Fred Moseti Okemwa
THST 624 Protestant Theological Heritage.
Reflection paper 3.
The THST 624 class over the last week opened my wide understanding regarding the protestant reformation. The pioneers had to struggle with heavy scriptural issues as we do today. It is interesting that most of the doctrines that were discovered during the reformation are among the many modified doctrines of the Adventist church today. Through the study I have also noted that some of the doctrines that caused debate during the era of the reformation like the doctrine of the free will, Salvation and others are the same doctrine that we as Adventist we are struggling today with.
It was also amazing to note that during the reformation era, there were people who could interpret everything to extreme as it is today. The antinomian controversy-that denied the place of the law in the gospel of salvation can be equated to those who say that the law ended at the cross of Calvary and thus we are not under the law but under grace. It is true that even today we have the antinomianists around the world.
The fight between Melanchthon and john Agricola about faith and repentance which precedes the other I can compare it with the debate of universal justification on the Adventist church that is going on. Another interesting issue that I noted through the study is that all the controversies that came, the Lutheran church came up with the formula of concord in 1577 to address the issues that were raised by other reformers regarding Luther’s theology and through that formula of concord mitigation was done.
The presentation of different proposals from different students was also another interesting part of the class last week. I saw the students in the spirit of wanting to more in the various topics and that gave me the heart of proceeding with my research to know more about the topic which I had chosen about the concept of Paul on the doctrine of predestination on the book of Romans chapter 8:29-30.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Fred M Okemwa.
TSHT 624 Protestant theological Heritage.
Reflection paper 2.
The course TSHT 624 is becoming interestingly valuable for the lovers of history. It of great interest to note that in the past God has worked with many people regardless of their faith and religion. The history of the reformers who in one way or another have contributed to our Adventism today is clear indication that in every generation God has always had a people to spearhead the work of reform whether within the Christian circles or outside the sphere of Christianity.
The holistic approach used by the prof. of the course to expound the biblical texts is of much value because of the integritness of his methodological way of thinking and let no one take it slightly. For many years, we in the Adventist circle we have been so closed up to an extent that we limit God’s Salvation within our Adventism context. This was the Jewish problem too( ref: john 4;22).In matters of God’s salvation we need to be extra careful not to judge others on the basis of their religion or denomination for God alone is the right judge .
Regarding the class debate on apostasy and reformation it is absolutely true that in every movement within the Christian church there has been moments of apostasy and reform as well. In the Roman Catholic, I believe that before the element of corruption cropped up, it did much good for the children of God. When apostasy entered, there were some men within the Catholic Church itself who raised up their voices against the corrupt influences to an extent that some were burnt alive. So let’s accept the fact that in any movement in as much that God is leading, the Devil as well is behind to destroy and to cause to perish. Let’s be positive the direction is clear. The path of the just will keep on to shine more and more till the perfect day.
TSHT 624 Protestant theological Heritage.
Reflection paper 2.
The course TSHT 624 is becoming interestingly valuable for the lovers of history. It of great interest to note that in the past God has worked with many people regardless of their faith and religion. The history of the reformers who in one way or another have contributed to our Adventism today is clear indication that in every generation God has always had a people to spearhead the work of reform whether within the Christian circles or outside the sphere of Christianity.
The holistic approach used by the prof. of the course to expound the biblical texts is of much value because of the integritness of his methodological way of thinking and let no one take it slightly. For many years, we in the Adventist circle we have been so closed up to an extent that we limit God’s Salvation within our Adventism context. This was the Jewish problem too( ref: john 4;22).In matters of God’s salvation we need to be extra careful not to judge others on the basis of their religion or denomination for God alone is the right judge .
Regarding the class debate on apostasy and reformation it is absolutely true that in every movement within the Christian church there has been moments of apostasy and reform as well. In the Roman Catholic, I believe that before the element of corruption cropped up, it did much good for the children of God. When apostasy entered, there were some men within the Catholic Church itself who raised up their voices against the corrupt influences to an extent that some were burnt alive. So let’s accept the fact that in any movement in as much that God is leading, the Devil as well is behind to destroy and to cause to perish. Let’s be positive the direction is clear. The path of the just will keep on to shine more and more till the perfect day.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
reflection paper
Fred M Okemwa.
THST 624 Protestant Theological Heritage.
Reflection paper one.
I have read on the textbook the Christian thought the topics, the End of Era and the theology of Martin Luther. In the end of era I learned about the reasons as to why the early reformers protested from the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the reasons of their break away include the growth of nationalism, the declining of the Roman Catholic Authority, Mysticism and Nominalism.
In the theology of Martin Luther, it was interesting to discover how his spiritual life began to unfold. He entered the monastery at his early years desiring to make his relationship right with God. His life as a monk he was not still settled before there was longing that had not been satisfied. Bible issues such as Grace, Love, Sin and Justice were some of the issues that he wrestled with and still had not come to perfect understanding.
His beginning of the study of the book of psalms in an Christological way began to shed some glimmers of hope. The study of the book of Romans brought him to greater discovery on the doctrine of justification and not willing to hide his discovery, he wrote the ninety seven theses and he was willing to defend them. Issues that he began to wrestle with include indulgence, purgatory issues among others. His path of spiritual journey though tedious was perfect till his last day.
In the class lectures I have began to wrestle with issues such the Sanctuary it true meaning from the biblical perspective. On reformation the topic was clearly presented but on close examination the early reformers had tangible reasons in support of their breaking away from the Catholic Church. But how can we account for those movements in Adventism where people have started their own churches on grounds of ethnicity, leadership and the like do we call such movement’s reformation? On the hand between modernism and post modernism what is the Adventist position on the two lines of thought.
THST 624 Protestant Theological Heritage.
Reflection paper one.
I have read on the textbook the Christian thought the topics, the End of Era and the theology of Martin Luther. In the end of era I learned about the reasons as to why the early reformers protested from the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the reasons of their break away include the growth of nationalism, the declining of the Roman Catholic Authority, Mysticism and Nominalism.
In the theology of Martin Luther, it was interesting to discover how his spiritual life began to unfold. He entered the monastery at his early years desiring to make his relationship right with God. His life as a monk he was not still settled before there was longing that had not been satisfied. Bible issues such as Grace, Love, Sin and Justice were some of the issues that he wrestled with and still had not come to perfect understanding.
His beginning of the study of the book of psalms in an Christological way began to shed some glimmers of hope. The study of the book of Romans brought him to greater discovery on the doctrine of justification and not willing to hide his discovery, he wrote the ninety seven theses and he was willing to defend them. Issues that he began to wrestle with include indulgence, purgatory issues among others. His path of spiritual journey though tedious was perfect till his last day.
In the class lectures I have began to wrestle with issues such the Sanctuary it true meaning from the biblical perspective. On reformation the topic was clearly presented but on close examination the early reformers had tangible reasons in support of their breaking away from the Catholic Church. But how can we account for those movements in Adventism where people have started their own churches on grounds of ethnicity, leadership and the like do we call such movement’s reformation? On the hand between modernism and post modernism what is the Adventist position on the two lines of thought.
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