Fall 2008 Online Certificate Students:
View all sessions below. Then log all your comments, questions, discussion question answers, criticisms, or thoughts below.
NOTE: This is not the place for general discussion and questions. Go to the foyer for general discussion and refer to the FAQ on the right for question. Time spent in the comments section will apply toward your one hour of community time per week. To download audio sessions, visit the course homepage on the TTP site. The next session will be posted each Wed.
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What are the key elements that have united all Christians throughout Church history? What are the core beliefs that unite Evangelical Protestants since the Reformation? Should we seek absolute unity? Or is some diversity healthy for the Church? These are all important questions that are struggled with in this session. By the end of this session, the student should have wrestled with the concepts of unity and diversity. The student should have a greater understanding of what makes up the Great Tradition of Christianity, becoming more confident in the unity of all believers in Christ.
Can we have unity and diversity? Part 1 [20:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Can we have unity and diversity? Part 2 [18:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download How do we do our theology in our emerging context? [20:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download How do Christian traditions have unity and diversity? [20:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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October 23rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Here are my answers to the final week’s discussion questons:
1. How does the concept of Unity and Diversity help you to better understand the Church today?
It helps me to understand how unity and diversity can coexist in the Church. It helps put all the minor divisive differences in perspective as important for diversity, yet not affecting what should be our unity.
2. Why is it that we have required Introduction to Theology as a prerequisite to all other courses?
Why, to crank up our Prolegomena of course! Ha, I was able to work that into an answer! Well, I think there’s a number of reasons for starting with this course, one of which is indeed to begin with a foundation to build on. Also it introduces us to terms and references such as the Chart of Certainty. It introduces us to proposed concepts such as the theological process, and stage of truth. Finally it sets the tone intended for the courses to follow.
3. Briefly outline the proposed method that this course has suggested for “doing theology.”
In community!
- not solo
- get other perspectives
Theological process
- Exegetical/Herneneutics
- historical meaning
- grammatical meaning
- literary meaning
- contextual meaning
- Compare
- Derive timeless truths
- Application/Homiletics
Open to work on multiple areas
- heart
- mind
4. What is the advantage of doing theology this way?
It gives one a chance to get others’ thinking in different areas. It may protect one from devolving into heretical ideas. The process looks to be a way to derive more objective truth. It also seesm like it can be followed pretty systematically once it’s well practiced. While the program’s mission has to do with ‘reclaiming the mind’, it can reach beyond a mere intellectual exercise by approaching it with both an open heart and mind.
5. What is the risk involved and is it worth is? Explain.
I might get exposed to dangerous non-Forest ideas or worse, I might expose others to Forest ideas, Ha! I may have to re-examine things. I might have beliefs challenged. I might even get convicted of some wrong idea or thinking - ya never know! Seriously if one sees a threatening kind of risk here, one might wonder how solid their essential beliefs are to begin with.
6. What ways has this class caused you to do theology differently? Be specific.
Specifically it has caused me to look at Scripture more closely to see who it is speaking to exactly. It has encouraged me to consider other sources or revelation more (while still keeping Scripture primary). It has inspired me to go back and actually consider where I would place things in quadrant of objectivity, concentric circle of essentials, chart of certainty, etc. It has helped me to understand where some beliefs and positions have come from where before for some of those I just wondered how they were arrived at.
7. Concerning the Parable of the Soils, give examples when you have failed to believe or apply God’s word to your life and you moved further away from God as a result. What can you do to avoid this?
Hmmm… not sure where to start here, or if I want to, lol. Well, suffice to say some years back I led a bit wilder life I knew was contrary to what the scriptural wisdom said (in Proverbs for example). And it took quite a journey back from launching myself away from God! It’s not that I consciously wanted distance from God, just wanted to do what I wanted to do and therefore rationalized whatever I wanted to do. To avoid this I think it’s important to keep in mind what one wants more. One might still have a desire for selfish things from time to time, but can recognize they would rather cling to God more.
8. What is the most significant thing that you have learned in this class that has made you change the way you think?
I think I have a clearer view of purpose in studying theology - towards ministerial theology. Before when I would consider a more disciplined or formal study of theology, I would be concerned of spending too much time, resources, etc. when I already have faith, scripture, etc anyway. What I’ve learned so far has reinforced the value and a worthwhile directon for further theological study - Thanks!!
Added for 2008: I think in going over this course again, I’m re-inspired to go even deeper into some areas. Also finally finishing the Moreland book has encouraged me in the same respect. I did do the requirements of the course the first time self-study, but this has encouraged me to go beyond requirements in my study and practice of theology - Thanks again!
November 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
1. I can see how we can still be unified on the essentials and work as a community or Body of Christ toward a common goal and still have diversity on the non-essentials. This explains why there are so many denominiations within the Protestant Church as well.
2. It is important to know basic concepts and thing about church history. It is a great basic foundation to understanding that we don’t know everything and it gives us the ability to be more open to others opinions, especially on non-essential issues, where we may not have if we didn’t take I.T.T. first.
3. We are to do Irenic theology, in an open forum, with others that may have differing opinions. I loved the concept - In the essentials, unity; non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity. We also need to take scripture, reason, and history to form our theology.
4. This gives us the ability to be open to others opinions and how they my read a passage. Rather than being on the defensive, it opens up the lines of communication for discussion and sometimes that may mean agreeing to disagree on a non-essential issue.
5. The risk would be someone may/may not see the need for Christ in their lives or that someone may get upset about a certain issue that is a non-essential. It is worth it because someone may come to a saving knowledge of Christ and be changed for eternity!
6. It has taught me to see why the Catholic church is steeped so heavily in tradition and how I would be willing to talk about issues/passages to someone of a different faith, more than I would have been prior to taking this class. I also found the quadrant study very interesting and helpful.
7. I never really considered this passage of scripture a “daily heart issue” passage, but what a great anaolgy. Some days I feel I have great faith and other days, I am lacking. Reading God’s word daily and interacting/talking to other Christians helps me to stay close to God even when I can’t “feel” His presence at times.
8. We need to take scripture in light of what it meant when it was written, pull out the timeless truths and then apply it to our lives. Also learning about the history of the church was of great value.
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Unity & Diversity-
1. This study helped me to better understand that the things that diversify us are often really not essential and therefore we should not be exclusive in these areas.
2. I think that Intro was required in order to help us get a better historical and ideological perspective so we can all be on the same page moving forward. It also probably weeds out people who don’t really want to be here.
3. The theological process that we will be using is A) Determine what the passage of scripture meant in historical, biblical, and gramatical context. B) Determine the intent of the author towards conveying timeless principles. C) Determine how then it applies to us today.
4. The advantage of doing theology this way is that is the method least likely to end up with heretical interpretations of scripture.
5. The risk by giving people opportunity to think and do theology for themselves is that they make misinterpretations. Is it worth it? Yes, because it allows us to freely think about these issues, make mistakes, learn, grow, and have a sense of ownership of our theology.
6. The biggest change that I have made theologically is that I have learned to value other opinions–specifically people from other church traditions and denominations. I have also learned that having logic, emotion, tradition, and general revelation on my stage of truth is OK and good as long as I understand that these things are falliable and still needs to be under submission to scripture.
7. I moved further away from God when putting the opinion and beliefs of my girlfriend above what God has already shown me and described in his word. The consequence was a bitter breakup, but for the next time, I will not even think about dating anyone seriously unless they share the belief that a relationship with God comes from being obedient to scripture in all areas of life.
8. The most significant thing I’ve learned is that one can be in a different denomination and a believer at the same time.
The essentials are all that are necessary for someone to be a Christian. Even if they are not orthodox.