Company of the Gospel: The Importance of Being Biblical for Christ’s Sake
What are we doing when we gather for worship? How does weekly worship affect our daily living? What role does Scripture play – in worship and in living our faith in Jesus Christ? What about doctrine: how is it connected to the reality of life where we live day in and day out?
These are among the matters Kevin Vanhoozer explores in the second of his talks given at the 3rd Theology Conference of the Fellowship Community in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In “Company of the Gospel: The Importance of Being Biblical for Christ’s Sake,” Vanhoozer traces the connections between the life of faith (both as we gather weekly and as we live daily), doctrine, and liturgy. Drawing on the metaphors of theater and medicine, Vanhoozer shows the deep connections among life, the Bible, liturgy, and the doctrine we affirm as we confess the faith.
Watch the video below and review the reflection questions as we tackle this important topic.
Reflection Questions:
Professor Vanhoozer offers the metaphor of theater for understanding how Scripture informs our daily living, and the church’s worship. What does he identify as God’s role in the drama? What is the role of human beings?
What role does mission play in Professor Vanhoozer’s telling of the story of God’s relationship with the world? How does this illuminate the missional nature of the church (a primary commitment of the Fellowship Community)?
Professor Vanhoozer proposes that “doctrine helps people (including pastors) play their roles, live and grow into” the role that God, the divine playwright calls them to play. How does doctrine do this work?
What is the relationship between liturgy and doctrine? Consider weekly worship in the congregation with whom you gather: where do you see this relationship in its worship?