lectures on jurgen moltmann by barry ballard: May 2012

MY BRIEF TESTIMONY

BRIEF 5 min. PERSONAL TESTIMONY - BARRY BALLARD

On a warm summer day in Washington D.C., I sat in a small movie theater listening to a re-broadcast of a Billy graham crusade that had been previously given elsewhere. I was attending with a Christian group who ministered on the air force based where I was stationed, "Andrews Air Force Base". At the conclusion of the presentation, there was an invitation given to receive Christ and counselors were standing up front to pray with those who came forward. The house lights went up and I went forward and prayed to receive Jesus Christ into my life. This was not the moment of my true conversion, this was "preparation-of-heart", part one.

On a humid pitch-black night in 1969, my plane touched down on the Saigon airfield that was currently under rocket attack. Black-out conditions were in effect and we were rushed to trucks and then transported to our barracks and its inclusive bunker for protection. I was assigned an m16 rifle, two clips of ammo, and given a helmet and flack-vest. I spent my first night in Saigon standing in the bunker, wondering "why?" I was even here. I understood none of it, except that supposedly it had to do with communism and we were protecting democracy. But, I just felt abandoned to the most bizarre and remote assignment I could imagine. I worked "support", so I do not want to give the false impression that I was "combat"; but I did serve some time in the jungle. Only one man died in our group during the year I was there; and he told me beforehand that he wanted to die and never return home. He had received his divorce papers in the mail about a week before my arrival. He was shot down in a helicopter "one" day before he was to return home. My one year in Saigon was a lesson in the deterioration of the human spirit and soul. Eventually, I also learned to hate myself and "living" and could care less about what might lie ahead. I was returning to the states with a crushed human soul, devoid of all optimism. This was "preparation-of-heart", part two.

On a humid gray-dusk-like-evening, I found myself, in 1970, driving through the main gate of Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. I soon settled into my tasks of working in the 7th bomb wing headquarters, in support roles again as usual. I also served on the honor guard for special occasions for fallen veterans funerals, or award ceremonies. Even though my personal psyche was "wasted“; I was considered an admirable employee and respected for my abilities. My inner life however was an absolute disaster that I did not "share" with anyone. Strangely enough; I was visited by representatives of the "Navigators"; the same Christian organization that had approached me in Washington D.C. I began attending bible studies two nights a week and felt a little better about life by receiving this follow-up. I'll call this "preparation-of-heart", part three.

During my term of service at Carswell, I met my wife to be, Beverly, who invited me to her church in River Oaks, "Trinity Baptist Church". They had a young pastor, John Hatch, who was just finishing his doctorate at Southwestern and the atmosphere attracted me. It was in 1973, “4” years after that initial "preparation-of-heart"; that I made an honest commitment to Jesus Christ and immediately followed that with baptism.

From there, the road did not get any smoother, but my “soul” began a healing process that eventually went from healing to true "Wonder and Discovery". The first thing that was revealed to me was my spiritual gift, which is "Teaching". While at Trinity, I ended up writing three commentaries: James, Colossians, and Philippians. All three helped me grow in my commitment to Jesus Christ.

True conversion was preceded by three moments of "preparation-of-the-heart" in my case. Over a four year stretch of time, God never gave up on me. I think the strength of my testimony must be given to the strength of God's loving patience; to lead me along the final path that would secure my faith. Thank You.

Monday, May 28, 2012

THE SPIRIT OF LIFE - 1992- MOLTMANN

The realm of the spirit as depicted in Moltmann's 4th volume of his systematic theology. Looking back after the presentation of his ethics. CLICK ON: AUTO-LINK to reach the lecture. http://www.mediafire.com/?55owb7slxy09c4t

Saturday, May 26, 2012

realm of the spirit

STAY TUNED: after the new release of moltmann's ethics, it makes logical sense to return to the 4th volume of his systematic theology: "the spirit of life" and review his position on the realm of the spirit and how it overlaps with his ethics. this was published in 1992 - 20 years ago. it's time to look at it again, with our new understanding. much will be gained from the adventure.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

ETHICS OF HOPE - FLOW-CHART

here's the flow chart: click on "AUTO-LINK" to reach chart. with 2 additional blocks of data not in the lecture as a bonus... http://www.mediafire.com/?ugvmf9ss5oy3l99

Saturday, May 19, 2012

MOLTMANN'S ETHICS OF HOPE

the trilogy is complete. here is the third volume we have waited for. extremely powerful writing. not the "retired" voice here; but instead Moltmann at his very best. highly recommended to everyone. click on AUTO-LINK to reach lecture. http://www.mediafire.com/?9a3luqc62qkhy2y

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

MOLTMANN'S ETHICS TO BEGIN SOON:

STAY TUNED

Saturday, May 12, 2012

EDELMAN CONCLUDES

all-inclusive conclusive summary. And i've added his epistemology from "Second Nature". Edelman is the standard against whom all others are measured. You will understand all the minor points here. CLICK ON: "AUTO-LINK" to reach lecture. http://www.mediafire.com/?uf0xc250w5m4aa2

Sunday, May 6, 2012

THE 24 STEPS: EDELMAN

because you asked for it. here is a complete running summary of edelman's entire system; nothing excluded. CLICK ON : "AUTO-LINK" to reach chart. http://www.mediafire.com/?uixacum23re3ebq

Friday, May 4, 2012

EDELMAN - ACTION CIRCUIT, JPEG CHART

THE PICTURE OF THE ACTION CIRCUIT. THE PERFECT FINISH TO HIS POSITION. CLICK ON: "AUTO-LINK" to reach chart. http://www.mediafire.com/?t81t5ob7hv88bcb

EDELMAN LECTURE THREE - ACTION

we have gone from theory to circuit; and now to intentional action. CLICK ON: AUTO-LINK to reach lecture. http://www.mediafire.com/?9on1b3qg9knwzti

Thursday, May 3, 2012

EDELMAN - lecture two flow-chart

the actual picture of the circuit. click on "AUTO-LINK" to reach flow-chart http://www.mediafire.com/?gsyd0j3m8ohoz9z

THE EDELMAN SYSTEM - LECTURE TWO

now we get the "picture" of the NCC. CIRCUIT after passing through STM and LTM. this second phase is extremely important. click on "DIRECT-LINK" to reach lecture. a flow-chart will follow. http://www.mediafire.com/?hu5b08kx1dd88sf

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

EDELMAN - FIRST FLOW-CHART

for first lecture. CLICK ON: "AUTO-LINK" to reach flow-chart. http://www.mediafire.com/?5dpgwe88h1t4olb

G. EDELMAN - HIS THEORY EXPLAINED

YES HE IS DFFICULT; but we will cover his entire system in three lectures with charts. we will make his system accessible and fully explicated in all of its detail. mainly using "THE REMEMBERED PRESENT", his masterpiece from 1989. CLICK ON : "AUTO LINK" to reach the lecture. http://www.mediafire.com/?0bys2mf2jfl21rb

lectures on jurgen moltmann by barry ballard

MY BRIEF TESTIMONY