Time to answer the long begotten question that Kevin left me in regard s to what I believe about TULIP back in October. Since now I have the time (and Kev reminded me, is time to continue on this conversation, shall we begin?)I'm not a big fan of doctrine nor Calvinism, but here we are: (The following are not in any order)
T = Total Depravity
We need God, we have all have the tendency to sin. I'm a bit hesitant on the whole idea of being "born into sin" as Augustine would argue. Yet my mind is torn on babies and kids who die without knowing better, before they know right from wrong. So they die and go spend eternity in the depths? God is too loving. I know some would argue that God will judge which I will have no doubt about. Yet it is a mystery is it not? But if we deny this point, the whole importance of the virgin birth of Jesus will come into jeopardy. (Man passing down sin to their children, so if sin does not begin at birth, then Jesus didn't need the virgin birth, and vice versa, Jesus was not a sinner if born not from a virgin, some hard things to think about).
I hold on Total Depravity in my definition as that we all need God, and we all have the tendency to sin and rebel against God. Yet, the questions still linger...
U = Unconditional Election
God has chosen to save everyone. I believe that salvation is for everyone. God came to save everyone. Heaven is full of forgiven people. Hell is full of forgiven people. Jesus came to save all.
Ok...I think that's enough for one day...my brain doesn't work too well during the holidays...haha
But let's discuss these 2 points first.
Brothers & Sisters, fire away....
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Monday, December 18, 2006
Restoration
It's been a long while since anyone has posted anything on our conversational blog, since I'm still awake, I decide maybe I should write something for the Christmas holidays...
I titled this part of my thought as restoration after Gary's insight to Velvet Elvis, because within me, I believe we could do so much, to elaborate on how we are to try to restore this world to a place God intended it to be.
Just recently, the stats for one of the most elusive shopping days in the United States coded name 'black friday', in which is the day after thanksgiving kicking off the Christmas shopping season. The figures that came in on how much people did spend on that day was a close estimate of around 27.8 BILLION dollars USD.
Think about that...27.8 BILLION Dollars USD in one day of shopping
I hate throwing out stats...but here are some I think we need to truly consider:
It will cost us 1.74 Billion to give safe drinking water, sanitation and hygene education to the whole world (WaterAid)
It will cost about 13 Billion dollars more to what the UN is currently giving each year to provide basic health, nutrition needs of the world's poorest people. (Bread for the World)
Think about that.
14.74 Billion dollars a year can give the world its basic needs of surival of safe food, water and sanitation...just basic needs
Do you feel pain when you read these stats?
Cause I think Jesus does
How do we help in trying to restore the world?
I guess here's a start...doing the basic things Jesus commands us to do:
Feed the hungry
Taking care of the sick, widowed, and orphaned
I'll be the first one to admit, when ever those TV commericals come on about helping the poor, the needy, in places like Afica or Burma, I would change the channel. Cause I want to be ignorant of what is real around me. If I don't see it, it is not happening, is not affecting me.
How are we to 'T'Shuva' to the way God made us to be?
Something for all of us to think about during this holiday.
I titled this part of my thought as restoration after Gary's insight to Velvet Elvis, because within me, I believe we could do so much, to elaborate on how we are to try to restore this world to a place God intended it to be.
Just recently, the stats for one of the most elusive shopping days in the United States coded name 'black friday', in which is the day after thanksgiving kicking off the Christmas shopping season. The figures that came in on how much people did spend on that day was a close estimate of around 27.8 BILLION dollars USD.
Think about that...27.8 BILLION Dollars USD in one day of shopping
I hate throwing out stats...but here are some I think we need to truly consider:
It will cost us 1.74 Billion to give safe drinking water, sanitation and hygene education to the whole world (WaterAid)
It will cost about 13 Billion dollars more to what the UN is currently giving each year to provide basic health, nutrition needs of the world's poorest people. (Bread for the World)
Think about that.
14.74 Billion dollars a year can give the world its basic needs of surival of safe food, water and sanitation...just basic needs
Do you feel pain when you read these stats?
Cause I think Jesus does
How do we help in trying to restore the world?
I guess here's a start...doing the basic things Jesus commands us to do:
Feed the hungry
Taking care of the sick, widowed, and orphaned
I'll be the first one to admit, when ever those TV commericals come on about helping the poor, the needy, in places like Afica or Burma, I would change the channel. Cause I want to be ignorant of what is real around me. If I don't see it, it is not happening, is not affecting me.
How are we to 'T'Shuva' to the way God made us to be?
Something for all of us to think about during this holiday.
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