The Institute of Relational Theology

The Institute of Covenant-Relationship Theology (More precisely)

2 Corinthians 4:1-6. Ever tried to zero in on your personal theology? Unsatisfied with Calvinism nor Arminianism as extremes,but finding difficulty articulating what is neither? This is the site for that middle ground. Finally, we have a logical system to shame the extremes. Read on and be liberated from the shackles of classical theology. Indeed, "the Truth shall set you free!" We always ask, "What saith the Lord?"

Monday, May 4, 2009

When God Delays

Labels: prayer

The following is an outline of the Sunday message I gave at CrossCulture on April 19, 2008 on the death and temporary resurrection of Lazarus.

Title: When God Delays

Text: John 11:1-46

Supporting Text: Mark 5:22-43; Mark 4:35-41

God delays even after we pray. 6,12,21,39

cf. Jairus Mk 5:35;

At Sea Mk 4:37-38 - Even when Jesus is in the boat, storms may come. However, the problem-solver is in the boat with you.

God shows the basis of our faith may not be enough. 14,17,24-27,40

cf Jairus Mk 5:36-37, 39-40;

At Sea Mk 4:38,40-41 - The disciples knew to wake up Jesus so He could help empty the boat of water. They had faith but NOT that Jesus can calm the storm.

Gen 26-famine - God has a promise/goal and He leads us to it but rarely in a straight line. God's higher goal is for us to get to know Him intimately foremost.

Gen 41 famine vs. Manna in the Sinai desert. Will God solve everything and we just harvest the results? or does God want us to deliberately prepare (lots of human effort) for a situation He is bringing about?

We might have the right faith but the wrong scope of what God can do. We believe that God can heal but do we believe that God can raise the dead?

God experiences the same pain we do. John 11:35; Isaiah 63:9

God demonstrates a greater miracle. 43-44

cf Jairus Mk 5:41-43; At Sea Mk 4:39

God increases our faith as we witness that He can do greater things than we thought. 45-46

cf At Sea Mk 4:40-41

Sometimes, God wants us to stop praying and just start putting His will into action:

Exodus 14:15-16 - Stop praying and start taking action

Josh 7:10-11 - Stop praying and deal with sin first

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Welcome to Common Sense Interpretation

This is not a new version of Christian belief but an articulation of First Century theology from the perspective of a "highly Jewish" Jesus, Paul or John the apostle. Classical theology assumes a "highly Hellenistic" Paul and is confused when John speaks about love and when Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God.

LABELS have been provided for easy topical access. However, if you want to read this blog like a book, I suggest you follow the SUGGESTED READING SEQUENCE. Mouse-over any Bible verse(s) to pop-up the text for immediate reading reference.

There are 2 central intuitive assumptions about God to really get to know Him. First, the Only God who LOVES is also all-wise and super-intelligent. Hence, unless we deal with Him as intelligent, our religion will not make any sense at all. He looks ONLY at the heart (or motive) and is not impressed at all by ritual, ceremony, pretense, insincerity nor theological jargon.

Second, God is the Super-Communicator. That means, His revelation can be interpreted and understood by the common man with enough common sense and intelligence and without the corruption of seminaries and pretentious commentaries (Jeremiah 29:13)

Monday, May 4, 2009

When God Delays

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