I haven't been around for a bit and forgive me for jumping in without reading all the various posts on this tread and understanding the context. However, this phrase did catch my attention that I think Christians should very seriously consider.
It is a grave mistake for people who say they believe in Christ to think they can hold just about any belief they want and that God will sort it all out in the end. It is our duty for us to get to know God. We are told this over and over in scripture and God has given us His Holy Spirit so that we may know Him. He has gone to great lengths to try to bridge the gulf that separates us and any failing in truly knowing God rest in us and our sinful selves. That includes giving up our personal beliefs of who we think God is and accepting who He reveals Himself to be in the Word of God. Like pilgrims we are climbing a mountain in trying to reach the top in understanding God. Christians who have ceased this climb need to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.
God does not look upon "good intentions". He will not say, "Well just because the Pharisees and the Sadducee have a different outlook, that's OK." If people do not understand the nature and personality of God, or even have the desire to want to know who God really is, then they are blinded. They need to repent and ask God to reveal Himself to them. Waddling in personal beliefs is no better than looking at the golden calf of Aaron and believing that that statue represents the God of Israel.
God struck down the Israelites on several occasions for their failure to worship Him properly. And Christians are warned in several places about our attitude. God does not treat this thing so lightly as we might believe.
God struck down the Israelites on several occasions for their failure to worship Him properly. And Christians are warned in several places about our attitude. God does not treat this thing so lightly as we might believe.
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Excellent points.
Thanks.
Harley. Nice to hear from you!
I think that certainly the impulse behind this post is good and important. What many years ago was referred to as “misbelief” is harmful for the person “misbelieving” and for the body.
On the other hand, I worry about making “fides quae creditur” a kind of work, or freighting it with the anxiety that “works righteousness” can carry.
Also, frankly, there is a number of people who do not have the capacity to ‘do theology.’ Among these are many, I imagine, who have a great grace to cast all their care on Him who cares for them, who have a humble and faithful gratitude for the saving love of God in Christ Jesus, and who, in general, could put a lot of learned and articulate people to shame here on earth and will shine far brighter than they in the hereafter.
So, I’m not so much saying “right” or “wrong.” I guess I am asking you to comment on the proposition: There are many rich in the grace of saving faith who are not called to teach or to expound on their faith because they lack some of the tricks of wit and imagination and some of the verbal skills to give a good account of Him in whom they place their trust.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.