Baptism by Fire, Part 6

Baptism by Fire, Part 6

I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1]

There are a number of indirect references to baptism by fire throughout the Bible, but they can easily be missed if one is not looking for them. Some passages use fire literally; others use fire metaphorically to describe intense suffering or significant and uncontrollable change or transformation. For example, in Deuteronomy 4:24, God is referred to as a consuming firein the NIV or a devouring firein the NRSV. Many passages refer to God as jealous and demanding of exclusivity. Last week I quoted St. John of the Cross who illustrated how God burns away everything within that stands between us and God by describing how fire transforms wood into itself. The Deuteronomy reference similarly indicates that God removes or consumes everything that separates us from Oneness with God. Although not specifically referred to as a baptism, the reference is to a process that transforms those who seek God into ones who become God-like. I suspect this occurs naturally at our physical death, although by conscious intent and surrender we can be drawn towards God-likeness while still on earth.

In Matthew 7:19-20, Jesus says “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” He uses the image of not bearing good fruit to refer to false prophets and others who deceive, as well as to those whose actions cause harm and division. I am certain Jesus’ references to burning less-than-desirable fruits by fire has contributed mightily to common (and unbiblical) views of hell as a post-death destination of intense, fiery misery and suffering. Given Jesus’ nature to draw everyone and everything to himself, I doubt he intended his words to be understood in that way. Rather, throwing things into the fire is a method of recycling or allowing for the reconstituting of earthly elements into something more consistent with divine Oneness. Fire does not destroy so much as it transforms. The purpose of suffering (metaphorical fire) is not to destroy us but to reconstitute and shape us in ways closer to the image of God.

All of the twelve references to the word translated as hell in the New Testament, most of which are in Matthew, are to a place named Gehenna. It was the city dump outside the walls of Jerusalem where fires burned the discarded waste. So when Jesus says, “…it is better to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell,”[2] he is not referring to a place of eternal damnation but to a place where that which no longer serves its intended purpose can be reborn into something useful. As a child I loved visiting the city dump just outside the small town where my grandparents lived. People discarded whatever was broken or had outlived its usefulness onto piles which were set on fire, which seemed always to be burning. The fire helped transform the materials back to their most basic elements as it reduced the waste to smoke and ash so something new and useful could arise from those elements. And that is the essence of baptism with fire – that whatever has become corrupted, as occurs with everything of the earth, is made new. Nothing is lost or condemned to an eternal flame but is given the heat required to be deconstructed and reborn.

The foundational story of the Hebrew people, told, retold, and referenced throughout both testaments of the Bible, is the 40-year, transformational journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. Forty years refers to a lifetime, or in this case, a life-long process. There is, of course, much difficulty and anguish along the way – a metaphorical baptism and transformation by the fires of suffering to lead them out of where they were and toward where they wished to be. Throughout the Bible the Israelites are referred to as God’s chosen or anointed people. We assume that chosenness refers to a specific race or nation of people. But the life and teachings of Jesus indicate that God’s anointed are not limited to one race but to everyone who consciously chooses to go through the uncomfortable journey from slavery (to earthly attachments) to freedom (in the Spirit) by enduring a purifying and often difficult baptism by fire. That is the story of the Israelites; that is the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; and that is our story when we accept Jesus’ offer of baptism with fire. The chosen people of God does not so much refer to those whom God has chosen, which would be everyone, but to those who choose to follow the path to Oneness with God while still on earth. The choosing is done on our part, and God does the rest.

This is the 18^th in a series titled Crucifying Christianity, Resurrecting the Way.Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are not objective truths but invitations for readers to explore, too. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Matthew 3:11

[2] Matthew 5:30b