Chapter 2 Religion, Spirituality and Faith Chapter deals with Definition of words Religion, faith, grace, church, spirituality

and aquatic imagery Religion Word is fluid, elastic, pliable - can be used to mean different things in different contexts When engaging in conversation - worth asking what do you mean by the word? Then you can deal with concepts - not word labels In the book religion meansReliance on any system of salvation -rules, regulations, rituals routines, tradition or particular institution/ denomination - note emphasis on reliance on systems- traditions etc. per se may not be a bad thing Religion as defined above is being used negatively - however religion can also be used in a positive sense - therefore need to clarify what people mean. Faith used in different ways - Set of doctrinal positions - system of belief - producing coherent world view- creeds - Do you have an emotional conviction - do you feel convinced that this is true- Absence of doubt- passion in belief Neither above good per se re Biblical usage of faith The authors don't disagree that the above two positions are needed ie passion in belief and clear teaching but question this is the best definition of faith. They argue word more like faithfulness- in a relational context-showing myself trustworthy within the context of that trust relationship Faiths focus/emphasis is not am I doubting or convinced or doctrinally correct or have the correct set of beliefs but rather am I in a relationship and am I being true to that relationship Faith =I know the person and I can trust them and as a result I can abandon myself to them. Eg Peter on the water - Mathew 14- you of little faith - Jesus asking don't you trust me - not do you have your doctrines correct- are you whipped up emotionally? All about trust relationship. Faith is rational not irrational- faith is based on previous experience on evidence leading up to that decision- faith is rooted in a person The new atheists epitomized by Harris, Hitchens, Dennet & Dawkins define faith as a belief contrary to evidence! (see the God Delusion) We are arguing faith is based on evidence leading you to making a relational commitment

Eg dating leading to marriage- leap of faith based on leap of trust based on evidence prior to this! Need to run the ramp of reason before taking the leap of faith Test of faith is faithfulness - see also chapter 20 EOR And see Mathew 11 v 2-6 - Are you the messiah - now that I am starting to doubt- note Jesuss response- Jesus says here is the evidence - what do you think? GraceRelationship with God - he is perfect and divine and we are flawedIts an oil and water situation- how do the two come together Grace is what allows the two to come together! Grace related toward gift - unmerited favour Essence is its Expression of something you get which you don't deserve Prodigal son gets grace - lavish love -pores out freely after offending father and family son had in his own mind a system of payback - I will work - become a servant - but no - party starts Older brother - leave your work and enter a celebrationGrace breaks down / wipes away the need for any religious system See Ephesians 2 8 -10 How is the human heart changed from the inside out? Prince George - no awareness of anything at birth As child grows - aware of what is available - I didn't earn it Ephesians 1-3 Christian religion is that I am a sinner and should be ashamed of myself ???? Contrast with Act chapter 10 Cornelius is pagan - spiritual seeker- angel does not say sinner should be ashamed -your gifts are like incense to heaven Still needs journey to be completed and meet Jesus which is Peters role in the narrative We are image bearers- precious to God Genesis 1 and 2 We are broken image bearers Genesis 3 By Grace through faith we are saved not by yourselves but a gift of God Notion of being saved is holistic rescued made right with God Grace and faith need to go together Always think relational Not by works 5 kinds of religious approaches that distracts- list not exhaustive 5 kinds of cups! - licking the cup-finding satisfaction out of the structure rather than drinking from it- the living water Luke - chronicles 5 groups (religious approaches) that are challenged by this

message of Jesus Behavioural religion - how you behave/ act - Pharisees - legalism of what you believe Ritualistic religion - Sadducees - temple cult- did you go through the ritual of going to church- have you taken the Lord's supper- as long as you offer your offering Political religion - zealots- salvation through establishing political correctness/order - getting nation fixed Magical- Simon the sorcerer - signs and wonders- formulas- need correct Incantations -right words- whip up emotions to see miracles appear- manipulating spiritual atmosphere Intellectual - Epicureans and Stoics Enlightenment focused - have I acquired mentally the correct truths Ie -we order our world to our preferences then project that on to God- creating God in our image Our personalities may make us more vulnerable to one of these cups than another e.g. emotional religion compared to intellectual. Not in themselves wrong but beware becoming bonded to that one way!! The cups themselves are not the relationship. We may need each of the cups at different times. All have their seasons-need to achieve right balance within the relationship. Defining the term Church- relational word-means community of your spiritual brother and sisters. Defining SpiritualityAbout connecting with the divine Aquatic imagery in the chapter Image of water in Israel and surrounding regions very important In an arid place the notion of a river is a beautiful thing Garden- in Genesis - brought to life with river flowing through it Water Brings life to death- equated with Gods blessing Jesus - I am the living water- contrast with Ezekiel 47-were expecting a fountain of water coming out of templeBut see confrontation Jesus with temple - sees a fig tree Curses the tree because not bearing fruit and will never bear fruit again prophecy in Ezekiel can never be fulfilled- the way rather Pharisees think if you have faith like a mustard seed if you have trust in God you can say to this

mountain ( mountain of religious practice) be cast into the sea ie be destroyed. Mountain which temple is on!!!!!! Old temple image that water will flow from the temple and create fruit trees Ezekiel 47 prophecy becomes true but not as Pharisees/Sadducees saw it See Revelation - river flowing but no temple but plenty greenery. We become conduits of the river as the living water flows through us!