Introduction to Christian Spirituality, Part 2

CS 501Houston Graduate School of Theology

Faith Lessons

Reading the Moment—

Text, Topic, Context

Reflecting on the Moment

—Understandi

ng the message

Responding to the

Moment—Application of principles

to life

Task of spiritual theology To describe and analyze the nature

and effects of the gospel story, not just as facts, but how the facts impinge on the person whose relationship with God has been fundamentally changed by the story (Chan, 78).

Some theological terms

• God exists prior to, distinct from, and independent of anything or anyone so must not be confused in any way with the created universe.

• God is not part of creation.• God is not contained within time or

space.

Transcendence

Some theological terms

• God exists prior to, distinct from, and independent of anything or anyone so must not be confused in any way with the created universe.

• God is not part of it.• God is not contained within time or

space.

Transcendence

• Reflects God’s presence with, persistent interest in, and love for creation.Immanence

Some theological terms

TrinityA community of three divine

personalities, united in one being.

Some theological terms

TrinityA community of three divine

personalities, united in one being.The plurality in oneness of a dynamic

divine being…

.

Some theological terms

TrinityA community of three divine

personalities, united in one being.The plurality in oneness of a dynamic

divine being…whose mode of existence is active

and interactive rather than inert and passive.

Some theological terms

Soteriology

Some theological terms

Soteriology - The doctrine of salvation

Some theological terms

Some theological terms

Some theological terms

Some theological terms

The Downward Pull of Sin

The Upward Journey

of the Kingdom

– The Realm of Salvation

The Already/Not Yet Principle

Acts 16:16-34 – “saved” God saved (rescued, delivered) Paul and

Silas and the prisoners The jailer was saved (rescued, delivered)

from sure death Paul announced kingdom salvation

(rescue, deliverance) to the jailer and then spoke to him and his household the word of the Lord

1 Peter 1:3-9 – defining the realm New birth Inheritance: imperishable, undefiled,

unfading, kept in heaven for you To be revealed The outcome of faith

Therefore . . . live holy lives through obedience, since you have been born anew by the word of God

How do these theological understandings . . .

Inform our understanding of

spirituality?

How do these theological understandings . . .

Inform our understanding of

spirituality?

Inform our understanding of

ourselves?

How do these theological understandings . . .

Inform our understanding of

spirituality?

Inform our understanding of

ourselves?

Inform our understanding of

God?

What is the Christian story primarily?

A rescue or a fellowship?

What is the Christian story primarily?

A rescue or a fellowship?

A story focused on me or the story of a

people?

What is the Christian story primarily?

A rescue or a fellowship?

A story focused on me or the story of a

people?

An understanding of the hereafter or an

understanding of how to live in God’s kingdom now?

Ultimately, is the aim of loving God…

A disciplined life or a life which

overflows to our neighbors?

Ultimately, is the aim of loving God…

A disciplined life or a life which

overflows to our neighbors?

A life of solitude or a

life of service?

Ultimately, is the aim of loving God…

A disciplined life or a life which

overflows to our neighbors?

A legal position or a

mystical union?

A life of solitude or a

life of service?

Is the purpose of Christian spirituality…

To become an outstanding saint or to live responsibly

within the community of

saints?

Is the purpose of Christian spirituality…

To become an outstanding saint or to live responsibly

within the community of

saints?

To live the “good life” or to live life-in-relation, patterned after and sustained

by the Trinity?

What happens when . . .

Spirituality is more individual than

corporate in scope?

What happens when . . .

Spirituality is more individual than

corporate in scope?

An individual’s acceptance before a

righteous God is concerned with the larger, corporate

issue of participation in the covenant

community?

What happens when . . .

Becoming a better Christian is not

exclusively about individual personal

development?

What happens when . . .

Becoming a better Christian is not

exclusively about individual personal

development?

Growth as a Christian is more

about growing in the body along with the other members of

that body?

How should a disciple . . . Pray? We pray as members of the body of

Christ. Enjoy spiritual fellowship? By not making it too spiritual!

A community that exists for purely spiritual ends is in great danger of letting unspiritual, carnal elements develop (111).

A Christian community recognizes the ordinary fellowships of everyday life in Christ.

Signs of a sacramental community

A community of suffering (Jn 15:13)

Signs of a sacramental community

A community of suffering (Jn 15:13)

Seeks intimacy through risk-taking, vulnerability, possible misunderstanding, and giving

another the space to be a person.

Signs of a sacramental community

A community of suffering (Jn 15:13)

Seeks intimacy through risk-taking, vulnerability, possible misunderstanding, and giving

another the space to be a person.

Foregoes the temptation to impose one’s own will

on others.

Signs of a sacramental community

A community of suffering (Jn 15:13)

Seeks intimacy through risk-taking, vulnerability, possible misunderstanding, and giving

another the space to be a person.

Foregoes the temptation to impose one’s own will

on others.

Gives and listens—aspects of personal intimacy are painful but renewing processes that form communal character.

The one anothers

What is the purpose of the one anothers?

How long does it take to actually develop the practice of the one anothers?

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

A community

of celebration (Phil 4:4)

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

Plays

A community

of celebration (Phil 4:4)

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

Plays

Worships• Sings• Prays• Reads

Scripture and listens to Scripture

A community

of celebration (Phil 4:4)

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

Plays

Worships• Sings• Prays• Reads

Scripture and listens to Scripture

“Partys” - Christians should be a party waiting to happen—Tony

Campolo

A communit

y of celebration (Phil

4:4)

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

A community of solitaries (Mt 11:28)

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

A community of solitaries (Mt 11:28)

True community is formed from true

solitaries

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

A community of solitaries (Mt 11:28)

True communit

y is formed

from true solitaries

Solitaries are those who bring their healthy distinctives to the community of faith• Spiritual gifts• Talents and abilities• Personality

More signs of the sacramental community . . .

A community of solitaries (Mt 11:28)

True communit

y is formed

from true solitaries

Solitaries are those who bring their healthy distinctives to the community of faith• Spiritual gifts• Talents and abilities• Personality

Without the

community there are

no true solitaries

Richard Foster

We must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.

Conclusions

Within the community of the faithful we should find . . .

Conclusions

Within the community of the faithful we should find . . .

A place of listening to instead of fighting with one another;

Conclusions

Within the community of the faithful we should find . . .

A place of listening to instead of fighting with one another;

A place of safety where others will not be shocked by the sins or shortcomings of others but

accountable to one another for healing and growth in grace (since “my” sin is not only sin against God but something that affects or infects the church in one way or another).

Summary

Christian spirituality can be nothing other

Summary

Christian spirituality can be nothing other

than living the Christian life

Summary

Christian spirituality can be nothing other

than living the Christian life

in union with God within the church.