Concepts that Christians should apply Based on the Text: Ecologies of Faith in the Digital
The Ecologies of Faith in the Digital Age has proved to be one of the excellent books that have supported spiritual formation and provide well-researched concepts that Christians should use in their lives. The well-researched text raises some questions that are directly related to the online enrolment and development of students in higher institutions. This book was purely designed not only to help in developing the student holistically but also to provide the ecological framework that makes online education viable.
There are several spiritual formations addressed in the book that I will need to incorporate into my walk of Christian life and ministry.
One such is the spiritual growth in the life of a Christian. The author, in his thesis, takes care of the need for spiritual growth among the student through constant engagement in online education. As a result, he structures his work into three major parts, the biblical theology of ecology, the spiritual formation through digital technologies, and the ecology connections among the Christians and the entire community. As a result, he creates a well-documented story on how christens are interconnected through the digital community as they learn about the scripture (Lowe et al., 2018). Therefore, based on this powerful technique, I believe that embracing the concept of spiritual growth through the use of the online platform will enable me to learn from the online community as well as to achieve the best possible results in my quest.
The second spiritual formation that I will adopt is the application of the knowing self and knowing God. As a Christian, the discovery will have a powerful effect in promoting self-discovery as well as establishing the right boundaries that are required for growth (Lowe et al., 2018). According to the author of the book, spiritual formation is perfectly created through the process that involves all these elements. The application of these factors allows the Christian to grow spiritually and fulfill the promises that had been promised by the Messiah. Self-discovery and knowing God will further make me understand the power of my new creation and its possible benefits in my growth as a Christian.
A Plan of Action to Implement those Areas into My Life and/or Ministry
As a Christian, there are several key plans that I have managed to put in place to enable the implementation of the spiritual formations that have been addressed. The first approach is through the adoption of the online learning approaches that are required in the current community. The mastery of the above skill will enable me to work within the prescribed area and operate in the interconnected field. As stipulated in the book, a well-developed technological understanding will enable me to interact perfectly with my colleagues as well as instructors in the theological field. Working within the online spaces will not only enable me to promote my ecological connection as well as promote the overall growth within the Christian community. The application of the online program will further promote my circle as I continue to interact with other members of the global community and spread information among people.
The second plan of action is engaging in constant prayer, devotion, and reading the bible. The approach will enable me to understand the main aspects that constantly affect my life and how to perfectly connect with God. Through sincere prayer, I will be able to manage to understand myself perfectly as well as make discoveries that will promote my spiritual life. Through devotion, I will manage to discover the real battles that continue to affect the life of a Christian. I will achieve effectively pray for the issues that affect my life and other factors affecting society. Finally, through prayer and devolution, I will succeed in engaging perfectly with the members of society. The implementation of the above course of action will help me to achieve the right growth and development that is required for Christian growth. Finally, it will allow me to understand the various parameters affecting Christian life as well as move in the right direction, which is critical for my growth.
A piece of advice from Surviving and Thriving in Seminary to help the new Seminary student to Grow in the Faith
Based on the text, Surviving and Thriving in Seminary, a new seminary student understands that growing spiritually must be pegged on Holy Spirit, orderly and intentional. As a result, they should be able to operate with the Holy Spirit to help them achieve divine-human interaction. They should allow the Holy Spirit to act as a perfect agent of transformation in their lives. They allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts as they continue to work on seeking the grace to live Christian lives. They must understand that the new transformation in their lives cannot occur without the genuine work of the holy spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that will allow them to achieve personal awareness, cooperate with others as well as create the faith response that is required in their lives. The new student must understand that as the mind and the heart continue to discern the holiness of God; they continue to increase their connection and maturity in their Christian lives.
The new Christian student needs to understand that the secret of achieving a new life in the seminary completely depends on his/her connection to Christ. They should understand that apart from Jesus, there is no other power that can help them grow as a Christ and resist the temptations that continue to affect their lives (Zacharias et al., 2017). The student should understand that they are weak and cannot serve without writing the laws of Christ in their hearts. Therefore, those who fully depend on him have the power to get transformed in his image and live a new life full of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The texts Ecologies of Faith in the Digital Age and Surviving and Thriving in Seminary have proved beyond reasonable doubt that Christian growth is systematic, intentional, and practical. All new students should work within the technological age to adapt to the new practical means of connecting with others. These members should also work within the Christ realm to connect with the Holy Spirit and achieve the right growth. They should seek the knowledge of the risen Christ and make progress to achieve internal growth. Attaining maturity in their lives simply calls for the understating of the various dimensions that continue to directly affect their lives and growth. By applying these important parameters, they will manage to achieve the required growth in their lives.
References
Lowe, Stephen D., and Mary E. Lowe. Ecologies of faith in a digital age: Spiritual growth through online education. InterVarsity Press, 2018. Pp. 1-264.
Zacharias, H. Daniel, and Benjamin K. Forrest. Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook. Lexham Press, 2017.