World of Love Sess20

The passion that drove the early Christians to evangelistic zeal was not fueled just by the desire to increase church membership or to usher people safely into a compensatory heaven after death. Their passion was fired above all by relief at being liberated from the delusions being spun over them by the powers. Being thus freed determined them to set others free. In the final analysis, the gospel is not a message of escape to another world, but of rescue from the enticements of "this world" (the Domination System) and its ultimate transformation, when "all nations shall come and worship" God (Rev. 15.4). Eternal life is not something reserved for the future in another reality, but begins now, the moment we become alive to God and God's revealer (John 17:3) -Walter Wink¹

Instead of providing more new material, this session asks you to reflect back over the whole course.

Read again the Preface and Introduction in the first session. Consider or discuss:

1. Did the author provide validation for his two main paradigms: (1) growth by stages in individuals and society, and (2) the existence of sub-selves including the one called the God-self? Salvation as becoming like God? Definition of the "highest" (session 7)? Read Appendix A on the task of theologizing? Is it appropriate to speak of "scientific proof" in this connection? Would it be more accurate to speak of scientific support or undergirding?

2. How has your thinking changed as a result of this study? Your faith?

3. What do you plan to do differently? In your personal religious practice? In your faith congregation? As a citizen of the country and the world?

The author would very much appreciate your criticisms, corrections and suggestions for improving this course, at: vjross22@hotmail.com

1. The Powers that Be, Theology for a New Millennium, Doubleday, 1998, page 200

Appendix A

Appendix B

Bibliography

Questions and Comments

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