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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Opus 2013-113: Says Who?

In chapter 3 of the book of Genesis you have the discussion between the serpent and Eve.  This discussion led to Eve disobeying God and what is called, “The Fall.”  Alistair Begg was relating this and paraphrased what the Serpent asked Eve as, “Are you going to base your opinion on what God said?” 

This made me think again about a book I just read and reviewed called When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  In his chapter on Job, Kushner asks the same question of Job responding to God.  It would seem to be a silly question but it is at the root of our pagan culture.  We have this shrink wrapped, made in China, one size fits all view of God that is perpetuated by our culture and too many of our churches. 

It is a good question to ask ourselves.  “Are we going to base our opinions on what God said?”  Actually that is a question that should be asked every time someone gets up to preach.  We should ask ourselves the questions before we read the Bible.  If the answer is “no,” at least we are clear and realize that reading scripture is really a waste of time.

It is a question I have asked myself.  I have decided the answer is “Yes.”  I am going to go extreme and make it not just my opinions but also my attitudes, my priorities, my entirety. 

I am a long way from perfect in my application of this decision.  There, I said if for you.  I can live with that because I have decided to live with Him.  Sometimes it is a daily decision.  That is why I like the verse in Luke best, it includes the word “daily.”
(Luke 9:23 NAS77)  And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
You need to make your own decision.  Don’t put it off too long.

homo unius libri

3 comments:

  1. The fall only happened after Adam ate of the apple. "Eve was deceived, Adam sinned".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Which brings up an interesting bit of speculation: What would have happened if Adam had refused and turned Eve in? I also sometimes wonder if things would have been different if they had confessed instead of hiding.

      More questions for Theology 101 in the New Jerusalem.

      Grace and peace.

      Delete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.