I just finished reading the sixth chapter in Brennan Manning’s The Signature of Jesus and I had to summarize some of his thoughts and ideas (more for myself, but perhaps you’ll gain something and/or decide to pick up the book for yourself). In this chapter Manning is talking about a concept he calls “Paschal Spirituality”. I must confess that I’d never heard the term before. He’s using the term “paschal” as a reference to the Hebrew concept of overcoming death with life…as Jesus did in the resurrection. Here’s his definition of “paschal spirituality”:
Essentially, it is our daily death to sin, selfishness, dishonesty, and degraded love in order to rise to newness of life. (p.75)
Manning then gives us seven characteristics of Paschal Spirituality. Here are the seven with a quick quote I took from each section (again, as much for my own reference as anything else). Paschal Spirituality…
- Is Christocentric, meaning it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ.
The author of the fourth Gospel puts but one question to his readers: Do we know Jesus? To know him is life. Everything else fades into twilight and darkness. (p. 77) - Is aware of the community of God’s people.
The Christian life is meant to be lived in community. And community life is a radical imitation of the holy and undivided Trinity who is dialogue, spontaneous love, and relationship. (p. 80) - Looks upon human nature as fallen but redeemed–flawed but, in essence, good.
Human nature, freed from the slavery of sin, is capable of awesome holiness. (p. 83) - Is stamped with the signature of Jesus.
Tepid preaching and lifeless worship have spread so many ashes on the fire of the gospel that we scarcely feel the glow anymore. (p. 84) - Is joyful and optimistic.
Joy in the risen Jesus is directly connected with the quality of our faith. (p. 86) - Promotes unity without uniformity.
Each of us is called to be a unique and singular manifestation of Christ’s truth and love, not a carbon copy of someone else. (p. 87) - Regards persons as free.
If we really knew the God of Jesus, we would stop trying to control and manipulate others “for their own”, knowing full well that this is not how God works among his people. (p. 88)
There’s a lot to chew on in this chapter (one of the reasons for my summation here). Whenever I come across “good stuff” like this I tend to find myself asking where I most need to focus and improve. On this list it’s a close race between #4 and #5. I want the signature and fire of Jesus stamped on my life and I want that to be reflected in the joy and optimism of my life. But I’m afraid I’ve allowed the cynicism and pessimism of our culture (and that includes Christian culture) to “dim the glow” and infect my joy.
The solution? As always, it’s found in Jesus!
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