Comments on: What I’m thinking about (Part 3)

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 24 May 2007 22:22:09 +0000

April, You’re welcome. Haunt your questions right back by asking even more questions without fear. The God of Abram, Isaac, Jacob and You, may not answer, but, if we’re lucky, maybe He’ll be somewhat amused.

By: April Alderman

April Alderman — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:02:44 +0000

thank you for asking the questions that haunt my crisis of faith. your voice is loud enough to reach the ears of others. i wish i could sit with you and hear you explain your answers, and your lack of answers while still clinging to faith in the mystical, confusing God of Abraham. thanks.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:09:41 +0000

Daniel, I would.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 03 May 2007 15:07:42 +0000

With regard to cultural changes, I submit that God doesn’t change with the culture but rather he would understand the place and time and show himself through those circumstances. Does that mean that God approves of slavery? That would only matter in our narrow view of things. I would not even want to understand that.

By: What are you {think}ing about?' « crisp reflective disarray

What are you {think}ing about?' « crisp reflective disarray — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:49:17 +0000

[...] are you {think}ing about?’ Jump to Comments For openers, thanks to Alex McManus’ ‘Into the Mystic’ for this great Utube reference that had me almost spit out my terrible tasting maxwell house coffee [...]

By: Richie Merritt

Richie Merritt — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:49:42 +0000

Dag…, I rushed that last one and notice my spelling leaves much to be desired. Oh well.., hopefully you got it all?

By: Richie Merritt

Richie Merritt — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:47:46 +0000

mmmm…., I will have 2nd Lon’s comments. I am assuming these are questions you are asking for yourself? Are you soliciting input or are you just pondering and formulating. The slavery one does intrigue me? Where is that specifically? I’d like to do an in-depth study on that – there has to be more to the story me thinks? Culture, necessity, a way of showing the other nations how to be humane to those whom work for you? I dunno?

However, is it inhumane to be enslaved by a system or country? Say, through taxes, consumerism, debt, culture clashes, deadly shootings in our schools? Sure we can leave, but to where? We are all in some sort of bondage of sorts – no? Pain and suffering at any level is pretty much dependent upon one’s perception of their situation in the first place(I think that is what I meant to say?) Just a thought there.

Either way…, when those issues come up, those are the difficult conversations when working the Acts 1:8 gig. God is just no real easy to figure out – but is he supposed to be? Or maybe we try too hard and He is just standing there right in front of us – just waiting for us to recognize and be Loved?

Well…., I’m officially rambling! Love ya man! Happy Birthday to ya? I am knee deep in studies – but plan on being part of the IMN push as soon as my studies are over in the fall; that is if I’m not planting a church somewhere or sumtin? Or maybe I’ll go to a cave and ponder these 93 questions? Come out a Guru with a long beard and hair with all the answers…… – not!!

Peace & Love Bro,

Richie Merritt

By: Lon

Lon — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:04:49 +0000

Alex, just finally caught up with your posts here. all I’m thinking right now is these thoughts are phenomenal, they really show case your brilliance and future-orientation…

By: matthew

matthew — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:40:13 +0000

I am going to have to agree with Jason on this one. To say that God can change this make Him finite and puts His character subject to His creation. He at one point in history allowed Himself to be subject, but His character-purpose-mission never did. If indeed He is subject to change then surely we would have seen it in the garden during his prayer. The flesh that God had subjected Himself to had the ability to change, but it was His unchanging mission that won. If God changes then what exaclty are we to become- if we hold to the scripture that tells us “be imitators of God as dear children”, are we there yet? Emotions- experience YES! But if God dwells not only in the present, but in the future as well- then does He experience new things as we understand that? I know one thing for sure- I will exit this world with plenty of questions.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:25:12 +0000

In response to question 67, I would say that God in one sense does change. With respect to emotions, God rejoices (Isaiah 62:5), grieves (Ephesians 4:30), is angered (Exodus 32:10) and loves (Psalm 103:17).

But I think it is important to note that Scripture affirms certain ways in which God does not change. Malachi 3:6 says of God’s patience and mercy “For I the Lord do not change,” James 1:17 says that all good gifts come from God “with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow,” Psalm 102:27 says “you are the same, and your years will not come to an end” and Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” The “being” or character of God seems to be unchanging. Perhaps this is why Scripture often refers to God as the Rock.

Biblically, this idea seems necessary. Supposing God could change in His being or His purpose, what does that say about God? He could change either for the better or the worse. If either of these options were true, wouldn’t that mean that God isn’t perfect in His current being? Also, how do I know that I can trust God’s promise if He is liable to change? When you think about this, the fact that God’s nature is unchanging really is a comfort to Christians. It allows those whom God is changing to rest in the full assurance of the One who is unchangingly holy.

Jason