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Christ

What is the Christ? 

The term Christ is central to Christian theology and carries profound significance. It is derived from the Greek word Christos, which means “anointed one” and is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term Mashiach or Messiah. This title signifies that Jesus is the anointed one sent by God to fulfill the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament and to bring salvation to humanity. 

Etymology and Usage 

The word Christ comes from the Greek χριστός (chrīstós), meaning “anointed one.” It translates the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Mašíaḥ), which also means “anointed”. In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a symbolic act to signify someone being set apart for a divine purpose, often for roles such as king, priest, or prophet. Thus, calling Jesus “the Christ” means recognizing Him as the one anointed by God for a special mission. 

Biblical Context and Significance 

In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently referred to as Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus, emphasizing both His role and identity. The title “Christ” is used to affirm Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. For instance, in Matthew 16:16, Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” acknowledging Jesus’ divine mission and identity. 

Christ in Christian Theology 

In Christian theology, Jesus as the Christ encompasses several key roles: 

  • Savior: Jesus is believed to have come to save humanity from sin through His sacrificial death and resurrection (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). 
  • King: The title also signifies Jesus as the anointed King who will establish God’s kingdom on earth (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:16). 
  • Divine Son: Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who reveals God to humanity and mediates between God and people (John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 1:8). 

Christ Consciousness 

In some modern interpretations, particularly within New Age thought, the term “Christ” has been expanded to mean a state of higher consciousness or spiritual enlightenment. This concept, often referred to as “Christ Consciousness,” suggests an awareness of one’s unity with the divine and is seen as a state of self-realization and spiritual bliss. However, this interpretation diverges significantly from traditional Christian theology, which centers on the historical and divine person of Jesus as the unique Messiah. 

How is Christ viewed from other religions perspective?

Buddhism 

In Buddhism, Jesus Christ is generally seen as an enlightened man and a wise teacher, but not as divine. Buddhists respect Jesus for his compassion and self-sacrificial life, which align with Buddhist values of kindness and enlightenment. Some Buddhists, including prominent figures like the Dalai Lama, have even recognized Jesus as a bodhisattva, a being dedicated to the enlightenment of others. However, Buddhist teachings fundamentally differ from Christian doctrines, particularly the belief in a personal savior and the divinity of Jesus, which are not compatible with Buddhist views on self-reliance and enlightenment. 

Hinduism 

Hindu perspectives on Jesus Christ are diverse and complex due to the religion’s pluralistic nature. Many Hindus regard Jesus as a great spiritual teacher or acharya (one who teaches by example) and often see him as an incarnation (avatāra) of the divine, similar to other figures in Hindu tradition like Krishna or Rama. Some Hindu leaders and scholars, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, have admired Jesus for his teachings on love and compassion, viewing him as a highly evolved spiritual being. However, the concept of Jesus as the unique Son of God or the sole path to salvation is generally not accepted in Hinduism, which embraces multiple paths to the divine. 

Islam 

In Islam, Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic) is highly revered as one of the greatest prophets and messengers of God. Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus to Mary (Maryam) and acknowledge his miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead. However, Islam rejects the notion of Jesus as the Son of God or part of a divine trinity, emphasizing strict monotheism (tawhid) and the belief that Jesus was a human prophet who conveyed God’s message. According to Islamic teachings, Jesus was neither crucified nor resurrected; instead, he was taken up by God and will return before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat falsehood. 

In  A Course in Miracles, the concept of Christ is also fundamentally different from traditional Christian interpretations. Here are the key aspects of how Christ is understood in ACIM: 

Christ as the True Self 

In ACIM, Christ represents the divine, eternal, and changeless spiritual Self that is the shared identity of all life. This includes every person, every blade of grass, every drop of rain, and every speck of cosmic dust. Christ is not seen as an individual or a historical figure but as the universal spiritual essence present within all of Creation. 

Christ and Jesus 

While ACIM acknowledges Jesus as a historical figure and a teacher, it distinguishes between Jesus the man and Christ the divine essence. Jesus is seen as someone who perfectly aligned his will with God’s by listening only to the Holy Spirit. This state of perfect alignment is what ACIM refers to as Christ. Jesus is a model for what is possible for everyone, but the Christ is the universal Self that transcends individual identity. 

Christ and the Ego 

Christ in ACIM is the truth that remains when the illusion of the ego is undone. The ego represents the false self, rooted in separation and fear, while Christ represents the true Self, rooted in unity and love. The Course teaches that recognizing the Christ within oneself and others is essential for healing and salvation. 

A Universal and Inclusive Approach 

ACIM presents a more universal and inclusive approach to spirituality. It emphasizes that the divine essence (Christ) is inherent in all people, and this recognition leads to healing and the experience of true happiness. The Course calls for a radical shift in perception, from seeing oneself as separate to recognizing the interconnectedness and divinity of all life. 

Christ as Happiness and Love 

In the simplest terms, ACIM describes Christ as a state of gentle, sustainable happiness, balanced between play and rest, and always creating in the way that Love creates. This vision of Christ is about embodying and expressing love, unity, and joy in everyday life. 

Several workbook lessons focus on the concept of Christ and seeing with Christ’s vision: 

Lesson 27: “Above all else I want to see.” 

  • This lesson emphasizes the importance of seeing with Christ’s vision. It encourages students to prioritize seeing beyond physical appearances to the light and love of God in everyone and everything. This vision brings healing, happiness, and the peace of God. 

Lesson 70: “My salvation comes from me.” 

  • This lesson teaches that salvation is recognizing the Christ within oneself. It underscores that true salvation comes from understanding and accepting one’s divine nature as part of the Christ. 

Lesson 110: “I am as God created me.” 

  • This lesson reaffirms the idea that our true identity is the Christ, the holy, innocent, and sinless extension of God’s love. It emphasizes that we remain as God created us, regardless of the illusions of the ego. 

Lesson 139: “I will accept Atonement for myself.” 

  • This lesson focuses on accepting the Atonement, which involves recognizing the Christ within and the unity of all creation. It highlights the importance of accepting one’s true identity and the role of Christ in the process of Atonement. 

Lesson 271: “Christ’s is the vision I will use today.” 

  • This lesson encourages students to use Christ’s vision to see the world. It emphasizes that Christ’s vision reveals the truth and helps us see beyond illusions to the reality of God’s love. 

Lesson 354: “We stand together, Christ and I, in peace and certainty of purpose.” 

  • This lesson explores the shared identity of all beings in the one Christ Mind. It teaches that recognizing this shared identity brings peace and helps us remember our true role as God created us. It reinforces the idea that the Christ Mind is an extension of God and that we are all part of this divine oneness. 

These lessons are part of the process of recognizing the Christ within oneself and others. The concept is interwoven throughout the text and workbook, reflecting ACIM’s emphasis on unity, love, and the realization of our true divine nature.

Conclusion 

The term Christ is rich with historical, theological, and spiritual meaning. It signifies Jesus as the anointed one, the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, the Savior of humanity, the divine Son of God, and the King who will establish God’s kingdom. Understanding Jesus as the Christ is foundational to Christian faith, encapsulating His mission, identity, and the hope He brings to believers.