Tonight we are discussing the last third of the second article of the Creed focusing on Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. Please read chapter 6 of Luke Timothy Johnson’s The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters.
As we finish our discussion of the second article see how its structure mirrors that of the Christological Hymn of Philippians 2:6-11. This hymn, as does the Creed, traces Christ’s Humility and Exaltation. The literary structure forms a “V” shape. 1) On the top left is the Son as equal to God. 2) The Son descends and empties himself of his divine prerogatives in the Incarnation. 3) At the base of the “V” the Son dies on the Cross in perfect humility and obedience. 4) On the right side of the “V”, the Son is resurrected and 5) The Son is exalted to a position of Power. Every week, the Creed requires that we affirm this humiliation and exaltation of Christ through which our salvation is worked. It also provides us with the shape of our own salvation. For like the Son, we too must empty ourselves of ourselves (of our passions and selfish desires) and take up our Cross. Matt 16:24-26. In doing so, we too are exalted in rebirth and adopted as the very children of God. Rom. 8:9-17. As you prepare for this evening’s discussion, discern the divine journey of the Son set forth in the Creed and understand that this is our journey as well.
Dinner is at 6. Menu is chicken and mushrooms. Discussion at 6:45. Hope to see you here. (If you haven’t read, please come anyway.) Please bring a friend.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4