Metaphor, or literally true

From a religious perspective, when pondering the Divine, people often use metaphor to reach for the unreachable. For instance, in the Christian tradition, Psalm 18 says: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” God is clearly not literally these things, in the same way as she is not a literal ‘Father’.

To my mind, problems arise from the human tendency for people thinking that we have found ‘The Way’. Also, metaphor being taken literally often emerges from people seeing their holy books as direct revelations from God. For instance, what is implied when the Bible is referred to as ‘The Word of God’? I resonate much more with theologians such as Marcus Borg who in ‘The Heart of Christianity’ writes:

‘The Bible is the product of two historical communities, ancient Israel and the early Christian movement. As such it is a human product, not a divine product. This claim in no way denies the reality of God. Rather, it sees the Bible as the response of these two ancient communities to God. ….. As their response to God, the Bible tells us how they saw things. Above all, it tells us how they saw God’s involvement with their lives, their stories, their laws and ethical teachings, their prayers and praises, their wisdom about how to live, and their hopes and dreams. It is not God’s witness to God (not a divine product), but their witness to God. The Bible tells us how our spiritual ancestors saw things – not how God sees things.’

Considering wider implications, when people or groups believe that they are on God-inspired tracks, at times, there have been really fruitful outcomes of standing for justice, and for caring. But, not always so. And sometimes this path has led to disastrous consequences, especially when intermingled with political purposes. The present actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States–led coalition, the echoing of the Kremlin’s rhetoric by the Russian Orthodox Church in justifying the war in Ukraine, or the Dutch Reformed church giving biblical advocacy for the South African apartheid policy , are just four examples from recent decades. On a more personal level, much damage has been done by well-meaning but questionably-impelled attempts at conversion, or ‘healing’.

As a Christian, I wonder how this theme relates to Jesus. He was born as a powerless child. From there, he grew into a person of profound spiritual power, whose life made a great impact. There are several understandings about the significance of his eventual death. But, I suspect that a key factor revolves around his choosing to take the path of powerlessness again, which then led him to the cross. He could have walked away from the Garden of Gethsemane, but “During his agony as he prayed, His sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down upon the ground (Luke 22:44).” Was this agony because, for whatever reason, he deliberately again put himself into a position of powerlessness?

What followed, when he was ultimately on the cross? Jesus saw his mother standing beside a disciple, and said, “He is your son.” To the disciple he said, “She is your mother.” The disciple took her to live in his home (John’s gospel). To the others who were being crucified with him, he said, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.” Regarding those executing him he said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke’s gospel).’ When Jesus was powerless he still loved. He still thought for others. This is the Jesus that I seek to follow.