Hilary of Poitiers showed us that the Resurrection opened to us a new way of thinking about God.  As I’ve thought about this, I’ve also prayed about this, asking the Holy Spirit to draw me deeper in mind and heart to the meaning of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I don’t think it was by chance that the discussion has centered around the Resurrection in the weeks leading up to Easter.  (I wish I could say that I had scheduled it that way, but I’m not that organized.)

In my research of another pivotal figure in understanding the Incarnation — Cyril of Alexander, I came across a blog by Orthodox theologian, William Witt.  In his academic article entitled “The Trinitarian Structure of Resurrection Faith,” he articulates one of the reasons learning historical theology attracts me, equips me, and leads me to worship.

With regard to the Resurrection, Witt writes that we have to decide “…the question of whether or not the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are constitutive* of our salvation, whether Jesus actually creates and makes possible a salvation that would not be possible otherwise, or rather whether Jesus’ mission is illustrative of something that God is doing elsewhere or perhaps everywhere in creation as well.”

In other words, was (is) Jesus unique, essential, and able to accomplish our salvation before God, or was he just a good man who serves as one example among others for “right living?”  Sounds like the type of question that a CNN anchor will ask a panel of “experts” during Easter.  The “expert” dialogue will show that the fundamental theological doctrines that evangelical Christians take so much for granted today were hammered out in an intellectual, political, religious and cultural environment that was not so dissimilar to our own.

“But who do you say that I am?” — Jesus (Matthew 16:15 ESV)

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 ESV)

Cyril of Alexander will help us further understand just how unique, essential and able Jesus was to accomplish our salvation.  In the meantime, the question before me (and you) is how am I to live in light of who I am, and who I am becoming, because of my faith and life in the Resurrected One.

Am I “educated beyond my obedience?” Am I well trained both in knowledge and duty, having “head knowledge” and an adequate religiosity that hides a cold heart?  Am I of those whom Jesus repeats the accusation from Isaiah “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:7-9)

Or does my heart leap (or at least do I want my heart to leap) at the thought of what Jesus has done for me?  Do I live out of the truth of the Resurrection (and all that it includes)?  Do I obey in response to the One who loves me most of all?

Lent began this week.  I am asking God to use this season to teach me, convict me, forgive me, and change me by the power that Resurrected Jesus (see Ephesians 1:15-23).  I pray you do too.

*Constitutive — (a) constituent; making a thing what it is; essential. (b) having power to establish or enact.

1.  Witt, William. “Non Sermoni Res.” The Trinitarian Structure of Resurrection Faith, February 11, 2009. http://willgwitt.org/the-trinitarian-structure-of-resurrection-faith/.