The 15th Sunday After Pentecost, (Proper 16, Year A), Aug. 24, 2008
BCP: Isaiah 51:1-6; Psalm138; Rom. 11:33-36; Matt. 16:13-20
RCL: Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Psalm124; or Isaiah 51:1-6 and Psalm138; Rom. 12:1-
8; Matt. 16:13-20
People have long argued about the identity of Jesus. The Da Vinci Code and its imitators are only the latest installments in a conversation that began in the early church. The debate is reflected in Matthew’s account of the confession of Peter.
In this story, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Christ’s followers reply, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus then asks them who they say he is. Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16).
The mere fact that these questions are being raised during Christ’s lifetime, according to Matthew, suggests that even people who knew Jesus in person wondered who he really was. Theories about Christ’s identity tend to fall into the categories that scholars call “high” and “low” Christology. “Low” Christology focuses on the human Christ. Some Christians feel close to the “personal Jesus” whom they have discovered in the gospels. They feel an emotional attachment to Christ as their “Savior,” and they praise him in hymns and spirituals.
Others who believe in what is deemed “high” Christology are attracted to the “cosmic Christ” portrayed in scripture. This Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (e.g., Rev. 22:13). Such Christians are moved by contemplation of Christ the second Person of the Trinity as he is portrayed in the creeds, systematic theology, and many icons.
Granted, the terms “low” and “high” are a bit misleading in that a person can go one way or the other within the Christological spectrum and still be included in orthodox Christianity. Neither direction is superior to the other. Each can lead to the true Christ.
But notice that in the gospel Jesus “sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah” (Matt. 16:20). The debate about Christ’s identity has included the sub-debate of whether Jesus really intended to keep his identity from becoming public. The Da Vinci Code is only one of many fictional and non-fictional attempts to update this mystery.
Many Christians, however, believe that Jesus was the Messiah precisely because his identity remains ever elusive. He is able to transcend our ideas of him, and so he draws us close to the infinite mystery of God.
Look It Up
Compare the high philosophical Christology of the prologue to the gospel of John (1:1-18) with Luke’s idea that Jesus increased in wisdom as he grew older (Luke 2:52).
Think About It
Are you more attracted to the human or to the divine Jesus Christ? Would your faith be enriched if you could direct your soul in the opposite direction?
Next Sunday
The 16th Sunday After Pentecost, (Proper 17A), Aug. 31, 2008.
BCP: Jer. 15:15-21; Psalm 26 or 26:1-8; Rom. 12:1-8; Matt. 16:21-27
RCL: Exod. 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; or Jer. 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8; Rom. 12:9-21; Matt. 16:21-28
