Pattern Theology by Daniel Keeran, MSW www.ctihalifax.com
I hold the belief that following the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, is the most effective way to achieve personal mental health and even the wellbeing of society. Pattern theology is simply the belief that one must do exactly what God says in every detail: be holy, sexually moral, get rid of anger and malice, be gentle, avoid drunkenness and filthy language, immerse for baptism, use fruit of the vine and unleavened bread for the Lord's Supper, meet together for worship, use the voice to offer sacrifices of praise, scriptural governance in the Christian community, care for the poor, love for one’s enemies, taking up the cross, etc. If we reject pattern theology, we are forced by logic to reject too much, and for some it becomes all or nothing: 1. there are many teachings and commands that must be believed and obeyed, or 2. there are none because there is no God or because God forgives our failings and He does any good we do. The challenges are to employ principles for understanding scripture and to guard against inventing and requiring unscriptural beliefs and practices. A third possibility is that while there are many expectations, God is willing to forgive us if we confess our sins. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." – 1 John 1:8-10 –
Amid your struggle to believe and do what is right and true, remember to practice the presence of God.