Rest and Reflect

Fritz Guy Thinks Theologically May 26, 2014

In a Spectrum Article, Fritz Guy said (emphasis mine):

Scriptural authority resides in the Bible as a whole — that is, in what Ellen White called its “underlying harmony” (The Great Controversy, vi). The heart of Scripture is the revelation of God in Jesus of Nazareth — for which all preceding Scripture is preparation and all subsequent Scripture is interpretation and application. All of Scripture originated in, and was initially addressed to, specific historical and situational contexts, which differed significantly from each other and even more from ours. In an important sense, reading the Bible is like reading someone else’s mail. Understanding as well as we can what the various messages of Scripture meant to those who first heard them, we try to determine the overall theological, spiritual, and moral principles they convey, and then apply these principles to our own situations.

Reinder Bruinsma on Theological Diversity May 26, 2014

Take one Dutchman and you have a theologian. Take two Dutchmen, and you have a denomination. Take three Dutchmen, and you have schism.

A great article from Ministry Magazine

1. We have a history of diversity
2. Theology is an organic process, not static and frozen in time
3. Be fair to opponents
4. Responsibility to the community – the effects on the church at large, not just your theological circle
5. Leadership =/= theology
6. Do not major in the minors
7. Look for unity
8. God (and his truth) can look after himself

The Good News May 26, 2014

According to Arthur Patrick, the gospel can be defined as:

• birth
• triumph
• election
• marriage

of Jesus Christ

(See Salvation: courage to face the tough stuff)

It is not eternal life.  No the gospel is about God himself – that He is good (“holy”), that He is unchanging (“steadfast”) and that He is king.

For this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all the world and then the end will come (Matt 24:14)