Nice Jesus vs. Mean Jesus?

Today, I listened to an interview on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. I love this program, but was troubled by some of the commentary offered by today's guest.

Terry was interviewing Jonathan Kirsh, who's new book is
A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization

Kirsch is a very thoughtful guy. Check him out at
http://www.jonathankirsch.com/

But I take major issue with the way he characterized a distinction between the Jesus of Revelation and the Jesus of the Gospels.

I'm going to paraphrase here. Listen to the full interview to judge how I'm doing.

Kirsch says the Jesus of Revelation is this warrior, wrathful, king, doing battle with evil forces, and destroying the wicked. In contrast, the Jesus of the Gospels is this nice, gentle teacher, who goes around hanging out with people and teaching them to love one another.

Don't forget to listen to the interview and post a comment if you disagree with how I characterize Kirsch's position.

Because I think it's extremely naive, dangerous, and frankly, tragic, to posit an image of a happy, nice Jesus against one of a vengeful, wrath-filled Jesus in one's reading of the New Testament.

The Jesus of New Testament narratives is a prophet, decrying the evils of the world's structures of oppression, and offering hope to those who suffer under those structures.

Clearly Jesus is concerned with how people in communities treat each other, but he is always oriented toward consolation of the dominated/outcast and indictment of the powerful.

For a good example of this, check out Luke 6:20-26

Kirsch rightly indicates that The Beast spoken of in the book of Revelation was probably the author's reference to the Roman Emperor (probably Nero) under which Christians of the day were being persecuted, as opposed to being some alternative name for Satan. This is consistent with Jesus' gospel rebuke of the world's agents of brutality.

Contrast the images of Jesus in the Gospels vs. Revelation, but not his character. In both, Jesus has come to preach good news to the poor (Luke 4:18)