Incisive Christianity

Perhaps the most incisive element of Christianity is the overcoming of narcisism and denial. The painful truths we hide from ourselves must be revealed in order that we may no longer be enslaved by our secrets, walking in darkness. So Nathan confronts King David with his crimes "You are the man!" So Jesus confronts the woman at the well "You're darn tootin' you have no husband! You've had five husbands and the fella you're sleepin' with now aint even your husband!" So Stephen confronts "the Jews" [those under the Law] "You are the ones who received the law as handed down by angels yet none of you keeps it." So Peter confronts "the Jews" "This Jesus, whom you crucified, God has raised up and seated him at his right hand."

Those with ears to hear were cut to the heart. They acknowledged the truth and the truth set them free. "What then shall we do?" they cry. John the Baptist tells them to be good. Micah tells them to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with their God. Peter just tells them to believe in God's forgiveness of their sins and be baptized. From the darkness of slavery and fear they now walk in the light of the truth of God's grace, having died to the power of sin and having been raised to newness of life.

This is the dialectic of Law and Gospel. The Law cuts open the pericardium so that God is able to remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of feeling and pathos.