Living life with steps of faith

On April 22nd, I asked "Can the crucifixion of Jesus Christ be both an act of injustice and an act of God at the same time?" Today in my Salvation Theology class we were discussing Maximus the Confessor's stance on the two natures of Christ: human and divine. In our discussion, our professor brought up that we see both of these natures in every act of Christ. Thus, when he walked on water, it was his human nature that walked and his divine nature that allowed him to travel on water, and together the person of Jesus Christ walked on water. In application to the cross, Jesus Christ was crucified with both human meaning and divine meaning. The human meaning being that he had a human nature that could die and could be killed as a consequence of other humanly actions and the divine meaning being that the presence of his divine nature in the crucifixion and resurrection brought redemption and the forgiveness of sins. Thus the crucifixion can be both an act of human injustice an...

Maximus the Confessor recorded a first century thought on love: "The one who loves God surely loves his neighbor as well. Such a person cannot hold on to money but rather gives it out in God's fashion to each one who has need."

The lyrics to FFH's song "Ready to Fly" captured the hope that I have this morning for my upcoming move. I am ready to be me again. Ready to be confident and full of life! I'm ready to shine! I'm read to fly! I've been here grounded far too long I'm ready to see the open wide Ready to sing a different song I've seen my troubles 'long the way I want to sail towards the sun I want to turn another page I'm on my way I'm ready to fly, I'm ready to soar I'm ready to leave this world behind. I'm ready to open up the door I'm ready to fly, I'm ready to spread my wings across the sky I think it's time I'm ready to go I'm ready to fly. You've told me I could rise above Like an eagle on the wind I can glide upon Your love But I feel the pull of gravity And it's a weight upon my shoulders i can't stay here any longer I've gotta be free And it's been so long Since i've seen the bright morning sun ...

Can the crucifixion of Jesus Christ be both an act of injustice and an act of God at the same time?

Salvation is meaningless unless there is some benefit to it. Right? What if there was no benefit? Would it still be salvation?

I have finally come to realize and accept that the answer "both" is a legitamate option!

I just wanted to share that I visited the seminary I will be attending next year and I love it! The people are so kind and friendly and care about ministry. I want to share with you the outline from the Samuel Class I visited. I really enjoyed it: 1. Discussion about how we read a text (out loud, to ourselves, in a group outloud, with character voices, etc.) and how just the reading of the words influences our interpretation. 2. Exegesis of the text. 3. Discussion about the various ways the text has been interpreted through history. Literal, allegorical, etc. Even include recent interpretations in movies. 4. Discussion about how the text can be presented to the church during the worship service. 5. Reflection on how the text speeks to us personally as ministers, what does it say about ministry, leadership, and following God. It was great, we went from studying the text to teaching it to personal life application!!! Yeah! I loved it!

I have been reading from Origen's "On First Principles" and it has caused me to wonder about holiness, sanctification, and righteousness. As I read, I consider the fact that I have relaxed some in my commitment to strive for holiness and instead find comfort in resting in God's open arms. I wonder if this is a good thing or if I need to change. After attending an evangelical, conservative Christian college, I found myself wary of anything that tastes of legalism over grace. Yet, as I spend the beginning of my seminary days at an institution that speaks much of original sin yet doesn't set a moral standard, I wonder if perhaps fellow Christians or people claiming to be Christians are our biggest enemy in our journey of faith. In one school I was confronted with judgment that gave little room for grace, in the other I am faced with judgment that critiques moral absolutes. In both places I moderate myself, listening carefully to the words I speak, while maintaining b...