Yes, we would never say "condescend TO", we would say "condescend in front of" or before. I think that is a big difference.
BTW, I actually started using the term "Apostolic" on the Erasmus thread. I explained it a couple of times, and I guess I just missed you on those ping lists. IIRC, it came about when I got a couple of soft complaints from some Orthodox posters, who didn't necessarily want to be lumped in with Roman Catholics on "everything", because there are some differences in views. I thought that was perfectly reasonable, so I started using the term "Apostolic" to mean "all those beliefs upon which Roman Catholics and Orthodox agree". It was never meant as a pejorative and is only my shorthand for "Roman Catholic/Orthodox".
[continuing] (note, God doesn't inspire men with knowledge of quantum physics. He tells us what He wants us to know at OUR level of knowledge).
It's true that He doesn't inspire here with Divine inerrancy, however, where do you think the knowledge comes from anyway?
Do you actually think God became man because the "PLAN" forced God to follow what is in Scriptures? Is the Bible the script that God must follow or does the Bible relate what God ended up doing? If you believe the former, than there may be some truth to the idea that you worship the Bible...
Not sure where this is coming from. This is not a chicken and egg situation. Clearly there was first a plan, and parts of it were later recorded in scriptures. Everything was already ordained before any words ever appeared on a page.
I am not theologically adroit enough to figure out the difference. All I know is that God "stooped" to our level, even below "our" level by accepting all of our trials and hardships with the exception of sin. I think this is part of our ('apostolics') idea of who God is. We analogously consider Him as acting as we would with our wives or the ones we love. We sometimes ALSO "condescend to" or "in front of" or whatever.
Those who have teenagers will know EXACTLY what I am talking about!!!
Thanks for the explanation on "apostolics". I didn't think YOU meant it pejoratively.
He doesn't inspire here with Divine inerrancy, however, where do you think the knowledge comes from anyway?
I understand your desire to point that out, but we already know that EVERY good gift comes from above. There is certainly no attempt to brag about something that was given to us. The point is that God condescends to our level of human knowledge regarding science, for example.
I guess you could compare it to "baby talk" that we conduct with a two-year old. We want to communicate with the child our love and affection, but we want to be understood. Thus, we don't overanalyze and speak philosophically.
Clearly there was first a plan, and parts of it were later recorded in scriptures. Everything was already ordained before any words ever appeared on a page.
There seems to be a "school of thought" among some Protesants that the Scriptures dictate to God what must be done. Thus, the Incarnation MUST have happened. Rather than a free-will choice to show His immense love for mankind, the Incarnation is a sterile part of the "PLAN" that is executed grudgingly. Those who think this way miss out on the "WHY" God became man.
Regards