Thinking out loud - ‘Incarnational identification’?!

Simply put? Living with the people, as the people, for the people. Mind you, however simply we translate the jargon it is far from a simple way of life. As Frost & Hirsch write:

‘To identify incarnationally with a people will mean that we must try to enter into something of the cultural life of a ‘people’; to seek to understand their perspectives, their grievances and causes, in other words their real existence, in such a way as to genuinely reflect the act of identification that God made with us in Jesus.’ Frost & Hirsch (2004:38).

But when you’re actively pursuing the things of the Kingdom in the most diverse borough in London how do you effectively and authentically engage with the ‘cultural life of a people’?

Drawing on Jesus’ own example Leonard Sweet observes that ‘when Jesus dressed, he did not dress in a generic, culture-neutral way or put on clothing that set him apart from everyone else of his day. He dressed himself in the customary garb of the day where he lived. He fully inhabited the cultural space of the first century.’ (Sweet, 1999:79) But since the ‘cultural space’ of the 21st century is such a diverse milieu does multiculturalism threaten or even thwart ‘incarnational identification’?

Surely the answer is yes only if we narrowly and simplistically restrict our understanding and appreciation of each other along ethnic distinctions while disregarding the issues that draw us together. After all everyone wants safe streets, clean hospitals, and good schools. And fly-tipping, under-achieving schools, over-stretched hospitals, poor public transport, rising crime levels and the likes affect everyone in the community regardless of race or religion. Yet as much as our common ambitions unite us it is undoubtedly shared adversity and struggle that draws communities closest – just look at the response to the July 7th bombings.

In truth, far from being thwarted, as we seek to live with the people, as the people and for the people incarnational identification arguably represents the only valid response to increasing multiculturalism. Only as we practice mission incarnationally can a liberating message really liberate. To pigeon-paraphrase John 1:14…

‘The followers of Jesus moved into the neighbourhood and shopped at the same shops, used the same schools, travelled on the same buses, got disturbed by the same loud music and lived lives full of grace and truth.’