– Introduction to Theology

Introduction to Theology

The basic elements of the prophetic form of discipleship involve divine intervention /mediation , utterances , and fulfillments as these were the elements of the Old Testament Prophecies

Discipleship simply means making disciples . In the New Testament , a disciple is a student or a learner while prophesy in the Old Testament Scripture is a revelation from God of what is going to happen either in the near future or a distant future given to some individual chosen by God to proclaim such futuristic revelation to the people . Others however , see

it as a form of spirit divination , but the New Testament sees it as a divine message and a direct utterance from the Holy Spirit

In a divine mediation or intervention , based on the ancient Old Testament society God intervenes in the affairs of men either to proclaim Gods judgments to people because of their sins or to proclaim blessings and deliverance from their enemies . God usually appoint a prophet in accomplishing this purpose . This has been a difficult task because God often addressed the message to the king which means that the appointed prophet will either rebuked the sins , proclaim a bad news or good news in the king 's face . This proclamation is called prophetic utterances , which usually begins with thus said the Lord ' This prophesies in turn is authenticated by its fulfillment

These prophetic elements have been obviously seen in the New Testament disciple ship . One of the occasions that clearly depict this is found in the Scripture text of Mark 14 :30 . Jesus ' utterance of Peter 's would be denial of him for three times that will be heralded by a cockcrow finds its exact fulfillment in the same chapter of Mark 's gospel beginning from verses 66-72 . Edwin Keith (1994 ) pointed out that this report of Peter 's resistance has been syntactically shaped into a prophetic element central to plotting and characterization (Keit

. 152 . The story in this occasion was generated by Peter 's strong assertion in Mark 14 :29 about Jesus prediction of the disciples ' falling away during his darkest hours . Peter asserted , Even if all fall away , I will not ' an utterance for which , Jesus rebuked him straight in his face . The fulfillment of Jesus ' exact pronouncement of Peter 's denial confirms its prophetic utterance

On the other hand , discipleship does not simply mean to make a person a follower . Discipleship means learning the teachings of Jesus . Fred Herron (2005 , quoting Thomas Merton argued , Prophecy is a participation in the mission and person of Jesus , it is an intrinsic element of discipleship (Herron ,

. 46 . Herron emphasized that in many occasions a prophet stands alone against the whole structure which in the case of the disciples have been part of their lives . The case of Saint Paul is also an outstanding example of this . Saint Paul among all the disciples has suffered the most in connection with his faith . In defending his own self in front of high government officials against...