Spiritual Forum

There is an old book I read now for the Xth time (a similar study is here http://www.amazon.com/Suffering-According-Martin-Luthers-Theologia/dp/157910773).

I am more and more convinced that all questions and spiritual affairs have been thought throughout history of thinking. There is hardly a thought actually being brand new. I find this amazing. And since I love to study much material, I find always references also playing a role in topics right here at this place.

Luther`s theologia crucis (theology of the cross) is his heritage to following generrations wanting to understand Christ`s role in encountering humanity.

Luther doubts Platon´s approach to God being a way to encounter humans. Platon`s image of God as highest being (summum ens) or highest good (summum bonum) must reveal himself in glory and triumph at the end. This is the image most people have - if God is omnipotent and omnipresent, then he must appear as ruler of all and tremble all under his feet. God like Schwarzenegger.

Luther follows the gospel asking why God did not interfer while Jesus died on the cross. The cross was not God`s revelation of omnipotence, but impotence. By impotence God made himself a compagnon of humans. Impotence is God`s way of walking patiently through all including sufferings. It is God`s sign of solidarity. Thus the cross is God`s yes to humans.

According Luther God`s work is not a work of glory, but a work of going through sufferings and solidarity. Not the platonian God is encountering humans, but God in Christ on the cross. And here Luther had some amazing insights.

While the God of glory is obviously appearing to humans - they call for it, for they believe in power and might - God works through his impotence which is hardly to understand. It is a way of patience and - a way "as if". Luther emphasized the "as if". We must live "as if". As if we are children of God. As if our weakness is power. As if the absence of God is actually his closeness.

Luther discovered the courage to look different at the reality. Reality might tell you it is dark - Luther said, in God`s name, it is bright. Your obvious experience tells you God is not near, Luther said this is a sign God is very near. Inner vioces may tell you you are unworthy, Luther encourages you to see it as a sign that God is working at and through you.

In Christ alone, in Christ at the cross we see alone who God is, Luther said. Not in glory, not strong, omnipotent, omnipresent. Those attributes are valid at another level. At a human level the opposite is true - the meek shall inherit the earth, those who love, those who can wait, those who have learned living "as if". Those who don`t look for power and influence.

From there all that Luther said is totally in opposition to what has value today. This is the reason I wanted to share such lutheran model of thinking, which is very impressive to me even after 500 years...