Re (1): Further comments about Belief and Understanding.

Hi Sara
I wanted to make a few comments, so I'll comment on both your posts. First, on this thought:

Now...my question is...since these occurrences are so rare, what should we do inbetween times? Pray...of course...but...how to act? "Pretend" to love the unloveable? Ask when we don't really believe we'll receive? Make a decision "for Christ", when, in reality, by temperament and inclination, we'd make (for example)...much better Hindus?

My thought is this: What we "do" in between times is simply be who we are and walk in the light God has given us as we seek more light. As for pretending to love the unlovable, no we don't have to be deceitful, but we can still treat even the unlovable with respect and courtesy, and pray for them.

"Ask when we don't really believe we'll receive?"
Well, not believing is certainly a hindrance to receiving truth, not at least keeping an honestly open mind. But what is it we're talking about here? A Mercedes? A new jet? No, you're not likely to get that "from God" unless you con others into giving it to you "in His name." But if it's truth you're looking for, He'll give it to you. In my own experience, there were things God tried for years to show me, and I simply didn't recognize them as coming from Him or being the answer to my questions because I was looking for answers or proof in the way I wanted to see them. It isn't for us to demand that God show us the particular proof we ask for before we believe. I personally found it more productive to admit I knew nothing and ask Him to teach me, to keep an open mind and see where HE would lead me.

"Make a decision for Christ, when in realtiy....we'd make....better Hindus?"
What do you mean by making a decision for Christ? I know, a lot of people use that terminology. Here's how I would say it. Inasmuch as God raised Jesus from the dead and thereby affirmed that He was who and what He said He was, redeemer of the lost, of those who seek God, ruler of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen, a decision for Christ seems to include a submission to and acknowledgement of His sovereign authority. Something I'll grant you even Christians are pretty poor at doing, in spite of all the rhetoric, much of the time. Buddha was not raised from the dead. Jesus was. Buddha is not the ruler of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. God is. Most other religions will have you end your search for God by looking inside yourself for your epiphany, or getting to God by your own efforts. Christianity asks you to look outside your own little cosmos for God, who transcends all, and acknowledging your helplessness and your need for Him.

I know, I know - if Jesus is in charge, why is it such a mess here? Lots of reasons. His own people don't take Him seriously most of the time but go along doing whatever they want. Then they blame it all on the devil. Not that the devil bears no culpability. As for the unbeliever, no one is going to submit to the authority of an apparent absentee landlord, especially if they don't believe in Him to begin with. So, there you have the believers and non-believers and the mess the world has created. Then Katrina comes along and shows us what we're made of. God does not send us evil, but He will use it to take the measure of a man.

OK, now for your second comment:
Maybe I don't like Christian apologetics because I'm not good at it and it makes me feel inferior? Perhaps...but I don't think so. I don't slander mathematicians and I hate math. Perhaps it's because Christian Apologetics doesn't seem "real"? A bunch of philosophers debate about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin while babies are starving in Africa with flies in their eyes.

Well, do you have intimate knowledge of where those pictures come from, or where exactly the money goes to when you are asked to give to this cause or that? Do you have intimate knowledge of what any particular philosopher or apologist is or is not doing for the poor in his or her own country or any other? Are those who do have money and privilege in Africa doing anything for those children? Did you know that in Africa there have been appeals on television to send money to hungry kids in America? I learned this from a missionary in Africa ten years ago. There are people with money and education in Africa. They are not all the poor and destitute that are manipulated and exploited by so many.. Yes, there is a need in Africa and elsewhere, and there are outreaches worth helping, but you cannot judge by what you see and hear.

Now, what do you mean by "real?" Sounds like an activist's prejudice against those who are not "out there" doing "hands-on" things to feed those starving kids (and what about our own). We can't all be "out there." We each do our part, whether it is what others think we should be doing or whether it is something they don't understand the value of. And apologetics is a whole lot more than debating about angels on the head of a pin.

It seems to me that apologists do what they do in part because they have to first defend, explain their own faith to themselves, and in understanding the problem, are in a better position to help others in the same position. There is something in some of us that begs for understanding of the truth, something simply dissatisfied with the things that don't make sense, a drive like that of the true archaeologist or detective or doctor, who digs and digs until they find out what is the root of the problem, question, answer, truth.

No....philosophers aren't any more or less responsible than the rest of us in terms of a personal response to injustice.
No...it has something to do with me. Deep inside. My body...my instincts...temperament..
.conditioned reflexes...perceptions based on experience. That's body...right? or is it mind? I guess it's brain.

Maybe when you figure this out, you will also figure out your reluctance to accept God on HIs own terms rather than strictly those you can wrap your own mind and feelings around.

Whichever...The "feeling" part of me rebels against perceiving the world in terms of logical abstraction. Life is vital, alive, moving...it demands a constantly changing creative response. Rules don't work. Even the "Golden Rule" fails us at times. How can I "do unto others" when they may be entirely different from me?

I would disagree that rules don't work, including the Golden Rule. We can do good unto others despite our differences precisely because the Golden Rule is universally applicable. All people can be treated with respect and consideration to some extent, even if it means leaving them to stew in their own bitter juices while we pray for them.

• Re(2): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By Sara September 12, 2005 at 05:22:30 PM
  • Re(3): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By karen September 13, 2005 at 03:45:33 AM
    • Re(4): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By Sara September 13, 2005 at 09:50:21 AM
    • Re(4): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By Sara September 13, 2005 at 09:05:16 AM
      • Re(5): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By karen September 13, 2005 at 12:21:58 PM
        • Re(6): Further comments about Belief and Understanding. - By Sara September 13, 2005 at 01:10:21 PM