Andrew, how is it that I agree with everything you say? Perhaps because you affirm classical Christian orthodoxy. I’m sorry that brings down opprobrium on you. But I thank you for affirming the faith once for all delivered to the saints. May our God of grace and love continue to give you courage to fight the good fight of faith. Be blessed.
Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me. There were no instructions about how that would feel, but, based on personal imperfect experience, it is not "nice."
This post is another good blend of humor and profound meaning. When we love like God we are the vessel of God. This type of love doesn’t come naturally and is challenging. It’s difficult because that kind of love is sacrificial, but it’s a meaningful way to navigate our lives and, if not, we distort our humanity through self-centered living.
I think Jonathan Pageau on Alex O'Connor's most recent podcast addressed this really well. Christ isn't in the business of philosophizing. He's not suggesting to anyone how things could or should have been, rather he elucidates how things are.
As always, Klavan the elder speaks truth, and recites what he has stated as a profound truth; that we have no say in who is getting into heaven or not. Jesus said a lot, and it would be difficult to pick the most important things he said. His pronouncements regarding the greatest laws of God (love God and love your neighbor) is awfully important as well. He stated that He was “the Way, the Truth, and the Light” and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. He also instructed us to reprimand wrongdoers, so that they might know when they are doing so and turn back from the wrong path, yet warns us to take the plank out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck from our neighbor. Full of seemingly contradictory advice, yet always coming back to our need to emulate Him and to love God, which is the same thing.
Is “judge not” the most important teaching of Christ? I’m not sure, but it has to rank fairly high. It must be leavened, as the Bible always must, with the rest of God’s revelations in order to act properly. Pretty sure that one alone will not get us into eternal life, but it will keep us from a world of trouble here on earth. We do bear responsibility for others, and have to act to correct wrong. I also do not condemn (I mean, lacking the power and all) but I can recognize when (at least) some transgressions are occurring, and bear responsibility to bring that up to the transgressor as well. Huh…I guess if it was easy, the path to Heaven would be wide and easy, just like the multi lane superhighway maintained by the Good Intentions Paving Company,
I hear you speak on this point with some frequency, but I am not certain I understand its full extent. There are certainly multiple levels of the moral life of the Faith, and emphasizing the aspect that comes once you (by the grace of God) attain a modicum of the natural virtues is certainly praiseworthy. Does it, however, preclude the preaching of the actual acquisition of those natural virtues in the first place? We don't get to decide who goes to heaven, but it is our job on earth here below to attempt to manifest heaven as best we can. Is the argument that people are, in general, really bad at public correction, so you are counseling prudence until you can speak the truth simply without hatred (after having developed a personal relationship)?
* I agree: We absolutely do NOT want to judge who is going to heaven or hell. God would like it if all His children could be saved. That's why he allows us to repent and get back in His good graces.
* 1 Timothy 2:3-5 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
* We do have discernment to know who is doing good and who is not doing good.
It's hard to believe that opprobrium would be directed at so fine a fellow as you. Almost as hard to believe as the idea you would have to look up the word. (BTW: Why is it so many people who profess faith are so quick to condemn? Have they even read the scriptures?)
It may be a vessel ordained by God, but, day to day, it is made by men, and if it ceases to be a vessel for God, it is nothing, no matter how orthodox or traditional it may otherwise be. - I started participating in my church musical productions after COVID. What filled my soul was that every person felt we were a vessel for God's word. It was never about us, it was about Jesus. It is such a blessed way to get people to come to our church. We do an alter call at the end and bring many people to Christ. We perform for an audience of one.
Great letter, and thank you for the verses. I always wondered where the biblical support of Emeth entering Aslan’s kingdom was. And of course even if it wasn’t there, as you pointed out, God has made it clear that he will show mercy on whomever He chooses.
Andrew, how is it that I agree with everything you say? Perhaps because you affirm classical Christian orthodoxy. I’m sorry that brings down opprobrium on you. But I thank you for affirming the faith once for all delivered to the saints. May our God of grace and love continue to give you courage to fight the good fight of faith. Be blessed.
Jesus said, pick up your cross and follow me. There were no instructions about how that would feel, but, based on personal imperfect experience, it is not "nice."
On this I concur!
This post is another good blend of humor and profound meaning. When we love like God we are the vessel of God. This type of love doesn’t come naturally and is challenging. It’s difficult because that kind of love is sacrificial, but it’s a meaningful way to navigate our lives and, if not, we distort our humanity through self-centered living.
I think Jonathan Pageau on Alex O'Connor's most recent podcast addressed this really well. Christ isn't in the business of philosophizing. He's not suggesting to anyone how things could or should have been, rather he elucidates how things are.
As always, Klavan the elder speaks truth, and recites what he has stated as a profound truth; that we have no say in who is getting into heaven or not. Jesus said a lot, and it would be difficult to pick the most important things he said. His pronouncements regarding the greatest laws of God (love God and love your neighbor) is awfully important as well. He stated that He was “the Way, the Truth, and the Light” and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. He also instructed us to reprimand wrongdoers, so that they might know when they are doing so and turn back from the wrong path, yet warns us to take the plank out of our own eye before trying to remove the speck from our neighbor. Full of seemingly contradictory advice, yet always coming back to our need to emulate Him and to love God, which is the same thing.
Is “judge not” the most important teaching of Christ? I’m not sure, but it has to rank fairly high. It must be leavened, as the Bible always must, with the rest of God’s revelations in order to act properly. Pretty sure that one alone will not get us into eternal life, but it will keep us from a world of trouble here on earth. We do bear responsibility for others, and have to act to correct wrong. I also do not condemn (I mean, lacking the power and all) but I can recognize when (at least) some transgressions are occurring, and bear responsibility to bring that up to the transgressor as well. Huh…I guess if it was easy, the path to Heaven would be wide and easy, just like the multi lane superhighway maintained by the Good Intentions Paving Company,
I hear you speak on this point with some frequency, but I am not certain I understand its full extent. There are certainly multiple levels of the moral life of the Faith, and emphasizing the aspect that comes once you (by the grace of God) attain a modicum of the natural virtues is certainly praiseworthy. Does it, however, preclude the preaching of the actual acquisition of those natural virtues in the first place? We don't get to decide who goes to heaven, but it is our job on earth here below to attempt to manifest heaven as best we can. Is the argument that people are, in general, really bad at public correction, so you are counseling prudence until you can speak the truth simply without hatred (after having developed a personal relationship)?
* I agree: We absolutely do NOT want to judge who is going to heaven or hell. God would like it if all His children could be saved. That's why he allows us to repent and get back in His good graces.
* 1 Timothy 2:3-5 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
* We do have discernment to know who is doing good and who is not doing good.
Or rather, "what" good and bad look like, at least at a high level.
We know what is good and what is bad. Plus, God told us through His word.
It's hard to believe that opprobrium would be directed at so fine a fellow as you. Almost as hard to believe as the idea you would have to look up the word. (BTW: Why is it so many people who profess faith are so quick to condemn? Have they even read the scriptures?)
It may be a vessel ordained by God, but, day to day, it is made by men, and if it ceases to be a vessel for God, it is nothing, no matter how orthodox or traditional it may otherwise be. - I started participating in my church musical productions after COVID. What filled my soul was that every person felt we were a vessel for God's word. It was never about us, it was about Jesus. It is such a blessed way to get people to come to our church. We do an alter call at the end and bring many people to Christ. We perform for an audience of one.
Great letter, and thank you for the verses. I always wondered where the biblical support of Emeth entering Aslan’s kingdom was. And of course even if it wasn’t there, as you pointed out, God has made it clear that he will show mercy on whomever He chooses.