No, I don't mean Disney's Pluto.
 
 
 
 

                                                                              I mean this Pluto

 I'm talking about the planet Pluto. Way out at the
edge of the Solar System. Where it's mighty chilly
and like "outer darkness."
 

One thing I admire about Bishop Spong's writings and those of the Jesus Seminar is their effort to present a Jesus understandable in modern scientific, rational terms.

For, once the miraculous, mythical elements of the gospels are reinterpreted or eliminated from the story of Jesus, one can feel closer to Jesus. Thus, you admit Jesus did not make a physical appearance to his disciples three days after death. Rather, was revealed to their hearts as resurrected by God. You then realize that the Resurrection is the same for you today as it was for the first Christians in Jerusalem (maybe Galilee) - Jesus alive and revealed as a spiritual reality to those having faith. Indeed, "blessed are those who have not seen and believe" for that is the only way the Resurrection is know, then and now.

So, now there is no preferred location in time and space for believers in the central reality of Christianity - the crucified Jesus is alive and known as Presence to those of faith. And nothing hinges on seeing or encountering a physically resusitated corpse! Then or now...

(So, stop your "Jerusalem envy" and pining because you were not among the fortunate few first Christians who encountered a physically raised Jesus in Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Yes, why shouldn't you be green with envy that the first Christians got to see the resusitated Jesus, while you have to content myself with the inward revelation of his living Presence in your heart? We all like the hard, factual, historical stuff to base our faith on. So think millions of Christians, past and present.)
 
 

So, the central reality of Christian faith is the same for ancient and modern Christians. It's all from faith to faith. And we are all equidistant for this central reality. Actually, closer than our own skin for all believers. And you don't have to buy into a receding physically resurrected Christ's who glory, even if it were true, is rapidly dimming
in the distant past.

So, if you are realizing that looking back to a physically resurrected Christ is comparable to looking at the sun from Pluto, listen to some modern corrective theology. Appreciate that the Resurrection is a spiritual Reality, from beginning to end. And you can, right now, know the Risen Christ in exactly the same way St. Paul, and St. Peter knew him - a living eternal Presence in your heart.

So, thank God, modern critical theology is saving us from "Pluto" Christianity.

Brrrrrrrrrrr.