Comments on: On Getting It Right: Doctrinal Confession Gone Wrong http://pastoralia.org/church/on-getting-it-right-doctrinal-confession-gone-wrong Welcome. I'm a husband, a father, an ordained minister, and a postmodern pilgrim. You can check out some of the projects I'm involved with below. In this space I mostly write about the intersections of Christianity and culture. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:35:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Ben Sternke http://pastoralia.org/church/on-getting-it-right-doctrinal-confession-gone-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-1273 Ben Sternke Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:43:35 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=1490#comment-1273 I found a quote from Rowan Williams (Archbishop of Cantebury) that says a very similar thing to what Willard is talking about, it seems: “Christians have claimed and will still claim that when you realise God calls you simply as a human being into that relationship of intimacy with Jesus, then you understand something about God which cannot be replaced or supplemented,” he said. “The finality lies in the recognition that now there is something you cannot forget about God and humanity and which you cannot correct as if it were simply an interesting theory about God and humanity.” Found <a href="http://www.novuslumen.net/archbishop-rowan-williams-on-the-uniqueness-and-finality-of-christ" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I found a quote from Rowan Williams (Archbishop of Cantebury) that says a very similar thing to what Willard is talking about, it seems:

“Christians have claimed and will still claim that when you realise God calls you simply as a human being into that relationship of intimacy with Jesus, then you understand something about God which cannot be replaced or supplemented,” he said.

“The finality lies in the recognition that now there is something you cannot forget about God and humanity and which you cannot correct as if it were simply an interesting theory about God and humanity.”

Found here.

]]> By: Ben Sternke http://pastoralia.org/church/on-getting-it-right-doctrinal-confession-gone-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-1261 Ben Sternke Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:21:25 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=1490#comment-1261 You're right, that footnote is brilliant. I think the devastating effects are that people think they're "living the Christian life" when they have 1) simply signed off on some statements that they probably don't understand fully, and 2) support the activities of the institution through their attendance and financial contribution. In this milieu, any call to actually learn how to do the things Jesus said to do will sound legalistic and burdensome. This is devastating because really what people need to experience is life as Jesus taught us to live it, and all that doctrinal correctness can come along in time as occasion calls for it. I think I am realizing that listening to Dallas at a conference recently (the Ecclesia National Gathering) is having a profound impact on the way I think about ministry. I am learning to simply get people into motion in the kingdom, tangibly following Jesus in whatever way seems to present itself in their life, and then letting the Spirit do the work in His timing and order. It's incredibly freeing. Enjoy the conference! Hearing Dallas in person was a treat. He speaks "as one with authority," even though he'd never be accused of being the most energetic speaker in the world. You’re right, that footnote is brilliant. I think the devastating effects are that people think they’re “living the Christian life” when they have 1) simply signed off on some statements that they probably don’t understand fully, and 2) support the activities of the institution through their attendance and financial contribution.

In this milieu, any call to actually learn how to do the things Jesus said to do will sound legalistic and burdensome. This is devastating because really what people need to experience is life as Jesus taught us to live it, and all that doctrinal correctness can come along in time as occasion calls for it.

I think I am realizing that listening to Dallas at a conference recently (the Ecclesia National Gathering) is having a profound impact on the way I think about ministry. I am learning to simply get people into motion in the kingdom, tangibly following Jesus in whatever way seems to present itself in their life, and then letting the Spirit do the work in His timing and order. It’s incredibly freeing.

Enjoy the conference! Hearing Dallas in person was a treat. He speaks “as one with authority,” even though he’d never be accused of being the most energetic speaker in the world.

]]> By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci http://pastoralia.org/church/on-getting-it-right-doctrinal-confession-gone-wrong/comment-page-1#comment-1247 Jamie Arpin-Ricci Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:42:01 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=1490#comment-1247 This kind of belief is handed down wholesale from the top to those below. One danger that I say (among many) is that it essentially silences the voice of the Holy Spirit in the context of the community of faith. People are implicitly taught that belief is received uncritically from the "expert" and "authority", not formed, embraced and obeyed for its implications within the context of the Body. This kind of belief is handed down wholesale from the top to those below. One danger that I say (among many) is that it essentially silences the voice of the Holy Spirit in the context of the community of faith. People are implicitly taught that belief is received uncritically from the “expert” and “authority”, not formed, embraced and obeyed for its implications within the context of the Body.

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