My UU Christian Fellowship is currently reading Krista Tippett's book Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. This is the second time I'm reading it, and there is so much to ponder that I will be riffing on it for a while here at Lifting the Spirit.
In the chapter on Faith, in Krista's interview with Margaret Wertheim, the subject of redemption comes up, and Margaret, a science writer and a woman who holds a unique image of God as Love, comments an how we humans speak of redemption.
First, a quick review of the definition of "redemption" as provided by Google AI.
- Deliverance from sin, spiritual bondage, or evil, often through a sacrificial act (like Christ's sacrifice in Christianity).
- Repaying or buying back debts, bonds, stocks, or property, like redeeming a mortgage or shares.
- Rescuing something lost, making amends for past mistakes, or achieving a triumphant comeback after failure or adversity.
I've highlighted "making amends for past mistakes" because this phrase, among the "personal definitions," hints at how we can be redeemed, possibly without direct Divine Intervention. Ms. Wertheim offers that we humans don't seem to be able to discuss the concept of redemption in a personal context, but only within theological circles. She goes on to say:
I don't think that humans are innately sinful, but I think we all make mistakes. Every single one of us. And collectively, we're making massive mistakes. And the question is, How can we redeem ourselves, in the sense of making amends? (Tippett, pg. 215-216)
I am like Ms. Wertheim. The concept of original sin has never made any sense to me. In my Catholic faith, I was taught that infants who died went to purgatory, not to Heaven, so they could be cleansed of their sin before sharing the glory of God. What sin? Where in an infant's short existence can they sin?
But I'm also skeptical of the dogma that Jesus died for our sins so we are all cleansed. But Baptism is still needed, so the church says, so maybe Jesus' death wasn't completely effective?
I believe that Jesus had a more important gift of redemption to give. In the atonement dogma, the emphasis is placed on the death of Jesus - that horrid, politically motivated, tortuous death that played out over a few days. The Nicene Creed says "...he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man...he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried."
Where does the creed acknowledge the power of his life and ministry? Three years of traveling, preaching, molding a group of followers to help reform Judaism and to bring people to redemption. Not through his death, but through each person reviewing their life, putting Love/God at the center of living, and making amends for each mistake and error where they can, and therefore redeeming themselves.
I believe that's the additional power of the redemption message. Repent! Turn Around! Everyday choose the Way of Love, Gratitude, Surprise and Awe, and Essential Goodness. And when you falter, when you err, make amends. Turn around, make better choices. Jesus showed us throughout his brief ministry how to live and how to claim our own redemption here on earth.
Jesus may have died for our sins to give us eternal life (for future discussion). If you believe that, I respect that choice. But also consider that the cleansing didn't stop there, for we were also given the guidelines for redeeming ourselves daily through our acts of kindness, loving our neighbors, and making amends.
What do you think about this personal view of redemption? Possible? Not in line with dogma? Worth pondering? Let me know in the comments.
And remember that Kindness and Deep Listening are what we do here at Lifting the Spirit.
May you always walk the Way of Jesus.
Blessings,
LaVerne
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