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Study GuideThe Colorado Confession was written by a gathering of Christians spanning the ecumenical Christian family. The Colorado Confession is a faith expression designed to focus action and reflection within the ecumenical Church on life issues which include local, national and international implications. For the sake of God's world and in response to Jesus' call to discipleship, The Colorado Confession calls the People of God to public witness. This guide is a reflective step towards that witness. PROCESS
QUESTIONS What are the main issues of our historical moment? What is there to be dis-eased about in our American context? In light of these dis-eases, what is the Church called to A) Stand for? B) Stand against? What does the Church stand on? What is the purpose of the Church? See: II Corinthians 5:6-7, 17-21; Romans 5:1-5, 10-11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Isaiah 58:6-14; Ephesians 2:8-10, 13-14, 17-19; Romans 12; Genesis 1:28, 31; and Ephesians 4:1-16. What does it mean that the Church is a spiritual reality? See: II Corinthians 4, Romans 12. Does America exhibit an imperial stance? Is America an Empire? See: Psalm 33:16-17 and Hosea 10:1-2, 13-14. Does Revelation 13 speak of America? When is it necessary to stand against your government? What would Bonhoeffer say? William Sloan Coffin? Is America a falling Empire? Do we have anything in common with Lamentations 1:1-11; Nahum 3:1-7; Revelation 13? What are some examples of American arrogance? See: Obadiah 1:2-4, 15; Habakkuk 2:4-8; Micah 2:2; 3:1-3. What does Amos 1-2 say to America? What challenges does America face in the world? Within our own borders? See: Micah 3:1-3 What are the justice and peace issues facing America? Is there a judgment upon America? See: Luke 6:24-26; Amos 1-2; Hosea 8:1-3, 7, 14; Isaiah 32:9-11. How can the Church be more prophetic? See: Amos 5:2 What would it mean to our nation and to the world if the Church renounced the use of violence, to become a pre-Constantinian Church? Instead, choosing to suffer injury, to sacrifice? See: Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 5-7; Isaiah 9:1-7; Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27. How can the Church speak and act on behalf of the poor, the suffering, and the vulnerable? See: Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Psalm 72; Isaiah 10:1-4 and Isaiah 32:1-5; Amos 8; Matthew 25:31-46 How can the Church hold political authorities accountable? See: Above texts plus Revelation 13 and Romans 12:1-2, 9-21; Romans 13:6-8; Zephaniah 2:1-3. In light of Romans 13:1-5, how do Romans 12 and Romans 13:8-10 provide a caveat to or set standards for governmental action? What do all of these verses tell us about the purpose of government? How can the Church live towards one human community? See: Colossians 1:15-20; 3:1-17; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 3:16; Galatians 3:28. What ought the Church do to champion reverential care for the earth? See: Genesis 1 and 2, Psalm 8 and Psalm 104 How ought the Church address the idolatrous consumerism of our society? See: Matthew 6, Luke 6 How is the Church complicit in America's and the world's sins? Of what does the Church need to repent? What ought the Church turn away from? Turn towards? See: Amos 5:6, 14, 15, 21, 24 What does it mean for the Church and Christians to live faithfully in response to the Truth of Christ? See: Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6 What is the Church's role in being God's instruments for a "new heaven and a new earth?" See: Revelation 21:1-5 What would America be like if the Church acted to create a "new earth?" What would the world be like? What can the Church DO to make this happen? |