Replies 1. Directly addresses the classmates’ threads by providing thoughtful an

WRITE MY ESSAY

Replies
1. Directly addresses the classmates’ threads by providing thoughtful analysis and evaluation.
2. Must reflect a strong understanding of the subject material. You may provide additional thoughts from the text or other theological resources that would contribute to the subject being discussed.
3. As stated above, avoid casual talks and testimonies by interacting theologically and critically. If you disagree with a classmate, respectfully argue your case and seek to edify him or her.
4. It must be well written. Curt responses such as “I agree with you,” “Ditto,” “You took the words right out of my mouth,” “You go, Bob!” etc., are not appropriate.
5. If you reply to more than 2 classmates’ threads in a forum, please specify which 2 replies you want counted for your grade by commenting accordingly at the end of both replies. The third and fourth replies (and anymore) will not count towards your grade.
6. Greetings, citations, and closings are not part of the total word count.
7. Please review the Discussion Grading Rubric in order to maximize your grade.
Using the definition of systematic theology given by Erickson, explain how it relates to three other disciplines of theology: biblical theology, historical theology, and philosophical theology. Which of the four approaches is the most important in your current or future ministry context? Why?
Demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter by inserting substantive content. Also, present the logic, cogency, and evidence of your explanation(s) and argument(s). Avoid casual talks and testimonies by interacting theologically and critically.
Janet, I am always looking for ways to help those I teach discover more about their life in Christ. Chapter seven of Johnson’s Theology as Discipleship helped me to formulate the words I want when seeking a concise way of explaining what it means to put theology and action together. “The goal of this chapter is to give more resolution to this picture by presenting nine characteristics that distinguish the life of someone who practices theology faithfully . . . and who lives obediently by the power of the Spirit will demonstrate these kinds of qualities and engage in these sorts of actions.” (Johnson 2015, 156). I took the information for myself and felt that several of the characteristics worked best when they were combined. Characteristics 1,2,3: “We practice theology as disciples when we measure our thinking and speaking about God by the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture” (Johnson 2015, 156), “when our thinking stays within the limits of our faith in Jesus Christ” (Johnson 2015, 158), and “when we seek to live obediently in the pattern of the incarnate Jesus Christ’s obedience to God” (Johnson 2015, 161).
One needs the discipline of spending time in the Bible to know who Jesus is, and by learning to know Jesus, one knows God the Father. “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. . . . anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:7,9 ([New International Version]). God has given faith to each believer (Rom 12:3), and our faith is based on what Jesus Christ did for humans, but not each person is in the same place in their faith walk. Johnson says that the believer is “not in control of the knowledge we gain or how we proceed,” because we are taught by Christ (Johnson 2015, 159). While I agree that Christ teaches us, I disagree that we do not need to take the action of proceeding. Faith takes action on our part, not passive waiting. “Continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught” (2 Cor 2:6-7). It is no different than looking at nature .A seed by itself does not grow. Growth needs soil, rain, sun, and tending. The believer needs to position oneself for growth by first being immersed in scriipture, and then placing oneself under mature teaching. It is that beginning that will lead to knowing what it means to be obedient to God. Characteristics 4,5,6: “We practice theology as disciples when we do our theological work for the benefit of others” (Johnson 2015, 166), “when we use our theological work to serve the church and its mission” (Johnson 2015, 171), and “when we pursue both truth and unity” (Johnson 2015, 176).
A key to the above is learning how to put self aside. Discovering the mission of the church is an important step to learning why one serves. It continues the effort for one’s own spiritual learnings and actions, and part of that discipline is staying connected in a local church and learning to love and value the members for their individuality. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. . . . not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Phil 2:3-4).
Characteristics 7,8,9: “We practice theology as disciples when we display confidence while avoiding defensiveness” (Johnson 2015, 179), “by utilizing the insights of non-theological disciplines to enrich our thinking” (Johnson 2015, 182), and “when we pursue our theological work with joy” (Johnson 2015, 186).
One does not always have the answer for each theological question presented to them, but one can choose to humbly admit when one does not know the answer. One can listen to those who have insights that differ from one’s own knowledge and choose to ruminate on the information to learn and to grow. Confidence in what one does know is appropriate. “If we confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, then we should be able to tell others about Jesus with confidence” (Johnson 2015, 179). When one presents what they know from a position of love and gentleness, respect is given to those listening.

WRITE MY ESSAY