Saia, P. Ministry Reflection Paper
Ministry Reflection Paper
In the sixth chapter of his book entitled, The Word That Redescribes the World, Walter Brueggemann expresses a theological motif of evangelism and discipleship. Three main points buttress Brueggemann’s motif. In brief, he affirms the God of the Biblical faith intends for the world, under His effective rule, to be free from evil powers. As God seeks to rebuild His kingdom through obedient servants it requires the subversion of these evil powers. God calling and sending His people throughout the world to bring about restoration on earth accomplishes this mission. According to Brueggemann, the Western cultural context that the mission takes place is a context of technological-therapeutic-consumerism. More specifically, the first main argument of Brueggemann’s motif is the calling of God’s people. The creator God Himself calls man to intentionally follow Him by a characteristic life of discipleship. This call sets His disciple on the trajectory of a whole new reality, which is in stark contrast to the dominant and destructive realities of the world. For the disciple to be apprenticed to the Master, he must engage in new disciplines and practices for the purpose of unweaving the old detrimental habits. This reorientation places those who intentionally follow onto a path of obedience and participation in God’s mission and truly sets humanity free from the dehumanizing dominant powers. Brueggemann’s second argument relates to God sending His people. The God of the Biblical faith also sends those whom He calls for His overarching missional enterprise on earth. As Governor of the cosmos, God exercises His authority and sends His followers on the mission of emancipation to establish peace on earth. This sending is certainly a human mission according to Brueggemann, as the sending God takes a supportive role. The human missionary role is one of bold confidence and proclamation of an alternative reality among a dominant world system,
In the sixth chapter of his book entitled, The Word That Redescribes the World, Walter Brueggemann expresses a theological motif of evangelism and discipleship. Three main points buttress Brueggemann’s motif. In brief, he affirms the God of the Biblical faith intends for the world, under His effective rule, to be free from evil powers. As God seeks to rebuild His kingdom through obedient servants it requires the subversion of these evil powers. God calling and sending His people throughout the world to bring about restoration on earth accomplishes this mission. According to Brueggemann, the Western cultural context that the mission takes place is a context of technological-therapeutic-consumerism. More specifically, the first main argument of Brueggemann’s motif is the calling of God’s people. The creator God Himself calls man to intentionally follow Him by a characteristic life of discipleship. This call sets His disciple on the trajectory of a whole new reality, which is in stark contrast to the dominant and destructive realities of the world. For the disciple to be apprenticed to the Master, he must engage in new disciplines and practices for the purpose of unweaving the old detrimental habits. This reorientation places those who intentionally follow onto a path of obedience and participation in God’s mission and truly sets humanity free from the dehumanizing dominant powers. Brueggemann’s second argument relates to God sending His people. The God of the Biblical faith also sends those whom He calls for His overarching missional enterprise on earth. As Governor of the cosmos, God exercises His authority and sends His followers on the mission of emancipation to establish peace on earth. This sending is certainly a human mission according to Brueggemann, as the sending God takes a supportive role. The human missionary role is one of bold confidence and proclamation of an alternative reality among a dominant world system,
Cited: Brueggemann, Walter. The Word That Redescribes the World. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2006. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989. Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1988. [6] Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 3. [8] Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines. (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1988), 10.