What is Salvation?
Jesus' conception of the transformation from a physical to an angelic state was inextricably rooted in a Semitic understanding of what makes for human life and personality. Greek philosophy sometimes referred to soul (psukhe, meaning "breath") as something apart from the physical body, but Hebrew nephesh, meaning both life and breath, coordinated body and breathing within a single, living whole. Nephesh was linked categorically to the view that God was Spirit (ruach), the almighty force of wind breathing life into all creation. Jesus' understanding was that human beings, in the course of their lives, could shape their innermost breath-the pulse of their being as well as their cognitive awareness of the Chariot-to correspond to the overpowering creativity of divine Spirit. They became angelic, and that was the substance of their resurrection. Jesus focuses us on the essence of our humanity and allows us into his parallel universe, imbued with the justice and glory of God. - Bruce Chilton, Rabbi Jesus
Centered in Your presence, dear God, I let go of every concern and my soul awakens to new blessings of Your love and grace.
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