I believe that there exists in all of our
lives a discontinuity between HEAD and HEART.
jt: How so? Faith is an
attribute of the heart; the mind catches up as it is renewed by God's
Word.
Judy: So then, you agree on this
point?
jt: I'm not sure whether or not
I agree but I will say that when I first surrendered to Christ my mind was
a mess.
While we do seek to minimize this
split yet the majority, approaching ALL, of our disputations on
TT take place over our conceptual constructs of WHO GOD IS. Someone
has said that 'the 'who' questions always take precedence over the 'what'
questions'.
Slade's illustration serves to make this
point IMO. That cancer-sufferer may die while embracing a 'regulative
belief' concerning Who God Is. If he's correct then:
1. God may be testing his faith unto death
2. God may heal him at the last moment
3. He may be wrong thus, die needlessly
jt: What is a 'regulative
belief?' Is there any such a thing as 'objective truth?'
Example of a 'regulative belief': All
sickness is somehow connected with sin in the life of a
believer.
jt: God's Word connects sin and
sickness (See Deuteronomy 28,29) IYO is 'regulative belief' belief in
God's Word?
On 'objective truth' IFF God exists then,
yes.
If we think of TT as a virtual room
inhabitated by true and genuine believers then, we are totally unified
until one simple thing takes place namely, speaking/writing. When we speak
of that which we have done, we are reflecting WHO we believe God to be.
The thoughts and intents of the heart are elusive even within ourselves
not to speak of other's perceptions of us. Thus we
come full circle, as all through all of our lives we seek (if we are
disciples) to minimize the split between head and heart to the Glory of
God. God grant that we may know who He is and live out of that
knowledge
Those who know us, truly know us, are more
aware of this split (dualism) than those who do not. It, understably,
aggrivates them. Family, friends, employers/employees/collegues. We cannot
hide who we are from such over an extended period of time.
jt: Why should we want to hide? We
may not be walking after the Spirit perfectly - When those about us see us
fall getting into a ditch, along
with God picking us up and restoring us this brings glory to Him
and His work in and for us in Christ.
On why? Because we are human and, dwell
this side of the eschaton.
jt: He came the first time and died so
that we could come out of hiding; we are supposed to be becoming
transparent so
that we are "like Him" at His second
appearing.
I certainly hope that by pointing out the
actions of another, you hope to throw smoke on your own sin. My
five-year-old daughter does that (this is not a comment against Judy,
only a tragic series of episodes I must deal with at
home).
jt: So you equate my words with responses
from your five year old daughter Slade?
I see a difference between an "ad
hominem" against a statement made and an insulting statement
against an individual.
jt: I respectfully
disagree. I view "ad hominems" as primarily directed toward and
insulting someone's person. I don't view disagreeing with any
religious idea in the same light. To me John's
calling Izzy's statement "ridiculous" is an ad hominem
attack and Lance calling what I wrote "silly and foolish" is also
patronizing and unloving which qualifies as ad
hominem.
Saying "Doesn't God's
Word mean anything to you" is insulting and does not add more
weight to your perception of Scripture. It does not foster love in the
Community of Messiah. It's divisive.
jt: It wouldn't see it that way if
directed toward me Slade. I would see it as an opportunity to
give an answer for the "hope that is within me"
You complained about "A
really ridiculous statement." What about the statement "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief" do you
think is wise beyond council?
jt: What I commented on was John calling
what Izzy wrote "a really ridiculous statement" which comment reflects
upon her as a person.
You complained about "They are both silly and, foolish." Do you think
the "quibbles" on TT are neither silly nor
foolish?
jt: Quibbles aside, my comment was about the
adjectives directed toward me as a person. God does not
take kindly to those who call their brother 'Raca' or fool and we
are constantly barraged by talk of how we
are brothers/sisters and all one community.
I think your comment Doesn't God's Word mean anything to you is
insulting -- I don't think your PRESENCE is insulting.
jt: Just my words? So I am
acceptable if I don't say anything?
That is not ad hominem. It's an attempt to
change a behavio[u]r in order to make life on TT a bit more enjoyable
for everyone and hopefully to foster responses from the Silent
Majority. At this point, why should anyone else [the silent folk]
comment when the threat of being flamed and called heretic[k] is so
high? -- slade
jt: I guess DaveH could now qualify as one of
the "silent majority" but I would have a hard time believing that he
is threatened :), he's probably just busy. DavidM OTOH just may
be one of the "silent majority" by now since there have been so many
mean spirited comments directed toward him and his beliefs and few if
any valid challenges backed by either scripture or
hypothesis..
jt: Another
question Slade along with an appeal to your finer
sensibilities.
How is it that you are not offended by the
statements below by John to Izzy and by Lance in response to what I
wrote?
IMO being labelled 'ridiculous' 'silly' and
'foolish' is ad hominem and way more insulting than honest
questions to those who promote an aberrent spirituality which
is contrary to the Word of God on this
list.
John wrote: A really ridiculous
statement. "Lord, I believe, help me in my
unbelief." J
Lance
wrote: That's where God is looking and, so should we. What a waste
of time so many of these 'quibbles' are! They
are both silly and, foolish.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Moderator: Judy. Please cease giving people the opportunity
to "turn the other cheek." Asking people "Doesn't God's Word mean anything to you?" is insulting and needs to stop.
-- slade
