fredag 10. februar 2017

Important for 'formation'

NORSK
After many years of involvement with the “Folk-High-School” movement, the word "formation" has become part of my spinal cord. In Norwegian formation forms the root of the word which translates “education” in English. Even though there is a clear link, there is also a big difference between the two. Education is often associated with a subject or a course that we follow for a limited period. Formation is an ongoing and life-long process. The Swedes use the word ‘bildning’ similar to the German ‘Bildung’, which translates “imaging”. In other words: the formation of an image.

In a Christian context this becomes the formation of the image of God in us. The many creeds have a place in the formation. Paul quotes several of them in the letters to Timothy and I have looked at some of them already (1)


Today I read:
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

2 Tim 2:11-13
I am convinced that the reminder Paul sent to Timothy, was a creed Timothy already knew by heart. Paul confirmed that it as a trustworthy saying – which means a saying that is worthy of trust.

An important part of my formation both in elementary school and Sunday school, was the learning of Bible verses and Christian hymns by heart. These ‘trustworthy sayings’ became an important ‘carry on luggage’ to bring with me into adolescence and further on into adult life. The formation, or 'imaging' is still taking place, so that step by step his image may become visible.

'Manna' for today:

Formation is also taking place through reading and writing!
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(1) E.g. "A Christmas Creed"

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