D. Paul
Puritan Board Sophomore
When speaking with people on any variety of topics, it seems I can never get beyond two concepts that are so intricately woven together:
1) The Scriptures
2) Predestination
There are so many things I could focus my attention upon in learning the things of God and I fully recognize I am quite inferior in my understanding to those of you here on the PB. But would I be correct in asserting that a solid and detailed knowledge of these two things is essential? I mean to say, if we are to have the mind of Christ and to think God's thoughts after him, we must know the scriptures, yet not just know them alone, but also the doctrine of Divine Revelation, Inspiration and Authority and how the Scriptures are truly unique and separate from anything else in the world. This would stifle any appeals made to any other "authority" and also silence those who speak as Christians yet somehow deny these very things.
Then, by our ability to properly defend the scriptures in this way, we would not have to "go soft" in pronouncing God alone as the Sovereign of the Universe no matter what the situation. In this, I think immediately of how frequently I hear the church saying "God is in charge" and using the word "sovereign" but then back-pedaling in the face of any accusation that God is not the author of sin; does not use nature to punish; Satan's influence and the common, run of the mill life etc.
Am I misguided here or am I on the right track? I just always distill everything down to these...
1) The Scriptures
2) Predestination
There are so many things I could focus my attention upon in learning the things of God and I fully recognize I am quite inferior in my understanding to those of you here on the PB. But would I be correct in asserting that a solid and detailed knowledge of these two things is essential? I mean to say, if we are to have the mind of Christ and to think God's thoughts after him, we must know the scriptures, yet not just know them alone, but also the doctrine of Divine Revelation, Inspiration and Authority and how the Scriptures are truly unique and separate from anything else in the world. This would stifle any appeals made to any other "authority" and also silence those who speak as Christians yet somehow deny these very things.
Then, by our ability to properly defend the scriptures in this way, we would not have to "go soft" in pronouncing God alone as the Sovereign of the Universe no matter what the situation. In this, I think immediately of how frequently I hear the church saying "God is in charge" and using the word "sovereign" but then back-pedaling in the face of any accusation that God is not the author of sin; does not use nature to punish; Satan's influence and the common, run of the mill life etc.
Am I misguided here or am I on the right track? I just always distill everything down to these...