What Is The Gospel? – Part 3
Few lives tell the tale of the Gospel as beautifully as that of St. Patrick of Ireland. Patrick, born into a wealthy family, did not give much credence to the Christian faith of youth. Some scholars believe that Patrick went so far as to reject God’s very existence. At any rate, at the age of sixteen, enjoying the prime of his decadent life, the young man was captured by a druidic cheifton from the north. During the ordeal, he witnessed many other abductees killed and cast aside, deemed unworthy for slavery.
For the next 6 years, Patrick lived the life of the lowest slave, tending the flocks of his new master, a druidic high priest. Stripped of everything- his privilege, wealth, even the benefit of his education- he became like one forgetton, dead. However, it was during the long, cold hours alone on the hills that the faith of his childhood begin to come to mind, filling him with peace and humility. At the age of 22, with divine guidance, Patrick followed God’s leading out of captivity and back to his home in a truly miraculous story.
Patrick returned to his people transformed forever by the power of the love and grace of God. He could not, however, return to the life we once led. Instead, he gave himself fully to the service of God, entering a monastery. This alone would have been a powerful tale of the Gospel, but it does not end there. Again led by a divine calling, Patrick returned to the land of his former captures to bring them the message of hope and community of faith that had so deeply changed him.
Patrick’s life reflects a story that seems to play itself out again and again through the power of the Gospel. While not to be considered in any way a formula or stages, the process can be expressed as:
2. The Cross
3. The Tomb
4. The Resurrection
5. Pentecost
Let me explain further:
1. Hidden Nakedness: In the Garden, finding themselves naked, Adam and Eve hid themselves from God. In the same way, hiding before his wealth and position, Patrick hid the “nakedness” of his own brokenness. Hidden Nakedness is all about pretense, where so many of us live, even in the Church. Whether it is too hide something on inside or to present some image on the outside, it is about failing to be authentic before God and each other.
Characterized by an avoidance of conflict, hidden nakedness pursues uniformity of belief and practice. While giving lip service to the value of diversity, it ignores or denies the deeper truer differences, prefering to function in generalities. People who embrace this way of life can create what would appear to be happy, functional community, but it is a facade maintained at great cost to everyone. It is individualism at its “best”.
2. The Cross: Jesus showed us the way back to wholeness through the Passion, in joining us in our brokenness and inviting us to participate in His on the Cross. Patrick faced the Cross as he was beaten, robbed of everything, witnessing the worst brutality as his fellow captures were slaughtered. The chaos and suffering involved in embracing the Cross cannot be merely interpretted as metaphorical. If we remain in our hidden nakedness, the Cross is nothing more than an abstraction. Again, that is about pretense.
Part of the chaosis due to the dualing forces- on one side, the instinctual withdrawal back into the pseudo-safety of our pretense, on the other, the terrifying prospect of letting go, dying to self. Differences can no longer be ignored or denied. Brokenness, our own and others, becomes more and more apparent, stirring in us a desire to fix, heal, convert- ultimately to normalize. And while these may seem to be admirable intentions, it too often limits true honesty and is too often motivated by our own discomfort.
Even when we recognize the need for this brokenness, our desire for it to be “constructive” or “productive” is often an attempt to escape into order, organization and “resolution” (this is especially tempting to leaders). Often rooted in the mundane, we are even willing to mimic intimacy by “confessing” our pasts, without baring the now. In the face this uncertainty, we may think that we were better off before the chaos, but we must not try to escape back to where we came from.
3. The Tomb: After the noisy, messy brutality of the Cross, the Tomb, though it signified the end, would also have been peaceful. It was in the despairing loneliness of the field that Patrick first heard the whispers of God. This is a time of paradox, of emptiness and also of peace. Here we release the pretense, the agendas, the fears, the lies, even the good intentions that keep us from truly dying to self. To borrow from “Finding Nemo”, it is the time we must step into the “swirling vortex of terror”, letting go of personal, individual control.Like each of these experiences, it will not just happen to us. It takes the intentional disciplines, like mediation, dialogue, true listening. We must be open to the possible, even when that kicks our own feet out from under us. The Tomb is not the end, but a necessary and inevitable means to a greater end. Doubt, uncertainty and ambiguity cannot be ignore or denied either. If we are unwilling or unable to acknowledge them in ourselves, we will either stay stuck in the grave or be forced to flee back to pretense.
4. The Resurrection: Conquering the enemy and death itself, Jesus triumphs for us all. After the seeming hopelessness of his situation, Patrick is liberated and restored by God. In the same way, we all are invited to join Christ in His resurrection, into His Body. However, we cannot forget that we are resurrected together into One Body. Thus, the true Community of Faith, the Church, is a necessary result of the Gospel. We do not experience Resurrection in an individualistic vacuum.
True individuality, true identity, comes in this place of shared Resurrection. And while fulfilling, it is exceptionally demanding. Like marraige, it can be the best and hardest thing you will ever do with your life. In fact, it is when you get past the idealized, simplistic vision that we realize that Jesus’ Resurrection does not promise the perfection of Heaven, but the inauguration of the Kingdom, one that moves towards His ultimate intention through the Missio Dei. Our greatest witness is being a community of people who embrace this practice of the Passion, demonstrating our vulnerability and brokenness while simultaneously offering a welcoming hope to others.
5. Pentecost: It here that we too often miss one of the crucial elements of the Gospel. When the Holy Spirit descended on those hidden in the upper room, not only did He unite them as a true community, a Body, but empowered and engaged them in His missional intentions for the rest of Creation. Patrick’s story would have been incredible had it ended with his restoration to his home and the transformation of his character, but God did not simply want moral adherence from Him. So to does God want us to recognize that others are waiting, longing, dying to be a part of this Perichoretic Dance.
This is what Missional Community truly is, not something we do, but rather something we are. It isn’t simply about getting people converted, saving them from Hell, but rather building a Kingdom of love, peace and justice that reflects the promise of the eternity that awaits us, a promise we can begin to taste of here and now. It is here that the diversity is celebrated (see the paper “Practicing Pentecost” by Anthony Smith).
Here is where we are called back into that which we have been saved from- not to become captives once again, but like Patrick out of the irresistable necessity to bring Truth to all. “Mission” is no longer something we do beside “church” or as an “outreach”, but rather a defining quality of how we live our whole lives- meaning where we live them. Just as the incarnational located Jesus into the fabric of our lives, so to must we integrate our lives into those we seek to invite to the dance.
As you can see, the “process” does not allow us to engage the Gospel on our own terms, soley as individuals. And while perhaps it is simple, it is by no means easy. In our attempt to make the Gospel more “available”, we have too often skirted the heavy demands to the Gospel. Yes, it is a “free gift”, but it will cost you everything. But what a Pearl of Great Price!
In his excellent book, “Good To Great”, Jim Collins tells the follow story to illustrate change:
“Picture an egg. Day after day, it sits there. No one pays attention to it. No one notices it. Certainly no one takes a picture of it or puts it on the cover of a celebrity-focused business magazine. Then one day, the shell cracks and out jumps a chicken.
“All of a sudden, the major magazines and newspapers jump on the story: “Stunning Turnaround at Egg!” and “The Chick Who Led the Breakthrough at Egg!” From the outside, the story always reads like an overnight sensation — as if the egg had suddenly and radically altered itself into a chicken.
“Now picture the egg from the chicken’s point of view.
“While the outside world was ignoring this seemingly dormant egg, the chicken within was evolving, growing, developing — changing. From the chicken’s point of view, the moment of breakthrough, of cracking the egg, was simply one more step in a long chain of steps that had led up to that moment. Granted, it was a big step — but it was hardly the radical transformation that it looked like from the outside.”
My first post in this series started with the premise that: “The Gospel is the glory of the Triune God made manifest in His work to reconcile every person to union with Himself, communion with others, to fullness of life, and to harmony with Creation, in the context of community for the good of all.” What Jesus teaches us is that how we get to this glory is as important as the end result. You cannot simply “read the end” and try and duplicate the result. The transformational process of the Gospel is what makes the end authentic.
I am not sure that the story of St. Patrick is such an incredible hero story as you lay it out to be. St. Patrick is officially known for driving the pagans out of Ireland. After being held captive for so long, a man returns to work at wiping out the culture of those who captured him? Doesn’t sound remarkable. It sounds vengeful.
Wanderer,
Respectfully, while Patrick was not perfect, I would say that the version you put forth is somewhat a revisionist version of the story. Having done research on it, I feel comfortable using Patrick as a good example. As it isn’t the entire thrust of my post, I won’t go into it here, but feel free to email me if you would like.
Peace,
Jamie
Bollocks. St. Padraig didn’t set about merely demolishing the existing culture. He’s well known for having revisited a whole slew of druidic traditions and weighing in on which of them were redeemable and which had serious problems for Christians. Using finger/ogham mnemonics, salvageable; wrapping self in bloody stag hide to prognosticate, unsalvageable. And maybe you should take a gander at his letters, particularly the one in which he decries piracy and ensalvement. He returned to Ireland out of love for the people with whom he had lived in slavery.
ecw
Jamie, I think Patrick’s story has plenty to teach us. Thanks for these good thoughts, which I’ve already borrowed from, I think, unconsciously on my latest posting (broken nakedness).
Ephrem, your point does not argue mine. He looked deeply to find what was salvageable in Christ? It still amounts to attempting to replace the pre-existing religion with Christianity. It does not surprise me that you folks think this was a good thing, but from an outside view this still does not look like a hero’s tale.
Wanderer,
Yes, we do see things differently. Not only because of our beliefs, because I don’t see Patrick destroying the culture. In fact, many historical accounts indicate the this was an example of a voluntary shift, unlike many other places in Christendom.
Again, however, as this is not the thrust of the post (and that the majority of the people reading would not consider Patrick unworthy of such honour), I hope we can move on to focus on the actual content of the post. Thanks for your input.
Peace,
Jamie
Wanderer, Patrick didn’t put anyone to the sword in order to make them convert. And while we have tall tales about his magical battles with the druids, these are just that… tall tales. He didn’t drive the druids and pagans out of Ireland… just the serpents.
Ireland still retained a very unique culture for quite a lot of years even after being Christianized. Sure some semblance of Roman polity was applied to the administration of the parish, but the traditions and praxis of the Irish remained aloof from the kind of Romanization that happened with the Christianized Britons and later the Anglo-Saxons. For a relatively late example see The Council of Whitby.
I’m an admirer of “Golden Age” Ireland as well. But there is something to be said for the greater cultural influence the Irish had over Europe once they had become famous as a center for learning. Pagan Ireland produced works of beauty — and of bloodshed and violence, as well — but I can’t think of much to compare with The Book of Kells, for example. And one can hardly read the lives of St. Columcille (Columba) or St. Brighid without seeing the deep synthesis between the more ancient and localized tribal traditions and the incoming Christianity. The culture didn’t die, it adapted. And whether you see this as a good thing or bad, it is what it is, and it is incredibly naive and historically groundless to insist that Padraig was a cultural colonizer. The man’s Latin was wretched. He was a rather simple man motivated by seemingly earnest love rather than some simple toady of Rome.
“He was a rather simple man motivated by seemingly earnest love rather than some simple toady of Rome.”
Ephrem, Thanks for your perspective and interesting defense of Patrick. Your quote I find inspiring and encouraging for all Christians. May the spirit and heart of St. Patrick be in us all!
Jamie – I didn’t mean to carry on any argument about St. Patrick, just to make a point that Ephrem’s heated response didn’t seem to be in as much opposition with my opinion as he seemed to think it was.
Ephrem – We disagree, that’s not likely to change if we bat this back and forth another dozen times, so how about we don’t?
Now, as to the post itself, I have little to offer unless I were to be argumentative, which isn’t my desire. These aspects certainly wouldn’t apply to my ministry. Perhaps someone else can pick up the reins and address the validity and/or effectiveness of these five steps within a Christian way of living?
Wanderer,
Knowing Ephrem fairly well, I don’t think there was any intended “heat” in his response. Ah the joys of the medium.
As for the post, they are not “steps” per se. At most I would call it a pattern. I don’t mind you disagreeing if you feel it is constructively so and on thread. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
I was just leaving for a business trip when I saw this post, so sorry for the late response, but I think it’s excellent. It’s a very helpful framework, an appropriate life to use as an example (IMHO), and a lovely presentation, too! Many thanks.
Peace,
Mike
Thanks Mike! Safe travels.
Peace,
Jamie
Ah. Aye. Heat there was. But not malicious or angry. Just the heat of an enjoyable and engaging exchange.
I hope no offense was taken, Wanderer. My apologies if it is otherwise.
Jamie,
I just posted twice on St. Patrick/Padraig because I was intrigued about an article I read on him at the Next-Wave ezine.
After researching online for a couple of days, I would have to say that Patrick gets the same treatment as other prominent saints: Some people, pro and con, using poor analogies and incomplete information, insist on reading things into his life that aren’t there. That’s too bad, but it’s not exactly a felony, either. (There’s not much primary source material available, apparently.)
Stripped of legend and myth, I still find Patrick’s story inspiring and helpful. Some of it reminds me of Joseph, other parts Paul. He was no Roundhead iconoclast, but neither was he a weak-kneed accommodationist. Your choice of him was appropriate to illustrate your other points, IMO.
DPT,
Thanks! I’ll check out your site.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, do you anywhere in your explanation of what you believe the Gospel to be, indicate how one can be reconciled to God? I’ve been looking through your writing a bit and can’t seem to find that part. You mentioned dying to self but what does that fully involve?
George,
Great question. Did you read all the other parts of this series? They add more to the bigger picture. However, this wasn’t meant to be exhaustive, but rather give a larger framework for the ideas most often used to explore salvation.
As for what is involved in dying to self, there are many expressions. Perhaps I will have to do another post in this series to address it. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie Arpin-Ricci,
So Jamie, did you ever answer the question somewhere of how one can be reconciled to God?
What is your belief on that?
George
George,
I am not sure exactly what you mean. I am probably more “Evangelical” in my answer to that question than some might think. I am sure I have touched on it in a number of posts, but I can’t think of one off the top of my head. Let me know what you mean in more detail and I’ll try to answer as best I can.
Peace,
Jamie
Ok, what is your belief of how someone can get right with God. How can I know God? How can I come to have eternal life and know it?
The Bible says he who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son does not have life and the wrath of God remains upon Him. How should that spur us on, those who know God and have eternal life, in reaching out to others? What is it we should be telling others, those who do not have the Son?
A few questions, I’d be more than happy with answers to just a couple. Thanks for your time.
George
George,
I am a full-time missionary, so I agree that Christians should be committed and active in living and proclaiming the Gospel to the world. I believe that salvation through Jesus Christ is essential (see the basic Christian creeds for more details).
I also believe that the form evangelism takes can vary a great deal, as does the process different people experience on their own journey. However, all salvation is through Christ.
Peace,
Jamie
“I am a full-time missionary, so I agree that Christians should be committed and active in living and proclaiming the Gospel to the world.”
That’s great, do you do that a lot as a full-time missionary? I don’t read too much about that on your blog. The simplicity of the Gospel, how we are separated from God by our sin, how Chirst died on the cross for all those who will believe in Him, how he is the only way (you believe that right?)how works will never save us, how holiness and righteousness will follow true conversion, how we are to be in the world but not of it, all those kinds of biblical truths.
I know you consider yourself emerging, I find not a whole lot of emerging folks talk about the basic fundamental truths, I just wondered where you stood on that.
George
George,
I would suspect that we probably see the “how” of proclaiming the Gospel differently (in fact, didn’t we discuss this on my blog last year?).
I disagree with you that emerging Christians do not discuss the basic fundamental truths, but rather I suspect that their articulation and understanding of them are different from you own. I am sure there are some who talk about less than others, but the most emerging Christians I know have a very thorough and Biblical understanding of faith, including evangelism.
That being said, while I consider myself a part of the emerging-missional conversation, I would caution you not to make too many assumptions about what that means, as the diversity of emerging-missional Christians is very wide.
Peace,
Jamie
Ok. Do you identify with a guy like McLaren?
Anonymous,
“Identify with a guy like McLaren”? Well, that depends. There is much the McLaren has written that I think is important and very helpful. Other stuff I could take or leave. And there are some points which I disagree with him.
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but is the question is response to the “emerging” question above? McLaren is NOT the litmus text for all things emerging. He represents one popular aspect in the American conversation and a smaller portion of the international conversation.
If your understanding of what “emerging” is based on McLaren, you are seeing a very small part of the picture.
Peace,
Jamie