Pharos Journal of Theology (Sep 2020)
The broken Christ in a broken world
Abstract
In this broken world, the broken Christ is present in mission. The deep wounds of the broken world are evident. Terrorism from the left and the right leads to untold misery. There seems to be no answer to poverty and illnesses. Many challenges remain concerning governance and economic freedom. It is important to explain that Christ is exactly broken in this world. Paul wants to know about nothing else but Jesus as the crucified One (I Corinthians 2:1-5; Romans 3:25-26 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). In this world the crucified Christ must be proclaimed. On the cross, his solidarity with the broken world is evident. The theology of the Dutch theologian, Bram van de Beek, is helpful in this regard. He mentions that, though the resurrection is of utmost importance, in this world we see the crucified Christ. He also mentions that the Spirit, as the Spirit of Christ, brings the suffering church in a relation with Christ who had suffered on the cross. I am of the opinion that mission must be the presentation of this crucified Lord, the Lamb, as if He was slain, to a world in need. The church then has the calling to be the suffering servant of God in the suffering world. Being verily God and verily man, Jesus Christ is the Mediator who can reach out to the wounded world. The church follows Him in his suffering for the world.
