Last Easter I set out to explore the winding trail that has been my faith journey.
I wanted to retrace my own path so I could better understand how to cultivate a healthy faith and spirituality for my daughter. It didn’t seem like a good idea to start out with “mommy doesn’t believe in atonement theology” if you know what I mean.
So I went to a variety of churches—many that I used to attend— to see what had initially captivated me about Jesus. I visited churches that were Nazarene, Assemblies of God, African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Emergent and Mainline Protestant—all types of churches that I had participated in at some point in my journey.
I went to these churches, soaked in all that they had to offer, reflected on the experience, and then wrote about it. I hope that these writings will someday be published as a book. But even if the only people who ever read them are my friends and family, it’s been a tremendous success.
This journey has reminded me of so much. It has reminded me of my belief, doubt and wonder. But most of all it’s reminded me of how enthralled I am with the message and presence of Jesus. As someone who has an unapologetically liberal theology, I take the scripture seriously but not literally. And seriously, the Gospel is good news.
Jesus seems to be teaching us a radically different philosophy about life and it is so, so good. Jesus lifts up the marginalized, advocates for the oppressed, and teaches his followers to seek peace amidst the storm.
Yesterday marked Good Friday. Tomorrow is Easter. I guess that means that today is the day that, according to the liturgical calendar, Jesus is in the grave.
Growing up I was taught that after Jesus died on the cross he spent three days in Hell suffering to atone for our sins. And the real catch is that this atonement was good, but sort of not good enough to completely appease God. It would take a real, genuine following-Jesus-as-my-Lord-and-savior to actually get us out of Hell. Jesus death and dissension into Hell, really just opened the door for God to send out the invites to heqven.
I don’t believe in this theology. It doesn’t make sense to me. And I don’t think it really jives with the Gospel either, at least not Luke’s account.
There is an interesting dialog between Jesus and one of the thieves being crucified next to him.
“Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'
"Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” (Luke 23:42-43)
It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t say in three days you will be with me in paradise. He doesn’t say, once I atone for your sins in the pit of Hell you will be with me in paradise.
No, Jesus says TODAY you will be with me in paradise.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus and Easter—about death and resurrection.
I think maybe the point of it all isn’t Jesus death or resurrection. I think maybe the point is this powerful message and the presence Christ that we can still experience.
Today you will be with me in paradise. Jesus offers the opportunity for us to believe in what he’s teaching and in doing so—in practicing this path to enlightenment—today, right here and now, we can be with him in paradise.
This, my friends, is good news.
I don’t discount the sacrifice of Jesus’ death or the power of resurrection. I just have come to believe that they have different meanings.
My journey visiting these different churches from Easter to Easter has reminded me that I love Jesus, that the scriptures enthrall me, and that this mommy doesn’t believe in atonement theology.
But I do believe that today we too can be with Jesus in paradise and that is worth celebrating.
Happy Easter!
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