Desire of Age by Ellen G. White. I am not a pastor nor have I gone to seminary. I am just a regular guy who has a thirst for God. As a pastor you may have read these books already or know of them. Thanks for your insight into this very interesting topic.
Sincerely,
Nathan Mang
Thank you for pointing this out! I, too went looking for some background info relating to Bell's assertion. I heard him make this point in Velvet Elvis, but cannot find any corroborating evidence. He may not be wrong, I just can't find it anywhere in the historical background.
http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=2753
Just found this. Cannot validate the web site.
Here is a great link that will take you to a hebraic discussion about the "yoke" - bottom line the word "yoke" although literally is a an implement that helps carry a load, it is used figuratively as a "teaching" a "set of requirements." What Yeshua is saying is, "My yoke (teachings on how to live - halakah -) is easy to fallow.
Bell says that the rabbi's Yoke was his set of interpretations on the scriptures. Perhaps "interpretations" is not the best word to use here. "Explanation" - might be better. Yeshua's "explanation" of the Torah and halakah would be the most accurate after all He was the "Word incarnate" He was the living Torah."
As a high school history teacher I have realized that there are several ways to understand any given set of events:
1. Read what others have to say about a given set of events
2. Listen intently to one who was actually there during the events
3. Understand the events as told to you 1st hand by the one who set them in motion.
Yeshua is the third way - His YOKE - explanations - are easy to understand. And although He does not remove your burden because of a deeper understanding, it is lighter to bear.
enjoy the link
Mr. B - in Kansas City
http://forum.jerusalemperspective.com/viewtopic.php?t=254
I have actually heard another well educated person give the same information regarding the "yoke" as a Rabbi's explanation. Someone from a very different denomination and way of life, so it will be something very interesting for me to look into as alot of texts would be changed in meaning either way.
My college friends and I are using Nooma as Bible-study type thing and I watched Dust for the second time the other day intending to use it for our next meaning. This stuck out to me as well and I mentioned it to a couple of girls.
If one were to interpret "yolk" in Matthew as literally an object used for an oxen, would it not imply that Jesus is referring to His "work/teachings/way of life"?
Jesus is telling the disciples to take on what he has to offer in terms of lifestyle, work, and teachings, yes?
So then, how is it different if you were to interpret "yolk" to mean "a rabbi's interpretations, teachings on scripture, and work"?
After discussing this with the girls, reading your entry and the comments provided, in addition to the page in Velvet Elvis, I just get the sense that both interpretations of "yolk" are so similar that trying to figure out what Jesus literally meant by the word does not change the meaning behind the passage.
The passage is calling for the disciples to follow Jesus, in all ways. In his beliefs, teachings, and interpretations of the OT. He is calling them to place on their backs his Good Work.
That's just my thoughts. Does the interpretation of the work "yolk" in either way change the meaning for anyone else? Either way, I feel called to follow Jesus and do his work through the words of the passage.
Abigail -- Thanks for taking the time to post. I agree with your thoughts. The important thing is following Jesus. I was just concerned over Bell's use of the term "yoke" and his definition, which I had never seen used in that manner before.
It would follow, then, that if Bell is correct, then we should all be "yoked" with Christ and it would also make more sense of the Apostle Paul's command to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
Good thoughts, and questioning uncertainty is always a crucial thing to do when learning more about scripture. My questions are what brought me to your blog in the first place. Also, Rob Bell says on the back of Velvet Elvis:
"We have to test everything. I thank God for anybody anywhere who is pointing people to the mysteries of God. But those people would all tell you to think long and hard about what they are saying and doing and creating. Test it. Probe it. Do that to this book. Don't swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I'm a Christian and I'm trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn't mean I've got it nailed. I'm contributing to the discussion. God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?"
so I'm sure he would be pleased with our inquiries :)
Blessings.
Not sure if anyone said this or not, but if you are wondering (as I have at times) you can check the sources in the book. There are several jewish writings and sources listed in the index. In my research it seems to be legit. I'd take it a step further in terms of Christ showing that his "yoke" was the cross. Luke 9:23, if you are to be my disciple you must take up your cross daily and follow me.
From Ethics of the Fathers: “Rabbi Nechunya ben Hakanah said: 'Whoever takes upon himself the yoke of Torah, from him will be taken away the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly care; but whoever throws off the yoke of Torah, upon him will be laid the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly care' (Pirkei Avot 3:6)."
Jesus as the Word fulfills the roles of yoke, living text, and rabbi/teacher who embodies this. This is what I believe is the basis for the student (talmidim) to come under the yoke of a rabbi. I find Bell's teaching convincing and supported by this text, which interestingly enough is contemporary with the teachings of Jesus himself.
Another Resource for this is from Ray VanDerlaan. Another website that has some great information is http://www.followtherabbi.com and more specifically, http://followtherabbi.com/site/shema
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