The Redemption Problem

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Perhaps it is family or career, or paying the bills, or your child's welfare, or maybe health.  Chances are it is not redemption.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. - Ephesians 1:7-8

Redemption is one of those odd things we don't really like to think about, or talk about.  I think the reason we shy away from it is because we can approach it on two levels.

First, there is the redemption of an individual who had lived a life he was not particularly proud of.  He made mistakes, treated people poorly, or possibly abused himself and then after finding God, he turns around.

This is the story we like, the one Jesus might have told in his parables.  It is personal and it makes for good storytelling.

Then there's the other redemption, the one that encompasses us all, attributed to the death and resurrection of Jesus himself.

This is the one that bites us in the behind.

It poses a problem because we don't want to admit that it is the central theme of our faith, that God became man to pay for our sins through human death and sacrifice.

No way!

How can we explain that to anyone?  How can we understand it ourselves?

One of the tools we Episcopalians (and Anglicans) have is the Book of Common Prayer.  It is chock full of good stuff, from the Psalms to all our prayer services, including the Daily Office, on which this reflection draws for its readings.

The authors realized that someone might have questions about their faith and that someone might come to the book without knowing anything about the doctrine and teachings, so included is a Catechism, an outline of Q&A about our beliefs.

It is not a complete understanding and it is designed as a starting point to encourage conversation on each topic, but we can draw on it for a basic understanding of redemption (among other things).  Here is what one finds on the topic of Sin and Redemption.

What is sin?

Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation. 

How does sin have power over us?

Sin has power over us because we lose our liberty when our relationship with God is distorted.

 
What is redemption?

Redemption is the act of God which sets us free from the power of evil, sin, and death.

 
How did God prepare us for redemption?

God sent the prophets to call us back to himself, to show us our need for redemption, and to announce the coming of the Messiah.

 
What is meant by the Messiah?

The Messiah is one sent by God to free us from the power of sin, so that with the help of God we may live in harmony with God, within ourselves, with our neighbors, and with all creation.

 
Who do we believe is the Messiah?

The Messiah, or Christ, is Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son of God.

This is just the beginning of the story of our redemption, since we need to know more about Jesus and his presence in the Trinity in order to more deeply grasp the significance of God's call for us to be one with Him.

Non-Christians might be surprised to learn that Christians struggle with the Trinity, finding it difficult to talk about their faith with others, even with other Christians.

When challenged, we tend to draw back into our corners and become silent, rather than admit and accept that matters of faith are hard to explain, even to ourselves.

So, I encourage open discussion on this and all topics of faith, beginning in the church, where we feel a little safer talking about God, but extending to the home and to Interfaith groups willing to share.

If we hide our beliefs behind a veil of secrecy or silence, we will not accomplish the goal God has in mind for us, to love and care for one another.

If we ever needed open channels of communication about faith and God it is now.

What do you think?

More to come...