This Should Come With A Warning Label
Ummm. That coffee really smells good this early in the morning. Grab your cup. Let’s take a new look at that old adage, “Jesus Saves”. You realize, of course, my reason for writing is to see how my understanding works with those of you who are involved in the same search for making sense of this in a fast changing world of reason.
I should warn you that in no way am I in the same game with some of the theologians and writers I’ve cited. In fact, most of my own understanding has come from reading and hopefully absorbing a tiny amount of their wisdom. And, I keep reading and searching for better ways to understand and express my faith. My understanding is in a constant state of evolution.
Along the way I realized that the expression, “Jesus Saves” was raising other questions for me: “From what exactly is it that Jesus saves?” And, “What does Jesus provide that makes this happen?” Other issues and questions surface as well but these will likely take us to the bottom of this pot of coffee.
Here’s where my search has taken me. Most religious traditions assume the existence of a spiritual dimension to the universe. Religious reasoning, along with philosophy in its infancy, surmise the spiritual realm as being what is “real” while the material world (that which we see and feel) is merely a reflection of that which is spiritual. Therefore, the spiritual realm is eternal, and thus permanent, while the material world is really temporary since it is constantly passing from existence.
Then along came the Enlightenment and turned this thinking upside down. Scientifically speaking, only that which is material, concrete, and can be tested is real. That which is deemed spiritual is no more than a reflection of reality at best or a development of our psyche at worse.
A significant connection between the material and spiritual worlds, since we are passing from this existence to what is hopefully a future spiritual existence, is the understanding that a person’s goodness in this life will lead them to happiness in that future dimension--the eternal, spiritual world that is forever. To be sure not all religions have the same concept of that spiritual world nor do they share the same final goal. Some see this life as an all-or-nothing, you only go ‘round once in life, and you must make the most of your opportunity in the here-and-now if you hope to have an eternal, future life.
In some religious contexts the process of passing to that future life is a bit more prolonged and perhaps problematic. How we live in the present determines the future form in which we will return again and again (reincarnation) to this material world in an on going attempt to reach a state of unification with the eternal.
This is certainly an over simplification of other world religions and probably a disservice to their theological concepts but for those who come from a western, Christian mind set my goal is simply to add perspective and give some context besides our own. There is one other important note to be added: the world’s better evolved religious communities hold to a general consensus that our humanness is in some form or fashion a real drag on obtaining that ultimate life with, or unity with, that which is eternal and spiritual.
Therefore, something has to happen in this life in order to allow that more perfect life to become a reality for us. Making that “happen” for those who speak in Christian terms is the meaning of the concept “being saved”. Because our humanness gets in the way and we are by our own efforts unable to make that happen, we need someone or something or the eternal being to rescue us.
That is the claim Anselm makes of Jesus: in his innocent suffering, he becomes our substitute to balance the scales of justice and restore us to the original spiritual relationship intended by the Creator from the beginning thus allowing us access to that eternal, spiritual life both now and when this material, temporary life reaches its end.
I hope that isn’t a look of confusion but just in case I find caffeine always helps with this kind of thinking. Have another cup.
I should warn you that in no way am I in the same game with some of the theologians and writers I’ve cited. In fact, most of my own understanding has come from reading and hopefully absorbing a tiny amount of their wisdom. And, I keep reading and searching for better ways to understand and express my faith. My understanding is in a constant state of evolution.
Along the way I realized that the expression, “Jesus Saves” was raising other questions for me: “From what exactly is it that Jesus saves?” And, “What does Jesus provide that makes this happen?” Other issues and questions surface as well but these will likely take us to the bottom of this pot of coffee.
Here’s where my search has taken me. Most religious traditions assume the existence of a spiritual dimension to the universe. Religious reasoning, along with philosophy in its infancy, surmise the spiritual realm as being what is “real” while the material world (that which we see and feel) is merely a reflection of that which is spiritual. Therefore, the spiritual realm is eternal, and thus permanent, while the material world is really temporary since it is constantly passing from existence.
Then along came the Enlightenment and turned this thinking upside down. Scientifically speaking, only that which is material, concrete, and can be tested is real. That which is deemed spiritual is no more than a reflection of reality at best or a development of our psyche at worse.
A significant connection between the material and spiritual worlds, since we are passing from this existence to what is hopefully a future spiritual existence, is the understanding that a person’s goodness in this life will lead them to happiness in that future dimension--the eternal, spiritual world that is forever. To be sure not all religions have the same concept of that spiritual world nor do they share the same final goal. Some see this life as an all-or-nothing, you only go ‘round once in life, and you must make the most of your opportunity in the here-and-now if you hope to have an eternal, future life.
In some religious contexts the process of passing to that future life is a bit more prolonged and perhaps problematic. How we live in the present determines the future form in which we will return again and again (reincarnation) to this material world in an on going attempt to reach a state of unification with the eternal.
This is certainly an over simplification of other world religions and probably a disservice to their theological concepts but for those who come from a western, Christian mind set my goal is simply to add perspective and give some context besides our own. There is one other important note to be added: the world’s better evolved religious communities hold to a general consensus that our humanness is in some form or fashion a real drag on obtaining that ultimate life with, or unity with, that which is eternal and spiritual.
Therefore, something has to happen in this life in order to allow that more perfect life to become a reality for us. Making that “happen” for those who speak in Christian terms is the meaning of the concept “being saved”. Because our humanness gets in the way and we are by our own efforts unable to make that happen, we need someone or something or the eternal being to rescue us.
That is the claim Anselm makes of Jesus: in his innocent suffering, he becomes our substitute to balance the scales of justice and restore us to the original spiritual relationship intended by the Creator from the beginning thus allowing us access to that eternal, spiritual life both now and when this material, temporary life reaches its end.
I hope that isn’t a look of confusion but just in case I find caffeine always helps with this kind of thinking. Have another cup.
But why wouldn't the Creator have set things up with the intended spiritual relationship in the first place? Why create a state of alienation and then "send" Jesus to correct things? Doesn't make sense to me.
ReplyDeleteGood insight. Brings up a question I've been asking, along with many of my contemporaries and probably a zillion others, from where does evil come? Was it part of creation? Or is it the unintended consequences of being free to choose? I see the Bible as stories intended to answer such questions. Sometimes the story teller gets it dead on while other times they reflect the variety of answers being given and let us choose or offer our own. I don't see God as creating a state of alienation but rather creating the potential for such in giving creation the freedom to choose. Take away choice and we are no more than the animals (programmed to live by instinct). Giving choice is the loving thing but opens the door to possible bad choices. So we can be created less than human or with the potential for poor choices. What does love do? Ever have someone close to you make a poor choice and you have to let them be their own person knowing that in the end it's not going to be good? Down the road I'll get into this more. Thxs for the interest.
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