For me, intentional is what my spiritual walk has been - all 56 years of it. Intentional, decisional, effortful, and deliberative. For me, that is the 'due diligence' involved in staying in fellowship with the Lord. It doesn't depend at all on any Christian 'tribe' with their regalia, ritual, formation, dogma, whatever. For me, my encounter with Jesus provided me with the eyes to see the kingdom, just like He said it would. And the Holy Spirit has done His/Her job in guiding me; again, just like Jesus said would happen.
When you open a can that says 'Beans' on it, you expect to find beans. But when some believers read what Jesus says about having their eyes opened and being personally guided on their own peculiar journey, they don't seem to expect that to happen. Otherwise they wouldn't be so hung up on all the tribal 'window dressing'. Either the Godhead is revealing Themself to you or They're not. Either way, there isn't any human substitute - what Jesus called 'the traditions of men.'
That was a heavy-handed explaining away of Luther and the Reformation. Let us recall that were there not a mass felt need for reform, Luther’s seed would not have found purchase.
One issue I see is the balance between individuality and togetherness (which includes community and history). To sacrifice individuality and to cut off from community both lead to distortions and damage.
I see Luther in the context of this balance. Accurately or not (this is a separate issue), he appealed to Scripture, Church Fathers, and Councils in togetherness moves toward these authorities. At the same time, he did not sacrifice his conscience to the Roman authorities of his day.
Luther’s quote can be misunderstood by both sympathizers and critics to justify willfulness. Both giving up self and exalting self are recurring and powerful temptations.
For me, intentional is what my spiritual walk has been - all 56 years of it. Intentional, decisional, effortful, and deliberative. For me, that is the 'due diligence' involved in staying in fellowship with the Lord. It doesn't depend at all on any Christian 'tribe' with their regalia, ritual, formation, dogma, whatever. For me, my encounter with Jesus provided me with the eyes to see the kingdom, just like He said it would. And the Holy Spirit has done His/Her job in guiding me; again, just like Jesus said would happen.
When you open a can that says 'Beans' on it, you expect to find beans. But when some believers read what Jesus says about having their eyes opened and being personally guided on their own peculiar journey, they don't seem to expect that to happen. Otherwise they wouldn't be so hung up on all the tribal 'window dressing'. Either the Godhead is revealing Themself to you or They're not. Either way, there isn't any human substitute - what Jesus called 'the traditions of men.'
That was a heavy-handed explaining away of Luther and the Reformation. Let us recall that were there not a mass felt need for reform, Luther’s seed would not have found purchase.
One issue I see is the balance between individuality and togetherness (which includes community and history). To sacrifice individuality and to cut off from community both lead to distortions and damage.
I see Luther in the context of this balance. Accurately or not (this is a separate issue), he appealed to Scripture, Church Fathers, and Councils in togetherness moves toward these authorities. At the same time, he did not sacrifice his conscience to the Roman authorities of his day.
Luther’s quote can be misunderstood by both sympathizers and critics to justify willfulness. Both giving up self and exalting self are recurring and powerful temptations.
Very helpful and interesting! Definitely reading along.