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The
Resurrection Story & the Transformation of Human Nature 04/04/2024 |
We ended yesterday’s DM with New Testament scholar Bruce Chilton explaining the Resurrection by its results and impact on the historical movement that occurred in the name of Jesus. |
In that movement, believers conceived that Jesus, alive after his death, appeared in visions, conveyed purity, assured the promise of the coming age, provoked an extension of the message beyond historic Israel by means of baptism…. |
“Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection.” Painting by William Etty, 1834, at the Tate Gallery. Wikimedia Commons |
We continue Chilton’s observations here: Jesus, alive after death, also authorized programmatic forgiveness, insisted that his teaching should be used to call new disciples and seek out new meanings in Scripture by means of Spirit, and provided his followers means to stand on the right side of the final judgment. What he had spoken of in association with God’s activity—the kingdom of God revealing itself—became his own activity, and on a larger scale than
before the crucifixion. |
16th-century Flemish tapestry showing St. Peter healing a lame man by the Temple gate in Jerusalem. Photo by Slices of Light on Flickr. | New efforts and language arose to try to understand Jesus and his relation to God, including titles such as “Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Just One.” The term “Son of God” was occasionally used in Judaism for one who lived a path of
wisdom. |
What happened was that Jesus became an agent of greater change than when he was alive, and in that sense the resurrection influenced history with all the impact of an event, while holding itself back from entering history. It followed that “those who acted on Jesus’ behalf refer to
him as the living, transcendent source of their actions,” but “their claims exited the realm of history.” Yet clearly their actions are fully historical–they operated “in history and yet not of history.” That Jesus had been raised from the dead by God, occurred “in history and yet not of history.” |
The cause and effect of their histories remain the teachings and stories of Jesus, including his resurrection and sending of the Spirit that imbued the courage as well as message of his followers. Chilton seems to summarize his understanding of the Resurrection this way: “Resurrection
implies that human nature itself has been transformed.”* Here Chilton, in my understanding, links up directly with Thomas Aquinas’s and Hildegard of Bingen’s understanding of the “first |
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resurrection” that all can undergo: Our waking up in this lifetime with good news to tell. Resurrection conquers fear, death, and cynicism, and leads to an influx of the Holy Spirit. |
*See Bruce Chilton, Resurrection Logic: How Jesus’ First Followers Believed God Raised Him from the Dead, pp. 196, 188.
See Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 128-156.
And Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, pp. 359-364.
And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas, pp. 167-188, 53-56.
And Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 144-151.
Banner image: Three from a series of windows showing the life of St. Tabitha (Dorcas), a “woman full of good works” who fell ill, died, was raised from the dead
by St. Peter, and subsequently honored with the title of “disciple” (Acts 9:36-43). Melton Mowbray, St Mary’s church, Vestry window detail. Photo by Jenny on Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation Do you agree with Chilton that Resurrection implies that human nature itself has been transformed? What evidence, if any,
do you see for that in your life? And in history? And for the future? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. We're happy to offer this special Easter conversation! Click the image to purchase. |
Stations of the Cosmic Christ
By Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus.
This is a book of meditations on the Cosmic Christ, accompanying the images of 16
wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Together, these images and meditations go far beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross to inspire a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times.
“A divinely inspired book that must be read by every human being devoted to
spiritual and global survival. It is cosmically brilliant.”
— Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and
action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author
of Anatomy of the Spirit |
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The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian
paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these mirroring the ongoing blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth
wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author of The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe.
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "This delicious book for children of all ages celebrates joy as the essential truth of
reality." - Andrew Harvey, Author of The Hope and Radical Regeneration "I absolutely LOVED reading this beautiful, creative, stirring story—a charming, whimsical, powerful, parable." -
Robert Holden, Author of Happiness NOW! and Higher Purpose Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he speaks on “The Deep Feminine and the Deep Masculine and their importance in elevating consciousness and healing our world” at the The Heart of Nature 7-Day Summit with Jane Fonda, Marianne Williamson, Paul Hawken, Nina Simons and over 30 leading experts, Tuesday-Monday, April 16-22. Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register
HERE. Join Matthew Fox as he leads worship services and a workshop to mark Earth Day 2024, hosted by Unity of Walnut Creek, CA, Sunday, April 21: 9:30am & 11:30am – Worship Service –
Earth Day, 2024: Preserving Things in the Good 1:30-3:00pm – Workshop – How the Earth Crisis of Our Time Can Move Humanity to Its Next Stage of Evolution Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a
free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors, Tuesday, April 30, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478 Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Natural Grace: Dialogues on Creation, Darkness and the Soul in Spirituality and Science in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox pick up on their conversation about the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world. They discuss death and resurrection—the enduring challenge of modern approaches to the subject and what we can learn from mystics, past generations and ancient peoples alike. To listen, click HERE. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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