Author: Phil Rehberg

Augustine on the Fulfillment and End of Scripture for Believers, i.e., the Center of His Spiritual Theology

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Here is an inspirational excerpt from Philip Schaff’s translation of Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine. In these sections Augustine makes it clear that his view of the fulfillment of God’s word is love of God and love of neighbor. I believe it is the center of his spiritual theology. This is a contrast to other early Christian writers who emphasized knowledge of God as preeminent. This was probably influenced by Plato’s similar emphasis on knowledge as the highest good of the soul. Augustine is also a contrast to the famous Westminster Catechism that states the “chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” While there is obvious overlap the emphasis is different in Augustine, since love is a more focused view and leads to different Christian living. (For those who are new to Augustine he is arguably the most influential Christian writer and theologian in history. He Continue Reading →

Why Church Can Be Boring or Hurtful: Reuniting Spiritual Theology with Doctrinal Theology – Part 2

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Doctrine does not make fellowship life-giving, rather, doctrine with practice. In other words, the practice of the faith keeps church from being boring or hurtful. It is the joy and even excitement of growing in a community and in watching others become part of your community that makes fellowship life-giving. But historically the theology related to growth in community became separated from doctrinal theology. This is a big reason why churches are often boring or hurtful. This blog looks at this problem. With the advent of the skepticism and modernism of the 18th and 19th centuries the western church found itself on the doctrinal defensive again. The church responded in the 20th century by reasserting its fundamental doctrines, as it needed to. But much of the church became preoccupied with fighting unbelief. By allowing skeptics to focus the church primarily on doctrine the church once again neglected brotherly love inside Continue Reading →

Why Church Can Be Boring or Hurtful: Reuniting Spiritual Theology with Doctrinal Theology – Part 1

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The theme of this post is that spiritual theology became separate from doctrinal theology in the Middle Ages and Reformation and that this has seriously damaged the transforming power of Christianity. The purpose of this blog is to inspire Christian leaders and theologians to reunite spiritual theology with doctrinal theology, and to encourage believers to read spiritual theology. The ultimate purpose is to free believers from the burden, boredom and pain of bad spiritual theology, and edify and equip believers to live effective Christlike lives in the Spirit. This blog is based on the chapter in the book Flourish titled: “Reuniting Spiritual Theology with Doctrinal Theology, or Why Church Can Be Boring or Hurtful”. “Spiritual theology” can be defined as the study of how Christians grow spiritually including patterns and stages of growth in their relationships. It also includes the biblical and doctrinal structures behind spiritual growth. It is what the Continue Reading →

Think Like A Missionary – Appeal to Their Desires

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If your culture seems resistant to Jesus remember to think about what they desire that Jesus fulfills. This is what some missionaries do. So you can ask people: “What if there was a religion that:” 1. Didn’t require any particular organization 2. The writings were in everyday language the average person can understand 3. Isn’t based on people trying to figure out the truth, but on God’s revelation in historical events 4. Is centered on fairness and love 5. Is centered on healthy relationships 6. You don’t have to earn salvation with great works 7. Teaches us to treat all people with respect and courtesy 8. Is not elitist and doesn’t require leaving society to be spiritually advanced. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. 9. God will restore loving community one day and keep out destructive people. By asking these questions you let people decide Continue Reading →

“Spiritual” Ways we Avoid Biblical Fellowship

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We naturally fear revealing ourselves to others and showing weakness, but scripture makes fellowship a top priority. And biblical fellowship means revealing our burdens so others can help carry them, and revealing where we are discouraged so others can encourage us. Leaders are not exempt. Yet it is very easy to let other spiritual activities drown out our efforts at biblical fellowship and relationship. We may be sincerely looking for fellowship with God and transformation but we find it very slow going on our own. Some of the ways we avoid biblical relationship are: worship, prayer, bible study groups, talking about spiritual things, more talking, busyness, ministering to others, and meetings. If we commit ourselves to finding true “friendship fellowship” we will find what we are looking for much faster. See John 13, Rom 12, Ephesians 4, Col. 3, I Cor 12-14, and more. God Will Reward The Pure – Continue Reading →