The Profound Musings of the World's Cleverest Person. 'Chrisendom' is a blog dedicated to promoting discussion on modern theological/biblical study topics for anyone, from unreasonable-and-anti-intellectual-everything-must-be-black-and-white scary extreme Fundie to if-its-traditional-Church-doctrine-quickly-deny-it-basically-secular-humanist-with-Christian-socks-on Liberal, and anything in-between.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tabulating the theological dimensions involved in the revivalist story
the premise of 4 could also be: restoration to revived relationship with God hinges on the impact of Gods Word on us (resulting in repentance en prayer).
Three might include repentance of dearly held traditions that are not clearly stated in the Bible and actually make God look bad and unnecessarily undesirable.
Okay, if this is criticism of revivalist thought, then I agree that there are a lot problems with revivalist thought. :-) That would explain the rigidness in the diagram.
I'll add another modification. The concept of God "stepping down" is more along the lines of a special outpouring of the omnipresent Holy Spirit.
Probably a good characterization of of revivalist thinking--which still seems based on legalism.
A more positive outlook on certain actual "revivals"...might be that public confession creates an atmosphere of honesty, brokenness, and grace within the community (anti-legalism) and maybe that's something that God actually wants to work with. But like everything else, there's mess in that too: http://ceruleansanctum.com/2005/08/about-wheaton-college-revival-and-the-dark-unspoken.html#.UjbEQcYzM4V (esp. comments.)
the premise of 4 could also be: restoration to revived relationship with God hinges on the impact of Gods Word on us (resulting in repentance en prayer).
ReplyDeleteAre people still expecting revival? I thought that was a 90s Christian Union thing.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteThree might include repentance of dearly held traditions that are not clearly stated in the Bible and actually make God look bad and unnecessarily undesirable.
Hi Terry,
At least I still expect revival.
Peace,
Jim
Also, per 3 and 4, there is a conditional relationship between prayer/repentance and revival, but perhaps saying "hinges" is too strong.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, an interesting flow-chart which left me wondering if you could map the same pattern for the Pharisees as well (so I had a go).
ReplyDeleteOkay, if this is criticism of revivalist thought, then I agree that there are a lot problems with revivalist thought. :-) That would explain the rigidness in the diagram.
ReplyDeleteI'll add another modification. The concept of God "stepping down" is more along the lines of a special outpouring of the omnipresent Holy Spirit.
Peace,
Jim
a true move of God would be different and similar.
ReplyDeleteProbably a good characterization of of revivalist thinking--which still seems based on legalism.
ReplyDeleteA more positive outlook on certain actual "revivals"...might be that public confession creates an atmosphere of honesty, brokenness, and grace within the community (anti-legalism) and maybe that's something that God actually wants to work with. But like everything else, there's mess in that too: http://ceruleansanctum.com/2005/08/about-wheaton-college-revival-and-the-dark-unspoken.html#.UjbEQcYzM4V (esp. comments.)