tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post4569704569382219034..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Faith, reason, obedience and sufficiencyPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14417248513457870402011-12-12T12:25:06.273-08:002011-12-12T12:25:06.273-08:00Ah, so what you're saying in this post is that...Ah, so what you're saying in this post is that if you are looking for guidance from God about life, then read what He has already written, humbly acknowledging that this is all the instruction that you need because it is all that He has given. Or to use your kitchen analogy, if your soul is hungry for God, feast on His word.<br /><br /> I guess my question is how do our efforts in the "kitchen" of Bible study interact with the Spirit of God guiding us through the Word. And more particularly, why serious seekers of God and His guidance through the Word come to differing conclusion about the interpretation of what God means by what He has said.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939974720332995777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-26158713269677383042011-12-12T05:54:43.685-08:002011-12-12T05:54:43.685-08:00Bob, it's a perfectly fair observation, and I ...Bob, it's a perfectly fair observation, and I don't see it as particularly complicating my point. You could more-or-less fairly analogize my post by saying you'll find everything you need for the next meal in the kitchen, as opposed to immediately bolting the house and looking in every dumpster or under every rock for food. But having said that, I haven't said which cupboards to search in or how to prepare the food (to flog my own analogy).<br /><br />Sadly, just saying "the kitchen has everything we need" is a revolutionary claim in Evanjellybeanicalism today.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-84418676459455472252011-12-12T05:18:14.401-08:002011-12-12T05:18:14.401-08:00This post was excellent and so powerful in its sim...This post was excellent and so powerful in its simplicity. And here I go and complicate it, but I do have a question. Maybe you have written on this in another post. As I read Scripture I have to first understand WHAT God has commanded. Second I have to determine if he has given the command to ME. "Put on a loin cloth" is not hard to understand, but God did not tell me to do this. For the purpose of illustration (and not to sidetrack the post), God speaks of women and head-coverings. I need to understand WHAT this command involves and whether it was given to ME (well, that's easy . . . I'm not a women - but to US, as in the women in my family and church in 2011). Passages could be multiplied that have commands that some would say are obviously binding today and others would say are not.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939974720332995777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-70330551527390036532011-12-11T09:07:32.399-08:002011-12-11T09:07:32.399-08:00As do we all.
(c:As do we all.<br /><br />(c:DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-86464750995666364572011-12-10T20:41:39.892-08:002011-12-10T20:41:39.892-08:00Great post Dan. I always do what God's word s...Great post Dan. I always do what God's word says unless Driscoll peers into my soul and gives me a new revelation.Chris Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15959878163583711565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1469381675546137312011-12-10T20:39:01.410-08:002011-12-10T20:39:01.410-08:00Chantry, you missed the whole point of Daniel 1. ...Chantry, you missed the whole point of Daniel 1. It was Jenny Craig for the Hebrews of the Diaspora.Chris Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15959878163583711565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-3382668557802125042011-12-10T17:09:22.338-08:002011-12-10T17:09:22.338-08:00One of my favorite posts ever.One of my favorite posts ever.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07907232516924907165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-68090956970757708292011-12-10T11:00:04.242-08:002011-12-10T11:00:04.242-08:00Nate Archer said...
"God's explanati...Nate Archer said...<br /><br /> "God's explanations are nice but not necessary for obedience. Great post."<br /><br /> Tres a propos<br /><br /><br /> As applied in life circumstances for me, I don't understand everything and my Father(earthly)was in the army so we obeyed and didn't ask questions.<br /> To me it was harsh and unpleasant and implied no care to console in him as my daddy.<br /><br /> I do enjoy knowing why God tells us things or why he doesn't. I don't think it wrong in itself. But reality is he is infinitely wise and we are to obey him regardless. When we learn of the beauty and tenderness of Jesus we want to obey whether we know why or not we do because we are so docile by the humble Jesus in our lives.<br /><br /> From a world life perspective I've found that I can better teach others around me to be MORE obedient to me-willingness when I tell them why and explain to them how come we do certain things like this or whatever. They are more willing to learn because to them I'm showing them they are important to me-relationship. I find it helps them understand and be more open in doing a better job-especially at work. If you just tell them to "do" things it implies that I really don't care or that they are just another #.<br /><br /> God doesn't let us in on many things not because he doesn't long to but because for our good and also in this life we don't understand and as a result we should obey whether or not we understand. God confides in those who fear him. That confiding adds a whole new meaning to obeying him-Psalm 25:14<br /><br /> Jesus said "if you love me you will obey what I command" --the trust is in him and the learning and understanding doesn't usually come until afterwards. <br />Obedience that comes from faith-Romans 1:5 ~~not faith comes from obedience<br />Faith in the Lord Jesus is why we are able to obey. People who disobey God's word consistently are not able to obey because they either don't have a relationship with Jesus or they have placed him on a bookshelf. Rules without a relationship will equal rebellion. <br /><br /> Sorry if I digressed from your post. that's my take anyhooLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09418337100329537312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62410356776400889392011-12-10T10:33:51.769-08:002011-12-10T10:33:51.769-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09418337100329537312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-78182145615090038732011-12-10T06:39:01.596-08:002011-12-10T06:39:01.596-08:00Further weekend thought if anyone is still reading...Further weekend thought if anyone is still reading, generated by Dan's very thoughtful post:<br /><br />Yesterday I told one of my kids to do something, and he said, "Ok, but..." and I cut him off with, "No, there's no reason to say 'but'; just say yes and obey." As I thought about it, though, I realized that this is not true in an absolute sense. Even though my kids are very young and know almost nothing, it is not uncommon for them to know something that I don't. <br /><br />Consider: "Drink the rest of your milk right now." "But, I'm about to be sick." (Sometimes that's true, and how would I know?)<br /><br />Or: "Come outside with me." "But, Mom said to pick up all the books before I do anything else."<br /><br />In other words, while there is a large set of information which I possess and which any one of my kids lacks, there is also another (albeit smaller) set of information which he possesses and which I lack. <br /><br />But when it comes to God, we have to address the fact of His omniscience. If God is omniscient and if I am not, two conclusions are unavoidable. First, the set of information which He possesses and which I lack is infinite. Second, the set of information which I possess and which He lacks is empty. <br /><br />All which is a further reason to drive home Dan's point. Even though I expect obedience from my children, there are circumstances in which they ought to question me because of information at their unique disposal. That will never occur between God and myself. It is unavoidable that in every circumstance He knows more than I and better than I. Actually, He knows infinitely more and infinitely better. <br /><br />Just take the two examples above and consider how they apply with God and His people. Daniel and his friends might have said to God, "But we'll be sick if we reject all the wholesome food!" Yet God's law was absolute. Peter might have said to God, "But the law forbids me to eat this food." Actually, Peter <i>did</i> say that! God's answer was, "I told you to do this, it is therefore the right thing to do."<br /><br />Omniscience leaves us with no excuses, no exceptions.Tom Chantryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485908616177111150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-82992945419294851992011-12-09T21:29:51.362-08:002011-12-09T21:29:51.362-08:00My ratings system is based on how many times a day...My ratings system is based on how many times a day I find myself thinking on, applying, and sharing what I read.<br /><br />This one easily gets a five. (Being able to reference is in an aside to Frank is what puts it over the top....)Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-86239592891141408932011-12-09T18:28:07.207-08:002011-12-09T18:28:07.207-08:00Do the ratings stars not appear when you're us...Do the ratings stars not appear when you're using Internet Explorer? I tried signing into my google account but I still didn't see them.Burrito34https://www.blogger.com/profile/04326575419406343733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-50544391514897588382011-12-09T12:09:05.321-08:002011-12-09T12:09:05.321-08:00God's explanations are nice but not necessary ...God's explanations are nice but not necessary for obedience. Great post.Nate Archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04071452115257992813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-3767840801741211902011-12-09T09:55:17.217-08:002011-12-09T09:55:17.217-08:00Good article, Dan!
And I really like your summary ...Good article, Dan!<br />And I really like your summary here: <br /><br />the thinking of many of them amounts to:<br />1. The Bible doesn't tell me X<br />2. I have determined that I need to know X<br />3. I demand to know X<br />4. If I can't know X, I will say I don't have a "relationship" with God<br />5. I will design a way to know X<br />6. I will sign God's name to my way<br /><br />And the Bulter quote:<br /><br />"He who has an ear to hear where God hath not mouth to speak will find himself listening to the voice of the Tempter, as Eve did in the Garden."<br /><br /><br />I also think that being satisfied in the sufficiency of Scripture applies to theological debates where we might wish that Scripture were a little more clear.Five Solashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914902990795220306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-51975814619413236262011-12-09T01:34:26.426-08:002011-12-09T01:34:26.426-08:00You read throughout the Word of God "Has not ...You read throughout the Word of God "Has not the Scripture said" "As it is written" "as the Scripture has said" "You search the Scriptures" Paul tells Timothy that All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us Deuteronomy 29:29 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2<br /><br />Great post DanThe Bible Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950235301070129749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-5201619129593469082011-12-08T21:11:43.996-08:002011-12-08T21:11:43.996-08:00A Leaky Canoneer, one told me that Matthew Henry&#...A Leaky Canoneer, one told me that Matthew Henry's commantary was a great door stop.<br /><br />My though "your right to keep it open so that all your students can run for the hills, away from you."Thomas Louwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08406486510590654502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-30580726341503447012011-12-08T16:59:58.365-08:002011-12-08T16:59:58.365-08:00"...the endlessly-discontented Leaky Canoneer..."...the endlessly-discontented Leaky Canoneers." <br /><br /><br />Wow. Sublime. Been there, done that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10044277928052759074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-61286440912795723122011-12-08T11:10:49.400-08:002011-12-08T11:10:49.400-08:00Thank you SO much for this article. It's just...Thank you SO much for this article. It's just what I needed today.JoyBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15096404621561243545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-49291388332009467922011-12-08T10:11:51.142-08:002011-12-08T10:11:51.142-08:00trogdor,
And don't forget praying about it......trogdor,<br /><br />And don't forget praying about it...because God saying it isn't good enough...<br /><br />wv: disectRoberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13987985549747283669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24834529148244793642011-12-08T10:01:54.219-08:002011-12-08T10:01:54.219-08:00There y'go. There's always that.
Best do ...There y'go. There's always that.<br /><br />Best do nothing until you're <i>sure</i>.DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14381527056396893762011-12-08T09:57:54.815-08:002011-12-08T09:57:54.815-08:00I sure hope Jeremiah didn't buy that loincloth...I sure hope Jeremiah didn't buy that loincloth in the power of the flesh. He probably should have waited on the Holy Spirit to buy it for him.trogdorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452996348717802065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-22366469819721725762011-12-08T09:24:39.128-08:002011-12-08T09:24:39.128-08:00Thank you for this post, Dan. I have a tendency to...Thank you for this post, Dan. I have a tendency to question and was humbled by reading through the book of Numbers yesterday. I have been thinking about Balaam...Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714162584787118419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-39704680639124073522011-12-08T09:01:31.934-08:002011-12-08T09:01:31.934-08:00I think Matthew Henry nicely captured our need to ...I think Matthew Henry nicely captured our need to submit on matters mysterious to us when he wrote:<br /><br /><i>‘When we cannot by searching, find the bottom, we must sit down at the brink and adore the depth’</i>Family Blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18139302128402850028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24329268703688800462011-12-08T08:55:48.146-08:002011-12-08T08:55:48.146-08:00As an interesting corollary to this concept, consi...As an interesting corollary to this concept, consider this from the Westminster Confession of Faith: <br /><br /><i>By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. (WCF XIV:2)</i><br /><br />Many have had trouble with this passage, speaking as it does of obedience in the context of faith. The point of the confession, though, is to say that faith accepts God's Word on its own authority, and, accepting it, acts upon it. <br /><br />Jeremiah believed the Word of the Lord, therefore he obeyed. How do you <i><b>know</b></i> that he believed - he who lived in an age of rampant hypocrisy? Because of that linen loincloth he's wearing. <br /><br />(See, Dan, there's no reason you couldn't have added a paragraph to drive the gutless gracers mad, too.)Tom Chantryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485908616177111150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-27031689659078841492011-12-08T08:52:07.329-08:002011-12-08T08:52:07.329-08:00These posts make me very glad I added "Clinto...These posts make me very glad I added "Clintonize" to my vocabulary, it seems apropos to this discussion. In today's world it seems very popular to say, "I am competent on my own to judge and weigh good and evil, therefore God and I must agree and I'll make sure that happens."<br /><br />It's scary to think that the Jews assumed God in their epistemological assumptions of reality, and to think about how far they fell into sin. Today we decided to throw that assumption out. We really and truly don't know our own place. <br /><br />Lastly, it's humbling to realize that though I claim the Scriptures as my authority, I still find myself acting and doing without God as my absolutely foundation.<br /><br />Good word today Dan.Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573138499478048502noreply@blogger.com