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The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
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Author:  Neil of Erk [ October 27th, 2009, 9:37 pm ]
Post subject:  The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
GOD

In my stories, God in general is referred to by the Dwarvish word meaning 'Trinity'. Specific references to a member of of the trinity are generally special cases of the Dwarvish words for 'Guide' (Holy Spirit), 'Priest' (Christ), and 'Lord' (God the Father). Note that the Dwarvish word does not directly reflect lordship, but is the word closest related to the concept of lordship.

Of course, there are cultures that believe in 'gods', and these are referred to by the Elvish word 'demi-god', etc.

The Testaments, the Church Body, and the Kingdom

In my stories, it is made clear whether the story takes place in an 'Old Testament' spiritual state, or a 'New Testament' spiritual state. Generally, I place my stories in the Old Testament State, so that I can handle death by the blade with less theological complication.

Because the stories take place in an Old Testament State, there is of course, the Covenant. The Covenant closely parallels the Clean/Unclean and Animal Sacrifice elements of Earth's Covenant, but to a lesser extent.

Since there is no Church Body at this point, I must have my Nation of Israel. This is generally the Dwarvish Union.

There is much allusion to a 'coming Kingdom' in my stories, because as the Israelites, the peoples of my world look forward with longing for the creation of a kingdom by a Savior.

I will post more later, about such topics as 'Sub-Creation' and 'Pacifism', as they relate to my story.
Author:  Liagiba [ October 28th, 2009, 6:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Your story sounds very allegorical. What is the Dwarvish name for God/Trinity?
Author:  PrincessoftheKing [ October 28th, 2009, 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
That sounds really well thought out!
Are the "demi-gods" real (as in demons or angels) or are they completely made up by the other cultures?
Author:  Neil of Erk [ October 28th, 2009, 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Liagiba: I haven't constructed the Dwarven Language yet, so I don't know. My story isn't meant to be allegorical though, just to reflect reality.

PrincessoftheKing: The 'demi-gods' are actually real. They are either demons-I believe Paul said somewhere, "Behind every idol, a demon."-or they are fallen dragons. Yesterday I would have told you they weren't real, but I just came up with the idea today, and it plays a very interesting role in my plot-line.
Author:  Whythawye [ October 29th, 2009, 5:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Very good. Most of my stories are pre-Christ as well (the last one deals with His coming). I am not sure what 'theological complication' there might be with a NT sword fight. :)

I like the realistic parallels. I also try to think in a realistic, but not allegorical way. In my Elvish (from which all the 'accurate' names come from) there is a special 'holy' pronoun that is used when referring to God. Thus you have The One, which is the pronoun prefixed to itself, in a sense, and which refers to God, period. Then there is The LORD, which is 'lord' prefixed with the pronoun. Then there is The Wind (or the One Wind, however you want to translate it), which is the Holy Spirit. etc. I have not figured out what the pronoun is yet, unfortunately. :) I will need to soon though...
Author:  Neil of Erk [ October 29th, 2009, 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Well, the theological complications come down to the purpose of war. What is there in war that glorifies Christ? In the OT, the kingdom of God was physical, and therefor physical war was made. But, now, in the NT, we have a new set of orders, and the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom.

However, I generally make exceptions for situation like WWII when we had options a) let Hitler kill whoever he wants and conquer the world, or option b) kill soldiers, but save people who can protect themselves from evil. In that case, the German soldier had made their choice, they knew what they were fighting for, and they knew that someone would fight against them. In that situation I would say that the Ally soldiers were merely God's chosen means of wrath.
Author:  Whythawye [ November 2nd, 2009, 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Neil of Erk wrote:
Well, the theological complications come down to the purpose of war. What is there in war that glorifies Christ? In the OT, the kingdom of God was physical, and therefor physical war was made. But, now, in the NT, we have a new set of orders, and the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom.

However, I generally make exceptions for situation like WWII when we had options a) let Hitler kill whoever he wants and conquer the world, or option b) kill soldiers, but save people who can protect themselves from evil. In that case, the German soldier had made their choice, they knew what they were fighting for, and they knew that someone would fight against them. In that situation I would say that the Ally soldiers were merely God's chosen means of wrath.


Ah, I thought it was something like that. Well, I have done some study on that subject (the differences between the Old Covenant and the New, and how it affects the roles of nations), and I would like to talk to you about it via pm if you want. I would like to see what you have studied about it. Of course, I am very busy, and so my messages might be a little late in coming. :)
Author:  HandmaidenofGod [ January 20th, 2010, 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Re: Neil of Erk

Hi, Neil! It sounds like you have an interesting book in the works! I would encourage you to think about some of your thoughts on Old Testament vs. New Testament.

Quote:
Since there is no Church Body at this point, I must have my nation of Israel. This is generally the Dwarvish Union.


A lot of Christians think that the Old Testament is completely different and separate from the New Testament, but it's important to see that salvation and the nature of God are the same--through faith in Christ, and we are all part of one church together. Jesus is "the same yesterday, today, and forever," so He doesn't change His standards either--(it's fine to fight with NT characters, as long as it's a just fight for righteousness. )

He had a Covenant with His Old Testament people (the Jews) that if they would be His people, He would be their God. His people were the church, and His people today are the church--that's why we can claim the same promises that they did, AND why the Old Testament is relevant to us today. They were saved by grace looking forward to Christ, and we are saved by looking at Him and what he has already done for us. Take a look at Acts 7: 37-39

38This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
39To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

Your friend in Christ,
Handmaiden of God
Author:  Neil of Erk [ January 21st, 2010, 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Handmaiden;

I appreciate your concern about my theological beliefs. I'm going to clear things up a bit about my theological stance.

As to the Testaments discussion:

I believe that yes, we are united as a group with the true followers of God in the Old Testament, but it is important to note that the Church Body as an institution was still united in some senses with the institution of government.

Also, we do not claim the same promise that the Old Testament believers do, we claim the fulfillment. (Hebrews 12, I believe.)

Bringing that all together, it is clearly stated that Christ didn't come to abolish the Old Testament law, and thus I do not believe that it is void. However, Christ came to fulfill the law. Much of the law was symbolic, a reference to the future coming of Christ.

To explain further, let me give you an example of how I feel on an issue.

The Bible clearly states that Christians are not to kill people. But it also states that government is the "avenger" of evil. Because of this, I believe that on a personal level as Christians, we are not to kill for any reason. However, I also feel that it is the government's duty to avenge, and that if this means that a Christian person must kill on the battle field (if the war is just) or must sentence someone to death in court, then they are not guilty. Think of this principle as the principle of the "melancholy soldier." A soldier who understands that it may be unlawful to kill, but also that he may break a greater law (if the war is just) if he does not kill.

Because of the great confusion surrounding these things, I like to avoid this area altogether, and I like to explore the themes of the OT, so I set the story in the OT.

And by the way, this covers the promised "pacifism" post. I may get to the sub-creation concept some time, but I'm beginning to suspect that I will not include that theme in the story itself.

Note: I edited this post because I typed "did" when I should have typed "didn't", in a very important place. If you read "did", please go back and re-read the whole post as what I said will now make sense.
Author:  Willow Wenial Mimetes [ January 31st, 2010, 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
I have a quick question! What would you think of killing someone in self-defense? I know that if an evil person tried to hurt my family, I might end up killing them...
Author:  Neil of Erk [ February 1st, 2010, 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Mindy E. wrote:
I have a quick question! What would you think of killing someone in self-defense? I know that if an evil person tried to hurt my family, I might end up killing them...

This person as clearly made his/her choice, and it would be worse to allow them to commit their crime.
Author:  Seer of Endor [ February 21st, 2010, 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
Neil of Erk wrote:
The Bible clearly states that Christians are not to kill people. But it also states that government is the "avenger" of evil. Because of this, I believe that on a personal level as Christians, we are not to kill for any reason. However, I also feel that it is the government's duty to avenge, and that if this means that a Christian person must kill on the battle field (if the war is just) or must sentence someone to death in court, then they are not guilty. Think of this principle as the principle of the "melancholy soldier." A soldier who understands that it may be unlawful to kill, but also that he may break a greater law (if the war is just) if he does not kill.

Actually, the New Testament never offers any teaching on killing not found in the Old Testament. And the Old Testament contains prohibitions of murder, but not of killing for any reason. I concur that killing is far from God's original plan for this earth, but I also think that is just another symptom of a fallen world.
In Christ,
Jordan
Author:  Neil of Erk [ February 21st, 2010, 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Complete Theological Guide to...My World!
iarbonelseye010 wrote:
Actually, the New Testament never offers any teaching on killing not found in the Old Testament.


If you examine the Gospels and Acts, you will find the a precedent is set for non-violence. There is much teaching to be found by examining the lives of Jesus and his followers.

The Old Testament nowhere states that the law "thou shall not kill" actually refers only to murder. Furthermore, no where is a distinction made between killing and murder except when the death was caused by accident.

Please remember what I said in my previous post. While we understand that to willfully kill is to murder, we also understand that there are rare times when it may be a worse sin not to murder. (Situations of WWII are an example, albeit a bad one.)
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