Since this is not a big issue in the old times, perhaps those who indulge in such question were being affected by the way which they were being brought up, most likely by their parents or other members such as grandparents in the face between being abused/disciplined and being spoiled by another at the same time.
Then is it enough to just answer their questions? or are we to further investigate into their past or family background for a more studied effort?
it is interesting indeed to note, while debating on Free will and Predestination (per yesterday's entry) with another fellow brethren in the Lord who believes either in Arminianism or Synergism, there arose a new topic of disagreement:
The meaning of God's Will.
The otherside seems to disregard the importance of seeking out what God's will truly is (be it a relativistic or absolute matter).
I would also conclude from the debate that the doctrine of predestination should actually encourage one to preach the Gospel more, than its opponent, not the other way around.
Against those hypocrites like the old prophet in 1 Kings 13, perhaps it is better to put it this way:
You want to support? No no no...let's do this, you try it yourself first, I'll sit back and watch, if you are successful, then maybe I will help you out; If not, then I will start my own and you watch and learn.
This is rather rare indeed...so rare I would think this democrat is rather brave...
A discussion with a friend today on facebook regarding free will and predestination made me ponder further on how to answer questions more sharply, more to the point. With simplicity and clarity.
Even honesty, because I was reminded of a question Larry King asked Billy Graham: Do you think Muslims and Jews will be saved (Not to mention Billy Graham's stand on Christian cult teachings like Mormon)? Instead of admitting the need for him to learn more about the differences between Islam and Christianity, he immediately changed the question by answering as if the question was: Can you decide the salvation of the muslims, Jews? and do you think Muslims can be converted?
So in the end, people may laugh and hug, but it is actually very rude to the one who asked the question. Rather unethical, to fool someone, especially if he's honestly seeking the truth. And to paraphrase Jesus' rebuke against those with theological positions: Woe unto you, Hypocrites! for ye shut up the truth (kingdom of heaven) against men, neither acknowledging and learning the truth (go in) yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are trying to learn the truth (entering to go in)...(Matthew 23:13)
If any man doth ascribe of salvation, even the very least, to the free
will of man, he knoweth nothing of grace, and he hath not learnt Jesus
Christ aright.
Martin Luther
Those who believe in God's predestination of salvation are more humble than those who do not (Arminianism, synergism): For they put their initial state equivalent to the most wicked of men, needing God's grace for their individual salvation; the opponents of predestination however, consider themselves at some very least better than the most wicked of men, thus explaining themselves how they are able to be different.
The solecism of "My God" is often misunderstood, misused, even unintentionally.
When we say: My wife, my husband, my children, my house, my car, etc. we levy a certain right of possession over the object.
When it comes to "My King", "My Lord", some fear is instilled.
But "My God", not to mention the mixed introduction of vanity, has been meant for something possessive, instead of the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and of all living. My God, the God of Timothy Law. The God whom Christ cried with a loud voice: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
There's no such thing as evangelistic dating.
"You're not going to get them saved by marrying them or dating them...(Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers - 2 Corinthians 6:4)...understand, there is no evangelistic dating. They must be born again and love the Lord, or you should not be in relationship with that person" - W.L. Cati (Islam Rising)
Of course, this does not mean divorces for those who are too late. As Christians, our last resort is always prayer, not rebellion.
Nonetheless, the most wicked in all this show, is neither the believer nor the unbeliever, but those who hold moderate view thinking they are the best of all ideology, having no part in any friction of conflicts, yet seemingly fitting into all sides and parties.
I will not however cast stones upon these serpents, but like Paul, will pass them to Satan, that they may still have to opportunity to turn back.
In Cati's testimony, it's more like a Christian living in oblivion (kudos to her church on Christian education), got pulled into Islam, and got woken up by God in all those chaos, into salvation, regardless of whatever hocus pocus her Ameristian church was selling prior to all this.
I have to prepare for leading a fellowship study on the book of Acts. Still enough time for preparation. Only for this month, just one time, perhaps twice.
Of course, I do sense the reluctance of the fellowship leader's choice for appointing me to teach. Despite the pastor's demand. After all, I don't even go to their fellowship. We'll be missing Lyna, an elder and elderly lady who's gone for a month for operation and a trip to Indonesia celebrating Stephen Tong's church anniversary, who has to travel all the way from New Jersey to lead this Eastside fellowship. It is my understanding that the two of them rotate roster to lead, a principle I abhor (James 3:1). If I were the fellowship leader, I wouldn't simply allow me to teach either.
Speaking of such principles, I realized that it's always our fault to not pursue and seek after our Lord hard enough (the North America has enough resources and opportunity for anyone not to have any more excuse) in theological study and thereby having not just the love or the heart of servitude, but also the mind, which is also being commanded to set for God with love. And the same goes for the principle of ONLY Christians can serve: it's always our fault that we are either afraid or lazy of preaching the Gospel that we have to resort to allowing non-christians to serve together with us.
I would say many LIE when they say, as if humbly, that they are not smart enough or not gifted by God in this or that they praise me saying "Oh you are so smart or God has gifted you with a great mind", etc. I say they LIE because if they are truly that bad themselves, how would they dare to appoint teachers or decide where the direction of teaching should go? Clearly their humilily is just an excuse for them to defend their sin in this matter. For they bind heavy burdens on others, yet they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers (Matthew 23:4). They should be a little more diligent in reading the Bible, for themselves, not just for others. Just as we who teach do not only study just to teach others, but we need to study every second of our lives, for ourselves.
So it is unclear if the pastor ever had hidden motive to persuade me join this fellowship. Which may also be unclear to the fellowship leader, thus his reluctance...or it could be that he just wanted to continue leading himself, where he left off last time, which is very good, and very responsible. Of course, then it comes to the question of leading. From my last visit, just as before, I see everyone loved to speak. Something that should be taught against. It is one reason why I decided not to join this fellowship long time ago. As a teacher, I would love this "asking others for opinions" principle, because I don't have to speak or prepare much myself. When everyone's done chatting, I would just give a couple of summary and conclusion from some textbook and called it an interesting hour. But as a teacher, not only do I have to know what they could learn from me (and if they got nothing to learn from me why am I teaching?), I also need to make sure I could converse the learning clearly to each individual who listens. And if they ask questions, I should be prepared.
My advantage with Acts is I have quite a few resources to pull from. Especially John Calvin's commentary and the Third Millelium's online video. Both are fim, reformed guides. And both of which are my study that's long overdue. Therefore, this is also a rebuke from God. Not because I didn't join the fellowship, but because I didn't follow my study schedule. I also have a couple good Bible Atlases to use, which is a crucial tool for studying the book of Acts.
I hope the AAXA P2 pico projector that I recently purchased would arrive on time to be put into use for this...but as long as the 2 week back order doesn't change into cancel or scam, my $350 will be well worth it.
First, the invisible money of $787 Billions. Now resorting to lies - a childcare center claiming some 129 jobs created but actually used the money for raises of existing employees. And what should we call this lying business? ...Error...
I remember Obama once said that "We will not change our American way!". What is the American way of life?
Less work, more money, only raises, no rivalry. Otherwise, it's a trip to the court.
That is the American way.
