God and the Public Square

Okay, here are the updated study notes incorporating the new information provided:

• This exam covers course content primarily from Weeks 4 and 5, with some overlap from Week 3
• Mastering the content described in the questions/statements of this guide prepares for the exam
• The instructor views the guide as a reflection of the course's essence and connection to learning outcomes on the syllabus
• The guide represents themes from class and readings in Chris Wright (some not discussed in class)
• The exam has 50 questions using multiple choice, matching, and true/false formats
• The exam is for Intro to CCM/Pentecostal Theology of Mission

God and the Public Square

• Chris Wright argues against a separation of spiritual life and the public square
• God's concerns Godself with the public square.

God's Role

• God created the world and human work is part of God's original plan, revealed in Genesis 1-2
• Humans are tasked with ruling, serving, and keeping
• This task needs the complementarity of male-female identities and implies economic/ecological dimensions
• The planet's resource distribution necessitates trade and exchange for common needs
• Fairness and justice are needed in economic relationships and in the sharing/distribution of resources/products
• Human economic endeavor is part of God's purpose for human life
• Work is essential and not due to the curse; humans are created to be workers, like God, in a "cultural mandate"
• Public sphere activities connect to our createdness and interest the Creator
• God independently judges activities in the public square, according to the Old Testament and Psalm 33:13-15
• God calls for justice, often "in the gate" or marketplace/public arena
• Biblical Example: Amos focused on events "in the gate"

Divine Governance

• There is often a perception of "market forces" as independent of God's control
• The Bible has a more nuanced perspective
• Marketplace events are due to human action, choice, and moral responsibility, viewed under God's sovereignty
• The Bible avoids fatalism/determinism through emphasizing human choices and God's control, which affirms human responsibility and God's sovereign control

Biblical Examples of Governance

• Joseph's story in Genesis oscillates between family/public arena and involves political, economic, and foreign affairs
• Characters are responsible for motives/actions, but God intends harm for good (Genesis 50:19-20)
• Isaiah 19:1-15 judges Egypt's religion, irrigation, agriculture, fisheries, textile industry, politicians, and universities
• Ezekiel 26-28 laments Tyre's trading city, and Ezekiel 29-32 condemns Egypt's imperial culture
• Economic/political power in the public marketplace is the focus of God's activity
• Daniel 4 shows Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance about Babylon
• God's verdict is that his project has been borne on the backs of the poor/oppressed
• The text advises renouncing sins and being kind to the oppressed (Daniel 4:27)

God's Intention

• God plans to redeem all made because of God's compassion, redeeming creation via the cultural mandate
• The Old Testament and New Testament paint a picture of redemption, not obliteration
• As Christians, public sin can be confronted prophetically in Christ's name
• The corruption of the public square is not cause for vaporization, but cause for purging and redeeming

Biblical Text

• Isaiah 65:17-25 describes the new creation, which is a new heaven and a new earth.
• Human life is free of decay and curses, in family and work.
• There is a close fellowship with God and environmental safety; personal, family, public, and animal lives are redeemed.
• Colossians 1:16-20 includes "all things" in what God created and plans to redeem through Christ
• "All things" refers to the whole created order
• The Bible's final vision is God living with humans in a restored creation, where human civilization's fruit is brought into God's city
• God's people should have a constructive engagement, courageous confrontation, and equal biblical conviction

Missional Confrontation

• Missional confrontation in the public square requires people to be different, resist idolatry, and be willing to suffer
• Believers are called to be holy or distinctive
• Engages in the marketplace as saints, set apart
• Biblical example: Israel called to be distinct from Egyptian/Canaanite cultures (Leviticus 18:3-5)
• In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus compares believers to salt and light
• Disciples serve as salt and light
• Salt and light are both missional and confrontational, to transform decay and darkness

Moral Integrity

• A Christian's mission is essential to be Morally integral with no dichotomy between private and public facing.
• There is a view in the world as the creation of God, which requires rejection of gods in the public arena
• Biblical example: Paul equates greed with idolatry
• The idols of career, status, and success connect to gods of the public square
• Ethnic superiority, national pride, freedom, military, etc are other idols
• A crucial missional task is discerning the gods of the public square, equipping to resist

Spiritual Warfare

• Paul's spiritual warfare exposition follows instructions on marriage, family, and workplace
• There is a battle for Christians to "stand" and deliver the "gospel of peace", so In all realms, including the public square
• This struggle is against dark rulers and the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12)

Called to Suffer

• Warfare causes suffering in believers who live work and witness
• People live with ethical standards, confess Jesus, and don't choose Caesar or Mammon
• Jesus warned that it would involve rejoicing (Matt. 5:11-12)
• Suffering arose quickly among early believers to rejoice (Acts 5:40-42)
• Growth and persecution were integrally related
• The texts states Paul delights in Christ's weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution, and difficulties (2 Corinthians 11-12).
• Peter used 3 phrases by being not surprised, retaliated or giving up (3:13 – 17; 4:19).

Missional Prayer

• Prayer distinguishes ones self from other nations
• Israelites were markers for worship
• The life of prayer was intended to be shared and for others to demonstrate the nearness of Gos

Blessing of Nations

• The blessing of other nations requires learning from others in their space

Prayer

• God makes Godself visible to those who pray
• Daniel prayed
• There is a higher throne to appeal to the higher ups
• People turn too God in the face of authorities for mission work
• There should be communication between mission workers and God

Challenges facing Pastors

• Mobilization, training, and support must be given by the pastors
• Are people able to under the earth they work in?
• Is the bible taught responsibly?
• Are people able to flourish?
• Are the believers encouraged?
• are the Christians helped and sensitive to those with a hostile world?

Biblical Examples of Jesus

• The Samaritan woman (John 4)
• The Centurion (Luke 7)
• The belief of the gentile was admired instead of what was seen
• there a vast commission shown by scripture (Mark 16:15-16, Luke 25:46-40,Matt 28:18-30, Acts 1:8)

Genealogy (Matthew)

• Many non-jewish genealogy names come from Rahab and Ruth whose birth stems from Jesus.
• God has no preference and all will be accepted

The Pentecost

• The holy spirit will come to those to express the life and glory of god

Function Task

• Preaching the Gospel and planting new roots and ideas
• express and obey the vision of God given

Acts Theological Intent

• Luke ensures readers that faith is known and taught.
• Jesus begins teaching.

Luke Acts motif

• Holy spirit will be their to share the good news to all

Early Church Text

• Holy spirit shares good news
• Souls will harvest
• community of prophets are birthed
• acts 1:8 introduces this empowering
• Holy spirit ensures greatness and influence
• Good can spreads through to believers after acts 8
• there are new centers to start missionary's.
• Paul fills with the holy spirit and starts proclaiming God immediately.
• The powerless receive Salvation in Caesarea
• Caesarea is empowered and is ready to preach the Gospel.
• The church ensures the holy spirit to continue preaching the new word.

Power of God

• The church in Antioch gets a more in depth look at the holy spirit
• There is recognition
• the word will bring safety from the spirit

Redemptive Power

• Gods power will be available to all cultures
• Good will be shared to those with special needs
• It is written that Luke is the messenger of God
• there are those who bear witness without Gods spirit.
• the Holy Spirit helps Gentles become full so they share to those in need.
• People will go to those who are a far and unknown.

4 redemptive structures

• Going to bring one to God
• Choosing a good and righteous path

Modality Vs Sodality

• Sodality = focus on nurturing
• church focuses on building the core

Sodality

• focus on the second mission and those to appoint and initiate
• God provides both church in anitoch
• GODS MISSION- (HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY THOUGHTS)

Missions and Unique Areas

• Carey took the first missions position
• His biblical calling was clear but a mandate was accessible

Focus

• the initial focus will be on the costal areas
• the early missions are a success and a prayer is heard.

Era unique

• inland and interior regions are centered
• There is creation and trust in God to help
• Single and student volunteers are up risen.

Geographical Changes

• people shift but all are still welcome to God
• McGavran notices what can change society.

Asia

• The focus is changed to certain population with a people movement
• Asia accepts most people

Chinese and Italian beginnings

• Many priests share and influence Christianity in all of Asia
• God shows his love in people power
• God has influence still today

Stillers description

• God as power is central
• Holiness in the past
• spiritual is a want and need still now.

India

• Many voices had similar thoughts over India
• Migration in Asia is happening to get Christianity know across to all in many nations.
• Culture is the reason Gods power is available to listen with

Traditions

• Shifting beliefs
• Political issues
• Tech to preach

E Scale and P Scale

E Scale = Distance between me and you personally ES1= the closer you are the faster the spirit moves E2= Same language, different customs E3= you need an interpreter for cross communication

PScale- distance between cultures with in the church

Necessity for the word =

1. Evangelize with God
2. Minister as a church to those with no help

People can not spread

• Help those who can't reach but offer a understanding
• Spread god and then reflect
• people follow because the world allows

Basic understanding

• Muslims and Hindu and Buddhist
• No Religion
• language and history connects all
• Traditions spread

Task Remaining

5. People do things for them self in many ways

• Freedom is not always right
• The gospel allows a new point

Refute the Accusation

The gospel helps and provides Freedom allows racism to come to light Efforts made lead to inevitable success Customs will be set in place

Conclusion Thoughts

Many things must have a present Always value all to join god

Statistics

Christianity climbs daily and spreads to areas worldwide Many people turn to believe as the world is changing

1900

• In 1900 the church was very alive
• It keeps spreading through out this century
• The bible can still be read today through all
• God has much in store

Still Needed Today

• Many languages haven't got touch by the gospels
• The doors are yet open

Geographic access

• There are new resistant areas
• The middle gets tough

10-40 Window

• The world still has work
• The language should be met
• The unreached can start to understand
• God shows love for all

phases

• Reach those who haven't had the opportunity
• Evangelize those who can still
• Be a light to others

Cultural differences

• Jerusalem has culture for some
• A culture will be set for the many.
• All should have open arms

Key Questions to Prepare for Exam 2: Intro to CCM/Pentecostal Theology of Mission

• Chris Wright's 'God and the Public Square', Acts, Ephesians, Corinthians - Various themes relating to the theology of mission.
• Questions pertaining to the Pentecost Global Summit
• Questions on Brian Stillers principal drivers, among other things

</existing_notes>