Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Theological Teaching:Understanding of Faith and Praxis-Sermon Points


Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa
Sinai Center, NY
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

1. Theology is God-talk and is meant for both ordained and laity. Theological discourses are for equipping the believers to be active agents of the liberative mission of God through witness, service and teaching. This is possible only by our constant intervention to understand God, fellow beings and nature in our search for God revealed in His creations. The Greeks were searching for it (Jn. 12:20, 21)

2. Christ is the meeting point of all theological exercises. The Greeks wanted to see Jesus who brought down the walls that segregated Jews and Gentiles (Non-Jews). E.g. John 4. The two disciples of John the Baptist wanted to know ‘the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world’ (Jn.1:29, 35-37) Jesus invited them to come and see (v. 39). This is a call to find one’s vocation. This is the focus of theological teaching and training.

3. Community living is essential for Church-life. Seminary training is not only to have insight through interactions, but also to grow together in molding the life with the values derived from the revelations of God. Here is a search to understand what God has revealed. Here is also an invitation to read one’s life. Jesus invites the Greeks to read His life by His parabolic explanation of a kernel of wheat that gives many seeds (v.24) and a good harvest. Life will then be a medium to reveal God.

4. Death leads to resurrection. Eternal life is through a process of death and life. St. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me”. Jesus invites the Greeks to follow Him (life-long) by teaching (v.25). His servant is to be where Jesus is and God will honor such persons (v.26). This is the understanding of Faith and invitation to practice it in life.


PRAYER

Father God, we thank you for the opportunity to receive theological training and for all those who have been blessed with the opportunity to experience the training. May we all have the mind of Christ. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Theological training leads one to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5)


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