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Kings and Chronicles, Part 2: Seeds of Hope

  1. Lesson One
    Hezekiah (2 Kings 17–20, 2 Chronicles 28–32)
    19 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Josiah and the Fall of the South (2 Kings 21–23, 2 Chronicles 33–35)
    23 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Overview of 1 and 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 1–7, 14–29, 2 Chronicles 29–36)
    22 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Ritual and Sacramental Living (1 Chronicles 13, 21, 2 Chronicles 1–27)
    24 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Wisdom Literature (Proverbs 1–4, Ecclesiastes 1–3, 12, Job 1–4, 40–42)
    18 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

This idea of hospitality for God’s indwelling presence is at the center of Christian theology and practice. We don’t worship God in a manufactured temple or tabernacle. The idea of living our lives in a way that is compatible with God’s presence is as relevant to us as it was in the Old Testament. This creates what we can call a sacramental way of life.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul connects the temple with the believers in his audience:

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NASB)

  1. Theologians beginning with Paul have applied the ideas of purity and holiness from various Old Testament passages to this idea of Christians as “temples” of God’s presence. Read some of the following comments; in your workbook, record the emphasis on purity and holiness for the people with whom God dwells. 

Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430): 

You are yourself the temple of God. In your going out, in your coming in, as you abide in your house, as you rise up, in all you are, a temple. Take heed then what you do, take heed that you offend not the Indweller of the temple, lest He forsake you, and you fall into ruins.

Aphrahat the Persian Sage (AD 280–345): 

Therefore, my beloved, we also have received of the Spirit of Christ, and Christ dwells in us, as it is written that the Spirit said this through the mouth of the Prophet: “I will dwell in them and will walk in them.” (Lev 21:12) Therefore let us prepare our temples for the Spirit of Christ, and let us not grieve it that it may not depart from us.

Jerome (AD 347–420): 

On one side self-indulgence presses me hard; on another covetousness strives to make an inroad; my belly wishes to be a God to me, in place of Christ, and lust would fain drive away the Holy Spirit that dwells in me and defile His temple.

Origen of Alexandria (AD 184–253): 

Let any one who chooses to learn how we are taught, that our bodies are the temple of God, and that if any one by lust or sin defiles the temple of God, he will himself be destroyed, as acting impiously towards the true temple.

Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35–107):

Keep your bodies as the temples of God; love unity; avoid divisions; be the followers of Jesus Christ, even as He is of His Father . . . for where there is division and wrath, God does not dwell.

Sources: 

Augustine, Sermon 32 on the New Testament, 13: “Sermon 32 on the New Testament.” Catholic Encyclopedia: Miguel Hidalgo. Accessed May 03, 2018.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/160332.htm.

Aphrahat, Demonstrations, 6.14: “Demonstration 6 (Of Monks).” Catholic Encyclopedia: Miguel Hidalgo. Accessed May 03, 2018.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/370106.htm.

Jerome, Letter XIV, To the monk, Heliodorus: “Letter 14.” Catholic Encyclopedia: Miguel Hidalgo. Accessed May 03, 2018.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001014.htm.

Origen, Against Celsus, Chapter 19: “Contra Celsum, Book VIII.” Catholic Encyclopedia: Miguel Hidalgo. Accessed May 03, 2018.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/04168.htm.

Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Philadelphians, Chapters 7–8: “The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians.” Catholic Encyclopedia: Miguel Hidalgo. Accessed May 03, 2018.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0108.htm.