I’m currently working on my Doctor of Ministry dissertation on nonviolent pastoral ethics. Part of this is taking a look at the cross and atonement, as it impacts the ethics of pastors. Bill Kincaid, my advisor, talks about a 360 view of the cross. In his own theology, the cross is a vocation to eliminate suffering. It calls us to address systems so there are fewer crosses in the world. I appreciate his view, and I would add that on a personal level, it is up to us to eliminate the crosses that hurt our siblings in Christ, whatever the forms.

 

2. Having humility 

If there’s anything I’ve learned in my varied experiences with different denominations (including the Mennonite church), it’s that we often identify with Jesus. Jesus was misunderstood, persecuted, full of wisdom and full of righteousness. Identifying with Jesus is easy to do, as we are called to be like Christ and to follow him in life. But I’m wondering: Do we also identify with those who crucified him? Do we identify with those who misunderstood his message, dismissed him for being “too political,” wanted to get rid of him, turned their back on him? This is why I believe we should have some spiritual humility during the season of Lent. We can lament the trials and tribulations of Jesus while also remembering that we are sometimes the culprit of the cross. 

3. Recognizing dangerous theology

Just as we want a 360-view of the cross, we need to acknowledge dangerous theology when it comes to the crucifixion. Theologians say many things. James Cone, liberation theologian, talks about the “terror and beauty” of the cross, and how we are to not look away from suffering. Rosemary Radford Ruther talks about there being nothing redemptive when it comes to Christ’s suffering. Part of that 360-angle is making space for differing theology while also remembering the spiritual impact our views of the cross have on people to whom we minister. Do the ways we enact and preach the atonement leave people with the world on their shoulders, or does it lift the burden? 

4. Being understood and being accepted

I think it’s a basic human desire to be understood and accepted. Those things should happen, and, they don’t always happen. Jesus was not understood or accepted by many as we journey this Lenten season. Jesus, in his truest form, is also not understood or accepted today by Christians who have a difficult time stomaching his radical message. There is an Audrey Assad song called “I shall not want” that really brings home the Lenten journey for me. It can be found here. 

5. Resurrecting wounds 

In the book Resurrecting Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma, theologian Shelly Rambo discusses the post-resurrection wounds of Christ as a testament to living through trauma. The cross means a death to our old selves pre-trauma, and the resurrection brings our “afterlife,” or life after trauma. I don’t see this idea as redemptive or glorifying suffering. Rather, it is living a life that has harmed us and using our scars as a testament to others that Christ suffers with us.