The “Bible For Dummies”

Top Ten Theological Concepts

1. Theology of Glory vs Theology of the Cross
The theologian of glory observes the world, the works of creation. With his intellect he perceives behind these the visible things of God, His power, wisdom, and generosity. But God remains invisible to him. The theologian of the cross looks to the Crucified One. Here there is nothing great or beautiful or exalted as in the splendid works of creation. Here there is humiliation, shame, weakness, suffering, and agonizing death… [That] “God can be found only in suffering and the cross”… is a bedrock statement of Luther’s theology and that of the Lutheran Church. Theology is theology of the cross, nothing else. A theology that would be something else is a false theology.

2. Law – Gospel
How Much/Have to/Fear – The Cross/Get to/Freedom
The relationship between God’s Law and the Gospel is a major topic in Lutheran and Reformed theology. In these traditions, the distinction between the doctrines of Law, which demands obedience to God’s will, and Gospel, which promises the forgiveness of sins in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ, is critical. It is used as a hermeneutical principle of biblical interpretation and a guiding principle in homiletics (sermon composition) and pastoral care.

3. Mercy
• Receiving love and forgiveness of God when we do NOT deserve it
• An unnatural act – only accomplished in a faith build on Christ
• Without mercy, we risk a cycle of unending violence
• In mercy – we choose love over justice, if need be.

4. Differentiation
• Balancing two life forces: togetherness (follow directives of others) and individuality (follow our own directives)… give up either and you become less of a person with less of a relationship.
• Well-differentiated people can argue without losing themselves, or becoming fused (don’t have to leave to keep a hold on self… can disagree without becoming embittered)
• Emotionally fused: room for only one opinion, one position.
• Differentiation: maintain self with those closest to you.
• When we need to be Needed and can’t settle for being Wanted – we perpetuate poor functioning in our partner so we can fulfill our own lack of self.
• Integrity (differentiation) is living according to your values/beliefs in the face of opposition – But it’s also the ability to CHANGE your values/beliefs when your concern for others dictates it.

5. Permission-Giving Congregations vs Permission-Withholding
• Growing churches are increasingly permission-giving in nature as they focus on accountability (after the action) instead of permission.
• Passion become “Making Disciples” not “Making Decisions.”
• Giving: What gifts of God do you bring and what do you need from the Body of Christ to exercise them? Withholding: What gifts do you bring, and what do we need done by you?
• Growing churches function more like Basketball teams than Football teams… the basic rules and boundaries are set, but it’s up to each player’s decisions as to what to do each time down the court.
• The Body of Christ is weakened when individual members function primarily on their own behalf (Bible calls it “sin”) – Servant leaders don’t feel entitled, and don’t want their pastor to be a personal chaplain.

6. Maintenance vs Mission
• Measuring Effectiveness… maintenance asks: How many visits are being made? How many new members? Mission: How many disciples are being made? How are people sharing their God-given gifts?
• Change: If thie proves to be too upsetting, we won’t do it… Mission: Will this increase our ability to reach those outside our church?
• Vision: Must be faithful to our past… Mission: faithful to our future.
• Newcomer: “I’d like to introduce you to some of our members.” Mission: “I’d like to introduce you to one of our pastors.”
• Maintenance Pastor: How can I meet this need? Mission: How can this need be met?
• Maintenance: Avoid conflict at all costs. Mission: Conflict is the price of change and progress – conflict causes some grief, but it won’t keep us from doing what needs to be done.

7. Evangelism Vision
• To share faith we need to know our faith: What do you believe? Why do you believe it? How does that get lived out in your daily life?
• U.S. Christian population in 1990: 86%. 2001: 77%. By the year 2042, Christians will be a minority in the United States.
• Perception on non-Christians of Christians: Christianity has become a fundamental, law-orientated, violent response out of fear & self-preservation.
• Justification by grace: the way a cat carries a kitten… by Law: the way a mother monkey carries her baby (hang on!)
• Martin Luther wrote six treatises regarding Islam and fought for the publishing of the first Koran with the city Council of his day – and wrote the preface to the first published Koran too!

8. We only love God as much as we love the person we love the least.
(Spoken by Dorothy Day)

Posted by Pastor Rick Stieve on November 13th, 2009