A new word for your vocabulary

When taking courses in Bible in seminary, I do not remember hearing the word “aphorism.” Critical studies of the Bible have come a long way in the past 60 years. Aphorisms are now a common topic of discussion. Scholarly books are being written. It is a part of the pursuit of what Jesus said, what Jesus did, how he lived, and ultimately, who he was and who he is.

And why are aphorisms so important? First, we need to give a definition. An aphorism is a short, typically a one line expression that speaks a truth plainly, many times with exaggeration that is easily understood and remembered by the listener. In an oral society, aphorisms are a basic communication device. Their brevity and their sharp and clear message make them easily remembered with a high level of accuracy. They are probably our best literary device to give oral traditions the power to translate a message from one generation to another and from one culture to another.

Aphorisms were a basic teaching tool of Jesus from Nazareth. Scholars are now saying that aphorisms are the key that unlock the full meaning of Jesus’ messages.

As a Baptist I grew up learning a lot of Bible for memory. As I was reviewing my own spiritual development, I am amazed at how much of the memorized material is actually aphorisms from the mouth of Jesus. What Jesus taught has been entrenched in my memory bank and is ready to be used at a moment’s notice. They are a part of my mind, heart and soul.

I am thankful for those teachers and preachers that insisted that I memorize. The passages and especially the aphorisms in my memory bank number in the dozens and probably in the scores and hundreds.

Scholars are now saying that Jesus was probably the most prolific user of the aphorism as a teaching tool in human history. His illiterate listeners listened, memorized and passed on the aphorisms that they heard. What are examples of these literary gems? I offer to the reader a short list.

Human beings shall not live on bread alone.

Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.

Why do you see the twig in your brother’s eye and never see the log in your own eye?

If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.

If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the left to him as well.

If someone requires you to go one mile, go with him two.

You are the light of the world. No one lights a candle and puts it under a bushel.

What does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?

Give to him who begs and do not refuse him who borrows.

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to ruin.

No one is able to serve two lords.

You cannot serve God and mammon.

If you want to be great, be the servant of all.

He who exalts himself will be humbled; he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for a friend.

This short list reveals a distinct lifestyle that is counter to the values and standards of the world that surrounded Jesus. They are unavoidably frank.

My assessment is that Christians and their churches have done a giant shift. Many times we quietly set aside the messages of Jesus and set forth a very different product. We have not attacked the messages of Jesus from Nazareth. We have simply decided not to talk about this radical approach to living in this world. We have centered our witness in a world to come in a yet to be universe. We have put together organizations that are quite good at religious rituals and the recitation of formal statements about God, the world, Jesus and the lives that await us following death. About these things I am not registering complaint.

Christians and their churches have done many things that are commendable. At times we have effectively spoken truth to power. We have built and operated hospitals, schools and special needs housing. We have fed the hungry and lifted people out of poverty, distress and sickness. People have served their Christ at great personal sacrifice. I never want faithful servants of Christ to feel unappreciated or undervalued. BUT!

The New Testament makes an effort to redefine sin. We have been given two images. Neither can be seen as moralistic. The two images? Missing the mark and falling short. These definitions do not condemn for what we do, but they challenge us to be all that we can be. The aphorisms of Jesus, I believe, were spoken in that spirit.

The aphorisms of Jesus. Read them; remember them; plant them in your soul. Kind regards!

The End

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retire American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. He is pastor emeritus at Church of the Covenant. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.