Christian nirvana

In The Finality of Christ, Lesslie Newbigin presents two contrasting pictures of religion.

Although the wheel is a human construct, it is a powerully evocative symbol of the natural world as man experiences it. The cycle of birth, growth, decay and death through which plants, animals, human beings and institutions all pass suggests the rotating wheel - ever in movement yet ever returning upon itself. The wheel offers a way of escape from this endless and meaningless movement. One can find a way to the centre where all is still, and one can observe the ceaseless movement without being involved in it. . . .

The other symbol is the road. History is a journey, a pilgrimage. We do not yet see the goal, but we believe in it and seek it. The movement in which we are involved is not meaningless movement; it is movement toward a goal. The goal, the ultimate resting-place, the experience of coherence and harmony, is not to be had save at the end of the road. (Weston, Paul. "Newbigin, Lesslie Missionary Theologian: A Reader." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006. p55)

It struck me in reading this that although Newbigin was contrasting eastern religion (Buddhism and Hinduism) and western religion (Christianity and Judaism), much of Christianity has lost hold of the distinctive historical rootedness of the faith. We attempt to offer a Christian version of nirvana, in which the soul is presently at peace - when this is not at all what Jesus came to do. His entry into history, establishing the climax of history at the cross, was for a historical purpose: that all things are going to be brought under His feet in time and space. All existence points to that time when He will be all in all. Thus His call, "Follow me," is not to escape the pain and confusion of this present age, but to give unspeakably profound meaning to the suffering, in the midst of perplexity, as we look forward to, and speed the return of our King. This is the present blessedness of real future hope:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. (Luke 6:20-23)