Sea-Change
A sea change is a profound or striking transformation. It is an idiomatic expression typically used to describe a major shift in perspective, attitude, or policy-especially one that affects a large group of people or an entire society simultaneously.
So says Wikipedia; Webster’s dictionary says basically the same thing. It can be presented as two independent words or with a hyphen in between and is said to have originated in Shakespeare’s play: “The Tempest.” The term paradigm shift can act as a modern version of this idea. As I was thinking about this I was reminded of a situation that took place in England in the 17th century. Prior to the outbreak of the English Civil War a man named William Harvey put forth a radical idea regarding the internal workings of the human body. He was physician to the King of England at the time and had the audacity to suggest that movement of blood in the human body was circular in nature. Rather than seeing the movement of blood as ebbing and flowing Harvey was convinced that blood was actually pumped out of the heart, going through the body and making its way back to the heart where it was again pumped out to make the same circular journey. This was in stark contrast to the common understanding of human physiology that had been in place since the second century. It was only through further study and experimentation that the modern understanding of blood circulation was proved and affirmed. But even without a full understanding, Harvey was able to demonstrate that what was commonly understood was suspect. He did this, in part, by dissecting live animals, such as a dog, before an audience of physicians in order to show that the movement through the heart was too forceful and extensive to be consistent with the commonly accepted theory; a brutal circumstance, but one that contributed greatly to our modern views regarding the way the human body works. It could be said that it contributed to a sea-change of thought regarding human anatomy, and one that was risky at the time because the perpetrator of thoughts that were not in vogue could be met with more than just disagreement, the reaction could include ridicule, or perhaps violence!
What does that have to do with this blog? The first thing that I would say is that if there is anything that could prompt a sea-change of ideas it’s the Gospel. In gaining a proper understanding of the “Good News” the question that needs to be asked is: what is human existence? What is it? What is the most important, fundamental, overarching feature of our being alive? The answer to that question could greatly impact how we understand and respond to what the Lord has done for us through the cross. Many would say that human existence is distinguished by our capacity for complex thought and a self-awareness that elevates us above the other flora and fauna of our world. But I would suggest that the distinguishing feature includes the capacity for human beings to know and understand their creator. If we believe that, then the second question is: to what extent does that capacity inform the way in which we do life? Is our knowledge of God pivotal or an add-on? Has our coming to the faith been a sea-change prompting a “striking transformation;” and a “major shift in perspective?” Hopefully, many of us would say yes to that question. Yet if we’re honest with ourselves a thorough examination might reveal that there are still features of our lives that don’t present, or contribute to that sea-change of understanding. We embrace the fundamental aspects of the Good News: forgiveness of sins, life after death, a potential for good; but a sea-change? maybe not so much. Now that I’m in my seventies I find it easier to think in these terms because I’m no longer able to pursue the alternatives that focus on career, personal wealth, travel, etc. etc. But I still think it’s appropriate for all of us to engage the effort to embrace the full scope of the Gospel that can prompt a renewed evaluation of our existence day by day. The world around us is focused on making the best of what this life has to offer, but it’s locked into a circumstance that is extremely limited compared to what life with God has to offer. That’s something that I’m still learning after fifty years on the Christian walk. My wife and I are appreciating more and more the extent to which the Lord is involved in everything pertaining to our lives. Getting married late in life has proved to be a tremendous stimulant for our understanding of God and ourselves that would have been difficult to achieve on our own.
In order to grasp the full scope of the Gospel that I’m suggesting, take a look at the book of Hebrews, specifically chapters 9&10. It’s there that the author not only points out the significance of the cross as the means for rendering the old sacramental system of animal sacrifice obsolete by the death of Jesus on the cross, he does so in a very profound evaluation of what that actually means for human existence. This is illustrated when the moment came when Jesus died on the cross. When that happened one of the things that took place was that the veil that separated the holy of holies from the holy place within the tabernacle was torn from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38) This suggests that access to the holy presence of God was made available to all. The blood of Jesus trumped every other sacrifice made to the Lord, allowing those who affirmed this truth by faith to have a fellowship with God that was unprecedented. We can enter into the holy of holies! The blood shed on the cross enables that because it’s a perfect sacrifice provided by God Himself! In light of this we have to ask ourselves: is that an interesting idea or something more profound? Is it a ticket to heaven or the inauguration of a “sea-change” of our existence? The writer of Hebrews expressed it in these terms:
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting for the time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness for us; for after saying, (quoting from Jeremiah 31) “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:11-18)
Think about what that means. Access to the Lord’s presence has been made available to all! It’s not an occasional encounter in which a selected appointee enters into the place where God presents Himself. Rather it points to an ongoing uninterrupted fellowship with the One and Only God. It’s an uninterrupted fellowship that isn’t only encountered at selected gatherings; it’s a way of life that can inform everything about us, all the time! A sea-change in our understanding of our existence!
The problem with hearing this and engaging it is two-fold. In the first place Christianity is practiced in a variety of ways. I’m not just talking about the protocols of worship. Obviously there are different practices engaged by churches throughout the world from strict liturgical protocols to free flowing expressions of faith. The question to be asked is: what do those practices point to? For many adherents the “good news” is simply an opportunity to relieve our consciences of the weight of sin. There may be different ideas on how that relief is achieved but the basic premise is shared by Christians of many stripes. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s limited in scope. And that points to the second obstacle that obstructs our vision: we don’t make the effort to explore the potential of the Gospel. When it comes to the basic features of our existence we’re heavily informed by what the world has to offer through scientific investigation and human thought engaged apart from the Lord. Then our tendency is to paste our Christian beliefs on top of that. That’s not what the writer of Hebrews seems to be telling us. Unobstructed access to the presence of God affects EVERYTHING; it’s unobstructed access to the one who determines the nature of everything that pertains to our existence. Do we act like that’s the case, or do we compartmentalize our lives relying on other things to stimulate our understanding, inform our goals and provide our interests? It’s one thing to use the world as a basis for our existence; it’s another to use the world as a platform for engaging and promoting the reality of God as creator and facilitator of the universe. Our access to the Lord is unhindered now, giving us the opportunity to experience life as a medium for serving and promoting His purposes.
This dovetails with something I’ve touched on in the past: the presentation of the Kingdom of God that is both present now and, at the same time, anticipated in the future. Certainly the Kingdom of God’s rule and reign is anticipated in the future when the Christ returns, but it’s also to be recognized as a present reality being imposed on the world now. And that should point us to an appreciation of the full impact of the Gospel as a “sea-change” informing our lives. The Lord’s presence isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a present reality. If that’s true then His presence in our lives has the capacity to alter everything that pertains to who we are and what we do now. Certainly that constitutes a sea-change from our pre-Christian existence. The Apostle John provided a presentation of this using a grapevine as an analogy.
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:3-5)
The fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy peace patience and kindness result from establishing and maintaining a connection with the Lord (Galatians 5). It’s a different way of doing life and I would again say it amounts to a sea-change of understanding that we all need to embrace. Not an easy prospect in a lost and dying world, but one that’s doable apparently because it was initially presented in an environment that was much more antagonistic than what we deal with in present day America. Think about it…pray about it!
Halleluiah! Praise the Lord!