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From 28 February to 3 March 2018, representatives from nations across the Asia-Pacific Region gathered for the Regional Holiness Writer’s Conference. Now six videos are available from this event! See more about this release.
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The older we get, the more we realize that we live in a world divided along numerous fault lines. Those divisions might be religious, nationalistic, ideological, or something else entirely, but just about everyone in our world sees them. The immediate temptation is to call on our world to essentially heal itself. This is certainly the approach of those outside the church, who will call upon politicians, the wealthy, or the public to bridge the gap and make our world whole. One should not discount the very real progress toward unity that can sometimes happen in our world, further signs that God’s grace is transforming His creation. But regardless of what external progress is made, it often feels like people are as broken, self-serving, and fearful as ever.
From what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:11-22, this is not a new problem. He even begins by emphasizing the gap between the Gentiles and the people of Israel, and by extension, God. His language is not encouraging; he refers to the Gentiles as being “separate from Christ” and “without hope.” One can see the hint of despair for these divisions ever being healed. But then Paul shares how the brokenness in God’s creation is being healed: through the blood of Christ.
Indeed, the healing is far more extensive than might make people comfortable. Humans take great pride in their distinctiveness, whether expressed in patriotism, loyalties, or family. That pride might revolve around individualism or around a group identity, but we like to point out how we are different. Paul is proposing something truly radical here. He says in verse 15 that God’s purpose “was to create in himself a new humanity out of the two.” In verse 14 he states that God has “destroyed the barrier.” This is not a matter of holding hands and simply embracing diversity. This is a matter of setting aside the things that have identified us up until now. It is time to take our place among the people of God, a completely new distinctive group that transcends all other loyalties on this earth. This is especially vital in a global community, one where people from all nations are hearing the good news of the Word of God for the first time. I am so thankful for the cross of Christ, that makes us into a new people.
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The GTC 2018 gave the opportunity for different people to be heard. The main papers covered topics in similar ways, but they did contribute in unique ways. One topic was ‘social Gospel’ as an expression of the humanity of Christ. Fernandez spoke of the social Gospel in evangelical Latin America having a focus on the present times only. This had an emphasis on health, wealth and prosperity. Protestantism moved to a Fundamentalism to re-emphasize the spiritual aspects of the Christian faith. In contrast, the Western church interpreted the social Gospel as a way of moving from a non-material understanding of humankind and perhaps as a way of appeasing our conscience over the actions of those who claimed to be Christians.
Each presenter applied a different interpretive lens to Christology and asked different questions. This added a diversity of expression that was helpful. We had to listen well to our brothers and sisters. In my small group, I wondered what context prompted questions and comments because of this diversity. English words were spoken, but because of the variety of contexts within the group, I was aware of “hearing” our conversation differently from my brothers and sisters. For example, one member responding to this emphasis on the humanity of Christ claimed that more was needed from our Christology to be adequate for their context. From a personal history of suffering and injustice, they needed to hear also of the Victorious Jesus – a hope of a brighter future where injustice is confronted, and systems that oppress are demolished. While understanding that Christ suffers along with us (the humanity of Christ) is important, a Gospel of hope where Christ could be claimed as victorious over sin and death (the divinity of Christ) was better appreciated and needed. This was a humbling experience as I reflected on my privileged context as a well-educated male in an affluent society.
A uniform expression of theology (even as basic as our understanding of Christ) was not the product of the GTC. Rather there was a diverse expression of our theology that expresses our Christology for our time, in our place, in our circumstance. My responsibility is not to make excuses for my context. Rather it is to listen to my brothers and sisters and allow their stories to shape me into the Christ-follower I am called to be. My responsibility is to share my story so that it too can shape my brothers and sisters as Christ-followers – obedient, humble servants being transformed and transforming our cultures for God’s glory. My responsibility is to give fresh expression to our theology as it connects our stories to this place in this time. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10: 34,35)
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Selected Nazarene Resources
- 2017-2021 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene
- Articles of Faith
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- Mission Corps - Global Volunteer Mission Opportunities
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- Nazarene Essentials
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- Church of the Nazarene (Official Global Site)
- Nazarene Safe
- Nazarene Youth International
- Preacher's Magazine
- Sunday School Discipleship Ministries
- Work and Witness
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