For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9
Why do you assume God is bound by Aristotelian logic? – Bo Williams, Introduction to Philosophy, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 1989
(Different way of saying the same thing, though I’m not sure I appreciated that at the time.)
Our pastors tackled science vs. religion today. David came right out and said “The Bible is not a science book.” Then, in Reveal, Eric said that science asks “how?” while religion asks “why?” Then he said that might be an oversimplification, but I’m not sure it is.
In my younger years, I stayed pretty massively spun up about this, mostly in the form of creation vs. evolution. I’m not spun up about it anymore, primarily because I don’t have a conflict about it myself anymore. I’m satisfied evolution occurs, and has for many millions of years. Nominally, I’m satisfied the world is considerably older than a few thousand years.
I’m also satisfied that not only is this perfectly compatible with Scripture, but that God doesn’t spend any time whatsoever concerned about what we think about it.
I think there when we consider this wonderful thing called Christianity, there are only two things that really matter. The first one is embodied in John 3:16—namely, that salvation is available to anyone who acknowledges his sinful nature, and that Jesus died to absolve him of it. The second is that we have a daily responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ. We must give. We must serve. We must help. We must do these things for their own sake, not in expectation of reciprocation of any kind. We must do these things because Jesus did them.
I have a very hard time believing God concerns Himself with much else. Furthermore, I tend to immediately suspect a possibly dubious agenda from anyone who claims otherwise.
I love my church. I’m excited to go, and I’m energized when I leave. What a blessing.
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Bo : Knowing your intuitive mind and deep inner feelings about Christianity, I thought might like to comment on this song “Suzanne”. I am awear that both Cohen and Diamond are Jewish, yet they are connected to “The Christ” ..Somehow …Your thoughts.
A very thought provoking song : “Suzanne” written and song by Leonard Cohen and later by Neil Diamond, included this observant, penetrating metaphor of the Devine Life of Jesus :
“Suzanne” Song by Neil Diamond : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad1nn-EmZw8
“And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said “All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them”
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone”
Jesus is also a sailor, a seeker of divine meaning who announces that: “all men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them”. The allusion to Jesus is a commentary on the soul of man confined to its physical manifestation until death. Here, the metaphor of the sailor awash upon the seas of experience until the waters claim him or her at last (“Sea shall freed them”) is extended, and the soul – the pure manifestation of self – is freed at the time of death. Jesus was aware of his sacrifice and waited until “drowning men” or those in need of salvation could feel his love.
Peace, Fred
Fred, thanks so much for sharing these thoughts with me. It’s perfect that you’re commenting on this post, because it’s exactly what I talked with the boys about on the way home. Service and salvation. Everything else is details.
Isaiah 55:8-9 is one of my favorite Scriptures because I read a great comfort in it. I get frustrated and think “I can’t figure it out.” And lots of times God finds a way to tell me “it’s not yours to figure out. Be at peace.”
We are made in God’s image, but we are mortal creatures. We are at the mercy of our earthly vehicles. It is not tragic, but expected, that we can’t tell the whole story. It’s not our story.
David’s sermon this morning was one of the best I’ve ever heard him give.