Divine Manifestation in Perfect Power: Recognising the Spirit of Christ Crucified

Many people question whether God cares for humans. This article considers two questions. First, what kind of divine care for humans is in question? Second, what explains the widespread failure among humans to recognise divine care for them? The best answer to the first question relies on a biblical idea of divine compassion that suffers for what is good for humans as responsible and subsidiary co-rulers with God. Such compassion aims to “perfect” humans as co-rulers with God who co-value and share in divine compassion. The best answer to the second question proposes that effective recognition of divine care requires voluntary human participation in it, by co-valuing and sharing in divine compassion that suffers for humans. Neglect of co-valuing and sharing in divine compassion impedes a person’s felt recognition of the reality and goodness of God. This article develops its proposed answers, in contrast to two contemporary approaches to religious experience from Luke Timothy Johnson and Edward Schillebeeckx.