Glory and Love

Incomming.
- 06/17

Decided to finish this post today, while orginally I logged into to finish another, or should I say start another.

Either way, this was supposed to be in regard to two specific doctrines of Christianity. The doctrine of Trancendance and the doctrine of Immanence.

Lemme 'splain.

Transcendance is the belief that God, is infinitely unique in comparison to all creation. After all He is the Creator, we are the creations. It's a very logical doctrine if you think about it. The transcendant God, is God who is above His creation. Our God is unique; He is transcendant.

Immanence is the belief that although God is sovereign over His creation, He is so, in a way that He is involved in all creation. That involvement is so deep and complex, that only God can be involved in such a way. Again another logical doctrine, based on scripture, that I feel does a great job of describing God's brilliant involvement with His creation.

God is worthy of worship and praise because of His transcendance. He alone deserves the glory, for He is worthy.
God is worthy of our admiration and adoration because of His immanence. He deserves our love, for He is Love.

Trail Mix and Methodology

*crunch*

Sorry I'm chewing on peanuts and M&M's™ at the moment. I'm a little distracted by the lure of trail-mix, but all the while I'm trying to update what I feel to be a meaningless online journal. Either way I'm having a hard time of concentrating on either one.

*munch*

For some reason...

*chew*

Anyway, last night was Part 2 of the Thinking Christianity class, led by James Foster. After a short discussion on last week's lesson, we moved on to a small study of Methodology. Hmm... I'm not sure exactly what to say about all that. I'm interested in this, but only as a source of supplication, rather than as a means for understanding.
I believe Scripture is the highest authority, but I don't believe it's the only authority.
For instance, I look to Pastor Randy for additional council about some of my life's biggest choices. That being said, a challenge to myself would be, have I looked to scripture first, have I sought God's council first?
I'd like to say "Yes! Of course, who else would I go to!"
But, I haven't always. Though I will say since coming back from my honeymoon, God has began such a work of destruction in my life... that honestly has built up my faith tremendously. Praise God!
The truly scarry thing is, I have yet to know the faith of a mustard seed.

*scrumf*

There was a tough topic we came across. About Catholicism vs. Protestantism. I noticed I have an over-developed tumor of animosity towards Catholics. Also I noticed many theologians, don't agree with me on my ideas of what Christianity means.
Basically, and I mean basically... Christianity to me, is the path which all members of the body of Christ cling too. Christianity is a second birth. It is the sum of the scriptures that dictate and rebuke said members in leading a life born of the Spirit. It is not a religion, but rather the lifestyle of true life, and that life is through Jesus the Christ. True Christianity, is the true body of Christ, it is the true Church and out of shear fear of the Lord, the word Christianity should be treated with a little more respect. (Along with words like redemption, salvation, grace, and eternity, but that's a different topic).
I've come to understand, that theologians and philosphers define Christianity, very differently than I do. That being said. This is why theology is like tinkering with a time-bomb.

Perhaps said theologians are relying on the traditions and not the scriptures, to determine the definition of Christianity. Interestingly enough, it is this accusation many theologians use to describe the unreformed doctrine of the Catholic church. Going on, perhaps it is me who is not allowing traditions to influence my definition of Christianity. Perhaps it is me, who has reserved the 'highest authority' for my own thoughts and ideals, and not allowing Scripture to reign above me.

Tick...tick...tick... Just a dangerous time-bomb.

*crunch*

In the forest...

No comments, usually means no readers.

Yet I keep posting on occasion. Though I can't figure out why, I take some solice in being able to do so. I know that Christ is watching, and guiding my words.

I suppose a man in God's will, must be comfortable with being alone.

Have you ever heard the saying "If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
- To which I usually reply, "Does that even matter at all? If no one heard it, who cares if it made a sound or not? Honestly, what is the significance of the answer to such a question anyway?"

So I think about this: "If a preacher preaches in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does he preach at all?"
- To which I reply, "Ouch..."

So much to say...but I shall save it for now, because the trees and the moss, have heard enough.

I know you are listening Lord. I just hope my words aren't spoken in the forest. Alas, O'God, I only aim to please you. Do what you will, for you know the right way of all things.
In Jesus' name.
Amen

Theology/Theologian

In secret, I've always thought I was something of a brilliant mind. Not to say this feeling lingers, in fact, the more I come to know about my Lord, and especially come to know about His children, the more I find, I'm just two steps away from flippin' burgers at an imaginary fast-food joint in a room with padded walls.

Which I doubt is where God wants me. Breaking down theology into its core meaning, has become quintessential to understanding God, and also understanding God's creation, myself. It was a very large lesson, with some interesting discussions, but basically, I've come to identify theology as the study of the thinking about God, through Christ, the Logos. Essentially, the ability to reason is a direct result of being made in God's image and likeness. Because Christ is the definition of reason, as He alone is the reason for all things, it is only logical that He would create us with the inherent ability to think about and to know Him. The implications of this, are as profound as they are dynamic. We can come to a conclusion that God's will, is that we seek to know Him, through thought about Him.

This leads me to believe the practice of theology will be vast and scary, simply because the object of theology is God Himself. So last night's lesson came with a flat out warning. Which I appreciated. Thinking about God should be approached with caution, care, meekness, and fear; subsequently He should be revered with awe, humility, truth, spirit, and love.

Thinking-on, I should say that theology should more or less be defined as, A creation's balanced thinking about its Creator, in regard to the Creator's balance in His creation.

I'll end with a few notes from last night that I wrote down:
-The created are, because the Creator is.
-Theology is logos about theos, all logos derives from the Logos, Jesus.
-Doing theology is somewhat like being around a bomb, or an untame lion.
-God is what He has, and acts what He is 'simultaneously' and eternally.
-Systematic theology draws on the Philosphical, biblical and dogmatic theology; endeavors to develop a comprehensive theological account.
-The more that you come to understand God, the more that you will be intrigued by Him the more that you know Him, the more you shall love Him... so far from replacing our faith, understanding feeds it, focuses it, and makes it all the more powerful and passsionate.
-practicing theology, you are not merely thinking about God, but rather loving Him in the same way that you love other persons: by getting to know Him better faith seeking understanding is an act of love.
-A faith without works may be empirically fruitless, but works without faith are evangelically frivolous.
-Theology is not so much about getting right answers as it is about seeing reality.