Winston Tatum receiving communion from Courtney Long during worship. |
At a Glance
Theme:
Resurrection and Re-creation
Faculty Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Warren Smith, Assistant Professor of Historical Theology
Lectionary Texts:
Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Ruth 2; II Corinthians 8; John 12:1-8
Reflections on the Lecture
Dr. Smith began his lecture on the resurrection by making a critical distinction between adiaphora and dogma. Some issues or practices in the church allow space for disagreement and differing opinions (adiaphora); while other issues and practices are non-negotiable (dogma).
The resurrection is one such issue and belief that is non-negotiable; if we abandon our belief in the resurrection we lose something that is critical and essential to our faith.
The resurrection is so essential because it shapes the way we live and how we see the world. As a historian, Dr. Smith shared what Gregory of Nyssa said about the resurrection, “If you want to know what you are intended to be, you look at the resurrection.”
The resurrection shapes how we live today because we know of the future hope promised through the death and resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ resurrection is not only for one person, but rather paradigmatic for our resurrection.
Christ’s resurrection has profound implications for us. It means that this life is not the be all and end all. As Christians our motto is not Carpe Diem (seize the day – the notion that we should seek out all the pleasure we can get in this life).
When we live into Christ’s resurrection, the material goods and trappings of this world no longer have dominion over us. Rather, through Christ’s resurrection we are molded and made into the image of God.
A few of Dr. Smith's quotes...
“Being a pastor at a party is a conversation stopper – it’s like saying you’re a proctologist.”
“What we think about the resurrection influences how we think about death – and death is something that influences us in the present.”
“Resurrection helps us deal with the mortality of our loved ones and ourselves”
Signs that the daily practices of Christian life are beginning to have an impact...
“It felt right when we were all at one place praising God; whether it was through songs, prayer or just listening to the sermons. We were there to do one thing and everything felt right.” – one student reflecting on daily worship
“I really feel happy each night after taking communion.” – Winston Tatum commenting to his covenant group
After tonight’s worship service Andrew Cannon said, “I loved giving the benediction tonight, I felt like the Holy Spirit was speaking through me. I loved doing that! When I first came here I was apprehensive about being a minister, but now I’m really thinking about it.”
One student's wise insight...
Meagan Olson commenting to Fred Edie – “We have learned about the alliterative “C’s” in lectures (Creation, Covenant, Crisis, Christ, Church, Community, Coming Reign of God); well the Arts Village has the alliterative “P’s” – Poetry, Pottery, Percussion and Painting.”
What's ahead...
Tuesday promises to be an exciting day with Dean L. Gregory Jones and Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones coming to lecture.
Also, we will have our second student-led worship service.
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