Multiple Themes In Christian Theology

This reflective essay provides some preliminary thoughts on the development of my own faith and practice in light of all topics covered in this class. Coming to the close of this spring quarter, this systematics class discussed multiple themes within theology proper. The readings and discussions dealt with ways to approach doing theological reflection to working through the third article of the Creed. It seems impossible to pick one or two of these topics and speak about their influence on my development and integration. Yet, giving it the old college try, the author will break up this paper into three sections: theological development, making sense of my faith, and importance of doctrine. Concluding this reflection, I will seek to articulate …show more content…
So, I sought to dig a little deeper in my articulation of certain theological beliefs with my classmates, as well as a critical engagement with the readings. These avenues pushed me into better developing a generous reading on the thoughts of others throughout the course. Additionally, this class pushed me to think about certain themes within Christian Theology in a very pithy manner, so that I can express the doctrine coherently and faithfully. I even more firmly believe that all our theology is done on the way; in other words, our theology is in tandem as we live out life with God through prayer. For me, prayer is the one of the key ways for our integration of …show more content…
I have had some trouble thinking over the personhood of Christ in particular the two natures in one person, as well as kenosis. The class gave me some space to really focus on kenosis and think through what it means for my faith. The assigned readings over the kenotic model of Christology helped me figure out what I thought about it. Before the class, the kenotic model appealed to me in particular because of its biblical grounding in the use of Philippians 2. Yet, I found that the idea of God giving up, instead of taking up humanity, causes some problems within a framework where God is transcendent and immanent. Reading and thinking through the Chalcedonian Formula, it helped me see the beauty of what the early church was fighting for. Those contending for Christ being fully God and fully man were fighting for the importance of the personhood of Christ, which translate out into how we ourselves conceive of ourselves. Instead of Christ being simply one or the other, the intermingling of divinity and humanity shows how much humanity is made to know and be with God. Also, it shows how great God is that who we are takes something away from him, but it shows how much God desires us, fully as we