LESSON 11

CHRISTMAS CONTINUED

To say, as I did in my previous blog, that "God identifies with the powerless" does not negate the primary mission of Jesus to "seek and to save that which was lost." Liberation theologies of the past generation wholly identified Jesus' mission as one of social and economic deliverance. On the other hand, evangelical theologies tended to identify Jesus' ministry solely in terms of spiritual salvation, with an emphasis on the next world. One cannot escape in scripture the presence and emphasis of both themes. Reconciling both themes seems to bring the most difficulty, with various groups leaning to one extreme or the other.

The incarnation not only reveals but enforces the value God places on human life. The concept was not new. From the beginning we are told that humankind was made in the image of God. It is shortsighted and disrespectful to much of scripture to believe that God cares only to take us to heaven. The life Jesus lived underscores the desire of God for righteousness on earth. Christianity is an ethical faith. The tension we feel, however, was also felt in New Testament times. "Faith without works is dead." "For by grace are you saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

If the term "identifying" is too strong or too imprecise then another term is needed, which escapes me for the moment. But whatever term we use it must be faithful to portray adequately the extent to which God goes to bring salvation. And it must be faithful to what is revealed in scripture, that God "became poor that we might become rich." I have not thought enough along these lines to be as precise as one needs to be in theological discussion but I cannot escape what seems apparent--that God brought salvation through the surprising means of human weakness. He allowed himself to suffer utter humiliation without objection--"like a lamb before her shearers is dumb."

Jesus' example and teaching do not lead us to champion the cause of every disenfranchised group. But we also must not presuppose that God is not speaking to us through those groups. There is much room here for careful thought and reflection. We must never assume we know precisely where it is that God is or is not working. The incarnation is a great mystery and also a wonderful surprise. And what could be more surprising that to find God at work in a lowly manger?