Genesis 3 tells the tragic story of the famous (or infamous) fall of the first humans into sin and corruption. Because of a choice that took them out of their assigned place in creation, under God but like God, their insistence on being “gods” distorted the image of God in them. Instead of derivative, yet creative knowledge, they disobeyed their “prime directive.” The penalty was not merely final physical death, but painful, hard-won work, struggling with creation instead of working with God's created order. Their … [Read more...] about Devotions: Bearing the Image of God (2)
Devotions: Bearing the image of God (1)
Thank-you to Carl Shank for his earlier Devotional series on Wisdom. I look forward to this Devotional series on Bearing the image of God, a topic which the Emerging Scholars Network will give focused attention to in the coming months as we frame A Theology of Higher Education. To God be the glory! ~ Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director of the Emerging Scholars Network “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26) The most Hebraic understanding of this Bible verse is that humankind was … [Read more...] about Devotions: Bearing the image of God (1)
Devotions: Wisdom – Timing
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9, 10) Christ is risen! He has risen indeed! Timing is sometimes everything in sharing your faith with others. The word "opportunity" in Galatians 6:10 is a special Greek word--kairos. It refers to the "right time" for something to happen or take place. It means we wait for the "right … [Read more...] about Devotions: Wisdom – Timing
Devotions: “In-spite-of” Wisdom
"For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious." (Acts 17:20-22) Wisdom from God comes in many forms. Sometimes it provides us amazing answers to challenges about our faith. Other times God provides opportunities to … [Read more...] about Devotions: “In-spite-of” Wisdom
Devotions: Wisdom – Applicability
"My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble." (Proverbs 3:21-23) Wisdom in God provides a life of stability, peace and assurance. Wisdom in God is always practical, applicable to any and every situation in which we find ourselves. Wisdom gives us "centeredness" in life, a sense of what is right and wrong, and even though we don't know all the answers of … [Read more...] about Devotions: Wisdom – Applicability