The “total Christ” from the mystical or historical perspective of the first encounter

Abstract

An analysis of the possible first theoretical contact with the idea of “Christ” and his social and historical environment from the initial perspective of an intellectual who is supposedly distant from or unaware of the Church. The real elements, both historical and sociological and moral, that he would have to face are analyzed. These elements could either facilitate a first encounter with Christ on an intuitive and experiential level, or hinder this possibility. The experience and externalization of the idea of “Christ the mystic” in the ecclesial community would be an ideal situation for this encounter. In addition to being a spiritual reality, the “Jesus theme” as a mystical realization of the human is also a profound object of phenomenological language from which unique paths of encounter could be opened.