The One Light of the World
Introduction
People object to, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” (Nicene Creed), believing Protestants cannot be Catholics, failing to understand that “catholic” simply means “universal”. (From the Greek καθολικός (In dealing with these sorts of issues many churches opted for “ecumenical” (From Greek oikoumene (), meaning “the whole inhabited world”.) This term however has become infected with connotations of Westernised liberalism. Though now in relationship with a local congregation which has adopted “ecumenical” (https://www.c3northperth.com.au/), I started off as a Pentecostal, gravitated to Baptist, was Evangelically trained, ordained an Anglican minister, then house- church elder, then Churches of Christ pastor, Lutheran leader and back to Anglican. I have can blessedly connect with all sorts of Christians without being wedded to any label. (Donna taught in a Catholic school for 20 years so we are godparents to “Catholic” children.). My spiritual influences include Early Church Fathers, Reformers, Orthodox teachers, Catholic mystics etc, making me intolerant towards any movement that venerates itself above the name “Jesus”. Earlier today I was praying with a small group which include a Catholic priest, an ex-Presbyterian minister, a Baptist “layman” a (complementarian) Churches of Christ pastor, a Salvo major and a female Anglican minister. The prayer and warmth of fellowship contribute theological insights into what the Lord’s Spirit (Eph 4:4) is doing in uniting believers across the planet. This unity is the subject of today’s teaching.
Beyond Small Thinking
Many local churches see themselves as “lighthouse” congregations, but the New Testament testifies that the Church of a city is a light the world (e.g. Rev 2-3). Jesus prophesies, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). In this “I am” declaration he identifies himself with the glory and light that filled the house of the LORD God in Old covenant times (Ex 13:21-22; 1 Ki 8:10-11 etc.). Even more challenging he taught his disciples: “You (plural) are the light of the world. A city (Gk. Πόλις polis) built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14-16). This is a profound vision much greater than the narrow sight of Western individualistic thinking. E.g. Bill Hybels said: “The Local Church IS indeed the hope of the world.” To expose this (unconscious) unorthodoxy I need to expound some theology based on the explanation of the eternal Word becoming human (John 1:14).
The ALL-Transforming Power of God’s Light
The great theologian Thomas Aquinas testified: “Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” This implies that by the miracle of “The Word becoming flesh/human” (John 1:14) the eternal uncreated Light of God has been perfectly united with the created light of humanity in Jesus. When Saul was humbled and converted by “light from heaven” on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3; 22:6; 26:13) he was radically transformed in the depths of his being by the eternal uncreated Light of God in the “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 8:9). The all-powerful light which Paul later applies to himself (Acts 13:47 citing Isaiah 49:6), “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you (singular) a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”, must be understood as the emanation of “the light of the Gospel” (2 Cor 4:4) with the power to transform humanity at the level of creatureliness making people new beings in Christ (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15). A transformation which is eternal! Consider, for example, the mystical “light experience” working to save Wolfhart Pannenberg (https://www.abc.net.au/religion/faith-and-the-future-wolfhart-pannenberg-and-what-it-means-to-te/10099030), or the power of light working in a famously holy Russian monk (https://bathedinlight.weebly.com/st-seraphims-transfiguration-in-the-holy-spirit-in-conversation-with-motovilov.html). The best way to explain this power is that the light of Christ today a the-anthropic (God-human) L/light (https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1957/12/the-theanthropic-nature-of-christ). This L/light, already existing in the Church (Rev 2-3), is one with the light of God shining into eternity (Rev 22:5). It possesses supernatural ability to draw into the City of God the glory of the gifts of the nations from its “kings” (Rev 21:24, 26), i.e. in the symbolism of Revelation, “ordinary Christians” (Rev 1:6; 5:10 cf. 2 Cor 4:7). Whilst this eternal dynamic will be perfected in a world freed from all evil (Rev 21:11; 22:5), the more the Church becomes freed in the divine glory (John 17:17) from corrupting sin the more she shares in the transparency of the coming City of L/light (Rev 22:21) and the more this dynamic kingdom operation takes place NOW. This is the power and extent of the apostolic-prophetic vision for every city-Church (e.g. Church in Perth). What presently blocks such miraculous enlightenment?
Mystical Transfiguration
It has been wonderfully said, “God loves his enemies more than himself.” (Maximus Confessor, T.F. Torrance cf. Matt 5:43-48) It is the blazing light of the revelation of underserved forgiveness that must pour forth in the power of the Spirit through the Church (Rom 5:5) in the beauty which will save the world (Dostoyevsky). In the meantime, various old wineskins must be discarded (Mark 2:22). Older generations must accept that young people (e.g. Gen Z) are globally interconnected and post-institutional, so old denominational priorities are already passing away (1 Cor 7:31; 1 John 2:17). The husk/form of old wineskins must be discarded (e.g. https://gideons.org/) even if their fruit/kernel must be treasured! Globally, we are already witnessing massive transformations, e.g. the Anglican Communion is disintegrating (https://gafcon.org/communique-updates/canterbury-appointment-abandons-anglicans/). Those unwilling, liberal or conservative, to carry the cross with Jesus (Matt 16:24-27) will find themselves bypassed in the coming global move of God.
Conclusion
Throughout eternity the one undivided and indivisible L/light will shine forth through the one Body/Bride/City/Church forever (Rev 21:23ff). I have already, in artistic form, prophesied of the emergence of such great things (https://cross-connect.net.au/about/cross-connect-vision/). Whilst only young people may live long enough to fully embrace this vision, all followers of Jesus must “shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil 2:15 cf. Eph 5:8). The day is fast approaching when neither stars nor planets will endure in the new cosmos (Rev 22:5, 16; 1 Pet 1:19), for their incandescent radiance will be replaced by us to the glory of God in Christ (cf. Dan 12:3; Matt 13:43). In the grace of Christ your brilliance will never flare out. Until that glorious Day, in the light of such great things we are called to prayerfully live in/as the L/light of such a glorious vision radiating through the Church of our city!