The truth appears upside-down in an upside-down world, for it is rooted in redemptive realities that transcend this present world and its systems. Therefore, our chief concern is not to be viewed as wise according to the world's standards. If we follow Christ, we will most likely be considered foolish, crazy - even silly. »more
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The truth appears upside-down in an upside-down world, for it is rooted in redemptive realities that transcend this present world and its systems. Therefore, our chief concern is not to be viewed as wise according to the world's standards. If we follow Christ, we will most likely be considered foolish, crazy - even silly. »more
Truth is knowable. Truth is do-able. Truth is proclaim-able. Thus, the Christian finds herself at odds with radical pluralists who claim that all truth-claims are equal, with postmodernists who question whether truth is knowable, and fundamentalists who reduce truth to propositional truth-claims. »more
This is a compilation of summaries from the National Pastor's Convention 2007. It includes notes from sessions on innovation, prayer, spiritual transformation, solitude, the church in the 21st century, the emerging church, worship, pastoral ministry, spiritual disciplines, wisdom from the sages, and the sacramental end of sex, and more! »more
Results tagged “Mystery”
The truth appears upside-down in an upside-down world, for it is rooted in redemptive realities that transcend this present world and its systems. Therefore, our chief concern is not to be viewed as wise according to the world's standards. If we follow Christ, we will most likely be considered foolish, crazy - even silly. »more
"A paradox [is] a statement that seems absurd or self-contradictory but... turns out to be true." A paradox consists of two truths that, when laid side by side, appear to contradict. However, upon further reflection, they prove to be compatible. "While real contradictions are impossible to reconcile, paradoxes are merely difficult to reconcile." The Christian faith is full of paradoxes primarily because the Christian faith is rooted in divine mysteries. Paradox is the language of mystery - the best way to speak of divine mysteries. Paradox allows us to capture the whole truth by simultaneously juxtaposing two seemingly contradictory assertions. When two seemingly incompatible truths are held in tension - to the point of even appearing to contradict - we have a paradox. Only the tension paradox contains can capture the unspeakable profundity at the very heart of our lives.
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Sacred mysteries are beyond human reason, so they must be divinely revealed. Furthermore, once revealed, they remain incomprehensible mysteries. The greatest mystery is the mystery of Christ. How do we live with divine mystery? How do we embrace a mysterious God? How do we think about such a God? Love such a God? In this session, we wrestle with what it means to embrace the mysterious God. Perhaps it has little to do with the intellect, and much to do with a proper stance toward God that is best expressed in the phrase, "childlike faith"?
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Colossians 2:1-10 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! 34"For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?" 35"Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?" 36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. »more
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Colossians 2:1-10 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! 34"For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?" 35"Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?" 36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. »more
While the world hungers for mystery and transcendence, the church settles for practical principles and dead moralisms in the name of "relevance." We fail to realize that the way to be truly relevant to our world is to give mystery the prominence it deserves in our proclamation and practice.
[Mp3] | [Manuscript]
Romans 16:25-27 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. »more
[Mp3] | [Manuscript]
Romans 16:25-27 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever! Amen. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. »more
Truth is knowable. Truth is do-able. Truth is proclaim-able. Thus, the Christian finds herself at odds with radical pluralists who claim that all truth-claims are equal, with postmodernists who question whether truth is knowable, and fundamentalists who reduce truth to propositional truth-claims. »more
This is a compilation of summaries from the National Pastor's Convention 2007. It includes notes from sessions on innovation, prayer, spiritual transformation, solitude, the church in the 21st century, the emerging church, worship, pastoral ministry, spiritual disciplines, wisdom from the sages, and the sacramental end of sex, and more! »more
The kingdom of God enters the world without fireworks and fanfare. It exists in spite of (and indeed, alongside) various evils. Though it seems hardly perceptible to the world, its power is unstoppable. »more
Paradox is the language of mystery. We learn to personally participate in the mysteries of God by practicing paradoxes - by "living paradoxes." »more
While the world hungers for mystery and transcendence, the church settles for practical principles and dead moralisms in the name of "relevance." We fail to realize that the way to be truly relevant to our world is to give mystery the prominence it deserves in our proclamation and practice. »more
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