For a long time I have been desiring to get back into the theology of the soul. I have received some good classical education on the topic from a Christian perspective but it has been awhile and the soul is something I rarely hear taught on or spoken about (in any circles in the church) and one in which I have not really taught on:) So I can't point a finger at anyone...

Anyway, I have begun a study on it again and I wanted to share with you a quick point that I was reminded of while I was researching today. It is taken from Thomas Oden's third volume "Life in the Spirit" of his 3 volume systematic theology work...which I highly recommend. A good compliment to Gruden's "Systematic Theology" which comes from the opposite orthodox evangelical theological perspective.

On p287 Oden writes:

"Scripture speaks constantly of abundant life in Christ, not first of all about correct ideas about life, or emotive feelings or activities, or laws, or the moral obligation to preserve life, but rather to receive and live it. This is why the truest theologians are the saints. One cannot think of life or feel alive without first being made alive."

I will take this point a bit further. For the saved, the more of the life you are experiencing (i.e. the more sanctified by the Holy Spirit that you are), the better the theologian you are.

What does this mean for us, the church, the community of faith? A lot, I think. If this is true then that means formation is absolutely essential for everyone. Sanctification can not be separated any more from the life of the mind or...the life of the pen. If you want to be a better teacher, pastor, preacher, evangelist to students and their parents you would have to be growing in the life of the Trinity. You would have to be in the process of becoming....(gasp)...holy.

For your kids...this means that you teaching them is good but it also means they need to be given opportunities to be put in a place to interact with the Triune God. The spiritual disciplines need to rear their heads again:)

Much more to say...much more to say...but you will have to wait for youth quake.

Labels: Formation, Leadership, Prayer, Scripture

You know those mornings when you go about doing your normal devotional time and you read something and it basically knocks you out? Something so profound hits you and it bleeds through the rest of your day and even into the rest of the week? I guess it is like have a full throttle energy drink when the buzz hits and it carries you through a while...

Well, such was my morning. Instead of telling you what hit me in the reading I will simply post the reading here for you. Maybe God will use it for you like He is/has for me.

This is from Eastern Orthodox Metropolitan Kallistos Ware:
"As soon as we make a serious attempt to pray in spirit and in truth, at once we become acutely conscious of our interior disintegration, of our lack of unity and wholeness. In spite of all our efforts to stand before God, thoughts continue to move restlessly and aimlessly through our head, like the buzzing of flies....
To contemplate means, first of all, to be present where one is - to be here and now. But usually we find ourselves unable to restrain our mind from wandering at random over time and space. We recall the past, we anticipate the future, we plan what to do next; people and places come before us in unending succession. We lack power to gather ourselves into the one place where we should be - here, in the presence of God; we are unable to fully live in the only moment that truly exists - now, the immediate present.
This interior disintegration is one of the most tragic consequences of the Fall. The people who get things done, it has been justly observed, are the people who do one thing at a time. But to do one thing at a time is no mean achievement. While difficult enough in external work, it is harder still in the work of inner prayer."
(From the Power of the Name, by Kallistos Ware)

Labels: Formation, Monastic, Prayer

"Lord God, creator and redeemer, claim my life and ministry for your high and holy purpose. Help me to remain faithful and steadfast all day long, and when evening comes grant a peaceful rest in your presence. In the name of Jesus. Amen."

-Taken from A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants

Labels: Prayer