Comments ( 11 )

1. EmiliePosted on 10:48 pm May 14, 2005

   ok...would you attempt to define philosophy? a friend of mine just used it in a way that I didn't think was true to its meaning, but since I'm not really sure WHAT it means, I'm looking for a definition. I know it's kind of intangible, but please give it a shot?
2. NathanaelPosted on 11:21 pm May 14, 2005

   philosophy means the love of wisdom. in the days of the greek philosophers all the areas of thought were called philosophy. thus aristotle, who was a philosopher, also studied exotic plants and animals and is often considered the first western botanist and zoologist. but in his day he was a philosopher and all that he did fell under that heading because he was in the pursuit of knowledge.
   
   however today philosophy is the understanding and teaching of absolute meaning. therefore one's philosophy of education is what one believes the purpose and proper use of education to be. a philosophy of business is the position of a company's purpose, its goals and the principles by which it is run.
   
   when we speak only of philosphy in general we refer to nothing less than one's understaning of the meaning of the existence of all things as we know them.
   
   so philosophy still retains the 'love of knowledge' conotation though it deals more specifically with the discussion of ultimate meaning.
   
   
3. Nathan McLaurinPosted on 4:25 pm August 27, 2005

   Hey man! Loved the fellowship last weekend . . . wish we had more time. Maybe we can find a corner in the Kingdom to catch up!
   
   Being of Baptistic roots, I'd love to hear your take on paedo-baptism and paedo-communion.
4. Amanda MartinPosted on 7:01 pm September 13, 2005

   Nathanael! Here's my addy at school. Drop me an e-mail! Jesus loves you. PO Box 128 Silverton, OR 97381
5. Amanda Christine MartinPosted on 3:03 pm May 25, 2006

   Hey, Nathanael. Just wanted to say that I was thinking of you as I was praying this week. Yeah. Jesus loves you. Kiss the kids for me.
   ~Amanda Christine
6. Shane BumgarnerPosted on 1:18 pm June 22, 2006

   Hey Nat-
   
   It was great getting to know you in MN --
   Especially drifiting across the lake
   
   How about slipping in something on creationism sometime?
   I know I would enjoy it...
   
   Shane
7. sehnsucht9139Posted on 11:49 pm July 28, 2006

   I read this stuff on Revelation
   I don't really agree with a lot of it; and I all ready came to my own conclusion as well. But, I'd like to hear another person's thoughts on what this guy is talking about.
   
   http://www.revelation-101.org/
   
   I could careless who the author of Revelation is; that isn't a big concern, it's just this book has to be interpreted far more than any of the other books.
   
8. NathanaelPosted on 2:12 pm July 30, 2006

   sehnsucht9139, not being an expert on Revelation, I can only share what it has meant to me personally.
   
   
   The site is correct in pointing out that the validity of Revelation as a part of the canon of scripture has been in put in question by not a few leaders of the church throughout history. Without the time, space or energy to respond to all the 'inconsistencies' pointed out on the site, I would submit that part of the confusion stems from a missunderstanding of the role of Revelation. Much if not most of the language and imagery used in this book is that of the Old Testament, but with Christ, the Lamb, and the church all throughout. This indeed is novel and unique in scripture as a pattern for an entire book.
   
   As the last book of scripture and a 'revelation' of things to come, it is summing up all history of God's dealings with his people and bringing it to a dramatic conclusion, ushering in all eternity when Christ will be all in all, wed to his people forever. For this reason it must harken back to the Old Testament where it all began and where God first revealed, though veiled, his plan for all time.
   
   Also, the way his questions are framed is of some concern; he refers to what "your Jesus" would or wouldn't do, as if Jesus is my homemade emotional teddy that fits my whim and preference. Remember, Jesus is ALL of God's revelation for all time, this includes both his love and his judgment. He is God's word, the very power that spoke all things into existence and will judge all things. So let's not commit the idolatry of shaping 'my Jesus' after my preference.
   
   I believe that amid all the various interpretations of Revelation we must keep two things in mind:
   
   1; It must be about Christ, for he is all in all and God's plan for all time. There is no other.
   
   2; When there is language and imagery that seems confusing or ambiguous, we should suspend judgment rather than passing judgement with sweeping condemnation or narrow application to particular current world events as a device to make God's word more tameable. It would serve us well to remember how wrong the Jews of Jesus' day were in thier understanding of the Messiah based on their interpretations and theories of the prophets.
   
   So as we continue to struggle with the truths in this book, let us maintain a humility that does not elevate human judgment over the gospel; for the gospel of Jesus remains its central theme. And in its faithfulness to it, I am satisfied that it is indeed the inspired word of God, proven through the ages.
   
   For a solid exegesis of Revelation I would recommend G. K. Beale's "The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text"
9. RobHinesPosted on 8:22 am November 23, 2007

   I'd like to see hear your thoughts on sin. How is sin defined? Is God compelled to address sin? Scripture indicates that sinners "rightly deserve" death - but why is that?
10. Val StrebePosted on 11:03 am February 12, 2008

    How is your family doing in Chad? I heard that the capitol was being attacked. Hope everyone is okay! Email sometime ;)
11. TimPosted on 10:14 am December 7, 2009

    I just found your blog because you started following Faith & Fellowship's Twitter account. I really appreciate the incredible thoughts and wrestling you are doing here. I was hoping you could expand on the "acquired taste" post and dig deeper into what that means for worship. I feel that it's an incredibly important thought nowadays in this culture and it applies to so much of our lives when it comes to entertainment, art and relationships. We are slowly losing the understanding of the acquired taste in our fast-paced, impatient, self-centered culture.