Thoughtful about faith
Passionate about Jesus
Welcome to the podcast of Bright City Church, a community of faith in Raleigh-Durham, NC. If you would like to learn more about Bright City, or about how you can get involved, visit us at brightcitychurch.com
Have you ever wondered what Christmas Advent is all about? Join Pastor Sharon as she unpacks advent and why many Christians observe it before Christmas. This message is part of Bright City Church’s Christmas Advent series.
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Seeing By The Light
How can we understand God’s revelation to us?
Throughout the church’s history, theologians have often answered this question by appealing to a doctrine of illumination whereby the Holy Spirit shapes our knowledge and understanding of Scripture. Without denying the role of the Holy Spirit or the cognitive role of illumination, Ike Miller casts a broader vision of divine illumination and its role in the Christian life. In his constructive approach, Miller argues for a fully Trinitarian view of illumination that forms not just our intellect, but also appeals to the affections and encourages our ethical action.
In order to develop this theology of illumination, he explores both Augustine’s and Karl Barth’s readings of the Gospel and Epistles of John, including Barth’s previously untranslated lectures on the Gospel of John. In light of his careful study of both the Johannine literature and the theologies of two giants from Christian history, Miller lays out a doctrine of illumination whereby we are enabled to know the Father and participate in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily relational health definition:
Learned helplessness: a syndrome in which one has been taught that whatever they do, it will make no difference on the outcome.*
Those who have experienced depression are especially susceptible to this.
*Boundaries, Cloud and Townsend
Daily relational health definition:
Vulnerability: a level of honesty that risks emotional exposure.
Vulnerability is essential for relational intimacy.
If our relationships feel shallow and fake, it's because they lack this crucial element.
This is extremely difficult work that risks feeling exposed. But it's crucial for good communication and organizational health.
Transformation happens when we externalize rather than internalize our anxiety.
- Steve Cuss (@stevecusswords)
Being controlled by others is a safe prison, but it's still a prison.
A mentor of mine recently said regarding Pastors & Leaders who spend a lifetime building a church, ministry, reputation of faithfulness & fruitfulness but then have a moral failure late in life:
“The evil one his patient. The longer he waits the more devastating the fall”