Are there any specific questions you hope to answer?
In the opening of the video lecture "Asking Questions," Dr. John Lennox
talks about the importance of developing an individual's faith is by
wresting and asking questions when it comes to our faith
(https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/
2167581/uiconf_id/39959791/entry_id/1_ae7tirtt/embed/dynamic). The
question that I have currently wrestled with this season and one that I
hope to understand better is the doctrine of the Trinity. Being very
familiar with the traditional understanding of the Trinity that states that
God is "tri-unity" or "three-in oneness" being that God is three persons yet
one God, I have yet to deeply challenge myself on the intricacies and
importance of the clear doctrinal belief (Grudem 2016, 226). Being of an
analytical mind, I have complete faith that the Trinity is an essential
doctrine of the Christian faith, but I would love to expound and challenge
myself through this class on this essential doctrine. Another question that
I hope to answer centers around the doctrine of evil and freedom. I have
been wrestling with the existence of evil, when knowing that God governs
everything. How can God have the existence of evil without Him being
responsible for it (Bray 1993, 89)? I imagine that this will lend my
questions to come from the filter of a Benevolent God, as stated from the
readings (Froese & Bader 2015 24).=
Is there a personal goal in terms of experiencing God as an
outcome? What might that be?
Yes! Without a doubt, I am eager to start this class so I can grow in my
discipleship with Lord. This past year has been especially difficult with
being in full-time ministry and COVID-19. I have felt like I have been
leaning on systems and programs to get through and have lately been
craving to run to the deep spiritual depths of the nature and character of
God. I feel this class will help provide an academic perspective and enrich
my personal understanding and relationship with our loving Creator.=
Is this something you hope to develop into a sermon series?
Absolutely. In working with the next generation, I find myself teaching
from a place of abundance and growth. As I strategically plan what we will
go through for the next year, I find myself teaching what God has or is
currently showing me through this learning experience of the master's
program. An idea that I have been praying over is creating a deep
discipleship class where we, in fact, go through the essential core
doctrines of God. I hope to use this experience to shape and mold what
God might have me carry over to this class. With biblical illiteracy at an
all-time high, this class will provide an excellent blueprint on how my
students will experience God through these rich doctrinal truths and the
best method to teach them.=
How might this relate to your spiritual growth and/or that of your
church?!
In my current context, my church is what would be considered an
intellectual community. This is not to say that they are smarter than
anyone else, but this church has prided itself on being a profoundly
theological deep church with a reformed lens. I hope that this class will
reveal the areas that I need to grow on when it comes to my
understanding of the doctrine of God and then assure the areas that I may
have any questions about. It has been my prayer before I have even
started this class that God would allow these amazing theological classes
to be more than just head knowledge but draw me into a deep
relationship with Him that I would find comfort, rest, and joy in richly
knowing Him.=
References:
Bray, Gerald Lewis. The Doctrine of God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1993.=
Froese, Paul, and Christopher Bader. America's Four Gods: What We Say
about God - and What That Says about Us. New York: Oxford University
Press, 2015.=
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology Pack: A Complete Introduction to
Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan Academic, 2016.=
Kaltura. Accessed May 18, 2021.
https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/
2167581/uiconf_id/39959791/entry_id/1_ae7tirtt/embed/dynamic.=
