Re :   Reply To Didaktikon

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Good morning, Eric.

If you need any help, just 'shout'. But I'm sort of hoping that you're seriously considering undertaking an honours year once you complete the BTh. And after a year or two of reflection, a MTh (or in the case of the SCD, a MTh with Honours)? Research has much to commend it! 

Blessings,

Ian

P.S. Oops, I should've added: and whatever you do, don't let the Hebrew and Greek slip! Basic proficiency in the languages was hard to come by but is easy to lose!

Re :   Reply To Episkopeo

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"The Incarnation" - sounds like a nice heading for a Christian Christmas card - would be good to send it around all the folks this year !! But imagine receiving a card with the headline on the front cover "The Incarnation" , wouldn't it make a few unsaved heads in the family spin !!

D

Re :   Reply To Didaktikon

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Yes I am in the middle of preparing and researching an assignment on the atonement... But I have a summer intensive coming up in the last week of November on Romans and Pauline Theology - after that I have but two subjects remaining, namely Christology and Corinthians and then I am finally finished to BTh... Ta for that hint on James Dunn's commentary...

much obliged

Big E  

Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Hi again Paul

I've looked up some notes I took from a talk I heard around 5 months ago by Paul Scanlon, a visiting pastor from UK.

He talked about finding our God-given 'shape' & he reminded us that WE are not the potter, God is, and we are the clay. He also said, you have to find out what your 'shape' is, not what someone else thinks it is - and as you do, your contribution to the planet unfolds. Our 'shape' is not negotiable - God has already preordained and predestined your life. Only you can discover your 'shape', no-one else can tell you what it is. Your shape is inside you (how God made you as a person) not outside, it is how you are 'wired'. Your inner pupose is about WHO you are - your outer purpose is WHAT you are doing and it is secondary to finding WHO you are. In the western world we put our value on 'doing' not on 'being'. Find out WHO you are and how God wired you to find out your shape. Endeavour to discover it and move into it and God will still use you while you are finding your 'shape'.

Also another talk by Helen Monk from a women's conference I attended recently.  She spoke about the will of God in our lives. Where the will of God is for your life, grace overflows in that area of your life.  We all have 'grace gifts' Romans 12:6-8. We're all passionate about something and this is usually our 'gifting'. Peter was a self-appointed speaker, Timothy was a server & loved tasks and Paul gave him more instruction than anyone else. John talked of love, his gift was mercy - he was mercy-motivated. When we see a grace gift in our lives, use it and develop it in our lives. We  usually have one motivational gift - do all things in life using this gift. Be who you are in your gift, it makes you sensitive in that area. It is a grace upon your life so flow in it. Work with what you've got, what's right in front of you that you can use to bring glory to Jesus. (e.g. sometimes just a few kind words can 'unlock' other people)
Don't worry about failing, worry about what you'll tell God when you didn't even try! Examine what we've got that we can use, to bring the message of hope to a lost generation. Wherever the grace of God flows, it will bring life and grace to all. She then went on to talk about courage and having inner strength to make changes etc
 
Sorry if this all sounds a bit 'fluffy'!

Urch

Re :   Reply To Disciple

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Young padawan,

Ah, yes. The imputation of Christ's righteousness in the forensic justification of the sinner by God  

Now, to very briefly consider a matter that would likely bore the average viewer of this site into a coma! As you would no doubt be aware, there's been something of a "paradigm shift" in scholarly opinion during the past few decades into whether or not the expression dikaiosune theou should be understood as a subjective genitive, or as an objective genitive. Properly comprehending the implications of this issue is, of course, absolutely crucial to grasping what Paul intended in your current passage!

Personally, and FWIW, I lean more towards the traditional (or so-called "Lutheran") understanding than I do to one or other of the various strands of thought commonly subsumed under the rubric, the "New Perspective". However, in admitting as much, Bishop N.T. Wright has put forward some fairly convincing arguments in support of his version of the latter! My recommendation to you would be to compare James Dunn's commentary on these verses in the WBC series, against Moo's in the NICNT. It might also be helpful to read some of Bishop Wright's views, helpfully collated and available at the following website: www.ntwrightpage.com
But are you having fun with Romans, old chap?

Blessings,

Ian

Re :   Forensic

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Re :   Forensic

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Topic :   Forensic

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 Can someone give me a clear definition of the word "forensic" ?? Scouting around the net and one comes up with "forensic science",and "forensic psychology" but I find nothing to nut down the actual meaning of the word "forensic".. Is it a latin word in origin ??? The nearest I can come up with as a court procedure.....

Yep you guessed it, my focus is Romans 3:20 - 24

Disciple

Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Paul,

We ALL struggle at times, especially when it comes to determining what to do with our lives and how to make a difference - you're not alone there buddy!

I think you answered your own questions though - you said that you enjoy the times you are 1) in church and 2) get involved with the Alternative Technology Association or dream of an alternative lifestyle.

If these are the things you enjoy, do you need to consider pursuing them more seriously? I believe that every single person has been given gifts or talents to be used to further God's kingdom here on earth and to help others. For some, it may be the gift of teaching, for others counselling, for others the ability to be involved in a particular business or other specific activities. I'll take it a step further and say that I believe that until we actually FIND what it is we've been created for (God's plan and purpose for us), we'll probably feel as though we're 'looking for something' but not know what it is.

I'm only just now (in my 50s) discovering more about myself and my purpose in life and I fully intend to press on with my search until I fulfill what God has purposed for me in this life. I just want to live for Him and do what He wants me to do and that is my prayer each and every day.

It is quite normal to feel as you do, we all go through such feelings but may I suggest (in love)that you seek God first for answers rather than rush out and do what you 'think' or 'feel' is right for you. You said that you want to pursue working in a needs ministry - do YOU feel God is calling you to this? You also said that your clergy are advising that it is a good thing - do THEY feel that God is calling you for this purpose? I'm not saying that He's NOT, just that you need to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

As a start why don't you tell us a little more about alternative technology - e.g. I'm fascinated that you should have such a keen interest in it.

Kindest regards, Urch

Re :   Reply To Disciple

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No worries, Disciple.  I am not in the least offended.   The Incarnation - what a wonderful cause for celebration!  

Re :   Speaking in tongues without an interpreter

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Sorry everyone. I will send Drew a note of cheer later this year when it gets closer to the time we celebrate that most important event on the Christian calender - The Incarnation..

To Epi my apologies...


Disciple

Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Paul it sounds like you and I need to buy some dirt bikes, you can drop your daughter off at my place and we go have some fun at Kinglake, then have coffee like we did once with your road bikes, remember getting stuck up that really steep hill in that deep rut. Those were the fun times. And there are still more to have,  life if what you make of it.

Re :   Futile Lives - Is it really neccesarry?

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Hi Paul,

 

I believe there is a time in everyone’s life that they come to a situation like yours. A certain “preacher” long ago (Ecclesiastes) and even though he had everything life could offer at the time, he could see it was all vanity. Sometimes I sit at the TV or in the café watching people go about their daily routine, driving and scurrying about as if there is no time left, and I think, what in the world are they looking for?.

As with Solomon some seem to have it made, while others struggle to make ends meet. What good is it striving and living only for all this material wealth in the few short years we exist here, at the end of the day, we all die and what then. We can’t take it with us when we go. Most of the time it cannot be enjoyed, because of sickness or heart attack or stroke or something else, look what’s happening with super and the economy at the moment.

I was awakened to this vanity many years ago, and I think I have told this story previously, An old friend of mine, I called him Uncle Bill, was a bachelor and for many years worked hard for the shire council. He was the most “scrooges” type person you could ever meet; he wouldn’t go out or spend any money for enjoyment or whatever and saved all he made. Bill always talked about and looked forward to his retirement, which after 40 years working with the shire, was presented with a watch for his services and finally left.

I asked him what he was going to do now he was free, he told me that he was going to Melbourne to have a big spend up and start to enjoy life. The next day Uncle Bill took the train to Spencer St and from there a tram into the city. As he got off the tram, he was run over by a truck and got killed.

So from all this, it begs the question, “What does man gain?”  It presents the conclusion that although the employment of human labour and understanding provides satisfaction of accomplishment, the profit achieved by a person is cancelled by death.

We need to work out our priorities, hey?

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13) 

Ralph

Re :   tv programme

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