As I see it, three different types of spirituality have been competing against each other in Christianity from the beginning: (1) Apocalyptic; (2) Mystical; and (3) Prophetic. It is interesting how people gravitate toward the spirituality that suits their temperament, or they simply swallow whatever spirituality has been drilled into them over the years.
I was raised in an apocalyptic sect. I was taught from childhood that “Jesus is coming soon!” One woman in the church told me that I shouldn’t plan to go to college because Jesus would return before then; there wasn’t time. Needless to say, I’m glad I went to college. I’m also glad I left that church!
From that time on, I have been skeptical of apocalyptic spirituality. I reject dispensationalism and I don’t believe in “the secret rapture.” I view “doomsday theology” as a distortion of the gospel.
Christianity by nature is not a mystical religion (like Hinduism), but it has always had a mystical element in it. Mysticism, of course, aims at personal union with God. Through prayer and meditation, we can make our life a prayer. To be a Christian is to walk with Christ and to be awake to the Holy Spirit within us. Yet I would not describe myself as a mystic. Jesus himself had mystical qualities, but I do not believe Jesus was a mystic either.
This brings us to the final type of spirituality: prophetic. Christianity is a prophetic religion. It is based on the view of Jesus as the Messiah who spoke the prophetic word of God and did the will of God. Jesus was a prophet similar to the Old Testament prophets. Like those prophets, Jesus delivered a message of salvation that was social, and he died for God’s cause in the world. He was raised from the dead and now lives on in the Spirit through the church and its prophetic mission.
Prophetic spirituality applies the message of righteousness and justice to the social ills of our age. Prophetic spirituality is ethical. Its focus is not the apocalyptic end of the world, nor the mysterious inner life of the individual. Rather, prophets speak out against racism, social greed, militarism, poverty, and environmental destruction. Prophetic spirituality aims at social action. Like Jesus, the church is called to social action.
Having rejected apocalyptic theology, I try to blend mystical spirituality with a strong dose of prophetic spirituality. I’m not saying this is the only way to be a Christian, but it works for me.
--Brad
June 27, 2010
June 5, 2010
Christ Still Suffering in Nature
If I’m not mistaken, Christians believe that “in the beginning” God gave us a job to do: take care of the earth. We are stewards and caretakers appointed by God to manage “the garden.” We’re doing a lousy job. I think God expected more from us. We owe God and the environment a huge apology.
It’s time for Christians to stop obsessing about heaven and get back to taking care of earth—our first task, according to God’s command. Furthermore, Christ isn’t in heaven. He is still hanging on the cross. He is still dying for the sins of the world, and those sins are worse now than ever.
Christ is still suffering on the cross in solidarity with all who suffer, including nature itself. We should not think that Christ is indifferent toward nature. God created a pretty good world. We’re screwing it up. With every ecological disaster, Christ bleeds more. With every dying animal or bird, every polluted river, every stinking chimney or gas-guzzling vehicle or oil spill disaster, Christ bleeds more.
The apocalyptic sufferings of the Crucified Christ continue with every apocalyptic ecological disaster.
Now, however, the enemy is not “the Jewish leaders” or “the Roman Empire.” The enemy now is corporate power, greed, and the “American dream” of unlimited natural resources. Here’s the deal, folks, we are running out of oil and our days are numbered. We have constructed a society based on fossil fuels, and time is running out.
We have constructed a lifestyle based on massive consumerism, and time is running out. We have glorified the “American dream” as if it came from God himself, and time is running out.
But what is time to the crucified Christ? He has been up on the cross a long, long time. He has always suffered with those who suffer. He has always symbolized resistance to evil, injustice, and self-interest. He favors no nation. He is on the side of God alone—and God’s abused creation.
--Brad
It’s time for Christians to stop obsessing about heaven and get back to taking care of earth—our first task, according to God’s command. Furthermore, Christ isn’t in heaven. He is still hanging on the cross. He is still dying for the sins of the world, and those sins are worse now than ever.
Christ is still suffering on the cross in solidarity with all who suffer, including nature itself. We should not think that Christ is indifferent toward nature. God created a pretty good world. We’re screwing it up. With every ecological disaster, Christ bleeds more. With every dying animal or bird, every polluted river, every stinking chimney or gas-guzzling vehicle or oil spill disaster, Christ bleeds more.
The apocalyptic sufferings of the Crucified Christ continue with every apocalyptic ecological disaster.
Now, however, the enemy is not “the Jewish leaders” or “the Roman Empire.” The enemy now is corporate power, greed, and the “American dream” of unlimited natural resources. Here’s the deal, folks, we are running out of oil and our days are numbered. We have constructed a society based on fossil fuels, and time is running out.
We have constructed a lifestyle based on massive consumerism, and time is running out. We have glorified the “American dream” as if it came from God himself, and time is running out.
But what is time to the crucified Christ? He has been up on the cross a long, long time. He has always suffered with those who suffer. He has always symbolized resistance to evil, injustice, and self-interest. He favors no nation. He is on the side of God alone—and God’s abused creation.
--Brad
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