Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Introduction13
General Topics15
Once Upon a Time: The Cosmic Drama through a Biblical Narration of the World17
From Before to Beyond Time: The Plan of God and Human History19
The Nicene Creed21
The Nicene Creed with Biblical Support22
The Apostles’ Creed24
The Story of God: Our Sacred Roots25
Jesus of Nazareth: The Presence of the Future26
The Theology of Christus Victor: A Christ-Centered Biblical Motif for Integrating and Renewing the Urban Church27
Christus Victor: An Integrated Vision for the Christian Life28
There Is a River: Identifying the Streams of a Revitalized Authentic Christian Community in the City29
Living in the Already and the Not Yet Kingdom30
The Story God Is Telling31
Jesus Christ, the Subject and Theme of the Bible32
Summary Outline of the Scriptures33
Traditions: (Paradosis)37
Documenting Your Work: A Guide to Help You Give Credit Where Credit Is Due44
General Biblical Studies49
Understanding the Bible in Parts and Whole51
General Facts Concerning the New Testament52
Chronological Table of the New Testament54
Translation Methodology55
Conversion and Calling57
Theories of Inspiration59
Getting a Firm Grasp of Scripture60
Picking Up on Different Wavelengths: Integrated vs. Fragmented Mindsets and Lifestyles61
Bible Interpretation65
Keys to Bible Interpretation: Some Keys to Interpreting the Scriptures Accurately67
Chart of Biblical Studies74
Figures of Speech75
Bible Study Tools Worksheet82
Use of Reference Tools for Interpreting the Bible84
How to Interpret a Narrative (Story)85
The Compass of Narrative Elements: Charting a Course toward a Story’s Meaning88
The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom89
Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom91
Summary of Messianic Interpretations in the Old Testament92
Messiah Yeshua in Every Book of the Bible96
Old Testament Names, Titles, and Epithets for the Messiah98
Promise vs. Prediction: The Apostolic Hermeneutic of the Old Testament100
Messiah Jesus: Fulfillment of the Old Testament Types101
Principles Behind Prophecy103
Analytical vs. Christocentric Approach to Old Testament Study104
The Prophetic Vision as Source of Biblical Faith Commitment105
The Tabernacle of Moses106
Arrangement of the Twelve Tribes around the Tabernacle107
Degrees of Authority Given to Fruit of Christocentric Use of the Old Testament108
The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom109
Communicating Messiah: The Relationship of the Gospels111
Messianic Prophecies Cited in the New Testament112
Preaching and Teaching Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and Lord Is the Heart of All Biblical Ministry118
A Harmony of the Ministry of Jesus119
Appearances of the Resurrected Messiah120
Biblical Justification for the Resurrection of Messiah Jesus121
General Theology and Ethics123
The Shadow and the Substance: Understanding the Old Testament as God’s Witness to Jesus Christ125
In Christ126
The Picture and the Drama: Image and Story in the Recovery of Biblical Myth127
Apostolicity: The Unique Place of the Apostles in Christian Faith and Practice128
Giving Glory to God129
God’s Three-In-Oneness: The Trinity138
The Kingdom of God147
Ethics of the New Testament: Living in the Upside-Down Kingdom of God149
A Theology of the Church in Kingdom Perspective150
Representin’: Jesus as God’s Chosen Representative151
Faithfully Re-Presenting Jesus of Nazareth152
Models of the Kingdom153
God the Father155
The Names of Almighty God157
Theological Visions and Approaches160
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Share the Same Divine Attributes and Works: Supporting Scriptures164
God the Son165
The Self-Consciousness of Jesus Christ167
Substitution168
Portrayals of Jesus in the New Testament Books169
The Miracles of Jesus170
The Parables of Jesus171
The Life of Christ according to Seasons and Years172
God the Holy Spirit175
Spiritual Gifts Specifically Mentioned in the New Testament177
St. Basil, the Nicene Creed, and the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit179
Examples of Denominational Statements on “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” Which Illustrate the Differing Views181
Areas of Disagreement among Christians Concerning Spiritual Gifts185
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Guidance190
Denominational Statements on “Sanctification”196
Some of the Ways in Which Christians Disagree about Sanctification200
General Christian Ministry205
The Hump207
Fit to Represent: Multiplying Disciples of the Kingdom of God208
Our Declaration of Dependence: Freedom in Christ209
Thirty-Three Blessings in Christ211
Substitute Centers to a Christ-Centered Vision: Goods and Effects Which Our Culture Substitutes as the Ultimate Concern215
Theology of the Church217
The Lord’s Supper: Four Views219
Perception and Truth220
Paul’s Partnership Theology: Our Union with Christ and Partnership in Kingdom Ministry221
Six Kinds of New Testament Ministry for Community222
The Role of Women in Ministry223
A Theology of the Church227
Foundations of Christian Leadership245
Discerning the Call: The Profile of a Godly Christian Leader247
Investment, Empowerment, and Assessment: How Leadership as Representation Provides Freedom to Innovate248
Understanding Leadership as Representation: The Six Stages of Formal Proxy249
Re-Presenting Messiah250
Paul’s Team Members251
Nurturing Authentic Christian Leadership253
Lording Over vs. Serving Among: Differing Styles and Models of Leadership254
Dealing with Old Ways255
Delegation and Authority in Christian Leadership256
“You Can Pay Me Now, Or You Can Pay Me Later”257
Hindrances to Christlike Servanthood258
Practicing Christian Leadership259
A Guide to Determining Your Worship Profile261
Capturing God’s Vision for His People: The “Enduring Solidarity” of Our Search for the Land of Promise263
Dynamics of Credible Spiritual Vision264
The Church Leadership Paradigm: The Case for Biblical Leadership265
Roles of Representational Leadership266
A Sociology of Urban Leadership Development: A Tool for Assessment and Training267
The Equipping Ministry269
The Three-Step Model271
The Obedient Christian in Action272
Spiritual Growth Diagrams273
Living the Disciplines275
Steps to Equipping Others276
Discipleship Diagram278
Circle of Jewish Calendar279
Following the Life of Christ throughout Each Year280
The Plot Line of the Church Year281
The Church Year (Western Church)282
Spiritual Service Checklist284
General Urban Mission285
How to Start Reading the Bible287
A Schematic for a Theology of the Kingdom and the Church288
From Deep Ignorance to Credible Witness290
Suffering: The Cost of Discipleship and Servant-Leadership291
The Way of Wisdom292
Foundations for Christian Mission293
Story: The Crux of Revelation295
Developing Ears That Hear: Responding to the Spirit and the Word296
Toward a Hermeneutic of Critical Engagement297
Let God Arise! The Seven “A’s” of Seeking the Lord and Entreating His Favor298
The Oikos Factor: Spheres of Relationship and Influence299
Kingdom of God Timeline300
That We May Be One: Elements of an Integrated Church Planting Movement among the Urban Poor301
Selecting Credible Criteria for Independence: Navigating Toward a Healthy Transition310
Salvation as Joining the People of God313
Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare319
Translating the Story of God321
Culture, Not Color: Interaction of Class, Culture, and Race322
Targeting Unreached Groups in Churched Neighborhoods323
Receptivity Scale324
Relationship of Cost and Effectiveness in Disciple-Making Endeavors325
Focus on Reproduction327
Equipping the Church Plant Team Member: Developing Workable Training Strategies329
The Communal Context of Authentic Christian Leadership330
Church Planting Models331
Overview of Church Plant Planning Phases333
Creating Coherent Urban Church Planting Movements: Discerning the Elements of Authentic Urban Christian Community334
Apostolic Band: Cultivating Outreach for Dynamic Harvest335
The Church Plant Team: Forming an Apostolic Band336
Three Levels of Ministry Investment337
Doing Justice and Loving Mercy: Compassion Ministries339
Five Views of the Relationship between Christ and Culture341
Advancing the Kingdom in the City: Multiplying Congregations with a Common Identity342
Authentic Freedom in Jesus Christ344
Empowering People for Freedom, Wholeness, and Justice345
Jesus and the Poor371
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