My new book, The Dawn of Devotion: A Sacrifice for Devotional Evolution, is arriving soon. This work touches on the sensitive issue surrounding the context and the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The debate of if the resurrection actually took place, or if an actual “Jesus” existed, is one that is fixed to theological frameworks and never intelligently enters into the realm of philosophy. The philosophical and intellectual inquiry over the existence, death, and resurrection of Jesus is important to our present spiritual wellbeing, especially when learning that the fuss is all about a minister willingly sacrificing himself to make a statement about the correct devotional experience.
It is true that, in the multitude of theological narratives, few events hold as much significance as Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This pivotal scene in Christian theology has sparked centuries of debate and interpretation, albeit without sincere contextual reflection. However, beyond the surface-level understanding often presented in mainstream or popular theology, lies a deeper philosophical exploration that challenges traditional views on salvation and redemption.
The portrayal of Jesus Christ as a divine figure sacrificing himself for the sins of humanity is a cornerstone of Christian theory. Yet, upon closer examination, particularly the divergent narratives presented in the four canonical gospels, a more meaningful interpretation emerges. Are we actually reading about the life of a demigod? Is this sacrifice and resurrection actually for natural human fault? We know that, for every religious cult that has existed, the theme of dying and rising deities is central to their core belief. Despite having a familiar pagan theme within the gospel narrative, could there be more to the story connected to Jesus?
Each gospel, despite their reader noticing, offers a unique perspective on their main character, reflecting the diverse theological viewpoints of their authors and their communities. While some emphasize Jesus' role as a savior sent to redeem mankind through his sacrificial death, others focus on his teachings and philosophical insights, completely ignoring the narrative of him as the world’s gift.
The original Jesus community, if we should purge reality from the fictional narrative within the book of Acts, taught what was called, “The Way.” They had taken their leader to have been crucified to death and then resurrected. This idea was not Greek or Roman, but strictly Jewish. They did not see his death as the world’s redemption from sin. They did not see his blood as being something to call upon for pardon of sins. They did not envision their hero next to God in heaven as high priest. They saw him like as they saw Elijah, Elisha, or Moses, as a man, whose death shed light on “the way” to honor that Deity for eventual resurrection at the world’s last day, that was deeply touched and inspired by their Deity.
The Gospel of Luke, for example, deviates from the traditional narrative by emphasizing the importance of adherence to the law of Moses as a path to salvation. In this gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a wise teacher, sharing the wisdom of the inward kingdom of heaven. He is not ultimately the gift to the world, but the kingdom of heaven is. He is bringing that gift to the world, setting the example of how one’s heart and mind, in order to be nearer to the Father, may enter into the intended experience.
Central to understanding the deeper meaning of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection is the concept of Immanuel, which means, "God is with us." Dawn of Devotion investigates how this interpretation suggests that Jesus was not a God with mankind, but that he taught “God,” or that he taught a wisdom inviting hearers to embrace an experience of inner transformation, rather than an external experience of salvation by religious deeds and acts.
The illustration of the crucifixion sheds light on the potential wisdom that the man taught. This wisdom is understood through the allegory of his suspended body. The scriptures inform us to view his body as representing a devotional experience by religious laws, deeds, rites, theories, and rituals. To observe this crucified body is to actually observe not the crucifixion of a man, but rather the crucifixion of a devotional experience held together by religious laws and oppressive theological frameworks.
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are profound symbols of devotional liberation and enlightenment. Dawn of Devotion looks deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of the gospel’s main character, because if we can transcend traditional interpretations to embark on a journey toward greater inward understanding, our living experience will sincerely match the devotional.