RANDOM THOUGHTS ON PARADOX IN LIFE –‘INFINITE MEETING THE FINITE’
Dr. Prakash N. Tharien
Today there is new trend that emphasises that we need to go back to the roots of Old Testament and follow the pattern, when Jesus himself had said I have come to fulfil the law and the promises said through Prophets over the ages. It’s an old trend coming in the new form.
In a multilingual society within a nation or around the world pronunciation of name may vary but the substance remains the same If I call you by name pronounced in another language would you not respond? For example ‘Marku’ in Tamil for Mark in English? Or Luka in Tamil for Luke? Or if you happen to have a pet name as well among friends or family if called by that name would you not respond?
Many feel power is in the name. If called by another name power is less or is gone. FEAR is that language is more important than relationship. They feel Language is very sacrosanct. God is beyond language –or its limits. God knows even before we ask or even before think of asking. You can experience god within our own culture. After all in Old Testament we see God established multiple language. God understand even if you speak in multiple language or vice –versa-. It is possible that even if you speak in a single language many can understand in their respective native language, if need be ( as in the day of Pentecost)
When Paul was referring to God of Old Testament He was using the Greek word not in Hebrew. (Original inspiration may be in Hebrew in OT). Jesus in his every day or daily language was using ‘Aramaic’ like we use ‘Tulu’ in Mangalore or Malayalees using Malayalam or ‘Andraites’ –Telegu. In Jesus time the Official language when written it was koini-Greek, for correspondence as I understand.
In another instant the call by Jesus on the cross to His Father ‘’ Eli, Eli lama Sabachthani”( Mt:27:46) was in Aramic. His native language that he used to converse with people.How was God willing to hear in Aramic then? If it has to be addressed only in Hebrew?
There are paradoxes when there is an interface between infinite God and finite human beings: the statement ‘God is sovereign and man is free’ is both simultaneously true. God is also both simultaneously ‘one being as well as three in person’. (mathematically 1x1x1 =1) Truth lies in between. Claiming one to be alone is taking to one extreme.
Unfortunately, it is observed that people who moved away from Orthodox, Catholicism etc. experience this problem. They jump from one extreme to the other. Eventually They want to be comfortable in one extreme. Either try to gain salvation through ‘works’ –observing the laws/festivals/both or to forget the world and live in a pious world of meditation. We need to live the reality of life.
We need to take the middle path ‘a tight rope walk’ between the extremes , as long as we are rooted on the earth (or as long as we are of the world -alive) but spiritually connected to the Divine nature of Jesus. ‘A walk of healthy tension’ as my friend, Biju calls it in his article, is the need of the hour. ‘To be the branches that bear fruit. In the claim ‘Jesus was fully man and fully God/ Divine’ both are true. We see that Jesus also expressed human emotions and divine interventions. Even the law of physics or chemistry seem to be at stake when he walked on the water or converted water into wine. There was tight rope walk between Divine and humanness of Jesus. One complimented the other.
Human tendency is to resolve the paradox, tend to go to one extreme spectrum, where life is comfortable and no need for further thinking. Perhaps to feel safe and secure –to be sure to be in the kingdom. The apparent promptness is to do what is traditionally done, be comfortable with it. (Reminds me of the rich man, and Jesus, where rich man who thought following the law will guarantee him, a ticket to heaven). Safe and comfortable from any kind of paradox in life.
It is interesting to note between the human being everything is clear. No paradox. For example you and I are visible, tangible and clear in understanding who you are or I am, -no paradox. However when trying to understand a person or deal with who is both God and man, there is a paradox. Mary understood Jesus, Peter called him Master, Rabbi etc., with all respect divine master deserves. We need to understand in the context because, the text, is in context otherwise it will become a pretext.
Paradox will be there particularly in the interface between finite and infinite. In the relationship between man and God, apparently there will be paradox, because human that we are, often tend to think only in terms of finite. Jesus has taken a common name that was prevalent among the people then, (Jesus) to be with common man. It is not same as Joshua, for that other ‘Joshua’ had taken care of his own sins.
A paradox, apparently appears to be contradicting but can be resolved with deeper understanding of the scripture. Jesus has freed us from clutches of traditions and add on laws that were practiced then, even now indifferent forms. He has given us freedom to think independently and had assured us that whoever seek diligently will find the truth –hidden between two extremes in life.
Let us not be carried away by partial truth, conveniently and convincingly put, with partial truths here and there, to be enslaved by clutches of practices and to subject ourselves to unnecessary fears. When in drought share with people who, you know have strong foundations in the scriptures and depend on almighty who sent his only son as supreme sacrifice to redeems us and sanctify us through his blood shed on the cross, to clarify and frees us and to accept realities of life, and to be at peace with God and man.
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A reflection of thoughts with trustworthy friends, and my wife who depend their life on the one who gave His life on the cross – Jesus Christ.- our Lord and saviour
The Christian Hope 