Theology
Abstracts
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A Biblical Model of the
Christian Life |
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We need a separate area of doctrine to deal with the collective aspects
which I will call the Christian Life (cf. Clinton, 1981). Up to the present many of these
are dealt with under anthropology, soteriology, sanctification or ecclesiology. The task
of re-examining the history of theology regarding any and all aspects of the Christian
Life and restating the conclusions in light of a biblical center and a new direction is
staggering to the imagination. But I do not see that we have any option, other than
holding on to the present, inadequate, state
of the theological development.
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Christ
in Us: the Hope of Glory
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Recent
discussions regarding spiritual formation have focused on the past work of
Christ as the ground of our spiritual identity and power.
Other contributions have focused on the present work of Christ and
the Holy Spirit as sources of strength and direction.
The present paper adds to these foundations the reality of our future
in heaven as a source of motivation and specific direction both for
Christian living and ministry.
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Components of
Spiritual Formation
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Four
components of spiritual formation are identified. This paper explores the
second element:
Passive
Elements - Allowing Jesus and other people to
minister to me. The other three elements are
covered in other papers.
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Conceptual
Foundations for Theosis
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Recent
discussions regarding spiritual formation have focused on the past work of
Christ as the ground of our spiritual identity and power.
Other contributions have focused on the present work of Christ and
the Holy Spirit as sources of strength and direction.
The present paper adds to these foundations specific reference to
the hope of our future as a source of motivation and specific direction
both for Christian living and ministry.
This paper includes but goes beyond the Realized Eschatology
movement of the 1960s and 1970s (Cullmann, Grounds, Gruenler, Ladd,
Moltmann), and the theological truths of scripture concerning our position
in Christ and our future in heaven.
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Discipleship and Spiritual
Direction
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Becoming
a disciple is a common theme and a commandment in the New Testament.
Each of us as believers in Christ has the opportunity, and
responsibility, to walk closely with Jesus.
But nowhere are we commanded to have, or be, a spiritual director.
The function of a spiritual director has been described since the
first century when John and Paul were encouraging their disciples about how
to walk closer with Jesus Christ.
The title spiritual director has been in the church since about 400.
While the title and command are not in the Bible, the function of the
spiritual director is discussed in the New Testament.
We want to discern the relationship between discipleship and
spiritual direction.
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Fiorenza on Theological
Method |
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Fiorenza examines three classical paradigms of doing theology and five
recent approaches. From this brief survey he then makes four recommendations for future
directions in theological methodology. This paper presents his background points in
summary fashion, his four recommendations and then interact with his presentation.
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Levels of Belief
in the Pauline Epistles
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The New Testament writers held more than one
category of "belief strength." They held some beliefs as non-negotiable for all
Christians, others as matters of individual conscience on which believers could have
diversity of belief without disunity, and others as solely matters of personal preference.
Today there are dozens of claimants to "essential belief" status. The need
in for restoring a unity based on a distinction between what is central in the Christian
faith and what is secondary is great. But how can this distinction be consistently
accomplished? The solution would be a means of sorting out and agreeing upon what is
crucial and central to orthodox doctrine and distinguishing what is valuable but
secondary. To this end, we propose a three-fold paradigm based on precedents in Paul's
epistles. The remainder of this article will delineate
this paradigm and examine two examples of potential application.
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Loving God with Heart and
Mind: Apologetics in the Post-Modern Age
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This discussion of the classic passage titled "The Great
Commandment" is being done for the church, therefore it will take place in the
context of one of the major tasks of the church, evangelism. The broader context for the
church today is that of a new fallen culture, post-modernism. How do we live the Great
Commandment in such a way that we are effective in conveying the gospel to inhabitants of
modern culture?
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Peter, Paul and the Anonymous
Christian
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This paper concerns two questions which are vitally important to the
church of Jesus Christ today: What are the maximal limits of natural theology, and is it
possible for someone to be saved apart from specific knowledge of the gospel?
The paper focuses on Rahner and a biblical response to his ideas.
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Realistic Theism and
the Foundation of Spiritual Life
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This paper introduces a background in Realistic Theism, then shows
how Realistic Theism relates to the spiritual foundations question and how this might
effect a discussion of the origin and foundation of spiritual life.
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Spiritual
Formation as a Journey
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Metaphors
of spiritual growth occur in the Bible as well as in literature throughout
the ages.
Jesus often used the metaphor of walking with Him.
Paul talks about walking in the Spirit.
Bunyan used the journey of a pilgrim.
Other metaphors occur for becoming a Christian: taste and see, come
to the water, the new birth, etc.
In historical spiritual literature we find the nine level castle or
the seven story mountain.
For this paper I shall use the metaphor of a journey of six steps.
I understand the term spiritual formation to include all the steps,
from the human perspective, in moving toward faith in Christ, becoming a
Christian, growing in Christ, and eventual transformation.
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The Holy Spirit and the Human Spirit |
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This paper discusses the origin and foundation of spiritual life,
looking at theological issues from a philosophical perspective.
It dialogs with most modern
spiritual theologies.
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The Role of the Holy Spirit
in Spiritual Growth
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Because of the various tensions in the doctrine and practice concerning
the presence and work of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, it is important to clarify our common
ground and to examine the scripture for the more definitive passages which help set
parameters on our understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual life and growth.
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God and Humanity: Creation |
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The purpose of creation, the method of creation, and the
results of creation tell us a unique story about God's intent for our life
in this world. Looking at Genesis 1-2 from the perspective of
philosophical, psychological
and theological categories bring many issues into
focus. The result is a hope for the present and the future.
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The
Calvinist-Arminian Debate |
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The Doctrine of Salvation is at the heart of
all theological systems and has been at the center of the debate for 400
years between Calvinists and Arminians. This dissertation develops a
biblical theology as a context for examining both sides of the debate and
then finding a biblical resolution.
