 |
Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > General Chat > (No Subject)
| Forum Quick Jump
|
 | 
Similitude
Registered Member
Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 4968
| Posted 6/9/2007 9:44 AM (GMT -6) |   | | One reason why I wonder about this passage is because I can't help but wonder if it is given as an example of how doing good can overcome evil. If we really believe that people can resist repentance during post-mortem judgment, how much less likely is it that Paul is saying that there is always a way to overcome any evil with good in this life. This passage is quoted from the Proverbs which are wisdom literature. Like the Sermon, the Proverbs are full of nice sayings that are not absolute in their meaning.
Therefore, I think Christ is probably saying something very similar to that Proverb. He is saying that we are not to assume a posture of resistance. RATHER, we are to assume a posture of wise perspective that looks for opportunities of overcoming evil with good. Paul is probably not saying that we can always do this in this life any more than Christ is saying that we always give exactly two cloaks instead of one. Maybe these are just figurative ways of saying that not only are we not to avenge ourselves ever, but even in cases of non-retaliatory relations we are to be bear the infirmities and impulsiveness of the weak and vice-ridden for the sake of attaining the highest good possible.
| | Back to Top | | |
|
One Love
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2003
Total Posts : 13888
| Posted 6/9/2007 9:57 AM (GMT -6) | | Jeff:
Therefore, I think Christ is probably saying something very similar to that Proverb. He is saying that we are not to assume a posture of resistance. RATHER, we are to assume a posture of wise perspective that looks for opportunities of overcoming evil with good. Paul is probably not saying that we can always do this in this life any more than Christ is saying that we always give exactly two cloaks instead of one. Maybe these are just figurative ways of saying that not only are we not to avenge ourselves ever, but even in cases of non-retaliatory relations we are to be bear the infirmities and impulsiveness of the weak and vice-ridden for the sake of attaining the highest good possible.
Brilliantly stated, Jeff.
In my mind, the wise perspective assumes God previous working and assumes the perspective fitting to that understanding. If God is the God of the Possible, then I will LOOK for the possibilities that I'm ASSUMING that God is providing me to further Kingdom activity (the promotion of God's Reign). God rewards those who seek diligently for wisdom...and does not doubt that they will receive that wisdom. What this wisdom tells us may lead us to our deaths, but that's not the point. The point is the highest good possible, which in an interdependent system, can be thought of more universally than individually. I may have to die that others may live...and that's a great thing. To me, this perspective we are speaking of is loving service to God from a stance of humility before God.
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be One, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be One as we are One— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete UNIty. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to SONship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. | | Back to Top | | |
| Forum Information | Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 2:31 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads
|
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP3
dotNetBB © 2000-2026 |
|
|