CRAZIER TALK than "Crazy Talk" #1

Rolf Jacobson edited a book of theological definitions entitled "Crazy Talk"--a fun read that makes even the most boring theological words interesting. And, after all, we are "theological beings" and should at least know the language of our "being-ness."

Of interest was the take on the CHURCH:

I quote--

God's action is key in the definition of the church in the ancient creeds, which describe the church as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic:

• The oneness of the church refers to the fact that although th church, like amoebae in a petri dish, disagrees and divides, God keeps it spiritually united under the one Christ.
• The holiness of the church refers to the fact that although the church is full of sinners, God forgives them and makes them holy.
• The catholicity (that means"universality") of the church refers to the fact that although human beings set up churchly insitituions that are specific to time and place, God unites the church in all ages and places.
• The church is apostolic (meaning "sent") because althou it is always turning in on itself and serving its own needs, god is always at work to send it out into the world as part of God's mission to save, love, and bless the world.

NOW...

Let's take take this crazy talk and make it even CRAZIER by radicalization in the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed categorically; that is, in light of Galations 2:20 "It is now longer I who live but Christ who lives in me" and, Colossians 3:3 "You are dead. Your life is hid with Christ in God."

So, then...

Oneness: the church is one because it has only one living member, Jesus Christ. To say that it is "spiritually" united with Christ is to tempt sinners into examining and emphasizing their own 'spirits' and how they may or may not be united with Christ. Spiritually must refer to the Holy Spirit only who puts sinners to death that their life may be Christ alone and hid with him in God for safekeeping during this between the times.

Holiness: Since Jesus is the only living member of the church, his holiness suffices for all. The church is indeed full of forgiven sinners but they are still dead. The righteousness of Christ will not be revealed in his saints until that day when they stand with him in glory. For now those saints are protected by being hidden away in God.

Catholicity: sinners are limited to the particulars of space and time. Jesus Christ is not. To say that the church is "catholic" is to recognize the ubiquitous Christ filling all space and all time.

Apostolic: The church is sent into the world because Jesus Christ was/is sent into the world bearing witness to himself as the breaking in of the Kingdom of God, that is, the new creation. This is God's mission through the church: to bear witness to such a Christ. Everything else the church might do in love and in blessing is our very human task of having dominion over creation.