Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Though discipleship has been a topic of interest to Christians for centuries, for the first followers of Jesus discipleship was so much more than just that. For them, discipleship was the experience of following the Lord Jesus. At its core, discipleship was a relationship; one that was transforming, liberating, and empowering. And, as it was for them, so must it be for us.
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7 comments:
John 3:16 states "... whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." You asserted on Tuesday Jan 1, 2008 lesson study "These texts show that the initiative for discipleship in the historical situation did not rest with an individual. It resided with the Master. Each disciple responded to a call the Lord extended."
My question is, what is the difference between belief and being called?
Dear Gil:
This is a very good question. God so loved that He gave--he took the initiative by giving His Son. It is the wooing of the Spirit that prompts us to belief as well as to respond. This is the initial call that leads to acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus and commitment of life and baptism which results in member-ship. This initial call is followed by another which moves one from membership to disciple-ship i.e. commitment to a life of service.
Ellen White says, "Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. . . Education, culture, the exercise o the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but htey cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ," Steps to Christ, p. 18.
January 1, 2008 4:09 PM
Dear Dr. Melbourne,
I was studying this week’s Sabbath School Lesson, and came upon Monday’s lesson dealing with Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, which dealt with the statement, “At that time, the title rabbi was bestowed upon him, as well as the power to bind or loose for all time the Jews of the entire world.” Unfortunately, there was no explanation of exactly what this meant. I’m not sure how much of the guide you wrote and how much the editor(s) contribute. I understand the verses in Matthew to be consistent with the rabbinical practice of interpreting the Law in specific situations, thereby “binding” or “loosing” requirements of the Law as applicable or not. Was this your thinking? Did the rabbis of the first century have authority over the Jews from that point forward and forever? Or am I missing the point completely?
Thanks in advance for any light you might shed on the topic.
And, sorry the editor of the guide misspelled your first name!
Larry
Hi Larry:
Thanks for your email. Sorry I did not see it until just now and so was not able to respond before. First, let me note that Monday's lesson was not dealing with Matt 16:19 & 18:18 but with discipleship among the Jews (though the texts are cited in the lesson for reasons that are given below). Second, the statement you referenced deals with the fact that after a rabbi had finished his training and was ordained he received the title rabbi with the power to bind and loose, for all times, the Jews of the entire world. The point here is that the new rabbi had the power to bind and loose i.e. to teach, instruct, interpret the scriptures for, and establish laws for Jews, throughout the entire world, especially in doctrinal and disciplinary matters, for all times.
In the lesson therefore the reference to Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 are made to 1. demonstrate that the glimpse we get in the gospels of Jewish pupil relations are consitent with the facts and 2. seek what light the authority the rabbis got to bind and loose could shed on Matthew's use of the phrase "to bind and loose." The point is that Jesus gave his disciples the authority to bind and loose just as the rabbis got that authority to bind and loose upon their ordination..
Hope this helps.
Bertram Melbourne
Elder: As a teacher of spiritual formation, how do you see the teacher/student relationship as it is taught in the context of world-wide Christianity?
Spiritual formation carries with it many mystical practices and contemplative disciplines. Would you please comment on this? Many saints are new to the subject of spiritual formation as it has been introduced into the ranks of Seventh-day Adventism.
Hybels recently announced the failure of new programs he and Warren laid before the larger Christian community. He stated a new paradigm shift into spiritual disciplines to take its place. Does this include spiritual formation as they know it and promote it, or is this something different?
Spiritualism as described in the Great Controversy by Ellen White is prophesied to be at peak levels among us in these last days. We need some clarification on this matter as you see it. Thank you, Elder.
Dear Sybil:
I do not know where you get your information. However, please note that I do not teach the kind of Spiritual Formation you describe. The course I teach is called Faith Development & Spiritual Formation. It has no relationship with Spiritualism.
The course I teach at Howard under this rubric is very similar to one I taught at Andrews University several years ago. It is designed to help ministerial students give attention to their own spiritual lives since many of us give a lot but do not take enough time to nurture our own faith. Students are encouraged to develop prayer lives and to take time for themselves on a regular basis.
Over the last several years when I have had time to teach this course, my emphasis has been on Pastoral Self-Care i.e. the Pastor taking time out to cultivate a personal relationship with God. I have used the material for this course in workshops for SDA pastors and, as a matter of fact, I developed the course while I was still teaching at an Adventist college. My basic philosophy for the course is that since pastors work very hard, and since they do not take enough time to eat right, rest, exercise, vacation and spend time with God, they make bad judgments which create problems in their churches, families, and/or their spiritual lives. I use biblical and other examples to show the need for them to care for themselves. This is the long and short of it.
I have decided, with God's help, to spend my time growing my relationship with God and to make disciples for the kingdom.
I hope this helps!
Bertram Melbourne, Pastor
Rockville SDA Church
Professor of Biblical Language and Literature
Howard University School of Divinity
Dear Mr. Melbourne;
You have dedicated an entire lesson on the topic of Gender and Discipleship. Particularly on Friday's lesson youindicate that the church is discouraging female discipleship. Since discipling is eccentially leading people to the Lord and helping them to witness to others, how do you feel that the church is discouraging the discipling of women? Please be specific.
Sincerely;
colporteur
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