Ontological and Existential

To be a Christian … 

To become a Christian …

We are both at the same time.

In the mind of God, we are Christians.

In the reality of time, we are becoming Christians.

In technical terms, this is the Ontological view of God - that is, our essential ontos, our being, our status in God’s mind, our being in Christ.

And the Existential view of life - that is, the incompleteness of our transformation - for we realize God’s love and live a life of love only partially, in bits and pieces.

When our Existential reality becomes troubled and sad, we take refuge in the Ontological - God’s view of things.

The Ontological is grounded in Romans 8.38-39: there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ.

The Existential struggle is grounded in Romans 7.21-25: the good I want to do, I don’t do; the evil I don’t want to do, I do.

The Existential keeps us humble, and humility is the key to authentic spirituality.

The Ontological keeps us secure, the security of faith that relies, not upon the self, but upon God, and the wideness of God’s mercy.

This World IS My Home ...

When anyone has to sing, "This world is not my home," something is terribly wrong. Not with the singer, but with others who have allowed conditions to grow so bad that someone can only see hope in a way out. 

God intended that everyone sing, "This world is my home" ... and the saints with God, under the altar, wait for the day of resurrection, so they can go home again, where they belong - a new earth, with heaven and earth bonded together in the new creation, heralded by Jesus and his resurrection. He goes away, but only for a time, and will come again. Jerusalem comes down from safekeeping to be with us, here in our world. 

This world is our home, as God intended. Let us strive with all our might to make it so for everyone, all of God's creatures, great and small.

There Is Little to Say - a poem

There is little to say.
Little to offer.

Little more to think.

Either we love all.
Or we cannot love at all.

The struggle to be fair.
Begins with God.
Who blesses with abundance.
To see what we shall we do with it.

Will we claim it as our own?
How foolish.
Or see it as a gift.
And a tool.
How wise.
How godly.

To improve the lot of others.
And quit asking why -
Others should be in need.
And quit blaming them.
While secretly congratulating ourselves.

Our shit stinks alike.
Body oder is common to all.
Frailty and tears belong to the powerful, too.
And death comes to all.

So quite bashing the poor.
Quit bragging about your power.
You don't have it.
It's not yours.
Never, ever, ever, never.

Just grow up and be kind.
Give like crazy.
Enjoy what's yours.
And share the rest.
Because very little is yours.
It's all a gift.

August 6, 2012
Tom Eggebeen