 |
Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Questions about Christianity > (No Subject)
| Forum Quick Jump
|
| 
hookitx
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 2
| Posted 8/9/2004 2:16 PM (GMT -6) |   | First, I would like to express my admiration of the individuals posting on this bulletin board (well, ...most of them). I have read the postings herein over the course of the years and have enjoyed them immensely. The wrangling and jousting over comma’s, words and interpretations of the bible is jolly good fun.
But...My problem is how to take all of this theology and apply it to God’s will? Is the God who made the universe and whose thoughts are "not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” contained within all of this theology? If it is God’s will that all be conformed to a likeness to Jesus, how does this discussion so conform us?
Or is the grasping at coherence in an inherently inconsistent text what will conform us to Jesus (God)? When I consider the universe, and contemplate a being able to create it, I tremble. If all that is necessary is to not be afraid, but to just believe, then perhaps all this good fun is an end unto itself.
What say you? | | Back to Top | | |
 |
John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 8/9/2004 2:43 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by hookitx
But...My problem is how to take all of this theology and apply it to God’s will? Is the God who made the universe and whose thoughts are "not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” contained within all of this theology?
The quote you cite from Isaiah 55, in context, does not say what you seem to assume it does. In context, God is definitely not saying, "You human beings are just to dumb to understand Me."
quote:
If it is God’s will that all be conformed to a likeness to Jesus, how does this discussion so conform us?
While it is of course true that endless speculations and arguments do not end up producing godly character in the human heart, in view of the fact that Christ was obviously immensely intelligent and logical even in 'the days of his flesh', it can not follow that anti-intellectualism is a valid biblical approach to discipleship.
"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.
revivaltheology.net
| | Back to Top | | |
|
Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 1/11/2005 7:34 PM (GMT -6) | |
hookitx said...
First, I would like to express my admiration of the individuals posting on this bulletin board (well, ...most of them). I have read the postings herein over the course of the years and have enjoyed them immensely. The wrangling and jousting over comma’s, words and interpretations of the bible is jolly good fun.
But...My problem is how to take all of this theology and apply it to God’s will? Is the God who made the universe and whose thoughts are "not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” contained within all of this theology? If it is God’s will that all be conformed to a likeness to Jesus, how does this discussion so conform us?
Or is the grasping at coherence in an inherently inconsistent text what will conform us to Jesus (God)? When I consider the universe, and contemplate a being able to create it, I tremble. If all that is necessary is to not be afraid, but to just believe, then perhaps all this good fun is an end unto itself.
What say you?
I know this thread is old, but I just had to respond.
Theology should lead one to what Doc describes as living in outrageous love. Theology should cause one to ask, "What does this say about the heart of God, the passion of God for relationship with us?"
Theology is born in the academic, but it grows to maturity in relationship, between a person and his/her God, between a person and other people, and within one's self. If theology isn't ultmately harnessed into this tri-relationship of life, well, then, all one has, as hookitx notes, is all this good fun as an end unto itself.
Theology is the kitchen where interaction with spiritual food takes place and turns it into nutrition for growing loving relationships!
Starkman | | Back to Top | | |
|
Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 1/11/2005 11:35 PM (GMT -6) | |
Starkman said...
Theology is born in the academic, but it grows to maturity in relationship, between a person and his/her God, between a person and other people, and within one's self. If theology isn't ultmately harnessed into this tri-relationship of life, well, then, all one has, as hookitx notes, is all this good fun as an end unto itself.
Theology is the kitchen where interaction with spiritual food takes place and turns it into nutrition for growing loving relationships!
Starkman
In the midst of this fallen world we live in -- sometimes laughter can be a good appetizer. 
You’re a good chef, Starkman.
Thanks,
Mark
Post Edited (sparknheart) : 1/11/2005 11:44:12 PM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
|
Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 1/12/2005 9:04 AM (GMT -6) | |
sparknheart said...
Starkman said...
Theology is born in the academic, but it grows to maturity in relationship, between a person and his/her God, between a person and other people, and within one's self. If theology isn't ultmately harnessed into this tri-relationship of life, well, then, all one has, as hookitx notes, is all this good fun as an end unto itself.
Theology is the kitchen where interaction with spiritual food takes place and turns it into nutrition for growing loving relationships!
Starkman
In the midst of this fallen world we live in -- sometimes laughter can be a good appetizer.
You’re a good chef, Starkman.
Thanks,
Mark
Why, thank you, senior Sparknheart!  | | Back to Top | | |
|
bryan mccarthy
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 179
| Posted 2/15/2005 1:23 PM (GMT -6) | | | Well, Hey, John.
John said...
While it is of course true that endless speculations and arguments do not end up producing godly character in the human heart, in view of the fact that Christ was obviously immensely intelligent and logical even in 'the days of his flesh', it can not follow that anti-intellectualism is a valid biblical approach to discipleship.
Well said.
John said...
The quote you cite from Isaiah 55, in context, does not say what you seem to assume it does. In context, God is definitely not saying, "You human beings are just to dumb to understand Me."
What is he saying in that verse actually? I've always been curious about that one.
Bryan | | Back to Top | | |
|
rossfadeinout
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 428
| Posted 2/15/2005 2:25 PM (GMT -6) | |
Isaiah 55
Invitation to the Thirsty 1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money,come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread,and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me;hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,for he has endowed you with splendor." 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD , and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD . 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
Hey Bryan, hope that its OK if I jump in here and add my thoughts. The chapter is talking about the Lord's great mercy and love. In verse 7 there is an appeal to the wicked man for him to forsake his way. Now a wicked man might ask why would God forgive him after all he's done. In response, God says that "my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD . 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." I see here God declaring that His thoughts are morally higher; He, unlike a mere man, will freely forgive the wicked if they turn to Him.
Peace, Ross
"Let us remember how common the folly is of going from one faulty extreme into the opposite." -Thomas Reid | | Back to Top | | |
|
JEE
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 1466
| Posted 2/15/2005 3:30 PM (GMT -6) | | |
I would add that in the context of Is. 55, God is saying, "My ways are higher than your ways," but they needn't be and SHOULDN'T BE, if you would FORSAKE your wicked ways and evil thoughts."
This is saying essentially the same thing as Peter says when he quotes Leviticus in 1 Pet 1, saying, "be ye holy for I am holy."
Blessings,
John
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
JohnE
http://revivaltheology.netPost Edited (JEE) : 2/15/2005 3:06:59 PM (GMT-6) | | Back to Top | | |
| Forum Information | Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 11:44 AM (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 |
|
|