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Originally posted by Alan Rhoda

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Originally posted by sparknheart

Maybe you’re right Tom and Allen, if you have the ability to tap into the infinite mind of God. But is that the message we should ascribe to? This Western world is all about me, me and me. This little me that was created in the image of God and this little me that acts like a little god. Not by imitating Jesus mind you, but by thinking that the world evolves around me. All Glory and praise should go to God and nothing is more important in the entire universe then God Himself. But when we start thinking for God is when we start asking for trouble.

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Not sure what your point is here, Mark. If you are implying that Tom and myself are making some kind of illegitimate claim to "tap into the infinite mind of God" or that we are, even more audaciously, "thinking for God", then I beg to differ. The Bible is God's Word and so is Creation, the "Book of Nature", which communicates to us his glory (Ps 19:1-4; Rom 1:20). When we read and understand Scripture we are tapping into the infinite mind of the God who inspired Scripture. And when we appreciate his handiwork in Creation we are tapping into the infinite mind of the God who designed the world we live in. And, frankly, and there's nothing illegitimate about tapping into God's mind in those ways. If we couldn't do so, then Scripture could communicate absolutely nothing from God to us and neither could creation. Now perhaps you mean to charge us with claiming some kind of direct insight into the mind of God unmediated by either Scripture or creation. I agree that such a claim would be illegitimate, but why would you think we were claiming that, explicitly or implicitly? You've insinuated a charge without supporting it. Moreover, why would you think that Tom or myself were in any way "thinking for God" or in any way claiming to do so? Again, there's an insinuated charge there without any justification for it.

Tom and I both gave arguments for our position. If you think we are wrong, fine. Engage with our arguments. But don't cast ad hominem aspersions on our motives or character. Such is not becoming of Christians, not does it constitute constructive dialogue.

God bless,
Alan

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• When the average Joe agrees with the quote:
  You can argue that in today’s society people tend to think that they are little gods, in which the whole world revolves around them. This narcissistic attitude is prevalent and supported by the perverted idea of our being created in the image of God which they feel gives them the right to judge what is reserved for God alone to judge. On the other hand, you might find them wallowing in self-pity, imagining that God cares only about God.



• When the average Joe disagrees with the quote:
  You find people thinking that the most important thing to God is love, and that God will be so loving and understanding on judgment day that they may continue in their present lifestyle of sin. They take the unconditional love of God for granted.
  

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I believe what is most import to God is sacrificial love – agape love

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