Session 1b Introducing Streams

Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy : 

Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy Session #1b The Context for Exploring Theological Traditions

Richard J. Foster : 

Richard J. Foster

Foster's Objectives : 

Foster's Objectives Broaden our view of the church

Foster's Objectives : 

Foster's Objectives Broaden our view of the church Familiarize us with church history

Foster's Objectives : 

Foster's Objectives Broaden our view of the church Familiarize us with church history Build an appreciation of diversity

Foster's Objectives : 

Foster's Objectives Broaden our view of the church Familiarize us with church history Build an appreciation of diversity Reveal idiosyncratic strengths & weaknesses

Foster's Objectives : 

Foster's Objectives “The astonishing new reality in this mighty flow of the spirit is how sovereignly God is bringing together streams of life that have been isolated from one another for a very long time ” (Foster, 1998, p. xv).

Historical Perspective : 

Historical Perspective Matthew 16:13-20 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?“ Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Birth of the Church A.D. 33-325 : 

Birth of the Church A.D. 33-325 Persecutions Nero A.D. 64 9 other persecutions over 250 years Ended with Edict of Toleration A.D. 311 Roman Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313

The Ecumenical Councils A.D. 325-787 : 

The Ecumenical Councils A.D. 325-787 Constantine – Nicea 325 - Divinity of Christ Theodosius – Constantinople Humanity of Christ, Trinity, deity of Holy Spirit (381) Ephesus – Unified Christ; Mary, the God-bearer Chalcedon (451) one person, two natures, Nero A.D. 64 Constatinople (2) Harmony of Christ’s will Nicea – Icons and symbols as aids to worship

The impact… : 

The impact… “Most of the major controversies were ended by 451, but they left a definite impact upon the Christian Church. The unity of the Church was preserved but at the expense of the freedom of spirit that was so characteristic of the Early Church.” (Christianity Through the Centuries, Cairns)

Papal Ascendecy : 

Papal Ascendecy Five Centers Jerusalem Antioch Alexandria Constantinople Rome

Reformation: What sparked it? : 

Reformation: What sparked it? Sale of indulgences Primacy of scripture over tradition Salvation by faith alone Authority of scripture alone Priesthood of believers

Christian Tradition : 

Christian Tradition

Christian Tradition of Division : 

Even during the persecutions of the Romans against the Christians, churches were cleft by rivalry and schism. Christian Tradition of Division

Christian Tradition of Division : 

Even during the persecutions of the Romans against the Christians, churches were cleft by rivalry and schism. Christian Tradition of Division

Christian Tradition of Division : 

Christian Tradition of Division The first ecumenical church council, the Council of Nicea, assembled in the year 325 in the imperial palace of the first Christian emperor, Constantine. Once the discussions started the participants threw their episcopal dignity to the wind and shouted wildly at each other. They were concerned primarily with improving their positions of power. Diplomacy was wielded as a weapon, and intrigues often replaced intelligence. There were so many ignorant bishops that one participant bluntly called the council "a synod of nothing but blockheads." Constantine, who treated religious questions solely from a political point of view, assured unanimity by banishing all the bishops who would not sign the new profession of faith hammered out at the council. In this way unity was achieved...

Christian Tradition of Division : 

Christian Tradition of Division At the church council held at Ephesus in 449 the discussion became so inflamed that the delegates went at one another with clubs, until one party held the field and could enforce the decree it desired. Fanatical bands of monks terrorized the assembly of Church notables. Envoys from the church at Rome were set upon and soundly thumped. Leo the Great called it "The Robber Council," nor was this the only one of its kind. There were other councils at which the Church Fathers became so incensed that they hurled the Bible at each other's heads.

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream The Holiness Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream The Holiness Stream The Charismatic Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream The Holiness Stream The Charismatic Stream The Social Justice Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream The Holiness Stream The Charismatic Stream The Social Justice Stream The Evangelical Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water The Contemplative Stream The Holiness Stream The Charismatic Stream The Social Justice Stream The Evangelical Stream The Incarnational Stream

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water : 

Richard Foster: Streams of Living Water Flow from Christ Imitate aspects of the character of Christ Together reflect the fullness of Christ  Have strengths that can become a weakness when taken to extreme