Section 1: Gospel
Keller jämför med när Israel hade både Saul och David, och man måste inte bara förstå rättfärdighet och Guds vilja. Man måste också förstå sin egen tid. Det är en sak att ha en sund biblisk doktrin, men en annan sak att veta hur man förkroppsligar den på en viss tid och en plats. Man kan veta doktrin, men det betyder inte att man vet vad man ska göra med den.
Bibeln talar inte om varje situation, utan vi måste förstå hur vi applicerar Bibeln. Varför kan två kyrkor med samma doktrin ha ministries som är så olika? En har modern musik, en har inte det, och står i konflikt mot varandra. Det har inte bara med smak att göra utan är en övertygelse.
Vad är tradition och doktrin, till exempel vem som assisterar vid nattvarden? Man kan läsa kulturen olika. Doktrin + kulturell läsning = teologisk vision.
Topp: Verksamhet Mellan: Teologisk vision Bas: Doktrin
När man reflekterar så tittar man efter tre saker. Vad är enligt Guds vilja (common grace)? Vad är mot Guds vilja? Vilka saker är lite iffy, både fel och rätt, som man kan återanvända?
Ett argument kan vara kraftfullt, oavsett om man håller med om det eller inte. Argument som tar hänsyn till kulturen ger alltid ett motsvar.
Man måste hitta en plan för att uttrycka evangeliet på sin tid och plats. “a faithful restatement of the Gospel with rich implications for your culture and history”.
Vi ska vara en kyrka för människor som inte tror på Gud.
Om nu lag och evangelium predikas i vår gemenskap, varför känns den så död? Varför är jag så andligt död? För intellektuell och teoretisk tro? Är vi för kognitiva.
- Which of the characteristics of a “slave” (a person still functioning as if they are “under the law”) are strongest in you?
Hiding, my sins, my failures, presenting a good facade
In the church plant I have felt anxiety that we, and I in particular, have not done enough.
Half-way. Since hiding is the biggest problem I think I need to start seeing repentance not as a failure, but as the basis of my self image.
Arrogance, with condecension to others mixed in. It also leads to control issues, or the belief that I can do everything better. Mindless distractions, perhaps because I’m also hiding from myself.
I see my failures as real failures in the sense of “this shouldn’t have happened, and I should have done better”. Almost like I put the expectation on myself to live rigtheously. Failure to live up to that is seen really as a failure, not as a fact of live. Perhaps I’m afraid that my father will be angry (this is something I recognize from childhood).
To be able to accept myself I need to feel that I have really tried to fight my sinful tendencies, instead of given up too easily.
- Intellectually yes, practically, I don’t know
- Cold calling, I’m afraid of rejection, both proffessionally and personally, this makes it hard for me to express my feelings and wishes in an authentic way.
Slave mentality: I must act in the correct way, and please people, to be accepted Sonship mentality: God loves me and accepts me, no matter how I act or please him, because Christ has made me pleasing to him
What is my greatest nightmare? What do I worry about most? Being found out and becoming outcast, for example having my sin revealed in public, when found out that I haven’t done a particular task or performed a task saticsfactorily
• What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to feel that I don’t even want to live (for example, if my child rejected me and/or Christ)? What keeps me going? Being rejected and disavowed by my social network. When I was 16 I had a nightmare that a particular sin had been found out and that I was completely alone. The dream was so terrible that I woke, but I didn’t immediately realise that it was a dream. And being awake, but still thinking that I was utterly alone and rejected, I felt the greatest despair that I have ever felt.
• What do I rely on or comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult? Idle pleasures such food, sweets, TV, gaming etc to distract my thoughts
• What do I think most easily about? What does my mind go to when I am free? What preoccupies my thinking?
Work and how to make my company successful
• What makes me feel the most self-worth? What am I the most proud of?
When I have publicly displayed skill, drive, intellect etc and won admiration
Comfort: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—I experience this kind of pleasure, a particular quality of life. Helping: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—people need and appreciate me. Independence: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—I am free from obligations or responsibilities to take care of someone. Work/Influence: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—I am highly productive and well respected for my work. Achievement: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—I am being recognized for my accomplishments, if I am excelling in my career. Inclusion: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—I am included into a particular social group, professional group, or other status group. Family: Life only has meaning/I only have worth if—my children and/or my parents are happy and happy with me.
Ministry
The leaders set the tone for the plant, you have to walk the walk. For me it’s prayer and inviting.
“go and share” is provocative, because so much of what I consider church is tied to the building and the service.
Should we fundraise? Should we employ a pastor?