(This paper was in response to 2 articles I read: Jesus as the Imago Dei: Image-of-God Christology and the Non-linear Linearity of Theology by Stan Grenz, and Why is the Self Empty by Philip Cushman).
I really appreciated Grenz’s explication of Christ as the anti-type for human anthropology. Last year we studied Ridderbos’ triangulation of the relationship between the Old Testament (the type), its fulfillment in Christ (the anti-type), and the heavenly realities that the Old Testament types were modeled after and that Christ points to (the archetype). However, we did not make the application to anthropology, which, in a sense, seems to miss the real point of application for us.
Jesus Christ is the express image of God and the way by which we know God; He is also the guide/pattern for our lives. As Grenz points out, man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1), but, ultimately, created to be conformed into the true image of God and to share in His glory. The only way this is possible is through Christ who is the true Human, and this will only happen through the power of His resurrection when we are called to live with Him in heaven. What a glorious privilege; what a glorious end!
Thus, when I read the Cushman article regarding the observations of secular psychologists that reveal that people try to fill themselves with disposable goods because they experience emptiness in the core of their humanity, the plight of man seems most pitiable! Especially in light of the fact that we were created for so much more- and because of our sinful refusal to submit to the lordship of our Creator we miss out on the opportunity afforded to us through His Son to be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19).
Furthermore, while we wait for Christ to return or call us home, He gave us Himself as a pattern to live by. Moreover, He places us in His family, the Church, in order that we do not have to go through life as autonomous beings. We can learn to live interdependently with others, thus helping to avoid falling into the trap of modern self-help psychology and self-indulgent advertising.
But thanks be to God, there is hope for those who put their trust in Him. Praise be to Christ who died that we might live- who saves fallen man from himself!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Human Personality Journal 1
When I began to ponder the metaphors that I live out of, my first response was: I don’t really know. Having just read Philip Cushman’s article Why the Self Is Empty, makes me ponder the reasons why I (and likely many others in my circles) am not more consciously introspective? Perhaps we are simply not taught to search our hearts and minds, even though we are taught to ask God to expose the depths of our hearts. Perhaps, then, there are fears that accompany such a proposition- we really do not want to know ourselves because we know that we will not like what we see- and, therefore, ignorance is bliss (or is it?). However, it stands to reason that it is pertinent to understand one’s self if one is to understand others most fully.
In Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Tripp introduces a metaphor of an ambassador sent out by the King as His representative to proclaim the words of the King, and to act in the name and manner of the same. This metaphor struck home immediately, and is the metaphor that I long to live out of.
If I had to choose a metaphor that I do live out of, I would have to pick that of a scientific explorer who is quite content to run about on his own gathering information of various sorts, largely sticking to himself. The other side to this explorer is the characteristic of one who loves to share his found knowledge with all those who are willing to listen, and those of whom he feels would benefit from his “vast” knowledge and experience. Thus concluded, the metaphor is of a person who independently and (largely) autonomously searches for knowledge and is quick to show off his findings to others in order to substantiate the meaning of his existence.
What an ugly, selfish, and ultimately lonely way to live. I much prefer the ambassadorial calling, but relinquishing my love for autonomy is such a difficult thing to do. I pray that God will help me to live more and more for Him, and not for my own selfish ambitions.
In Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, Tripp introduces a metaphor of an ambassador sent out by the King as His representative to proclaim the words of the King, and to act in the name and manner of the same. This metaphor struck home immediately, and is the metaphor that I long to live out of.
If I had to choose a metaphor that I do live out of, I would have to pick that of a scientific explorer who is quite content to run about on his own gathering information of various sorts, largely sticking to himself. The other side to this explorer is the characteristic of one who loves to share his found knowledge with all those who are willing to listen, and those of whom he feels would benefit from his “vast” knowledge and experience. Thus concluded, the metaphor is of a person who independently and (largely) autonomously searches for knowledge and is quick to show off his findings to others in order to substantiate the meaning of his existence.
What an ugly, selfish, and ultimately lonely way to live. I much prefer the ambassadorial calling, but relinquishing my love for autonomy is such a difficult thing to do. I pray that God will help me to live more and more for Him, and not for my own selfish ambitions.