Manifestation vs. Imitation
Paul's explanation of Christian behavior is that of "the manifestation of the life of Jesus in our mortal bodies" (II Cor. 4:10,11); not by any human imitation of Christ's behavioral goodness. Christian living is not "monkey see, monkey do," the parrotting or apeing of reproduced external behavior.
Christianity is not imitation.
A light bulb whose outer casing is painted bright yellow is NOT a lit light bulb. The imitation by reflecting external light is not the reality of the inward light of a light bulb with electricity flowing through its filaments. A "bulb" without even a filament, even unconnected to a socket could "look" like a light bulb if outwardly cleverly painted.
We even see this in nature. Monarch butterflies are poisonous. There are other breeds that "mimic" the color scheme of the Monarch, but are not poisonous. Staying within the natural analogy and assuming some anthropomophizing we see that the mimicry is manipulation. It is outwardly presenting something that is inwardly not real so as to induce a beneficial action by one more powerful than the mimicker. In this case it is more akin to appeasement, to dissuading the powerful from doing what their natural inclination would have them do -- eat -- especially since doing so would have no negative repurcussions for the stronger aggressing party.
This is religion, this is mimicry, this is manipulation, this is appeasement, this manipulative investment for blessing, this is appeasement insurance for due curses. This is the fig-leaf reality of any of our efforts to gain closeness with God apart from His singular means -- Christ Jesus.
Christianity is not imitation.
A light bulb whose outer casing is painted bright yellow is NOT a lit light bulb. The imitation by reflecting external light is not the reality of the inward light of a light bulb with electricity flowing through its filaments. A "bulb" without even a filament, even unconnected to a socket could "look" like a light bulb if outwardly cleverly painted.
We even see this in nature. Monarch butterflies are poisonous. There are other breeds that "mimic" the color scheme of the Monarch, but are not poisonous. Staying within the natural analogy and assuming some anthropomophizing we see that the mimicry is manipulation. It is outwardly presenting something that is inwardly not real so as to induce a beneficial action by one more powerful than the mimicker. In this case it is more akin to appeasement, to dissuading the powerful from doing what their natural inclination would have them do -- eat -- especially since doing so would have no negative repurcussions for the stronger aggressing party.
This is religion, this is mimicry, this is manipulation, this is appeasement, this manipulative investment for blessing, this is appeasement insurance for due curses. This is the fig-leaf reality of any of our efforts to gain closeness with God apart from His singular means -- Christ Jesus.
posted by GBT at
Monday, June 20, 2005
