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Reflections on Theology Part 2

So, theology needs to have relational truth in order to unite us.  But, all relational theology is not correct theology.  Correct theology is only found in the Scriptures.  Proper theology will be Biblical theology.  This proper Biblical theology will lead to proper practice.  A practice that will not fall into the old liberal/conservative paradigm, in the past, biblical theology was divided up into this paradigm when it didn’t need to be.  God’s mission embraces both the “liberal” focus on social justice and the “conservative” focus on being born again.  So then, proper practice will fight to transform both the individuals and the societies of this world.  Proper practice will both help the widows and orphans in their distress, and show people how to be born again.  Not just one or the other.  This is real relational significance.

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Prayer Request

Dear Readers (Dougandabug and any others out there that might just be bold enough to read ),

Please pray for my good friend Pastor Doc, as he is down with a flu bug, please pray for healing.

Currently Reading A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology By J. Kenneth Grider see related

Biblical Realism Part 1

Biblical Realism is a perspective to do theology from.   This perspective, as articulated by J. Kenneth Grider, "We ought then, to do theology from a realistic perspective instead of an idealistic one.  Nature, even fabricated nature, is a locus of grace; and both time and history are real and important." (Grider, 50)  I wonder if this is a step toward a relational perspective of theology? Or if a relational perspective of theology could fit into this.  When theology is done from this perspective, it doesn't sound as if it would be abstract theology without application.  This is in opposition to Platonism, which makes the natural world evil, and focuses so much on eternity that it forgets the other aspects of time and history.

More thoughts on this later...

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John Wesley's Discipline

I'm not sure any of us could be this disciplined today, maybe some are, I don't know, but I think in our fast-paced society, it would be a challenge.  This is just his discipline on his journey from England to Georgia.

4-5 a.m. Private Prayer
5-7 a.m. Communal Bible Reading w/ other Methodists
7-8 a.m. Breakfast
8-9 a.m. Public Prayer
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Linguistics Studies (Wesley learned German during this time)
12-1 p.m. Accountability Meeting
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Reading to fellow travelers
4-5 p.m. Evening Prayers
5-6 p.m. Private Prayer
6-7 p.m. Reading to fellow travelers
7-8 p.m. Wesley joined the Germans in worship
8-9 p.m. Accountability Meeting
Between 9 and 10 p.m.  Bed

And, if his journal is to be trusted, he did this every day!  Isn't it amazing?  All aspects of Christian faith are found here daily in his discipline, serving others, seeking God, public worship, private worship, accountability.  WOW!

Currently Reading A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology By J. Kenneth Grider see related

Reflections on Theology Part 1

Although the first question still stands, I had more thoughts to post.

In the modern world, theology served to divide Christians because it was based on abstract philosophical premises and not so much based on truths about God that are applicable to our lives and witness.  In the postmodern world, theology could serve to unite us if, as a discipline, it changes its focus from abstract principles to applicable relational truth.  After all, correct thinking about God should lead to correct service of God.  As an example, let’s look at a seemingly very abstract doctrine, justification by grace alone through faith alone on account of Christ alone.  That simply means that because of Jesus dieing on the cross in our place, God has forgiven our sins, due to his great love for us, which we don’t deserve and cannot earn, and that we can receive this gift by believing that God did it for us.  This seems pretty abstract, doesn’t it?  But this can inform our witness.  Because God has forgiven us, even though we didn’t deserve it, when other human beings sin against us, we should forgive them, even if we think they don’t deserve it.  This is relational truth.  I’m sure that all Christians can agree that we need to forgive others around us as God forgave us.