Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Wise Words
Boars Head Tavern is, in their usually animated fashion, carrying on a debate today on determinism vs. free will and related topics. All apparently springing from the discovery of a faith statement issued by John Piper's church. (Piper is the best Christian author I have read in 10 years - shameless plug, shameless plug)
Jim Nicholson's post on the matter is true wisdom. He formulates the problem this way:
He answers it this way:
That is real wisdom, No seriously -- "Gee, I do not know," may be some of the most important words a Christian can utter.
The nature of God is such that we can never know. The sooner we get used to the that, and the more we accept it, the better our explorations will be.
Can you know the totality of anyone? I mean it, a parent, a spouse, a sibling -- do you really know them? Now, imagine God, so much bigger, smarter, more powerful that He defies description. If you cannot really know another person, how can you expect to really know God? You can't.
The best you can hope to do is love Him, share your life with Him, and explore Him to the best of your capabilities.
"Gee, I don't know," is real wisdom.
Jim Nicholson's post on the matter is true wisdom. He formulates the problem this way:
Assertion #1: God makes everything that happens happen, (insert various bible references here)
Assertion #2: things happen that displease God, (insert various bible references here)
Conclusion: God makes things happen that displease himself.
He answers it this way:
The revelation was this: "Gee, I don't know."
That is real wisdom, No seriously -- "Gee, I do not know," may be some of the most important words a Christian can utter.
The nature of God is such that we can never know. The sooner we get used to the that, and the more we accept it, the better our explorations will be.
Can you know the totality of anyone? I mean it, a parent, a spouse, a sibling -- do you really know them? Now, imagine God, so much bigger, smarter, more powerful that He defies description. If you cannot really know another person, how can you expect to really know God? You can't.
The best you can hope to do is love Him, share your life with Him, and explore Him to the best of your capabilities.
"Gee, I don't know," is real wisdom.
