Praxis – Beyond Theory by Ben Gutierrez and Gabe Etzel
Name
Institution
Introduction
The question on the relevance of christianity in our modern world remains unanswered to many because the society is unable to shake the feeling of the fact that something somewhere is wrong. Our globe is not upright and it is very far from being perfect. For example, our globe has been experiencing poverty, war, crimes, diseases and world leaders have been unable to train citizens on avoiding conflict and undesirable crimes. Consequently, individuals turn to church for answers even though majority leave with their queries unaswered. Instead of acquiring solutions people find christianity that abuses its power or faith that has lost clarity and this makes people to wonder if christianity is still relevant. Additionally,church leaders ephasize on the merits of applying christian doctrines whose core teachings are based on the Bible in our day to day life. Knowing how to apply biblical truth in our daily lives is of great significance because Bible teachings broaden our understanding of christian faith and also deepen christians love for God (Brown,1991).
How to apply biblical truth in our daily lives
Theological definition
Applying biblical truth is regarded as the process by which christian doctrines starts by interpretating the Bible and using the teachings in the daily lives (Ben&Gabe,2003). Christians have been preserving their believes about the Bible for a long period of time now since doctrines are formed to enhance rememberance of how Christians should apply biblical truth by being humane while supporting Gods mission on earth.
Biblical Foundation
Throughthe the book of Luke 10:25-37, Jesus narrates a story about the Samaritan and considering this the call to christinanity contains two major parts.That is an internal feedback and an exterior action. The internal feedback is just the heartfelt aspiration and intellectual decision of acting on the word of God while the external response is the act of fulfilling the decision and desire to respect the teachings of the Bible. The Bible insist on the importance of enhancing genuine internal feedback on christian teachings because our exterior actions could be misguided (Brown,1991). On the other hand, without serious authentic the external action and internal response might prove ineffective. The text affects us in our private lives and also it can extend to the corporate communities and institutions which we interact with. Just like the way the salt is used as food preservative or the way through which light brightens darkness, trust in Bibilical action preserves our health and also illumines conscience of the society at large.
Practical application
Christians must prepare their hearts and minds to act faithfully towards the interpretation of the word of God.This could be done by praying for the Holy Sprit to offer direction or by meditating on the interpreted context in specific circumstances of life. For example, the procedure calls for the need to zoom in our immediate circumstances and asking questions on how the interpretation expects us to behave in our families, local communities and in the neighborhood. Christians are expected to ask God to help them to practice and remember his teachings irrespective of the fact that application in real sense may happen immediately. To christians God uses the daily encouters to reveal his being to us and this could be applied practically by considering miraculous physical healing.
Is christianity still relevant today?
a)Theological definition
Christianity means the chosen one. The foundations of christian faith states that son of God suffered, died , and was buried. On the third day he ressurrected and ascended to heaven with aim of granting eternal life to christians who trust in him for forgiveness of sins. Therefore theological meaning of christianity is nothing different other than the annointed son of God.
b)Biblical Foundation
For people who acknowledges Bible teachings, Christianity is very relevant because it is the only route through which christians can stop evil from attacking them. True Christianity does not only offer forgiveness for our sins but also allow christians to begin again by offering help to sinners so that they may stop sinning repeatedly. For example, Romans 12:21 urge believers not to be overcome by the evil and instead encourages them to overcome the evil with good things (Palmer & Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions,2005). Matthew 19:26 goes ahead to convince christians that whatever sound impossible With men is possible with God.
c)Practical applicationChristians trust that Jesus gives them power to overcome the egotistical nature of human just the way Jesus overcame. If applied practically, this category of Christianity is very relevant to modern society because to produce a positive effect on the surrounding world, Christianity serves as the paramount importance to achieving this as an individual (Ben&Gabe,2003). This is because christians are expceted to overcome own selfish behavior first prior to helping others. When we imagine of a globe where everyone lives according to the principle of Romans, it means the world would have no gang violence, abuse of leadership or even crimes. Employers would not take merits of their staffs and everything would be orderly. Corruption, hatred and violence would be alleviated because practical application would mean resisting and fighting evils such as envious and greed which people have.
Conclusion
As christians apply biblical truth in their daily lives, they end up discovering that God designs the character of Jesus in them in order to transform the world. However, they need to need to be very careful to avoid confusing Bible interpretations and applications. Subsequently, for Christianity to become relevant, Christians should begin in their own circumstances and finally to others.
References
Ben, G,&Gabe E. (2003). The praxis. New York: Harpertorch.
Palmer, M., & Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. (2005). Praxis. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Brown, S. F. (1991). Christianity. New York: Facts on File.
