Religious Education Update: March 23, 2008
Happy Easter
Spring has just arrived, and as I write I look out at the green covered hills of Sonoma Mountain, and abundant wildflowers in hues of yellow, white and purple. The whole world appears to be rejoicing in front of me. What a glorious season to be celebrating life, rebirth, warmth and love!
Many Unitarian Universalists celebrate Easter, but struggle with the traditional Easter story of the crucifixion and the resurrection. The story is even challenging for believers, as the gospel accounts contradict each other, leave unanswered questions, and certainly seem scientifically implausible. It is miraculous that this story survived at all. Jesus’ followers were disorganized and felt powerless after Jesus was killed as a common criminal. Jesus’ ministry had been very short, probably only a year or two, and his teachings were not written down during his lifetime. Although the Jews had hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman occupation, the Romans remained as powerful as ever. The Pharisees, who had clashed frequently with Jesus during his lifetime, were not supportive of the small band of followers who still believed in Jesus’ message. However, these followers managed to overcome their fears, and establish a new faith.
Much, much later the Christian church developed doctrines that our early Unitarian/Universalist ancestors rejected. Three hundred years after Jesus, the Council of Nicea wrote the creed that established the Trinity. Eleven hundred years after Jesus, Archbishop of Canterbury Anselm developed the Doctrine of Atonement which states that Jesus died for our sins, and that belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation.
However, the message of love that early Christians preached may still provide meaning for UU’s. The apostle Paul wrote in First Corinthians: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or arrogant or rude; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things; hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” In that spirit of love, I wish you Happy Easter.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
Spring has just arrived, and as I write I look out at the green covered hills of Sonoma Mountain, and abundant wildflowers in hues of yellow, white and purple. The whole world appears to be rejoicing in front of me. What a glorious season to be celebrating life, rebirth, warmth and love!
Many Unitarian Universalists celebrate Easter, but struggle with the traditional Easter story of the crucifixion and the resurrection. The story is even challenging for believers, as the gospel accounts contradict each other, leave unanswered questions, and certainly seem scientifically implausible. It is miraculous that this story survived at all. Jesus’ followers were disorganized and felt powerless after Jesus was killed as a common criminal. Jesus’ ministry had been very short, probably only a year or two, and his teachings were not written down during his lifetime. Although the Jews had hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman occupation, the Romans remained as powerful as ever. The Pharisees, who had clashed frequently with Jesus during his lifetime, were not supportive of the small band of followers who still believed in Jesus’ message. However, these followers managed to overcome their fears, and establish a new faith.
Much, much later the Christian church developed doctrines that our early Unitarian/Universalist ancestors rejected. Three hundred years after Jesus, the Council of Nicea wrote the creed that established the Trinity. Eleven hundred years after Jesus, Archbishop of Canterbury Anselm developed the Doctrine of Atonement which states that Jesus died for our sins, and that belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation.
However, the message of love that early Christians preached may still provide meaning for UU’s. The apostle Paul wrote in First Corinthians: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or arrogant or rude; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things; hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” In that spirit of love, I wish you Happy Easter.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 5:54 AM
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