The Cross, The Sword, and The Flag

"Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." - Matthew 26:52

Since before recorded history man has sought to take control of his own destiny - not only in the personal and eternal sense, but also in the sense of directing and controlling the events and influences of life on himself and others. It manifests itself postitively through the development of technology that is designed to bring various forms of comfort and healing to the human race. But, unfortunately, it also manifests itself in personal and national acts of abuse and violence against those that are perceived as "enemies."

Ironically, according to the teachings of the church fathers, this desire to control people, places and things, is the root cause behind the biblical concept of sin. The "fall" of mankind did not happen because Adam and Eve ate the "forbidden fruit," it was the consequence of denying the sufficiency and provision of God - thus creating a division, or duality between the flesh and spirit - something that we continue to do by nature. Thus we (as a species or kind) lost our divine nature created in the "image of God." Jesus' advent - life, death and resurrection restored humanity and all of creation to its former status - restored our DNA if you like.

"For the Son of God became man so that we might become God" - St. Athanasius (4th Century)

Today many seem to limit the biblical definition of sin to what is done or said to others - referring to the "Decalogue" or "Ten Commandments," as the ultimate list of negative "don'ts" that when avoided lead us away from sin and toward good moral behavior. To many this is enough of a definition of religion, and they campaign for the display of the "Ten Commandments" on a plaque or wall. Almost believing that by displaying the rules it makes them happen. Unfortunately, for most of us, they become more like a digital clock and thermometer that you see outside a bank - emphasizing the gap between our perception and the reality - It's 95 degrees - I wish it were 75, or my gosh, is that the time???

The Ten Commandments were given as a kind of spiritual "speed limit" sign - they serve the purpose of reminding us what we should be doing - but they don't stop us from doing the wrong thing, or "speeding" - that takes a decision on our part.

When Jesus began to teach He revealed a much deeper understanding of the concepts of righteousness and sin that went way beyond the practice of "rule keeping." In fact, Jesus emphasized the acquisition of a heart and mind that generated the intent that the law merely measured. To continue in terms of my crude analogy - when one learns to drive safely with skill and concentration, it is not always necessary to have a "speed limit" sign - the driver often intuitively knows the best and safest speed for the situation.

THE CROSS AS A SWORD - GOD IN THE HANDS OF ANGRY SINNERS

When Pope Benedict XVI made his recent comment about Islam spreading through violence, it invoked anger from within the Muslim community, (ironically generating a response that acted as a proof statement for his comments!) However, in many ways, what he said can be applied to all religions to a certain extent - especially those of Abrahamic origin (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

The association of the Kingdom of God (or Heaven) with the Kingdom of Men (or the World); God's Kingdom as an earthly empire, has hijacked the compassionate message of Christ. It shouldn't be the desire to control (a symptom of the "fall") being utilized as a means to establish truth. It is trying to spread love with a sword - which was pretty much how Christianity spread under the campaigns of Constantine the Great in the 4th century, and how Islam spread in the 8th century under the rule of the Caliphates. The common theme of both of these campaigns is the concept of a "Holy War" - an empire or government that seeks to "convert" the world to a heavenly kingdom.

It is confusing the Sword with the Cross.

Jesus' teaching is very clear -

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Matthew 5:44

He not only taught this but demonstrated it by His prayers of forgiveness for those who crucifed Him.

THE FLAG AS A CROSS - GOD IN THE HANDS OF NATIONALISM

Many "Mega" churches or "culturally-current" churches have removed the Cross from their sanctuaries because they do not want to be focused on the "symbols of suffering," (as I've heard it called) - but many of these same churches have no hesitation at displaying a flag - which they call a symbol of freedom. They are a little confused - the Cross is the ultimate symbol of freedom and allegiance to the One who gave Himself to death on it is the only citizenship that lasts beyond time and history.

Engaging Conversations

"Religion is needed where there is a wall of separation between God and man. But Christ who is both God and man has broken down the wall between man and God. He has inaugarated a new life, not a new religion."

- Alexander Schememann, "For the Life of the World pg. 19

The image on the left is called a "Johari Window." It was named after its inventors, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham. It serves as a useful model for illustrating the process of human interaction.

The "window" divides personal awareness into four different types: Open, Hidden, Blind, and Unknown. The lines dividing the four panes are like window shades, which can move as an interaction progresses.

Although this sounds like a kind of "pop psychology" tool that has become standard fare in the self-help sections of bookstores and libraries these days - it actually illustrates very well the value of open dialogue or communication that can occur within a gathered community. These communities are a form of the "Church" in Christian terms, a kind of "Tariqah" in Sufism, and a "Sangha" in Hindu/Buddhist terms. It demonstrates how groups of human beings that gather around a topic to discuss their experiences become catalysts for their own mutual growth; the whole (the community) becomes greater than the sum of the parts (the individual members).

In the opening chapter of the book of Romans - the Apostle Paul makes reference to the value of this type of community dialogue:

"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine."

- Romans 1:11-12

A CHURCH ON EVERY CORNER

Since the "Schism" of 1054A.D. when the Roman branch of the Catholic Church broke away from their Eastern brethren - (which ultimately led to the Reformation), there has been a proliferation of literally thousands of denominations throughout the world. So, as I drive down a typical main street I might see as many different "churches" as I might see gas stations - each claiming, like the gas stations, to be offering a better version of the same thing!

Now, most of these churches can justify their formation on some well grounded theological argument. However, with some of them it gets into some pretty fine "hairsplitting," or "personal preferences."

When I look back into the origins of the church I don't see this current model as being a good representation of the intended purpose. The church wasn't just a building where a group of people gathered in isolation to exclude themselves from the outside world. It was to be a window into the kingdom of God - as Fr. Schmemann says, "The church itself was the new and heavenly Jerusalem, while the church in Jerusalem was by contrast unimportant." (Italics added for emphasis).

The church was to be a new community, as seen in Acts 2 - where people could come to worship God and share in their lack and in their abundance, in a spirit of reconciliation and communication. Not in the spirit of judgemental criticism and condemnation. The church was a place of transformation - where those who had "lost" their way, could find the way to truth and life.

The early church gathered in various forms - mostly houses and various "upper rooms." They would share communion and a meal together. The liturgical worship that is found in the Orthodox Church was actually based on the pattern of worship of these early gatherings.

Today, when we think of a Church it is now centred around a building where worship is part of an order of service built around a "message" or program that is designed to teach, or evangelize the "audience." The original Church was a gathering place for worship, while other activities, like evangelism occurred OUTSIDE the building, in and among the community.


WITHIN YOU, WITHOUT YOU

I've always found it interesting that one of the most quoted verses in the bible - Luke 17:21, can be translated accurately two different ways.....

Some translations say: "The kingdom of God is within you." - while other translations say "The kingdom of God is in the midst of you," or, "The kingdom of God is among you."

Those of us with an aptitude for mystical solitude, or who tend to be introverted - jump all over the "within you." While those extroverts with a heart for social interaction - claim that the kingdom is "among" us!

I've come to see that both views are right!!!

Today we live in a world where communication, although fast and efficient, is not often clear and mutually understood. People rarely take the time anymore to engage in conversations about deep and meaningful subjects - and words like "witnessing," "evangelism" and "absolute truth" can generate anger and confusion. The idea of a "personal truth" - although describing choices that each of us must make in order to navigate the world, causes us to become closed-minded and insular to those around us.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to engage in open conversation about God and truth and although we did not all agree on the same "brand" of church - we all agreed that truth is found in dialogue and fellowship. After our discussion we all felt enriched and more aware of each other's understanding.

When you consider how Jesus taught - through parables and questions - you see that He demonstrated the model of human interraction. He revealed that the kingdom of God is within us and among us - right here and right now and unto the ages of ages. Amen.