by Terry 63 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Terry
Amaaaaaazing Graaaace, how sweeeeeet the sound
That saaaaaved a WRETCH like meeeeee......
(Are you saying this song is bogus?
So you judge God and Christian Theology based on a song?
Some of my most valued trophies are probably worthless to you, but, are priceless to me.
Terry
Each denomination sees it (salvation) a different way.
That's just not true.
Man is valuable.
Man is lovable.
Man is worth saving.
Man is worth dying for.
God loves Man.
I will add, as I usually should: What PSAC said. In my humble opinion, our friend PSAC gets it right almost all the time.
BTS
God my head hurts when I read these kind of debates.
It is a stalemate, clear and simple, and I will tell you why:
God is always described as outside of our plain of existance. He is always described as omnipotent.
One either believes that this a true position held by someone or something, or you do not.
The reason you would not is the same reason you would believe it, becuase you don't understand it.
The believers say because God cannot be understood that you have to have faith that he can do things that are past the intellectual capacity of ourselves. The non-believers say that because God cannot be understood that he cannot exist because he doesn't fit in any category in our universe (logic, reason, science etc).
So the debate goes as follows:
Non-Believer: The Bible says God does X and X doesn't make any sense because of Y and Z
Believer: I believe X is true because I have faith in X and it makes sense to me. I do not think Y and Z are valid to disprove X
This debate is a stalemate. Each party cannot tell the other what they do and do no believe regardless of supporting points.
Terry sez:
God ceases to be God when He ceases to represent that which defines Him as God. God IS as God DOES, after all.
A singer sings. A writer writes. A perfect God does perfect godly things.
Gump sez:
"Stupid is, as stupid does."
Rabbit sez:
Look at any gods' deeds...you'll find selfishness, cruelty, violence as IT's heart. Does a god emulate man or vice-versa?
I like Terry & Gump's simplicity of "God IS..." & Stupid is..." I wouldn't give 2 cents for any god (spirit or demon).
Man is valuable.
Okay--but, you didn't say WHY.
Man is lovable.
Okay--but, you didn't say WHY.
Man is worth saving.
Okay--but, you didn't say WHY.
Man is worth dying for.
Okay--but, you didn't say WHY
I don't mean to be a smartass, but, really now.....How can we have a discussion if all you do is ASSERT something without giving reasons?
Look at the Topic heading.
It is asking Why? How could He?
All I'm getting is assertions that HE DOES and not WHY he does.
Why is man valuable and worth saving?
Because of all the good he CAN do and all the good he DOES do.
Man, which refers to men and women, are only of value to certain members of their own species.
To an enemy we are less than of no value because we threaten what they hold dear.
Man is of no value to other animals which are exploited and forced to work or eaten.
Man is of no value to the planet, in fact the natural world would be better of without us.
Man is only of value to himself and his nearest and dearest.
So why does God love us?
The claim that there is a God and we are made in his image is an attempt to gain unearned value and elevate us above other animals, lending support for the way we treat them.
That God loves us is yet a further attempt to place a value upon ourselves that is undeserved. Ah! Undeserved kindness, that's what the Bible says this love is based upon. Now it all makes sense!
Grace:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Grace
As applied in regards to God's grace:
Theology . a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces. d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor.
A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.
Mercy; clemency.
Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
An excellence or power granted by God.
A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.
Why is man valuable and worth saving?
Because of all the good he CAN do and all the good he DOES do.
I wonder where Man's Potential Good was in God's estimation when the Great Flood came?
I often think about what it means to destroy the whole world of mankind? (save 8 souls).
This meant great grandmothers, pregnant women, little boys, young girls, nursing babies---the whole spectrum of human potential was wiped out.
Can "the GOOD man can do...and the GOOD man does" really move God to mercy in view of the Great Flood?
It just doesn't seem to wash.
Do you hear what I'm saying?
How come GRACE wasn't stirring the "love" of God in the days of Noah?
Didn't the potential of the little ones count for anything?
