Considering the Death of God

Echoes of Nietzche 

We would first come aware of the notion of the death of God from Fredrick Nietzche in 1882 in his Gay Science where the term appears three times. Here, Nietzche’s proclamation signifies the decline of traditional religious beliefs, and the moral framework built upon them, particularly in the context of the Enlightenment’s impact on society. He viewed this as both a crisis and an opportunity, warning that without a divine authority, humanity risks falling into nihilism and meaninglessness, while also having the chance to create new values. 

As a modern theological concept, the “death of God” theology is a complex and often misunderstood movement that gained prominence in the 1960s. It’s important to understand that it encompasses a range of ideas and doesn’t necessarily mean a literal belief that God has ceased to exist. Nietzche and later others will challenge us to consider whether we really need God anymore. Does modernity eliminate the necessity to believe in a higher being?  

As we celebrate Easter and reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection, let us consider the implications of God’s passing and why God is necessary today. 

The Vulnerability of God vs. The Omnipotence of God 

I have been considering the death of God and God’s vulnerability over the last several weeks of Lent, trying to think differently about this event.  

This contemplation invited me to delve deeper into my understanding of the divine, especially in light of the vulnerability exhibited through Christ’s passion. The juxtaposition of God’s omnipotence and vulnerability challenges our perceptions and encourages a profound reflection on the nature of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption. As come to the end of Lent, the anticipation of resurrection instills a sense of hope amidst despair, illustrating that even in the face of perceived divine absence, there remains the potential for renewal and new beginnings. This theme resonates strongly with the narrative found in Tolkien’s works, where characters like Glorfindel serve as embodiments of resilience and revival, mirroring the Christian ethos of resurrection and the triumph of light over darkness. 

In my previous post on the Weakness of God, I discussed call back stories. In the context of Jesus’ death, it illustrates how God imposes limitations on Godself and highlights the significance of Jesus, much like God placed limitations on Gods self in the Garden by granting humanity their freedom.  

Considering Jesus’s crucifixion, it is impossible to imagine on this side of history to consider it without the hope of resurrection. The crucifixion is the ultimate expression of vulnerability and sacrifice, where Jesus willingly becomes the ultimate scapegoat on behalf of humanity. This act is not merely a display of submission to suffering but a profound demonstration of God’s love and grace. It confronts us with the paradox of a powerful deity choosing to become powerless, thereby fully entering into the human experience of pain and mortality. 

In Jesus’ death and resurrection, we experience the clash between the historical Jesus’ notion of the eschaton and later the Christian notion of the eschaton. The eschatological teachings of Jesus provided a profound and urgent call for vigilance, faith, and moral integrity, laying the groundwork for Christian thought on the end times. Later Christian eschatology, influenced by Jesus’ teachings and early Christian experiences, has expanded and elaborated on these themes, offering a more complex and detailed vision of the end times. Both perspectives, however, share the core belief in God’s ultimate triumph, the final judgment, and the promise of eternal life for the faithful. 

Resurrection Hope  

“Hope is a positive and potent spiritual practice with the power to pull us through difficult times. It is usually described with light metaphors — a ray, a beam, a glimmer of hope; the break in the clouds; the light at the end of the dark tunnel. It is often discovered in unexpected places.”  The biblical sense of hope exists as a secure assurance, a trust placed in a trustworthy God. God has not failed us in the past, and will not fail us in the future. 

Hope waits and endures. It isn’t flimsy or merely wishful thinking. It can withstand fire, trials, and despair. The death of Jesus is intrinsically linked to the promise of resurrection. It’s a pivotal moment that signifies not just the end of life but the beginning of something transformative. The resurrection is the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. It reassures believers that death is not the final word and that through Christ’s resurrection, the promise of eternal life is assured. This hope is not just a future expectation but a present reality that empowers believers to live with courage and purpose despite the challenges and sufferings they face.  

For Wesley, he emphasized that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to Christian faith, providing believers with hope for eternal life and liberation from sin and death. He believed that through Christ’s resurrection, humanity is assured of a future beyond the grave, filled with purpose and divine promise.  

In Closing 

The story of Jesus’ resurrection mirrors the themes found in many literary works, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” In Tolkien’s mythos, characters like Glorfindel embody the principles of resurrection and renewal. Glorfindel’s death and subsequent return to Middle-earth highlight the enduring presence of hope, even in the darkest times. Like the resurrection of Jesus, Glorfindel’s return signifies the triumph of good over evil, illustrating that redemption and new beginnings are always possible. In the dark and troubling times that we are living in now, we must hold fast to resurrection hope and continue living out as Christians the commands of Jesus to maintain his kindom here and look forward to glory with him in and all the saints in heaven.  

Jesus’ death is not an endpoint but a gateway to resurrection hope. It calls us to reflect on the profound mysteries of faith, where vulnerability and omnipotence coexist, and where the darkest moments can give rise to the brightest hope. This theme of resurrection is a powerful reminder that no matter how dire the circumstances, there is always the potential for renewal, new life, and ultimate triumph.