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Schwarz, Christian A. "Chapter 2: The Trinitarian Compass." Color Your World with Natural Church Development: Experiencing all that God has designed you to be. St. Charles, IL: Church Smart Resources, 2005, 45-79.
In chapter two from the outset, Schwarz affirms that he is not producing a marketing gimmick (Schwarz 2005, 45). He further refuses to identify his theological orientation other than by saying he is trinitarian (Schwarz 2005, 46). He then introduces the "Trinitarian Compass" based on three colors: red, green, and blue. red apparently represents "evangelism and discipleship." green is used to describe a "focus on tolerance and social justice" (Schwarz 2005, 46). Blue he associates with a "focus on emotional health and spiritual power" (Schwarz 2005, 47).
To his credit, Schwarz does disclose that the center of theology is "drawing closer to the living God" (Schwarz 2005, 48). However, he describes this as a highly subjective matter. The results are that people are drawn as to a magnet. He does tie this idea to reflecting the light of Jesus (Schwarz 2005, 49).
Schwarz goes on to make distinctions about how God communicates with us. He describes the Trinity not in terms of God's fixed character but in terms of the relationshiop we might have with God (Schwarz 2005, 51). Schwarz goes on to describe Trinitarian actions in terms that shed doubt on the unity of God (Schwarz 2005, 52-53).
Schwarz' extrapolation from this model of God being divided into different elements is that we need to consciously develop in the areas we are weak (Schwarz 2005, 54). Reading that sentence again gives me a strong impression that he views us, rather than God, as the arbiter of our spiritual lives. He continues by applying Revelation 21 and the three dimensional perfection seen there to our spiritual lives (Schwarz 2005, 56). He goes on to repeatedly assert that it is our responsibility to build up our spiritual lives in the way that God can use us and accomplish his purpose (Schwarz 2005, 58). Failure to work on our balance will allow us to veer into another direction, landing in heresy. He unpacks this idea in some detail.
Schwarz next begins to describe the Trinitarian Compass, which he discusses in radically postmodern terms (Schwarz 2005, 66). He views the compass as directing people, who by nature are out of balance, to go to one central destination, despite their diverse starting points. Because of Schwarz, focus on diverse starting points, he again emphasizes that the compass is about how we relate to God, not about how the Trinity is understood (Schwarz 2005, 69).
Schwarz next moves to a questionnaire he has used in his NCD program. He is clear that he considers it highly proprietary material (Schwarz 2005, 72). Candidly, the way this is presented makes it appear to be an advertisement to boost book sales. The questions themselves (Schwarz 2005, 73-74) are vague, though carefully worded. It reminds this reader of the vague language used by cultural Marxists so as to get everyone to agree, for a brief time at least.