Theological Integrity and Having a Solid Understanding of...

Theological integrity is having a solid understanding of Scripture, including its contexts and interpretations. This does not necessarily mean understanding ancient languages, but certainly understanding the meaning of the Scriptures and the themes portrayed in them. Spiritual vitality is the connection of a person’s spirit with God and the results actions that flows from it. As our lectures point out, to connect the two of them together is to connect the heart (spiritual vitality) to the head (theological integrity). The connection here really is more vital than what many people give it credit for. Many modern pastors focus more on the heart reaction so they preach towards the spiritual vitality and offer encouraging words of hope, grace and love, but seldom reflect on sin, consequences, or suffering as shown in Scripture; you cannot adequately have one with the other. Spiritual vitality without theological integrity is much like having a table without legs. It is saying that we believe in God, but not really know who God is. The content of what we believe makes a huge difference on our personal spiritual life. How we view the Bible in terms of hermeneutics, as well as accuracy, shapes everything we do in our ministry and our lives. For example, if we believe that most of the Bible is pretty accurate, and we can accept the teachings of Jesus, but we reject the Genesis story because it does not match with known science, then we create a mindset that the Bible,Show MoreRelatedGod The Spirit By Beth Felker2164 Words   |  9 Pagesintroduction only style book, there is the risk of glossing over topics and not providing enough in depth discussion to fully understand and comprehend the doctrine discussed. A reader should feel confident that Jones has indeed provided us with a solid introduction to Wesleyan pneumatology that has the ability to bear fruit and initiate growth in the life of the believer. Jones begins in chapter one by establishing the Divinity of the Holy Spirit, something she recognizes cannot be assumedRead MoreMy Personal Experience Of God7569 Words   |  31 Pagestgsmith@umcsc.org Disciplinary Questions – Part I Describe your personal experience of God and the understanding of God you derive from biblical, theological and historical sources. I have a personal relationship with God the Father through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the keeping power of the Holy Spirit. I spend time daily in prayer, meditation and reading of the scriptures. My understanding of God is found in The Apostle Creed which states: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, makerRead MoreNatural And Cosmic Theodicy And The Call For A Trinitarian Panentheism Essay2373 Words   |  10 Pagesdimensions.† That is, â€Å"In the biblical and patristic traditions, ‘cosmic’ Christologies and pneumatologies are present,† and the retrieval of tradition is â€Å"important both for the sake of interfaith hospitality and improving Christianity’s self-understanding† in interdisciplinary dialogue. Kà ¤rkkà ¤inen points out that the cosmic Christology of the NT (John 1:1-14; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 1:2-4) points to â€Å"the integral link between Christ’s role in creation and in reconciliation.† This universal ChristologyRead MoreMass Media and Evangelization in the Church8919 Words   |  36 Pagesup and transformed in to a community of brothers and sisters, a human community, a community of faith and love, witness and service, a community of salvation. Human beings are called to imitate God in their relationships. This constitutes the theological basis for any communication whether among human beings, or between human beings and God. This mission of the Church as building up in Christ a new humanity and a world community springs from within revelation, the pattern of authentic relationshipRead MoreTheology of the Body32011 Words   |  129 Pagesbeginning, seen in Genesis, which sets forth a proper understanding of the nature of man and woman, made in God’s image, as well as the unity and indissolubility of marriage. 2) Man is created by God in the image and likeness of God, not in the image of creatures. This image involves sexual differentiation: â€Å"God created man in his image †¦ male and female he created them.† God pronounced the human person â€Å"very good.† Genesis established a solid basis for metaphysics, anthropology and ethics, whichRead MoreSources of Ethics20199 Words   |  81 PagesNature of Islamic Ethics Islamic ethics is founded on two principles— human nature, and religious and legal grounds. The first principle, natural instinct (fitrah ), was imprinted in the human soul by God at the time of creation (Surah 91:7-8). Having natural instinct, the ordinary individual can, at least to some extent, distinguish not only between good and bad, but also between these and that which is neutral, neither good nor bad. However, an ethical conscience is not a sufficient personal