“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, …” Colossians 1:13
Do you see how this is not a dualistic scheme—like light versus darkness, good versus evil? Christianity does not operate in a dualistic frame of reference. It presents the world and the church with the fact that everything in relation to God in Christ is asymmetrical; and asymmetrical in a way where there is no comparison between who He has offered for Himself in the eternal Son become flesh in Jesus Christ, and every other thing in this world that is contingent (indeed upon the sustenance of His Word, Jesus Christ). There is no us versus them in the city of Man vis-à-vis the kingdom of His beloved Son. There is no contest; there is no competition between God and fallen humanity—which the incarnation of God in Christ ought to make eminently clear to all of us. God is God and nobody else is. We aren’t in a Greek drama where humanity simply replicates the battles of the gods in the pantheon above; the “good gods” versus the “evil gods.” We inhabit and participate in a world, in the life of God, where God is God without any competitors. As we have bowed the knee confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, we have been transferred into an economy of God’s triune Life that is seated high above all the principalities and powers of this earth (with their demonic dragon breath behind them). We are the Victors because Christ was first victorious for us, that we might live in His victoriously resurrected and ascended life for us at the Right Hand of the Father. Don’t let this world fret you into thinking otherwise.
Indeed, Bobby, there is no comparison to God’s compassion!
Richard, for sure. And I think people really need to consider further the implications of what it means for a non-dualistic non-competitive relationship between God and humanity. All of Latin theology is premised on the competitive relationship; so, Augustine and Thomas.
Yes… not merely a representative priesthood; rather, a vicarious life by which we are become “joint heirs” with Christ and descendents of faith alongside (in the sense of coexistence with) Christ.
Richard, indeed it is an ontological ontic union and participation in God’s triune life in Christ. Ineffable!
hello bobby it has been awhile for me but I want to restart reading your blog every morning at work but my work computer won’t let me access your site. Or my gmail.
I can get some of your posts on your “Substack” page. It is not up to date though. Can you please post on that site as well?
Thank you. You can try putting my work email down to send your posts to.
brian.l.carlisle@cbp.dhs.gov
Yours in Christ, Brian
Hi Brian,
I will try to more consistently cross post at my substack as well. I am down to posting about once or twice a week, so it isn’t daily anymore. Hope all is well. Blessings in Christ