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Happy Easter, everyone.
Both within the Christian church and outside of it as well, the mystery of Jesus is being plumbed for new depths in a starkly crucified world. From environmental degradation to a seemingly endless global war machine to rising authoritarianism around the world, the forces of death are holding humanity hostage as viciously, and perhaps even more powerfully as at any time in human history. To question whether there is a force in the universe through which evil can be transcended is not just an intellectual or theological luxury. It’s a sign that one is thinking realistically about where humanity finds itself today, humbling yourself enough to consider that perhaps some higher power can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
I will be sending some of my own reflections on Jesus and the resurrection later day, but I wanted to begin the holiday by sending along a conversation I had with my friend and noted theologian Diane Butler Bass. Diana has been described as an “advocate for progressive Christianity.” Her latest book, Freeing Jesus, is a beautiful rumination on the meaning of Jesus in the world today. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
May this be a day in all our lives, when that which was dead will come to new life. From wounded places within ourselves, to broken relationships, to the universal hope for peace, through the mystery of love may everything begin again.
May this be the day.
Amen.
The Freeing Jesus paperback is out now and you can read more from Diana at DianaButlerBass.Substack.com
Freeing Jesus