The Call Story

Gods call comes in many shapes and forms. The traditional call from God has been questioned in modern day society. Individuals are skeptical and are less likely to hear Gods call. For those who listen, Gods call can be heard.

There are 6 parts to the call story:

1) Confrontation with God
Each call begins with an encounter with God. Each encounter can be different. For example: Moses saw God as a burning bush, Isaiah saw God in a temple, Ezekial had a vision of teh Chariot of God, St. Joan of Arc heard Gods voice.

2) Introductory Speech
God is always the first to speak.

3) Imparting of a mission
God always calls us to fulfill a mission.

4) Objection by the prophet to be
The recipient hestitates to accept the mission.

5) Reassurance by God
God comforts the prophet and reassures them.

6) The sign
The sign that the prophet receives may not always be clear.


“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther


Some wish to hear the word of God, others wish to receive it.

Covenant

With the story of Moses we rediscover the covenant that was started with Adam, Abraham, Noah and other prophets. Moses rediscovers this new covenant by being open and willing to receive God's call. God's covenant reaffirms His commitment to love and protect us.

The five parts of the covenant are

1) The Preamble
The preamble can be viewed as the the first meeting between two individuals.
For example: if someone wants to sell there house they have to provide proof that they own the home. The homeowner has to have a Title to validate the sale of the home. The buyer has to be pre-approved by the bank to finance the home. The preamble validates the interaction between the two parties. It is the initial step that legally binds the individuals.

2) The Historical Prologue
The Historical Prologue describes the previous arrangements and agreements.
For example: if you are buying a house then a title search must conducted which will validate the sale of the house. You have to look at the history of the house and the land to ensure that previous contract where adhered to.

3) The Submission
The submission refers to our loyalty and devotion to each other. For example: In a marriage situation, both parties agree to be faithful to each other. "To love and to hold. Through sickness and health till death do us part"

4) The Witnesses
The witnesses refers to the individuals that are present.
For example: In a marriage, the witnesses include all those who gather at church to witness the union of two people.

5) The Blessings and Curses
Being faithful to the covenant comes with rewards.
Breaking the covenant will result in punishment.
For example: If you have purchased a home and you require a loan to help pay for the house, then you sign a contract agreeing top pay the loan back to the bank. With this agreement comes responsibilities. If you pay your payments, the house will belong to you (Blessing) If you miss your payments you can potential loose your home (Curse)

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations"

Moses

Moses....Moses....Moses....The story of Moses is an inspirational story that is recognized throughout the world. Moses is CALLED to be prophet by Yahweh.
Moses is called by God to act, to seek justice for an enslaved people.
On another level, the calling beckons us to freely enter into a covenant with God. The covenant is a sign to humans that God wants to freely establish a relationship with us. This covenant establishes an ethical guideline for humans and our daily relationships with "others" and God.

“He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name”

“Love lasts when the relationship comes first.”

Ch 4: The naming of God and Ethics

This chapter will explore the biblical way of looking at ethics. The source of our ethics is revealed in the exodus story and Moses. We will examine the call story and the covenant that was created with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. This revelation illustrates Gods love for us and the relationship that is created.
In short, the chapter will explore three key points.
1) Gods name is revealed to humanity.
2) The call stories of the prophets. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, are
explored.
3) The parts of the covenant are explored as well as the relationship between God
and humanity.

“Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; / With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: / But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.”

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther

Ch 3: Test and Assignment Reminder

Ch 3 assignment due on Monday November 3.

Ch 3 test is on Thursday November 6.

Three Senses of Conscience

Timothy O'Connell identified conscience as Capacity, as a Process and as Judgment.
The three are intrinsically linked and are necessary to effectively evaluate and act on a moral issue.
First of all, Conscience is a capacity of being human. Everyone has a general awareness of right and wrong. This capacity highlights our basic orientation towards the good. When we look at Sociopath’s and Psychopaths, we readily recognize our conscience and the search for the good.

Secondly; Conscience is a process of moral reasoning. To know right and avoid evil requires active interaction. Each situation requires us to act according to our conscience. We have to question our actions and respond according to the information we gather. Our guidelines are based on personal experiences, moral theologians, sciences, scriptures and Church tradition.

Thirdly; Conscience is a Judgment. Conscience is incomplete until you act on it. After examining all the factors..you commit to an action. An action that you believe is right.

In the end, Conscience requires that we recognize right from wrong, that we engage in a healthy dialgue to assertain the right course of action based upon numerous resources and that we act.

Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.
Joseph Cook

“There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts.”
Mahatma Gandhi


“Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.”
Stephen R. Covey

Conscience is the mirror of our souls, which represents the errors of our lives in their full shape.
George Bancroft

Ch 3: The importance of character and one's body

You become self with others through community and language. You also discover self through the body. For this reason, your "actions" are embodied and shape your character. Hence, the formation of character is the fourth trait.
You develop your character through actions. Everyday actions determine your reality. As a result the more your practice the more your actions will reflect your values and Principles. For example: if your choose not to drink alcohol then you must discipline yourself to say NO when you are offered an alcoholic drink. By saying No time and time again under different circumstances reinforces your stance on alcohol. Over time, the decision to say no will be secondary and you will not be tempted or persuaded by peer pressure. Others will begin to respect your stance and treasure you for who you are. If friends refuse to acknowledge and respect your choice then they are not true friends.

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”


“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.”
Shaquille ONeal

“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.”
Charles C. Noble

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle