Fred Okemwa
THST 520 Works of God.
Reflection paper 4.
“One can’t believe that time is such short” it has been an interesting class for the past four weeks in a journey of trying to understand the works of God. It is true that some of us with all the newness of being in this place for the first time, I must confess the fact that my one month study in trying to understand the work of God had completely changed my view about God and how he works. I want to appreciate Dr. Hanna’s for guiding us to understand some of the complicated bible texts such as Romans 8:28-30, not only such but the entire bible as well. It was interesting to listen from him when discussing topics such as judgment, the close of probation, the latter rain the handing over and others. It true that the holistic model if used to in the study of these topics and many others their will minimal queries concerning God and his work.
Part of this week and last week it has been interesting to listen from presenters of different topics as far as concerning the work of God and it is amazing of the valuable information that we got from those presentations. Some times through those presentations we got an opening to discuss other insights that are related to God’s work.
May the Good God continue to bless our professor Dr.Hanna and all of us as we seek to explore more and more in the works of God. To those that will be graduating may God bless and have the best wishes ever on Earth.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Fred okemwa.
THST 520 Works of God.
Final exam.2nd part.
7/29/2009.
C. What have you learned about the interpretation of biblical language concerning the works of God?
The biblical language is analogical in nature in the sense that the language which is used is the language that we are able to grasp. For instance when the bible says that God’s hand is not short to save, it does not imply that God has really a hand but in some sense there is away in which God a hand. With the use of biblical language, I have also learned progressively that there are no perfect answers for any problem. When you discuss the bible question from one side, the other side also awaits for discussion. I have also learned that in understanding the bible language and try to give a fair explanation it is wise to use the holistic model.
D.In what ways is biblical language itself a work of God
The biblical language it self is the work of God due the fact that inspiration through which we have the bible language was the work of God. In the book of 2nd Tim 3:16 Paul says that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Though we don’t believe in the verbal mechanism of inspiration we can deduce that God controlled the language that the prophets used in writing down the revelation of God. 2nd peter 1:21 says that the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the spirit.
THST 520 Works of God.
Final exam.2nd part.
7/29/2009.
C. What have you learned about the interpretation of biblical language concerning the works of God?
The biblical language is analogical in nature in the sense that the language which is used is the language that we are able to grasp. For instance when the bible says that God’s hand is not short to save, it does not imply that God has really a hand but in some sense there is away in which God a hand. With the use of biblical language, I have also learned progressively that there are no perfect answers for any problem. When you discuss the bible question from one side, the other side also awaits for discussion. I have also learned that in understanding the bible language and try to give a fair explanation it is wise to use the holistic model.
D.In what ways is biblical language itself a work of God
The biblical language it self is the work of God due the fact that inspiration through which we have the bible language was the work of God. In the book of 2nd Tim 3:16 Paul says that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Though we don’t believe in the verbal mechanism of inspiration we can deduce that God controlled the language that the prophets used in writing down the revelation of God. 2nd peter 1:21 says that the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the spirit.
Fred okemwa.
THST 520 Works of God.
Final exam. 1st part.
7/29/2009.
Q.A.Describe how your perspective on the works of God has changed or progressed this summer?
I wish to start in answering this question by saying that we cannot understand the works of God unless he reveals them to us. By this I mean that in away the works of God are similar to our works and dissimilar in some ways. For instance God is the creator and we are the creatures, in the book of Isaiah 64:8 he is the potter we are the clay. In the book of Isaiah 55:8-9 he says his thought and ways are not our thoughts and ways as the heavens are far from the earth so are his ways and thoughts. In 1st Thessalonians 2:13, we see that there is a similarity between our works and God’s works.
A according to Gunton, he says that the works of God can be best understood from the perspective of Trinitarian approach. By that I mean that the three members of the Godhead are involved. For instance, in the incarnation, john 1:14 God the son is mentioned whereas in the book of Luke 1:35 both the father and the spirit are mentioned in the entire process of incarnation. In the Illumination of the churches, ephesians 1:15-22 the father son and the spirit are mentioned in the process. in the salvation, Romans 1:16-17 the father and the son are mentioned while in the book of 1st thessalonians5:13 the spirit is mentioned as the sanctification agent. In inspiration as well as creation we see the entire three active in doing the work.
I also understood God’s work to be primordial and eschatological. Primordial means the works of God which we cannot contribute anything to it for instance his foreknowledge and predestination. Eschatological means the works of God at the end of time. In a sense I also progressed in understanding that God works monergistically and synergistically. By that I mean that monergy is the aspect of God working alone and synergy is the aspect of God working together with the cosmos and when he does so there is a distinction between what God does and what the cosmos does through the power given to it by God.
B.Mention some relevant bible texts show how your understanding of this text has progressed?
The texts that in particular I have progressed to understand is Romans 8:28-30 which talks about foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification. The term predestination as used here, sincerely speaking I could not understand it till it was explained from the freedom approach perspective. Now I can say that I believe in predestination. I also have progressed in understanding by connecting the text in Galatians 5:6-8 which mentions about faith, love and hope with Romans 8:28-30. While love remains the central governor of both foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification, it is easy to link justification with faith Romans 5:1-2, Grolification with hope Romans 5:2, calling with love Romans 8:28, foreknowledge with faith and predestination with hope. This linking was fascinating and it helped me a lot in understanding this order of salvation and the work of God as well.
THST 520 Works of God.
Final exam. 1st part.
7/29/2009.
Q.A.Describe how your perspective on the works of God has changed or progressed this summer?
I wish to start in answering this question by saying that we cannot understand the works of God unless he reveals them to us. By this I mean that in away the works of God are similar to our works and dissimilar in some ways. For instance God is the creator and we are the creatures, in the book of Isaiah 64:8 he is the potter we are the clay. In the book of Isaiah 55:8-9 he says his thought and ways are not our thoughts and ways as the heavens are far from the earth so are his ways and thoughts. In 1st Thessalonians 2:13, we see that there is a similarity between our works and God’s works.
A according to Gunton, he says that the works of God can be best understood from the perspective of Trinitarian approach. By that I mean that the three members of the Godhead are involved. For instance, in the incarnation, john 1:14 God the son is mentioned whereas in the book of Luke 1:35 both the father and the spirit are mentioned in the entire process of incarnation. In the Illumination of the churches, ephesians 1:15-22 the father son and the spirit are mentioned in the process. in the salvation, Romans 1:16-17 the father and the son are mentioned while in the book of 1st thessalonians5:13 the spirit is mentioned as the sanctification agent. In inspiration as well as creation we see the entire three active in doing the work.
I also understood God’s work to be primordial and eschatological. Primordial means the works of God which we cannot contribute anything to it for instance his foreknowledge and predestination. Eschatological means the works of God at the end of time. In a sense I also progressed in understanding that God works monergistically and synergistically. By that I mean that monergy is the aspect of God working alone and synergy is the aspect of God working together with the cosmos and when he does so there is a distinction between what God does and what the cosmos does through the power given to it by God.
B.Mention some relevant bible texts show how your understanding of this text has progressed?
The texts that in particular I have progressed to understand is Romans 8:28-30 which talks about foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification. The term predestination as used here, sincerely speaking I could not understand it till it was explained from the freedom approach perspective. Now I can say that I believe in predestination. I also have progressed in understanding by connecting the text in Galatians 5:6-8 which mentions about faith, love and hope with Romans 8:28-30. While love remains the central governor of both foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification and glorification, it is easy to link justification with faith Romans 5:1-2, Grolification with hope Romans 5:2, calling with love Romans 8:28, foreknowledge with faith and predestination with hope. This linking was fascinating and it helped me a lot in understanding this order of salvation and the work of God as well.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Have you thought it that way before? The big problem that we as Adventist have is the partial understanding of the scriptures. The presentation today in class about the sanctification and the glorification was nice and ideal. I personally had thought of Abraham as a man might in faith for God to call him out of his homestead into the unknown land but it was clear today that his faith was not such great but the willingness to start and proceed on the journey was the factor behind that qualified him to be the father of the nations.
It was interesting to note that sanctification is journey that will continue and that it will never get static at any point in life till the second coming when all those who have experienced the true sanctification shall enter into the final stage of salvation called glorification which shall stretch throughout eternity.
I do appreciate the fact that today God will require more from us than in Abraham, why? Because we have received more than Abraham did. To whom much has been given much shall be expected from him.
The latter rain point, usually it has been associated with the time of Jacob’s time of trouble when the true believers will be given more strength to go through the persecution period, but it was a good reminder that it has been falling throughout the salvation history. If you have not experienced it get out your umbrella. I appreciate these concepts.
It was interesting to note that sanctification is journey that will continue and that it will never get static at any point in life till the second coming when all those who have experienced the true sanctification shall enter into the final stage of salvation called glorification which shall stretch throughout eternity.
I do appreciate the fact that today God will require more from us than in Abraham, why? Because we have received more than Abraham did. To whom much has been given much shall be expected from him.
The latter rain point, usually it has been associated with the time of Jacob’s time of trouble when the true believers will be given more strength to go through the persecution period, but it was a good reminder that it has been falling throughout the salvation history. If you have not experienced it get out your umbrella. I appreciate these concepts.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Fred Okemwa.
Works of God.
Reflection paper 3. To be realistic, the issues of God’s foreknowledge and predestination which are among the orders of salvation as Paul suggests in Romans 8:29-30 have really given me a hell of time to understand what they really mean. The Monday lecture on the same issues and the link between faith, love and hope was really fascinating. Though deeper in understanding in the human analogical language, I acknowledge the lengthy explanatory lecture on the same by Dr. Hanna that has at least shed some light on how to understand the connection between the two terms in the light of God’s works. While the pathway is seemingly becoming clear, it is important for the scholars in the works of God class I inclusive to come up with the model of expressing these issues in ways that can penetrate the post modern mind
Works of God.
Reflection paper 3. To be realistic, the issues of God’s foreknowledge and predestination which are among the orders of salvation as Paul suggests in Romans 8:29-30 have really given me a hell of time to understand what they really mean. The Monday lecture on the same issues and the link between faith, love and hope was really fascinating. Though deeper in understanding in the human analogical language, I acknowledge the lengthy explanatory lecture on the same by Dr. Hanna that has at least shed some light on how to understand the connection between the two terms in the light of God’s works. While the pathway is seemingly becoming clear, it is important for the scholars in the works of God class I inclusive to come up with the model of expressing these issues in ways that can penetrate the post modern mind
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Reflection paper two
Fred Okemwa.
THST 520 Works of God.
Reflection paper 2.The on going debate on predestination is quite mind stretching. The question, does God make informed decisions? Is not really such a simple to give it” yes” or” no” answer. The yes answer may imply that for God to make informed decisions He must learn to obtain the information in order to be informed. If this is the case then God’s omniscience-the all knowing ability of God is brought to question. If God is all knowing does He need data to make informed decisions? On the other hand the” no” answer may imply that He does not-still there is a problem with this answer also due to the fact that God created man with the ability to make informed decisions. The argument will be if God can create a person who can be able to make informed decisions then He Himself must of the same. According to Dr.Hanna, he says that in predestination, the informed decisions of God are based on His foreknowledge, is it in predestination only? What about other orders of salvation? The question is really difficult to address. In the account given in the book of Genesis chapter 19 indicates temporal evidence that for God to make decisions He ought to investigate. The book of Daniel chapter seven, the books that are mentioned in verse nine may indicate the same thing also. Other questions that arise on my mind on the same issue include: if God makes informed decisions based on his foreknowledge, His is decisions an on going process or because He foreknew He fixed them right back at the beginning. While it is important to confess that these issues can burst out the brain it is also important to acknowledge that the class professor is doing the best to enable us to understand these issues.
THST 520 Works of God.
Reflection paper 2.The on going debate on predestination is quite mind stretching. The question, does God make informed decisions? Is not really such a simple to give it” yes” or” no” answer. The yes answer may imply that for God to make informed decisions He must learn to obtain the information in order to be informed. If this is the case then God’s omniscience-the all knowing ability of God is brought to question. If God is all knowing does He need data to make informed decisions? On the other hand the” no” answer may imply that He does not-still there is a problem with this answer also due to the fact that God created man with the ability to make informed decisions. The argument will be if God can create a person who can be able to make informed decisions then He Himself must of the same. According to Dr.Hanna, he says that in predestination, the informed decisions of God are based on His foreknowledge, is it in predestination only? What about other orders of salvation? The question is really difficult to address. In the account given in the book of Genesis chapter 19 indicates temporal evidence that for God to make decisions He ought to investigate. The book of Daniel chapter seven, the books that are mentioned in verse nine may indicate the same thing also. Other questions that arise on my mind on the same issue include: if God makes informed decisions based on his foreknowledge, His is decisions an on going process or because He foreknew He fixed them right back at the beginning. While it is important to confess that these issues can burst out the brain it is also important to acknowledge that the class professor is doing the best to enable us to understand these issues.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Reflection Paper 1
Fred Okemwa.
THST 520 The Works of God
Reflection paper 1.
In the light of what we have studied in the past few days in the course the works of God, it is amazing to discover great insights about the works of God which perhaps will be the lesions for eternity to be unfolded by God for us. As Deuteronomy 29:29 says it is true that we can be able to know God through what He has revealed to us and what He has not revealed does not belong to us.
In the book of Ephesians 3:14-20, these few verses are filled with such intense meaning that you wonder whether the apostle Paul himself really understood fully about what he wrote. The wide and the long, the high and the deep that surpasses knowledge is not really easy to grasp. In verse 20 Paul says that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask-some times we ask but we don’t receive is it really true that we ask wrongly as implied in the book of James 4:3? If I ask God to heal someone who is suffering from brain tumor and instead of the person recovering he/she dies-how can we really understand that He is able to do more than we can ask?
Some of these issues are difficult but I want to acknowledge the words of Professor Hanna that as we walk with God daily in the path of salvation we will understand as we go by much more clear in the New Earth and the new heaven. Issues such as Sin and the freedom of choice we need to have the child’s faith to understand them as revealed in the word of scripture.
THST 520 The Works of God
Reflection paper 1.
In the light of what we have studied in the past few days in the course the works of God, it is amazing to discover great insights about the works of God which perhaps will be the lesions for eternity to be unfolded by God for us. As Deuteronomy 29:29 says it is true that we can be able to know God through what He has revealed to us and what He has not revealed does not belong to us.
In the book of Ephesians 3:14-20, these few verses are filled with such intense meaning that you wonder whether the apostle Paul himself really understood fully about what he wrote. The wide and the long, the high and the deep that surpasses knowledge is not really easy to grasp. In verse 20 Paul says that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask-some times we ask but we don’t receive is it really true that we ask wrongly as implied in the book of James 4:3? If I ask God to heal someone who is suffering from brain tumor and instead of the person recovering he/she dies-how can we really understand that He is able to do more than we can ask?
Some of these issues are difficult but I want to acknowledge the words of Professor Hanna that as we walk with God daily in the path of salvation we will understand as we go by much more clear in the New Earth and the new heaven. Issues such as Sin and the freedom of choice we need to have the child’s faith to understand them as revealed in the word of scripture.
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