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There Is an Urgent Need for the Study and Celebration of the Cosmic Christ

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There Is an Urgent Need for the Study and Celebration of the Cosmic Christ 1 of 2 Catherine Amy Kropp Proposal for the Study of the Cosmic Christ with Applications for Parish Ministry Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) Yale Divinity School, 2017-2018 Advisor: Prof. Mary Evelyn Tucker There is an urgent need for the study and celebration of the cosmic Christ in Christian ministry to address the social and ecological concerns within the modern culture of the United States and globally. The understanding of the cosmic Christ, the one through whom “all things hold together” (Col 1:17), offers insight into the transcendence and beauty of human existence in the body of Christ. There is also a call to action. Without embracing the cosmic dimensions of Christianity, Christians are missing essential parts of the Christian narrative, including the immense beauty of God’s creation of which they are a part, as well as an awareness of their responsibilities to each other, all creatures and to the Earth. The acknowledgment of the cosmos becomes an integral part of the narrative of God’s incarnation in Christ, allowing for growth in human spirituality, the deepening of the communion between humanity and the universe, the recognition of the preciousness of all forms of life, and, most importantly, a greater sensitivity to suffering and injustice. The result is an expanding sense of love and compassion for humanity. There is greater force and capacity to fight injustice and to help the marginalized, the weak, the poor and the persecuted; the ones through whom Christ leads us to discover the kingdom and beauty of God. The strength of this vision also lies in its ability to inspire the preaching of the Gospel message during times that are tumultuous, when people are divided, uprooted and disconnected from each other and from the Earth. It leads people to recognize and celebrate their cosmic consciousness in the message that Christ is the one through whom God reconciles all things (Col 1:20; Phil 2:10). In light of the transformation of communities and individuals necessary for human beings to address the global ecological crisis and for the renewal of the human-Earth relationship, I intend to pursue a rigorous program of study on the cosmic Christ. In particular, I will develop a bridge from the theological and historical perspectives on the cosmic dimensions of Christianity into the practical applications for parish ministry. My awareness of the cosmic Christ began with the study of the Holy Scriptures: the hymn in which Christ is described as the “the firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15), for example, and the prologue of Gospel of John in which Christ is the one through whom “all things came into being” (John 1:3). With Prof. Mary Evelyn Tucker in the Religion and Ecology program, a inter-disciplinary program unique to Yale University, I have studied the cosmic Christ as religious cosmology, a force in the universe and an intimate presence that nurtures all life. Under her supervision, I intend to deepen my understanding of the works of Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas Berry, and theologians throughout history who have interpreted the presence of Christ in God’s creation, throughout time and space in the universe. I will develop a thesis on the relevance and application of these works in Christian ministry. I will seek also a greater knowledge of homiletics, liturgy and Christian formation so that I may develop insights into the cosmic dimensions of Christianity in the delivery of the Gospel message of Christ’s love for humanity in Christian worship, prayer and contemplation. The academic program of study for the S.T.M. at Yale Divinity School would provide the support, resources and collaborative environment necessary for me to develop and propose the best practices for this ministry. To share the knowledge gained in this study, I intend to expand upon the work I have begun at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Cheshire, Connecticut, where I have led the adult forum, 2 of 2 delivered sermons on the cosmic dimensions of Christianity, and led contemplative services incorporating the place of the human in the cosmos and the Christian narrative. I will develop best practices for the training of lay and ordained ministers in their understanding and application of the cosmic Christ for the spiritual formation of adults, youth and children, and in the development of our cosmic awareness as Christian leaders in the engagement with the local community and the world. In addition to the facilitation of discussion and spiritual formation, there exist tangible ways in which this proposed field of study can benefit future students and the wider Church. I will be able to design and share an examen focused on caring for creation and the recognition of our human connections to the cosmos. As a Registered Maine Guide, I will be able to develop a guide for group explorations of the natural world, including areas of ecological degradation, incorporating the study of the Holy Scriptures in relation to the cosmic Christ, the spirituality of the human beings within the landscape, and attentive listening. For parish members who cannot participate in field trips, I will develop a set of written, aural and visual materials emphasizing 1) the importance of the cosmic Christ for spiritual formation, 2) the relevance and central importance of the work of Teilhard and other theologians for our understanding and awareness of the cosmic Christ, and 3) how individuals and congregations can draw from this awareness to participate in and contribute to ecological and social justice issues in their local communities. I will be able to develop training modules for leading prayerful and spontaneous sound making (“sound-prayer” workshops and contemplative prayer services), addressing the loss in our human capacity to connect to the natural world through the aural realm, and focusing on both lament and hope. I will also develop and distribute a sermon series on the cosmic Christ that can take place in different natural places or as part of a series in an on- line format. Finally, I will share strategies for presenting the different dimensions of this awareness of the cosmic Christ in ways that are accessible and translatable in a variety of parish and missional contexts related to environmental awareness, conservation, and growth into the loving presence of God in our lives and the cosmos. This work will ultimately contribute to the formation of lay and clergy scholars and ministry leaders now and in the future. By embracing the cosmic dimensions of Christianity, Christian ministers and scholars can develop the language and the vision to address the turmoil, destruction and suffering of human and earthly existence, illuminating the diversity and inclusivity at the heart of Gospel, and proclaiming the hope and promise for humanity in the unfolding of the universe and the coming of the kingdom of God through the incarnate love of God through Jesus Christ. As a geologist and priest, Teilhard de Chardin revealed the intimacy and participation of the human-cosmos relationship in the evolution of the universe and the emergence of the Christian narrative. He demonstrated that it is both possible and increasingly necessary to bring the Christian narrative and scientific cosmology into conversation in productive and practical ways: the story of love, sacrifice, redemption and renewal through Christ alongside the story of the expanding physical universe, the formation of galaxies and the birth of stars, and the evolution and emergence of human consciousness. It is a beautiful thing when humans can take away the boundaries within their perceptions of the world and fall into the oneness of God’s creation. If Christians can see the connections within their own faith, their experience of Jesus as Redeemer and Savior, and the cosmos; if they can, within one reality, experience both the power of their faith in Christ and the narrative of the cosmos, this affirms and celebrates the Christian faith in the coming of God’s kingdom through Christ and in the preciousness and mystery of human existence. With this awareness and understanding of the cosmic dimensions of Christianity, Christians can participate in the work of earthly and spiritual renewal and develop the confidence and hope with which to address the global ecological crisis. .
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