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The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down  /  Chapter 34, The Ball is Now in Our Courts  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
Bercot compares the popular Protestant “Jesus” to the Catholic/Orthodox “Mary” as “never angry,” “never punishes sin,” and “has no commandments”; what does that comparison suggest about what people want God to be like, and what does it imply about God’s real character in the kingdom?
Another way to ask: Bercot says the popular Jesus is like a “Mary” figure—never angry, never punishes sin, and gives no commands. What does that say about what people want God to be like, and what does it suggest about what God is really like as King?

Direct Answer The comparison suggests people want a “safe” figure who offers unconditional covering without confronting sin or issuing commands; Bercot implies the real King in the kingdom is not like that—He gives commandments, can be angry at sin, and will test whether we truly love Him.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says Mary is popular because “Mary is never angry, she never punishes sin, and she has no commandments to give.”
  • He describes this Mary’s “grace covers every sin,” and “all she wants in return is popular devotion.”
  • He then claims many Protestants effectively do the same, but “they call her Jesus.”
  • The “popular Jesus” is likewise “never angry,” “never punishes sin,” “has no commandments,” and is “all grace.”
  • In contrast, he stresses kingdom theology includes that “God will test us” to see if we love “the real Jesus,” and that “his commandments stand.”
Discussion Follow-ups Why is “popular devotion” easier than obedience? What changes in your view of God when you take seriously that Jesus gives commands that remain in force?

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