Balance, Justice, Reparation, Reconciliation: The Resurrection of THE Kingdom
In our quest to understand the divine and our role as stewards of creation, the intersection of biblical descriptions of God with First Nations spirituality offers a captivating journey filled with profound insights and revelations. This exploration serves as an invitation to reimagine our understanding of divinity and to embrace a holistic approach to spirituality and sustainability. By delving into biblical scriptures, indigenous wisdom, and environmental stewardship practices, we embark on a transformative odyssey that unveils the interconnectedness of all life and our sacred duty to be the stewards and protectors of women, children, and all His Creation. As men we have come to realize that we must know how to do this for each other first and in order to get right as men destined to Royalty we must get right with God.
In the biblical narrative, God is portrayed as the alpha and omega, symbolizing divine sovereignty and omnipresence. The concept of the Great Spirit or the Great Mystery in First Nations traditions echoes this portrayal, recognizing a timeless and all-encompassing presence that transcends human comprehension. For instance, in Revelation 22:13, God declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End," emphasizing divine transcendence over time and existence. Similarly, among First Nations communities, the Great Mystery embodies the interconnectedness of all life, encompassing the entirety of creation beyond human understanding.
Moreover, both biblical theology and First Nations spirituality acknowledge a singular, One Great God known by various names, reflecting the diverse expressions of the divine across cultures. This monotheistic essence challenges us to embrace the richness of divine manifestation. In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks God for His name, God responds, "I am who I am," highlighting the ineffable nature of the divine. Similarly, First Nations traditions attribute different names and attributes to the Great Spirit, each capturing different facets of the divine essence.
The symbolism of fire and water, deeply embedded in both biblical and indigenous traditions, holds profound spiritual significance. Fire symbolizes purification, judgment, and divine presence in biblical narratives, as seen in Exodus 3:2 when God appears to Moses in the burning bush. Similarly, water represents life, renewal, and salvation, as emphasized in passages like John 4:14, where Jesus speaks of "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst. In First Nations traditions, fire and water are revered as sacred elements, embodying the balance and harmony of the natural world. For example, among the Navajo people, the Fire Dance ceremony honors the sacredness of fire and its role in purification and healing. Water is venerated for its life-giving properties, with ceremonies and rituals conducted to express gratitude and respect for this vital element.
Expanding beyond biblical and indigenous perspectives, eco-feminist principles and sustainable agricultural practices enrich our understanding of environmental stewardship within First Nations Christianity. Eco-feminism emphasizes the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and gender justice, advocating for equitable and sustainable relationships with the earth. In the context of First Nations Christianity, eco-feminist principles inform our understanding of stewardship as a holistic endeavor that encompasses the well-being of all life forms. Eco-feminist theologian Sallie McFague argues for an ecological ethic grounded in the recognition of the earth as God's body, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life and the sacredness of the natural world. Indigenous agricultural practices such as dry farming techniques and wild harvesting offer valuable insights into sustainable land management and food sovereignty. Dry farming, practiced for centuries, relies on natural rainfall and soil moisture retention techniques to cultivate crops without irrigation. Similarly, wild harvesting involves gathering wild plants and herbs in a manner that respects their natural habitats and ensures regeneration.
In the synthesis of biblical narratives, First Nations spirituality, and contemporary discourse on masculinity, the archetype of kingship emerges as a guiding principle for men in their divine stewardship. Just as God is depicted as the ultimate sovereign ruler, so too are men called to emulate the virtues of wisdom, compassion, and humility in their roles as stewards of creation. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." In embracing the archetype of the king, men are challenged to transcend traditional notions of masculinity, embodying a balance of strength and gentleness, assertiveness and compassion. This holistic understanding of masculinity is essential for fostering healthy relationships, nurturing thriving communities, and restoring harmony to God's creation.
Yet, in our pursuit of divine stewardship, we must confront the challenges that threaten to undermine our calling. One such challenge is the impact of environmental pollutants that mimic estrogen, contributing to the feminization of men. In the divine plan for correction, we are called to recognize that true kingship transcends traditional notions of masculinity, encompassing a balance of strength and gentleness. Just as God embodies both the lion and the lamb, so too must we embrace our multifaceted nature as men – strong yet compassionate, assertive yet nurturing. It is through this holistic understanding of masculinity that we can navigate the complexities of our world and fulfill our sacred duty as stewards of creation. Honoring the polarity within us naturally fosters acceptance for the spectrum of life and the co-creation of a safe place where everyone is welcome effortlessly manifests.
Moreover, we cannot overlook the generational trauma historically perpetrated by men onto women and children in perpetuating cycles of violence, oppression, and exploitation. Nor can we overlook how we treat the feminine of His Creation we know as the earth mother and the First Nations People that perhaps may be the Last to have to leave Eden in a similar fashion. It is imperative that we confront the "inner predator archetype" within ourselves, acknowledging the harm that has been inflicted and actively working towards healing and reconciliation. The prevalence of intimate partner violence is not just symbolized by the forearm fracture of the ulna bone in archaeological record of women and children. It is documented proof that serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for the healing and transformation of men in the world, specifically “the white privileged heterosexual man”.
Historically the white male has been colonized by the imperial capitalist plague that thrives on first isolating individuals, then indoctrinating, and assimilated; having been colonized so many times they have no recollection of who they are or what a community is. The creation and commodification of what becomes a mindless minion of a pawn that rampages across the globe working in unison with wall street hitmen and a military industrial complex with out question due to the blindness induced from the pain of thirsting for spiritually and a cultural identity which can not be found in the provided corporate church or museum. As men, we must take responsibility for our actions and strive to break the cycles of violence and oppression that have plagued our societies for generations, perhaps going all the way back to Adam and Eve. Only through confronting the darkness within ourselves can we truly embody the divine virtues of love, compassion, and justice.
In this journey towards wholeness, we must also honor the transformative power of the feminine, whose ability to "make what is unseen, seen" and brings to light the hidden truths of our existence. Just as Mother Earth nurtures and sustains all life, so too do women embody the nurturing essence of creation. Yet, in a world plagued by toxic masculinity and patriarchal systems, women are often forced to assume masculine roles, perpetuating imbalance and discord. It is only through a "new more authentic" understanding of masculinity and the acceptance, integration, and embodiment of the feminine to ground a balance with in us as men that we can correct these injustices and restore harmony to God's creation Rising together as Royalty.
In synthesizing biblical narratives, First Nations spirituality, eco-feminist principles, and sustainable practices, a holistic approach to understanding God and our responsibilities as stewards of creation emerges. By embracing diversity and honoring the sacredness of all life forms, we cultivate a deeper sense of interconnectedness and reverence for the earth. As we continue on this journey of exploration, reconciliation, reparation, and decolonization, may we draw inspiration from the wisdom of First Nations Peoples and in the spirit of deep humility and apology begin to birth a New Creation where we learn to nurture and protect His precious gift of creation.
Together, let us embark on a sacred pilgrimage towards unity, guided by the wisdom of the ages and the spirit of reconciliation. As Billy Graham spoke in the 1970’s, the missionaries that brought Christianity to the American Indian were not aware of the difference between culture and the heart of a Christian. The separateness and distinction between Religion (the corporate expression) and Spirituality (the Individual’s intimate relationship with God) was not clear… Indian beliefs and those of Christians were not just lost in a story of Babel, but were attempted to be annihilated by a pestilence of evil to destroy all The One True Good God created. When we look closer at Christian and First Nations beliefs in God or Great Spirit, we find an alignment that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. The convergence of biblical narratives and indigenous spirituality suggests that the same God, whom First Nations peoples speak of as the Great Spirit, is the very same God revealed to us through Christ. Through collaboration, humility, reparation, justice, and reconciliation, we may birth a New Creation where we learn to nurture and protect God's precious gift of creation, acknowledging that True Divinity transcends human divisions by embracing and connecting all peoples, all cultures, all faiths, and the miraculous creation that is our home.