The Church of the first century was faced with the same dilemma that we face in the Church today. Then, the dilemma was best understood as the dynamic that existed between the theologies of Paul and the theologies of Judaizers, like some of the other early apostles. Paul taught the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ as an archetype for faithful life, one that reflected the perfect and eternal heavenly virtues of his Hellenistic culture. Peter, and others, taught that persons must remain true to ancient religious principles in order to attain salvation.
Peter's theological school of thought was primarily moral. Laws, rules and regulations established what it meant to be "in" the Church, in the faith, in relationship with God. Relationship was established and maintained only to the point to which persons were willing and able to remain faithful to the rules and regulations, including those unwritten and unspoken expectations that form community values.
Paul's theological school of thought taught that persons were saved exclusively through the grace of God in Christ. Essential human nature was changed in Christ from primarily physical (Adamah) to primarily spiritual (Christ). Crucifixion and Resurrection are about the empowerment of humans to participate in the process of universal salvation as instruments of God's grace in the world. Humans become spiritual beings, capable and called to exercise grace in relationship to others.
Peter is restrictive. Paul is permissive. Peter is exclusionary. Paul is inclusionary. Peter is judgment and criticism. Paul is empowerment and constructive.
Of course, the developing institution of the late first century chose the path of Peter's theological school of thought over that of Paul. It chose religion over grace.
The Great Reformation was, essentially, a recovery of Paul's theological school of thought. While the Reformers attempted to embody a theological system based in empowerment and grace, the systems that resulted could thing only in terms of new orthodoxies, rules, regulations and morals. Denominationalism failed to fully embrace the possibility of a Church of Grace. The Church continued to pursue religion instead of grace.
Today, culture is leading the way in the spiritual evolution of the Church of Jesus Christ. As it moves in more and more progressive avenues, as equality, justice and fairness among all peoples become hallmarks of contemporary culture, exclusionary religions become increasingly irrelevant. Grace abounds. Acceptance rules the day. Diversity is celebrated instead of feared.
The Church of Jesus Christ has a choice in developing inclusionary culture. It can be about grace or it may cease to exist. It can opt to fall into distant memory or it can be a vital force for the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ. The culture is forcing the Church to choose grace over religion. God is, as usual, acting in strange ways. Maybe this time, the Church will choose grace over religion.
The Great Reformation was, essentially, a recovery of Paul's theological school of thought. While the Reformers attempted to embody a theological system based in empowerment and grace, the systems that resulted could thing only in terms of new orthodoxies, rules, regulations and morals. Denominationalism failed to fully embrace the possibility of a Church of Grace. The Church continued to pursue religion instead of grace.
Today, culture is leading the way in the spiritual evolution of the Church of Jesus Christ. As it moves in more and more progressive avenues, as equality, justice and fairness among all peoples become hallmarks of contemporary culture, exclusionary religions become increasingly irrelevant. Grace abounds. Acceptance rules the day. Diversity is celebrated instead of feared.
The Church of Jesus Christ has a choice in developing inclusionary culture. It can be about grace or it may cease to exist. It can opt to fall into distant memory or it can be a vital force for the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ. The culture is forcing the Church to choose grace over religion. God is, as usual, acting in strange ways. Maybe this time, the Church will choose grace over religion.
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