Paradigms of Being in Christ

Paradigms of Being in Christ PDF Author: Peter-Ben Smit
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0567372189
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 217

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Book Description
In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul positions himself as an example of 'being in Christ'. The way in which he does this points out that he consciously positions himself in the tradition of classical rhetoric, where the use of paradigms (exempla) was a standard element in deliberative arguing. Paul describes his life as coloured by Christ in such a way that he represents Christ to the Philippians, and the response he hopes to evoke in their congregation is that of similar behaviour. The analysis of Smit combines observations on classical rhetoric, exegetical analyses of Philippians, and views from the perspective of gender and masculinity studies into a new and fresh analysis of the material. He shows that ancient ideals of deliberative rhetoric have influenced Philippians in much the same way in which they appear in e.g. Aristotle, Plutarch, and (also) 2 Maccabees. This study both positions Paul in the cultural context of his day and indicates the newness of his enterprise.

Paradigms of Being in Christ

Paradigms of Being in Christ PDF Author: Peter-Ben Smit
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0567372189
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 217

Get Book Here

Book Description
In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul positions himself as an example of 'being in Christ'. The way in which he does this points out that he consciously positions himself in the tradition of classical rhetoric, where the use of paradigms (exempla) was a standard element in deliberative arguing. Paul describes his life as coloured by Christ in such a way that he represents Christ to the Philippians, and the response he hopes to evoke in their congregation is that of similar behaviour. The analysis of Smit combines observations on classical rhetoric, exegetical analyses of Philippians, and views from the perspective of gender and masculinity studies into a new and fresh analysis of the material. He shows that ancient ideals of deliberative rhetoric have influenced Philippians in much the same way in which they appear in e.g. Aristotle, Plutarch, and (also) 2 Maccabees. This study both positions Paul in the cultural context of his day and indicates the newness of his enterprise.

The Jesus Paradigm

The Jesus Paradigm PDF Author: David Alan Black
Publisher: Energion Publications
ISBN: 1893729753
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 165

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Book Description
The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying? Writer, scholar, teacher, and missionary Dr. David Alan Black thinks that the answer does not lie in the politics of the left or the right. In fact, he doesn't think that Jesus tells us what our politics should be. He doesn't see answers in Christian nationalism. But even further, he sees serious flaws in the very structure of our churches and denominations that prevent us from truly being obedient to the gospel. The solution lies, not in renewal, revival, or even in reformation, but rather in restoration-a restoration of the church organized as Jesus intended it and according to the example provided by the earliest church sources in the New Testament. To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm-to The Jesus Paradigm.

Changing Christian Paradigms and their Implications for Modern Thought

Changing Christian Paradigms and their Implications for Modern Thought PDF Author: Knox
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004378804
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 361

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Book Description
Though the Bible and creeds have provided a compass for Christianity from earliest times, the frameworks of thought within which they have been understood have constantly changed, the contribution of Augustine to these changes being fundamental. This book traces, first, these changes chronologically and shows how they have led to the separation of religion and science, faith and reason, supernatural and natural, and so to current materialism: but also to radical alterations to our understanding of God and his relationship to the world. The second part shows in more detail how these changes have altered the significance of major features of Christian faith and led to serious incoherences. And the third part shows, not only how pre-Augustinian and Biblical understandings cohere closely with modern science, but that they have radical implications for our understanding of man, his place in nature and survival of death, for Jesus Christ and for the role of the Churches.

The Disciple-Making Pastor

The Disciple-Making Pastor PDF Author: Bill Hull
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441201033
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
Christ commanded the church to make disciples, to produce people who love and obey God, bear fruit, and live with joy. The crisis at the heart of the church is that we often pay lip service to making disciples, but we seldom put much effort behind doing it. For the pastor who is ready to put words into action, The Disciple-Making Pastor offers the inspiration and practical know-how to do so. Bill Hull shows pastors the obstacles they will face, what disciples really look like, the pastor's role in producing them, and the practices that lead to positive change. He also offers a six-step coaching process to help new disciples grow in commitment and obedience and practical ideas to integrate disciple making into the fabric of the church.

The Disciple-Making Church

The Disciple-Making Church PDF Author: Bill Hull
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441212272
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
Scripture places high priority on the disciplemaking capacity of the church, This book shows how to accomplish it. Foreword by Howard Ball.

Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker

Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker PDF Author: Bill Hull
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1585581631
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Thomas doubted. Peter denied. Matthew had a shady past. And most of Jesus' disciples had trouble understanding his true message and mission at times. How did Jesus take lowly fishermen and tax collectors and turn them into some of the most influential men that ever lived? And how can modern church leaders empower regular church members to meet their potential as servants of God? In Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker, Hull outlines Christ's methods in training his twelve disciples and presents a biblical pattern that emulates Christ's model for reaching the lost. By taking readers through four growth phases-evangelizing, establishing, equipping, and leading-Hull shows how these principles can be adapted for any discipler. Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker is the perfect resource for pastors and church leaders who want to learn how to help others grow in God's service.

The Myth of a Christian Nation

The Myth of a Christian Nation PDF Author: Gregory A. Boyd
Publisher: HarperChristian + ORM
ISBN: 031056591X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
The church was established to serve the world with Christ-like love, not to rule the world. It is called to look like a corporate Jesus, dying on the cross for those who crucified him, not a religious version of Caesar. It is called to manifest the kingdom of the cross in contrast to the kingdom of the sword. Whenever the church has succeeded in gaining what most American evangelicals are now trying to get – political power – it has been disastrous both for the church and the culture. Whenever the church picks up the sword, it lays down the cross. The present activity of the religious right is destroying the heart and soul of the evangelical church and destroying its unique witness to the world. The church is to have a political voice, but we are to have it the way Jesus had it: by manifesting an alternative to the political, “power over,” way of doing life. We are to transform the world by being willing to suffer for others – exercising “power under,” not by getting our way in society – exercising “power over.”

From the Historical Jesus to the Cosmic Christ: A Paradigm Shift of Consciousness

From the Historical Jesus to the Cosmic Christ: A Paradigm Shift of Consciousness PDF Author: Rev Lisa Potter
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Incorporated
ISBN: 9781641916691
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
Reverend Potter holds that there is a great esoteric knowledge hidden in the Christian Gospel in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ about the evolution of the human race and its ultimate goal. This esoteric knowledge is also found in ancient cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, India, Greece, and Rome. Here can be found the belief of a pre-existent archetypal Cosmic Christ or God-Person. Jesus, being a recipient of this knowledge, achieved in his lifetime for humanity a "New state of being," a "New humanity," to which we are all heirs. Teilard de Chardin referred to this new state of being as Christ's "third nature," meaning that his human and divine natures transcended into a third realm that is neither human nor divine but cosmic. Chardin refers to this process of transformation as the Christification (Divinization) of humanity. Reverend Potter believes that the ultimate goal of humanity is to birth this "Cosmic Christ" or God-Person, this Kingdom of God within all, as Jesus refers to it. This Cosmic birth is a shift from terrestrial life to universal life where humanity realizes its Oneness with all creation. This new "Cosmic birth, this Kingdom of God within achieved by Jesus Christ, to which we are all heirs as he foretold, is the Principle of the Godhead active in history and can be seen working in and through the Israelite people and speaking through the great Biblical patriarchs and prophets. This principle of the Godhead can be seen moving in and through all the great religions of the world in every age. Buddhists refer to it as "becoming the Bodhisattva" or "becoming the Buddha." The Yoga and Vedanta traditions of Hinduism refer to it as "Self-realization" or "God- realization." Sufism of the Islamic tradition refers to it as "becoming an adept or master on the path," by finding the inner Way. Jewish Kabbalah refers to it as "achieving personal development and Self- realization based on the Tree of Life (Map of consciousness). Primordial people referred to it as "all my relations." In the New Testament, Paul speaks of this as the Mystical Body of Christ. This Body embraces the whole of Creation and is the Body of a true realized and awakened humanity as foretold in the Book of Revelation, the book that closes out the Bible. The world, including Christians, has yet to understand the fullness of Jesus Christ's revelation for humanity. This book is an attempt to understand more fully the meaning and purpose of his revelation for the human race while looking at the revelations of other world religions and sacred teachings. We live in a time when the earth itself and all its creatures are in peril because of humanity's disregard for or lack of understanding of the cosmic laws that govern the universe. The most fundamental question for Christians and people in general today is what happened to the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. Did Jesus die a physical death, or was his physical body transformed into another cosmic state-a state that he declared is the goal for the human race?

Paradigms on Pilgrimage

Paradigms on Pilgrimage PDF Author: Stephen J. Godfrey
Publisher: Clements Pub
ISBN: 9781894667326
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 207

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Book Description
In this provocative book two authors--one a scientist, the other a biblical scholar and pastor--recount the pilgrimages of understanding that have led them from the young-earth, "scientific creationist" position they were taught in their youths to new perspectives on what it can mean to believe in God as Creator.

Moral Transformation

Moral Transformation PDF Author: Andrew J. Wallace
Publisher: Bridgehead Publishing
ISBN: 1456389807
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 331

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Book Description
Recent scholarship has challenged post-Reformation ideas about the early Christian doctrines of salvation. This ground-breaking book draws together the conclusions of recent scholarship into a compelling and clear view of the early Christian paradigm of salvation. It presents the case that the early Christians focussed not on Christ's death on the cross or 'saving faith', but on moral transformation. They saw Jesus as God's appointed teacher, prophet, and leader, who died as a martyr in order to teach them a new way of life. Their paradigm of salvation centred upon this way of life taught by Jesus, and on following faithfully his example and teachings. Part 1: 'How the Gospels present Jesus' explores the way in which the early Christians understood the teaching of Jesus. It highlights five themes of Jesus' message: economics and wealth, moral purity, social equality, the temple system, and physical and spiritual affliction. It shows why people viewed Jesus as a divinely appointed teacher, prophet, and leader, and saw his death as a martyrdom for his cause and movement. Part 2: 'Doctrines of the early Christians' presents the key early Christian doctrines of salvation and shows why several post-Reformation doctrines conflict with their views. It shows that the early Christians believed God's final judgment is made on the basis of character and conduct. They believed that by following Jesus and transforming their lives morally, they would obtain positive judgment and resurrection. This part shows how the early Christians' ideas of faith, justification, forgiveness and grace all fit into this paradigm. Part 3: 'The importance of Jesus' looks at why the early Christians considered Jesus so significant; they focussed on the moral transformation he brought to their lives. This part highlights what they believed Jesus achieved for them, and how they used sacrificial language to explain these beliefs. It explores the evidence for viewing Jesus' death as a martyrdom, and for seeing his resurrection as equally important. Part 4: 'Ideas throughout history' shows that Christians held this paradigm of salvation for several centuries. It outlines the key changes that occurred from the 4th century through to the Reformation, which moved tradition away from the early Christian ideas. Finally, it offers a critique of modern post-Reformation doctrines of salvation.