I agree that adoption does include everyone and that the title `Sonship' is not inclusive. My ministry for 18 years was with the organization, World Harvest Mission, that created the `Sonship’ discipleship material. I have been discipled and deeply impacted by the material and have also had the privilege of discipling many others with the material over the years. A little history might help: The 'Sonship' curriculum was created over 20 years ago and in many ways is dated.... and is certainly not at all slick. The title is based on Romans 8:15. When the curriculum was created the NIV and many other translations of Romans 8:15 said: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "ABBA", Father." Since that time World Harvest has created newer discipling curriculum such as `Gospel Transformation' and `The Gospel Centered Life' that do not use `Sonship' in the title. The thinking was that the `Sonship' curriculum might eventually be retired and replaced by these newer excellent curriculums.And indeed these newer curriculums are becoming very popular as discipleship tools. However, people keep using the 'Sonship' course. Even though it is somewhat quirky and could use revision, the gospel applications it contains are profound and practical for walking daily with the Lord. Many lives have been positively changed by the focus on adoption, learning how to repent of sin and what the righteousness of Christ means in day-to-day relationships. On a personal note It was during my time of using the `Sonship' course that i became convinced and convicted to adopt an egalitarian position on women for church leadership. The `Sonship’ course is best used one-on-one in a deep mentoring relationship and takes almost a year to complete. The ‘Gospel Centered Life’ curriculum is easier to use in a small groups, is user friendly and also has more current language and sensibilities.
I agree that adoption does include everyone and that the title `Sonship' is not inclusive. My ministry for 18 years was with the organization, World Harvest Mission, that created the `Sonship’ discipleship material. I have been discipled and deeply impacted by the material and have also had the privilege of discipling many others with the material over the years. A little history might help: The 'Sonship' curriculum was created over 20 years ago and in many ways is dated.... and is certainly not at all slick. The title is based on Romans 8:15. When the curriculum was created the NIV and many other translations of Romans 8:15 said: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "ABBA", Father." Since that time World Harvest has created newer discipling curriculum such as `Gospel Transformation' and `The Gospel Centered Life' that do not use `Sonship' in the title. The thinking was that the `Sonship' curriculum might eventually be retired and replaced by these newer excellent curriculums.And indeed these newer curriculums are becoming very popular as discipleship tools. However, people keep using the 'Sonship' course. Even though it is somewhat quirky and could use revision, the gospel applications it contains are profound and practical for walking daily with the Lord. Many lives have been positively changed by the focus on adoption, learning how to repent of sin and what the righteousness of Christ means in day-to-day relationships. On a personal note It was during my time of using the `Sonship' course that i became convinced and convicted to adopt an egalitarian position on women for church leadership. The `Sonship’ course is best used one-on-one in a deep mentoring relationship and takes almost a year to complete. The ‘Gospel Centered Life’ curriculum is easier to use in a small groups, is user friendly and also has more current language and sensibilities.
I am so proud of our denomination for the serious scholarship being done in the area of creation care. Good theology and scholarship applied in the area of ‘creation care’ does influence thinking and can lead to repentant patterns of behavior over time. The mission heartbeat of God includes both the redemption of our polluted hearts ….and the redemption of our polluted rivers. As people of biblical reformed theology we believe that all areas of life belong to the kingdom of God and are tended by His people. Unfortunately, in many corners of evangelical Christianity whenever `creation care’ or the `environment’ is mentioned it is often assumed to be a ‘liberal’ or ‘mainline’ cause. There are some churches that will not address `creation care’ or environmental concerns for fear that they will be labeled as ‘liberal’ and upset or annoy congregants. Sadly creation care has become politically polarizing even in our churches. Our children’s generation will be much less likely to engage with a church that does not take relevant care of the creation seriously. And yes action is important… and change of long standing behaviors is the hard part right?! My family has been trying to `reform’ in this area for several years now by taking small steps to save energy. We have composted and recycled for a while …but next on our hit-list will be a large outdoor clothes-line to minimize the use of our clothes dryer. Christopher Wright in his book ‘The Mission of God’s People’ says this: “We cannot extract ourselves from the natural environment of the earth. We were created as part of it and were created to care for it. Whatever we do on earth, for good or ill, will have ecological impact because of the integration of human life and all other life on earth. That is the way God arranged it, and we reap the consequences of our actions. A greedy humanity will lead to a suffering earth-and a suffering earth will lead to a suffering humanity.” Confession: I like very long hot showers and the convenience of disposable Styrofoam cups that I don’t have to wash. And I have to admit that often I feel entitled to those conveniences. They are a part of a life style that I have learned to assume and expect. However, I am growing more uncomfortable with my entitlements. And I believe the Spirit is giving me a growing concern to honor God by caring for his earth. I often wonder about the next generation and if the earth they inherit will be cleaner than it is now. Will the future earth be able to generously sustain more people and reflect more of God’s beauty? Will my kids have to deal with the trash that I leave behind? Someday I might have grandchildren and I also wonder if they will look me in the eye and say: Granddad what did you and your generations do to care for the earth back in the `good old days’? One of the core strengths of the CRC is our strong reformed scholarship and influence. ‘Care of Creation’ is integral to our reformed heritage and how we teach and apply the whole gospel to a world desperately in need of comprehensive redemption. Three cheers for a terrific work on `creation care’ being part of the synod agenda this year!!
Posted in: What is "Sonship"?
I agree that adoption does include everyone and that the title `Sonship' is not inclusive. My ministry for 18 years was with the organization, World Harvest Mission, that created the `Sonship’ discipleship material. I have been discipled and deeply impacted by the material and have also had the privilege of discipling many others with the material over the years. A little history might help: The 'Sonship' curriculum was created over 20 years ago and in many ways is dated.... and is certainly not at all slick. The title is based on Romans 8:15. When the curriculum was created the NIV and many other translations of Romans 8:15 said: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "ABBA", Father." Since that time World Harvest has created newer discipling curriculum such as `Gospel Transformation' and `The Gospel Centered Life' that do not use `Sonship' in the title. The thinking was that the `Sonship' curriculum might eventually be retired and replaced by these newer excellent curriculums.And indeed these newer curriculums are becoming very popular as discipleship tools. However, people keep using the 'Sonship' course. Even though it is somewhat quirky and could use revision, the gospel applications it contains are profound and practical for walking daily with the Lord. Many lives have been positively changed by the focus on adoption, learning how to repent of sin and what the righteousness of Christ means in day-to-day relationships. On a personal note It was during my time of using the `Sonship' course that i became convinced and convicted to adopt an egalitarian position on women for church leadership. The `Sonship’ course is best used one-on-one in a deep mentoring relationship and takes almost a year to complete. The ‘Gospel Centered Life’ curriculum is easier to use in a small groups, is user friendly and also has more current language and sensibilities.
Posted in: What is "Sonship"?
I agree that adoption does include everyone and that the title `Sonship' is not inclusive. My ministry for 18 years was with the organization, World Harvest Mission, that created the `Sonship’ discipleship material. I have been discipled and deeply impacted by the material and have also had the privilege of discipling many others with the material over the years. A little history might help: The 'Sonship' curriculum was created over 20 years ago and in many ways is dated.... and is certainly not at all slick. The title is based on Romans 8:15. When the curriculum was created the NIV and many other translations of Romans 8:15 said: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by him we cry, "ABBA", Father." Since that time World Harvest has created newer discipling curriculum such as `Gospel Transformation' and `The Gospel Centered Life' that do not use `Sonship' in the title. The thinking was that the `Sonship' curriculum might eventually be retired and replaced by these newer excellent curriculums.And indeed these newer curriculums are becoming very popular as discipleship tools. However, people keep using the 'Sonship' course. Even though it is somewhat quirky and could use revision, the gospel applications it contains are profound and practical for walking daily with the Lord. Many lives have been positively changed by the focus on adoption, learning how to repent of sin and what the righteousness of Christ means in day-to-day relationships. On a personal note It was during my time of using the `Sonship' course that i became convinced and convicted to adopt an egalitarian position on women for church leadership. The `Sonship’ course is best used one-on-one in a deep mentoring relationship and takes almost a year to complete. The ‘Gospel Centered Life’ curriculum is easier to use in a small groups, is user friendly and also has more current language and sensibilities.
Posted in: REAL Creation Care? Or Just More Words and Trees Gone?
I am so proud of our denomination for the serious scholarship being done in the area of creation care. Good theology and scholarship applied in the area of ‘creation care’ does influence thinking and can lead to repentant patterns of behavior over time. The mission heartbeat of God includes both the redemption of our polluted hearts ….and the redemption of our polluted rivers. As people of biblical reformed theology we believe that all areas of life belong to the kingdom of God and are tended by His people. Unfortunately, in many corners of evangelical Christianity whenever `creation care’ or the `environment’ is mentioned it is often assumed to be a ‘liberal’ or ‘mainline’ cause. There are some churches that will not address `creation care’ or environmental concerns for fear that they will be labeled as ‘liberal’ and upset or annoy congregants. Sadly creation care has become politically polarizing even in our churches. Our children’s generation will be much less likely to engage with a church that does not take relevant care of the creation seriously. And yes action is important… and change of long standing behaviors is the hard part right?! My family has been trying to `reform’ in this area for several years now by taking small steps to save energy. We have composted and recycled for a while …but next on our hit-list will be a large outdoor clothes-line to minimize the use of our clothes dryer. Christopher Wright in his book ‘The Mission of God’s People’ says this: “We cannot extract ourselves from the natural environment of the earth. We were created as part of it and were created to care for it. Whatever we do on earth, for good or ill, will have ecological impact because of the integration of human life and all other life on earth. That is the way God arranged it, and we reap the consequences of our actions. A greedy humanity will lead to a suffering earth-and a suffering earth will lead to a suffering humanity.” Confession: I like very long hot showers and the convenience of disposable Styrofoam cups that I don’t have to wash. And I have to admit that often I feel entitled to those conveniences. They are a part of a life style that I have learned to assume and expect. However, I am growing more uncomfortable with my entitlements. And I believe the Spirit is giving me a growing concern to honor God by caring for his earth. I often wonder about the next generation and if the earth they inherit will be cleaner than it is now. Will the future earth be able to generously sustain more people and reflect more of God’s beauty? Will my kids have to deal with the trash that I leave behind? Someday I might have grandchildren and I also wonder if they will look me in the eye and say: Granddad what did you and your generations do to care for the earth back in the `good old days’? One of the core strengths of the CRC is our strong reformed scholarship and influence. ‘Care of Creation’ is integral to our reformed heritage and how we teach and apply the whole gospel to a world desperately in need of comprehensive redemption. Three cheers for a terrific work on `creation care’ being part of the synod agenda this year!!