The Call Story

Gods call comes in many shapes and forms. The traditional call from God has been questioned in modern day society. Individuals are skeptical and are less likely to hear Gods call. For those who listen, Gods call can be heard.

There are 6 parts to the call story:

1) Confrontation with God
Each call begins with an encounter with God. Each encounter can be different. For example: Moses saw God as a burning bush, Isaiah saw God in a temple, Ezekial had a vision of teh Chariot of God, St. Joan of Arc heard Gods voice.

2) Introductory Speech
God is always the first to speak.

3) Imparting of a mission
God always calls us to fulfill a mission.

4) Objection by the prophet to be
The recipient hestitates to accept the mission.

5) Reassurance by God
God comforts the prophet and reassures them.

6) The sign
The sign that the prophet receives may not always be clear.


“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther


Some wish to hear the word of God, others wish to receive it.

Covenant

With the story of Moses we rediscover the covenant that was started with Adam, Abraham, Noah and other prophets. Moses rediscovers this new covenant by being open and willing to receive God's call. God's covenant reaffirms His commitment to love and protect us.

The five parts of the covenant are

1) The Preamble
The preamble can be viewed as the the first meeting between two individuals.
For example: if someone wants to sell there house they have to provide proof that they own the home. The homeowner has to have a Title to validate the sale of the home. The buyer has to be pre-approved by the bank to finance the home. The preamble validates the interaction between the two parties. It is the initial step that legally binds the individuals.

2) The Historical Prologue
The Historical Prologue describes the previous arrangements and agreements.
For example: if you are buying a house then a title search must conducted which will validate the sale of the house. You have to look at the history of the house and the land to ensure that previous contract where adhered to.

3) The Submission
The submission refers to our loyalty and devotion to each other. For example: In a marriage situation, both parties agree to be faithful to each other. "To love and to hold. Through sickness and health till death do us part"

4) The Witnesses
The witnesses refers to the individuals that are present.
For example: In a marriage, the witnesses include all those who gather at church to witness the union of two people.

5) The Blessings and Curses
Being faithful to the covenant comes with rewards.
Breaking the covenant will result in punishment.
For example: If you have purchased a home and you require a loan to help pay for the house, then you sign a contract agreeing top pay the loan back to the bank. With this agreement comes responsibilities. If you pay your payments, the house will belong to you (Blessing) If you miss your payments you can potential loose your home (Curse)

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations"

Moses

Moses....Moses....Moses....The story of Moses is an inspirational story that is recognized throughout the world. Moses is CALLED to be prophet by Yahweh.
Moses is called by God to act, to seek justice for an enslaved people.
On another level, the calling beckons us to freely enter into a covenant with God. The covenant is a sign to humans that God wants to freely establish a relationship with us. This covenant establishes an ethical guideline for humans and our daily relationships with "others" and God.

“He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name”

“Love lasts when the relationship comes first.”

Ch. 4 The naming of God and Ethics

This chapter will explore the biblical way of looking at ethics. The source of our ethics is revealed in the exodus story and Moses. We will examine the call story and the covenant that was created with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. This revelation illustrates Gods love for us and the relationship that is created.
In short, the chapter will explore three key points.
1) Gods name is revealed to humanity.
2) The call stories of the prophets. Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, are
explored.
3) The parts of the covenant are explored as well as the relationship between God
and humanity.

“Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; / With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: / But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.”

“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired, although not in the hour or in the measure, or the very thing which they ask. Yet they will obtain something greater and more glorious than they had dared to ask.”
Martin Luther

Ch 3: The importance of communication and language

Your stance in life is shaped through numerous experiences. You are part of a community and that community influence who you are. As an individual we are constantly influenced by others. The teach you what is wrong or right. In most cases, what we think and justify as being right may not be right.
If we look at community, we can say that our family is one group that has an influence on your thoughts and ideas. They help shape your stance and ultimately your identity. For example, your family may be religious therefore you are more likely to be religious.
Friends also influence your thoughts and ideas. They become trusted members who can have a profound impact on your identity. For example, if your friends drink then you are more likely to drink along with them.
Media also influences your identity. Most of the time we are caught up with advertisements and a suggested way of life. You are made to feel incomplete as a human being if you do own the product. This inadequacy is reinforced when friends and others have these products and you don't. For example, you may not have cell phone while others have one. As a result, you may feel anxious and isolated because you do not own a cell phone.
Within our community, language then shapes our identity. It allows us to discuss our experiences. It is a way for us to share our collective and individual experiences. These experiences also shape our identity. They challenge our established beliefs. Words bring order to a chaotic universe. We use language to classify, analyse, theorize, and discuss our concepts and beliefs.

"There is more than a verbal tie between the words common, community, and communication.... Try the experiment of communicating, with fullness and accuracy, some experience to another, especially if it be somewhat complicated, and you will find your own attitude toward your experience changing."
John Dewey

“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives”
Anthony Robbins

Ch 3: The Importance of having a direction in life

The second aspect of the human person that is important to ethics is the direction one has in life.Without a sense of direction we are lost. Without a sense of commitment, we wander aimless at the mercy of whatever is able to attract our interest. Most of the time we act on basic instinct and not on an educated, informed decision.
The commitments you make define your reality. They become the driving force behind your actions. Your identity will be demonstrated through your actions!! In the end, there is a direct link between your moral direction (stance in life) and your identity.

“Committing yourself is a way of finding out who you are. A man finds his identity by identifying. A man's identity is not best thought of as the way in which he is separated from his fellows but the way in which he is united with them.”
Robert Terwilliger
"The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself."
Thales

Undoubtedly, we become what we envisage."
"Claude M. Bristol

"The ancient human question 'Who am I?' leads inevitably to the equally important question 'Whose am I?' — for there is no self outside of relationship."
Parker Palmer

Ch 3: The importance of others

The main question posed for this section is, "are you responsible for your fellow human being?" In Biblical terms "Am I my brothers keeper?" (Genesis 4.1-9) In chapter one, we explored three ethical theories. (Aristotle, Kant and Levinas) Levinas claimed that we acknowledge the face of the other and in that recognition, we are in service for the other. Levinas would say that we are our brothers keeper and that we are responsible for their well being. In this way, we are relational beings.
Our relationships and interactions with others define our moral and ethical stance. We can never escape our interconnectedness with others. Our actions are always influencing others.
In popular culture, this concept is contradictary to Levinas' claim. Our culture treasures independence and self reliance. We have established a system that rewards individual success. It is relational in so far as individauls are used as a means to achieve a goal. This concept has also been present throughout time. The Greek story of Narcissus highlights our egotistical ways. We are self absorbed.
Hence the search for the good is relational and involves others. As a result, individuals have to be aware of their influence of others. More importantly, you are a self for and through others.

“Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.