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.
Top Related