Week 8 - Sources of Theology

1) How does my experience help me better understand Romans 8:28?
When I have experienced hardship and trials it is often difficult to see clearly the good that can come out of it. However, when the situation lightens or has passed and I can step back to see the course of events (internal or external) fitting into a plan that I could not have created myself. I can have every confidence that the Lord does indeed work all things together for good for those that love Him because not only have I read it- I have experienced the truth.

2) How has my experience affected the way I read Romans 10:13?
Salvation is not set aside for the chosen few or for the elite. It is for all you call on the name of The Lord. I have seen salvation given to rich and poor, educated and uneducated, religious and non-religious, the once overly proud and the falsely humble...and it was given to me. I am one who spoke openly against Christ. I sought life in that which was his enemy. Yet, when I the sinner called on His name- He saved me.

3) How could both your experiences and emotions affect the way you interpret this passage- 1 Timothy 2:11-15?
I have read this passage many times in my 12 years of Christian faith. As a woman I believe this passage demands attention and requires one to search for the meaning of the scripture at the time it was written and to whom it was written to. It is important to seek to understand the purpose Paul had in trying to address a particular issue. Without studying beyond the passage text itself one can easily be led into a defensive or even angry position especially if that one is a woman of post-modern thought.

4) Further discuss some of the values and dangers of tradition.
"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elder? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." He (Jesus) answered and said, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?"
Matthew 15:2-3. Jesus goes on in Matthew 15:9 quoting for Isaiah, "...And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

I see the question lying deeper in the question of 'Who is the author of the tradition? God or man?' And if it is God- how careful has the tradition been upheld. Tradition, authored by God and preserved well by man, can be of the greatest benefit to us. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul speaks of this kind of tradition as one to follow and to use as a measuring rode for what is truth.

5) In what ways do we deny sola scriptura in our own lives? What can be done to correct this?
One blatant way I see is the lack of time spent in scripture. If it truly is the all in all as we profess for our lives the most common way to deny it is by not reading it. If we do not read it, how are we to understand it? If we do not understand it, how are we to apply it? If we do not apply it, how are we to benefit from it?
What can be done about this? Read the the scriptures, study them, contemplate them, talk about them, apply them...it is all about taking 'action' for that which we 'say' we believe.

6) What have I learned about God from "General Revelation"?
When I separated myself for organized religion in the 7th grade my quest was not to be disowned by God but to truly find God. The place that I believed never lied to me was nature. Was I began their. And in my time with nature and contemplating creation and excise stance I found evidence of unshakable truths. Evidence of an intelligent creator. Of love and destruction. Things beyond my capability to comprehend. I found evidence of a God who provides and who takes away. Of a God that cares even for the flowers in the field. And a God that created peace. I gain a sense of awe and wonder for an amazing God larger than I could ever imagine. I also came to some hard questions, "Does this God still actively participate in this world or is all this just the unfolding of the amazing intricate plan that was put in place from the beginning?" And "Does this God care about...me?" I did not find the answer to these questions in nature. However, God's glory was definitely shown to me.
I believe the Psalmist says it well in 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handwork."

7) How can you have respect for a tradition while at the same time avoiding traditionalism?
It is important to understand why a tradition is taking place. If we choose to partake in it then we should do so in the filter of what Martin Luther phrased "Was Christum triebt" (what promotes Christ).

8) The proposed stage of truth on page 102 in the notebook is the most fitting to me. Of course there are moments when emotions or reason will fight for front and center, but in general I try to live my life balanced with scripture in the forefront leading my reasoning and tradition.

9) Again and again I am challenged to understand and explain my own thoughts and processes and my conclusions of faith. Great stuff!