Oxford, Day Four: The Inklings Tour

The lectures at Wycliffe Hall have been good, and some have been very good. One series of three lectures is an overview of Mark, Matthew and Luke, with a view to distinctive perspectives on discipleship, given by Peter Walker, Prof of NT. A second set of two lectures, given by David Wenham, Dean, was an overview of the Sermon on the Mount, again with a view to discipleship. Alister MsGrath is giving a set of three talks on C.S.Lewis’ theology and use of reason (#1), longing/desire (#2), and imagination (#3). These have been excellent, with a lot of food for thought. Late this morning, Graham Tomlin (Vice Principle) spoke on Luther’s theology of the cross.

 

“God only saves the sinner

Only teaches the stupid,

Only enriches the poor,

Only raises the dead.”

M. Luther

 

This afternoon we went on a two hour “Inklings” walking tour, visiting all the places haunted by C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Charles Williams, and others. Some photos are on this post, including Magdelene College where Lewis studied and was converted in the years 1929-31, the path he and Tolkien walked and talked during the long night talk when Lewis came to faith, homes they lived in, pubs they fellowshipped in, St Mary the Virgin where  Lewis preached "The Weight of Glory" (and where Cranmer was chained prior to his martyrdom) graves at the Holywell Cemetery some of them were buried in (note the words “under the mercy” made famous by Williams and on his gravestone).

And One More Set of Kingdom Devotions from Ireland

 

Study Eight: Col 3.8-9; Luke 14.27 How do we become Christlike?

Our effort is the partner of God’s grace; grace is not opposed to effort, only to earning. The process of transformation means our decided willingness to go against our old nature as we follow Christ – to “take off the old nature” in Paul’s language, to “carry your cross” as Jesus says it. YWAM says you have to “work in the opposite spirit”.

 

So if your weakness is in pride – then lean on Christ and move to serve others and count others better. The same strategy in important with any weakness: lust, vanity, greed, self-centeredness, Unforgiveness, etc. This strategy leads to spiritual disciplines, that can become habits,  and eventually a liberated way of new life. Easy. Natural.  We get to the point where we say, “I just wouldn’t think of doing anything else.”

 

Compare Paul’s teaching and example:
1 Tim 4.7-8; 1 Co 9:27(NLT); I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
2 Cor 6.4-10. “Follow me as I follow Christ.”  1 Cor 11.1

 

Paul went into training for holiness. Holiness will not be gained without our efforts partnered with God’s grace. It will take “training”, new habits, that are wisely targeted at specific inner weaknesses.

 

 

Study Nine: Gen 1.26; Rev 5.10; 22.5; Luke 19.17 In Training for Reigning

From the beginning of creation, God has made us to rule. That is why we instinctively want to control our world, and in our fallen and broken lives why we instinctively and stubbornly want to build our own little kingdoms.  If you think about it, you can immediately spot kingdom building behavior all over the place. Just look around.

 

As we give up building our own kingdoms and step into his, he immediately puts us into “training for reigning”. That training involves every task, every thought, every moment. He wants us to get to the point where we will be faithful stewards over matters small and large, trustworthy to reign for him on our own.  Think about that… and this… God’s intent for each of us is that we would grow to the point where he can empower us to do what we want. That’s a thought!

 

 

Study Ten: Matthew 28.18-20 The Great Commission

In the military, orders given are in force until they are lifted. These verses are Jesus’ last words before his ascension.  They are his standing orders to his followers.  The central command is to make disciples for him.  How?  By going, leading people into an immersed, surrendered relationship with the triune God, and by teaching them to come to Jesus to learn everything about living. Here is Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of the Great Commission:

“I have been given say over everything in heaven and earth, so go and make apprentices to me of people of every kind. Submerge them in the reality of the Trinitarian God, and lead them into doing everything I have told you to do. Now look, I am with you every minute, until the job is completely done. Matthew 28.18-20 paraphrase

 

Did you notice that the first and last phrases guarantee us the Kingdom resources we need for the task? All authority about life and death and everything else is given to him. We can trust him and go to him for every single thing. And He will walk alongside us everywhere, every moment, until the job is completed.

 

 
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Comments

[Lynn S]

In the wake of the London bombings there has been a lot more open discussion about Britain's becoming totally a moslem country by the end of the century or before. These statements are coming from both the mosques and the "experts" in such things. Will this overcome the Great Commission if we are not careful? Our enemies have sworn our lives do not count as real deaths because we are merely infidels.