A Resurrection Connection

Occasionally people boil faith down to requisite belief in strange events that as actual happenings perhaps bear no more relevance than might they as merely metaphorical stories.

Jesus was on to something when he taught in parables, which invite not belief in a certain historical account as much as an interest in learning from a story. Parables allow for active reading, finding ourselves in the text, making the stories’ lessons relevant to our lives–without the encumbrance of “I believe this actually happened” discussion. It makes no difference whether or not the rich man’s barns actually existed or the misguided steward actually buried the money; the points of the stories are applicable to our lives today anyway.

We pick and choose, of course, which parts of the Bible to understand literally or parable-y. No one in my discussion group the other Sunday seemed to take seriously the idea that we’re all gods, even though Jesus says quite plainly in John 10 that we are, but when Jesus’ resurrection in John 20 rolls around, we’re all textbook.

As is the case with any historical, religious and/or spiritual event, whether or not I claim the resurrection story’s literal factuality makes absolutely no difference when it comes to what really took place. What’s more, maybe such claims–to either effect–don’t even affect the praxis element of my faith.

On Easter one of my pastors in his meditation raised the question, “In what way does Jesus’ resurrection make a difference to you?” Then and in ensuing discussions people mentioned, “It gives me hope that death doesn’t have the final say,” “It’s important to me to have a living leader,” “I need to know that every day is a new day so I don’t get discouraged.”

My contribution to the conversation was largely skeptical: “I don’t know that [the literal resurrection story] does make a difference to me, or makes me live my life any differently. And as for defeating death, I’m not sure what’s the big deal; Lazarus had already been raised from the dead.”

I just might agree with myself that an all-powerful being’s literal coming back from the dead, while a pretty cool trick, is not really that surprising a stunt, the universe and all else considered. That said, the resurrection story is central to my faith: people can have fresh starts; new breath can be infused into situations hopeless; today’s a new day to give life a go. Ultimately, the challenge of grace that is central to Christianity didn’t end with Jesus’ murder but somehow lives on at the core of the Christian story, be it literal and/or metaphorical.

Either way, when the sun comes up tomorrow, resurrection will again be born…again.

One Comment

  • Anonymous

    "Christianity" (the religion) has subverted the true revelation, which is all about love. The kingdom is that of self-sacrificial love (Jesus the truest model). Who needs "law" when there's love?
    At least that's my take on it. Thanks for your post!
    kbs

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