Doctrine
Tyler Nally (tnally@iquest.net)
Thu, 2 Dec 1999 16:34:58 -0500
On Thu, 02 Dec 1999, Inkscript@aol.com wrote:
> Bro Tyler, points taken and well made, however, this does not answer my
> first question. Why did God choose the way He did? Why was doctrine left open
> to interpretation at all? Why didn't He make it so clear that *everyone*
> would agree?
A few reasons....
1) Not everyone is a *believer*. Regarless of how plain it is explained
or declared, they wouldn't agree anyway. They'd try to change it a
little here or there. They love *not* the truth. Cain *knew* the truth.
But Cain chose to give an *offering* instead of a *sacrifice*. Cain's
actions weren't acceptable to God. Cain's interpretation of what was
o.k. for Cain didn't work with God. Cain didn't agree... not even with
God. That's humanity.
2) I think God wants us to make a choice for him or not (be hot or cold).
We become saints because of our obedient response to the calling of God.
3) God's not a bully in that he'll force anybody to believe *the right way*.
We're all free moral agents doing what we please anyway. Whether it
lines up to what God wants or doesn't want, man will do what he wants to
do.
People *do* see the truth, whether they want to abide in it or not is another
subject.... The first few verses below show that they know God by the truth
that he reveals in them and creation. Yet they reject it....
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God
hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and
their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and
creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts
of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between
themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even
their women did change the natural use into that which is against
nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that
which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of
their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which
are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors
of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection,
implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them
that do them.
Bro Tyler
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| Tyler Nally | tnally@iquest.net | http://www.informit.com |
| Sr Programmer Analyst | tyler.nally@informit.com | phone: (317) 581-4651 |
| Macmillan USA, Inc | tnally@netzero.net | fax : (317) 817-7025 |
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