Vineyard Theology, the here and now

 

Wimber and his theology of the "Kingdom" was largely attributed to the work done by the theologian "Eldon Ladd". Lately I've been reading Quaker literature; Wimber himself was when he became a Christian a member of the Quaker movement. In America it is evangelical in nature (In Quaker language 'programed', but shares a strong inheritance with the Australian equivalent (Non-programed).

In many ways Quaker theology is very hard to pin down, especially in the 'non-programed' tradition due to the idea that they don't believe in doctrine and the dogma that surrounds it. One of the questions in their FAQ is do Quakers believe in an afterlife. The answer is some what avoided but the reply is somthing like: Quakers would rather have a greater emphesis on what is happening now on earth and our testimonies should be a witness to this. (Testemonies include integrigty. Wimber often spoke on 'Authenticity'!) In other words the 'here and now".

It is also interesting that during a Quaker meeting that 'Waiting' on the Spirit is integral. In the 'non-programed' tradition, that is all that happens. Often an hour of just waiting. Very much like during a Vineyard session of worship waiting during a lull in the music for the Spirit to speak.

So my conclusion is that I think a lot of Wimbers theology came firstly out of a place of practice, through his involvment in the Quaker movement. That he lived the 'Kingdom Theology' prior to finding the 'Eldon ladd' theology which fitted with his practice.

 

Some Quaker web sites::

Quakers Australia

Quakers England

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Choosing our theology

Interesting post from "The Naked Pastor", "Drawing lightning tree and bad theology", it got me thinking with this line.

But I’m just starting to see that we actually choose our theology. Our theology rarely chooses us. I am convinced that we always choose ideas that support what we already believe. We find proofs to buttress our worldview.

So for myself do I believe this? MMmmm.

Initially theology chose me. It was part of the Church I went to, the social group that I belonged to. It also gave me something to hang on to during that turbulent period between teenage years and adulthood. I had no reason to question it.

Then most probably because, I became a lot more self assured and had a great deal more knowledge about theology. It became ok to question my theology, to see there was more than one option. I then had choice.

For me been opened up to more than one way of looking at the Bible saved me, this knowledge helped me to keep hanging in there with Christianity. The Naked pastor is right that 'we need to find proofs to buttress our worldview'. Theology is ultimately making sense of the world and how God fits with this.

While I think where people do not have the choice of theology, they fall away. Some slowly others rapidly. A room with four walls, no doors or windows, no way out.

 

Exploration....

Its interesting but the further you look into things often the deeper you go with idea that interest and resonate with you. One of the few podcasts which I do subscribe to today is called 'Homebrew Christianity'. I suspect why I like it so much is that participants in the podcast have had a similar experience as myself. Usually coming out of an Evangelical/Pentecostal background. One podcast which interested was on 'process theology', which I had never heard before. It was described as the 'Cousin' of 'Open theology'. I liked some of the thoughts of Open Theology and have read a few books from Clark Pinnock. So next year I'll read a bit more Open Theology to try to get my head around the ideas a bit more.

Theolgoically opposed

Image via Wikipedia

This was a tweet I spotted from @latikambourke (Latika Bourke) who works for the ABC.

Man asks TAbbott where he stands on nuclear power. TAbbott not 'theologically opposed,' but supports cheapest form which isn't nuke atm.

I'm not sure of the context but I could imagine Abbott saying this... Does this mean that he examines everything through his catholic text books. Oh dear.