Ancient Anglican

This week we are beginning our Lenten Study of Archbishop Rowan Williams’ book Being Disciples – Essentials of the Christian Life. The book presents us with a series of short reflections calling us to the holy state of living into the discipleship of Jesus Christ. I would love for you to accompany us on this Lenten journey. This week, please read and reflect on Chapter 1 – Being Disciples. In Chapter 1, Williams writes generally about…

Paul wants us to understand Christ’s role in the creation of all that is, so that we may then understand his role in the reconciliation of all that there is. Jesus restores everything to its original condition because he made everything initially.

Both John and Paul will directly adopt Philo’s understanding of the Logos in describing who Jesus is, and particularly Jesus’ pre-existence and role in creation. The uniqueness of their proclamation is that this Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

The classical idea of dominion carries with it a responsibility commensurate with the power given.

The Father giving His commands, the Son carrying these into execution, and the Spirit nourishing.

“You alone have been made in the image of the Reality that transcends all understanding, the likeness of imperishable beauty, the imprint of true divinity, the recipient of supreme blessedness, the seal of the true light.”

Genesis teaches that God does not simply bring about Creation and steps back, but remains intimately involved with his Creation.

Days 1-6. Grasping and glimpsing the Divine in Creation through an analogy of being (analogia entis).

Within this reading there are three words to focus upon: Said, Light, and Called. What is the power of speech, what do we mean by light, and what does it mean to name something?

“God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.” A short discussion on Theodicy and Evil as Negation.

“The earth was without form and void/ and darkness was upon the face of the deep/ and the Ruach Elohim moved over the face of the waters.” Let your mind’s eye see what the passage is saying about who God is, who we are, and how we relate.

The merism of “heaven and earth” express the totality of the cosmic phenomena at creation.