Spiritual Formation Framewor_Revised

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1 Spiritual Formation Framework: Ingredients Assignment Ken Davis Cert: Constructing a Theology of Networks for the Digital Age CLCM520_B01_202140-Liberty University Professor Mary Lowe August 29, 2021

2 Introduction Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God (Hebrew 10:5,7). 1 The writer in Hebrews addressed an ecosystem of spiritual formation in these scriptures that Lowe and Lowe argue a fourth wave called the interconnected age. 2 Chapter 1: A Biblical Model of Spiritual Growth In this section, we will look at a biblical and theological foundation for understanding the process and outcome of spiritual maturation. Biblical and theological foundations help to develop and transition the believer. A study on the life of Jesus is an excellent of spiritual formation. Luke 2:40-52, And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Lowe and Lowe argue there is an ecological perspective on how we grow as Christians, which enlarges our orientation to spiritual formation and engenders relationships and connections beyond our traditional privatized perceptions of how Christians grow. 3 A Bible study is an example of enlarging our orientations to spiritual formation. According to Ernest Conradie, it is essential to read the whole Bible through ecological spectacles. 4 Paul Santmire uses the term ecological motif in contrast to what he calls a spiritual motif by describing two contrasting ways to view a Christian attitude towards nature. 5 As a 1 Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is given from the King James Bible. 2 Lowe, Stephen D, and Mary Lowe , Ecologies Of Faith In A Digital Age: Spiritual growth through online education . Introduction: An Interconnected Age. . (InterVarsity Press, Downer Grove, IL., 2018), p. 3. 3 Ibid., 4. 4 Lowe, Stephen D, and Mary Lowe, Ecologies Of Faith In A Digital Age: Spiritual growth through online education. Chapter 2: The Ecological Motif In Scripture. (InterVarsity Press, Downer Grove, IL.,2018), p. 25-6. 5 Lowe, Stephen D, and Mary Lowe, Ecologies Of Faith In A Digital Age: Spiritual growth through online education. Ref. Santmire, Paul H., The Travail of Nature: The Ambiguous Ecological Promise of Christian

3 result, Lowe and Lowe argue this is an ecological perspective on spiritual formation. 6 What is spiritual growth? Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Spiritual growth is a process. Salient Issues Related To Spiritual Growth Emerson and Woo argue race relations are a salient issue to the ecological motif of how there is a misuse of power to squelch cultural practices and, in some cases, to maintain inequality and payoffs-for example, providing supportive places for cultures to be practiced and taught to a variety of people and, in some cases, reducing inequality. 7 Dallas Willard suggests the purpose of theology is reflection, study, and proclamation of the gospel that ultimately provides practical life application. 8 Ephesians 4:12, says For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Each believer is responsible for learning discipleship basics and go into the world and make other disciples. Hebrew 6:1 encourages spiritual growth and says, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Lowe and Lowe argue that the interconnected age is an emerging age transitioning from the information age and providing us with multiple ways to interconnect with people, places, ideas, religions, institutions, organizations, and affinity groups. 9 This section addresses a biblical model of spiritual growth, salient issues, and the ecosystem. Theology.(Philadelphia: Fortress, 1998), 9. 6 Lowe, Stephen D, and Mary Lowe, Ecologies Of Faith In A Digital Age: Spiritual growth through online education. Chapter 5: Growing together online. (InterVarsity Press, Downer Grove, IL.,2018), p. 67. 7 Emerson, Michael, O., and Rodney Woo, People of The Dream: Multiracial Congregation In The United States. Chapter 1: Dreams.(Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2006),6. 8 Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1988), 15. 9 Ibid., 3.

4 Operating In Online Context This section is on operating online. Ps 19:1 says The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Derek Schuurman argues although it is through the Bible that we learn about the person and work of Jesus Christ, God’s power is readily visible in creation. 10 Lowe and Lowe argue ecological images of growth. According to Lowe and Lowe, Ecological images of growth are scriptures abound with images of growth that would have been readily understandable in its original context and to its original readers. 11 Online operations have been in effect since the early 1980s, as religious computer enthusiasts brought their faith online in newsgroups formed circa 1984, via email and Usenet. 12 Today, Phil Cooke gives pointers for Churches that are operating contextually online. A few relevant points for this research are:  Make the online service easy to find.  Move the camera closer for an appropriate view.  Do not be afraid to ask for an offering throughout the streaming service.  Understand that the online community is a legitimate congregation.  Make the livestream immediately available afterward. In addition, connect with other people online. 13 These are just a few of many pointers for a digital online Churches. The Pastors who believe in the online Church have prepared an 10 Schuurman, Derek C, Shaping A Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology. Chapter 2: The Heavens Declare The Glory Of God. (InterVarsity Press, Downer Grove, IL.,2018),31. 11 Ibid., p. 27. 12 Campbell, Heidi A., and Stephen Garner, Network Theology Negotiating Faith In Digital Culture. Chapter 3. Network Religion: The rise of religion online(Grand Rapids, Baker Publishing Group, 2016), 62 13 Online Church in the time of Coronavirus-20200416 1756-1. Assessed September 14, 2021,https://libertyu.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/libertyu/recording/bd88fc8afa4d4e9d9095bbba31dc13ea/ playback

5 exegetical analysis year in advance and continue to do so. An Exegetical Analysis Once human sin disconnected us from perfect fellowship with God in the garden, all harmony, peace, and wholeness no longer existed. In its place, we find spiritual alienation, divine hostility, and social fragmentation. 14 Lowe and Lowe explain the fellowship in the garden with ecological hermeneutics. All believers must become aware of the biblical promises of the Father that works ecologically for us. For instance, being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Online Church was here before a pandemic breakout. It will be here long after its demise back into the ecological order of nature. It indicates that online Churches have many benefits. Mary Lowe references Colossians 1:21-22, and you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Lowe and Lowe argue that the work of Christ on behalf of all humanity is not simply a legal proceeding that balances the scales of divine justice. 15 However, ecology and the transformation of traditional theology into digital theology is an advent that was bound to take place for the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus the Christ. In that case, the body of Christ must address the times we are vastly approaching clearly by the gospel. The relevant issues of Christians living and operating in online contexts are essential as many Churches did not prepare for digital Church before the pandemic. Kaiser Jr. and Silva argue that believers are eternally secure. Still, there are some twenty warning passages in 14 Lowe, Stephen D, and Mary Lowe, Chapter 9:The Need For Connection With Christ, p. 139. 15 Ibid., 139.

6 Scripture that must be placed alongside these marvelous promises. 16 Spiritual formation is a community approach to becoming more like Christ. Digital Churches grow into a community similar to the fellowship of the sanctuary. Many blights are merging into the daily life of humanity, and it seems as though society is making the appropriate adjustments to coexist with a changing world. When it comes to Christina living and operating in an online community. Paul Pettit argues values are an essential part of the role of a leader. At its very core, character values are vital for effective leadership. 17 Chapter 2: Ecological Analysis This section address four elements: (1) Timeline, (2) Spaces, (3) Practices, and (4) Organizational. This section also outlines ministry contextualization and analysis by the use of a network ecoscan. This research aims to look at a ministry group to determine connections and environmental impact of growth and engage the ecosystem of a small group of people by thinking about formational elements that help build a network ecoscan. The ecological analysis for this research is to understand the relationship between outcome and exposure at a population level, where population represents a group of individuals with a shared characteristic such as geography, ethnicity, and theology. The first element is a timeline. Timeline The timeline in this research is on the geographical outcome and exposure at a population level. There are three elements of time in this section (1) major milestones markers, (2) cultural shifts, and (3) major changes. Major Milestones Markers 16 Kaiser Kr., Walter C., and Moises Silva, Introduction To Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search For Meaning. Biblical Promises.(Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2007),331. 17 Pettit, Paul, Foundation Of Spiritual Formation: A community approach to becoming like Christ. What does mature character look like. (Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications,2008),155.

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