What is rationalism? I was just reading an essay by William Craig Lane - and he was belaboring the issue that even unbelief is rational. This is true. And from my reading of a wide variety of philosophical texts, the word "rational, rationalism" is simply a code word for "unbelief" and that specifically unblelief in the miraculous and super-natural.
By no means am I ridiculing "reason" per se, but the word "unbelief" - is a term more appropriate - embodying the broad field of arguments set forth under the guise of "rationalism".
What is more interesting is my latest inquiry into the meaning of the word "theodicy". A theodicy is a statement generated to intellectually reconcile the existence of a All Powerful, All Benificent Ruler of the Universe (God) to the reality of evil. ANSWER: Evil only seems evil from a limited perspective, from a temporal perspective even. However, from God's perspective - who also is Providence and Supreme Ruler - a perspective which no human being can completely absorb intellectually - causes for the evil may be simply the most supremely good thing to do.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
The God-Who-Is-Alone
The God Who Is Alone. What is this phrase in Hebrew? We have, the "God-Who-Is" = Yahweh, the God-Who-Is-Eternal= Jehovah Ha Olam; the God-Who-Is-My-Victory-In-Battle = Jehovah Nissi; we have the God-Who-Is-My-Healer = Jehovah Rapha; we have the God-Almighty = El Shaddai; we have the "gods" = Elohim (God is the 'gods'); we have God-The-Mighty-God-Of-Israel = El Elohe Yisrael...and on and on and on... Pondering on this, it is now not so unusual why God would just say to Moses, "...Just tell them Moses, "I AM"..." How perfect is that? Of course. Just fill in the blank. He is that/this. Why would we be surprised - or expect anything less? Why would I expect anything less than this. I don't know - sometimes I think I slip into thinking that God is so utterly above and beyond everything that I lose sight of how connected He is to things "down here".
But, I do not think I have ever come across this name: the God-Who-Is-Alone... but if you think about it - He is. Who can He be compared with? No one. No one is on His level. Wait - now I am thinking about the Trinity.
The Trinity.
Father - Son - Holy Spirit.
But even Jesus said, "the Father is greater than I".
What a God - ALL POWERFUL - !!!
Nothing - ABSOLUTEY NOTHING - is without His aid and providence. Oh My.
What a God is this!
What I do know about Him is this - He has given me grace to live for ever.
ALL PRAISE AND GLORY BELONGS TO HIM - AMEN.
But, I do not think I have ever come across this name: the God-Who-Is-Alone... but if you think about it - He is. Who can He be compared with? No one. No one is on His level. Wait - now I am thinking about the Trinity.
The Trinity.
Father - Son - Holy Spirit.
But even Jesus said, "the Father is greater than I".
What a God - ALL POWERFUL - !!!
Nothing - ABSOLUTEY NOTHING - is without His aid and providence. Oh My.
What a God is this!
What I do know about Him is this - He has given me grace to live for ever.
ALL PRAISE AND GLORY BELONGS TO HIM - AMEN.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jesus's Return?
Many people simply dispute even the possibility of a God-Who-Judges. What happens if Jesus were to return at 8:36 a.m. ? The point? If we could put that information on CNN or Headline News, Etc. what would be the world's response?
And while we do not know when He will return - we do know that He will. So now what?
Well - this knowledge is supposed to produce "fruit" in our individual lives. Fruit - is the the effect of something - i.e. a seed has the effect of what it produces.
The Eternal God's point of contact with the world is the Eternal Soul of Mankind.
The words of Jesus are the seed - what it produces is the fruit. Jesus Himself promised His own return - now what? What are you going to do about it? Does this make any difference in your life? - the difference is the "fruit". Jesus said there were going to be different amounts of fruit this knowledge will produce in people's lives - as well as - those who seed fails to bring forth fruit.
Types of Seed Actions i.e. Fruit-Bearing
No Fruit Types
1. Those who receive the word - but very quickly - it is stolen by Satan. Result: No Fruit.
2. Those who receive the seed - and abide in the meaning of the seed for a little while and then fail. Result: No Fruit.
3. Those who receive the seed - and then the distractions of what is not related to the seed growing cause the fruit to fail. Result: No Fruit.
Fruit Bearing Types
1. Those who receive the word - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - 30 times as much as it was sown.
2. Those who receive the seed (the seed is the word) - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - as much as 60 times as much as was sown.
3. Those who receive the seed - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - as much as 90 times as much as was originally sown.
Which one are you?
Now, The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance. Galatians 5:21,22.
Do you have God's Holy Spirit ? This is the evidence of your salvation - of your Fruit-bearing seed, the word of God, the words of Christ.
And while we do not know when He will return - we do know that He will. So now what?
Well - this knowledge is supposed to produce "fruit" in our individual lives. Fruit - is the the effect of something - i.e. a seed has the effect of what it produces.
The Eternal God's point of contact with the world is the Eternal Soul of Mankind.
The words of Jesus are the seed - what it produces is the fruit. Jesus Himself promised His own return - now what? What are you going to do about it? Does this make any difference in your life? - the difference is the "fruit". Jesus said there were going to be different amounts of fruit this knowledge will produce in people's lives - as well as - those who seed fails to bring forth fruit.
Types of Seed Actions i.e. Fruit-Bearing
No Fruit Types
1. Those who receive the word - but very quickly - it is stolen by Satan. Result: No Fruit.
2. Those who receive the seed - and abide in the meaning of the seed for a little while and then fail. Result: No Fruit.
3. Those who receive the seed - and then the distractions of what is not related to the seed growing cause the fruit to fail. Result: No Fruit.
Fruit Bearing Types
1. Those who receive the word - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - 30 times as much as it was sown.
2. Those who receive the seed (the seed is the word) - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - as much as 60 times as much as was sown.
3. Those who receive the seed - and it is able to grow and bear fruit - as much as 90 times as much as was originally sown.
Which one are you?
Now, The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance. Galatians 5:21,22.
Do you have God's Holy Spirit ? This is the evidence of your salvation - of your Fruit-bearing seed, the word of God, the words of Christ.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Jesus is Lord
Is there really "Jesus" ?
YES - in fact there is a supernatural being named "Jesus" who was made flesh and blood about 2,000 years ago. He was born in Bethlehem under the circumstances described in the Bible. Also, He is actually GOD Himself. Jesus is the God of Israel in the Flesh. His Spirit was given to all who believe this and are willing to submit themselves to His teaching.
I know I have been saved by Jesus. This is a miracle. Yet there are so many people who do not believe this - nonetheless - it still remains true. When will you come to know Jesus? Why are you ignoring His voice?
Just speak to Him in your heart and mind just as you would speak to any person you can see and feel.
He will answer.
Amen.
YES - in fact there is a supernatural being named "Jesus" who was made flesh and blood about 2,000 years ago. He was born in Bethlehem under the circumstances described in the Bible. Also, He is actually GOD Himself. Jesus is the God of Israel in the Flesh. His Spirit was given to all who believe this and are willing to submit themselves to His teaching.
I know I have been saved by Jesus. This is a miracle. Yet there are so many people who do not believe this - nonetheless - it still remains true. When will you come to know Jesus? Why are you ignoring His voice?
Just speak to Him in your heart and mind just as you would speak to any person you can see and feel.
He will answer.
Amen.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
First is first
Hello World!!
The theme of this blog is to talk about reality as we know it - and to discuss the existential questions that inevitably develop from our existence.
May we have good postings...
DR. J
The theme of this blog is to talk about reality as we know it - and to discuss the existential questions that inevitably develop from our existence.
May we have good postings...
DR. J
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