Enjoyed the first episode of this blog thanks for posting. On the last note you made about turning another cheek left me a little more interested. For all our lives we are told to, or demanded, not get into any physical confrontation but to find solutions to our problems using another medium such as the English language. For me, personally, i never believed this. I always came to the same conclusion that people that were willing to fight over everyday "nothings" were going to get what they had coming for them. Then what happens, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind right.
Certain people think that humans need physical violence and disaster in fact we strive for it. But i have to agree with Leo Tolstoy on this one and say that people that have emotional time and money invested in violence are they only ones who oppose this theory of turning a cheek. Was always going to teach my kids to fight back for themselves because life is to short to be bullied. But i think grandpa is very insightful and am happy this topic came up.
I am excited for this series to get underway. I thank Grand-Pa for taking the time to put this together.
Grand-Pa you said that the Bible is "the word of God written"
My question is; In the New Testament and writings of the Apostles - by saying that the writings were "God breathed" does that take away from their credibility as eye-witness accounts?
If the Bible is entirely "God breathed" and God "crafted in the womb" these stories through the Apostles - is that saying that nowhere in the Bible is God's word interpreted by man and that God was in control without mans free will?
I will start with these two questions : My next question/comment will hopefully be in video format.
Hi Bob! I'm a friend of Eric's, and saw Suzanne post a link to your post here.
Through high school and college, I struggled, and struggled, and STRUGGLED with the issue of the primacy of scripture, and what kind of truth can be found in it - hard-line "god said it, I believe it, and that settles it" capital-T Truth? Well, I never liked that position, because it removes the responsibility from the user to think and to look at the bible in the light of the world and of God as we understand it. On the other hand, is it just a historical record of some stuff some folks say?
Through several years of seminary study, and working through the document in its original languages, through comparing it to other, non-biblical documents written at the same time, I actually ended up much farther to the second part of the scale -- my own personal belief is that the Bible is a document written by people, for the reasons that people write things. To me, that is actually free-ing, since it doesn't mean that my relationship with God must be constantly battling commandments like "Women must not speak in church." I spent a LONG time trying to reconcile that phrase through careful exegesis, and it just feels RIGHT to me to finally arrive at the conclusion "you know what? No. That does NOT agree with my understanding of God."
Anyhow, my intention is certainly not to nitpick, but rather to say "hello!" and tell you that this seems really cool. I'll watch your next update with interest!
PS. reading back on my comment, I want to be clear that I'm not calling you a "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" believer. For one thing, I think those folks don't tend to back to the Greek :)
To begin with, my apologies for delinquency in response. On my previous blog I received a notice when anyone responded, but such doesn't seem to be the case on this blog. Will get up to date on this technology, yet!
FWIW: I am not numbered among those who say, "...God said it; I believe it; That settles it." Martin Luther suggested God gave us a head on our shoulders to be used!
But, I am to be numbered among those who, epistemologically. acknowledge a faith based initial axiom. From that axiom, in my case: the Bible is the word of God, written" , I challenge and test everything I meet.
After 70+ years, and having been screwed over by Science and Govt. I am more than ever persuaded as to the trustworthiness of the Bible.
Time and again, its precepts ring true, however they may irritate and pressure me.
Reality IS, it IS NOT an illusion.
What can I say?
There is an old song for children which says:
Jesus loves me, this I know For the Bible tells me so...
For me, I know, and know that I know, for the Bible tells me so!
Again, my appreciation for your watching and comments. I will improve and answer every query...whether
Whoa, John Young commented on my Dad's video!! John, don't hesitate to nitpick, Bob Lewis loves that.
Since you're involved in this now, I'm going to comment on your comment! 'Cause I'm just that kind of girl...
You're never going to be able to reconcile your "feelings" with your understanding of God. Some things God says just aren't going to feel good. But you either have to take the Bible it in it's entirety, even the parts that don't make you feel good, or not at all.
You have to admit that, as a created being, you will never be able to fully comprehend God. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being. (pulling out the catechism, oh yeah!! see Dad, I remember some things) You can't understand that. And why would you want to? Doesn't it make more sense that an all powerful, all knowing God would say some things that we wouldn't be able to comprehend the reasoning behind?
Anyway, just thought I'd jump in...I'm sure Dad will address this issue, and it will be much more elegant and studied than my blabbering.
Ah, Free Will...whatever that thing is?! "I am the master of my fate; I am the Captain of my soul"! Right. Tell that to Alex after he has drunk one too many or his last hit! (Apologies to Alex!) Our supposed freedom, it seemeth to me, is always subject to something. I only chafe when that something is outside my frame of reference.
The apostolic writers were legitimate eye-witnesses though ultimately under God's sovereignty. The mystery of God's sovereignty and human responsibility is illustrated in the Old Testament story of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-50) Read it and when you are through, pause and meditate on 45:8 and 50:20. Then fast-forward to the Apostle Peter's comment on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2:22-24. Each illustrates the interplay between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility without divulging the "how". The "how" is wrapped up in Deuteronomy 29:29. Nuff for now
Enjoyed the first episode of this blog thanks for posting. On the last note you made about turning another cheek left me a little more interested. For all our lives we are told to, or demanded, not get into any physical confrontation but to find solutions to our problems using another medium such as the English language. For me, personally, i never believed this. I always came to the same conclusion that people that were willing to fight over everyday "nothings" were going to get what they had coming for them. Then what happens, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind right.
ReplyDeleteCertain people think that humans need physical violence and disaster in fact we strive for it. But i have to agree with Leo Tolstoy on this one and say that people that have emotional time and money invested in violence are they only ones who oppose this theory of turning a cheek. Was always going to teach my kids to fight back for themselves because life is to short to be bullied. But i think grandpa is very insightful and am happy this topic came up.
I am excited for this series to get underway. I thank Grand-Pa for taking the time to put this together.
ReplyDeleteGrand-Pa you said that the Bible is "the word of God written"
My question is; In the New Testament and writings of the Apostles - by saying that the writings were "God breathed" does that take away from their credibility as eye-witness accounts?
If the Bible is entirely "God breathed" and God "crafted in the womb" these stories through the Apostles - is that saying that nowhere in the Bible is God's word interpreted by man and that God was in control without mans free will?
I will start with these two questions : My next question/comment will hopefully be in video format.
The above comment was mine I was not logged in when I typed my comment.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob! I'm a friend of Eric's, and saw Suzanne post a link to your post here.
ReplyDeleteThrough high school and college, I struggled, and struggled, and STRUGGLED with the issue of the primacy of scripture, and what kind of truth can be found in it - hard-line "god said it, I believe it, and that settles it" capital-T Truth? Well, I never liked that position, because it removes the responsibility from the user to think and to look at the bible in the light of the world and of God as we understand it. On the other hand, is it just a historical record of some stuff some folks say?
Through several years of seminary study, and working through the document in its original languages, through comparing it to other, non-biblical documents written at the same time, I actually ended up much farther to the second part of the scale -- my own personal belief is that the Bible is a document written by people, for the reasons that people write things. To me, that is actually free-ing, since it doesn't mean that my relationship with God must be constantly battling commandments like "Women must not speak in church." I spent a LONG time trying to reconcile that phrase through careful exegesis, and it just feels RIGHT to me to finally arrive at the conclusion "you know what? No. That does NOT agree with my understanding of God."
Anyhow, my intention is certainly not to nitpick, but rather to say "hello!" and tell you that this seems really cool. I'll watch your next update with interest!
PS. reading back on my comment, I want to be clear that I'm not calling you a "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" believer. For one thing, I think those folks don't tend to back to the Greek :)
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, my apologies for delinquency in response. On my previous blog I received a notice when anyone responded, but such doesn't seem to be the case on this blog. Will get up to date on this technology, yet!
FWIW: I am not numbered among those who say, "...God said it; I believe it; That settles it." Martin Luther suggested God gave us a head on our shoulders to be used!
But, I am to be numbered among those who, epistemologically. acknowledge a faith based initial axiom. From that axiom, in my case: the Bible is the word of God, written" , I challenge and test everything I meet.
After 70+ years, and having been screwed over by Science and Govt. I am more than ever persuaded as to the trustworthiness of the Bible.
Time and again, its precepts ring true, however they may irritate and pressure me.
Reality IS, it IS NOT an illusion.
What can I say?
There is an old song for children which says:
Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so...
For me, I know, and know that I know, for the Bible tells me so!
Again, my appreciation for your watching and comments. I will improve and answer every query...whether
Whoa, John Young commented on my Dad's video!! John, don't hesitate to nitpick, Bob Lewis loves that.
ReplyDeleteSince you're involved in this now, I'm going to comment on your comment! 'Cause I'm just that kind of girl...
You're never going to be able to reconcile your "feelings" with your understanding of God. Some things God says just aren't going to feel good. But you either have to take the Bible it in it's entirety, even the parts that don't make you feel good, or not at all.
You have to admit that, as a created being, you will never be able to fully comprehend God. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being. (pulling out the catechism, oh yeah!! see Dad, I remember some things) You can't understand that. And why would you want to? Doesn't it make more sense that an all powerful, all knowing God would say some things that we wouldn't be able to comprehend the reasoning behind?
Anyway, just thought I'd jump in...I'm sure Dad will address this issue, and it will be much more elegant and studied than my blabbering.
Glad you're enjoying Bob Lewis!
Hey, NYC
ReplyDeleteAh, Free Will...whatever that thing is?! "I am the master of my fate; I am the Captain of my soul"! Right. Tell that to Alex after he has drunk one too many or his last hit! (Apologies to Alex!) Our supposed freedom, it seemeth to me, is always subject to something. I only chafe when that something is outside my frame of reference.
The apostolic writers were legitimate eye-witnesses though ultimately under God's sovereignty. The mystery of God's sovereignty and human responsibility is illustrated in the Old Testament story of Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-50) Read it and when you are through, pause and meditate on 45:8 and 50:20. Then fast-forward to the Apostle Peter's comment on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2:22-24. Each illustrates the interplay between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility without divulging the "how". The "how" is wrapped up in Deuteronomy 29:29. Nuff for now