open source theology

For me, the basic tenet of Jesus was to place love above every basic tenet. Humanity is the Lord of all ritual, and ritual serves Humanity, not the other way around. The Love of God is not something out there, around us, above or below: it isn’t a thing, a “He” or “She”, but is “We”.

Jesus was how God loved the outsider and heretic and attacked the powerful and mighty. Jesus of Nazareth: a human body, in a historical setting, interacting with flesh and blood persons- especially the outsiders, the marginalized, the powerless; and in conflict with the powerful and holders of status and wealth: Here lies the Gospel.

Jesus is controversial on all sides. Jesus led by loving the weakest, the least and lowest: he led through serving the poor. Jesus was a human in love with humanity and that kind of love is Divine. Look into the eyes of the weakest, and there you see the glory that Jesus loved.

Jesus as triumphant emperor is an idol: and a dangerous one too. Jesus as divine superhero is a damned harmful idol. Jesus human and suffering in love: is Holy. Jesus as lover of the outcast and attacker of the powerful is Sacred. Jesus as defender of the weak and critic of the righteous is Heavenly.

It is not about the Divinity of Jesus, but about the Divine task to love the outsider. Worshiping Jesus is not about believing in his Divinity, but in your service of outsider and critique of those in power. Jesus was God in so far as he loved humanity. The issue of Jesus as God, or Bible as fact, or faith as reasonable: is an issue of love first.

Jesus is Messiah when love is God. Jesus’ life and ministry is about healing the sick and feeding the hungry , as well as the prophetic criticism of the religious, political and economic powers of his day. Jesus’ teaching is about the Reign of God, of Abba, and that is universal service, intimate healing, and revolutionary challenge.

The “Trinity” is not about God up in Heaven, but about Holy relationships here on Earth. This is love.