The Transfiguration event that we meditated on yesterday is recalled in all three synoptic gospels as well as Peter’s epistle (Matthew 17.1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9: 28-36; and 2 Peter 1:16-18).
One scholar of Mark’s gospel, Leonard Doohan, called the transfiguration event “the true center-point of Mark’s gospel, the revelation of Jesus’ glorious and transcendent Sonship.”
The Transfiguration story contains motifs from Jesus’ baptism, resurrection, crucifixion, and ascension so it becomes sort of a “mini gospel”—not unlike the Christmas gospel stories.
Eastern Orthodox Christianity considers the Feast of the Transfiguration to be the pivotal point of the liturgical year.
It is pivotal, I suggest, because it finally recognizes the moxa of the historical Jesus whom Peter calls “rabbi” or teacher in tandem with the doxa of the Cosmic Christ.
Each of the four accounts of the event are explicit about this, and Peter’s letter especially emphasizes the point of the theophanic experience they shared.
Notice the use of the cosmological term “glory” and how God is called “Sublime Glory itself” in this text from Peter’s epistle:
It was not any clearly invented myths that we were repeating when we brought you the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; we had seen his majesty for ourselves. He was honored and glorified by God and the Creator, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor.’ We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet. 1:16-18).
The Eastern tradition never fell completely into the “introspective conscience” of Augustine and the West and thus never forsook the Cosmic Christ motif.
Here is how Russian theologian Nicolas Berdyaev celebrates the Cosmic Christ theology of the transfiguration:
The central idea of the Eastern Fathers was that of theosis, the divination of all creatures, the transfiguration of the world, the idea of the cosmos and not the idea of personal salvation…. Only later Christian consciousness began to value the idea of hell more than the idea of the transfiguration and divinization of the world…. The kingdom of God is the transfiguration of the world, universal resurrection, a new heaven and a new earth.
A rich meditation, I propose, for New Year’s Eve 2023–or any New Year’s Eve.
Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 102f.
And Fox and Marcus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 82f.
See also Fox and Marcus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ Meditation Cards and Guide Booklet
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: Sunset Radiance, Hřensko, Děčín 2, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czechia. Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash
Queries for Contemplation
What does this understanding of redemption as theosis mean to you, the experience of transfiguration of the world in contrast to personal salvation? Do you agree that the idea of hell sometimes becomes for valued than the call to transfigure the world via justice and compassion into a new heaven and a new earth?
Recommended Reading
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these mirroring the ongoing blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author of The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe.
“This book is a classic.” Thomas Berry, author of The Great Work and The Dream of the Earth.
Stations of the Cosmic Christ
By Matthew Fox and Bishop Marc Andrus.
This is a book of meditations on the Cosmic Christ, accompanying the images of 16 wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Together, these images and meditations go far beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross to inspire a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times.
“A divinely inspired book that must be read by every human being devoted to spiritual and global survival. It is cosmically brilliant.” — Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
Stations of the Cosmic Christ Meditation Cards and Guide Booklet
Beautiful full-color cards from Stations of the Cosmic Christ to aid in your meditations on the Cosmic Christ, featuring the images of 16 wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Step beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross and experience a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times. Includes an instruction booklet containing suggestions on how to use the cards.
16 thoughts on “New Year’s Eve, 2023, Cosmic Christ & Transfiguration of the World”
Matthew, Today, after telling us that the Transfiguration of Christ is recorded in three of the four gospels, as well as in the first chapter of 2nd Peter, you tell us, “Eastern Orthodox Christianity considers the Feast of the Transfiguration to be the pivotal point of the liturgical year.” Then you say, “It is pivotal, because it finally recognizes the moxa of the historical Jesus whom Peter calls “rabbi” or teacher in tandem with the doxa of the Cosmic Christ.” Doxa or “glory” is a cosmological term–and notice how God is called “Sublime Glory itself” in this text from Peter’s epistle: “… we had seen his majesty for ourselves. He was honored and glorified by God and the Creator, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, ‘This is my son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor.’ We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Pet. 1:16-18). Here is how Russian theologian Nicolas Berdyaev celebrates the Cosmic Christ theology of the transfiguration: “The central idea of the Eastern Fathers was that of theosis, the divination of all creatures, the transfiguration of the world, the idea of the cosmos and not the idea of personal salvation….” Later however, they focused less and less on transfiguration and divinization of humans and all creation. Finally, my understanding of redemption as theosis means the experience of seeing the world transfigured and allowing that to change the way I look at reality, the world, and the cosmos. Hell for me is, the imposition of the belief in a place where everyone will be punished, if they do not do what the Church and society demand. Because they cannot physically burn us any more, they instead confine us to the fires of hell. Their methods have worked for millennia, but as Bob Dylan wrote: “The times they are a’ changin” and many will no longer be scared into obedience!
Excerpt ‘ “The kingdom of God is the transfiguration of the world, universal resurrection, a new heaven and a new earth.”
This is a journey of realization for us. The ‘transfiguration’, all of it, exists in the here and now. Jesus, as such is transfigured and is not a historic person to arrive again at a later date, that is here now. The only later date is our own awareness and consciousness of the here and now, which is here and now. Let us ‘settle’ ourselves into this transfigured world today. It is a world, an existence, a reality, that is alive and only distant in our consciousness. — BB.
Bill, Today you write, “Jesus, as such is transfigured and is not a historic person to arrive again at a later date, that is here now. The only later date is our own awareness and consciousness of the here and now, which is here and now.” Yes and no. Jesus was a historical figure who lived in first century Palestine. If we take away his historicity we become like Gnostics who believed that Jesus was never “physically” here–they rejected the material, and saw only spirit as real, therefore Jesus only “appeared” to live as a man–and he didn’t die on the cross because spirit doesn’t die. This was also later called the heresy of “Docetism.” On the other hand, I totally understand what you mean when you say, “The only later date is our own awareness and consciousness of the here and now, which is here and now.” You are right, we are not to wait for the Cosmic Christ to come later for he is here and now if we are only aware…
Maybe no and no. I am not professing a Gnostic or heretics viewpoint. Jesus was in the flesh, human flesh and suffered, was crucified, died, buried and raised from the dead. But we cannot only take the stance that only ‘matter’ matters whether for Jesus, you, others and me.
They say, ‘don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story’. They also say, ‘don’t let good theology get in the way of the truth’. — BB.
Yes, this certainly is a rich (glorious) meditation for the new year. The global transfiguration that we are undergoing is our collective ascension to higher levels of awareness and overall expansion of “our” ability to radiate lovingness. This is our global heart resonance. We are now pushing the upper chakras. Enough of us, now, have an understanding of what the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is about. It is about our hearts and about us slowly coming into our collective glory.
“This is my son the Beloved; he enjoys my favor” The transfiguration of Jesus was as far as we can tell the ultimate transfiguration recorded for mankind. Jesus told us with his words. The gospel of Thomas is our heart map. Interestingly, external locations are not heard by others. Paul had his “Why do you persecute me” and Moses with the Commandments but they were alone and no one heard those locations. This was such a rich meditation.
Gary, Thank you for your comment and your expression of appreciation for this DM !!!
Redemption and transfiguration of the world are theological terms for the growing human awareness/consciousness/transformation of our eternal human lives/souls being a part of Divine Nature/Spirit with-in All of our Creator’s ongoing beautiful Cosmic and earthly co-Creation~Evolution in Loving Compassionate Diverse Oneness… Cosmic Christ Consciousness….
🔥💜🌎🙏
I am very intrigued by the artwork from today’s meditation, the Russian Orthodox icon of Transfiguration. Does anyone know the hand symbol Jesus is depicting and its meaning? I have never seen this before.
Thank you, Matthew, for introducing me to so many concepts, today to the concept of theosis. Although I’ve been studying the mystics for a decade or more, somehow its connection with Eastern Orthodox theology has eluded me. Here in the West, we just don’t get introduced to the very different view of Christian theology taught to the west of Europe. This being a new word to me, I looked up theosis this morning and found a wonderful exposition on Wikipedia no less. The article connects threads I’ve been studying with you, John Philip Newell, Jim Finley, and on Holy Isle off the coast of Scotland. It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that the Christianity I grew up with (the Western/American/Augustinian concept of redemption) is an aberration. I need spend no more time trying to understand it or make it fit within my view of a loving God. As I believe you have taught, the whole idea of “original sin” isn’t a part of all Christianity, certainly not Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Celtic Christianity taught by such saints as Pelagius. Threads are drawing together for me. As the article explains, theosis focuses on direct spiritual insights (as the mystics prepare us for) instead of on rational thought and academic training. Perhaps I’ll actually begin reading the set of four books of the Philokalia that my Buddhist sweetheart bought for me some four or five years ago!
Michele, Today I hear your gratefulness for some discoveries you have made because of this and other DMs. The first is what you have learned about the concept of theosis and Eastern Orthodox theology. Then you write: ” It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that the Christianity I grew up with (the Western/America n/Augustinian concept of redemption) is an aberration”– “the whole idea of ‘original sin’ isn’t a part of all Christianity, certainly not Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Celtic Christianity taught by such saints as Pelagius” (I love that you have him as a saint), and you can add that Judaism does not believe in original sin either. Finally you write: “Perhaps I’ll actually begin reading the set of four books of the Philokalia that my Buddhist sweetheart bought for me some four or five years ago!” Sounds like a good idea to me !!!
Incarnation and Transfiguration—two sides of the Cosmic Christ coin…
Earlier in my prayer life I prayed for the church, that has expanded and now I pray for the world…… even better after reflecting on today’s DM I pray for the transfiguration of the cosmos. This consciousness is wide and deep, beyond personal salvation that will usher in the reign of God. The Queries for Contemplation have been most helpful. Thank you!
Sadly, the concepts of personal salvation and hell grew out of the desires by too many in organized religion to control people. These are “ego trips” for those in charge, and so much heartbreak and pure evil have come out of these ideas. They are easier to “sell” and do appeal to many as a way of setting themselves aside as special and thus being able to ignore the calls for justice and peace for all, not just themselves. Theosis carries with it the responsibility to love everyone and everything, which can be scary and threatening to some, whose beliefs are based in fear of and scorn for the “other”.
Theology: eloquent arguments favored by one group and then demanded in obedience from generations subsequent, until enough dissenting eloquent arguments erode its aura of perfection to permit other viewpoints. Any deviance from the knots of deduced assertions from one’s team is painted as “heresy” so that nobody is allowed to voice any contradiction.
These “logical deductions,” which produce tomes of theology, often make assertions of “implied truths” that take belief into some very strange, twisted territory. “Hell” is one of those “implied” ideas. It caught on, was embellished with vivid imagery by Dante, and became accepted “Truth.” Then the deductions and assertions took off, and “hell” became the best recruitment tactic ever devised. It didn’t matter if it painted a picture of God as one who delights in suffering, punishment and hate, with no possibility of redemption. It was a useful theological deduction from a twisted line of thought, and once codified into “Theology”, it became “heretical” to contradict it.
“Heresy” denies permission to discern.
Melinda, Today you write: “Any deviance from the [theological] knots of deduced assertions from one’s [theological] team is painted as ‘heresy’ so that nobody is allowed to voice any contradiction.” Well, you surely are right about that. But there is something that most people don’t know about the word “heresy.” And that is, that it comes from the Greek word: “hairesis” or “choice.” So to be a heretic, all you have to do is choose to believe or practice in a way that the powers that be deem to be wrong. In choosing your own way, rather than that of the others you become a heretic, as Matthew did. The freedom of choice is a gift.
Amen!