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humility reveals the final word

William T. Cavanaugh:

If the universe is not a joke but a comedy, not a tragedy but a drama in which love has the final word, then something like the God revealed in Jesus Christ might be worth considering.

I’m aware that a line like this doesn’t pass muster with most Christians I know. Fifteen years ago it wouldn’t have passed muster with me. It’s too soft and wishy washy.  “Surely,” we are taught to say, “the almighty God of the universe isn’t the kind to say ‘Maybe you could, perhaps, given your situation, think about possibly considering me?’” But I think that that’s exactly how Jesus spoke to people. It just wasn’t as wimpy as the caricature we use to excuse it and to avoid having to embrace the true humility that God expressed — and constantly expresses — toward us. There is probably a good reason, after all, why the kenosis of Philippians 2 tends to invoke the charge of heresy if you (*gasp*) take it too far. 

What I crave, and what I think the world is dying for, are people who will take it seriously… and take it far.