Couple of Theological Thoughts

One funny (to me) and one super interesting.

1) I had my first class today, an Old Testament class on the Pentateuch (aka the Torah or Genesis through Deuteronomy). We opened the class in prayer in which my professor concluded with, "In Jesus' name." I think this is funny because here we are, learning about a part of scripture in which Jesus the Christ has yet to be realized. However, it's also important to keep in mind, because as a Christian, I real these books of scripture through the lens of the redeeming Son of God. It's an interesting thought and reminder of my own biases (not necessarily bad ones) that I bring to the study of faith and the scriptures.

2) In my readings for my next class (tomorrow morning), a Systematic Theology class overviewing Christian Teachings. As part of our reading, we read a chapter entitled "Confessing Jesus Christ in Context" by Migliore. In this chapter, the author speaks to the fact that again, as we study religion, we come from different places and contexts to study theologies from different places and contexts. This chapter overviews different theological contexts, including Latin American, African American, Asian (mostly Korean) American, and Feminist contexts in their theologies.

The interesting point I wish to share (though there are many) comes from a Korean American theologian A.S. Park. He offers another layer to the idea of sin. While most people, myself included, first think of sin as an action (or inaction) taken on the part of some perpetrator. For example, I do something that harms my relationship with a friend and therefore my relationship with Christ. In this case, I am the perpetrator and the sinner. Park agrees with this but takes it further. Rather than the only sinner in this situation being the perpetrator who requires forgiveness and redemption, the sin also falls on the victim. The victim becomes enslaved by anger and resentment and requires liberation from oppression. I never really thought about my displeasure or anger at another's sin needing liberation for myself.

However, the more I reflect on it, the more I wonder if that is how one is able to forgive his/her neighbor when their neighbor sins. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." This line from the Lord's prayer strikes me as particularly relevant in this discussion. I've heard in the past that if one is to be forgiven and cleansed by Christ's gift of redemption, one must be able and willing to forgive themselves. Using Park's idea, I see that both the perpetrator and the victim of the sin must forgive themselves before being able to forgive the sin completely. If I am the victim of another's sin, I must allow Christ to take that sin of oppression from me; only then am I able to forgive the other, thereby helping them to release their sin into the arms of Christ.

Woah. Only one day and I'm thinking of the redemptive power of Christ and how that affects my/our mortal, temporal relationships. This might be a long semester...