A new Time is at hand but the trial is still on

In Chapter 11 of Jesus Before Christianity, author Albert Nolan emphasizes the interrelationship of time and history, and how such concepts can affect our understanding and interpretation of the Bible and Jesus’ teachings. According to Nolan, time can be viewed as both a quantitative and qualitative concept. The concept of time in Western thought, according to Nolan, contains both quantitative and qualitative elements with quantitative being predominant, particularly when making reference to historical events. For Nolan, quantitative time is a measurement, an empty space that is filled with events of greater and lesser importance. Nolan describes this as being akin to our placing ourselves on an imaginary line with past events behind us and future events yet to come. Alternately, in Western thought, qualitative time is occasionally referenced, for example in discussions of good vs. bad times, wartime, etc. In contrast to Western thought, Nolan elaborates that the ancient Hebrews saw time not as a measurement but rather the quality or mood of events. Qualitative time was a means of seeing oneself on a journey between fixed events. The qualitative concept of time allowed people celebrating a fixed event to be “contemporaneous with their ancestors” who had experienced the same event even though it may have been decades or years earlier. For the ancient Hebrews, the concept of qualitative time reinforced the idea that the only reason for the continuity of time was God. God gave them a sense of history and a sense of destiny. But how does this relate to us today? Nolan advocates that for a true understanding of the message of Jesus we must understand his conception of time. The God of Jesus, according to Nolan is different from the God of the Old Testament- he is at a different place in qualitative time. He is a God of compassion, understanding and forgiveness. God has turned his attention to the human experience and this is open to the development of a relationship with us. Nolan’s ideas on the concepts of time and history help us understand that God can be authoritative and domineering in the Old Testament and still feels compassion for the ordinary person through Jesus’ teachings. Time is changing because God himself is changing or evolving with us and letting us experience Jesus’ concept of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In Chapter 18, entitled On Trial, Nolan discusses the events of Jesus’ trial and death and their relationship to our understanding of Jesus’ concept of the Kingdom. For Nolan, it was not Jesus who was on trail but rather his betrayers, accusers, and even his supporters, including the apostles. Nolan references Scripture citing that Jesus did not defend himself at the trial. Nolan analyzed briefly the perspectives of the Roman Government, as represented by Pilate, who had little concern for the matter other than expediency- essentially a give the people what they want perspective. He also examines the Jewish authorities who felt it easier to protect themselves rather than to protect one of their own. And finally, Nolan looks at his supporters, who betrayed him, denied him or simply fled, fearing the possibility of guilt by association. Jesus stood silently and waited to see if those who truly believed in his “kingdom” would stand with him. They did not; so Jesus accepted his fate and died alone, believing himself in the promise of his kingdom. True to Jesus’ notion of the Kingdom of Heaven as forgiving and compassionate, he gave man another chance to accept the Kingdom with his resurrection.