Learning from Nicolas Berdyaev

The greatest Christian mystics of all creeds placed love for God and union with God above personal salvation.  Exoteric Christianity often criticized mystics because for them the center of gravity of spiritual life does not lie in the ways of personal salvation; they proceed by the perilous ways of mystical love...

In the individualistic, ascetic understanding of Christianity as a religion of personal salvation in which one cares only about one's soul, the revelation of the resurrection of all creatures is incomprehensible and unnecessary.  The religion of personal salvation has no universal eschatological perspective, no personal connection of the individual human soul with the world, with the cosmos, with all creation.  The religion of personal salvation denies the hierarchical order of existence in which all is united with all and in which no individual fate can be isolated... I cannot save myself alone, I can save myself only together with my brothers and sisters, together with all of God's creation.  I cannot think only of my own salvation, I must think also of the salvation of others, of the salvation of the whole world.  
   
And even the idea of salvation is only an exoteric expression for the achievement of spiritual heights, of perfection, of becoming like God - which is the supreme goal of the life of the world... 
   
Christianity always, is, and will be not only a religion of personal salvation and terror of damnation but also a religion of transfiguration of the world, the theosis (divinization) of all creatures, a cosmic and social religion, a religion of selfless love, love for God and humanity, promising the Kingdom of God.         
  
~ Nicolas Berdyaev, "Salvation and Creativity" in Western Spirituality: Historic Roots, Ecumenical Routes, edited by Matthew Fox 

TALK ABOUT IT:  What to you notice in this quote that challenges or affirms your own assumptions?  Where did you inherit your assumptions about salvation?  

DO IT (INNER PRACTICE):  How would (do) you practice salvation as participation in a collective transformation rather than as a private transaction with God?  

DO IT (OUTER PRACTICE):  How can (will) you contribute in some way, even some very small way, this week to the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God?    


LEARNING FROM NICOLAS BERDYAEV: CHURCH OF RECONCILIATION