I am not but that I am loved!

Let us say that we are participants in a three way cosmic debate on philosophy. Rene Descartes makes the opening statement, “I think therefore I am.” As we watch his words leave his mouth and ripple throughout history we see them find their fullest embodiment in the western ideal of the rugged individualist; in fact, even now becoming the pinnacle of the American Dream. An obscure animist counters in his native tongue with the statement, “I belong therefor I am.” Isolated from the impacts of technology and the opportunity for entrepreneurship he finds his identity in the group. Pockets of unique cultures are formed throughout the world as isolation creates a group mentality. Both men are proud of the legacy they see unfolding in the pages of history but in unison they turn to you eagerly anticipating your opening statement. “Cristos Bride is our name”…and I wonder if that is all most of us can ever explain – the rest is history, the history of the church. Not understanding our identity we have turned each to his own way. But a bold, feeble old man from amongst us stands up and picks up where we left off, “Cristos Bride is our name,…we, we are loved therefore we live!” To Descarte he replies, “You see, thinking is contingent upon being and being (the rugged individualist) when it is finally achieved is a very lonely prospect, indeed. To the animist he replies, “Belonging is contingent upon the group but the group is contingent upon your belonging. In the end the dependent identity stifles life and snuffs itself out.” “Ah, but now comes love, love lifts us up were we belong! It gives us value, purpose, choice, inspiration, creativity, and yes, even life itself. Can you see it? We think because we are loved; we belong because we are loved; and in the end we love because we are loved. And if we love then we live!

Might I give credit where credit is due. Much of this idea of being an especially the animists perspective was taken from a series of lectures George Walker did on World View/ Split Level Christianity.