The Incarnation of Christ: b. Cosmic Implications

Reflections on the Incarnation :

Reflections on the Incarnation Viv Grigg …Among the Poor The implications of Christmas

B. The Cosmic Implications of the Incarnation:

B. The Cosmic Implications of the Incarnation

The incarnation was a profound act defining humanness and love in the universe:

The incarnation was a profound act defining humanness and love in the universe It transforms our understanding of the universe from Newtonian mechanism to a universe of community and relationships – a universe radiating from a personality of immense warmth and love.

The incarnation was a profound economic act:

The incarnation was a profound economic act It transforms economics, turning it upside down. He chose to be poor among the poor, so he transforms all economic structures to serve the needy.

The incarnation was a profound social act:

The incarnation was a profound social act It transforms social relationships, elevating the humble, uplifting the weak, sustaining the downcast.

The incarnation was a profound political act:

The incarnation was a profound political act It transforms political relationships, into servanthood centred on bringing the wisdom of the universe into the centre of national relationships.

Institutional Incarnation:

Institutional Incarnation How is Christ Manifest in a Community? The objective is not for an incarnational worker to be among the poor The objective is first for an incarnational community manifesting the character of Christ within a community A movement of such communities across slums has the power of transforming a city How do you move from entrance to a community to the body of Christ being manifested?

Incarnation and the critique of unfettered capitalism and oppressive socialism:

Incarnation and the critique of unfettered capitalism and oppressive socialism A Profound economic act that inverts economics into cooperative production and creativity and redistributive end goals. Luke 4:18 is expanded in community in Acts 4:32-35 It challenges collective economic sins and calls for collective repentance.

Incarnation, unity, brother/sisterhood and equality :

Incarnation, unity, brother/sisterhood and equality A profound social act that creates egalitarian directed social relationships (we are brothers and sisters not oppressors) It challenges apartheid and discrimination, and calls for repentance where men and women oppress others.

The Spirit, Incarnation and Justice:

The Spirit, Incarnation and Justice A profound political act that facilitates the multiplication of small religious, social, economic and political organizational units at the grassroots, diffusing power to the poor (Acts 2:42-44; James 5:1-6). Isaiah 42:1-4 prophesies of a Messiah whose aim is the bringing of justice to the earth – beyond the formation of the church is the full establishment of the Kingdom throughout society. Do justice, preach grace. Who are creating the evangelical theologies for land rights, class conflict, labour relations….

Sudan to issue decree against building of churches in shanty towns :

Sudan to issue decree against building of churches in shanty towns Khartoum (dpa) - No churches will be built in any part of the Sudanese capital without the approval of the government if the decree being drafted by the Ministry of Social Planning comes into force in a few days' time, al-Rai al-Aam daily reported Wednesday. The shanty churches are constructed by war-displaced Christians from southern and western Sudan who have settled on the periphery of the Sudanese capital. They use the churches also as schools and sometimes as health centres as well. Oct 7, 2002

References:

References Brewster, E. T. and E. S. Brewster (1982). Bonding,and the missionary Task . 135 North Oakland Box #114 Pasadena California 91101, Lingua House. Cherupallikat, J. O. F. M. C. (1975). Witness Potential of Evangelical Poverty In India , Nouvelle Review de Science Missionaire, CH-6405 Immensee, Switzerland. Goudge, E. (1959). Saint Francis of Assisi , Hodder and Stoughton. Grigg, V. (1986). SERVANTS: A Protestant Missionary Order With Vows of Simplicity and Non-Destitute Poverty . Auckland, Urban Leadership Foundation. Hiebert, P. and E. H. Meneses (1995). Incarnational Ministry: Planting Churches in Band, Tribal, Peasant and Urban Societies . Grand Rapids, MI, Baker. Mavrodes, G. (1976). "The Salvation of Zachary Baumkletterer." The Other Side (Feb 1976). Perrin, H. (1964). Priest and Worker: The Autobiography of Henri Perrin . New York, Holt Rinehart and Winston. Pullinger, J. and A. Quicke (2007). Chasing the Dragon , Regal Books. Urban, Poverty, Incarnation, MATUL, 120 West, M. (1961). Children of the Sun: The Slum Dwellers of Naples , Pan Books.