The Contemplative Imperative and Evangelism

Abstract

This article argues that because the whole of Jesus’ ministry should be seen as a totality, what he taught in Galilee is as valid as what happened in Gethsemane. His teaching on healing, kingdom proclamation, concern for others is thus on a level with his teaching on and practice of prayer. He enjoined his disciples to follow his way in all respects both then and still does so now. A direct link between the evangelistic and the contemplative imperatives of Jesus is the substantive thesis of this paper. A narrative reading of the Gethsemane story is the biblical setting in which this thesis is proposed.