Monthly Archives: August 2008

In the Image and Likeness of God (Dynamics of Christian Leadership)

31 Sunday Aug 2008

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On April 8, 2005 I sat in front of my television along with millions around the world and millions in Rome itself and watched as Pope John Paul II, servant of God, was laid to rest after an amazing life and an historic pontificate. The funeral Mass was beautiful and a testament to this globe-trotting pope but what was also a testament to John Paul II’s pontificate was the variety of people present. I remember thinking this time and again as the cameras scanned the vast crowd packed into St. Peter’s square and beyond – young and old were present, rich and poor as well as world leaders and humble religious brothers and sisters. Another notable group present were leaders representing the world’s religions – not only all strips of Christians but Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and others. A few times the cameras focused in on this group and I thought how characteristic this representation was of the late Pope’s work to reach out to all people of goodwill and also how very “catholic and truly christian”.

God said, “Let us make man in our image, to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle, over the wild animals, and over all creeping things that crawl along the ground. So God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

From the very first chapter of Sacred Scripture we have this amazing truth – all men and women – throughout the world and throughout time – are made in the image and likeness of God. As the story of the Scriptures continues though we learn of the fall and we see its effects in the history of humanity and the human person – the image and likeness of God is lost and covered over but not fundamentally destroyed, not totally obliterated. The revelation of the Christ is God’s answer to the fall and its consequences. Through Christ all creation is saved and restored – a salvation which we could never achieve on our own.

This fundamental anthropological understanding of the image of God present in each and every person is what was so catholic and truly christian about the representation of the world’s religious traditions at Pope John Paul II’s funeral Mass. It is this basic understanding of the human person that allows the Catholic Church to reach out and to acknowledge what is good and true in all the world’s religions and all the world’s peoples while at the same time holding on to and proclaiming the unique and full revelation of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone.

Before a person is a Muslim, Buddhist, Jew, Christian, agnostic or atheist he or she is someone made in God’s image. Before someone is solely a potential consumer or client to be won over he or she is someone made in God’s image. Before a person is just another statistic in a social/political issue he or she is someone made in God’s image. Before someone is just another soul needing to be saved he or she is someone made in God’s image.

Our Christian faith proclaims that through our baptisms the image of God present within the human person is fully restored by God’s grace and that also through a lifetime of faith choices on our part (responding to and saying “yes” to God’s grace) the likeness of God itself can be regained. These truths of the Christian faith are not things to gloat in and hold over the heads of non-Christians but sacred responsibilities to live out in sincerity and humility. (Responsibilities which, I believe, we Christians will be held accountable for before the judgement seat of Christ.) Further, these truths carry consequences; two of which directly influence our take on leadership:

1. Christian leadership respects the image of God within each person and seeks to acknowledge and call forth that image.

2. Christian leadership allows no room for manipulation in any form.

When Paul arrived in Athens to began his preaching he proclaimed,

Athenian citizens, I note that in every way you are very religious. As I walked around looking at your shrines, I even discovered and altar with this inscription: “To an unknown God.” Now, what you worship as unknown, I intend to make known to you. (Acts 17:22-23)

Paul began by showing respect. He not only acknowledged the honest religious desire that was present within the Athenian (Gentile) community; he also proclaimed that desire to be fundamentally good. Through the revelation of Christ and the Lord’s proclamation of the universality of the Kingdom of God, Paul was the first to put two and two together and recognize the image of God in all people – now Gentiles are coheirs with the Jews. Paul, here and throughout his entire ministry, witnesses for us respect for the image of God within each and every person.

We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Cor. 4:2)

The acknowledgement of the image of God within each person, if it is to be authentic, demands not just a superficial respect given toward the other person but also a fearless evaluation of our own actions and methods and, if need be, a change and conversion in our approach toward others. When the image of God is recognized there is no room for manipulation in any form. Paul did not just proclaim the word of God to others but, most importantly, let the word of God search and purify his own soul and then he acted out of that truth. “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways..,” writes the apostle. True leadership resists and renounces manipulation in all forms.

Passages for further reflection:

Genesis 1:26-31
Psalm 8

The glory and dominion of Christ (Dynamics of Christian Leadership)

26 Tuesday Aug 2008

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He revealed his almighty power in Christ when he raised him from the dead and had him sit at his right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any such supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world but in the world to come as well. Thus has God put all things under the feet of Christ and set him above all things, as head of the Church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:20-23).

(Christ) is the image of the unseen God, and for all creation he is the firstborn, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible: thrones, rulers, authorities, powers… All was made through him and for him… Through him God willed to reconcile all things to himself, and through him, through his blood shed on the cross, God establishes peace, on earth as in heaven. (Colossians 1:15-16, 20).
In these two beatifully crafted and densely compact passages, the apostle Paul reminds the Christian community that Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God which he proclaimed (and of which he, himself, is the head and fullest manifestation) is the objective standard by which all else is to be measured and judged. Christ is both the “firstborn” – the one in which “all things were created” as well as the “firstborn from the dead” – the one who became incarnate, who took on our infirmities, who suffered, died, rose and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. It is in and through Christ that God the Father establishes peace “on earth as in heaven”.
What is of further importance for our continuing reflection on leadership in the light of the Christian faith is the fact that in this language used by both Paul and the first Christian communities; this language of “powers”, “authorities”, “thrones”, “dominions” – seen and unseen – we encounter not just nice poetic imagery but an entrance into a distinct worldview. A worldview prevalent in the time of Christ and Paul which differs from our own. In this worldview we find present an understanding of reality which was able to maintain and hold together an acknowledgement which our modern one does its best to ignore – much to our disadvantage. The acknowldgement is that there are outside forces which can and do impinge upon and direct our lives. Some of these forces are seen and known (i.e. a war or natural tragedy) but some are unseen and unknown – psychological, environmental, cultural, natural or supernatural. Like it or not, we are not solely our own creation.
But all powers and authorities, Paul further asserts, fall under the dominion of Christ. Lest we fall into fear. This is the joyful proclamation of the Gospel! When the powers of our world acknowledge the dominion of Christ and the objective standard of the Kingdom of God they are in right order and they are life-giving. When the powers deny this dominion and objective standard they then become demonic and death-dealing. One of the tasks of the Church in every generation is to proclaim to the powers, authorities and dominions of our world the truth of the lordship of Christ and the dignity of the human person within the Reign of God.
I believe that leadership and success and how it is presented in our time and culture as a pervasive system of thought can be classified as an authority and power which does impinge (seen and unseen) on our lives. Again, I ask the questions; “Whose understanding of leadership?” and “Whose version of success?” To this particular power at work influencing our thoughts and prejudices the Church must proclaim the truth of the dominion of Christ and the Church must judge all interpretations of leadership and success according to the light of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
In this continuing reflection on the dynamics of leadership I will present what I believe to be key themes from Scripture and the lived Tradition that can guide us as the Church in this task of judging and evaluating all the different theories and understandings of leadership which we are bombarded and inundated with in our society in order to determine for ourselves what view of leadership we are to live and set store by.

The Dynamics of Christian Leadership – preface

09 Saturday Aug 2008

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Whose understanding of leadership? Whose version of success? These are valid questions. Our society is glutted with theories and strategies of leadership and success. From books and magazine articles to seminars and workshops – some of which one has to pay high dollar to attend – Americans cannot get enough on leadership and strategies for success. And all types of people and professions are willing to put forth their particular theory. Everyone, it seems, is getting in on the act – CEOs as well as all levels of business leaders, politicians, coaches and athletes, generals and admirals, professors, televangelists and preachers … just to name a few.

But are all versions of leadership and success created equal? My own suspicion is that “no, they are not.” Another more focused question worthy of reflection is, “Are all versions of leadership and strategies of success equally valid?” Again, my answer would be, “no, they are not” but, even more to the point; behind this second question is the belief that there is an objective standard by which all understandings, theories and strategies can be evaluated and judged to be either more or less true.

This objective standard is the “key” to this whole series of reflections and because of this standard it is fair and even necessary as a duty (I would argue) to hold all the theories and strategies of leadership and success which we encounter up to the light of this standard in order to see where they measure out at. The key also gives us a vehicle by which to navigate the glut of theories which we encounter on an almost daily basis in our society – no small thing, and in of itself worthy of value.

Many versions and strategies of leadership and success enable a person to attain great material comfort and prosperity but in the process leave the soul dead and dry as a tomb. Is this true success? Is this what it means to be a leader? Is this what we are putting forth as the model for our young people?

(Jesus) said to them, “You will see that every teacher of the Law who becomes a disciple of the Kingdom is like a householder who can produce from his store things both new and old.” (Mt. 13:52)

The reflections on the dynamics of Christian leadership which will be forthcoming in this continuing series are offered in the humility of Kingdom discipleship. The Kingdom of God is upon us, Jesus has revealed it. In the light of the Kingdom we judge and evaluate all which we encounter and we further know that we ourselves and our life actions will also be judged and evaluated by the light of the Kingdom.

As our Lord instructs, we have been given a great treasure – knowledge of the Kingdom of God, its inbreaking into our world and also an awareness of our very inheritance within this Kingdom. This treasure is what allows us to produce “things both new and old.”

The reflections which will be following are also offered in the hope of further reflection and even deeper insight achieved on the reader’s part. The thoughts contained in these reflections are not meant to be considered exhaustive or the final word in any sense. The thoughts are those of one disciple offered in friendship. I hope that they prove to be helpful.