I Was sitting with Andrew and Wing today at the SUB during my break and somehow the word "restoration" came out. I'm sure each of you have your own definitions and feelings towards the importance and where it stands in your journey.
Haha auh Eugene, now you make us sound so random when we are anything but that!
For me, restoration is simply a return to the way things have been (yay dictionary! LOLZ kidding that's my definition probably copied from someone else, maybe one of you ppl!); picture that comes to mind is the return to the way Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden. Haha there's our T'shuva~ I find it interesting though that we don't really know what that kind of life is like, and yet we desire it so.
And a question came up over the summer as I was helping out with Eug's summercamp which I thought I might throw out (courtesy of Wing's brilliant ponderings): Did God ever intend for us to have the knowledge to discern good and evil (via the fruit)? Yes upon eating the fruit, we've all been screwed over from the beginning and sin entered the world, but is it better the way things worked out - with man sinning and Jesus showing his deep love for each and everyone of us by dying on the cross. For sure, I would guess Jesus wouldn't have wanted to be crucified if he didn't have to (if we had all obeyed in the first place), but who knows?
By no means do I expect to receive a clear answer, but lemme know what you guys think! =) Till then, Cheers! =)
Good response Andrew..hhaha and we are quite random..what are you talking about?
I totally agree with you on the point of returning to before our whole human race began to sin. To restore is to return to all these things, I believe not just people, but all creation. (I'll probably elaborate later but wait for everyone to continue this discussion)
As for your pondering about the intentions of the tree of the knowledge of Good and evil and Jesus having to come, I honestly don't know. But in some ways I don't think Jesus coming in the flesh and blood was a back-up plan to fix our screw ups. (Something to also consider for future discussion)
Interesting thoughts guys! Sorry, I have yet to write on this blog as I'm sure you guys are all busy with school as much if not more than me. Anyhow, thoughts on restoration.
I remember reading in the good 'ol Bible somewhere that when Christ comes the earth will be restored, kind of like a full circle in which the earth will be as it was intended to be in the Garden of Eden. (oh wait, I think you guys already wrote about that). But it's kind of like Heaven on earth. I've been learning lots about the Lord's prayer and in it, it says "Your Kingdom come" (as I'm sure you know). I think we see glimpses of this "Kingdom" or heaven on earth- i.e. in those filled with Christ, through actions of glorification to God, and lots lots more. You also hear/ see people being "restored" from brokenness, sin, trials and despair as they are able to identify themselves in Christ. Anyhow, I think part of restoration lies in these actions, submitting yourself to Christ, and glorification to Him but full restoration will be when Christ comes to restore basically all the mess we've also created on earth.
I think the first thing that came to mind as I planned to type this last night was restoration of the heart. Restoration from suffering and sorrows. You know, the life long eastern struggle of this life of neverending sorrows (samsara - most of this thinking came from reading psalms 126).
Then today, I thought more along the lines with you guys and restoration of man and creation. This thought stemmed from the sermon about the three parables in Luke about the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son and how God rejoices when a sinner repents and also from how I lost my ipod and Nintendo DS today. What joy there would be if i found it and if everything was "restored" to normal. Back to my status quo lol
4 comments:
Haha auh Eugene, now you make us sound so random when we are anything but that!
For me, restoration is simply a return to the way things have been (yay dictionary! LOLZ kidding that's my definition probably copied from someone else, maybe one of you ppl!); picture that comes to mind is the return to the way Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden. Haha there's our T'shuva~ I find it interesting though that we don't really know what that kind of life is like, and yet we desire it so.
And a question came up over the summer as I was helping out with Eug's summercamp which I thought I might throw out (courtesy of Wing's brilliant ponderings): Did God ever intend for us to have the knowledge to discern good and evil (via the fruit)? Yes upon eating the fruit, we've all been screwed over from the beginning and sin entered the world, but is it better the way things worked out - with man sinning and Jesus showing his deep love for each and everyone of us by dying on the cross. For sure, I would guess Jesus wouldn't have wanted to be crucified if he didn't have to (if we had all obeyed in the first place), but who knows?
By no means do I expect to receive a clear answer, but lemme know what you guys think! =) Till then, Cheers! =)
Good response Andrew..hhaha and we are quite random..what are you talking about?
I totally agree with you on the point of returning to before our whole human race began to sin. To restore is to return to all these things, I believe not just people, but all creation. (I'll probably elaborate later but wait for everyone to continue this discussion)
As for your pondering about the intentions of the tree of the knowledge of Good and evil and Jesus having to come, I honestly don't know. But in some ways I don't think Jesus coming in the flesh and blood was a back-up plan to fix our screw ups. (Something to also consider for future discussion)
-Eug
Interesting thoughts guys! Sorry, I have yet to write on this blog as I'm sure you guys are all busy with school as much if not more than me. Anyhow, thoughts on restoration.
I remember reading in the good 'ol Bible somewhere that when Christ comes the earth will be restored, kind of like a full circle in which the earth will be as it was intended to be in the Garden of Eden. (oh wait, I think you guys already wrote about that). But it's kind of like Heaven on earth. I've been learning lots about the Lord's prayer and in it, it says "Your Kingdom come" (as I'm sure you know). I think we see glimpses of this "Kingdom" or heaven on earth- i.e. in those filled with Christ, through actions of glorification to God, and lots lots more. You also hear/ see people being "restored" from brokenness, sin, trials and despair as they are able to identify themselves in Christ. Anyhow, I think part of restoration lies in these actions, submitting yourself to Christ, and glorification to Him but full restoration will be when Christ comes to restore basically all the mess we've also created on earth.
Sarah
I think the first thing that came to mind as I planned to type this last night was restoration of the heart. Restoration from suffering and sorrows. You know, the life long eastern struggle of this life of neverending sorrows (samsara - most of this thinking came from reading psalms 126).
Then today, I thought more along the lines with you guys and restoration of man and creation. This thought stemmed from the sermon about the three parables in Luke about the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son and how God rejoices when a sinner repents and also from how I lost my ipod and Nintendo DS today. What joy there would be if i found it and if everything was "restored" to normal. Back to my status quo lol
There you go haha
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