One of the (many!) defining differences between orthodox Christianity and Gnostic Christianity is the understanding of what is required of Christians toward salvation. The common factor of grace, which is commonly understood to be YHWH’s unmerited favor and mercy, remains. Requirements of a life lived worthy of Christ, according to orthodoxy, seems focused on suffering which is rejected by Gnostics. To them, it is incomprehensible that a “loving” God would require misery and suffering of His faithful as a means by which salvation is achieved.
Some of the biggest churches in the United States today are non-denominational churches whose pastors and teachers seem intent on preaching “happy” theology, insisting that the God of mercy and grace is a “happy” God who wants His faithful to be happy maybe because happy people are fulfilled people, and fulfilled people may be better Christian witnesses. People are flocking to these churches in droves because a “happy” message seems to be what they want. I don’t see a real problem with this notion on the surface, but I do see a colossal failure in another sense. The failure is restricted, in my humble opinion, to what we perceive as “suffering” and how we equate “suffering” with “misery”. Therein, I think, is the fundamental problem.
Another difference between orthodox Christianity and Gnosticism centers on our understanding of the difference between our mortal bodies and our immortal souls. On the surface there is little to disagree with because orthodox Christians do understand that our physical bodies will one day expire but until then, we strive to do the best we can with what we have. Gnostics focus on the spiritual existence as the primary focus and seem to believe that orthodox Christianity puts too much emphasis on the physical in its insistence upon suffering as a must. Though these are somewhat related, the conflict still seems to focus on the difference in perspective.
No one wants to go through life unhappy, and few of us like to witness misery. Indeed, the idea that the Lord requires, let alone DESIRES our misery may be one of the reasons why orthodox Christianity is experiencing a slide in membership in favor of “spiritual” Christians who reject such teachings and thus reject denominational church membership. The desire for salvation is as intense, as well it should be, but such a simplistic understanding may fall more in line with a “something for nothing” mentality that speaks volumes toward our consumer mentality, get-rich-quick schemes that more and more people are falling victim to, and easy credit that has produced a market system which is overwhelmed and beginning to show signs of extreme stress and, maybe, potential collapse.
Resolving these problems will not be an overnight solution because these problems were not arrived at overnight. By the same token, moving from sinner to saint is going to require much more from us than to simply say, “I’m sorry” or to merely call ourselves “Christian”. This is not to say that we are not forgiven when we truly repent and seek this forgiveness but we must repent … and many simply don’t want to because being repentant means making a physical and mental change from one lifestyle to another, from one system of thoughts and beliefs to another. It is a process that requires effort and sacrifice. It is a process that is inherently conflicting.
Sacrifice and “suffering”, however, seem to be the sticking points where too many get hung up. After all, being “happy” means doing what is pleasing to us and, well, the Lord wants us to be “happy”, yes? Is this not what “feel good” theology is all about? Living life to its fullest potential which will lead to prosperity, health, and …. Happiness? From my own perspective, the only ones getting very happy are the TV preachers who are making millions selling a false, or at least misleading, product that has a very weak basis in biblical merit. They are merely marketing a consumer product that people want while ignoring what many actually need.
The whole purpose of Ash Wednesday is in direct conflict with “feel good” theology which is focused on this life; its purpose and intent is to remind us of something far more lasting and enduring than anything “feel good” theology will ever produce. Ash Wednesday is also an extreme challenge that pushes us outside our physical presence – which is mortal and finite - and demands attention to the life that will endure far beyond the grave – which is immortal and infinite.
Ash Wednesday begins a process not unlike cleaning out the refrigerator or any other storage container. These containers cannot be wished clean; they have to be examined and scrubbed. The old stuff will need to be tossed out lest their consumption make us sick. This process will necessarily require that we examine the differences between our worldly desires and our genuine needs. It may not be a pleasant process but it is a process, and it is necessary.
The only thing unpleasant about “suffering” is the conflict which is created when we place too much emphasis on self-pleasing endeavors that sustain our physical, mortal being. The imposition of the ashes demands suffering in this sense: our physical bodies are but mere dust. We can take reasonable care, and we should, but it is not the life that will endure beyond the grave. We are not required to make peace with mortality. “Suffering” merely requires that we focus less on self.
Let us remove from our “containers” the impurities which cause illness and death. Let us create for the Lord new space within these tired, old containers and enter into the season of Lent with a renewed sense of being, purposed for other-than-self existence, to give all glory where glory is due: to God the Father, the Almighty.
Amen.
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