human flourishing: a theological introduction

Human Flourishing:Human Flourishing:A Theological A Theological IntroductionIntroduction

InterVarsity Following Christ InterVarsity Following Christ ConferenceConference

December 28, 2008December 28, 2008Telford Work, Westmont CollegeTelford Work, Westmont College

What Is Abundant Life?What Is Abundant Life? ► Our situation, in the surprising epitaph of “What Up.”Our situation, in the surprising epitaph of “What Up.”► What is abundant life? Is it …What is abundant life? Is it …

skating and boarding? skating and boarding? ► (A favorite of conservative churches in Santa Barbara.) (A favorite of conservative churches in Santa Barbara.)

the great outdoors: a challenging Sierra trip with my son, the great outdoors: a challenging Sierra trip with my son, friends, breathtaking scenery, and great food?friends, breathtaking scenery, and great food?

family, peace, and prosperity? family, peace, and prosperity? ► (Randy Pausch’s (Randy Pausch’s The Last LectureThe Last Lecture is, tellingly, focused on family.) is, tellingly, focused on family.)

a civilization of justice and progress:a civilization of justice and progress:► Equality, tolerance, safety, health, comfort, prosperity, Equality, tolerance, safety, health, comfort, prosperity,

opportunity, freedom? (These are arranged roughly along our opportunity, freedom? (These are arranged roughly along our political spectrum.)political spectrum.)

Is it ‘the life of the mind’?Is it ‘the life of the mind’? an optimal balance, a golden mean, of all this, an optimal balance, a golden mean, of all this,

with eternal life waiting at the end?with eternal life waiting at the end? Or is abundant life asceticism, the renunciation of these Or is abundant life asceticism, the renunciation of these

things?things?

Decoding a MetaphorDecoding a Metaphor► John 10:10 John 10:10 in contextin context::

Jesus is interpreting the growing opposition of Jewish Jesus is interpreting the growing opposition of Jewish authorities and teachers that his signs have aroused.authorities and teachers that his signs have aroused.

““I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not me] are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it profusely. I am the good shepherd. The good profusely. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:7-11).10:7-11).

Decoding a MetaphorDecoding a Metaphor►What does Jesus’ analogy mean?What does Jesus’ analogy mean?

NotNot protection from conventional threats; Jesus’ protection from conventional threats; Jesus’ opponents would have understood opponents would have understood thatthat. Besides, . Besides, that protection doesn’t arrive. Indeed, association that protection doesn’t arrive. Indeed, association with Jesus puts believers in harm’s way.with Jesus puts believers in harm’s way.

NotNot the blessings mentioned above. Besides, all the blessings mentioned above. Besides, all seem to be already available (at least for some) seem to be already available (at least for some) in, say, classical Greece.in, say, classical Greece.

NotNot some merely spiritual contest over the some merely spiritual contest over the afterlife, because of all the temporal impacts of afterlife, because of all the temporal impacts of following Jesus in John (such as the blind man's following Jesus in John (such as the blind man's healing that leads to this pronouncement).healing that leads to this pronouncement).

Decoding a MetaphorDecoding a Metaphor► This is one of a crush of images that point straight to This is one of a crush of images that point straight to

Jesus Jesus as as life:life: midwife of the Spirit's birth from above, serpent in the midwife of the Spirit's birth from above, serpent in the

wilderness, spring of living water, bridegroom, bread from wilderness, spring of living water, bridegroom, bread from heaven, vine(yard), light of life, and (soon after this heaven, vine(yard), light of life, and (soon after this passage) passage) resurrectionresurrection..

► His rivals are rustlers who want to capture His rivals are rustlers who want to capture hishis sheep. sheep. They They wantwant abundance — but as something in their grasp and abundance — but as something in their grasp and

their control, on terms already familiar to them.their control, on terms already familiar to them. Their disordered desires and intentions, which we would Their disordered desires and intentions, which we would

typically consider 'good', produce theft, murder, and typically consider 'good', produce theft, murder, and destruction. destruction.

They have already judged him after healing the blind man, They have already judged him after healing the blind man, and will soon resort to murder.and will soon resort to murder.

(Augustine is good at unpacking the character of sin at work (Augustine is good at unpacking the character of sin at work here.)here.)

Decoding a MetaphorDecoding a Metaphor► Jesus Jesus is is abundance — in which we can abundance — in which we can

participate (come in and go out) and so participate (come in and go out) and so live.live.

►The contrast is absolute:The contrast is absolute: life/wrath,life/wrath, light/darkness,light/darkness, sight/blindness (recognition/unrecognition), sight/blindness (recognition/unrecognition), gate/thief, gate/thief, salvation/destruction, salvation/destruction, shepherd/hired hands.shepherd/hired hands.

Decoding a MetaphorDecoding a Metaphor► So human flourishing is not So human flourishing is not bene essebene esse, but , but esseesse..

Yet it is not life versus death.Yet it is not life versus death. Rather, it is ‘being saved’ through the one who lays Rather, it is ‘being saved’ through the one who lays

down his life of his own accord.down his life of his own accord. ““In him was life” (John 1:4).In him was life” (John 1:4).

►My definition (really an My definition (really an indicationindication): ): ►human flourishing is human flourishing is the life of Jesus Christthe life of Jesus Christ: :

provided by the Father, provided by the Father, given in the Spirit, given in the Spirit, shared by grace, and shared by grace, and received in faith.received in faith.

► Like a baptism, it is a ‘dying life’ that delivers Like a baptism, it is a ‘dying life’ that delivers from ‘living death.’from ‘living death.’

The Canonical Shape The Canonical Shape of Human Flourishingof Human Flourishing

►This passage instantiates the ‘paradigm’ This passage instantiates the ‘paradigm’

of Christian faith that pervades the of Christian faith that pervades the scriptures and all truly Christian scriptures and all truly Christian theology:theology:

Life from the Father, Life from the Father, death in the Son, death in the Son, resurrection by the Holy Spirit.resurrection by the Holy Spirit.


► This runs counter to academic habits and even This runs counter to academic habits and even modern Christian ones. modern Christian ones. Modernity trains us to move from theory to Modernity trains us to move from theory to

practice.practice. Flourishing moves from Flourishing moves from praxispraxis to reflection: to reflection:

► come (1:39, 21:12),come (1:39, 21:12),►go (1:43, 4:16, 15:16),go (1:43, 4:16, 15:16),►believe (4:36, 7:38),believe (4:36, 7:38),► remain (8:31), andremain (8:31), and► (to the blind man) “go, wash” (9:7).(to the blind man) “go, wash” (9:7).

Abundant life’s evangelical character, not some Abundant life’s evangelical character, not some other governing presupposition, is its own other governing presupposition, is its own apologiaapologia..► ““They know his voice” (John 10:4).They know his voice” (John 10:4).►Flourishing comes through revelation, not discovery.Flourishing comes through revelation, not discovery.


► The gospel paradigm is untamed by The gospel paradigm is untamed by interdisciplinary or even disciplinary priority:interdisciplinary or even disciplinary priority: Continuing in Continuing in his wordhis word gives knowledge and gives knowledge and

freedom (8:32).freedom (8:32). The word of the gospel arouses belief (trust, or The word of the gospel arouses belief (trust, or

‘getting it’) and life in Jesus’ name (20:30-31),‘getting it’) and life in Jesus’ name (20:30-31), or else it arouses rejection and exposes blindness or else it arouses rejection and exposes blindness

and judgment.and judgment. (Hans Frei’s (Hans Frei’s Types of Christian TheologyTypes of Christian Theology is directly is directly

relevant to disciplinary and interdisciplinary work.) relevant to disciplinary and interdisciplinary work.)


► Yet this baptismal life is abundant – true flourishing Yet this baptismal life is abundant – true flourishing – conferring the riches of the Lord and Giver of Life.– conferring the riches of the Lord and Giver of Life. Through the gate, the sheep find all pasture and shelter.Through the gate, the sheep find all pasture and shelter.

► Discovery happens when we follow the revelation (not vice Discovery happens when we follow the revelation (not vice versa).versa).

► Note the change in the blind man’s humor and wisdom: Note the change in the blind man’s humor and wisdom: he engages and teaches! (9:24-33). he engages and teaches! (9:24-33).

► University and liberal arts contexts discourage even University and liberal arts contexts discourage even scholars in theology from evangelical habits.scholars in theology from evangelical habits. They can be labeled Pietist, fundamentalist, naive, They can be labeled Pietist, fundamentalist, naive,

dogmatic, narrow, ideological, reductive, private, violators dogmatic, narrow, ideological, reductive, private, violators of taboos, etc.of taboos, etc.

““They cast him out” (9:34) …They cast him out” (9:34) … … … to see and worship Jesus (9:38).to see and worship Jesus (9:38).


► John’s gospel parallels the baptismal death-andJohn’s gospel parallels the baptismal death-and--life life in Deuteronomy's “blueprint”:in Deuteronomy's “blueprint”:

““Behold, I have set before you this day life and good, and Behold, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil, in that I command you this day to love YHWH death and evil, in that I command you this day to love YHWH your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, that you may live and and his statutes and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that YHWH your God may bless you in the land multiply, and that YHWH your God may bless you in the land you go in to possess.” you go in to possess.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-16)(Deuteronomy 30:15-16)

Life-and-good and death-and-evil are conventionally opposed Life-and-good and death-and-evil are conventionally opposed as mutually exclusive alternatives between which Israel as mutually exclusive alternatives between which Israel chooses.chooses.

Yet chapters 28-33 repeatedly foretell both evil and good, Yet chapters 28-33 repeatedly foretell both evil and good, death and life for Israel, along its path of salvation.death and life for Israel, along its path of salvation.


► So the Torah prescribes abundant life, So the Torah prescribes abundant life, not as a possibility, not as a possibility, or an alternative to faithlessness,or an alternative to faithlessness,but as a promise of restoration but as a promise of restoration through the powerful agencythrough the powerful agencyof God's covenantal, resisted word.of God's covenantal, resisted word. The prophets follow up on the Torah’s blueprint, The prophets follow up on the Torah’s blueprint,

chronicling and foretelling its fulfillment.chronicling and foretelling its fulfillment. The writings (The writings (e.g.e.g., wisdom literature, Ps 119) , wisdom literature, Ps 119)

reflect reflect the word’s gift of life (Ps 119:50, 93, 107, 159).the word’s gift of life (Ps 119:50, 93, 107, 159).

The New Testament’s massive parallels The New Testament’s massive parallels ((e.g.e.g., Colossians 1:9-2:15) proclaim the surprising , Colossians 1:9-2:15) proclaim the surprising arrival of that Mosaic, prophetic future.arrival of that Mosaic, prophetic future.

Israel Israel isis, typologically, the blind man whom Jesus , typologically, the blind man whom Jesus heals.heals.


►So human flourishing isSo human flourishing is fostered by Torah, fostered by Torah, described and hastened in the prophets, described and hastened in the prophets, anticipated in the writings, and anticipated in the writings, and proclaimed, celebrated, embraced, and proclaimed, celebrated, embraced, and

awaited among the apostles.awaited among the apostles.►(I have purposefully underemphasized the (I have purposefully underemphasized the

brilliant Genesis 1-3, which Christians tend to brilliant Genesis 1-3, which Christians tend to abstract from its role in Genesis and Torah and abstract from its role in Genesis and Torah and overemphasize.)overemphasize.)


► Is human flourishing “important”?Is human flourishing “important”? The whole divine economy is Christ-shaped in this The whole divine economy is Christ-shaped in this

way.way. This is what This is what imago dei imago dei (Gen 1:26-27) means!(Gen 1:26-27) means!

► The first task of theology The first task of theology (and a task of ‘religious studies’ insofar as it treats the (and a task of ‘religious studies’ insofar as it treats the gospel in good faith)gospel in good faith)is to know, articulate, respect, explain, apply it.is to know, articulate, respect, explain, apply it. In these ways we are disciples of the Good Shepherd In these ways we are disciples of the Good Shepherd

rather than rustlers. rather than rustlers. (We can begin by teaching the Bible properly.)(We can begin by teaching the Bible properly.)

What About What About All That Greek Stuff?All That Greek Stuff?

► Without the gospel’s baptismal teleology, our strivings Without the gospel’s baptismal teleology, our strivings for flourishing are disordered and destructive: living for flourishing are disordered and destructive: living deaths.deaths.

► However, baptismally relocated in Israel’s canonical However, baptismally relocated in Israel’s canonical life,life,many of the usual considerations of ‘the good life’ many of the usual considerations of ‘the good life’ reemerge, radically reordered by resurrection: reemerge, radically reordered by resurrection: Instruction and governance for justice. History for memory.Instruction and governance for justice. History for memory. Strength for security. Learning for engagement.Strength for security. Learning for engagement. Wisdom for prosperity. Vision for hope.Wisdom for prosperity. Vision for hope. Worship for holiness. Prayer for love.Worship for holiness. Prayer for love. (Life in academia merely sets this Johannine conversion (Life in academia merely sets this Johannine conversion

in ‘Athens’ or ‘Berlin’ rather than Galilee and Judea.) in ‘Athens’ or ‘Berlin’ rather than Galilee and Judea.) ► The Old Testament reflects the The Old Testament reflects the riches riches of abundant life;of abundant life;

the New Testament reflects their the New Testament reflects their releasingreleasing..

What About What About All That Greek Stuff?All That Greek Stuff?

► The reordered The reordered polispolis will be a baptismal community, rather will be a baptismal community, rather than a (probably confused) state, city, social group, or clan.than a (probably confused) state, city, social group, or clan. Its character will be missional, participating in the apostolic life Its character will be missional, participating in the apostolic life

that comes and goes only through the gate.that comes and goes only through the gate.► Personal, ecclesial, family, and civic formation is ordered Personal, ecclesial, family, and civic formation is ordered

toward baptismal conversion and maturation:toward baptismal conversion and maturation: For instance, both marriage and singleness become sanctifying For instance, both marriage and singleness become sanctifying

practices for church’s benefit and its mission’s fulfillment.practices for church’s benefit and its mission’s fulfillment. My wife and I (ought to) educate our children to equip them My wife and I (ought to) educate our children to equip them

for the Spirit’s fruitfulness, not just ‘success’ or ‘social service.’for the Spirit’s fruitfulness, not just ‘success’ or ‘social service.’ This includes church and catechesis, a full curriculum, and a rich This includes church and catechesis, a full curriculum, and a rich

extracurriculum (music, athletics, Scouts, travels …).extracurriculum (music, athletics, Scouts, travels …). Similarly, I teach my students to think, live, and write Christian Similarly, I teach my students to think, live, and write Christian

tradition to convert or mature their earlier and future training.tradition to convert or mature their earlier and future training.

An Apologia for Human An Apologia for Human Flourishing?Flourishing?

► ““How can such an outrageous claim [as How can such an outrageous claim [as Christ’s universality or exclusivity] be Christ’s universality or exclusivity] be presented compellingly in our culture?”presented compellingly in our culture?” In John it is not compelling but In John it is not compelling but propellingpropelling … …

► in two main directions: in two main directions: away fromaway from, and (then?) , and (then?) towardtoward Christ.Christ.

How do we How do we propelpropel??►Witness:Witness: tell our stories, as the blind man does, and the tell our stories, as the blind man does, and the

others, and the Fourth Evangelist.others, and the Fourth Evangelist.►Not in the style of “works of the flesh,” but with the fruit of Not in the style of “works of the flesh,” but with the fruit of

the Spirit (Gal 5:16-24) that divinely confirms our witness. the Spirit (Gal 5:16-24) that divinely confirms our witness. ►Engage:Engage: I love engaging other (mission) fields — I love engaging other (mission) fields —

disciplines, cultures, and professions — theologically in my disciplines, cultures, and professions — theologically in my teaching and research.teaching and research.

Theology and Theology and MinistryMinistry

for Human Flourishingfor Human FlourishingInterVarsity Following Christ InterVarsity Following Christ

ConferenceConferenceDecember 29, 2008December 29, 2008

Telford Work, Westmont CollegeTelford Work, Westmont College

Facilitating Human Facilitating Human Flourishing through Flourishing through

Theology and MinistryTheology and Ministry ►We should treat our own and others’ prior We should treat our own and others’ prior

formation constructively.formation constructively. In my experience, it almost always makes these In my experience, it almost always makes these

lessons either familiar or recognizable.lessons either familiar or recognizable. (Alienating students from their churches and (Alienating students from their churches and

families is counterproductive, if not blasphemy of families is counterproductive, if not blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.)the Holy Spirit.)

► Yet our prior formation has tended to make Yet our prior formation has tended to make the gospel paradigm for human flourishingthe gospel paradigm for human flourishing seem trite,seem trite, displace it, displace it, or norm it with other accounts of ‘the good life’ or norm it with other accounts of ‘the good life’

and human flourishing.and human flourishing.


Theology and MinistryTheology and Ministry ► As a result:As a result:

Our goals revert to Hellenistic personal or civic priorities, Our goals revert to Hellenistic personal or civic priorities, especially in (even Christian) universities (at best, with eternal especially in (even Christian) universities (at best, with eternal life added in). life added in).

‘‘Christianity’ becomes a religion with a proper place in a Christianity’ becomes a religion with a proper place in a prosperous society (at best, as its ‘salt and light’).prosperous society (at best, as its ‘salt and light’).

‘‘Justice’ becomes the unstable common sense of that society (at Justice’ becomes the unstable common sense of that society (at best, critically affirmed by Christian conservatives, liberals, etc.).best, critically affirmed by Christian conservatives, liberals, etc.).

‘‘Church life’ gains cultural expectations that overwhelm truly Church life’ gains cultural expectations that overwhelm truly ecclesial characteristics, making it untransformative or ecclesial characteristics, making it untransformative or unattainable (thus George Barna, unattainable (thus George Barna, RevolutionRevolution).).

‘‘The gospel’ becomes a slogan whose implications are The gospel’ becomes a slogan whose implications are predictable, constrained, safe, and bland (or, at best, predictable, constrained, safe, and bland (or, at best, compartmentalized).compartmentalized).

Careers become levers of power (at best, used with others in Careers become levers of power (at best, used with others in view).view).

Disciplines and forms of life, as competing metanarratives, leave Disciplines and forms of life, as competing metanarratives, leave us bewildered and unsure rather than engaged and informed.us bewildered and unsure rather than engaged and informed.

► Malformation turns these good things into the rustlers Malformation turns these good things into the rustlers and stolen sheep of John 10.and stolen sheep of John 10.


Theology and MinistryTheology and Ministry ► So we in theology, ministry, and religious So we in theology, ministry, and religious

studies can aid human flourishing by studies can aid human flourishing by receiving the gospel as the faith’s controlling receiving the gospel as the faith’s controlling

paradigm, paradigm, conforming our practice to the radically Christ-conforming our practice to the radically Christ-

centered orientation of this passage,centered orientation of this passage, teaching ‘praxis’ first rather than postponing it or teaching ‘praxis’ first rather than postponing it or

leaving it to others,leaving it to others, expecting opposition even when we are faithful, expecting opposition even when we are faithful,

and readying disciples for it,and readying disciples for it, learning to respect other accounts, sensibilities, learning to respect other accounts, sensibilities,

and disciplines as candidates for the gospel’s and disciplines as candidates for the gospel’s baptismal transformation …baptismal transformation …

as riches of the Father for release by the Son and as riches of the Father for release by the Son and sharing in the Holy Spirit.sharing in the Holy Spirit.


Theology and MinistryTheology and Ministry ► We in pertinent fields (We in pertinent fields (e.g.e.g., religious studies) can at , religious studies) can at

least present Christian self-understanding …least present Christian self-understanding … undistorted, recovered, or corrected …undistorted, recovered, or corrected … e.g.e.g., Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Marianne , Richard Bauckham, Markus Bockmuehl, Marianne

Thompson, N.T. Wright.Thompson, N.T. Wright.► We in cognate and even hostile fields (We in cognate and even hostile fields (e.g.e.g., religious , religious

studies!) can respect and draw out their aporias or studies!) can respect and draw out their aporias or their incompatibilities with the gospel to display the their incompatibilities with the gospel to display the baptismal work of God’s resisted but undefeated word.baptismal work of God’s resisted but undefeated word.

► In all placesIn all places we can seek out, discern, and attend to we can seek out, discern, and attend to “signs of the Kingdom” through which the good news “signs of the Kingdom” through which the good news encounters the world:encounters the world: e.g.e.g., the servants at Cana, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman , the servants at Cana, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman

and her village, the blind man, Lazarus, and the disciples and her village, the blind man, Lazarus, and the disciples throughout John’s Gospel.throughout John’s Gospel.

Case StudiesCase Studies (for whenever)(for whenever)

► Does gay marriage facilitate human flourishing?Does gay marriage facilitate human flourishing? And is Rick Warren a ‘hater’ to disagree?And is Rick Warren a ‘hater’ to disagree?

► Is a given ecclesial shape (Is a given ecclesial shape (e.g.e.g., a Mennonite shared life), a Mennonite shared life) helpfulhelpful unhelpfulunhelpful intelligibleintelligible necessarynecessary impossibleimpossible

… … in your cultural context?in your cultural context?► Is technological (including educational) Is technological (including educational)

‘transhumanism’ consonant with human nature, or a ‘transhumanism’ consonant with human nature, or a rejection of it?rejection of it?

► What distinguishes right from wrong ways to treat the What distinguishes right from wrong ways to treat the earth? earth?

human flourishing: a theological introduction

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