Chapter 10 - The Collaborative Christ

Marilynne Robinson: "I do, in some small degree, participate in the grace that saved me."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts of men and women willing to be coworkers with God."

The transition from tritheism in the New Testament to the defined three-in-one Trinity by the creeds.
Broad scholarly consensus (Catholic and Protestant) indicates the apostolic fathers did not exhibit a trinitarian perspective.
The doctrine as formalized in the fourth and fifth centuries is not explicitly present in the New Testament.

Joseph Smith introduced:
- The concept of heavenly parents.
- A distinct portrayal of the Godhead consisting of three distinct individuals: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Cited as a restoration of the divine assembly or heavenly council seen in various ancient traditions.
Elder M. Russell Ballard: Advocated that efforts on Earth should mirror this heavenly collaborative counsel.
Atonement understood in the context of a collaborative Godhead is more profound than merely a defense against divine wrath.

Atonement focuses on healing interpersonal relationships and our relationship with divine parental figures.
Heaven is depicted as an eternal sociality, characterized by creative engaging relationships rather than mere reward or consequence.

A call to join the healing work of Christ as we build relationships with Him.
Humans, made in the image of the creator, are themselves creators and collaborators in divine work.
Baptismal Covenant of Adoption: Consists of vertical (relationship with God) and horizontal (relationships with others) dimensions.
The Book of Mosiah emphasizes the familial bond in Christ alongside mutual responsibilities among members of the community.

Summary of Alma's teachings:
- Bear one another's burdens.
- Mourn with those who mourn.
- Comfort the comfortless.
The covenant establishes reciprocal responsibilities between Christ and His followers in their mutual commitment to each other.

Example of Ammon’s flock receiving divine aid, echoing the promises of the covenant.
Christ's role as a healer is exemplified through both communal and individual struggles, weaving a strong fabric of compassion among believers.

True compassion involves sharing in the despair of others; love is found in shared desolation.
Every act of comforting must come from a place of empathic knowledge and authenticity, as emphasized through baptismal covenants.

The challenges of recognizing and supporting others who carry invisible burdens.
Bishops' experiences reveal the difficulty congregations face in addressing hidden struggles within their communities.
Fiona's friend and her experiences underscore the profound impact of unseen trauma and the compassionate response needed from the community.

Tyler Johnson’s description of Christ:
- Visions of Christ as deeply empathetic toward individual sufferings highlight his active participation in each life.
All suffering invites us to participate in healing through personal connections and communal responsibility.

The necessity of friends and community in navigating pain, as illustrated through biblical examples.
Luther’s teaching: Christians should act as Christs to each other, leading to healing and aid through interconnectedness.

Eucharist as a communal and personal act; it represents shared suffering and healing.
Christ’s methods include sanctifying individual pain and collective remembrance through sacramental observances.
Highlights continuity of relationships with the dead through priesthood work, as noted by Brigham Young.

Personal stories serve as a testament to the ongoing impact of Christ's collaboration with the faithful.
Anise’s experience with service illustrates the divine orchestration of empathy through personal connections and prayers.

Addresses the complexity of human needs and perceptions of happiness.
Mention of Dieterich von Hildebrand: Emphasizes recognizing objective happiness versus subjective perception.

Understanding that personal insights into happiness are often clouded by self-deception.
Importance of recognizing truth about our happiness as a guiding principle in relationships and healing.
The need for self-improvement, as per Alasdair MacIntyre’s view on ethics and human potential.

Jesus' experiences with supplicants: The transformative nature of trust and persistence in petitions.
The story of Christ healing the paralytic emphasizes the role of community and the unexpected nature of healing.

Reflections on the sacrament as reminders of Christ's sufferings and our own suffering.
Easter and the resurrection as pivotal moments, producing change and healing life through participation in ordinances.
Calls to sustained collaboration in the community as agents of healing and growth, culminating in the vision of Zion: a collaborative, caring society.