Disability, Dying, & Death: Relational Theology and the Gift of Hope

Below for your encouragement is a slide presentation called, “Disability, Dying, and Death: Relational Theology and the Gift of Hope for Life’s Descending Triad.” It comes from a seminar I did a while back with two other colleagues and may be turned into a small book someday. Even without the presentation script—which awaits another round of editing—you might be able to find some encouragement here for whatever challenges you may be facing these days.

What is relational theology? The God of Scripture (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is thoroughly relational; hence the field of relational theology, as distinct from systematic theology, contextual theology, etc. As I’ve written before, the Holy Trinity is not a math puzzle (1 + 1 + 1 = 1), it’s a clue to the relational heart of the universe. That clue is precious to believers because the prime reality of existence is not matter. It’s not energy. It’s not quarks. It’s a divine relationship. Specifically, it’s an eternal reciprocating relationship of personal diversity and unbreakable unity. As the well-known hymn puts it, “God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”

Human persons made imago Dei—in the image of God—are therefore relational beings, much like their Creator. Even introverts are aware of their interrelatedness with others! This connectional dynamic has much to say to us in a broken world marked by disability, dying, and death. It also has much to say to us in a world marked by the risen Christ, who knows firsthand what it’s like to feel disabled, go through the dying process, and then eventually taste death itself.

May the Lord enable you to revel in the gift of hope, even if through tears.

ICL Old Testament Survey, Class Session 7

Class Resources:

Additional handouts on the Ketuvim are available on Canvas.

Class video available (for 30 days) upon request.

ICL Evangelism and Discipleship, Class Session 7

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Tonight: Student Testimonies, Group 1

Winsomeness Illustrated: “The Transformative Power of Classical Music” by Benjamin Zander (TED Talk Video)

Discuss: Regardless of your musical preferences, Benjamin Zander’s compelling TED Talk nearly makes people want to understand classical music better, perhaps even participate in it themselves. What could happen if Christ’s followers were this winsome when it comes to the gospel? What might it look like at a practical level?

Class video available (for 30 days) upon request.

ICL Old Testament Survey, Class Session 5

Class Resources:

Class video available (for 30 days) upon request.

ICL Old Testament Survey, Class Session 4

Class Resources:

Class video available (for 30 days) upon request.

ICL Evangelism and Discipleship, Class Session 2

Class Resources:

Video Clip: Alistair Begg on “The Supremacy of Christ in the First Century” (2:45)

Video Clip: Paul Tripp on “Knowledge Does Not Mean Maturity” (3:45)

Video Clip: Robert Plummer on “The Greek Grammar of the Great Commission” (6:56)

Class video available (for 30 days) upon request.