It only seemed fitting that my
first blog-post be a reflection of my blog’s title given that this will be the underlying theme in many of my posts. The
idea of dissident-theology simply means that I find reason to disagree and correct the many stereotypes, faulty doctrines, personal agendas, and empty
“spiritualities” that have corrupted the Christian community. This is an area that I believe the Church
should find resolve in rather than allowing it to divide us further, but it may
require abandoning the old thinking and traditions that bear no resemblance to
Christ. If Christ is the visible image of God (Col.
1:15) who defines what God’s present kingdom looks and lives like on earth as
it is in heaven (Matt. 5-6), then it becomes evident that our doctrine and
ethic are not only inseparable, but cannot be defined apart from Christ. However, the only way we can bear
witness to such a God and his kingdom is by producing it in our work, ministry
and daily life. One theology/ethics professor
lays it out like this:
The only way we
can bear witness to a patient God who forgives seventy-times-seven is by our
practicing such patient forgiveness. The only way we can bear witness to a God
who seeks to reconcile all peoples unto himself is by our ministry of
reconciliation. The only way we can bear witness to a God who serves is by
serving. The only way we can bear witness to a God who loves even his enemies
is by loving our enemies.[1]
Though there is much that can be said about this
doctrinally, exegetically and so forth, it first becomes a call for personal
change. Change can only happen by
returning ourselves to Christ, the source of life, in a relational and receiving
posture not just once and for all, but daily.
This gives way to a whole-hearted love for God and a daily surrender of self
that shapes our attitudes and actions towards others. It
is the only way we can willingly, if not joyfully, come to a place that we exist
as a community that serves, draws and heals.
[1]
Lee Camp. Mere Discipleship: Radical
Christianity in a Rebellious World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing
2008), 64.
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