Tag Archives: Christianity
A Bigger God
Jesus and the Cross A Bigger God Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Our predestination to glory is prior by nature to any notion of sin. —John Duns Scotus [1] The Franciscan School, led by such teachers as Duns Scotus, refused to see the Incarnation and its finale on the cross as a mere reaction to human… Continue Reading A Bigger God
Changing Perspectives
Jesus and the Cross Changing Perspectives Tuesday, February 5, 2019 When we look at history, it’s clear that Christianity is an evolving faith. It only makes sense that early Christians would look for a logical and meaningful explanation for the “why” of the tragic death of their religion’s founder. For the early centuries, appeasing an… Continue Reading Changing Perspectives
An Alternative Story
Jesus and the Cross An Alternative Story Monday, February 4, 2019 The theory of substitutionary atonement has inoculated us against the true effects of the Gospel, causing us to largely “thank” Jesus instead of honestly imitating him. At its worst, it has led us to see God as a cold, brutal figure who demands acts… Continue Reading An Alternative Story
Fully Human, Fully Divine
Jesus: Human and Divine Fully Human, Fully Divine Friday, February 1, 2019 Francis of Assisi emphasized an imitation and love of the humanity of Jesus, without needing to first “prove” or worship his divinity (which Jesus never told us to do). In most of Christian history we have emphasized the divinity, omnipotence, omniscience, and “almightiness”… Continue Reading Fully Human, Fully Divine
The Face of the Other
Jesus: Human and Divine The Face of the Other Thursday, January 31, 2019 St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) brought attention to the humanity of Jesus. Prior to St. Francis, Christian paintings largely emphasized Jesus’ divinity, as they still do in most Eastern icons. Francis is said to have created the first live nativity. Before the… Continue Reading The Face of the Other
The Jesus Paradox
Jesus: Human and Divine The Jesus Paradox Tuesday, January 29, 2019 If we are humble and honest, Christians must acknowledge that most of our churches and leaders have not consistently read the Gospels in a contemplative way or with “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Without contemplative consciousness, we severely limit the Holy Spirit’s… Continue Reading The Jesus Paradox
Reconciliation of Opposites
Jesus: Human and Divine Reconciliation of Opposites Monday, January 28, 2019 The dynamic union of opposites (humanity and divinity) that the Christ Mystery is surpasses, undercuts, and has the power to resolve so many levels of denominational argument and partisanship that have divided Christianity over the centuries. We did not realize how large and reconciling… Continue Reading Reconciliation of Opposites
One United Dynamic Nature
Jesus: Human and Divine One United Dynamic Nature Sunday, January 27, 2019 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 3:11 We’ve begun this year’s Daily Meditations focusing on Jesus. While the Christian faith is living and evolving, its foundation is… Continue Reading One United Dynamic Nature
Practical Christianity
Following Jesus Practical Christianity Thursday, January 24, 2019 When the Christian tradition chose an imperial Christ, living inside the world of static and mythic proclamations, it framed belief and understanding in a very small box. The Christ of the creeds is not tethered to earth—to the real, historical, flesh-and-blood Jesus of Nazareth. Instead, this image… Continue Reading Practical Christianity
The Creeds
Following Jesus The Creeds Wednesday, January 23, 2019 . . . Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, . . . —The Apostles’ Creed If you worship in one of the liturgical Christian traditions, you probably know the opening words of the Apostles’ Creed by heart: I believe in God, the Father Almighty,… Continue Reading The Creeds
