The goal of our dialogue
I have been away from the blog recently because of family vacation, course work, and other things. Two matters that I am working with are: some course material on Genesis and some preparation to preach from Jesus' Farewell Discourse (John 13-17).
In Genesis, I have enjoyed some insights from a book by Paul Borgman, Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard. One of the great features of this book is Borgman's treatment of the Abraham narratives. He shows how, through the process (taking place through 7 successive visits) of repeating and clarifying the promise to Abraham and increasing his challenge/demands on Abraham's faith, God was bringing Abe to a place of total trust and increasing intimacy with Him.
In Jesus' final discourse in John's Gospel, there is again the obvious emphasis on the intimacy between the Father and the Son and the provisions for intimacy between the disciples and the Father and the Son. This section climaxes with Jesus' prayer in chapter 17 and looks ahead to the cross and resurrection of Jesus in the chapters that follow. This connection would seem to suggest that the approaching cross and resurrection of Jesus is to result in the intimacy between the Triune God and believers.
It appears that from the beginning to the end of the biblical story, this fellowship with his favorite creature is what has been God's purpose. What he has done in speaking to us and what he has accomplished for us are intended to bring us into fellowship with him.
One of the concerns expressed on this blog-site is some of the current indications of a move away from solid biblical and theological convictions among some evangelicals. Certainly a trend of our times is a growing uncertainty about Scripture (its authority, clarity, reliability) and theology (its impact, relevance). This concern is reflected in number of recent postings, including the one today from Ron Adkins about the perceived therapeutic value of religion among young people. Of course, there is a measure of truth in this idea. Peace with God and new found love for Christ and his people is bound to bring positive feelings that will have many benefits. But knowing Christ can bring certain frustrations as well. OT prophets were very emotionally distraught over the religious and moral sins and the social injustices of their day. Paul "went off" on certain problems at Corinth and Galatia. Modern missionaries from our country often have difficulty returning home and seeing a nation full of consumers who have little concerns for the world. Some of them can't stand to go to a mall that represents such a distortion.
I am getting away from my point just a bit. I want to stress that evangelicals have always had a keen emphasis and a strong hand on truth. There have always been for us, convictions about truths that were basic to everything else. [I could point out that the first Christians were not systematic theologians and the NT did not fall out of heaven as some completed tome on the 25 most crucial doctrines. It is important for us to be academically honest and be willing to put Bible and beliefs to critical tests but...] Truth has always been crucial and basic to everything about what it means to be the people of God. The truth is fundamental to intimacy with Christ and how we live that out in every way.
In Ephesians 4, Paul makes this clear while speaking about the need for a stabilized (not only personal but corporate) faith among the believers at Ephesus. "...we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love [John Stott points out that lit. this phrase is "truthing in love"], we are to grow up in all aspects into Him , who is the Head, even Christ ..." Eph 4:14-15, NASB
So the goal is intimacy. Intimacy with God, both individually and corporately. But this desire for intimacy causes us to pursue the truth and cling stubbornly to it. It is why we value sound thinking and clear argument. Hopefully, this will continue to be why we write, debate, dialogue, criticize, and challenge.
God bless you,
Steve McGuire
In Genesis, I have enjoyed some insights from a book by Paul Borgman, Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard. One of the great features of this book is Borgman's treatment of the Abraham narratives. He shows how, through the process (taking place through 7 successive visits) of repeating and clarifying the promise to Abraham and increasing his challenge/demands on Abraham's faith, God was bringing Abe to a place of total trust and increasing intimacy with Him.
In Jesus' final discourse in John's Gospel, there is again the obvious emphasis on the intimacy between the Father and the Son and the provisions for intimacy between the disciples and the Father and the Son. This section climaxes with Jesus' prayer in chapter 17 and looks ahead to the cross and resurrection of Jesus in the chapters that follow. This connection would seem to suggest that the approaching cross and resurrection of Jesus is to result in the intimacy between the Triune God and believers.
It appears that from the beginning to the end of the biblical story, this fellowship with his favorite creature is what has been God's purpose. What he has done in speaking to us and what he has accomplished for us are intended to bring us into fellowship with him.
One of the concerns expressed on this blog-site is some of the current indications of a move away from solid biblical and theological convictions among some evangelicals. Certainly a trend of our times is a growing uncertainty about Scripture (its authority, clarity, reliability) and theology (its impact, relevance). This concern is reflected in number of recent postings, including the one today from Ron Adkins about the perceived therapeutic value of religion among young people. Of course, there is a measure of truth in this idea. Peace with God and new found love for Christ and his people is bound to bring positive feelings that will have many benefits. But knowing Christ can bring certain frustrations as well. OT prophets were very emotionally distraught over the religious and moral sins and the social injustices of their day. Paul "went off" on certain problems at Corinth and Galatia. Modern missionaries from our country often have difficulty returning home and seeing a nation full of consumers who have little concerns for the world. Some of them can't stand to go to a mall that represents such a distortion.
I am getting away from my point just a bit. I want to stress that evangelicals have always had a keen emphasis and a strong hand on truth. There have always been for us, convictions about truths that were basic to everything else. [I could point out that the first Christians were not systematic theologians and the NT did not fall out of heaven as some completed tome on the 25 most crucial doctrines. It is important for us to be academically honest and be willing to put Bible and beliefs to critical tests but...] Truth has always been crucial and basic to everything about what it means to be the people of God. The truth is fundamental to intimacy with Christ and how we live that out in every way.
In Ephesians 4, Paul makes this clear while speaking about the need for a stabilized (not only personal but corporate) faith among the believers at Ephesus. "...we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love [John Stott points out that lit. this phrase is "truthing in love"], we are to grow up in all aspects into Him , who is the Head, even Christ ..." Eph 4:14-15, NASB
So the goal is intimacy. Intimacy with God, both individually and corporately. But this desire for intimacy causes us to pursue the truth and cling stubbornly to it. It is why we value sound thinking and clear argument. Hopefully, this will continue to be why we write, debate, dialogue, criticize, and challenge.
God bless you,
Steve McGuire
2 Comments:
Steve,
Glad to see you back from vacation.
I think you've hit it right on the nose here (once again). Dialogue just for the sake of dialogue should not be our ultimate goal. Dialogue with the end in mind of intimacy with Christ and one another is ultimately what matters. This is one thing that I am learning from this blog, that we haven't reached the end once everyone agrees or has run out of arguments. We reach the end, or the goal, when these discussions spur us on towards faith and love in and for the Triune God and each other. It is true that reconciliation with God and with one another can only be found in Jesus Christ, the God-man. It would be folly to assume anything else.
Thank you Steve. I hope that this is my motivation and intention. Dialogue ought to help us grow in maturity in our Christian faith. Christianity is not a religion of individuals, but of perfect community, giving to one another.
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