Monday, October 22, 2007

like children

We are like children arguing what daddy does when he goes away to work.

This analogy came to me when at dinner last night a group of students, myself included, sat around the table debating the place of God in evolution. Each arguing his opinion, some based on truth, some based on what science class or church teaches us. Like children.

In the same way our worship is child-like. Like a child who has no concept whatsoever of the sacrifices that mommy and daddy make for him. Once in a great while when he recieves an especially delightful trinket, he will turn around and thank daddy. In our own selfish ways we sing praises to God. Praises which are appreciated, like a parent appreciates the way his child rarely thanks him, out of his own selfish motives for a cookie. I just get this overwhelming sense that even the most pure motives of worship, the most selfless actions we do, are as a child might offer his toy to his brother becuase he knows that mommy has told him to share.

How deplorable this state we are in. The most intellectual, the most knowledgable, the most "scientific", the most "spiritual" all fall short. As short as jumping would ever land one on the moon.



I can't wait to go to heaven and begin to learn the magnificence and complete awesomeness of our God who accepts us as the children we are.

Monday, October 08, 2007

a scandal and stupidity

My religion professor concluded that Calvin and Luther were wrong about humans having to place their trust in Christ. It was Jesus' faith in God that pardons everyone, not a choice which we make. Jesus was a good exemplary man and we should try to emulate his life and faith, but in the end he died.

He then went on to mention how Pauls says he 'dies daily with Christ' for a belief which according to 1 Corinthians 1: 23 is "a stumbling block (a scandal!) to Jews, and foolishnes (stupidity!) to Gentiles".

I couldnt have said it any better myself. This was one of those rare gems of doctrine coming from that class that was right on target.