Post details: Final Blog for GE 07
Final Blog for GE 07
At semester's end
let's review one more time the
greatest commandment, this time
through the eyes of St. John
Moses penned: "But you shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am yhwh"
given in opposition to taking vengeance or
bearing a grudge against another Israelite (Lev 19:18)
Twice during his account of the upper room discourse,
John has Jesus restate the Mosaic admonition "you shall love one another," but then
classify it as a "new commandment" by adding
"as I have loved you"
this love for one another should be the distinguishing characteristic
of (what would become) Christianity.
It is fascinating that in the initial telling, Peter interrupts boldly claiming
that "I love you as you love me"; "I will lay down my life for you"
Amazingly he does! But first God had other plans for Peter,
he had to shepherd the sheep for about 30 years before
God would give him the privilege of "loving" as Jesus loved.
In the second telling Jesus elevates his, now 11, disciples from the
status of servants to that of friends.
This small group had been reactors, disciples
now they were to be actors those who made decisions,
the leaders and interpreters of what would grow into the church
(I wonder if in our 2-4 years together,
I have prepared you to the point that you now may go out to lead others,
educating the deprived flock, along Jesus' path?)
Now in his first epistle, John takes hold of what Jesus borrowed from Moses, and
by word and deed had advanced to a higher standard
(the good Samaritan aptly illustrates the point--all are
neighbors one does not have opportunity to pick or choose),
and applies it to his own community.
All biblical authors concur, neither Israel's God,
nor the triune version of the church, conceived of an academic "theology,"
rather their religion(s) integrated the mysterious into life, real life.
For example, my eyes fall upon 1J2:6
"the one who says he abides in Him
ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked"
We could spend a good week of class time developing a theology of "abides in him" (God the father)--
whatever that means, I do not know,
but John wrote to counter those who claimed to understand the theology,
but whose behavior gave little evidence to the fact
In the words of James,
don't tell me you are a Christian,
if you don't walk as Jesus
Comments:
Comment from: Sarah Fram [Visitor] 
· http://www.xanga.com/fiyamonkey
· http://www.xanga.com/fiyamonkey
Lately I wonder if you're disappointed with us. Seniors, who (if you're like me), still can't hand in a paper on time?? Yeah, that's me.
Even though I still hate papers after four years, I have learned a lot. This year in particular, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a Christian in real life.
A lot of what I'm learning is about love. Love for God, and love for others. The Law. The epistles -- my inspiration.
Most days I remember to pray for God's help. Loving people doesn't come that naturally to me. Is it natural for you? I think what's natural is loving myself. Sometimes loving myself and loving other people runs together. (ie, I like to have friends, so I love people, but only because subconsciously it gets me what I wanted.) Those times, it's easy. Other times... well.
I've learned that loving people makes me laugh. Where I used to get upset and angry over people's stupid actions, now I'll laugh. I smile too. Weird, huh?
I guess, the biggest lesson I've learned is that Christianity should be more than part of my life. After all, I say "I AM CHRISTIAN," not "I include Christianity in a list of things that defines me." Learning to BE Christian, to DO Christianity.
Oh my... it seems like a lifelong goal....
Thank you so much for your mentoring.
Even though I still hate papers after four years, I have learned a lot. This year in particular, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a Christian in real life.
A lot of what I'm learning is about love. Love for God, and love for others. The Law. The epistles -- my inspiration.
Most days I remember to pray for God's help. Loving people doesn't come that naturally to me. Is it natural for you? I think what's natural is loving myself. Sometimes loving myself and loving other people runs together. (ie, I like to have friends, so I love people, but only because subconsciously it gets me what I wanted.) Those times, it's easy. Other times... well.
I've learned that loving people makes me laugh. Where I used to get upset and angry over people's stupid actions, now I'll laugh. I smile too. Weird, huh?
I guess, the biggest lesson I've learned is that Christianity should be more than part of my life. After all, I say "I AM CHRISTIAN," not "I include Christianity in a list of things that defines me." Learning to BE Christian, to DO Christianity.
Oh my... it seems like a lifelong goal....
Thank you so much for your mentoring.
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11/30/07 @ 14:01
Comment from: Hannah [Visitor] · http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
· http://leshemshamayim.wordpress.com/
Love= the binding aspect of faith, since real faith is dependent on the community for its working out. I try to picture love/faith in my mind as interconnected: how can I legitimately claim that I love a God I have never seen if I do not love my neighbor or even my brother with whom I share life every day. I like Sarah’s thoughts on learning how to be a Christian. For years and years I have (and still do) made my faith a theological problem: I placed a dividing line between my heart and my mind: In the mind, I played with intellectually grasping God and in my heart struggled because I am not always fully abiding in Him, and so sin, That is still so hard to say.
But God has made provision for the failure, which comes as I improve in my abiding in Him. I guess I still have so much idealistic theological baggage I need to drop so I understand that as I am improving in God, the overall picture is good standing with Him, not condemnation from Him. That could look like such an excuse for sin in my eyes.. I struggle in my conscience when I sin, and sometimes it’s a momentary impulse, which knows at other times. I know that when I sin, God is not in my mind… or I am choosing something over Him. WHY. Only I can answer that as God lets me and helps me understand.
I understand that I am being held to a greater standard with provision to learn how to improve in my obedience. I am learning the Jesus-standard behavioral righteousness… and because Moses gave me such a nice, laid-out principles, Jesus gave me the power by God’s Spirit, and the whole books gives me explanation enough to make the right decisions… so there’s only God and time as my enemies? Or should I just embrace the whole time of learning as well?
When one’s separated heart from head for so long, it takes more than a semester to change. I think the 2 years will be a nice time of growth from which I pray will provide a ground for where God will take me next. I like that… no theology… but just living faith. I want to be like a Jewish believer. Just God in my life, that’s all. Thank you, Rabbi. I feel more ready to lead and better able to obey than when I came.
But God has made provision for the failure, which comes as I improve in my abiding in Him. I guess I still have so much idealistic theological baggage I need to drop so I understand that as I am improving in God, the overall picture is good standing with Him, not condemnation from Him. That could look like such an excuse for sin in my eyes.. I struggle in my conscience when I sin, and sometimes it’s a momentary impulse, which knows at other times. I know that when I sin, God is not in my mind… or I am choosing something over Him. WHY. Only I can answer that as God lets me and helps me understand.
I understand that I am being held to a greater standard with provision to learn how to improve in my obedience. I am learning the Jesus-standard behavioral righteousness… and because Moses gave me such a nice, laid-out principles, Jesus gave me the power by God’s Spirit, and the whole books gives me explanation enough to make the right decisions… so there’s only God and time as my enemies? Or should I just embrace the whole time of learning as well?
When one’s separated heart from head for so long, it takes more than a semester to change. I think the 2 years will be a nice time of growth from which I pray will provide a ground for where God will take me next. I like that… no theology… but just living faith. I want to be like a Jewish believer. Just God in my life, that’s all. Thank you, Rabbi. I feel more ready to lead and better able to obey than when I came.
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12/01/07 @ 15:51
Comment from: Sara C. [Visitor]
Most of the time I don't know how to handle being around people here at Davis, or in any Christian community really. I come from a huge family, and one thing you have the opportunity to learn to deal with in a huge family is a lot of diversity, differences, and difficulties. It gave me a whole different perspective on loving others. Apart from being shy I just keep my mouth shut because I haven't found Christian communities to be that way for the most part. My family may be use to eccentric people like me, but the Christian community?
And what about me learning to love? I have a hard time dealing with inconsistencies and contradictions in people, in what they say, do, and believe. I am trying to be more sympathetic and patient. It's so much easier to avoid people in general, but that's not always the right thing to do. And I need to be patient with myself through the process as well, and not give up when I feel like I've failed. Like Sarah wrote... learning to be Christian and do Christianity... it's a lifelong goal. And it's not so much about where we are at, but what direction are we going in. Are we moving more into the light, or away from it?
And what about me learning to love? I have a hard time dealing with inconsistencies and contradictions in people, in what they say, do, and believe. I am trying to be more sympathetic and patient. It's so much easier to avoid people in general, but that's not always the right thing to do. And I need to be patient with myself through the process as well, and not give up when I feel like I've failed. Like Sarah wrote... learning to be Christian and do Christianity... it's a lifelong goal. And it's not so much about where we are at, but what direction are we going in. Are we moving more into the light, or away from it?
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12/01/07 @ 16:34
Comment from: Tim Sanford [Visitor]
Well I guess the true test for a leader/teacher is if the people they lead/teach can go and lead/teach. So Dr. Snyder, to your question about us after 2-4 years...we will see. I guess we should be seeing now. Anyway...Love. The greatest commandment. Interesting. Love God...does anybody really do that? Imperfectly at best. What is love for God? John says obey God. I can obey people that I hate. I don't hate God. People would say that hating God means feelings of enmity towards him. So would love be feelings as well. Can anyone else in this whole world relate with me in the fact that doing is easy? Doing is very easy for me it is the love that is hard. There has to be passion right. Well loving others I think stems from loving God. I guess you can love others without loving God. Aren't there atheists who love others? I wonder if push came to shove and I had the opportunity to die for someone else I would. Maybe I have had that opportunity. I don't think that I have. I sometimes imagine things like that. Even with people that I don't even know. Is that bold to say that I would die for someone else who I don't even know? Loving God fascinates me. I think that I have loved God more a times than at others. Does anybody else find it easier to love others than to love God? And I mean love with action. I don't think that love without action is love at all. Move into the light is brilliant.
Well it certainly was a fun class. Blogging was fun too.
Well it certainly was a fun class. Blogging was fun too.
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12/01/07 @ 18:46
Comment from: mario massena [Visitor]
I think everyone's comment is interesting. I had to read some of them twice to grasp what's being said. To comment myself, I will say that God is love and as we abide in Him we'll love and not even know it because it's going to flow naturally out of us because we're abiding in Him. Christian perfection? Yes. All is well until Satan dangles something appealing before our eyes, luring us away and out of abiding in Him. Love for others can still be without abiding in God but it won't be at the same depth that God calls us to love others with. God's love for people is very deep and strong, nothing can be said or done to change it. To love similar to God without abiding in Him is not going to happen. Why, because people will offend and to love them still can only come out of abiding in Him. 2-4 yrs, every student here are like arrows in the hands of our proffessors; were just hoping that you shoot us in the right direction.
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12/02/07 @ 09:50
Comment from: Beth Smith [Visitor]
Over these last few years I think the two things lessons you have taught me the most are not to sugarcoat things, or to make anything more complex than it really is. Love for God means obeying Him, obeying Him involves loving others so that through our love for others we demonstrate our love for God. It sounds easy enough, and most of the time obeying God does not mean doing something outrageous, just things we are not prone to do by nature. I am curious however, this new commandment to love as Jesus loved, does this always and only mean a literal physical death? Over and over I've heard the statement made that Christians should die to self daily. Does this mean that we can give our lives for others by consciously sacrificing our wants and desires in favor of someone else's, even those who do not share our values or beliefs? Are we obeying the new commandment in this way? I like to think we do. Isn't the goal, to become more Christ-like? I believe that anytime we get ourselves out of the way so that God can do what He wants we accomplish His will for our lives. In conclusion, I would like to echo Sarah's statement. Thank you for the influence you have had in my life. I have learned so much, the true test comes in whether or not I go onto educate the deprived flock. I make no guarantees. I can only do my best to remain in the light and draw others to it by loving them as Jesus loves me.
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12/02/07 @ 20:23
Comment from: Tim Greene [Visitor] · http://Love your neighbor
I sometimes wonder what the Christian Church as a hold in America would look like if we were stop looking at different denominations were wrong and they were right. That may disagree on some issues, but we all can agree on the the fact that Jesus came, died and rose again and through faith in him we are saved. Let's not let the little minor issues of things like Jesus' return or other small issue. We like to point out that other religions are a religion of hate, but I sometimes think Christianity in America are more hateful then other religions in our country. If we can't be agree that I am right and your wrong then I want nothing to do with you.
A friend was telling me that he his friend had vastly different belief when it came to once saved always saved. He believed that his friend did not. Because of this he said he would never do ministry with him. I think that is one of the reasons why people have a big problem with the Church. We are not willing to work together for the benefit of growing God's church. We don't love our neighbor especially those who disagree with us. I think that very sad and unless we change and start following what the Bible says with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ we are going to lose another Generation.
Tim
A friend was telling me that he his friend had vastly different belief when it came to once saved always saved. He believed that his friend did not. Because of this he said he would never do ministry with him. I think that is one of the reasons why people have a big problem with the Church. We are not willing to work together for the benefit of growing God's church. We don't love our neighbor especially those who disagree with us. I think that very sad and unless we change and start following what the Bible says with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ we are going to lose another Generation.
Tim
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12/03/07 @ 12:11
Comment from: Sheila Eldred [Visitor]
Loving your neighbor is like eating your vegetables: after eating a serving of veggies no one questions if they should have eaten them. Conversely, after indulging in a big piece of cake one might question if that was the wise thing to do. Likewise, the one who loves his neighbor lives guilt free, while those who are unloving to their neighbor feel the inner conviction of ‘I could have… I should have…why didn’t I”.
Like vegetables, some people are easier to love than others. For instance, consider sweet corn vs. the some what bitter brussel sprout: both offer a different nutritional benefit. Perhaps loving the unlovable neighbor produces a different spiritual benefit/maturity, one that is an acquired taste. If that is the case, then, we must take the taste test and begin to show Christ’s love to the unlovable neighbor. Loving our neighbor is as simple as eating our vegetables: its something we must do and it’s good for us. We don’t have to like it, but it’s still required. Yet with Christ’s help, loving our neighbor is much more palatable.
As for you Dr. Snyder, you have provided a buffet of vegetables that we may serve to others. I will forever remember your diagrams; timelines; and catchy one liners. You have made an impression that is not only unforgettable but reproducible.
Like vegetables, some people are easier to love than others. For instance, consider sweet corn vs. the some what bitter brussel sprout: both offer a different nutritional benefit. Perhaps loving the unlovable neighbor produces a different spiritual benefit/maturity, one that is an acquired taste. If that is the case, then, we must take the taste test and begin to show Christ’s love to the unlovable neighbor. Loving our neighbor is as simple as eating our vegetables: its something we must do and it’s good for us. We don’t have to like it, but it’s still required. Yet with Christ’s help, loving our neighbor is much more palatable.
As for you Dr. Snyder, you have provided a buffet of vegetables that we may serve to others. I will forever remember your diagrams; timelines; and catchy one liners. You have made an impression that is not only unforgettable but reproducible.
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12/05/07 @ 19:57
Comment from: sakiko Ayashiro [Visitor]
Through the cross of Jesus Christ, Love is proved. so now, Love your neighbor becomes the new commandment in Christ. because Christ showed us what love is...
When i think about the Definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and John 15:13,"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" , and the cross of the Jesus Christ, the importance of laying down for others knock my heart. when we live in our lust and seek our benefit, we can be easy to hate our brother/sister or to kick them down = killing them. however when we put our benefit down before Him, the meaning of the "benefit" and the direction of our heart will be really changed, i think. lay down ourselves( = dying ourselves) for others = live ourselves vividly and truly before Him. it is not be able to catch true love without Christ. If i do not follow what Christ did for us, or if i put the definition of love in different place with Christ, i cannot say Christian.... i don't know what to say, however, the balance of faith and love, and the cross of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of bearing my cross... I have been received so many challenges and concerns through this class. i don't want to make the insufficiency of my English as circumlocation, however i sometimes lost what we're learning in the class. sorry...(;_;) however, i really enjoyed to study through this class. the most impressive thing to me was about Peter's 3 times' denials and 3 times' love confession to Jesus Christ. it has given me deep impact and revealed His great love quietly, but strongly. through this class, i have been learning and getting the oppotunity to concern the very important things in my life in Him. and i believe that i should continue to learn and to concern what i learned in this class. i'm very thankful that i learned many things from Him through you. thank you very much, truly:)
When i think about the Definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and John 15:13,"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" , and the cross of the Jesus Christ, the importance of laying down for others knock my heart. when we live in our lust and seek our benefit, we can be easy to hate our brother/sister or to kick them down = killing them. however when we put our benefit down before Him, the meaning of the "benefit" and the direction of our heart will be really changed, i think. lay down ourselves( = dying ourselves) for others = live ourselves vividly and truly before Him. it is not be able to catch true love without Christ. If i do not follow what Christ did for us, or if i put the definition of love in different place with Christ, i cannot say Christian.... i don't know what to say, however, the balance of faith and love, and the cross of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of bearing my cross... I have been received so many challenges and concerns through this class. i don't want to make the insufficiency of my English as circumlocation, however i sometimes lost what we're learning in the class. sorry...(;_;) however, i really enjoyed to study through this class. the most impressive thing to me was about Peter's 3 times' denials and 3 times' love confession to Jesus Christ. it has given me deep impact and revealed His great love quietly, but strongly. through this class, i have been learning and getting the oppotunity to concern the very important things in my life in Him. and i believe that i should continue to learn and to concern what i learned in this class. i'm very thankful that i learned many things from Him through you. thank you very much, truly:)
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12/07/07 @ 20:18
Comment from: Holly Seide [Visitor]
As i think about things now, i see how easy it is for me to become complacent with the
level of love that i have. Whenever i really think about the fact that love is the greatest
commandment and how many times it is mentioned throughout the bible, it hits me that it
is something that is not easy and it does not just come naturally. Love takes so much
work and i think the hardest part is letting go of myself. That is what comes naturally,
loving and feeling compassion for myself. Even though i know the verse that says that
love comes form God, i still try to do it on my own so many times. It is a blessing to have
the example that God has shown us. Without it, i really wouldn't know how to love.
level of love that i have. Whenever i really think about the fact that love is the greatest
commandment and how many times it is mentioned throughout the bible, it hits me that it
is something that is not easy and it does not just come naturally. Love takes so much
work and i think the hardest part is letting go of myself. That is what comes naturally,
loving and feeling compassion for myself. Even though i know the verse that says that
love comes form God, i still try to do it on my own so many times. It is a blessing to have
the example that God has shown us. Without it, i really wouldn't know how to love.
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12/07/07 @ 22:36
Comment from: Peter Seide [Visitor]
Loving people is definitely not easy that is if you are doing it genuinely. Genuinely loving people is so hard… I can act like I love a person externally but when I have to make a serious sacrifice to show that love my falseness is revealed. I’ll tell you what I can act very fake about how I feel about a good handful of people at this campus. The immaturity and pride I see drives me nuts, it’s so ridiculous because I see both of these within myself. I demand perfection yet cannot live up to that perfection myself. We find it hard to love yet being loved is our biggest craving. How absurd! No wonder Christ had be our bridge to God… nothing within us, that is alone, desires to serve God. Even with all the great acts He has done we’d still be like the Israelites… no sorry even though we have the Holy Spirit we are still like them. We are selfish toward both God and our neighbor. Though it is easy to be fake in loving people God has used my wife to really humble me. I see her all the time; I can’t get away with being fake as much. She sees the way I love God and the ways I don’t and inevitably she sees when I’m trying to love her and when I don’t. I love her position in my life she keeps me accountable about this stuff and she barely even knows it. Praying for help from Christ and having a great awareness of my sins so that I have grace towards is what helps me love people… Thank you for always challenging me!
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12/08/07 @ 11:00
Comment from: Alfonse Javed [Visitor] · http://www.ramfoundation.com
· http://www.ramfoundation.com
dear dr., I do not know about other students but I have learned a lot and that all "a lot" can be sum up in one sentence "obey the law/commandment" I guess that is the reason why Christ was so concerned about neighbor, I have noticed my all kind of sermons end with "love your neighbors" if it does not end or start with "love your neighbors"then It must contains the theme of love your neighbors.
well you have admit one thing for sure, it is very easy to convince international student...isn't that true..now practically Dr.Snyder resides in my theology..haha.
Another thing i want to mention before I close my comment. "right Behavior+right theology=Christian believer"
Love you Dr. , and thanks for spending so much time in studies..because your "spending time" depicts from your teaching..
well you have admit one thing for sure, it is very easy to convince international student...isn't that true..now practically Dr.Snyder resides in my theology..haha.
Another thing i want to mention before I close my comment. "right Behavior+right theology=Christian believer"
Love you Dr. , and thanks for spending so much time in studies..because your "spending time" depicts from your teaching..
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12/09/07 @ 15:39
Comment from: carol mininger [Visitor]
I have always had a hard time with this. It is very hard for me to love someone that I do not like. It is easy to forgive someone for a wrong, but I still have love issues. I tend to avoid people I do not like just so I do not have to deal with learning how to love them!
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12/10/07 @ 09:11 Leave a comment:
