An Alternative Map

The Bible study group was incredulous. Now, other terms may well be used for the group's reaction, maybe terms like dumbfounded, shocked, frustrated, scandalized, or, my favorite, gobsmacked. The verbal reaction ranged from "huhhhh?" to "whaaa'aaaat?"

The context for the disturbed Bible study reaction was the simplicity of the Resurrection message of Representational Incarnation. (I know, it sounds complex. But it isn't at all. Bear with me a moment.)

Jesus' ability to fulfill that to which he was called was a combination - the details of how that combination works exactly depends upon which of the Gospels one is reading - of incarnation and the power of God's Spirit. The combination may be called Jesus' Incarnation. He is embodiment of God's will. For my spiritual friends, Jesus is perfectly reflective of the spiritual realities of the universe. In him, one perceives the absolute best of humankind, when and how empowered by the Spirit.

Jesus lived out this Incarnation in Galilee, where he was a teacher of alternative paths and a practitioner of the healing and egalitarian arts. He continued the work by going to Jerusalem, sacrificing himself for the sake of those who were rejected, excluded, poor, lame, infirm, menstruating, in bondage to the evil forces of empire and human institution. He died as a sacrifice, to the benefit of every living thing, past, present and future, of every kind, in every place, of every description. Jesus' Incarnation was articulated in sacrifice, giving up one's self for the sake of others.

It is in Jesus' sacrifice that all humanity is unified. It is in his Incarnation that all witness to the archetype of faithfulness...sacrifice self for the sake of others.

Jesus is raised from the dead. His Incarnation is not defeated in death. It lives on, even after his ascension. This Incarnation is representational, however. As often as persons go out of their way for others, sacrificing time, talent, energy, attention, effort, even money, they witness to the Incarnation, becoming themselves an embodiment of God's will. They become one with the Spirit of the universe. Our acts do not "bring Jesus." Instead, they "are Christ," an expression of Incarnation. They articulate Incarnation, according to the archetype of Crucifixion/Resurrection.

Jesus' Incarnation is wrapped up and delivered as often as a person sacrifices self for the sake of others. This is salvation, that we live together in a world where persons live in relationships that are formed incarnationally.

In short, humanity can, if it will, live in the idealized life-style that we have called "kingdom." If we pardon the language of the empire and the patristic nature of the term, representational incarnation is all about establishing kingdom on earth. The relationships, so established, represent the best of human nature and reflect, represent and embody Jesus' Incarnation.

It is that easy. Salvation comes when persons represent Christ in relationship with others, every other and all others. God's will on earth is fulfilled and persons become at one with the spiritual forces of the universe. Kingdom comes when our systems and our culture support, reflect, and express these relationships. The process is personal. Its affect and effect is foundational. Its outcome is cultural and universal.

The problem is that we have much to unlearn. Recapitulation is possible only insofar as we are willing to alter the religious, social, economic, political and relational systems under which we have lived. A new world is directly around that corner. It lies just over that precipice.

It is time to turn the corner. It is time to jump!