New Creation Conversations 100 - Dr. Brent Peterson on the Nature and Theology of the Church
Oct 24, 2023
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Dr. Brent Peterson, Dean of the College of Theology and Christian Ministries at Northwest Nazarene University, discusses his newest book 'The Church' in the Wesleyan Theology series. Topics include the church's connection to the Trinity and the incarnation, the relationship between the church and Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the role of the Holy Spirit in the church, and overcoming insecurity and embracing diversity within denominations.
The concept of the martyr church challenges the pursuit of success and power, inviting believers to follow Jesus without fear of personal survival or control.
The church should listen to genuine concerns and critiques, engaging in learning, discernment, and addressing issues with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The importance of unity amidst diversity is highlighted, calling for love, hospitality, and openness to embrace different opinions while keeping Jesus central.
Deep dives
The Concept of the Martyr Church
The book explores the idea of the martyr church, which challenges the notion of success and power in Christianity. The concept is not about seeking physical martyrdom, but about being willing to follow Jesus into the shadow of the cross without fear of death. This contrasts with the empire church, which prioritizes survival and control at all costs. The martyr church invites believers to become radical followers of Christ and emphasizes the importance of unity amidst diversity.
Anxiety About the Church's Future
The book acknowledges the anxiety surrounding the question of whether the church is dying. While the author does not deny the challenges the church faces and the decline in certain areas, he emphasizes the need to pay attention and listen to those who have genuine concerns and critiques of the church. Rather than dismiss or ignore these concerns, he encourages a posture of learning, discernment, and engagement to address the issues at hand and allow the Holy Spirit to lead the church into the future.
Appreciating Diversity and Difference in the Church
The book touches on the challenges the church faces regarding unity amidst diversity. It highlights the tendency to prioritize uniformity over unity and how differences within the body of Christ can cause division. The author calls for a posture of love, hospitality, and openness to engage with and learn from others who hold different opinions. While acknowledging the complexities of navigating differences, the book encourages keeping Jesus central and embracing the joy of diversity within the church.
The importance of martyr ecclesiology
The podcast explores the concept of martyr ecclesiology and highlights the significance of being faithful to Christ, even at the expense of personal survival. The speaker emphasizes that prioritizing self-preservation can lead to calculated compassion and a fear-driven approach, which ultimately hinders the church's growth and mission. In contrast, adopting a martyr ecclesiology invites Christians to follow Christ's example of love, compassion, and self-sacrifice, challenging the prevailing mindset of violence and control.
The Trinity, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and the role of the Spirit in the Church
The podcast delves into various theological concepts central to understanding the role of the Church. It discusses the relationship between the Church and the Trinity, highlighting the peaceableness and generosity that stems from the Triune God's love. The conversation also explores the Church's connection to the incarnation, emphasizing that believers are called to continue Christ's ministry and mission in the world. Furthermore, it addresses the significance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing that the Church is invited to participate in Christ's death and resurrection, embodying hope, joy, and trust in God. Finally, the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church is emphasized, with an invitation to embrace the Spirit's empowering presence and avoid limiting the Spirit's work due to fear or control.
Welcome to episode one hundred of New Creation Conversations. This week’s conversation is with my longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Brent Peterson. Brent currently serves as the Dean of the College of Theology and Christian Ministries at Northwest Nazarene University (where he has been on faculty for the last 15 years). Brent is an alum of NNU, has a Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and got his PhD from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary. In addition to his teaching, Brent has been in local ministry in a number of churches and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He has a great interest in theology related to the church, the formative nature of liturgy, and writes often about the intersection of theology and ecclesiology.
In our conversation we talk about Brent’s newest book – which is also the most recent addition to The Wesleyan Theology Series published by The Foundry – a book simply entitled The Church. It is the first of two contributions Brent is making to that series. In the Spring his volume on the sacraments will also be released. It is a wonderful series, a very helpful book, and (as you would expect from two old friends) a very fun and thoughtful conversation.
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