Comments ( 7 )

1. tchiwringaPosted on 1:57 pm June 7, 2005

   hmmmmmmmm- does that mean i can't say 'i think'....?
2. EmiliePosted on 3:45 pm June 7, 2005

   That's interesting - and a bit incriminating for all the churches and church-related companies and other "faithful" intelligensia that try so hard to get beyond the simple truth. Everyone wants to Know, and Knowing is not what will save you from eternal damnation...
   
   Along those lines, my dad goes (sometimes goes) to a Men's Group Bible Study at our church, and he was telling us just last night at dinner that they're studying "What Heaven is Like" and we were all rather incredulous - who in the entire world knows what heaven is like?! We cannot Know! So... more of that fallacious quest for Knowing for ya...
3. RobPosted on 4:08 pm June 7, 2005

   Emilie! I must take exception to that statement ... we most certainly can tell what Heaven is like - and should pursue such knowledge with a fervor!
   
   I realize that a mere few words here in the comment section will not sway you, so I will post a trackback from my blog in a few days addressing this topic.
   
   I warrant that I can provide you with more "God Revealed" facts that tell us what Heaven is like than you currently think are available.
   
   As to the quote, like the Bible, it cuts two ways ... too many people don't search into the hidden mysteries of God because they wrongly categorize His "Certain and Revealed Will" as uncertain and unrevealed.
   
   Yet I do whole heartedly agree, if you do depart from the Certain and Revealed you tread on thin theological ice over cold, deep waters.
4. NathanaelPosted on 6:31 pm June 7, 2005

   To Rob's
   
   

   As to the quote, like the Bible, it cuts two ways ... too many people don't search into the hidden mysteries of God because they wrongly categorize His "Certain and Revealed Will" as uncertain and unrevealed.

   
   
   Absolutely.
   
   Also, Luther does not say that it is a sin to explore the mystery, rather it is the abandonment of certain revealed truth that he is warning against.
   
5. EmiliePosted on 10:31 am June 8, 2005

   well, yes, there are descriptions of heaven in the Bible - but we acknowledge the book of Revelation as figurative language (or at least, I do) and we regard parables as similes - which can be rather unsatisfying. If the Bible study only addresses these God-given descriptions, then that is fine. If the study claims there is a mermaid and eight centaurs in heaven, that is blasphemy! God never tells us those things are in heaven. We cannot preach speculation as truth - I guess that's what I was trying to say.
6. RobPosted on 3:54 pm June 8, 2005

   Wow! Are you saying that your dad came home and said that his Bible Study lead them to a conclusion that there is a mermaid and eight centaurs in Heaven!? :-)
   
   I fully agree that we can notpreach speculation as truth - yet the pivotal question is "What is speculation?" Christ chose parables as His primary method of teaching ... and you claim to find that unsatisfying. Christs parables are primarily about Heaven. So that it appears we have a primary topic (Ok, He definitely talked about Love and Money more than anything else ... but I'm working on an argument here so bear with me, ok?) in the parables and a primary methodology of teaching.
   
   His reasons for choosing that methodology? To veil the message and give guy's like me something to blog about! I'm certain of it! (heheh)
   
   Besides, I like the topic of Heaven and definitely think it is something I will enjoy expounding on ... thanks for bringing it up!
7. EmiliePosted on 10:03 am June 9, 2005

   I wasn't saying parables are unsatisfying, I was saying similes are unsatisfying. And not to me, but to those who want concrete truths. The Left Behind series is speculation. Somebody wanted concrete truths about the end of the world, so Tim and Co. interpreted Revelation literally (which I pointed out above is not literal but figurative) and made up stuff that Some people believe as concrete truth. I have nothing against parables and figurative language, I'm a poet, I can't be. I just have something against people who make up lies just so they have a concrete truth to hang on to.