Theology, etc
Papers
These resources have captured something in a way that has resonated, shaped or refined what we believe at our core. As you read, remember that these are not scripture and are therefore flawed, but in essence you will find something within that articulates what we believe…
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Centered & Bounded-Set Churches (Keller)
Drawing from mathematics to illustrate his point, Tim articulates how traditional churches still often us a “bounded set” of definitions to define who’s “in” and who’s “out.” Those definitions ultimately define the organization to rigidly over time. rather than a boundary to define our relationship to a group, a “centered set” approach suggests alignment to core values allowing ample room for inclusion, expansion, change and creativity…
Biblical Authority (Wright)
Here, among other things, Tom distinguishes authority from authoritative. Instructing that God is our authority and therefore his Word is authoritative for us. It’s a deep read at times – but that’s Tom. He leaves no rock un-turned in his analysis and writings…
Narrative Theology (Bell)
Rob is often lumped in with the Emerget crowd which may well be an accurate lumping. The Emergent group is difficult to define (which on one level is the definition of Emergent), they are accused of abandoning and historic Christian propositional truths. That may be so for Rob, I really don’t know him or his teachngs intimately. What I DO know is that this creative version of the enduring evangelical Christian statement of faith is full of propositional Biblical truth that stirs the soul…
Doctrine & Discipline (Author Unknown)
An insightful side-by-side comparison of doctrine and discipline creatively depicts and explains the necessary balance between knowledge and application to fully express God’s truth in our lives.
Obedience & Authority (Chryssavgis)
John explores the slippery slope in heirarchical authority toward control and power rather than Jesus example of sacrifice, servanthood and freedom.
13 Paradigm Shifts (Miller)
Don creatively lists the lessons he and others learned as the were trying to reach people for Christ. He always seems to uniquely capture the world around us in words while providing creative insights. This may not truly be a “core” resource, but it does speak to the core of what we’re are to be about – reaching the lost. Take it with a grain of salt.
Videos
This video is a simplistic, yet largely helpful description of the missional church. Tim Keller discuses the characteristics of a missional church.
Messages
The Key to Knowing God
Here we talk a bit about that astounding reality that we can, in fact, know the Creator of the cosmos, but that our standard and most instictive approach to knowing him fails us. As usual, with God, it’s not our ways that work, but his…
The Hope-filled Mission
This message answers the simple yet profound question what does the Christian hope for and in? It’s an answer that surprisingly few of us have a confident answer if even correct.
God Will Rock You
In case we’ve forgotten, God’s purposes in our lives more often tilt toward refining us than ensuring our happiness. Our usual tendancy is to bailout of difficult situations far before God is finished.
Who’s in Charge
Although somewhat abbreviated, one Sunday we covered the scope, nature and fuction of our elder and authority structure at Vista. The powerpoint presentation helps follow along…
