Thursdays are for the New Testament - 7/16/15
Peterson, Eugene H., and Peter Santucci. Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing up in Christ. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 8, “Prayer and All the Fullness: Ephesians 3:14-21” Loc. 1668-1892.
Peterson reminds us that as Paul prayed in the middle of his letter, we too begin, continue, and end with prayer (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1677). The Church and Christ go together. Our prayer is for glory of Christ in the church. As Jesus is human and divine, the church is as well (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1687), a concept which is difficult for us. Yet “Christians are interested in understanding and participating in the life of church on the same terms that we use to understand and participate in the life of Christ - human and divine simultaneously, without diluting or compromising either element” (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1710). Peterson observes that some thirty years after Paul wrote to the Ephesians John, who cared for the churches in Asia Minor, wrote to Ephesus in Revelation 2-3. They had abandoned their love for Jesus. There are forceful words about a serious problem, one about which Paul had prayed before (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1745). This leads Peterson to point up the centrality of prayer in all our lives (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1756). He views this life of prayer in submission to the living God as our great participation in the Christian life. Paul’s prayer is that God will fill his people with all his riches (Peter 1795). Powerful words indeed! These riches of God are not merely outward riches, but inward as well (3:16-17) (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1831). Peterson emphasizes that in faith we realize the very Messiah living in us. In the end we see that the church is not merely a place or thing we build. It is that but it is also the mystical people of Christ (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1865).
Peterson, Eugene H., and Peter Santucci. Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing up in Christ. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 8, “Prayer and All the Fullness: Ephesians 3:14-21” Loc. 1668-1892.
Peterson reminds us that as Paul prayed in the middle of his letter, we too begin, continue, and end with prayer (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1677). The Church and Christ go together. Our prayer is for glory of Christ in the church. As Jesus is human and divine, the church is as well (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1687), a concept which is difficult for us. Yet “Christians are interested in understanding and participating in the life of church on the same terms that we use to understand and participate in the life of Christ - human and divine simultaneously, without diluting or compromising either element” (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1710). Peterson observes that some thirty years after Paul wrote to the Ephesians John, who cared for the churches in Asia Minor, wrote to Ephesus in Revelation 2-3. They had abandoned their love for Jesus. There are forceful words about a serious problem, one about which Paul had prayed before (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1745). This leads Peterson to point up the centrality of prayer in all our lives (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1756). He views this life of prayer in submission to the living God as our great participation in the Christian life. Paul’s prayer is that God will fill his people with all his riches (Peter 1795). Powerful words indeed! These riches of God are not merely outward riches, but inward as well (3:16-17) (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1831). Peterson emphasizes that in faith we realize the very Messiah living in us. In the end we see that the church is not merely a place or thing we build. It is that but it is also the mystical people of Christ (Peterson 2010, Loc. 1865).
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