thread: 2007-01-04 : Self-identification vs. Membership
On 2007-01-10, Ed Heil wrote:
From a certain point of view, a sacramental observance, or even a miracle, can be seen as a focal point, an especially focused example of a generally profound truth. Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes; God creates all good things, and the teachings and way of Jesus bring spiritual plenitude. Sunday is the Lord's Day (or Saturday is the Sabbath)—all days are holy, but by this observance we can see what a "holy day" *is*.
From that point of view, whatever the ontological truth of Jesus as God Incarnate, believing Jesus is God Incarnate doesn't deny that the universe in general is one with God, Sufi-style; Jesus as God Incarnate is a focal point by which one can see the the whole universe as full of the incarnate presence of God.
So "inasmuch as you do this unto the least of these my brethren, you do it unto me."
I don't know if that particular way of understanding things has a distinct name in theology or how widespread it is, but I think it's not unknown in Christian theology.
