Notes from the Webcast February 25, 2014 (1)
By Gretchen Tucker
Paul met Christ on road to Damascus Cosmopolitan, Roman citizen, spoke and wrote in Greek, Jew Speaks with inner authority and clarity of new kind of God Doesn’t think he is leaving Judaism Ten years later his message is not for Jews but for Gentiles Saw Christ as cosmic mystical thinker-“In Christo” Universal message Cosmic vision of Christ: pre creation, humanity (cross), resurrection (return to universe) Gave shape and structure to Christ’s teachings Founder of Church Established “living schools” of 40 “stars” in middle of pagans throughout Mediterranean area Not a moralist but a mystic Tries to correct to keep living schools alive Taught that we are already participating in the mystery Saw Trinitarian life as already the truth Paul believed Jesus brought the reign of God, the Kingdom of God Made political statement “Jesus is Lord” Paul took on two systems of world with opposing ideas–dualism Pius: Jews and others of conservative belief Greeks: Hellenistic and intellectual liberals Paul was a mystic-has a higher level of thinking Need to struggle with two sides – either is off balance Must reconcile them Pattern of the soul, history, Bible – progress marked by 3 steps forward and 2 backward God leads us back to the center 1. Dualistic Problem of One and Many We are either a hand, an eye, etc. yet participating in the whole body of Christ 2. Dualistic Problem of Jews and Greeks Conservative Thinkers and Liberal Thinkers Folly of the Cross-God identified with humanity Became problem so that we would not…… Problem of injustice in obeying laws-God accepts absurdity of full obedience Our imperfection is forgiven Problem of suffering and woundedness God is happening in me, with me Concern: child of God; rejection on earth; resurrection = optimistic message 3. Dualistic Problem of Tradition and Freedom We can’t create freedom by trying Law created to teach that we can’t do it We then fall into mystery of Christ Find ourselves in God by grace 4. Dualistic Problem of Flesh and Spirit: Part and whole Flesh is not body or sex, but ego, id—trapped self, imprisoned…,false…,small…, petty… Invites into world of spirit; not achieved by trying harder or surrendering more Realize we are sons of God, daughters of the Lord-get back to identity God loves so be moral Transformed heart does not see others as immoral 5. When I am weak, I am strong Spirituality of imperfection St. Therese: My Little Way-come to God by being weak; also Francis Not taught by Church—instead climbing performance Priests trained in Cannon Law Paul in Romans and Galatians oppose: cannot get there by obeying Theologian of Grace: unconditional love Martin Luther tried but Lutherans turned to law 6. Christ and Adam Inclusive of Jews and Greeks, conservative and liberals Covered in Colossians and Philippians 7. Matter and Spirit Covered in Romans 8 and 1Corinthians 2 Eucharist-matter and spirit: we are what we eat and drink Mystery of transformation-struggle with idea but we eat it Moves you beyond words Can be experienced but not understood 8. Creation and Salvation Romans 8: All creation is on tiptoe All creation being saved 9. Turn upside down New understanding in society : undo class systems Come together in Eucharist Meal is transformational ritual Bread and wine-priests in charge Potluck supper (bread and fish)-revolution of social order Probably the dualism is Foolishness and Wisdom 10. Old covenant and new covenant is dualism Split with Judaism lasted until todayMaster teacher of non-violence
His writings are underpinnings
Paul did 1st editing and someone else took over
Church became dualistic after 1200 Result of people being able to read Priests concerned about their career Monks began going to monasteries in 317 AD: mystics Mystical gift Communicated experience See in wholes and not in parts Kenosis–Philippians: God “emptied himself” of his own will Nature of God-God can only love, God as stingy, cannot beFolly of Cross-descent or letting go rather than climbing and performing
Only appeals to wounded
Death and Resurrection-have to be lost and be re-found Crucified and resurrected at the same timePaul’s Theology We came from God and will return to God Our job is to bring this creation to fulfillment, i.e., resurrection God will resurrect and transform what man kills All saved by mercy, by grace of God
Alpha and Omega-Christ mystery
Cosmic Christ gives theater of hope Life is worth living In hands of God Loss and renewal pattern Trust as Jesus did Live in safety, not meaningless Long for wisdom and purpose In Christ no distinction between male and female Church has given too much authority to these negative passages