On Tuesday, I met with the residency group in the Kansas East conference for new comers to the Annual Conference. We have been reading through Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership and Congregational Life by Ronald Richardson. As part of the discussion I thought of systems theory applied to atonement and here is what I came up with:
Our human condition is to be enmeshed with sin. Through Jesus Christ we have the ability to be self-differentiated from sin. This means that we can recognize the tendency to sin that is within us and yet are enabled to choose to turn away from sin. Paul writes:
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:21-25, TNIV)
- Is systems theory applicable in considering the reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus Christ?
Rev. Andrew Conard 
One reply on “Systems Theory and Atonement”
Andrew
this was the topic of our lesson yesterday evening. I wish we had your thoughts. I will have to ponder this a bit. If I bring my lap top over would you help me set up a blogging page? Or something similar to what you have right now?
We could schedule it in the very near future.
thanks,
Yolanda