Sacred Roots Workshop

Ses s i on 7: L i v i ng i n the Way

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one through whom all things are reconciled (1.20). Christ is the cosmic center of all history [italics mine]. Everything before Christ finds fulfillment in Christ. Everything since Christ finds its meaning by pointing back to Christ” (Robert Webber, The Services of the Christian Year . Nashville: Star Song Pub. Group, 1994, p. 79).

2. In and of itself, severed from the life-giving apostolic testimony of the saving work of God in Jesus Christ, the Church Year has no spiritual power; without Christ, it is inert and anemic, and prone to abuse and exaggeration.

3. In all things related to salvation and spirituality, Christ Jesus is both supreme and all-sufficient. Nothing other than faith in him alone ( sola fides ) is necessary for salvation and sanctification.

a. As we receive Christ, so are we to walk in him, Col. 2.6-7 – Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. b. We are to be taken captive by no system or tradition, even one which purports to make Christ center, Col. 2.8-10 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. [9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

c. Tradition, in and of itself, severed from Scripture and allegiance to Christ, can actually make void the Word of God in our lives, cf. Mark 7.3-13; Matt. 15.2-9.