Progress and tradition, how do we steadily move forward on the planet without it becoming a trainwreck in twisted metal, crushed bodies, scattered limbs, and billowing smoke? When, and if in some considered opinions, God made humans in “our” image- male and female to be fruitful and multiply – to cover the earth and build families through the generations, how is it we somehow find ourselves down the pike not even knowing which bathroom door to open in order to relieve ourselves? It seems the time has come to manifest in our destiny as to what we truly believe and get on with the task at hand.
Many people sense something is going on. Maybe some can’t put their finger on it, but very assuredly are sniffing the wind trying to grab onto a solid framework of coherent thinking. Why not start with Holy Week and Easter? Is Jesus the Messiah? Did the resurrection occur? Has Jesus of Nazareth proven himself to be the Christ by rising from the dead on the third day? In I Corinthians Paul said if Jesus did not rise from the dead Christians are to be pitied more than all.
Non – believers balk at the assertion of Jesus coming back to life. To these it has to be a cruel hoax, a serious April fools’ joke, a fairy tale, or a vicious lie. It is a no way no how not reasonable can’t prove it kind of thing. This deduction produces haters in non civil societies with potential for persecution and death to Christians. However, in polite society where 80% of pastors educated with doctorates, much less religious leaders of other traditions, do not believe in the Resurrection, this discussion can be relegated to the bottom rung of anti-intellectualism and dismissed and disregarded at best. At worst, it can begin with scoffing, move towards marginalization, and progress to violence towards believers as tolerance erodes and diminishes the basis of civil society.
Then why even have the conversation if it is so disruptive and impolitic? Who remotely is interested in what Jesus said? Why attend church once a year on Easter Sunday to give a wink and a nod to tradition? It seems rather bothersome. What are lay persons supposed to figure out and believe? Who should “we the people” follow? To whom does the average Joe and Jill decide to entrust their lives and families? Who is the fool? Both cannot be right.
Most, not all, of the religious experts and teachers of the Law are the very ones who had Jesus crucified. So it seems fitting that most, not all, of the religious experts and teachers of the Law in this day and age still do not believe Jesus is the Messiah and he rose from the dead. Although, Eugene O’Neill wrote “Lazarus Laughed.” Maybe Lazarus has some insight into this topic. Someone please dial the 1 800 number. With all this progress and with all this tradition what has changed in this regard? Apparently not much. Same old. Except…
Now we, as humans, seem to be moving on passed the idea of owing anything to Jesus of Nazareth who called himself God and was crucified for blasphemy having said it out loud for others to overhear and take note. Humankind is the new breed creator making machines in our own imagine and families in our own likeness. Replicants, androids, clones, and multiplicity of our shining selves are making a hard and fast run on civilization. Anything goes and the possiblities are endless. Pandora’s box has the top blown off to Kingdom come…hey wait a minute… what Kingdom? what come? Anyway, it appears super heroes are the saviour du jour at this point in time.
What to believe – that is the question. When Jesus was buried his disciples’ entire world of understanding was upended beyond their capacity to comprehend. What exactly happened on the third day? What is each individual’s comprehension and conclusion to their Christology? Do you ever wonder what Wonder Woman wonders? Do you believe you can outrun Blade Runner? John Locke wrote ” An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” published in 1689. Are we any closer to understanding our humanity in point and purpose?
The celestial ball has been tossed. We have been initiated into the scrum and invited to make a decision. There will be neither a tie nor overtime. There will be winners and losers.
Our time is at hand.
Game on.
walley
