What is a living and dynamic religion? A holistic approach

Connecting What are the characteristics of religion? What are the enduring questions of human existence? What are the key aspects of Christianity? Belief & believers, ethical teachings, rituals & ceremonies, sacred texts Who are we? What is the meaning of life? How did we come to be? Why do bad things happen to good people? One God, Life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, salvation and redemption, baptism

Context Outline the social conditions and religious practices that existed pre- Christianity. Examine the principal events in Jesus’ life. Explain why Jesus is the model for Christian life.

What did Jesus bring to Christianity?

What happened after Jesus?

How does this form what I believe?

How does this influence how I live?

How is all of this lived by Christians?

In search of a Christian identity It does not come in a simple package, but rather as an event where we commit to something outside of ourselves. Founded on service When we are authentically at the service of Christ and live out his will to the service of others we reclaim our identity through the experience.

Being a Christian Is not about an ethical choice but an encounter with an event that leads us to an enduring personal encounter with Christ. It’s not strictly about having the answers to a set of questions. Instead Christ offers us a question with the choice to answer: What are you looking for? (beginning of John’s gospel) Who do you say I am? (middle of the gospels) Do you love me? (end of the text)

Living like a Christian Knowing who you are based on what you are looking for. Called to come to love Jesus and by that know ourselves. Our growing experience with him lends us to see new horizons and new possibilities. We are kept moving as if on a quest following these questions.

Living the questions Jesus poses shapes our Christian identity Through a particular: Religious imagination Social commitment Material engagement

A living and dynamic: Religious Imagination The way we perceive or imagine God , God’s activity in the world and God’s resolution of evil – shapes our actions God as: triune, communal Christian life is at the service of making this more transparent in our society. If God is in a communal relationship as the Holy Trinity and we are mad in the image of God. So to are we made to exist in relationships.

A living and dynamic: Religious Imagination God Life Love Community

A living and dynamic: Religious imagination This relationship is most evident within the incarnation of Christ as we are exposed to a new ideology: To see in one thing, another Through Christ we see God as a man As Christians we a called to see the face of Christ in others

A Christian response to evil in the world Through the cross, Christ’s suffering is in solidarity to those who have also suffered. A reality that God is present in the world and suffers with us. Humanity’s greatest qualities drawn out when we are compassionate to those that are suffering.

A Christian response to evil in the world Christians are moved by this suffering and are ignited to act. In a world characterised by freedom there is a randomness of suffering. God cause the sun and rain to fall upon the good and the bad alike. Redemption is found in the care of others – love and stewardship.

A living and dynamic: Social Commitment In response to Christ’s life, death and resurrection a new social order is presented. A life of: Service Discipleship Witness Commandment of Love Beatitudes

Connected & Disconnected

A living and dynamic: Material Engagement The power of hospitality Speaking with people, relating with them (this means believing that the other person has something worthwhile to say). Why are they like this? How do they live like this? Proclaiming the gospel Challenged by Christ’s call

A living and dynamic: Material Engagement Attending to the hopes and fears of others rather than proclaiming a set package of what Christianity is. Acting as a silent witness who draws out the questions in the hearts of people through the way we live. Changing the individualised mentality of “I’m not effecting anyone” to something more inherently social “It’s never all about me, as it can effect others.” “The most beautiful face, illuminates darkness when we continue to love in the midst of suffering.”