welcome to the story.

PART THREE (random thoughts and ideas from Wednesday morning's session) Original sin � it is ours before it is mine We are shaped by it prior to our individual decisions. We are thrown into this fallen system before we even begin or have a chance to act as �individuals� Relational Theology We�ve had systematic and narrative theology. Perhaps another helpful addition would be that of relational theology. The content and relationships are both necessary. In most traditions content dominates. So that when disagreements arise, there is the inevitable clash. And the relationships suffer. When in the biblical texts, the emphasis seems to be on the relationship instead of the content or �issue�. Whereas we are terribly occupied with the �issue� at the expense of the relationship. It�s this objectifying of the person which turns the person into this content instead of this relational being. So more time should be focused on the character and procedure of relationship than on the disagreement on the issue. In this light, what kind of values guide the interchanges and boundary making? �We live in a pornographic culture.� � Eugene Peterson Simply meaning, we objectify people and we focus and turn them into content. We see each other through content instead of through relationship. We try to pinpoint and pin down and narrow and find out what people believe on a litany test of things. And oftentimes we do so without regard to the relationship. There can be no doctrinal orthodoxy without first being good friends. And what we need in most issues of conflict is not a doctrinal statement but a relational statement. As it relates back to issues . . . we have to begin to realize that the other person is larger than the issue or the culture they symbolize. Even more so with our enemies. And as we negotiate these relationships we must do so with healing as the ultimate objective. Anything that doesn�t take into account this ministry of healing is quite possibly missing it. Christopher Columbus said as they prepared to exit their ships and enter into the Americas, �In the name of the Trinity, we will enslave these people.� There was belief in the Trinity but there was the poor treatment of people. We need to correct or adjust our image/reading of God in the Old Testament with our image/reading of God in the New Testament. Most people are obsessed with the punitive, with God as a grandpa with a shotgun. Or they over sentimentalize grace and treat God like Santa Claus. There is no proper balance and balance is needed. On giving . . . there is a huge tendency in us all to give in ways that only benefit us. Most of us do not give adequately and even when we do, we do so in ways that are self serving, even as manipulation. We should seek to give a little more than you receive. And be in the process of giving a little more than you are receiving. Gospel has authority over the church. I believe in God because of the gospel and not because of the church. I don�t believe in God because of the church. I only participate in the church because of the gospel. Traction Theological Imagination