Posted on 06/29/2011 4:15:55 PM PDT by newheart
Rand changed my life. When I embraced her philosophy, Objectivism, the conversion was far more dramatic than my decision, several years later, to follow Jesus Christmore dramatic, but in the end transitory. Yet Rand, the novelist, philosopher, and uncompromising atheist, inadvertently opened a door for the gospel. I don't believe dead people spin in their graves, but if they did and she could read these words, I imagine Rand would be twirling violently.
As many have noted, Rand's ethic of rational self-interest is incompatible with the gospel, and leads to social as well as spiritual disaster. "Most observers see Rand as a political and economic philosopher," wrote Gary Moore last year in Christianity Today. "I believe that she was first and foremost an anti-Christian philosopher." A six-foot dollar sign wreath towered over her casket, Moore pointed out, an icon of the false gospel she labored to proclaim. I agree entirely that Christianity and Objectivism are utterly incompatible. But my gratitude to Rand remains profound.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
I have read "The Light and the Glory" and I completely share your recommendation of it. But I do think we have to be careful not to equate our particular brand of 20/21st century American political and economic system with the Gospel. The former is ideology, and although I will argue night and day that it is more in keeping with the freedom God intends for creation, it is still not the Kingdom of God and only serves, for as long as we can keep it, as a hint of what that ultimate Kingdom will be.
The entire point is that our government, as originally designed by God and Christian men, was the greatest form of governmenr eer devised, and how we have broken His heart by stupidly turning from Him to become more worldly than prayerful. Small wonder why He has withdrawn His Holy support from America. It is apparent as He allows new storms every day to ravage the country. But the people do not hear Him.
That government was meanat for Christian people to live by.
If we want it back, WE must be responsible for our tragic loss, repent and change our ways BACK to being a Godly people. Our priorities need serious attention!
Emphasis mine. That is the crux of the matter. It is ironic as you state with respect to an objectivity devolving into subjectivity. Since we are all human beings, by our very nature we will have morals, morals of great difference ranging to similarity. It is a basic human condition, and cannot be ignored.
That’s fine. I’m not really arguing whether or not God exists.
But you did manage to avoid answering my questions.
Yes. That is the crux of the matter. In my opinion, the Fall is precisely that. The devolution from objectivity to subjectivity. Whether you see it as beginning with Adam and Eve or simply the result in each individual of making the fundamental decision to say, "I am smarter than God," the result is the same.
You're exactly right, by our nature we will have morals. It is the condition of fallen man. I suspect, that unfallen man does not even have to raise the question.
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