Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

4. The very heart of apostolic ministry now is to prepare the people of God (including the Gentiles) as a bride for the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 11.2.

5. Christ is preparing his people, both Jews and Gentiles, to become his very own bride at his appearing, Eph. 5.25-27.

a. He is sanctifying his bride with the Word of truth, John 17.17-19; Acts 26.18; 1 Cor. 6.11; Titus 2.14.

b. We who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, will be presented blameless and holy in his sight, 2 Cor. 4.14; Col. 1.22; 2 Cor. 11.2; Jude 1.24.

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F. The romance consummated: the New Jerusalem, the City of God, Rev. 21.1-4

Imagination and Revelation Connected

A biblically Christian conception of imagination will distinguish imagining from perceptual error, from imaging and from being an oracle of truth. Imaginative human activity is quite distinct from sensing or thinking but is also a bona fide activity interrelated with all human functioning. Imagining is a gift of God with which humans make-believe things. With imagining ability one pretends and acts ‘as if’ this is that (e.g. God is a rock, Isa. 17.10; Christ is a bridegroom, Matt. 25.1–13). Human imagination is the source of metaphorical knowledge and the playfulness so important to anyone’s style of life. Imagination is meant to be an elementary, important, residual moment in everything God’s adopted children do. Imagination becomes a curse only if it becomes an exercise in vanity. ~ C. Seerveld. “Imagination.” The New Dictionary of Theology . S. B. Ferguson, ed. (electronic ed.). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000. p. 331.