GUEST POST ~ 3 Theological Barriers to Re-Formation

[Reimagine Curator]

3 Theological Barriers to Re-Formation

John Armstrong; Guest-Post

 

Note from Phil:

My colleague and friend John Armstrong (former pastor, theologian) exposes 3 theological barriers to authentic re-formation:

1. The Church does not know how to be in love with differing and diverse expressions of Christianity
2. The Church teaches and preaches an inconsistent message of the love of God that is not fully God-love
3. The Church is not equipping the saints to love others, especially our enemies

Take a Deep-Dive

• “Your Church Is Too Small"   - my podcast with John
• "Theological Game Changer"  - my interview with John
• Review John's Books
• Purchase John's Books
• Worksheet Armstrong 3 Barriers.docx for your Notes & Quotes as you read/research

 

Tear Down These Walls: Following Jesus into Deeper Unity

This book addresses the problem of the myriad divisions within the church and in our personal relationships. Until we resolve how to live John 17:21-24 I do not think we will see the fruit that should come from our mission. Jesus plainly says the world will “know” when we are one.
The implications to personal faith are many:

1. How do we properly understand unity in the light of Christ’s
   mission?
2. What is my part in living and sharing unity?
3. How can I embrace unity and not give up coredoctrines of the faith?
4. What is the place of the many good faith efforts to bring about a more robust and shared unity? Leaders should ask, “What have I done to cause disunity?” The answers will widely vary but they must be addressed. Also, “How can I work for unity in my church and community?” Each of us can contribute a hopeful perspective and take steps to bridge differences that are non-essential. Some years ago an elder in conservative A church asked me what I was suggesting they do? He said he could not see how they could, for example, work alongside of a Catholic Church? I said, “How about you start with the churches most your your one in a radius say of 5-7 miles.”

This book expresses a core conviction of my life and work rooted in Jesus’ own words.

 

The Transforming Fire of Divine Love: My Long Slow Journey into the Love of God

1. The problem that I address in The Transforming Fire of Divine Love is the misconception that so many Christians have of who God really is. We must always begin with a right view of God. Faith flows from how we see (and understand) God. Errors exit regarding divine love that range from one end of a spectrum to the other. Theology has often given us ideas that cloud our perception of God. We must develop a robust theology of divine love if we would learn to love the world.

2. The implications for personal faith here are many but the biggest is the starting point from which we can move into a much deeper relationship with the mystery of the divine. Modern evangelicalism stresses a type of rational faith that follows an outline in which we choose to know God like we would choose to study and make an investment in our monetary future. This is a transactional faith, not a transformational faith. What is missing is the faith that transforms.

3. Christ followers should should ask “Who is God?” We have been asking “What is God for centuries? But God is not a what but a very personal who. What has surprised me about this new book is that many say it opened their heart to new ways of praying, serving and thinking about God. What encourages me is that this is precisely why I wanted readers to see in this book. My concern is that some readers will be defensive without
actually wrestling with the book.

 

Costly Love: The Way to True Unity for All the Followers of Jesus

 

This book addresses the problems posed about how we can love others, even our enemies. Scripture says we should walk in love, embrace love in our daily lives and serve Christians and non-Christians with a deeper fulness of love flowing in and through us. Jesus said so much about this that is frankly hard to see how we do not embrace what he said and live it. The problem we now face is non-Christians, and former Christians, know we are to love but they do not see it in our churches. They feel condemned and rejected.

 

Christians leaders need to know how to help people see and live the love of Christ. This book seeks to help this to happen.