Chasing the Coyote Christ: Border Crossing as Spiritual Discipline

Posted on December 26, 2015 by PLT Staff

Recording of Session III by John Fanestil at the Spring Institute for Lived Theology 2010 in San Diego, California. Fanestil reflects on his experience as a pastor in Calexico, a city on the California/Mexico border. Understanding the power of metaphorical language in the pursuit of faith led Fanestil to realize the greatest metaphor of all: the coyote Christ. Jesus has the ability to answer the great unanswered questions faith communities have and help this generation realize the tremendous intellectual, cultural and spiritual capacities immigrants have to offer. The lecture begins at the 1:43 minute mark.

Excerpt: “The story of Athanasius and the making of the Nicene Creed struck a series of chords deep in my soul. It occurred to me that in Athanasius’ worldview, God crossed a supernatural border by taking on human flesh in Jesus Christ. And more than this, Athanasius (Jesus) had lived on both sides of this border, at once fully human and at the same time fully divine. Finally, the way Athanasius thought about it—and this was the most radical thought of all—Jesus had called people to follow him across the border between heaven and earth to share with him the spiritual communion with the divine. Jesus was a coyote for God.”

  • Audio Information
  • Date Recorded:April 26, 2010
  • Location Recorded:San Diego, California
  • Audio File:Download File »
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