We return to the theme of mystery. The word mystery is common in the discussion of theology. Several religions are listed as mystery religions, and Christianity, by dint of its affirmation, is chief among them. It is likely that most persons do not pursue and benefit from what this means. The mystery deepens in the uniqueness of Christianity. The Apostle Paul acknowledged that God is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but that there is enough known, revealed from the otherwise unknown, that mankind’s needs are met. The full story envelops both the known and unknown, so is captured in the term and experience known as faith. Faith is the clasp for us on the known and the unknown about God. What is unknown is vital to what is known. Without the unknown, the known does not complete itself. If God’s mystery as mystery is rejected, that person can’t make a case for God that will stand up to human thought processes. In Christian theology, faith is utterly vital. Even in a democratic society, permitting equality for all persons, a natural right, there is allowance for faith based claims. It is rightly assumed by our democratic society that faith based orientation is a friendly context for the good of the society. Both secular based and faith based societies are meant to be cooperative, not competitive, for the welfare of all of nature, including mankind’s benefit. The enemies, in both orientations, are found in those persons who do not respect the rightful values and processes that belong to each and both. This announcement belongs to a careful analysis of the balance for human life and society in the Moses and Aaron combination, in the escape of Israel from slavery to independent responsibility. The human and the divine are meant to be friends in all.
The Apostle Paul, motivated to gospel clarity, admitted to mystery. That mystery is not so much related to society as it relates to the individual person in any society. Society may adopt this or that style of government. God is not highly concerned about that, as long as the government is committed to righteousness, which is to say what is right, for the benefit of citizens and does not violate the creator. In that sense the government is justified – if it engenders and protects rights (a part of righteousness). The great mystery, if we follow the Apostle’s words to Timothy is that Christ, from the mystery, is sufficiently revealed to us, that we can act sensibly on what is revealed. The doubter has trouble with this, with the concept that there is both natural and spiritual truth, and that either can be distorted so to prevent mankind from benefitting in the results of accumulated learnings from both temporary nature and eternal God.
Jesus Christ, then, is unique. The French use the word unique in the translation of John 3:16, in identifying something of the meaning of Jesus. Jesus is unique – the only One of his kind. This drives us to the Scripture to find out who Jesus is, and what his person means to us. We must rely on Scripture – also unique to us (literature, but the only genus of its kind). We find it the only place where Jesus is quoted as supportive of the Old Testament and commending his disciples for what they will say and do after his departure from them. Scripture tells us what we need to know about the mystery of God, and the nature of various details that help us accept in some adequate understanding what God is about, and how matters will be resolved. There is just enough here to be persuasive for those who can manage faith, and accept God on his terms. Those terms protect mankind in the natural context, so to prepare for relating to what is titled, God’s Kingdom. Mortality, even with its marvels, ends in decay and death, which makes nature temporary for the human being – mutual ending. God’s kingdom for immortality is untouched by decay and death. There is enough revealed. Only from Scripture, the Holy Spirit and prayer conscience does this faith provide assurance. With that God nourishes his children in affirming his acceptance and Kingdom.
I am much taken about uniqueness in human beings. There has never been another person quite like me, quite like you. This leads to all kinds of responses from those who know us, both for good and ill. One of the great burdens of our lives is to find the balanced fellowship with others and God, in the light of the uniqueness of God, and the print on every private individual, print of his image. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020