Here is today's prayer:
Prayer for Purity
O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Spirit, he liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Systematic Theology - Christology Part II
Here is the next installment:
The Work of Jesus Christ:
Understanding the fullness of Christ’s nature leads us to a discussion of his workings in human history. Often, the work of Jesus is described in threefold form based upon the offices that are attributed to him. These offices bear the labels, Prophet, Priest, and King (“Loci…,” 2007). Keeping in mind that the work of the Son is equally the work of the Triune God, let us look briefly at the acts that are most frequently attributed to our Lord.
Jesus proclaims "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news"(Mark 1:14-15). These words point to the in-breaking of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ. It is through Christ’s proclamation of such words, as well as his healings, forgiveness, and teachings, that his prophetic office is fulfilled. Everything that Christ does and says points towards the Father who sent him and towards the fulfillment of this in-breaking at some future point. It is a foretaste of the fullness of the kingdom of God that we have in Christ’s enfleshment and presence in history. Christ’s prophetic voice presents us with a revolutionary understanding of what it means to be in relationship with God.
“Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). Jesus is the high priest to all of humanity in that he offers sacrifice on behalf of the world for the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s actions as high priest are definitively different from those appointed to this task within the Jewish tradition in that Christ’s sacrifice was the self-sacrifice of God. He was the unblemished Lamb that was offered freely and lovingly.
Scripture also highlights the third office of Christ, in that it recognizes Christ as “the King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:13-15). This acknowledgement of Christ recognizes both the act of deliverance and the attribute of sovereignty granted to him as King. It points towards the ultimate fulfillment of salvation where heaven and earth are reordered and God is with God’s people.
While the work of Christ is perfect and complete, it has not reached the fullness of its expression. The liturgy of the Lord’s Supper calls the participants to proclaim the mystery of faith which includes the statement that “Christ will come again” (UMH, 14). This proclamation of faith recognizes the greatest work that was done in and through Jesus Christ by attesting to Christ’s death on a cross, his resurrection, and the promise that he is coming again. As such, there is testimony to the work that has already been fully complete, but has yet to reach its fullest realization. There is no need for the work to be repeated, but it is only in some future point that the fullness of this act will be understood.
More will be expressed when we get to the sections on Eschatology, but what are your thoughts regarding the way that the work of Christ's life, death and resurrection as they have been presented thus far?
The Work of Jesus Christ:
Understanding the fullness of Christ’s nature leads us to a discussion of his workings in human history. Often, the work of Jesus is described in threefold form based upon the offices that are attributed to him. These offices bear the labels, Prophet, Priest, and King (“Loci…,” 2007). Keeping in mind that the work of the Son is equally the work of the Triune God, let us look briefly at the acts that are most frequently attributed to our Lord.
Jesus proclaims "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news"(Mark 1:14-15). These words point to the in-breaking of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ. It is through Christ’s proclamation of such words, as well as his healings, forgiveness, and teachings, that his prophetic office is fulfilled. Everything that Christ does and says points towards the Father who sent him and towards the fulfillment of this in-breaking at some future point. It is a foretaste of the fullness of the kingdom of God that we have in Christ’s enfleshment and presence in history. Christ’s prophetic voice presents us with a revolutionary understanding of what it means to be in relationship with God.
“Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17). Jesus is the high priest to all of humanity in that he offers sacrifice on behalf of the world for the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s actions as high priest are definitively different from those appointed to this task within the Jewish tradition in that Christ’s sacrifice was the self-sacrifice of God. He was the unblemished Lamb that was offered freely and lovingly.
Scripture also highlights the third office of Christ, in that it recognizes Christ as “the King of kings” (1 Tim. 6:13-15). This acknowledgement of Christ recognizes both the act of deliverance and the attribute of sovereignty granted to him as King. It points towards the ultimate fulfillment of salvation where heaven and earth are reordered and God is with God’s people.
While the work of Christ is perfect and complete, it has not reached the fullness of its expression. The liturgy of the Lord’s Supper calls the participants to proclaim the mystery of faith which includes the statement that “Christ will come again” (UMH, 14). This proclamation of faith recognizes the greatest work that was done in and through Jesus Christ by attesting to Christ’s death on a cross, his resurrection, and the promise that he is coming again. As such, there is testimony to the work that has already been fully complete, but has yet to reach its fullest realization. There is no need for the work to be repeated, but it is only in some future point that the fullness of this act will be understood.
More will be expressed when we get to the sections on Eschatology, but what are your thoughts regarding the way that the work of Christ's life, death and resurrection as they have been presented thus far?
July 12, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Prayers for Protection
O God, who knows us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Prayers for Protection
O God, who knows us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Prayer for Strength
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Prayer for Strength
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions of Men
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make Thy ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all nations.
More especially we pray for Thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians maybe led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
Finally, we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please Thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Prayer for All Sorts and Conditions of Men
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make Thy ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all nations.
More especially we pray for Thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians maybe led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
Finally, we commend to Thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please Thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Thursday, July 9, 2009
July 9, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Bedtime Prayer
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord; we pray: and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Bedtime Prayer
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee O Lord; we pray: and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 8, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Evening Prayer
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto your servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and also, that by you we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto your servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and also, that by you we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
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