Introduction to Christian Spirituality, Part 2

INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY, PART 2CS 501Houston Graduate School of Theology

FAITH LESSONS

Reading the Moment—

Text, Topic, Context

Reflecting on the Moment—Understandin

g 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

Transcendence• 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.Immanence• Reflects God’s presence with, persistent

interest in, and love for creation.

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 - The doctrine of salvation

Terms to describe salvation• Justification• Sanctification• Glorification

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 understandin

g of spirituality?

Inform our understandin

g of ourselves?

Inform our understandin

g of God?

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?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?

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?

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?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.

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

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?

What does it take to actually develop a practice of “the one anothers”?

MORE SIGNS OF THE SACRAMENTAL COMMUNITY . .

.“P

arty

s” -

Chris

tians

shou

ld

be a

party

wait

in

g to h

appe

n—To

n

y Cam

polo

Plays

Worships• Sings• Prays• Reads Scripture and

listens to Scripture

A community of

celebration

(Phil 4:4)

MORE SIGNS OF THE SACRAMENTAL COMMUNITY . . .

A community of solitaries (Mt 11:28)• True community 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.

CONCLUSIONSWithin 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).

SUMMARYChristian

spirituality can be nothing other

than living the

Christian life

in union with God within the church and

to the world.