Here I sit in transit from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Tel Aviv, Israel.Everyone wishes for something more. People try to find value in things they do, things they buy, even by living a “moral” life. Debates rage about ethics and morality and how each should be lived out.
It’s as if the whole human race knows there’s more to existence then existing.
Sorry if this post has started off too sporadic for you. I’ve been processing a lot in these last few months. I haven’t posted anything because I couldn’t find the words. The most I could do was share some of my thoughts orally with my family, girlfriend, youth group, and peers (I tend to process when I talk). I tried putting my thoughts and emotions into words in the form of a song, but it simply didn’t sound right. I wrote a journal entry on my thoughts a couple weeks ago, but I only reached two pages before I had to conclude.
In a huge way I’ve been rendered speechless about much of what I believe. The thoughts I can share are all still being processed, and none of them have arrived to where I could call them “something I believe.”
Suddenly I find myself able to write on this international flight at 10:30pm Boise time (who knows what time it is where I’m at) while listening to Shawn McDonald and digesting two cokes and airline pasta.
I won’t be able to post this until I land, and possibly not even until I’m within wifi range at a hotel. Nonetheless, I’m here now, writing.
I’ve been reading Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis” for the last several weeks. A couple major thoughts from this book (which I’m hoping to finish in these remaining 7 hours or so I have on the flight.) :
Why are Christians so afraid of having their faith challenged?
What if church isn’t necessary? What if God is Love, and because of that he has no room for judgmental hate in his heart? What if the disciples were teenagers? What if God really doesn’t care about what you do? What if the character of God can be found outside of the Bible?
Are you fearful of any of the answers to those questions? Will it destroy your faith if the actual truth is not at all what you think? Will it destroy your faith to simply ask these, or other questions?
I was really challenged by Velvet Elvis. Bell introduces a concept of “Brickeology” where so many Christians’ beliefs are stacked up into a wall. Each brick (belief) is dependent on the others; if one brick is removed, even if only to be examined, the whole wall will collapse. Not only that, but extending the metaphor out a bit, a brick wall is closed. People are either on one side of a brick wall or the other. So many Christians build themselves into a fortress of beliefs and “truths” and, as a result, shut everyone else out that doesn’t hold those same beliefs.
Bell suggests a possibly more valuable metaphor to examine one’s “belief system.” A trampoline. A trampoline is held together by springs. Each spring can be taken off, stretched, twisted, and carefully examined. Springs can be traded for other springs, and those, in turn, can be examined. Drawing this metaphor out, a trampoline is fun to jump on! People can join in on the experience; in fact, the more the merrier!
Being able to take each of my beliefs and examine them is a true faith builder. I have to have faith in God and trust in Jesus that truth (which, coincidently, he once called himself) fears no investigation.
This is part of growing up, isn’t it? Haha. Probably.
I’ve been listening to some Mark Driscol sermons from the Mars Hill Everything Audio podcast. Driscol makes some excellent points, backs them up with scripture, and even has personal testimonies to back up his messages. The only problem I have with the stuff he says is this: he’s kind of a dick. Not that I don’t like being challenged – I think I just established I’m looking to challenge pretty much everything I believe.
Let’s put it this way: if I were a non-christian and went to Driscol’s Mars Hill for the first time, and I heard Driscol say anything to the extent of “Anybody in here that is a non-christian is going to hell for all of eternity if they don’t give their life to Jesus.” (which he says on a fairly regular basis) it would be an automatic buzzkill and make me really cold to Christianity, even Jesus. Not that Mark Driscol isn’t speaking the truth; he very well may be. But come on dude, at least use some tact.
I’ve been listening to the God Journey podcast. I really appreciate the realness of Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings. They ask the hard questions, and I love processing what they have to say.
I started off this post by talking about people in general, and how they’re looking for something more. Maybe it’s a bit unfair for me to speak on behalf of the whole human race. Perhaps a better way to put it goes something like this.
I know there’s more to existence than existing.
I know there’s more to God than Church.
I know there’s more to Jesus than believing.
I know there’s more to the Holy Spirit than cheap party tricks.
There’s got to be.
Like I mentioned earlier, I’m on the way to Israel. I’m going with a group of friends (Sara, Shalom, Hannah, Bart Hinckley, and my mom and dad.) This is my third visit to the Holy Land.
And this time, I’m approaching the whole deal with a new pair of glasses on.
2009 birthed more pain then I would have ever thought possible for my family. January and February of 2010 have proven to be months of intense processing and thinking; but on way more of a heart level then a head level.
What now?
I have no clue.
I do know that for the next 10 days I’ll be in Israel, and I’ll be there 100%. I’m open to whatever Papa’s got going.
Please pray for my team, and for this trip. Please don’t pray for safety. Please pray for Papa’s love to be revealed to us in a deeper way, and that it would fill us up and even overflow. Too often I’ve stayed safe on a trip, and little else took place. I know it’s a weird request, but I ask it nonetheless.
And now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to watch Flight of the Concords on the TV screen embedded in the seat in front of me.
Colin
Colin, I mean it, you totally bless me! Read Velvet Elvis finally in February on my flight to Houston...me likes the trampoline...keep jumping!
ReplyDeleteColin,
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me. My name is Dan. I used to attend the Vineyard. I left for many reasons, however the main reason was I was hungering for the reality of God, and it wasn't to be found there. That reality is found in the pure reason and sound logic of scripture.
God has been revealed to me like never before, and I grew up in church. When I make a statement like that you might be thinking now of the people you enjoy like Bell, Manning, Warren, or the book =the shack=. If so you would be quite wrong. I speak of sound doctrine. I speak of right theology. The study of God and His grace is the only thing that will EVER satisfy that hunger in you. I will not go into my disdain for the afore mentioned authors in this post except to warn you of the danger you are in when reading them. Trust me Colin, I'm telling you the truth. Danger, Will Robinson! Instead, I implore you to take the time to check out the website of R.C. Sproul @ www.ligonier.org or John Piper @ www.desiringgod.com or go to www.apuritansmind.org. Be challenged and see if you are not stirred by the mind-numbing Sovereignty of Almighty God. Put away childish things. See what your King is about, I beg you.
Hey Colin,
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, your pondering, and your processing.
Sorry about Dan. He's kind of a dick too. He hijacked my blog today after the admonishment he put here on yours. It was so Christian that I had to remove his four posts. If it is any indication of the type of fruit reason, logic and study has produced outside of mystery and love, I'm not the least bit hungry.
There is no fear in love,
Chad
Wow,
ReplyDeleteEven for Chad I am surprised. Not only did he slander me, he didn't even reply. I expected at least a response. Admittedly, I was more.....deliberate in my posts on his page, however he is a big boy and should be able to respond. He did not. These blogs are public forum and in light of Chad's scathing critique of others as well as his sarcastic humor he should be ready and willing to respond to at least a few who would disagree. Now don't get me wrong, I am in favor of critical thinking and large , healthy doses of sarcasm when necessary. The thing is, almost everything on Chad's blogs scream for correction. It is not surprising that no one does it. If they do see it, they would not want to offend. Contrary to what he said I did not "high jack" his blog. I did not call names. I pointed out truth and he chose to turn away. It is unfortunate that you were unable to read what I posted before he deleted it. At least that seems a pre-requisite before you would be able to accept the euphemism which Chad so readily applied to me. In fact he blundered into the classic error of what is known as "ad homonym". This refers to a situation where one attacks the person and/or the person's motives rather than the argument. Disappointing, to say the least. Let us also remember that the word "argument" originally stood for " a line of reasoning" instead of bickering or fighting. I was respectful in my post here on your blog, however I love you enough to shoot the wolves you are playing with.
Remember this, as a Christian I am called to admonish and rebuke those in the church who are preaching things contrary to the Word.
I Corinthians 5:12-13 says, "For what have I to do with judging outsiders, is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. Purge the evil person from among you.
To my mind it is more satisfying to reason out the truth and see what it does to me, as opposed to "processing" out my thoughts and seeing what I can do to the truth. Colin, if you will bear with me I intend to lay out a contrast within our culture today that I think you will find highly stimulating at least.
I am excited for you as you walk the same land where Christ and His disciples walked. I can't say as I have had the pleasure to do so. It sounds like you are becoming quite a pro at it! Awesome. I find it ironic that on your way to Jerusalem you are found on the airplane questioning the Word of God. Were you really looking for answers to the questions you tossed out there? Are you aware that you are questioning absolutes that have clearly been revealed to us by God? Saturating oneself with writings from heretics such as Rob Bell WILL destroy one's walk with Christ. Bell is a believer in a heresy known as Universalism which says everyone is saved they just don't know it yet. This is vile and is not taught by scripture. I see the book "The Shack" on your shelf. This book is a bad book, Colin. It promotes transcendental meditation, astral projection, and universalism. It is also presents a very warped and wicked interpretation of the Trinity. I doubt you have heard this view before as the foul book is hailed world-wide by mainstream evangelicalism. This only goes to reveal the rampant ignorance when it comes to sound biblical doctrine and the importance of it. I would be happy to meet for coffee and discuss this more or anything else for that matter, cuz' that's what I do. I also spend as much time as possible on the streets of downtown Boise declaring the gospel and pressing the truth upon the hearts of men. The main standard of thought I encounter down there is a belief system called Post-Modernism. It is this belief system that I intend to expose for a lie here on this post.
Due to the attack on me by Chad as well as my conviction to throw you a life line I want to briefly explain what it is that has me so "up in arms".
ReplyDeletePost-Modernism is the backlash on Modernity. Modernity has been the dominant mind-set from the 16th century to the 21st. Technology and advancement would bring us utopia. The heroes of the philosophy include Neiszhe, Kant, Rand, and Darwin to name a few. Now there exists in our world today a massive shift in thought to what has been labeled Post-Modernism. They say that Modernism has failed. They say we have a new, flexible way of thinking that will pioneer a new world.
They say that there is no such thing as truth that exists independently or objectively apart from our individual beliefs.
Reality has no inherent structure.
There is no absolute truth that humanity can discover, rather, truth is a social construct.
In other words, truth, instead of being discovered is something human beings create, imposing their own meaning onto reality.
Thus, for the post-modern world there is no such thing as objective or absolute truth; that is the correspondence between our beliefs and reality. And as a result, experience is at a premium for the post-modernist, for it is experience that defines reality not truth. Sadly, for the post-modernist truth becomes relative. Truth becomes subjective under the scrutiny of one's own experiences.
Colin, this mind set is what you face today with the majority of your peers. If you have ever heard someone say, "What's true for you is true for you and what's true for me is true for me." , you have encountered post-modernism. The reason I am addressing it is because this interpretation of truth has been embraced by a movement known as the Emergent Church. It is almost surreal as I watch so many churches be influenced by this movement. Men in leadership are unwilling to call the Emergents out for the wolves that they are and it is something that must be done. The actuality of it is we are moving toward a time when only three modes of thought will exist within the evangelical church. Calvinists(or proper biblical understanding), the Emergents, and unbelievers. The Emergent church is such a fast growing organism that it threatens to devour even the elect if that were possible (which of course it is not since they are elect but this statement is to make a point). They have heavy influence. They want to evangelize the culture. A commendable goal to be sure. However, we must be careful not to adopt the very destructive cultural elements we are seeking to transform. This is what has happened in the Emergent Church. Its progenitors are Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, and Rob Bell just to name a few. Their heresy is subtle yet openly denying of biblical inerrancy and they are swallowing up entire congregations. Others to be aware of are Christian mystics such as Brennan Manning and Thomas Merton, whom I myself used to enjoy reading. The difference now is that I am enamored and obsessed with THE GOSPEL! I love the how, what, why, when, where, and who of God's Sovereign Grace. We are to study and shew ourselves approved of the gospel. When the Bible uses the Word "mystery" it refers to that which WAS hidden NOW BEING revealed. There is no secret knowledge except that which belongs to God. We have been given many wonderful things of God to know and they are NOWHERE ELSE but scripture.
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deut 29:29.
The most loving thing I could ever do for you is to give you the truth. Colin, these things I say to you are truth. Don't discard it too hastily my friend. THIS IS TRUTH.
The best way to look at Bell's truth is as if it was ice cream. That's right, ice cream. When you go to get some ice cream you choose what you would like for that day or your favorite. Even if it is your favorite flavor it is still only true for you. This is relative truth. However, if you wanted to know whether the sun revolves around the earth or the earth around the sun, the answer you received would not only be true for you but it would be true for the entire population of planet earth. Christianity and its doctrines are true for everyone, whether they like it or not. This is the very reason why we should be preaching the full gospel without fear, without compromise. There is no fear of man in the pure gospel, but there indeed is fear of God. Abba was a reverent term for God and is incorrectly interpreted as Papa. I'm sure you don't like this but it is true. We have lost a healthy fear of a God who is so holy that one sin puts you in a place where you are hell bound. Yes, He forgives, but that is a picture of His amazing Grace. Instead of asking why do people go to hell, we should be asking the question, why do people go to heaven? We do not deserve heaven and God would be completely just if He never saved one soul. This is our motivator-Grace. Then, His love will shine through us. The most loving thing you could ever tell an unbeliever is that they are bound for hell. For truly, it is a horrible place. Then, if they are responsive you can share the Good News.
ReplyDeleteRemember, all scripture is useful for teaching and admonishment. Christian truth, in the historical sense has never had room for "processing" or coming to relativistic conclusions. It has always been absolute. One of the reasons the Emergent Church embraces post-modernism is that they are able to deconstruct traditional world-views that have supposedly led to violence and destruction. Their targets include authentic Christianity. Remember the Nooma where Bell makes the statement that when Peter got out of the boat he lost faith in himself, not his Saviour? This is bad and should alert us to the wolf in sheep's clothing. Rick Warren recently made the statement that the last thing Christians need is another Bible study, they should be "doing the stuff". He couldn't be more wrong. The lack of sound doctrinal understanding in the church today is staggering. We are fascinated with 3rd world, indigenous cultures and non-traditional religious practices. Many have moved from the rational to the mystical in their thinking. They say , "So what if its not found in scripture, I feel closer to God!" This is bad. Not only has God established a proper form of worship in scripture he has admonished his people to have nothing to do with pagan religions. Deut 18: 9-13
You may not have heard of these things, but listen to what the Emergent Church is all about. They promote practices such as contemplative prayer, walking the labyrinth, praying with icons, and practicing yoga meditation. This may not alarm you, however I can assure you Colin, these are pagan practices and Christians have no business participating in them. Joshua 23:6-13; I Corinth. 10:14-21
Spiritual experiences are not bad, however we should no more place them over Biblical instruction than a pilot should place his feelings over instrument readout during a bout of vertigo. What we should do is ask ourselves if there is a basis from scripture for the experience I am having. If not we are to flee from it!
See Colin, God has given us rational, objective, timeless, universal, absolute truth in His inspired Word. II Timothy 3:14-17, 4:1-2. One's job as a Christian is to strain everything through the Word. I guarantee you that Rob Bell does not come out as pretty as he looked going in.
I have spent much time on this because I wanted you to see the big picture. This way you can decide whether it is worth some study. Please go to the web sites I gave you on my previous post. You will be greatly enriched by the sound Word of God when you do.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing on the Emergents. Post-Modernism has four basic areas that one is required to have "uncritical tolerance" in. Those areas are Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation, and Religious Preference. If you do not, you are labeled as "intolerant". The biggest group that gets this label is the conservative evangelical. So, the Emergent Church steps in to save the day. They say, "Hey, we're not like those stuffy church goers! We are tolerant!" They have fully embraced the Post-Modern interpretation of truth. I can give you quotes if you like. We even have one right here in our midst. A man named Todd Hunter has written a heretical book that trashes the Word of God called "Beyond Christianity". Guess where he came from? You guessed it, the vineyard. The state of the visible church is directly relevant to the fact that for the last 100 years sound biblical doctrine has not been preached and right biblical theology has not been taught. The issue of the current culture's social gospel called the Emergent Church is only a symptom.
I stand for the Truth. I am under the Grace of God and for this reason I have a desire to save the lost and the floundering. No compromise. No surrender. Christ came to testify to the Truth. I will do the same so help me God.
I will not be counted amongst the number who were known to say, "Nevermind the truth, nevermind what God's Word says, what's important is that we are tolerant."
In the final hour will our wicks be trimmed? Will our lamps be full?
a wretch in His grace,
dan fisherofmen75@yahoo.com
Dan,
ReplyDeleteIs this the bait that you are fishing with?
Caught many fish lately?
Kidding aside, this is whack.
Squirrel,
ReplyDeleteBeloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people who PERVERT THE GRACE OF OUR GOD INTO SENSUALITY and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. FOR THIS PURPOSE I WAS BORN AND FOR THIS PURPOSE I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD-- TO BEAR WITNESS TO THE TRUTH. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. John 18:37
a wretch in His grace,
dan
What, are we scripture throwing now?
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7:15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Squirrel,
ReplyDeleteUh, no, I made a point in response to your weak argument against the facts I stated. You were unable or unwilling to address that point and now YOU in fact are throwing scripture. Which by the way makes no sense because you haven't referenced anything by it.
So I am most inclined to agree with scripture and say 'exactly right!' The wolves and goats are all around us. It is vital that we do our best to make them quite uncomfortable. We do that by sticking to the full gospel.
Why are you so bent on refusing to address the issues I have raised? Why do you not allow someone on your blog who is dishing you up the same as you are giving? Fascinating.
in His grace.....
Dan,
ReplyDeleteBecause on it you made comments like this:
"Barack Obama is someone who would slit your throat in your sleep if he thought he could get away with it."
You are seriously unhinged, dude, and need to seek some professional help.
Squirrel,
ReplyDeleteIt's called global dominance buddy. Do your research. It's pretty common knowledge.
Are you just so frightened of the truth that you refuse to reply with anything more than "ad homonym" attacks? You stretch a guys patience. You like slinging mud? Well, I am surprised. I won't do the same, but I will point out more craziness in that world-view of yours. Jeez, how 'bout that strange and whacked out post you made about the guy biblically referencing the whale that killed the trainer? The whale should have been put down and you referenced the woman whom Jesus saved from stoning?
Are you aware of the inherent difference between a man and a beast?
Wow!
It's not about the animals and plants kids, it's about God. Which is a good place to reference the fact that global warming is a hoax. What we have is global dominance. And it's working. FYI--Gore is being sued by ten thousand scientists due to his mis- representation of facts. It's ok. The environment doesn't need us. However, your country IS going to hell in a hand basket. Whether it's Bush or Obama the plans are in fact being carried out. What we need is strong men and women of the faith who are capable of bringing the full gospel.
The sacred must always be invading the secular. For this is the way of things.
Christ will bring His Kingdom. Contrary to Brian McLaren, Rick Warren, and Rob Bell we are not "ushering" it in with peace and the social gospel. True freedom and peaceful liberty will not exist until Christ returns.
For now we must always be invading the secular with the sacred.
a wretch in His grace,
dan
Dan-
ReplyDeleteUntil now, I have kept silent. While walking the Old City in Jerusalem, I received notification after notification in my email inbox that you and Chad had been commenting on my blog. Now that I'm back home, have a strong wifi connection, and am not disrupted by traveling, I feel like I can finally respond. Also, allow me to add, I've had to cool my jets for a couple hours after reading your comments.
Chad, thank you for responding in succinct phrases and not arguing via the commenting system. That honors me, and my blog.
Dan, before I discuss anything about the contents of what you've said, I want to bring up one thing, and I want to make this very clear as the webmaster, comment moderator, and owner of this blog.
"These blogs are a public forum..."
This quote, which you gave in your 2nd comment above, is inaccurate. If I wanted to start a public forum, I would go to a forum website and start a thread. This is a commenting system. This is not a place to start or continue arguments, this is a place to politely and sincerely comment on things I've said in a post, or others have said in a comment. I would liken it to a friend coming over to my house. I invite this friend through my doorway, and allow him to take part in my furniture, beverages, television, etc. If this friend were to walk around my house and openly criticize my belongings, the way my room was laid out, or pictures I have on the wall, it would be inappropriate, and this so-called "friend" would be asked to leave. So it is on my blog. I want you to hear me on this loud and clear: if you're ever planning on leaving multiple comments totaling 3,134 words on my blog again, I will ban you. If you really want to express your opinion that bad, go start your own blog. No matter the content, this is called comment spamming, and it ranks up there with fingernails on a chalk board and car salesmen.
Your content is another thing altogether.
Where do I begin? Originally, I was going to meet you at your level, and go through each of your points one by one. If there's one thing my 17 years have taught me, however (all humor intended) it's that arguing doesn't work. I've been in debate class, and I've learned all of your beloved debate fallacies. Another thing I took out of debate is this: even if I win the debate, my opponent is of the same opinion he started with.
"Let us also remember that the word "argument" originally stood for " a line of reasoning" instead of bickering or fighting."
Let us also remember that the underlying premise to arguments is that there will be a "winner" (someone who feels good because their opinion based on facts and study and bullet points triumphed) and a "loser" (who comes away beaten, angry, and resentful) when the argument is concluded.
Dan, if your point in all this is to somehow "win" I can say that you're doing a pretty good job: leaving myself and other commenters angry and resentful.
I read all of your comments, Dan, and I have a question for you. Do you worship the Bible, or do you worship Jesus Christ?
If I were forced to choose between the so-called heresy of Rob Bell, who's book I've read and found value in, who's sermons I've listened to and have inspired me in my faith, and who's criticisms I've read and found more hypocrisy in them than truth, and your so-called biblical truth that appears to be fear-based, philosophies backed up by scripture (even Hitler backed up his beliefs with passages from the Bible - that to simply say that scripture can be used to back up anything), and an overall tone that begs a fight, I would undoubtedly choose the former.
And, if I may add, if I were an atheist or agnostic reading these words of fisherofmen75 on the internet, they would align exactly with my views of the so many judgmental "Christians" I've come in contact with.
Dan, if your goal was to make me honestly contemplate and actually think about things you've said, you've failed miserably.
ReplyDelete"To my mind it is more satisfying to reason out the truth and see what it does to me, as opposed to "processing" out my thoughts and see what I can do to the truth."
I'm not sure if that was supposed to make fun of my processing in this post, or simply be a rude sarcastic remark, but either way it stung. If I can't process those things I'm reading, watching, and hearing, and testing them against who I know my Papa to be, then there really is no hope. If, however, I know that Papa is truth, and love, and that without him none of these would exist, and I truly know that truth fears no investigation, then who are you to tell me to not read certain authors? Is Rob Bell 100% right on everything he says? No, of course not. But he's in process, and he hasn't arrived.
Dan, have you arrived? Has God revealed every truth of this world to you? Or are there mysteries to this thing we call life that Jesus is showing you every day and with every success and failure?
Food for thought. If you're going to reply with an angry dissertation comment, please just email me. Honestly, I don't think I could bear to see Chad's reply anyways :)
I have to bounce but wanted to reply real fast.
ReplyDeleteThank you for an intelligent and well thought out reply. It was wrong of us to argue on your blog. Again, I am stunned that he chose to ignore me when his blog screams for dialogue and debate. Anyway, I can't say as I agree with your apartment/blog metaphor but hey I respect your wishes. Your "processing" was not under fire just the excess of post-modern thought in our culture. I am only here to speak truth. God will have to be the one to place desire in your heart for something more substantial than a Nooma video. Now, before you get upset, know that I appreciate your blog and am glad to have met you if even via net. Colin, I will always "shoot the wolves". It does get bloody. The fact is I am sickened by certain individuals in certain churches who do not. So it is a righteous anger that causes me to speak out against heresy.
I love questions man. They are awesome. Just expect to find truth. Mystery is that which has been revealed. Mystery in the new Testament does not mean something too complex or deep or obscure or distant for humans to understand. It refers to a hidden purpose of God that is now being revealed for our understanding and enjoyment. God is not a pizza pie either. He isn't made of parts. You can't just take Him as love only. He is righteous. He is just. He will punish the unrighteous in eternal damnation. Rob Bell thinks everyone will be saved. He is wrong. Bless God
and hey thanx for gettn' me going on a blog. I've wanted to for along time. You are invited.
ReplyDeletewww.sovereigntyandfreegrace.blogspot.com
How did Colin get you started on a blog? He made the suggestion just yesterday for you to get your own and stop vomiting on his. But it looks like you started yours last Friday. For someone who is supposedly all about truth, you are full of deceit.
ReplyDeleteFor a bunch of Christians, you guys sure are quick to judge the motives of the heart.
ReplyDeleteI can't belive I just read all of that...
ReplyDeleteI think the main thing I'm taking away from this interesting conversation is the atrociousness of quoting the Bible. Content is meaningless without context, and it's a daunting task to provide accurate context for a single line uttered by a man yesterday, let alone one that lived over 2000 years ago.
Colin, it was a pleasure spending time with you today. You are truly a clear spring of stimulating conversation! Bless you buddy :)
Justin,
ReplyDeleteA daunting task? You should always read scripture in context. It takes some discipline, but the context is as clear as the words on the page. I have given every single scripture here in perfect context. Do your due diligence and check it out. Maybe it would be a good study for you. grace to you.