tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post116947097572328001..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Misreading GodPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169770443976544592007-01-25T16:14:00.000-08:002007-01-25T16:14:00.000-08:00Great post, DJP; perhaps your best yet. Thanks!Great post, DJP; perhaps your best yet. Thanks!Deutero Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05900622047641663118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169737288895551572007-01-25T07:01:00.000-08:002007-01-25T07:01:00.000-08:00Hello Dan,I’m sorry, I wasn’t ever trying to needl...Hello Dan,<BR/><BR/>I’m sorry, I wasn’t ever trying to needle you, or draw you into an endless debate (unless you define “endless” by the two very short <A HREF="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2006/05/karate-exegesis.html" REL="nofollow">Judo-style</A> responses you had addressed to me prior to this last one). I simply don’t see how the verses you cited say what you need them to say to maintain your point, and so I was hoping for clarification. But rather than be a pest to you I will let it drop.<BR/><BR/>Have a great day and may the Lord guide your steps. I’ve read so many edifying posts from you and I look forward to the next!Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169731022232568452007-01-25T05:17:00.000-08:002007-01-25T05:17:00.000-08:00No, Kaffinator, you haven't really overturned what...No, <B>Kaffinator</B>, you haven't really overturned what the Bible says. Each time you're refuted, you simply talk more. Thus you are coming pretty close to Argument Clinic behavior, and I'm getting the feeling that I am endlessly explaining a fact to someone who simply doesn't want to understand. Which I've never found an effective way to do.<BR/><BR/>Nature is God's nature, He owns it and rules it by His sovereign hand, and it shows His glory (Psalm 19:1-6). But it is Scripture alone that reveals His mind (Psalm 19:7-14).<BR/><BR/>Bare nature will not tell you who God is, beyond His existence and power (Romans 1:20), a correction that I don't think you've acknowledged yet. It will not tell you whether He is one or fifty. It will not tell you whether He is good or bad. Is he like the mother hen, or the voracious ant? Will He love you, or tear you apart just because He's (They're) hungry? Should you keep your vow to your wife? Do you need to be saved? How? From what? Why?<BR/><BR/>The mind of God is known from Scripture alone. As Scripture teaches. Leave the omens and charms and fortunetelling to pagans (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 19:10-11; 2 Kings 17:17; 21:6, etc.). Put your attention on the Word alone.<BR/><BR/>Goodness, I really should devote an entire post to this.<BR/><BR/>Oh, wait. <B><I>I just did.</I></B><BR/><BR/>I think <A HREF="http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2006/08/when-is-argument-over.html" REL="nofollow">this argument is over</A>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169700136666001702007-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:002007-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:00For a broader discussion of God's guidence in our ...For a broader discussion of God's guidence in our lives, Mark Roberts has an interesting series of posts recently started.<BR/><BR/>http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/howdoesgodguide.htmDavid A. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00465387359523299616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169690214345452232007-01-24T17:56:00.000-08:002007-01-24T17:56:00.000-08:00Not at all Don!I don't find any contradiction with...Not at all Don!<BR/><BR/>I don't find any contradiction with 1 Cor 2:14, because while God made it "evident within them; for God made it evident to them" it's clear they did not "receive" such things in the sense of internalizing, acknowledging, and acting upon what was revealed.<BR/><BR/>If they had been receptive to God, they might have found themselves akin to the state of Cornelius when Peter found him in Acts 10, "a righteous and God-fearing man", ripe for conversion.Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169688788191659122007-01-24T17:33:00.000-08:002007-01-24T17:33:00.000-08:00"they have no excuse"Amen, the natural man has no ..."they have no excuse"<BR/><BR/>Amen, the natural man has no excuse.<BR/><BR/>"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [determined]." 1 Cor 2:14<BR/><BR/>Hope you don't mind me jumping in.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169685754611244872007-01-24T16:42:00.000-08:002007-01-24T16:42:00.000-08:00Hi Dan,In fact, I read your post closely enough to...Hi Dan,<BR/><BR/>In fact, I read your post closely enough to know that you did not say "mind of God", but rather God's "hand", "presence in an event" "stance toward you" and "will toward you". If all of that is what you mean when you say "mind of God" that's just fine by me.<BR/><BR/>And, for good measure, I've read all of your comments in the meta, too. You said that scripture is the <I>only</I> way to know <I>anything</I> in the "mind of God" category, which I suppose would include His will, intent, judgment, wrath, stance, expectation, or attitude.<BR/><BR/>Have you read what I've written? I've presented a case, from scripture, of Paul saying that certain people <I>should have known</I> God would be upset with certain behavior, not from any reading of scripture, but from the plain facts of God revealed through creation. They "have no excuse". That is why it seems to me that Paul is pointing out at least one example that violates your claim that scripture is the <I>only</I> way anyone can <I>ever</I> know God's mind.Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169683324824351082007-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:002007-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:00Again, the Bible teaches that nature reveals the e...Again, the Bible teaches that nature reveals the existence and power of God. Only the Bible discloses the mind of God. It isn't a difficult distinction. It's what the article was about. You did read the whole thing?DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169681182971069812007-01-24T15:26:00.000-08:002007-01-24T15:26:00.000-08:00Hi Rose,I totally agree with your post. I want to ...Hi Rose,<BR/><BR/>I totally agree with your post. I want to highlight one thing you said,<BR/><BR/>> <I>If you believe in these extra revelations from God then to be wise you would have to suggest to the scripturally ignorant that they not trust any of their revelations until they know scripture better or some one more mature could test it for them.</I><BR/><BR/>I think when Paul says, “the wrath of God is <B>revealed</B> from heaven […] because that which is known about God is evident within them” (Rom 1:18-19), the term <BR/>“revealed” is being used in a much more generalized way than when we use it to describe the genuine, <I>theopneustos</I>, verbal plenary inspiration of scripture. My point is that the term "revealed" can refer to different levels of specificity.<BR/><BR/>I think your point, and Dan's, is that he who looks for revealed-as-in-<I>theopneustos</I> messages in every bent blade of grass is indeed on a fools errand. And I completely agree. But as each God-ordained moment is made known (revealed) to us, and as we constantly soak ourselves in scripture, allowing it to correct and deepen our understanding and appreciation of those moments, then don’t we approach a kind of Christian maturity that is unafraid to say “I see God at work” in this or that circumstance or event? In that context, saying “God encouraged me by revealing part of the wonder of His creation to me” does not sound like, what’s the phrase, “shamanistic, pagan thinking”. It sounds like someone who has a relationship with Him.<BR/><BR/>If my thinking is flawed or unscriptural I invite any correction.Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169678814988203672007-01-24T14:46:00.000-08:002007-01-24T14:46:00.000-08:00Hi Dan, you believe God's mind is completely separ...Hi Dan, you believe God's mind is completely separable from His "invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature"?<BR/><BR/>Paul in Romans 1:18-25 is closing a loophole. A Gentile might say, "how could I be expected to obey God if he's never revealed anything to me"? But, Paul responds, oh yes He has. The Gentile "has no excuse" for failing to honor God or give thanks to Him. <I>He should have known better what God demands and has rebelliously gone against His will, regardless of whether he's been exposed to a lick of scripture.</I><BR/><BR/>Seems to me there's no functional difference between "knowing what God demands" and "knowing (to some small extent) God's mind". If you say scripture is the <I>only</I> way to know God's demands, aren't you reopening the loophole Paul closed?Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169678637890961602007-01-24T14:43:00.000-08:002007-01-24T14:43:00.000-08:00Kaffinator said... In the spirit of point #3 :-), ...Kaffinator said...<BR/> In the spirit of point #3 :-), point #1 appears to contradict Romans 1:20, which states explicitly that God's attributes, power, and divine nature have been "clearly seen" and "understood through what has been made". Can you explain? <BR/><BR/>Let me try to explain. I thought of that verse too but the problem is that the woman that saw the bird picked an arbitrary interpretation of the presence of the bird. If she had a bird phobia she might have interpreted it to mean that God hated her. The only reason that you're giving her the benefit of the doubt is because the interpretation of the sign can be biblically confirmed. <BR/><BR/>One time I had a dream that my own mother had a demon and when I tried to cast it out via biblical means it laughed at me and said, "hahaha that doesn't actually work." Of course I'd have to say that this dream wasn't from God. If I didn't have a good understanding of scripture and generally believed that God communicated with me through circumstances and feeling (besides the convictions of the Holy Spirit which was already discussed) then I might be tempted to believe that demons have more power then the name of Jesus and that God was trying to communicate that with me. When people look to circumstances for direction and understanding they are likely to make horrible mistakes especially when they can't or won't compare their leaning to scripture. Since everyone that has “heard” from God has to confirm it from the bible then how do people who are new to scripture safely listen to God is this way? If you believe in these extra revelations from God then to be wise you would have to suggest to the scripturally ignorant that they not trust any of their revelations until they know scripture better or someone more mature could test it for them. This begs the question of how any of us could assume that we are mature enough or know the mind of God well enough to intrepret a feeling as his voice. <BR/><BR/>I think that the role of nature is to display the glory of God (ps 19:1). No one anywhere has an excuse for not seeking him because everyone everywhere can see that there is more to life then their finite existence. The bible does not say that the whole gospel can be had from just observing nature. People still need more revelation (rom 10:14,15). My point is just that romans 1:20 does not conclusively say that God declares his love for us through nature. It only says that some characteristic of God is displayed through nature and that because of that witness no one has an excuse for not seeking him.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617366487081605320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169675986674306932007-01-24T13:59:00.000-08:002007-01-24T13:59:00.000-08:00Kaffinator--easily. Paul says God's existence and ...<B>Kaffinator</B>--easily. Paul says God's existence and power are known from nature. I keep affirming, very carefully, the Biblical teaching that His <I>mind</I> is known from Scripture.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169669130584407092007-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:002007-01-24T12:05:00.000-08:00For some reason this brought to mind the sharing o...For some reason this brought to mind the sharing of the Gospel. If we went by how we "felt", we would never do it. Why? Because most of us don't have warm fuzzy feelings when such an opportunity presents itself. Most of us start shaking with this impending doom "feeling" of possible and total rejection or mocking... yet it is commanded by God that we share the Gospel. Every Christian is to be ready at any time. Not just the "gifted" ones. <BR/>Also, women directing our decisions according to how we "feel"... I liken that to being on a roller coaster ride that has no foot rest, handles or even a seat belt.<BR/> Brian at Voice of the Sheep asked if God speaks (audibly) to us when we pray.<BR/> I wrote, <I>I do not believe prayer changes God… changes His mind as though He were an open-theistic, non-sovereign God. He is sovereign and yet we are not automotons. Prayer changes me… it is a part of transforming my life and conforming my will to His… prayer plays a huge role in the surrendering of my will for my Holy Father’s will. It causes who I pray for to become more a part of my heart even if I have not met them. I do know that God “speaks” to us through His Word. I do know that God would not “speak” to us anything that goes against what He has already written. I often find that the Lord uses what I have read or studied or memorized in His Word to convict or encourage or change me as though He were speaking to my very soul as His Words have come to mind through the day. It is real… almost as though in my heart it was audible… truly indescribable… but certainly not mystical or actually audible.</I><BR/> That probably sounds utterly stupid to most learned theologians... but this is based on my feeble "experience" in studying the Word of God and longing to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord.<BR/> As far as God's divine chastisement and wondering if something I am going through is punishment or actually the reality of consequences, I have found that reflecting on His Word in prayer causes me to examine more rightly my motives or heart, etc. to see if I am justly under my Father's divine chastisement or just in circumstances that God has chosen to use to refine me for His purposes (I went through this "self examination, reflection, fervent prayer and searching" most heavily after I was diagnosed with MS)<BR/><BR/> ... <I>Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.</I>--Ps 139:23-24<BR/><BR/> <I>Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.</I>--Ps 26:2<BR/><BR/> <B><I>Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.</I></B>--Ps. 143:104givenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604421713579961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169668740872508392007-01-24T11:59:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:59:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.4givenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604421713579961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169668574539041532007-01-24T11:56:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:56:00.000-08:00Hi Dan, In the spirit of point #3 :-), point #1 ap...Hi Dan, <BR/><BR/>In the spirit of point #3 :-), point #1 appears to contradict Romans 1:20, which states explicitly that God's attributes, power, and divine nature have been "<B>clearly seen</B>" and "<B>understood through what has been made</B>". Can you explain?Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169667890512163072007-01-24T11:44:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:44:00.000-08:00And oen more thing, Chris—your point about the lad...And oen more thing, <B>Chris<BR/></B>—your point about the lady and the bird is an excellent one. Thank God you could be of some help, rather than affirming just the sort of shamanistic, pagan thinking that it was the entire point of this post Biblically to demolish.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169667420755222842007-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:00Chris-- very good points, and very pastoral input....<B>Chris</B>-- very good points, and very pastoral input.<BR/><BR/><B>Kaffinator</B> —so, just to make sure we end up somewhere near "on track" at least, this summary:<BR/><BR/>1. Everything we can and need to know about God's mind, we know from Scripture, alone.<BR/><BR/>2. All else is distraction.<BR/><BR/>3. Don't believe that you are hearing God's voice from me or anyone until you check it by Scripture.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169665627319639812007-01-24T11:07:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:07:00.000-08:00Thanks, djp, for the comments on the dichotomous/t...Thanks, djp, for the comments on the dichotomous/trichotomous side-discussion. I was wondering how "heresy" could be so clearly identified on a topic that the Bible itself does not (arguably) provide clarity.UncleNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588060916727976682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169665431505346132007-01-24T11:03:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:03:00.000-08:00Hi Chris,Thanks so much for responding! And I'm gl...Hi Chris,<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for responding! And I'm glad you pointed out some scripture to examine as we look at this topic.<BR/><BR/>Is it your interpretation is that Peter is comparing (A) his witness of the transfiguration and (B) "the prophetic word" and calling B "more sure" than A? Instead, I see Peter contrasting (C) "cleverly devised tales" with his apostolic witness. His logic is, “Look, some people want to give you C, but A happened <I>to us</I>: we were “eyewitnesses to his majesty”; we are not just making this up! That’s why you can trust us to deliver B to you, which you would be fools to ignore.” I do not see Peter de-emphasizing his experience of the transfiguration. Quite the opposite: he is using that experience to ground his claim of guardianship of the prophetic word. Would you agree?<BR/><BR/>> <I>I'm suggesting--even insisting--that our basis for believing that God loves us is that the Scriptures say so...repeatedly, clearly, undeniably.</I><BR/><BR/>I completely agree that God reveals His love for us in Scripture. I suggest—even insist—that Scripture is not the <I>only</I> mechanism by which God may make us aware of Himself. For example, Jesus once needed to reassure his disciples about God’s provision. He might properly have referred to the example of manna from heaven in Exodus, but he did not. Instead, he asked his disciples to consider ravens and lilies and asked, see how God feeds and clothes them, and aren’t you more valuable to Him than these? That’s right: <I>Jesus Himself drew a teaching about God’s love from nature rather than scripture.</I> Somehow, I don’t think Jesus was trumping scripture, or setting up his listeners for disappointment by doing so.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm not saying that Luke 12 gives me license to go waxing on about how ladybugs teach this or that about God. But can they remind me of God's love? Fill me with a sense of wonder and awe? Can that come, <I>providentially</I>, at a time when I'm feeling discouraged or doubtful? And maybe that's all your lady friend was really saying. And if so, I think a better response than guarded skepticism might have been: "amen, sister!"Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169660416957657122007-01-24T09:40:00.000-08:002007-01-24T09:40:00.000-08:00Hi, Kaffinator.I'm suggesting--even insisting--tha...Hi, Kaffinator.<BR/><BR/>I'm suggesting--even insisting--that our basis for believing that God loves us is that the Scriptures say so...repeatedly, clearly, undeniably. Leaving one to determine God's care or lack thereof by experiences, coincidences and hunches is no kindness. Not only does such an understanding allow events and experiences to trump Scripture, but it also sets people up for inevitable instability and disappointment. <BR/><BR/>One of the most compelling biblical examples of this is in 2 Peter 1:16-19. Peter actually heard God speak audibly on the Mt. of Transfiguration. That's impressive; way better than seeing a bird! :-) Yet, Peter goes on to say Scripture is even "more sure" than God's direct audible communication. That's amazing. His conclusion in v. 19b? You'd better pay attention to the Scriptures!<BR/><BR/>On a simpler level, you know how the children's song goes: <I>"Jesus loves me, this I know, __________."</I> :-)<BR/><BR/>I hope that all makes sense. It's not a minor issue. What is the basis for our entire Christian lives? Objective truth or subjective experience? Everything else really rises and falls on our understanding of this question.Chris Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14612238067365288834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169658694881725782007-01-24T09:11:00.000-08:002007-01-24T09:11:00.000-08:00Hi Chris,> I've had a lady tell me she was doubtin...Hi Chris,<BR/><BR/>> <I>I've had a lady tell me she was doubting God's love, but then a bird flew into her yard--an obvious message from the Lord.</I><BR/><BR/>How <I>exactly</I> do you know it <I>wasn't</I>? Couldn't God have used the sudden beauty and grace of a bird's flight as a message of hope to encourage one of His children?Kaffinatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09146781661881693212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169653801474991072007-01-24T07:50:00.000-08:002007-01-24T07:50:00.000-08:00On the subject of Trichot Terry (smile, it's a jok...On the subject of <B>Trichot Terry</B> (smile, it's a joke, it means NOTHING BAD), I wade in to say this:<BR/><BR/>I don't know how much Terry and I agree about. We certainly agree about his first comment on this thread, which was a great one. I'm sure we agree about a whole lot else.<BR/><BR/>I KNOW I don't agree with Watchman or Witness Nee or Lee on much. But I have no idea what that has to do with Terry.<BR/><BR/>On TRICHOTOMY, though, I definitely have some thoughts:<BR/><BR/>1. Some Reformed guys really disagree with it.<BR/><BR/>2. Some Reformed guys (S. Lewis Johnson, for one) really don't.<BR/><BR/>3. I definitely have seen trichotomy abused (i.e. cough::<B>Bill Gothard</B>::cough)<BR/><BR/>4. Abuse of a doctrine doesn't necessarily discredit the doctrine.<BR/><BR/>5. I can't imagine a planet on which the mere thought that soul and spirit might not be interchangeable is rightly regarded as "heresy." It's a difference among brothers.<BR/><BR/>Now, let's move on.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169647308930806502007-01-24T06:01:00.000-08:002007-01-24T06:01:00.000-08:00"theology is some kind of afterthought"Good though..."theology is some kind of afterthought"<BR/><BR/>Good thoughts Cent. I was blessed to read your comment.<BR/><BR/>Each person on this planet has a theology, and whatever our theology is is the most important aspect of our lives.<BR/><BR/>"Let not the wise glory in his wisdom,<BR/>Let not the mighty glory in his might,<BR/>Nor let the rich glory in his riches;<BR/>But let him who glories glory in this,<BR/>That he understands and knows Me," Jer. 9:23-24<BR/><BR/>"I am the LORD, that is My name;<BR/>And My glory I will not give to another." Isa. 42:8donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169644728538678392007-01-24T05:18:00.000-08:002007-01-24T05:18:00.000-08:00Terry,I never called you a heretic...I called the ...Terry,<BR/><BR/>I never called you a heretic...I called the theology of man being a trichotomous being heresy.<BR/><BR/>As to McVey's book Gracewalk, as I said in my comments, it had been a long time since I read through that terrible thing. I will take your word for it that Witness Lee is not referenced...only Watchman Nee, who was Witness Lee's mentor. Or, to put in another way, Lee was a disciple of Nee.<BR/><BR/>As to not going into great detail, I did not want to hijack this thread any more than I already had. But I did want people to know who might be unaware of the dangerous and unbiblical theology put forth by gracewalk - such as the trichotomy of man.<BR/><BR/>And, NO, it is nothing personal...so please stop making it personal. I have no intentions of smearing you personally.<BR/><BR/>If I came across as terse or rude, I am sorry. After having fought this kind of stuff for seven years at our former SBC church, one loses some of the diplomacy that perhaps should accompany these statements.Brian @ voiceofthesheephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03501908381467690374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169638979518541752007-01-24T03:42:00.000-08:002007-01-24T03:42:00.000-08:00Barrett:I'm wondering -- did you think a blog was ...Barrett:<BR/><BR/>I'm wondering -- did you think a blog was going to be some kind of alms-o-matic in which you could see the good working of some people in terms of their checkbooks or how they spend their spare time?<BR/><BR/>See: I'm on a little bit of a tear right now about <A HREF="http://centuri0n.blogspot.com/2007/01/command-and-conquer-1.html" REL="nofollow">the love of God</A> -- I admit it. But you know something? I think that it's not the love of God unless it is God whom we love, amen?<BR/><BR/>I reject the idea that our theology is some kind of afterthought -- but in that, our theology ought to be robust enough to love and not be puffed up.<BR/><BR/>And here's the irony: I would rather personally associate myself with a qualified continualist like John Piper or Martin Lloyd-Jones than with a hard-headed, jot-and-tittle legalist or a "baptist" like Tony Campolo.<BR/><BR/>Why? Because it's a wicked crime to give people bread and comfort and not give them the Gospel. The Gospel is not some unrecognizable truth, and it is not some pal-y iteration of Judaism or Islam: it stands alone in history as the power to save men.<BR/><BR/>I hope that your efforts to feed the poor and do the work of true religion include something more that a disregard for "calvinism" and "spurgeonism".FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.com