Grand Theological Issues of 21st Century?

Kester Brewin  has posted asking about the grand theological issues to tackle of the 21st century.  I wonder, first, what would be considered the grand theological issues addressed in the 20th century? That aside, a critical issue I do not see being discussed ANYWHERE is one of soteriology; how do we change? How do we "grow spiritually"?

Modern Christianity equates spiritual growth with an accumulation of doctrinal and scriptural data. It is information based. If the end 20th century marks the end of the "information age" and the 21st century marks the beginning of an age of connectivity, or "relationality", than spiritual growth may rightly or wrongly be equated with the quality (or quantity) of our relational network. We see this on Facebook (friend counting) and blogging.  This is neither good nor bad inherently. However, instead of trying to super-size everything we see peacemaking, reconciliation, and new monastic communities - positive "signs".

We have learned so much and still know so little about how people really change.  How do we break free from addictions, racism, and mental illness? How do we combine the wisdom of monasticism and theosis, Frued's psycholanalysis, and Dean Ornish's work?

"Chocolat," put it best: "Listen, here's what I think. I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do. By what we deny ourselves. What we resist and who we exclude. I think we've got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include." [From Newsweek article by Dean Ornish, Dec 20, 2007]

Comments

[witty]

Andy - Our conversations have been inspiring especially in regard to this conversation. I love how you put it: resting in God's love.

[Andy]

Sean,

Great post. I could not agree with you more more about the question of change. This has been my personal stumbling block for the last few years and quite frankly the reason for my disappointment/disillussion with my faith. If God does not change us then what's the point? I believe he does, but I'm not sure how. I know it's not (primarily) through more information/knowledge. I know it's not through more striving, harder work, more discipline (this is self-change, worthwhile, but not God-change). I know it's not through fear or God. Fear motivates for a while, but is not long lasting. I know that somehow God often changes us when we're broken, humbled, on our last leg. I don't want to be in any of those places, but if that's where I meet God in a real way...let's go! The problem is, how to we get to broken, humbled on our last leg? I can't get myself to any of those places. Here's what I think: When we truly understand God's love for us and learn to find rest and security in that love...we will change. As we learn more and more God's love for us, we will learn to trust, and through trust in God we're changed in ways that rally matter. Funny how it all comes back to Love...isn't that the whole point of scripture! How easily we get off that and onto our own efforts!