- Christ centering
- Community Discerning
- Disciple developing
But I also see how important it is to stand away from two forms of absolutism.
Firstly, we must guard against the absolutism of personal power. Where authority and decision is centred in an individual. This is not the apostolic way. Christ teaches us to listen and to love. To hear His voice through serving the other in humility. Through discovering the authority of the relational community.
Secondly, we must renounce the absolutism of abstract idea or opinion. Theological truth is always incarnated in the story of human life. Truths predicate practices. To contrast our ideas to those of another without comparing journeys through life, and seeking to learn from the other, is sheer arrogance.
These are insights I treasure and want to inform our very essence in affirming what is good in being baptists Christians. I look forward to another day at Assembly!
