The Ontological Project

Question 1

According to Dr. Davis, what are the four (4) ontologies?

Answer 1

1. (Eastern/New Age/Occult) PANTHEISM: “Prehistory”
2. (Enlightenment Scientific) MATERIALISM: “Modernity”
3. (Postmodern Digital) VIRTUALISM: “Postmodernity”
4. (Resurrectional-Trinitarian) THEISM: “Eternity”

Question 2

What are the six metrics used to describe each of the four ontologies?

Answer 2

(PRICES):
P-rimary Reality
R-elationship
I-nstitutions (Key) 
C-ore Activities
E-pistemology
S-elf (View of)

Question 3

What are the PRICES of Pantheism?

Answer 3

P:  "nature - spirit - one"
R:  (premodern / Hindu / Buddhist.)  Arranged Marriage
I:  Support groups; covens; networks
C:  Ritual.  Magic
E:  Intuition. Experience
S:  self = nature = god

Question 4

What are the PRICES of Materialism?

Answer 4

P: “matter”
R: “free agent” / social contract. individualism. no fault divorce.
I: laboratories; factories; shopping malls
C: manufacturing; shopping; consumption
E: empiricism; rationalism
S: autonomous agent

Question 5

What are the PRICES of Virtualism?

Answer 5

P: “images”
R: utilitarian / expressive; online dating
I: internet; movie theaters; Microsoft / Apple
C: writing software; making music, films, etc.; entertainment
E: neo-pragmatism; “social construction”
S: autonomous, socially-constructed self

Question 6

What are the PRICES of Theism?

Answer 6

P: Triune God
R: Covenantal Relationships; life-long marriage
I: church / body of Christ: “theanthropic”
C: worship; prayer
E: Word / Spirit / Faith: “logopneumatic”
S: Trinitarian-ecclesial self

Question 7

The central fact of the bible

Answer 7

The divine Presence in our midst: Ez 37:27,28; 1Cor 5:4; Mt 18:20; Eph 4:6

Central fact of Jesus’s message: Mk 1:15 (Repent, for kingdom of heaven is at hand.)

Question 8

What is the ontological project?

Answer 8

A call for today’s church to repent and remember:

1. Central fact of Bible
2. Central fact of Church’s & Christian’s identity
3. Central Practice of Christian life and ministry

Question 9

Central fact of the Church’s and Christian’s identity:

Answer 9

1. People of God: Ex 33:16

2. The Christian: union with Christ: Gal2:20; 2Cor 5:17

Question 10

Central practice of Christian life and ministry

Answer 10

PRACTICING THE PRESENCE: Jn 5:19; 8:29
“Walking with God””
“Praying without ceasing”:

Jesus:

1. Proclaimed the Presence. Mk 1:15
2. Embodied the Presence. Jn.1:14
3. Practiced the Presence. Jn. 5:19; 8:29

Question 11

3 Crucial Doctrines:

Answer 11

1. Trinity
2. Union with Christ
3. Realized Eschatology