It seems possible, and perhaps likely, that Jesus Christ's work was at a cosmic and creational level primarily and essentially.
Jesus changed reality, and set-up a new possibility.
The religion of Christianity would therefore be something secondary and optional - a means to the end of being A Christian, that might well be or become an obstacle or deterrent to achieving that end.
If Secret Christians are indeed, and by intent, the main thing; then this is not really "a religion"; because, by usual definitions and practices, a religion is a social-level phenomenon.
Christianity certainly can exist at a social level - but if that reality is love based, then it will be rooted in family and close personal relationships; therefore not in institutional forms; and its reality will not be well represented by such categorical and formal structures as rules and laws.
Thus... Maybe the original assumption of Jesus was that Christianity would be a secret doctrine - "secret" in the sense of potentially private and personal, hence invisible to external perception.
A doctrine so simple that it could be known by direct personal revelation (communicated by the divinity directly to the hearts of Men); and which could be inferred sufficiently just from innate knowledge and attitudes, and common sense reasoning.
It is even possible that such a secret form of being-a-Christian would work best when unspoken and generally uncommunicated -- perhaps being kept separate-from (and unconfused by) religion, reduces the chance of distortion?
After all; the main-thing about being a Christian is Heaven, which is not of this world.
To be born again in resurrection happens on the other side of death.
Following Jesus during this mortal life is bound-up with contingencies; but what absolutely defines our destiny is whether or not we follow Jesus after we have died biologically.
Whether we are Secret Christians or not; the essence of the matter is outwith public discourse - between our-selves and the living Jesus Christ.
2 comments:
In one way, one could think of all Christians as "secret Christians". The essence of what makes one a Christian is belief in Christ, not anything external. No-one can really know what is in the heart of another, so whether someone does believe in Christ or not must remain secret to everyone else (no doubt some who are not Christians would like to pretend that they are Christians for one reason or another).
But, in another way, Christians cannot be "secret Christians," if by "secret" we mean that a Christian should never do or say anything that might make anyone else think that he is a Christian (not that I think that this was the sense you meant in the post). Jesus does want Christians to meet for the Lord's Supper from time to time, not to be ashamed of following Christ, and preaching the good news, all of which require some sort of public commitment to the faith.
@Dynamic "Christians cannot be "secret Christians," if by "secret" we mean that a Christian should never do or say anything that might make anyone else think that he is a Christian "
I'm sure that is wrong.
I am not saying it is ideal or even desirable to be wholly Secret; but it is something all Christians should aspire to be capable of. I expect that there are many Secret Christians now, and in the past, and in societies where and hint of Christian ideas would lead to terrible consequences.
Indeed, I think that "Christianity" properly understood is perfectly suited to exactly such a situation.
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