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Virtually Christian: How Christ Changes Human Meaning and Makes Creation New

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This is the best book in theology addressed to our contemporary cultural situation that I have read in recent years. Only the work of James Alison, perhaps, compares to it. Bartlett's writing is a theological burst of light and energy. It appeals to and challenges the mind, imagination, and spirit in calling for Christian renewal in these troubled times that are deeply secular and yet also apocalyptic. Bartlett points out that we are undergoing a cybernetic revolution and at the same time there are significant new developments in science of the brain, particularly the discovery of mirror neurons. We are confronted with crisis after crisis of political polarization and conflict and violence. In this whirlpool of problems and possibilities he affirms the contemporary relevance of Christ with us, in us, and among us.

The author's general thesis is that recognizing the presence of Christ in our midst in contemporary media, in virtual realities, in the discoveries of science, in time and history, offers an amazing and timely opening to the experience of God's love. In a style that is vigorous and felicitous he seeks to demonstrate this in describing the profound meaning of the virtual in the cybernetic age.

These comments on the book would be much too long if I set out Bartlett's argument and pastoral proposals in detail. Perhaps it will suffice to mention the following highlights in his essay:

(1) An analysis of virtuality, showing its relation to human sign systems and to cybernetics as science and technology attempting to achieve control in the world through communication. (Cybernetic is derived from a Greek word meaning to steer.) The "virtual" emerges as both what is provisional and as a world of images that both mobilizes and diffuses our sense of reality. The virtual elucidates and intensifies the traditional eschatology of the Christian message.

(2) A historical argument that Christ is the central sign of the virtual revolution and as such is the primary dynamic of the sign system transmitted through Christianity and Western culture. To support this argument he turns to René Girard's theory of mimetic desire and the generative power of the scapegoat mechanism in human culture, which the biblical revelation unveils. This unveiling is consummated in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

(3) An accumulation of warrants for his thesis that includes the emergence of courtly ("virtual") love in the 11th and 12th centuries, the discovery of mirror neurons in the science of brain and mind, and most importantly the Christological formula of the Creed of Chalcedon (451 C.E.), which established the meaning of "person" that informs Western thought and beliefs about human worth and dignity.

(4) The presentation of a genealogy of love, compassion, and forgiveness, which Girard's mimetic theory lacks.

(5) A foray into the realm of cinema, showing that there is a remarkable number of motion pictures in which a Christ figure is of capital significance. This is another example of how Christ and the Christian tradition have brought about a radical shift in human sign systems.

(6) A sketch of the contemporary virtual church in which Bartlett makes a case for informal structures, inclusive boundaries, local and networked grouping, a non-rivalrous relationship with established churches, Bible study focused on reprogramming our sign system, and a new way of understanding sign and sacrament. His revisioning of the Eucharist is a special feature of this part of the essay.

(7) A sketch of the signs Jesus gave, which the author proposes are best viewed as a function and reflection of Jesus both as teacher of wisdom and as the Wisdom of God. This chapter would have been stronger if he had included the Last Supper as a primary sign/sacrament.

In all, Bartlett articulates a stunning theology that is focused on the human condition and that offers a profound pastoral understanding of Christ as the Person in whom we live and move and have our being.

Since others have reviewed the "big picture" reasons for finding this an important and persuasive book, I'll mention four smaller findings, any one of which made it worth the purchase for me.

First, what Bartlett says about the book of Revelation in just a few pages shows his masterful grasp of signs and signification in human discourse, and enables the reader to see the book of Revelation as one more text supporting Jesus' revolution of nonviolent love. This, judging by what I generally hear people say about his last book of the Bible, would make VIRTUALLY CHRISTIAN essential reading. To discover that one whole book of the Bible does not have to be ignored or discarded by compassionate people would be a useful discovery for a lot of Christians.

Second, Bartlett's discussion of John the Baptist and Jesus-- the relationship, close and distant between the two--clarifies some scripture texts which I'll wager have perplexed you the reader as they have me. What did Jesus mean by "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he")? Or "...the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me" (Luke 7)? But even more than illuminating the texts, this discussion clarifies the essence and genius of Jesus' earth-shaking message of how humanity could move beyond violence and domination as its notion of how to run the world!

Third, Bartlett's discussion of the new and unique "sign and signification" which Jesus brought, specifically in relation to "the sign of Jonah," breaks new ground. Wow, you've got to read this on that old SS children's story about Jonah and the big fish.

And fourth, the treatment of the Gerasene demoniac, and Legion, in Mark 5. Here is a text for our times if there is one anywhere, but you couldn't fill a taxicab with the Christians in New York City who could say something intelligible about that story.

In an age when global violence vastly exceeds anything imaginable when the myth of Noah's ark tried to make it look big, to see with new eyes that Jesus announced and embodied an alternative to this is a great gift. Tony Bartlett helps us to see it, and for that we are in his debt.

In Virtually Christian, Anthony Bartlett argues that Jesus

re-defines the meaning of God from the violent interpretation given by many religious people. And in carrying out the nonviolent agenda of God, he re-sets the course for human evolution.

Chapter five, entitled "God Save Me from God," is particularly relevant. What Bartlett is dealing with here is how Christ undoes the violent structuring of our human interactions and its domination of people's perception of God. "The violence to be found both in the scriptures and practice of religion, past and present," is what makes the case for atheism. But, he says, what authors such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, arguing such a line, fail to see, is that religion "derives from the deep structure of the human and that their protest against its violence is part of an astonishing sea change in that very structure," a change which "is itself a product of the gospel of Jesus."

Undergirding Bartlett's thought is the anthropology of Rene Girard. Girard tells us that human beings are by nature imitative, and Girard speculates that among our early ancestors it was this mirroring of actions that led to the birth of desire to obtain what someone else had. Competition to acquire what was desired led to violence which spread throughout the group, until, by displacement, all of the group violence was focused upon one individual. When the violence resulted in the murder of this scapegoat, suddenly peace within the group was re-established.

This is speculation regarding the development of human culture, including the development of signs, for in this understanding the scapegoat becomes the sign both of violence and of peace. What Bartlett does, working from this base, is show how Christ transforms desire from violence to compassion by providing us a radically new principle for our sign system, one that is essentially nonviolent. It is his relationship to God and to others within this particular historical context that brings about change, and continues in the sign of the risen Christ.

"The Christian message is based on a real experiential change in the human order. The human order remains the human order but it is experienced as changed from within...." "By contact with the Risen One," Bartlett says, "my own humanity is made non-violent, life-giving, a creative blessing....What makes a difference is my daily personal encounter with this new humanity, the way in which I allow myself to be transformed piece by piece by this style of infinite nonviolence in a living human being."

And as regards God: "If Jesus relates to God in his human existence by a practive of infinite compassion, then by the rules of relational imitation,...God has to be of the exact same character. And..., if Jesus practiced this compassion all the way to his final breath..., then we are required to follow him all the way to the death of any meaning of God not consistent with this, his absolutely self-giving human [way of being]."

This is the Lord that we await, this Lord of total compassion and non-violent change.

Stirring and evocative, well-written and coherent throughout, Virtually Christian is remarkable in its depth and breadth. This is ground-breaking material, the most hopeful theology one will find. It is a vitally important book for pastors. There is new inspiration here, offered abundantly.

The liberating power of Jesus is communicated strongly through Bartlett's unshackled approach to writing. The author avoids slogging through the captivity of historical models and deeply ingrained learning before making his points. Rather, like the Jesus who calls us with a simple, "Follow me," and reveals God's realm on the journey, Bartlett dives right in, doing the unpacking and fresh consideration "on the Way." This is a jailbreaking model for preachers and teachers.

I would concur with much that has been written in the previous reviews. I would focus particularly on Bartlett's treatment of forgiveness (forth-giveness) and its transforming power, which frames and infuses his work. What he offers will extend your experience of grace. A few snippets:

--"Indeed, who if anyone could conceivably be the firstborn of the dead if not the one who defined and produced in himself a truly new humanity, the one who taught a love that makes forgiveness of the enemy as holy as any contemplation?"

--"No matter the level of violence and abandonment which Jesus suffered he always responded with forgiveness. In other words there was an answering passion of love within the human abyss of violence."

--"In this one sign (Matthew 5:43-44) Jesus undoes the great violent arc of his own scriptures . . .with these words the message becomes truly universal."

Pursuing such reflection scripturally and prayerfully, while interpreting the passages through the experience life together, stirs the pastoral senses anew to the movement of the Spirit in the midst of the ever-changing community. For preachers, Bartlett will point you to an ever-pregnant story that will always be fertile territory for a word that is truly alive and ever-new. And you will be sensitized to the irresistable power of the gospel which has changed the sign-systems that guide us and is transforming (delivering) our world even as we find ourselves lamenting the apparent collapse of what we have long known.

Bartlett understands the world as radically infused by Christ, which is good news that gives and gives! The present era of communication beyond previous boundaries opens new pathways.

--"the sign of the nonviolent Christ can and will show up as the only way through, the only way to transform violence into peace. A new human meaning appears at the core of our sign system, a meaning that is 'virtually Christian.'

--"Jesus has changed the meaning of God, both in and through history and as an effect within history."

--"The whole world has been set in motion toward the new humanity of Christ." Wow.

We are moved to consider what an unshackled church might be like, and to live (and pastor) toward the joyous promise.

Review by Jerald Shave, ret. Presbyterian (USA) clergy

In Virtually Christian Tony Bartlett writes about the beginning and the end of human history. Using the insights of Rene Girard, he tells of the foundation of culture and religion in human violence. Jesus came at the climax of the Old Testament story of God's gradual revelation of God's true nature as only love. Jesus is the ultimate innocent victim of the sacrificial system, who offers himself in order to end the endless cycle of violence. It is in the life and resurrection of Jesus, who rose from the dead and forgives all, that we learn the true character of God as infinite love. There is no violence in the God that Jesus came to reveal. God does love the world and has great plans for us and all of creation. Bartlett proposes that The Resurrection restarts creation and makes possible the transformation of our essential human nature. The result is that love and forgiveness enters into the world in a new way. Bartlett presents evidence for this in a survey of religious philosophy and by vignettes from modern film and popular music. The hope is that the violence of the world will be overcome and that God will transform the earth bringing heaven to earth.

Does this all sound new and, frankly, impossible? But isn't the Bible a miracle story that reaches a climax in The Crucified One who is resurrected? What if Christianity is not just about Jesus coming to die so the few, who believe in him, will go to heaven? What if the return of Jesus Christ is not with violence, but with love? What if heaven will be on earth and love and forgiveness replaces hatred and revenge?

That is what this amazing book is about. It could just change your understanding of Christianity, that is, if you are tired of a Christianity that seems to have little relevance to the repetitive cycle of human violence that has infected society from the foundation of the world.