Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas

This article presents a missional perspective on the complex interplay between socio-political realities, religious vulnerability and the formation of political ideologies among Western Christians, drawing insights from the biblical narrative of the choice of Barabbas at Jesus’s trial. In today’s wo...

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Main Author: Ignatius W. Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2025-01-01
Series:HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10261
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author Ignatius W. Ferreira
author_facet Ignatius W. Ferreira
author_sort Ignatius W. Ferreira
collection DOAJ
description This article presents a missional perspective on the complex interplay between socio-political realities, religious vulnerability and the formation of political ideologies among Western Christians, drawing insights from the biblical narrative of the choice of Barabbas at Jesus’s trial. In today’s world, Western Christians are confronted with numerous socio-political challenges that can compromise their spiritual discernment, leading to religious delusion and, potentially, the adoption of politicised ideologies. Through a deep dive into the Jewish choice of Barabbas over Jesus, we seek to unravel the underlying dynamics. By examining the socio-political context of Roman occupation and Jewish societal pressures, we illuminate how these external factors influenced the religious vulnerability of the Jewish people. Furthermore, we explore how this vulnerability manifested in the decision to prefer Barabbas, a figure representing worldly resistance, over Jesus Christ, the embodiment of divine grace. From a missional perspective, we reflect on the implications of this historical event for contemporary Western Christian engagement with socio-political issues. We argue that understanding the delicate interplay between socio-political context, religious vulnerability and political ideology is essential for Western Christians seeking to embody the transformative mission of Christ in today’s world. Contribution: This article contributes to missional theology by offering insights into how believers can navigate socio-political complexities with spiritual discernment and faithful witness.
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spelling doaj-art-15a0b4722fa94c8ca1c3e1f5e4f2a0592025-02-11T13:23:33ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502025-01-01811e1e910.4102/hts.v81i1.102616077Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of BarabbasIgnatius W. Ferreira0Department of Missiology, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, PotchefstroomThis article presents a missional perspective on the complex interplay between socio-political realities, religious vulnerability and the formation of political ideologies among Western Christians, drawing insights from the biblical narrative of the choice of Barabbas at Jesus’s trial. In today’s world, Western Christians are confronted with numerous socio-political challenges that can compromise their spiritual discernment, leading to religious delusion and, potentially, the adoption of politicised ideologies. Through a deep dive into the Jewish choice of Barabbas over Jesus, we seek to unravel the underlying dynamics. By examining the socio-political context of Roman occupation and Jewish societal pressures, we illuminate how these external factors influenced the religious vulnerability of the Jewish people. Furthermore, we explore how this vulnerability manifested in the decision to prefer Barabbas, a figure representing worldly resistance, over Jesus Christ, the embodiment of divine grace. From a missional perspective, we reflect on the implications of this historical event for contemporary Western Christian engagement with socio-political issues. We argue that understanding the delicate interplay between socio-political context, religious vulnerability and political ideology is essential for Western Christians seeking to embody the transformative mission of Christ in today’s world. Contribution: This article contributes to missional theology by offering insights into how believers can navigate socio-political complexities with spiritual discernment and faithful witness.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10261christendommissio deibarabbasreligious delusionreligion and politicssocio political vulnerability
spellingShingle Ignatius W. Ferreira
Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
christendom
missio dei
barabbas
religious delusion
religion and politics
socio political vulnerability
title Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
title_full Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
title_fullStr Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
title_full_unstemmed Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
title_short Missional insights on socio-political realities, religious vulnerability, and the choice of Barabbas
title_sort missional insights on socio political realities religious vulnerability and the choice of barabbas
topic christendom
missio dei
barabbas
religious delusion
religion and politics
socio political vulnerability
url https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10261
work_keys_str_mv AT ignatiuswferreira missionalinsightsonsociopoliticalrealitiesreligiousvulnerabilityandthechoiceofbarabbas