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According to Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy's cross of reality, individuals are always stretched out on a cross, in four directions - to the past and to the future, to the inside and to the outside. Growth and maturity come when we endure the cross in faith that when we are torn to pieces we will yet by revived, that our death on the cross of reality is the gateway to life. Like Jesus, we are glorified through the cross.
Churches are also on the cross.
Churches are called to remain faithful to the past while also boldly embracing the novelty of the future; called to cultivate a distinctive language and culture inside the community, while also listening attentively to voices from outside.
Life would be much easier if we could ignore one or the other poles of the cross. Life would be much easier if we could retreat to a pure inside and ignore the outside; life would be much easier if we could rest in the securities of the past rather than face the uncertainties of the future.
Life is easier off the cross, but if we get off the cross, we will never grow up.
At the 2007 GA, the PCA attempted to remove itself from the cross, retreating into the safety of the past and denouncing those willing to listen to voices outside.
This is safe. This is easy. But this is not the path to greater maturity or deepening reformation. Because unless we are torn, we will never grow.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Friday, June 22, 2007 at 07:11 AM
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