BMIS 3000 midterm

Define S.T.A.R.T. and give a brief explanation of each point

* Saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God
* Transformed by the Holy Spirit
* Through enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, become aware of the needs of the world around
* Relying on God’s power and under his leading, begin taking steps as the Lord’s change agent in the lives of people in this world

Explain the Work of the Holy Spirit as the Engine in Missions and in the transformation of Christians. Use Scripture and explain the relationship of Subject/Object in regard to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the engine of the world Christian. The Holy Spirit should be the emphasis as the driving force in transforming us and bringing good news to the world, not ourselves or other individuals. The Holy Spirit works within us to transform us into who God wants us to become. This is evidenced in John 7:37-39, where Jesus says that when you receive the Spirit, it will be like streams of water flowing out of you- beyond anything you could provide on your own. This means that in turn our lives will begin to be led by the Spirit, which is the difference between a “worldly” Christian and a world Christian. We are taught by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13). This is evidenced in 1 Cor. 3:1-3, where people who live by the Spirit are contrasted from those who do not. Those who don’t are referred to as worldly infants in Christ. In relationship to the subject/object concept, when our lives are led by the Spirit, God will move from subject to object. The subject acts on the object, so that means we will view ourselves as being used by God rather than going to him with a laundry list of things we want him to do for us.

Explain the difference between bios and zoe

* bios is biological life - physical birth, physical existence, dead while living
* zoe is spiritual life - rebirth, spiritual existence, alive in God

Give the main points of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

* He guides us into all truth and reminds us of the truth (John 14:26; 16:13; Matt. 10:\`19-20)
* He empowers us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8; 5:32)
* He makes us bold (Acts 4:31; 2 Tim 1:7)
* He enables us to put to death the misdeeds of the body (Romans 8:13)

What are some of the implications of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

We are transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Cor 3:18) and offer ourselves as living sacrifices, to be transformed by him (Romans 12:1-2). We pray for the Spirit (Luke 11:13) and do not assume that our will and God’s will are the same (Matt. 6:10). We understand that the power is the Holy Spirit, who works in spite of our weaknesses to transform us. We have overcome our enemies because the Holy Spirit is in us and is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

4 layers of Kwast’s Worldview

(from outside circle to inside)

* behavior- What is done?
* values- What is good or best?
* beliefs- What is true?
* worldview- What is real?

How do the layers of Kwast’s 4 questions change when someone is being transformed by the Holy Spirit and brought in line with truth?

* worldview- What is real shifts from material to spiritual and unseen
* beliefs- What is true shifts from something worldly like “success depends on education” to Christ.
* values- What is good or best shifts from “education” to God’s will.
* behavior- What is done shifts from material to spiritual

Phil. 4:8-9

define culture

Culture is made up of many layers (behavior, values, beliefs, worldview) that gives people a sense of identity that is evident in their behavior. Values are pre-set decisions about choices commonly faced as a culture. Beliefs are reflected by values.

define worldview

the fundamental cognitive, affective, and evaluative presuppositions a group of people make about the nature of things, and which they use to order their lives

define syncretism

combining different religions or schools of thought

define the “excluded middle”

the middle ground between the supernatural world and the natural world (religion and science) that many cultures interact with (like magic) where the supernatural and natural interact

Explain what Truth is and how we determine it. Use Scripture. What does the nature of God have to do with this topic? How does the person of Jesus relate to this topic?

Truth is what “is".” It is essentially God as He is revealed in the Tetragrammaton. He is referred to as Yaweh, and also as “I am,” “I am who I am,” and “I will be who I will be,” as in Exodus 3:14. God is true. This is also evidenced in Romans 3:4. Truth is not relative. It is embodied in the person of God, as John 14:6 highlights. Truth is also dynamic, not static, because it is related to the person of Jesus. Jesus is the epitome of God’s dynamic relationship with us. As in John 1:14, the eternal logos takes on flesh in the form of Jesus, and Jesus demonstrates truth to us in a fallen world. In Jesus, truth is alive (2 Cor. 3:3). We also know that truth comes in the spoken Word of God, as evidenced in John 17:17. We determine truth in several ways. Truth must have the Spirit of God, as evidenced by 1 John 2:20-21; 4:13, and 1 Cor. 12:3. We must believe in the truth (John 14:6), listen to the Spirit (John 16:13), listen to the voice of truth (John 18:37), abide in Jesus’ teachings (John 8:31-32) and the truth will come into light (John 3:21).

3 models of truth

* legalist
* relativist
* spiritual

legalist view of truth

* rule of law, truth is static, search for loopholes
* lawbreaker should be punished
* outward conformity is good enough

relativist view of truth

* rules are suggestions, truth is relative to me
* lawbreaker should be reformed
* idealistic and wishes everyone would just “be nice,” middle ground

spiritual view of truth

* not under law but under grace, truth is dynamic, relative to God
* lawbreaker must be transformed
* only full-blown rebirth can bring one into conformity to truth

Using the principles from our discussion about Truth as something based upon the nature of God, explain God's heart and will concerning premarital sex and doing everything short of intercourse in a relationship with someone who is not your mate.

Since truth is based upon the nature of God, the question should not be “how far can we go?” but rather, “What does God want in this situation?” Several guiding principles apply in this case. First, what is on our hearts, as in Matthew 5 when Jesus says that if you even look at someone with lust you have already committed adultery in your heart. So, it is not only about what you physically do, but how your heart is positioned about it. The next principle is that our bodies are temples, as in 1 Corinthians 6. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and not our own, so we should not do anything with our bodies that we would not want the Holy Spirit to do. This ties in to the idea that sins such as premarital sex are sins against the body, whereas other sins are outside the body. So, based on these principles we can conclude that shifting the question from “how far is too far” to “what would be honoring to God” is the best way to approach this concept.

Using the model of Truth emanating from the heart of God and the principles of Romans 14-15, discuss the question of acapella vs instrumental music in the assemblies of churches. Be sure and note what is most important to God in this discussion. Also, discuss the Christian’s responsibility to have a \n conviction on this subject and how we are to treat those who disagree with us.

With this question, it is first important to consider what the real question is behind this question. The question is not whether or not instrumental music or a cappella music is right, but it is about what is pleasing to God in worship. From John 4:23-24, we know that God is Spirit, and whoever worships him should do so in Spirit and in truth. So, worship is a posture of the heart, rather than what we would normally think of outwardly. God is the object of worship, and the only one who is worthy of worship. So, when we consider this question we should ask ourselves if it is something God wants. As Paul discusses in Romans 14-15, whatever conviction you have should be what you follow. If you have a certain conviction and do not follow it, then that would be sinning for you. But, someone else may have a different conviction, and we are called to put aside our own convictions for the sake of others and not condemn those who disagree with us.

John 7:38-39

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which he must be saved.

John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Galatians 3:14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:9-10

He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.