December 2000 Call to Action News

Crosby: Primacy of Jesus, not Peter

The contrast in faith between Peter and the Beloved Disciple in John’s Gospel yields two different stories of church, asserted theologian Michael Crosby. “John wants to reinforce the primacy of Jesus versus the primacy of Peter,” Crosby said. Peter is described as the authoritarian figure who has yet to understand the Christian service exemplified in the Last Supper footwashing. He is totally put off by the role reversal and cannot accept the “no-hierarchy” position adopted by Jesus. He denies Jesus when put under pressure, misguidedly defends Jesus by lopping off the guard’s ear, and seems to flee from the crucifixion. The Beloved Disciple, on the other hand, is next to Jesus during the Last Supper and the crucifixion, receives the commission to care for Jesus’ mother, readies the empty tomb ahead of Peter and is ahead of him in believing in Jesus’ resurrection. “Remaining with Jesus is the call of the Beloved Disciple!” Crosby said.

The contrast still exists in the church. As with Peter’s authoritarianism, “We are in need of radical social transformation of a system entrenched.” Only authority exercised in love is authority of a disciple of Jesus.