Here is the final quote from James K.A. Smith’s Discipleship in the Present Tense. It answers the 'how' portion of the question as we consider how we participate as coredeemer (see first quote and second quote). “But for the most part, Spirit-empowered redemption looks like what Raymond Carver calls 'a small, good thing.' It looks like our everyday work done well, out of love, in resonance with God’s desire for his creation–so long as our on-the-ground labor is nested as part of a contribution to systems and structures of flourishing. It looks like doing our homework, making the kids’ lunches for school, building with quality and a craftsman’s devotion, and crafting a municipal budget that discerns what really matters and contributes to the common good. Of course, redemption is the fall of apartheid, but it’s also the once-impossible friendships forged in its aftermath. It’s an open seat on the bus for everyone, but it’s also getting to know my neighbors who differ from me. It’s nothing short of trying to change the world, but it starts in our homes, our churches, our neighborhoods, and our schools. It should not surprise us that redemption will not always look triumphant. If Jesus comes as the second Adam, who models redemptive culture-making, then in our broken world such cultural labor will look cruciform. But it will also look like hope that is hungry for joy and delight.” (pages 9-10, I think – Kindle makes it tough to figure out) While reading this quote I was reminded of Rob’s message on “blessed are the peacemakers…" (Matt 5:9) this summer in which he talked about us having the option of sowing seeds of peace. I believe this idea applies also to that of being coredeemers with Christ. We have the option to participate with Christ in his work by how we engage in each task and each interaction however mundane. We can either act in a manner that declares that Jesus is Lord and is making all things new or act in a manner that works against this. We are all invited to sow seeds of new creation and by doing so participate in the task that humans were designed for–to be the ones to govern, serve and protect his creation. There is quite a bit more to say about this in the context of Romans 5-8, which always is in the background of second Adam language, that I will have to save for another day... perhaps next week... ~chris |
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