Conclusion of Theology 2

This final blog post for Theology 2 is my thoughts on this course in regards to what we studied, what I learned from each of the points we looked at and how they are still impacting me today. The learning approach was different this term than in the previous term. Instead of as many study guides and papers, we as a class were challenged to practically apply the theology to our lives. The topics of study were:

      -The incarnation/kenosis of Christ

      -Substitutionary Atonement

      -The scapegoat/taking up your cross

      -Identity gaps

      -Ekklesiology

Some of these topics I have dwelt on more since it was studied in class. Other topics, I have even tried to communicate my experience with others to further my understanding. Some topics, I have encountered while evaluating deeper issues in my life. This concluding blog is not creative, but has been enjoyable to go back and recapture the assignments and the reasoning for actively applying them. 

The incarnation/kenosis of Christ: 

This is the act of Jesus when he as God took himself and became human nature. The theory of kenosis is that Christ gave up his divine attributes while he was on earth as a man. The greek word means "to empty." The scriptural passage that is referred to in regards to this topic is Philippians 2:5-11. This passage states that Jesus became nothing in order to take the nature of a servant and human nature. This defines Jesus as God who became man. He is equal with God (vs.6), humble (vs.8), took on human flesh in the physical and the emotional sense (vs.7). And he experienced death (vs.8). 

By Jesus being fully God and fully human made it possible to atone for our sins. 

Substitutionary Atonement (forgiveness):

The atonement was a topic I liked studying because it is so necessary to daily life. We do not deserve the forgiveness of our sins, but yet Jesus died on the cross to pay the price necessary for us to commune with him. The separation between God and humanity is because of sin. With the cross, Christ atoned for our sins. We are to forgive and keep no record of wrongs, just as Christ forgave us. To apply this practically, we took a rock or a rose to demonstrate someone we wanted to extend forgiveness to, or the burden we carry around with us of un-forgiveness. A lot of what I wrestle with in regards to identity is rooted in places where I have not forgiven someone. 

The Scapegoat:

The scapegoat was presented alive before God and then sent out to the wilderness to represent the sins of the Israeli society. This was not a sin offering, because it carried all the sins of the society rather than just one individual's sin. The hand's on learning experiment was done by building our own cross out of wood, and then carrying it around with us everywhere we went. I found that I had more conversations about what I believed when I forgot the cross. I was embarrassed by the cross depending on where I went with it. As I think about that assignment now, it has crossed my mind that no one really cared that I carried a cross around with me. It's not the topic of conversation at my work. Therefore, I should not have been embarrassed about it. But what is talked about is how I live my life and conversations about religion and what I believe happen regardless of the cross I carry around for me. "Take up your cross and follow me." Matt. 16:24

Identity Gaps:

Jeff Roth challenged us to think about the lie we believe about ourselves and to write a verse or truth the counteracts that lie on a notecard. This I carried around with me for a week. At least that was the assignment. But since that week of discussing our identity, I have continued to remember that I am not alone. I have a tendencay of putting myself in a form of isolation when I feel misunderstood or begin to compare myself to others around me. I even did this when I read the assignment for this final project. I'm not a poet. I don't have a beautiful writing style. I can't write a song to save my life. But I instantly compared and put myself down for this. Then I remembered how God views me. And how people don't like me because I can do what they can do. I want to live in the kingdom of God. The kingdom that is present right here on earth. The truth I held onto the week of this assignment is, "I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now!" (Phil 3:20; Eph. 2:6)

Ekklesiology:

Ekklesia is the Greek translation as "church" in the New Testament. It literally means "assembly." What I learned by going and attending a church that was a different denomination than my upbringing was different people assemble together using different methods of coming together. However, the reasoning for coming together is to worship God. I was reminded of biblical truths about who God is and His worthiness to be praised. 

In conclusion, Dr. Dangaran asked us at the beginning and at the end of this term to not let God's word and truths become head knowledge. The approach to this term was different than a typical theology class because of the desire to know these truths in our heart. Learning these things is not to be smarter or set apart based on knowledge, but to lead us to reverence of God and grow closer in awareness of ourselves because of the relationship with Him. These topics helped me do that this term. I will carry these practical theologies with me as I continue to learn and journey with God. 

Church Visit

ooooOOooOOoo. I really liked this assignment!

In theology a couple weeks ago, Jeff Roth was teaching on the Church. Ecclesiology, the study of the Church. I've done some research in the past about this word. What it means, what the purpose of the Church is and what methods are to be implemented for a Church to come together the way God intended it to. The assignment was to visit a Church that is a different denomination or has different worship styles than what we are used to at Salem Alliance. There was a questionnaire given as followup with our visitation. I was really excited when this assignment was given because I love to learn by viewing other people's perspectives.

I went to Life Church, which is a non-denominational Church. I decided to go there because I heard it was more Charismatic than what I would be used to. I have attended a few services that would fit in this category before, but I wanted to go to this kind of church with the questions that I have now. I have learned a lot more about the book of Acts and the way the Spirit moved at Pentecost. So to attend a Church that was more focused on the movement and filling of the Spirit excited me.

The observations that I made were not very surprising to me. It was a lot less emotional than I expected, although still very passionate and moving service. There were people jumping up and down. There were flags being waved. There was a man praying for healing over another man. There was laymen addressing the congregation with what they believed God had put on their heart to share with everyone else.

These methods of worship in the past would bring mixed emotions the same way they did this time while attending this type of Church. But the emotions were slightly different. In the past, I would want to jump up and down. I would feel the emotion of happiness rise up in me, and there would be such a strong feeling to scream out how happy I was. Even though I do believe this could have been or was the Holy Spirit moving inside of me, the awareness I have now of myself, I question if that feeling was the Holy Spirit moving inside of me. I am an extravert, so being around people gives me energy. I also feed off of the emotions and energy of those around me. So I could be at a concert, or in a large sports arena filled with people cheering for their favorite sports team, and the same emotion would rise up in me. This is why I wonder if the feeling rising up in me during these typer of worship services are actually the Holy Spirit moving inside me, or my own emotions. They could be both, and that would be great!

Therefore, the way I felt during this service was great. I loved seeing people worship freely. I loved that there was a sense of unity within the congregation and the pastors. Through use of all the physical senses, people were experiencing and worshiping God. There was not very many practices taking place that I thought could be placed against scripture and it not be valid.

I liked this assignment because it reminds me of the different ways we were all created. Although many questions still arose during my time at Life Church, it was a great time to branch out and be reminded of the many methods there are to running a church and to approach God. The freedom that we have because of Christ and His gift of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to commune with God. I hope that others will also see that just because one church has different methods of congregating together for worship, does not make it better or worse than the others.