Man’s wisdom and the Place of the Skull

The Holy Gospel of Matthew illumines the attentive Christian to the final moments of the Salvation of mankind. The places described therein direct the reader towards Divine Knowledge and Understanding regarding the spiritual condition of man and the root of his pride. Golgotha, or “the Place of the Skull”, is the place of dethronement for the wisdom of man, his intellectual pride. The Place of the Skull is the seat of man’s wisdom.

Ascending Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, the Logos or Word of God carried mankind in his fallen state and spiritual depravity of his carnal mind. Working Salvation for him, God Himself submitted the flesh to crucifixion. The idol of the rational intellect, that is, the trusting of one’s own rational senses, was abandoned helplessly on the Tree. The “God” of mankind, his rational pride, the ego, was cast down from the Place of the Skull.

The phrase “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) describes the most profound of spiritual mysteries, the moment that the rational mind faced the curse of death without experiencing any sin. In extreme humility and innocence, the Anointed One entered the unknown, being abandoned by his own mind without any earthly and visible hope.

The overturning of the rule of the carnal and rational mind in man gave birth to Divine Illumination by Faith, by which all men may enter into the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2). The stripping of the power of death by Faith, numbing its sting (1 Cor 15:55), and empowering men to neither fear it nor obey it, is the mechanism by which Christian martyrs are made. It is this phenomenon which is the mark of true spirituality and Christian authenticity.

The abandonment of the carnal senses, the trusting in what man “knows” is the mechanism of True Faith. This True Faith is expressed consummately in Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Authentic and rightful Heir of God, the Logos of God and Christus Victor, the Righteous and Anointed One who overthrew the death’s stronghold and reversed the curse. In reality, the Wisdom of God is the Illumination of Faith, to see through the veneer of death into eternity. The casting down of human wisdom from the Place of the Skull, was in reality an eternal gamechanger, affecting mankind’s very Nature.

Catharsis and the Nous

The theology of the West is characterized by the elevation of the intellect, or the rational mind, evidenced by the academic approach in its seminaries. A “theological school”, by definition, applies a scholastic approach to learning, employing aristotelian logic and reason to arrive at systematic conclusions. Although the information age has distributed many theological writings, reading about first-hand experiences of The Holy does not qualify a true theologian. Rather than a sharp rational capacity, a true theologian requires a pure noetic facility.

The “nous”, or center of man, is sometimes described as the “heart”, the facility of man which “grows cold” (Matthew 12:24) due to wickedness. Sins, vices and passions affect this spiritual “eye”, the purity of which fills the body with light as with a lamp (Matthew 6:22). It is those who are pure in heart that are blessed, for they shall “see” God (Matthew 5). It is this “seeing” the Invisible God, a Firelight that burns but does not consume (Genesis 3:2), that a true theologian is produced. The purifying effect of this “fire” on the nous is the catalyst for True Theology. By the Light of God, we see light (Psalm 36:9).

Catharsis (Katharsis) is the greek word describing this purification of the soul. For the righteous, the Fire of God does not consume, but purifies the spiritual sight to see more clearly. Sanctification is the state of illumination, where the sinner becomes aware of God, becoming more mindful where he steps (Ps 119:105). It is the beauty of the Divine Light that draws the righteous and consumes wickedness. “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). It is this personal holiness that translates the Nature of God to one’s fellow man.

The Light of God represents and is Divine Wisdom, or hidden Knowledge of God. Thus this invisible Divine Light, or Glory, is indeed True Theology. It is the true theologian who is filled with this Divine Light (Exodus 43:35), pouring forth in word and action, revealing The Holy. We read about this spiritual phenomenon in textbook cases in the bible. Rather than reading about theologians, the true theologian is he who experiences the Divine Light of God, evidenced by his own outward disposition of character.

The Cross prefigured

A “prefiguration” foreshadows a coming event or reality in time. In the case of Orthodox Christianity, its theology and practice is prefigured in the Old Testament scriptures by use of imagery and typology. The law and the prophets, the temple worship of the Israelites, the festal calendar and lectionary (scheduled readings), are a prefiguration of Orthodox Christianity, the complete dispensation of the Character and Nature of God. For Orthodox Christianity, all the wisdom of the law and the prophets are alluding to the person of Jesus Christ. As the Old Testament foreshadows Christ, its theology can be summated by the Cross.

The Tradition of making the Sign of the Cross is rooted in the people and events of the Old Testament. The Prophets are considered “orthodox” by Christians; their revelation of God is considered the “right glory”. Their mysterious acts revealed true theology because they pointed to the True Theologian, the God-Man who discloses all mysteries. The Cross is displayed in hindsight to the Christian, coded throughout the Old Testament scriptures along with hundreds of other references to Christ’s life.

Moses’ righteous acts may not be immediately recognized as the work of the Logos. Parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and securing victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:11) Moses made himself an icon using his body and staff. Stretching out his hand, Moses parted the waters by He who commands the storm. The spiritual victory by way of the Cross over the forces of evil is also foretold in the battle with the Amalekites. The sign of the Cross is the sign of Christus Victor.

The crossing of Jacob’s hands when blessing his younger son (Genesis 49), speaks of the blessing that the younger religion would be to the world. Though the “older brother” has precedence, the younger would rise up to bless the world with the true “Anointed One”. Contrary to the established birthright, the lineage of the younger would go on to establish an Eternal Kingdom.

The mysterious act surrounding the floating axe head in 2 Kings chapter 6 warrants a much deeper search in meaning. The prophet Elisha takes a stick and tosses it in the Jordan at the location where the axe head fell in the river. With much allusion, the Word of God, the Logos, turns the established order upside down and the work of “letting every man take a beam from there, to make a dwelling place” continues by way of a miracle.

The icon of the Cross alludes to the Incarnate Logos. It is this manifesting, or being made present, that the miracles of the Old Testament were wrought. The acts of the Old Testament are accomplished by the Word of God. It is by His Icon that the revelation of God is manifest. Though the original manifestation was yet to occur by way of the Incarnation, the taking up of human flesh, True Theology was revealed by the Sign of the Cross. As the Power of God is fully revealed at the Cross, so it is the aftershocks of this event that are felt in the times of the Prophets.

Salve and Salvation 2

In spiritual perfection, the Christ reveals the nature of Salvation, making manifest the healing described by the Old Testament Prophets. Taking earth from the ground He makes a salve, or paste, in which He contributes His own saliva. Being Himself God, this act serves to illustrate the Divine Nature. Healing is within Him, He offers it to creation, and He is Himself Healing. The Logos taking “earth” from the virgin and uniting it with the Divine is in fact the “Balm of Gilead”, or “the Christ”, “the Chrism” or “An Anointing”.

Having the blind man wash in the Pool of Siloam (meaning “Sent”) anticipated the Pharisees farsightedness on the origin of Divine Healing. “We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” Here a man was rendered whole, and the Pharisees could not identify the Source of the activity. The man born blind answered with an appropriately Christian response. “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!”

Christ’s judgement in verse 41 relates to the spiritual blindness towards this Reality. The Author of Life possesses Healing in His Nature. Those who cannot see this Reality, or those for whom this Reality is clouded, face a type of spiritual blindness. They cannot see the Logos of God in creation, they cannot see the Source of Divine Generosity. These are the ones who will become blind when all creation is “filled with the Knowledge of God”. (Habakkuk 2:14)

In John chapter 9 we experience the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures by the Logos making manifest the Divine Nature. As Christ incarnated God, even His Divine Chastisements were infused with Divine Compassion, an overflow of His Nature into all creation. Both the gentleness and the harsh word mimic the effects of salve on a fresh wound. We may feel the sting of hydrogen peroxide, but if we trust the Physician, we make a speedy recovery when He gently removes the dressing.

Salve and Salvation

Salve, or balm, is an ointment promoting healing when applied to the body. Its effects include the generation of healthy cells, such that without the assistance of the ointment, the body could not escape the cycle of death. Salve has the effect of infusing life by healing the functionality of cells. These cells allow sensory apparati to work effectively, connecting the organism to its world, thereby sustaining it.

Salve, or balm, provides a clear illustration for the Prophet (Jeremiah 8:22). The spiritual state of mankind is such that it cannot perceive the Source of All Life, causing a degeneration of spiritual health. Mankind is disconnected from the Unoriginate One, and as a result she fumbles about with her disordered carnal senses.

Mankind’s spiritual sensory apparati has been badly damaged by sins and passions (Psalm 135:17,18) (Psalm 115:5) (Psalm 36:2) (Isaiah 42:18) (Matthew 13:13). Her spiritual “eye” has been darkened (Matthew 6:23). The Logos of God, functioning as Priest, King, Teacher and Prophet in His Incarnation, fully enlightens and reveals this sobering spiritual reality with His teachings and miracles. All who meditate on His words and worship Him as the God-Man receive from Him the Cure, which He also incarnates for us. Christ Himself is the Salve of our Salvation (Isaiah 12:2) (Psalm 118:14). The Word of God is the Medicine of Immortality.

In the gospel of John chapter 9, Christ heals the man born blind. Being the Incarnation of Divine Generosity, His healing acts reveal the nature of Salvation, which springs from God Himself. Christ teaches that “This man was born blind that the works of God might be displayed in Him”. Prophetically and with Divine Compassion, Christ heals the man’s sight. The eternal significance of this act was further clarified in a conversation with the Pharisees in verse 40. For those who can see their blindness, they become enlightened, those who claim they can see, their guilt remains.

Image and Likeness

Orthodox Christianity discloses all Divine activity via Divine Revelation. The Providence of God describes a type of spiritual inertia, that is, the movement of the Holy Spirit upon the “face of the deep” (Gen 1:2), or the “waters” of creation. This current is directed Godward, towards the Omega, the “Second Adam” (1 Cor 15:45), or the “archetype” of all creation. As men are “carried along” by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:21), they speak of this spiritual reality and are themselves “caught up to heaven”, thus “seeing” visions and prophesying. In this they are voluntarily given over to the Utterance of the Spirit, professing the Divine/human Harmonization prophesied in Genesis. Image corresponds to the autonomy of will, while likeness describes the conformation of human will to the Divine Will.

Mankind is made in the “image” of God, and thus has an autonomous will as the Divine Will is autonomous. The Divine Will is shared among the Godhead, however, the Logos, or the Incarnate Word of Divine Wisdom, also has a human will, which was voluntarily assumed as to accomplish the fulfilment of all creation. This fulfillment of creation can be described as concluding in the “Likeness” of God, that is, human will choosing the Will of God. This was done in the Spiritual Perfection of the Life of Christ. This Ultimate Reality is described in the Old Testament as the “Arm” or “Right Hand” of God (Isaiah 59). The God-Man is also the “firstborn” (Colossians 1:15) of all creation, representing the Divine Hand, or Wisdom, of God.

As mankind succumbs to the Hand of God as a vessel does to a potter, the Invisible Mechanism of the Spirit can be “seen” as the effects of a wind. The Spirit “moves” upon the waters of creation, causing a ripple effect originating in the moment of Christ’s death. The fusion of the Divine with humanity’s frailty is the completion of the work; the Life-Giving Spirit has trampled on death by death itself, infusing it with Life. In a profound spiritual mystery, humanity is regenerated by the Life of Christ as branches on a Life-giving Vine (John 15:5). Unrestricted to time, the Eternal Word grafts in members and bears Life-Giving and Eternal Fruit.

The synergy of the human will and the Divine Will in hypostatic Union is the “Root” (Isaiah 11) by which this Life-Giving Spirit flows freely. Without limit, the Christ accomplished this in every aspect of His earthly life. The Christ, or Logos, has eternally bonded the human will with the Divine Will as prophesied in Genesis. The Hand of God has formed mankind into His Likeness in the Life of Christ. Sitting at the Father’s “Right Hand”, it is the Logos that judges the earth from every angle. Experiencing the blameless passions of mankind, he was tempted in every way, becoming an Advocate for some and a Judge for others (1 John 2:1).

The completion of God’s creative activity is fulfilled and marked by the Life of the God-Man Jesus Christ. By looking upon the Icon of God in Christ, men are awakened to understand this spiritual reality and “see” the “Hand of God” at work in the Life of Christ. Though God is Invisible, the Holy Spirit can be “seen” in the spiritual sense, by comprehending the movement of humanity in two directions. Christward, humanity is brought into the Likeness of God, while the contrary spirit, the Anti-Christ, denies these immutable said realities.

A Triune Theoria

The greek word “Theoria” corresponds to the spiritual vision of God, denoting a “gazing at”, or “being aware of”. As God is infinitely beyond human facility to comprehend, the term Theoria suggests a suprarational state of contemplation of the Divine by power beyond the psyche. Affecting a deeper realm of the spirit, this “vision” of God illumines the center of man, creating ripples of change on every other level. The vision of God as a Tri-Unity results in changes in social habit and conduct as he becomes awakened to the greater Community of God, forgetting self-interest and self-preservation. A Triune theoria turns the center of man Godward to the Life-Giving Unity.

One who has truly comprehended the Trinity on a level beyond the rational displays unselfish traits, even to the point of distaining ego-centric activity. Anything in which he cannot see God becomes lacklustre and bland. What was personally edifying is replaced by activities edifying the community; he desires to awaken all of mankind to the Triune God. In a love for Spiritual Perfection, the Christian’s spiritual eyes are illumined with invisible Light; he sees what others cannot see.

Spiritual blindness is the state of an inverse Theoria. An unholy trinity of “me”, “myself”, and “I”, it is characterised by an obsession with self. Activities flow from the “carnal” or “worldly” capacity of man in a tone of ambition and domination. The power of the intellect is elevated beyond the spiritual power to love. Love itself becomes self-interested; relationships are dysfunctional as they fail to be life-giving. This spiritually bankrupt state continues to rob itself until the moment of God’s providence.

Spiritual vision is turned towards God upon the breaking of human will. The human soul is afflicted with many desires which orient him inward. Upon denying one’s desires (not my will, but Thine be done), there exists a small space in time where all facilities remain open before their Creator. The moment of prayer renders the Christian available to mimic the same Unity that brought the world into existence.

The healing or regeneration of humanity is accomplished by purifying human Theoria. Darkened by the sins of pride, the spiritual facility of mankind is cloudy at best. By practicing the Christian Faith, one encounters the Trinity through His Second Person, coming in direct contact with the Health of humanity Himself. Seeing His ordered humanity creates an ontological change in disposition; He cures spiritual blindness by his Perfect Continuity (see Colossians 2:9). It is this phenomenon that is itself the Triune Theoria.

The Community of God

A highly individualized form of Christianity attempts to perceive the Tri-Unity with the rational intellect. Being powered by the human ego, one’s spiritual perception of the suprarational Being is blinded as church activities take on a curious self-centered tone. Slow and imperceptible, egocentrism is fortified upon seemingly innocent and enjoyable activities. These, combined with a lack of authentic spiritually-reorienting (ascetic) practises, anchor the individual in the isolation of the psyche. It is in this state that the preoccupation with self clouds any spiritual vision of the common Unity of God.

As God Himself is Unity (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:29), it is precisely in our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ that humanity is reconciled to, and finds common unity with, God. As the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9), the Invisible Reality has been made visible in His birth, life, death, and resurrection. A Holy Unity of Light and Life, this Godhead cooperates for the redemption and regeneration of all things. By meditating upon these great mysteries, the Christian is awakened to the implications of these realities, forming their paradigm of God and all of creation.

It is in this epiphany of the providential activity of God that the Knowledge of the Holy is transmitted to the Christian. Though the human mind cannot comprehend the Essence of the Holy, through spiritual renewal he perceives it beyond his rational facility. Man’s spirit not only has the capacity to perceive God, but also to “know”, that is, to have Intimate Union with the Holy Spirit. It is in this profound Union that spiritual life is brought forth, the conversion and Salvation of nations. Accompanied by birthing pains as a woman in labour (Galatians 4:19), men are born into the family of God.

This family of God is rooted in the Source of Divine Wisdom Himself, the Christ of God. This spiritual Vine (John 15:5) or “Root” (Revelation 5:5) (Isaiah 11), spoken of through the prophets is that by which the family of God receives its spiritual inheritance. The common ground for this “spiritual house” (2 Peter 2) is the True Cornerstone (Ps118:22) (Matthew 21:42), the Rock on which men are broken and others crushed (Matthew 21:44). It is precisely in this bending the knee that men are conformed to His Likeness, receiving His spiritual DNA by grace. Christ’s teachings are the plumb line for all True Spirituality, and His Lordship brings about authentic godliness characteristic of the fathers of the faith; a selfless and sacrificial love for all of creation.

A community built upon anything other than the sacrificial love of Christ can only find unity in the vices of man. Self-satisfying social clubs lack motivation for the mortification of the flesh. In such there is difficulty in finding encouragement towards self-renunciation and true godliness. They take the form of gangs and mobs, fixated on the preservation of self and the status quo. Such is the kingdom of man: self-interested, self-serving, and self-absorbed. Even acts of kindness are polluted with selfish undertones.

What unifies God is perpetual giving. The Community of God is precisely that. A spiritual Israel, a Holy Nation, the common Unity of God shares in common all that is life-giving and good. Dispelling all that divides (Galatians 3:26), the Christ possesses that which is Truly God and Truly Man. It is in this Unity of the Faith that Christians move, live and have their being (Acts 17:28). The perfection of this common Unity of God is expressed in Christ’s mystical Body, the One Holy and Apostolic Church.

Make a martyr

True Orthodox spirituality is inherited and gleaned from the life of the early Church. Historical records, including the New Testament, provide some context for the normative Christian life, painting a picture of total devotion and personal sacrifice characteristic of Pure Religion. Often, in the same Spirit of Christ, our Holy Fathers made the ultimate sacrifice, eternally illuminating the Way for the future Elect. Without knowledge of these events, it is possible for one to have a concept of Christianity that is detached from this sobering tone. Paradoxically, while there are many joys of Eternal value in the Christian life, they are achieved by detachment to this life by way of dying. Though a different shade of color, every authentic Christian is a type of martyr.

The most obvious group of martyrs are those historically coded “Red”. Bloody and violent was the end of these Chosen, stubbornly unwilling to renounce the Lordship of Christ. Some were beheaded, cut in half, or burned, while others were torn apart by wild beasts. Many Saints met their Maker in this fashion, being found worthy to die for the cause of Christ. It is said in the book of Hebrews that “the world was not worthy of them.”

The White martyrs are those who have abandoned everything they love and have for God’s sake. These are the ascetics and mystics, cave-dwelling prophets and hermits. This strict asceticism is a type of “living martyrdom”, a testimony and witness against the pleasures and allurements of the world. As a sign against an idolatrous nation, they act as a spiritual thermometer when humanity is lead astray by the comforts and luxuries of prosperity. These men and women are those who have “subdued kingdoms” and “wrought righteousness” by closing the mouths of lions.

Green martyrs, coded blue in the west, are those who free themselves from egocentrism and passions by way of prayer and fasting. These are everyday “monastics” who live either married or celibate in the world. Requiring extreme spiritual focus, these Christians are bombarded daily with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. This life proves especially difficult, and few of these are able to persevere under the subtle allurements of the world. Those who do not abandon the Path are marked with vigilance and ruthless determination.

As the abundant life of Christ recalls His Passion, the follower of Christ also enters into Christ’s life by way of death. This mystery of the Faith is disclosed to the Elect, the True Orthodox Christian. Every authentic Christ follower will enter into this phenomenon either consciously or unconsciously. The historic Church can provide some insight for this reality, encouraging and assisting the Christian in the faithful life. In this life we have great company, the “cloud of witnesses” pointing to the True Way, the True Gate, and the True Life: The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The Mission and the Vision

The Mystery of God revealed to man clarifies the foundational catalyst for all Divine activity in the world. The Holy Bible is a record of such revelation, culminating in the Incarnation of God, the substantiation of the Divine before the eyes of men. The disclosure of the Mysteries of God through the worship of the Logos and the purifying action of the Spirit, results in human transformation into true godliness; authentic participation in the Divine Nature. This Divine Nature is none other than being clothed with the Knowledge of the Holy, beholding the Almighty Ancient of Days. This Vision of God is a gateway for His Regenerating Power. Thus, the greatest thing one can do for humanity is to purify their vision of God.

As mankind’s spiritual understanding is darkened (Ephesians 4:18), it is simply for lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:6) that they destroy themselves. The most desperate need for this self-harming world, is to gaze upon the Source of Life Himself. This spiritual blindness is healed by the Great Physician, God Incarnate, the Word of God made visible. The Second Person of the Trinity is fleshed out in the Lord Jesus Christ. From the Wisdom of His gospels we can experience purification of our spiritual sight and receive spiritual understanding.

As a man receives clarity from the Logos of God, the spiritual pitfalls in his path are illuminated (Ps 119:105) and he sees more clearly. At this point he can make spiritual progress, and in doing so he is able to call out to other pilgrims on the Way. The only thing the Christian has to offer to anyone is the God that has been revealed to him. This is his spiritual offering to the world: the stillness of his soul before the Almighty. It is only then that the ripples in the waters of his life are stilled. It is only then that the Image of God can finally be seen in his reflection.

The ripples in the life of a man are his passions, the desires unhinged from the Second Adam. In a mighty torrent, the waters of a man’s life are so troubled that clarity is obstructed and vision is lost. Looking upon the winds, he is gripped with fear and begins to sink under the whitecaps (Matthew 14:22). But when he invokes the saving Name of God, he is pulled from the depths. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who commands the storm.

By focusing one’s eye upon the Lord Jesus Christ, a man is able to gain spiritual vision and find refuge from his competing desires. This is the purpose behind Christ’s command of ascetic practice (Matthew 16:24). In Christ’s humanity, one can gain a Divine Vision for all humanity. The revelation of the Nature of God in the Lord Jesus Christ acts as a bright morning star, pointing the Way to the spiritual destination. This destination is the Paradise of God, the Union of humanity with the Divine. It is this Knowledge of God, the mystical marriage, that the dwelling place of God is truly among men.

In the stillness of the human soul, one can become aware of God’s Divine activity in the world. It is at this juncture that one can partake in God’s Nature, becoming unified in His Divine Purpose. One’s offering to humanity is directly proportionate to their vision of God. This Knowledge of the Holy is darkened by the desires and passions of man’s soul. The cure for this blindness is looking upon He who was lifted up (John 12:32). As the Christ is lifted up in the sight of one man, all men will be drawn to Him.