We continued our conversation on the crucifixion. We asked ourselves a different question. Beyond the biblical accounts, what does the cross mean to us? As a starting point, we read The Theology of the Cross: A Usable Past by Douglas John Hall. The reading was challenging, but worth the effort. We began with the Lutheran distinction between the Theology of the Cross and the Theology of Glory. For Luther, the Theology of Glory "does not know God hidden in suffering. Therefore prefers works to suffering, glory to the cross, strength to weakness, wisdom to folly, and in general, good to evil." The Theology of the Cross understands the cross as the ultimate statement of God's involvement in the world. The theology accepts the reality of difficult things rather than avoiding the difficulty. The theology tells the truth. Luther went on to say that God was not only hidden in suffering, but God was at work in our anxiety and doubt. The Theology of the Cross defines life in terms of giving rather than taking, self-sacrifice rather than self-protection, dying rather than killing.
As we read the work of Douglas Hall, a number of insights struck us a group. One, the cross shows the compassion and solidarity of God. Jesus did not die on the cross alone. In a very real sense, God also suffered and died on the cross. Luther was bold enough to use the phrase "crucified God." This was a very new way of thinking about the cross for many in the group.
Two, the cross shows God's commitment to the world. The cross is at once "the ultimate statement of humankind's movement away from God and God's gracious movement towards fallen humankind." The cross does not take us out of the world, but sends us back into the world, a world that God loves, in a new way. We do so willingly, knowing the struggles and difficulties.
Three, the cross makes us honest. The cross has a boldness to "call a spade a spade." As a group, we talked about people who speak of being a Christian as an end to all questions and struggles. "Since I found Jesus, my life is perfect." The cross takes us out of the idea that life is without difficulty and sorrow. The cross speak of a gracious God who is with us in our difficulties and sorrows. The cross allows us to face the truth about ourselves and our lives.
Four, the cross tells us that the life of faith in a journey, not a destination. Luther understood the "Christian living does not mean to be good but to become good; not to be well, but to get well; not being but becoming; not rest but training. We are not yer, but we shall be. It has not yet happened, but it is the way. Not everything shines and sparkles as yet, but everything is getting better." The group liked the idea of our being on a journey with a gracious God who journeys with us.
Again, we welcome everyone to join us in our conversation on Wednesday at noon at the CEB. If you can't be there, keep following the blog. This is a conversation worth having.
Pastor Summer
No comments:
Post a Comment