Third, Willimon noted that the reason Jesus was so unusual as a teacher is that he used different epistemological rules. He did not start with a social or political agenda, but from a theological base. Jesus was constantly trying to get people to think from God's perspective, which usually bumps and pushes us out of our comfort zones. Some of his parabolic acts, like cleaning the temple and cursing the fig tree, are examples of his theological motivation. Willimon concluded with what at first sounded like a modern heretical idea we hear all the time in academia - all truth is relative.
All worthwhile education is the conversion business.
Some great ideas to ponder as we start a new academic year.