The Symbol of Modern High Thought.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Obtuse, Purple and Clairvoyant
I lament my obtuse mind. Years of public school and television have honed my quick whit to a veritable oblivion. Alas, I am not alone. We have a generation, perhaps two, of slow, amused sloths. Let me give you an example of our total lack of logical precision and curiosity.
The question of free will versus predestination has plagued the church for thousands of years; however, modern evangelicals, of whom I am one, seem to be able to so easily dismiss it. We use phrases to defend our position: “whosoever will”, or “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door”, or “if you call on my name”…the list goes on. It all seems so easy, that I used to wonder why all the hassle all these years.
The problem, I now see, is that I was too stupid to see the real question. I filled my mind with things that I had assumed to be true with no verification whatsoever. For instance, I assumed that “whosoever” inherently means anyone can. It simply means “whatever person”, and the word has no bearing on who is able to. If I said, “Whatever person gets an A on the test will come with me.” I make no claims about individuals having equal opportunity to get an A. We live in an egalitarian democratic society that values personal freedom over all else so we tend to assume it where it may or may not belong.
I tended to focus on the action and the “if/then” statements, but the real question comes before the if/then. The real question is what determines one’s ability to complete the “if”?
For instance, Revelation 3:20 states “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” This seems to our modern, western thinking to state that anyone can open the door to Christ, but Romans 10:17 states the emphatic opposite. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The passage continues with the fact that many Jews heard and didn’t gain faith because God himself had stopped up their ears to the understanding of the truth lest they turn to Christ.
In short the question is not:
Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation
The question is:
Whoever is able to hear + Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation
Calvin said that if you are able to hear you will by necessity come to Christ. Arminius said that you may come to Christ if you are able to hear. Pelagius said that anyone can come to Christ.
Oh, my obtuse head is aching.
The next question is “Do I control my will or does my will control me?”
I lament my obtuse mind. Years of public school and television have honed my quick whit to a veritable oblivion. Alas, I am not alone. We have a generation, perhaps two, of slow, amused sloths. Let me give you an example of our total lack of logical precision and curiosity.
The question of free will versus predestination has plagued the church for thousands of years; however, modern evangelicals, of whom I am one, seem to be able to so easily dismiss it. We use phrases to defend our position: “whosoever will”, or “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door”, or “if you call on my name”…the list goes on. It all seems so easy, that I used to wonder why all the hassle all these years.
The problem, I now see, is that I was too stupid to see the real question. I filled my mind with things that I had assumed to be true with no verification whatsoever. For instance, I assumed that “whosoever” inherently means anyone can. It simply means “whatever person”, and the word has no bearing on who is able to. If I said, “Whatever person gets an A on the test will come with me.” I make no claims about individuals having equal opportunity to get an A. We live in an egalitarian democratic society that values personal freedom over all else so we tend to assume it where it may or may not belong.
I tended to focus on the action and the “if/then” statements, but the real question comes before the if/then. The real question is what determines one’s ability to complete the “if”?
For instance, Revelation 3:20 states “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” This seems to our modern, western thinking to state that anyone can open the door to Christ, but Romans 10:17 states the emphatic opposite. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The passage continues with the fact that many Jews heard and didn’t gain faith because God himself had stopped up their ears to the understanding of the truth lest they turn to Christ.
In short the question is not:
Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation
The question is:
Whoever is able to hear + Whoever comes to Christ = Salvation
Calvin said that if you are able to hear you will by necessity come to Christ. Arminius said that you may come to Christ if you are able to hear. Pelagius said that anyone can come to Christ.
Oh, my obtuse head is aching.
The next question is “Do I control my will or does my will control me?”
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Purgatory
I believe that nothing in my life happens by chance, every encounter I have, every advertisement I read, every news report I hear, every person I meet is appointed by God. It was once said that if there is a single molecule in the universe that God is not explicitly in control of then He cannot be God.
God is personal, and He personally cares for me and you. He is constantly teaching us, growing us in His ways, and perfecting us. I’ve been asked if I believe in Purgatory (This is the holding place that a Christian may be kept in as they are prepared for heaven.), and to this I reply a hearty “yes”. Then I finish with, “we are now in purgatory.” We are now being prepared for heaven. Our journey here on earth is two-fold. We do the work of the Lord and expand the kingdom of God, but we are made righteous and prepared to meet our Savior.
What I’ve been really thinking about lately is what the purpose is for each individual God brings across my path. Some people are difficult to deal with, and perhaps a challenge to love. Some may be stubbornly irresponsible or even rebellious. Some may be sanctimoniously righteous in their own eyes. Some may be complex while others lead simple lives. Each person I meet, deal with, correct, am corrected by or visit with has an impact on me and is purposed by God to lead me up the path of righteousness. So, sometimes I just stop and try to figure out why I am where I am, why I am with who I’m with and why I’m doing what I’m doing.
I believe that nothing in my life happens by chance, every encounter I have, every advertisement I read, every news report I hear, every person I meet is appointed by God. It was once said that if there is a single molecule in the universe that God is not explicitly in control of then He cannot be God.
God is personal, and He personally cares for me and you. He is constantly teaching us, growing us in His ways, and perfecting us. I’ve been asked if I believe in Purgatory (This is the holding place that a Christian may be kept in as they are prepared for heaven.), and to this I reply a hearty “yes”. Then I finish with, “we are now in purgatory.” We are now being prepared for heaven. Our journey here on earth is two-fold. We do the work of the Lord and expand the kingdom of God, but we are made righteous and prepared to meet our Savior.
What I’ve been really thinking about lately is what the purpose is for each individual God brings across my path. Some people are difficult to deal with, and perhaps a challenge to love. Some may be stubbornly irresponsible or even rebellious. Some may be sanctimoniously righteous in their own eyes. Some may be complex while others lead simple lives. Each person I meet, deal with, correct, am corrected by or visit with has an impact on me and is purposed by God to lead me up the path of righteousness. So, sometimes I just stop and try to figure out why I am where I am, why I am with who I’m with and why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Stewardship of the Body of Christ
God places men to be stewards over his children. He calls them shepherds or pastors. These men are charged with the awesome responsibility of feeding, leading and protecting the flock God entrusts them with. God entrusts a man with a flock and instructs him to create disciples. Discipline is required by God of His children. However, God is not looking for a people who cower like abused dogs beaten with zealous, fundamentalist dogma exchanging the word of God for manmade rules giving an outward appearance of righteousness. God is looking for self-disciplined children who have been taught, exhorted, cajoled and coaxed into self-discipline. God’s children are not our children, and we must take great care in how we lead them to a disciplined life. The pastors are not their fathers but rather their teachers and guides. As one tries to instill self-discipline in other people’s children, one has two tools: the amount of time one spends with the child (more or less depending on the attitude and actions) and warnings as a form of attempted protection of the child and others. This is the frustration and this is the challenge of the pastor.
God places men to be stewards over his children. He calls them shepherds or pastors. These men are charged with the awesome responsibility of feeding, leading and protecting the flock God entrusts them with. God entrusts a man with a flock and instructs him to create disciples. Discipline is required by God of His children. However, God is not looking for a people who cower like abused dogs beaten with zealous, fundamentalist dogma exchanging the word of God for manmade rules giving an outward appearance of righteousness. God is looking for self-disciplined children who have been taught, exhorted, cajoled and coaxed into self-discipline. God’s children are not our children, and we must take great care in how we lead them to a disciplined life. The pastors are not their fathers but rather their teachers and guides. As one tries to instill self-discipline in other people’s children, one has two tools: the amount of time one spends with the child (more or less depending on the attitude and actions) and warnings as a form of attempted protection of the child and others. This is the frustration and this is the challenge of the pastor.
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