Let It Breathe...

What does it mean to be "spiritual?" In a day when "spirituality" is in and "organized religion" is out, it behooves the church to seek a biblical definition and theology of "spiritual." To this end, breathing is more than a means of propulsion; it''s a spiritual principle.

(The following discussion of "The Kiss of God" has been developed more directly in my Quantum Spirituality: A Postmodern Apologetic [Dayton: Whaleprints, 1991]. The quotes are from that book. -L.I.S)

"The human species has been twice kissed by the divine. If the first kiss brought us breath and birth, the second kiss brought us rebirth and a second breath" (298). As John records Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance to his disciples,

Jesus came and stood among them. "Peace be with you!" he said, and then showed them his hands and his side. So when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus repeated, "Peace be with you!", and said, "As the Father sent me, so I send you." Then he breathed on them saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (19b-22)

Again as this is put in Quantum Spirituality, "The first kiss of God quickened us to come alive. Adam was God's first kiss. The second kiss of God quickens us to come alive in Christ and be 'born of the Spirit' (John 3:8)....