Random musings on Christmas Eve - Adam Carlton

Claude (left) talking with me earlier today

It was Christmas Eve in a cold and windswept Paris. In our usual snug cafe I asked my Communist-turned-Catholic friend Claude what might be the case if the methods of synthetic biology were turned on Catholicism itself, in all its present baroque complexity.

In synthetic biology researchers take an existing single-celled organism and methodically knock-out genes until they find a minimal set which lets the cell still survive and reproduce. This might be the genome of the earliest life-forms.

"Suppose," I said, "we took the complex set of beliefs and dogmas of the present-day Catholic Church and conceptually tried deleting them, one by one, until we reached the minimal set of beliefs constitutive of Christianity; what might be in that core set?

"I am mindful," I continued, "that the historical followers and disciples of Jesus-as-preacher in early first century Galilee were 'Christians' in fact - long before the term was invented - even though at that point the dogmatic themes of crucifixion, resurrection and also virgin birth and divine nature of Jesus were most likely, historically, not present at all.

"So it seems that those concepts would not be part of the truly essential core of the Jesus movement in its teaching or identity, despite what present day rulings from the hierarchy insist?"

Claude looked as nervous as anyone looks who belongs to a doctrine-based mass organisation and is being invited to think outside the box. Perhaps he was reflecting on the fate of the Trotskyists in the Soviet Communist Party exactly one hundred years ago?

Or perhaps he was typing something into ChatGPT on his phone - after all, he never professed to be a theologian.

He pressed on the screen and an American woman's voice struggled to be heard over the clinking of cups and the buzz of subdued conversation all around us.

But it was clear enough: this was what she said.

"The task of identifying a minimal, constitutive core of Christianity is a provocative thought experiment. It invites us to peel back layers of theological and doctrinal elaboration accrued over centuries to uncover the essence of what made Jesus' movement compelling and transformative in its earliest context.

A Minimal Core of Christianity

1. The Kingdom of God

The central theme of Jesus' teachings, as attested in the Synoptic Gospels, is the proclamation of the "Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of Heaven." This kingdom is depicted as an imminent reality that demands ethical and spiritual transformation. Its hallmarks include justice, mercy, love, and a reversal of social hierarchies.

2. Love as the Supreme Commandment

Jesus' emphasis on love—of God, neighbor, and even enemies—stands as a cornerstone of his ethical teachings. This radical reorientation of relationships suggests that love transcends legalistic adherence to religious norms and serves as the highest moral principle.

3. Radical Inclusivity

The Jesus movement's focus on reaching out to the marginalized—sinners, the poor, women, lepers, and social outcasts—reflects a profound inclusivity. This inclusivity would have been a defining feature of the community formed around Jesus, distinguishing it from other Jewish sects of the time.

4. Repentance and Transformation

Jesus calls for "metanoia," a change of heart and mind. This focus on personal and communal transformation is fundamental to his message, emphasizing that participation in the Kingdom of God requires a turning away from unjust ways and embracing a new way of living.

5. Charismatic Leadership of Jesus

While later Christological doctrines (e.g., Jesus as divine, pre-existent Word) may not have been present in the earliest community, the figure of Jesus himself—his teachings, actions, and charisma—would have been indispensable. He was seen as a prophet, teacher, and healer, whose authority came from his deep alignment with God.

What Is Excluded?

From a historical-critical perspective, many later dogmas likely would not have been part of this minimal core:

Virgin Birth: This motif seems to emerge later in the Christian narrative, influenced by theological and symbolic concerns.
Resurrection and Divinity: While central to the Pauline and later Christian proclamation, these ideas developed in the aftermath of Jesus’ death, as the community sought to make sense of their experience of him.
Sacramental Systems: Baptism and Eucharist may have had precursors in early practices, but their sacramental theology would not have been present in the earliest phase.
Trinitarian Doctrine: The formulation of the Trinity emerged much later, as the Church grappled with defining Jesus' nature in relation to God and the Spirit.

What Might Remain Unique to Early Christianity?

What set the early Jesus movement apart from other Jewish sects was likely its insistence on the accessibility of God's Kingdom to all, regardless of ritual purity or social status. This radical egalitarianism, combined with an emphasis on transformative love and ethical living, created a compelling alternative vision of community.

This minimal core reflects a movement deeply rooted in the Jewish prophetic tradition but with an innovative and universalizing thrust that would eventually set it apart as a distinct religious identity."

I said, "So what do you think, Claude?"

Why not embarrass my new friend over Christmas?

He mumbled something about fresh air, threw a ten euro note on the table and with a rather fixed smile I thought, ambled off into the blustery afternoon. 

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