Faith Through Theology and Allegiance
Telling the Christian story with radical allegiance to King Jesus, theology explores human existence and the divine, emphasizing faith's central role in Christian understandings. The task of theology is to clarify the Christian narrative, inspire living within it, and confront rival stories. Featuring four senses of faith and characteristics of saving faith, the discussion delves into Luke's Gospel and Salvation by Allegiance Alone, highlighting the active and public nature of authentic faith.
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Presentation Transcript
World Upside Down Faith as Radical Allegiance to King Jesus
Theology /TH l j /
[Theology] tells stories about human beings and the world, stories which involve either a being not reducible to materialist analysis or at least a provocative space within the story-line where such a being might, by implication, be located. In the light of this story-telling activity, theology asks questions, as to whether there is a god, what relation this god has to the world in which we live, and what if anything this god is doing, or will do, about putting it to rights. 1 N. T. Wright 1The New Testament and the People of God, p. 127.
The Task of Theology To clarify the Christian story To catalyze Christians to live in this story To confront rival stories
The language of faith is central to Christianity as to no other religious tradition: without it, it is impossible to do justice to Christian understandings of the relationship between God and humanity. 2 Theresa Morgan 2Roman Faith and Christian Faith, p. 1.
Four Senses of Faith A posture of trust (e.g., I have faith in you ) An acceptance of certain facts (e.g., I believe that Jesus was the son of God ) A characteristic of loyalty (e.g., She is such a faithful friend ) An organized religion(e.g., I am a member of the Christian Faith )
Characteristics of Saving Faith It is active rather than passive It is public rather than private
In Lukes Gospel, Jesus says to Zacchaeus, Today salvation has come to this house not because Zacchaeus is described as putting his faith solely in Jesus, but rather because Zacchaeus declares, Look, half of my belongings I give to the poor, Lord, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am paying it back fourfold (Luke 19:8-9). It is Zacchaeus s concrete gift to the poor and action to make reparation that prompts Jesus salvation declaration. 3 Matthew Bates 3Salvation by Allegiance Alone, p. 12.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder. James 2:14-19
Saving Faith as Allegiance Allegiance and loyalty are appropriate translations of the word for faith in first-century Greek
King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greetings. Since you have kept your agreement with us and have continued your friendship with us, and have not sided with our enemies, we have heard of it and rejoiced. Now continue to keep FAITH with us, and we will repay you with good for what you do for us. 1 Macc 10:25-27
Josephus was not trying to convince this rebel to turn away from private sins or to believe that God can forgive, rather Josephus wanted this man to join him in supporting the Jewish cause that is, as I would put it, to show allegiance. So, what repent and believe in me means for Josephus in this context is turn away from your present course of action and become LOYALto me. Matthew Bates
Saving Faith as Allegiance Allegiance language is appropriate given the sheer amount of royal language in the New Testament.
Three Elements of Saving Faith Mental Assent Sworn Fidelity Embodied Loyalty
Turning the World Upside Down These [Christians] who have been turning the world upside downhave come here also They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus. Acts 17:6-7
The Gospel According to Thessalonica There is another King named Jesus Allegiance to this King turns the world upside down Allegiance to Jesus means being disloyal to Caesar
