Christian Pragmatics (CP-2): The Meta-Elements

I'll offer the Meta-Elements by way of discussing the Calling of Samuel in the Old Testament, I Samuel, Chapter 3.  Not all the elements appear in the Old Testament, but that will become apparent-- which ones do; which ones don't.

In the format item, I mentioned that Christian Pragmatics is a kind of religious experience.  In the calling of Samuel, we have described a paradigm of the Jewish religious experience, containing 3 Meta-Elements. 

1.  The Calling by God 3 times.  It is mentioned that visions were not used as a sign of God's presence; simply, the word.

2.  The Identity of the called--Samuel's reply.  In each case, Samuel, the 'I,' responds, "Here..."
Eli, the High Priest, acts at this stage as an interpreter of the calls from God.

3.  The communication from God with an injunction: "Take this communication to Israel."  In essence, he learns he is chosen to be a prophet to his people.  Note, Eli is apparently to act on God's plan for the young boy's life.

That's the first 3 Meta-Elements retained in Christian Pragmatics.  There's three which Christianity adds:

4.  God's power requested by the parishioner.  See Mathew 7 v. 7-8:  "Ask, and it shall be given you..."

5.  God's power received by the parishioner.   "For everyone that asketh, receiveth..."

6.  The Gift of God in the transaction, acknowledged by the parishioner: "Thanks be to God."

I will apply these Meta-Elements to the Eucharist (or, Mass), which I consider a paradigm practice in Christian Pragmatics; but first I need to place the Gospels--Mathew, Mark, Luke and John--in religious perspective.  Specifically, just what do these Gospels mean in Christian Pragmatics?

Christian Pragmatics (CP-1): The Format

Christian Pragmatics is the study of how Christians respond to the revelation of God's presence in their lives.  It will be recalled from the Scriptures that Jesus said words to the effect that "Where there are two or three gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them."  Christians claim to have a close spiritual relationship to God through the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  It is anticipated in the Old Testament by the calling from God for Samuel to become a Jewish prophet.  His response amounted to the words, "Here, I am, Lord."

The paradigm of a typical response is the Eucharistic Service, or "the Mass," performed at Christian churches around the world adhering to Catholic and Episcopal (Protestant) liturgies.

I use the concept of Christian Pragmatics as an inclusive term of Christian worship. This worship is really a response of the parishioner to his calling from God.  It is really a testimony of his or her encounter with God.  And this testimony bears witness that God's power penetrates being--all that is and evermore shall be. For God's power is the eternal creating Force of the universe.

The concept of Christian Pragmatics can be viewed as having properties or component elements; and these are taken up as "Meta-Elements" of the concept in the next CP item in the Didactics series.

In theology, this concept is named "the religious experience" and is applied to religions in general, not simply Christianity.  Paul Tillich used it extensively throughout his theology; and I studied theology at Union Theology, where he had been teaching for many years.  I did my M.A. thesis on Tillich's notion of the religious experience.  He tended to use it as a Kantian thing-in-itself and didn't try to unpack it further.  Through use of a property list for the concept, each property a Meta-Element, I am attempting to analyze it further into components.  I am limiting my analysis to Christianity, simply because I am interested in using the concept of the religious experience in a Christian context, though its property list as I am developing it, i.e., through the Meta-Elements, I believe could apply to the religious experience in other religions. .            .     

Lessons from History II: Principle of "lead a little" "nudge a lot!"

I am of the opinion, developed over these last five years, that President Obama is on the verge of greatness!  He appears to be using a principle of  'bottom-up' leadership, by which a leader leads through consensus building. The fundamental task in this type of leadership is to keep everybody focused on the aims and objectives he is intending to achieve.

Let's look at some of these objectives. 
 
1.  Obamacare.  This objective is not only important for the country but for the entire mass of humanity.  It will establish the wherewithal to monitor and control the healthcare of human beings received from recognized and approved healthcare providers.

To even establish the means for such a monumental project has been herculean, but to get the system functioning is a tribute to technological innovation and ingenuity!

Along the way, President Obama has had to step back looking for where consensus lie , ever mindful of the ultimate goal.  Witness how he  has yet again delayed implementing new standards for insurance policies.  Opponents comment:  Why doesn't he just give up?

2.  Foreign policy.  In Syria, he has been unable to reach consensus among US partners, principally, the EU.  In the Ukraine, he is forging ahead of the EU, temporarily, by offering support including financial assistance. His objective is clear nonetheless:  stop heavy-handed treatment of the poor and downtrodden by tyrants.

3.  The Green Earth Project.  Because of the need for a constant flow of oil, he has only kept the development of proven oil reserves to a minimum.

4.  Upgrading the US military. Currently, the Administration is making the military technologically advanced beyond what anyone could possibly imagine.  I applaud the President in his steadfastness to this objective, which is always at odds with Congressional interest to keep things as they are in their several districts.

Furthermore, he appears committed to ensuring the military's endeavors worldwide on behalf of peace are supported.