Monday, June 28, 2004

Follow Up To Considerations On Predestination Follow Up Considerations On Predestination - "Have You Answered The Call"? "Just why God saves some and leaves others to perish is a mystery. It is not unjust, for God owes no man anything. Reprobation is an act of God's justice just as predestination is an act of His grace. In both God manifests His virtues."  - (De civ. XIV, 26) ST. AUGUSTINE This topic is one of the great mysteries of God. Scholars throughout the ages have differed on it - and while an understanding of what predestination is and the views one can have of it are certainly interesting, it most certainly should not be at the center of our theology - as even Martin Luther himself did not view it as central to his theology. From my simple perspective, I think the uniting point of both of the Reformed view and the Arminian "view" of predestination occurs at the point of the decision to live for Christ - as whether you have a Reformed view or a Armenian view - you are called to follow Jesus - so the key question for believers at that point (decision to live for Christ) is not "have you been called?" or "have you answered the call?" but are "you continuing to answer the call" - and the key point for non-believers is "have you answered the call"? Should anyone be interested in learning more about writings in this area - a great resource of different links on predestination can be found at: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/topic/predestination.html.     5:26:38 PM    comment []

Seemingly Innocent Technology - Not So Seemingly Impact #2 Received a note from Hal Huffman highlighting another "seemingly innocent technology" and the incredible negative effect this technology can have in impacting the moral fabric of society. The link Hal provided was to an article from Wired - "Pursuing the Libido's Dark Side".  This article paints a vivid picture of how online games based on adult-themed role-playing indulge many sexual taboos.   This indulging - which can many times be rationalized as "its only fantasy - or "its only online" is counter to our need as Christians to "abstain from all appearance of evil". Additional comments from Hal are provided below - and they very much are worth considering. Not only (do we need to consider) the "avoidance of all appearance" of evil".....but what about the actions that take place inside the human heart? As our Lord taught us....we can be a murderer, a rapist, whatever.... in our heart without even taking action on the thoughts. What he wanted us to fully understand is that is where it really takes place first. Dwell on it long enough and the outward action has a very strong potential of being fulfilled. I'm reminded of how Bundy, before his execution, disclosed that his murdering began with pornography, then deeper fantasies about sexual violence....and then he began to carry out those fantasies. I don't mean to imply that anyone who gets involved in role playing simulations are going to eventually go out in society an act out what started out as role playing....the deeper issue is that someone even comes up with the concept for role playing.   11:18:01 AM    comment []