Christian Freedom: How do you understand it?

1. Christian Freedom: How do you understand it? Christian Freedom

2. Freedom is not:-anything goes-doing/believing whatever we want-more choices-tolerance-agreeing to disagree-something for myself Christian Freedom

3. …freedom has a higher attraction for me than most of the others. And yet—does not such a freedom require more intelligence and habituation than we possess?....And I must confess that I consider it very risky to take a step which may lead not to unity but to dissolution. David Nyvall, BOS 356

4. Freedom is like a turtle without a shell. Glen Anderson

5. 1958Covenant Commission on Freedom & Theology Christian Freedom

6. Task?“…to plan and prepare a study of the real nature of our highly cherished freedom in the Covenant and of our theological position within evangelical Christianity.” Task Yearbook 1958

7. “…it can be said that the work of the committee represents a peak achievement in Covenant history in biblically based theological and ethical thought, in nobility of motive, and in apt and eloquent expression” Olsson, IOB, 359.

8. The Bible is….Altar where we meet the living God Treasured message Transforming through HS Means of grace “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

9. 1. It frames freedom as a gift to be extended in the spirit of God’s creative and redemptive love. “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

10. “In yielding [oneself] to God, [one] discovers [one’s] true destiny. Hereby [one] becomes what [one] was meant to be: the servant, the [child], the friend of God. To become what one is meant to be, to realize the very purpose for which one is created, that is freedom” Page 9 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

11. 2. It specifies what is essential and what is secondary. “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

12. “On the central issues of our faith, doctrine, and conduct the biblical message is sufficiently clear… Page 10 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

13. *the creation of all things by God, *man made in the divine image but fallen in sin, *his consequent moral inability to achieve his redemption, * the incarnate and sinless life of Jesus Christ,*the Son of God, *his atoning death and resurrection, *redemption through faith in him, *the regenerative and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, *and the promise of Christ’s coming again….These affirmations constitute the essential core of the biblical message and are sufficiently clear for our salvation” (sic) Page 10 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

14. In terms of secondary matters of faith, the final report on freedom states: “Christians do hold divergent views on the theological definition of such doctrines as biblical inspiration, the sacraments, the incarnation, the atonement, the application of the Christian ethic, and the consummation of the age.” Page 10 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

15. 3. It offers specific practices that are critical for embodying freedom. “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

16. “It is our duty to approach the areas of theological tension with courage, brotherly [sisterly] understanding, and unfailing devotion to Christ and the Scriptures. A passive neutrality simply paralyzes our influence and work…In faithfully seeking to understand the revelation given to us in Christ, we make the faith relevant to our day…and find a deepened sense of our unity in Christ” Page 12 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

17. “This means that we show our brothers [sisters] the courtesy of hearing and of seeking to understand both his [her] words and their meaning and that we do not judge without the opportunity for the other to state their case. It also means that we exercise care in our words and that we never use disagreement as an opportunity for advancement. It also means that we are free to change our own position” Page 13 “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

18. 4. Celebrates diverse expression as critical to a vital and discerning church. “Biblical Authority & Christian Freedom”

19. Covenant Resource Paper “As the ECC becomes more and more diverse (which we believe is a movement of the Holy Spirit), we must be attuned and sensitive to the various lenses through which we read the Bible. We must ask ourselves what our respective lenses might be and how a given lens might hinder or help our reading. We must be sensitive enough to listen well to others’ reading with lenses different than our own” (4-5)

20. Covenant Resource Paper ”Whether intentional or deliberate, the Bible has often been used as a means to protect a way of life or maintain a hold on power and resources” (5).

21. Faithful Dissent Maria Nilsdotter

22. Faithful Dissent Examples Women in Ministry

23. Faithful Dissent Covenant Companion, August 26, 1960

24. Faithful Dissent Examples Women in Ministry Fundamentalism/Neo-orthodoxy/Liberalism Charismatic Movement Marriage

25. Faithful Dissent Is the dissenting person/group following policy? Is the dissenting position a central matter of faith or is it a secondary one? Is the person/group sincere? Alone? Does the dissenting position relate to the dominant position by being more or less inclusive of God’s people? Does the person/group confess Jesus Christ and agree that Scripture is authoritative on the topic?

26. Covenant quarterly on Freedom https://covquarterly.com/index.php/CQ/issue/view/13 https://covquarterly.com/index.php/CQ/issue/view/14

27. The work of renewal people is ongoing. Faithful Dissent is never an end in itself. It should always lead to faithful dialogue and faithful discernment empowered by the living Word toward the end of God’s glory, neighbor’s good.