Session 1 Reflection Paper Oct 15 2023
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Colorado Christian University *
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Arts Humanities
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Feb 20, 2024
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Session 1 Reflection Paper
Cody Colin
Colorado Christian University
SOC-202A
Professor Lora canter
October 15, 2023
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Session 1 Reflection Paper
Since the beginning of time, God has intended for humans to have covenant relationships. Without His Word, we would not know how to exemplify and understand the true meaning of covenant relationships. God's ultimate design is for all of us to enter into covenant relationships. The establishment of a covenant between God and the nation of Israel is the foundational focus in developing a theology of the family, as stated by Balswick and Balswick (2014, p. 6). Ezekiel 16 (NIV) is a parable that reveals the relationship between God and Israel and the covenant of marriage (v. 8). This passage shows the heart of God, where His grace abounds and His love is unconditional.
In Ezekiel 16, the Jewish nation and their conduct towards God are exemplified. The scripture shows how an infant is rescued and raised to become a fine man, much like how God rescued and raised Israel. Despite coming from a family of bad conduct, this child was raised to carry himself differently and became handsome. In verse 8, it is stated that "when I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed
your time was the time of love; so, I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered a covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord GOD. Israel had grown and matured but still relied on God for help, protection, and provision. They had not become self-sufficient. God made a covenant with them, and they became one, just like a man and woman do in marriage. In this marriage analogy, the husband protects, provides, and covers his wife.
According to Balswick & Balswick (2014), God is like a parent to Israel, Christ is like a groom to the church, and the Holy Spirit indwells and empowers believers as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
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God's actions towards Israel demonstrate compassionate love, discipline, guidance, pursuit, giving, nurturing, respect, knowledge, and forgiveness. Jesus welcomes everyone, including children, women, and the marginalized, into close and intimate connection.
The most important aspect of this statement is love. Throughout Ezekiel 16, we see the unconditional love of God towards Jerusalem. "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers (Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIV)." It is covenant love that forms the basis for family. For this reason, family means much more than just blood ties. Family is where you are loved unconditionally and can count on that love even when you least deserve it. Despite the people's prideful behavior and lewd conduct, God showed grace and remained faithful to his covenant with them.
Balswick & Balswick (2014) propose that "the concept of humanity" can be used to create a theological anthropology. According to them, humanity's existence is defined as being in a covenant relationship with God. Ray Anderson extends the idea of covenant to all human relationships, including familial ones. He regards familial relationships as a "secondary order, made possible by the primary order
of differentiation as male or female." Anderson believes that differentiation enables interdependence and cooperative interaction between individuals (p. 6).
As an abused child, I held onto a lot of anger and often directed that anger towards others. Despite my parents' divorce when I was four, they raised me and my sisters to be independent individuals. However, I always felt they favored me and wanted me to be in charge of my rebellious older
sister. This created a sense of being different and not fitting in, which further fueled my anger and led to
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verbal outbursts directed toward my sibling and even my mother at times. Although I was reprimanded, my family always showed me unconditional love.
After receiving salvation and accepting God's love and forgiveness, I was able to forgive and let go of my anger. This was a difficult journey for me, and I know it was not always easy for my family. However, I am grateful for their love and support. Despite our differences and imperfections, we love each other unconditionally.
God's grace and love are boundless and unconditional. The foundation of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel, which is allegorized in Ezekiel 16, should be at the forefront of every family. Covenantal marriage and relationships are designed by God and purposed for us all. It is our responsibility to understand the proper understanding of this covenant and remain faithful to it.
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References
Balswick, J. O. and Balswick, J. K. (2014). The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home.
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic
Gable T. The holy bible New International Version copyright 2015