More more Calvin and Chosen Nation Legacy

Today we talked about Calvin (just a little bit more, of course). We also moved to puritanism and covenantal theology, and discussed how it began to take shape in the early years of the continental United States. The Chosen Nation Legacy--also called "manifest destiny" by folks like the historian Turner--was a means by which folks legitimated their right to land, title, etc. simply by referring to its covenantal provision by God. This particular legacy, however, is certainly a powerful symbol in many different spheres of life--especially politics and culture.

A Little More Calvin

We spent a little more time on Calvin today. Although my own denominational tradition is Wesleyan in nature, I do appreciate Calvin's own approach to contextual issues; he certainly valued culture, and the necessity of the church to be a powerful force of change and renewal within it. More to come later.

Lutheranism and You

What was most interesting to me about today's class session was the discussion of how contemporary Lutherans are attempting to create faith communities that are not only contextual, but theologically imaginative and inviting. I particularly enjoyed House for All, Denver Lutheran church that attempts to be--along with many other things--both Christocentric and queer inclusive. As a member of the church of the Nazarene living here in Pasadena, I might be able to ask myself what kind of expressions of faith would make sense in my particular community?

New Monasticism/ Luther

Today's class discussion was very interesting. I appreciate the work that Shane Claiborne and the New Monastics (in general) are contributing to the body of Christ. They provide a picture of a particular way of living in the world as people who wait for the kingdom of God.

I also found it interesting that Luther's Reformation and the creation of the printing press coincided at nearly the same time. It is highly probable that one reason for the success of the Reformation was the new availability/interpretive possibilities brought about by an abundance of the printed Scriptures.

The Catholics

Today in class, we discussed Graham Cray. We also moved back to our conversation about Catholocism. It is interesting to see how many Catholic priests/missionaries reached out to distant lands (India, China, for example), biding their time and perfecting new cultural practices, only to find themselves limited by authoritarian structures of the Church and Euro-centric regulations. How frustrating it must have been! One was not allowed to offer the Scriptures in Chinese, for example, simply because the accepted language for reading the text was Latin! More to come later.

Graham Cray

Graham Cray is certainly a presence--he is arguably the leading voice in the missiological conversation in Great Britain. Many of his ideas are becoming a reality today, and the theological reflection that lies behind them are powerful influences upon members of fresh expressions and participants in the emergent conversation. How might we begin to reflect faithfully upon the ideas the Spirit has given him? How do we participate faithfully in the midst of cultures that are apathetic to the Christian faith? Important questions; I'm excited to hear the answers...

Missional Church

Today in class we spoke about a number of interesting things: space vs. time, contextual forms of church, and the like. I appreciate the heightened creativity that is giving momentum to fresh expressions of faith in the UK; perhaps there are ways by which folks in the States might be able to learn some of their insights and create contextually relevant expressions in a similar way. That is all I have for now. 

Conversion within Conversion

What interested me about our discussion today was the issue of conversion within conversion--a decision to move from one particular expression of faith (in this instance, evangelical) to one more deeply connected to the history of the tradition (in this case, Antiochian Orthodox). Perhaps this type of conversion within conversion will continue to take place, as Christians who hunger a more tangible expression of faith move to historic Christian practices with long traditions. 

The Church After Constantine

In the past class session, we began our examination of the church after Constantine. The empire--by edict of the emperor--had become "Christian." However, because of the large influx of new "believers" who were not part of the earlier communities with their particular dispositions and practices, the church and its framework changed drastically. I look forward to hearing more.