The Post Where We Link to Stuff You May or May Not Find Interesting and/or Amusing
Should Believers Critize Biblical Texts?
(First, look up what “connatural” means.)
While writing a paper on Genesis 32:22-32 (the passage where Jacob “wrestles” with God), I began to wonder if this biblical metaphor for our relationship with God has been neglected. This post, though from a slightly different angle, has forced me to consider this again.
Has an “over” realized understanding of God’s sovereignty caused us to shrink back from what appears to be the biblical notion of “wrestling” with Him? What do you think?
“Whoever, Whatever, Whenever, Wherever”
If you are looking for ammunition to support your side on the health-care debate, you won’t find it in this piece by George Barna. What you will find is a thoughtful reflection on what Jesus calls US (not U.S.) to do, regardless of politics.
Why Does Everything Bad Feel So Good?
A somewhat “wonkish” post on Science and Faith issues, particularly in regard to what “makes” us sin. This gets to the very core of what it is to be both physical and spiritual creatures.
Now, Look Up What “Luddite” Means
I know I’m swimming against the tide here, but it is not clear to me that access to this much information is an entirely good thing. I have a theory that the easier information is to collect, store, transmit, etc, the “dumber” it makes a society. Compare a letter written by an “uneducated” Civil War soldier to a text (or email) that you sent today. I think you’d be surprised. And you’d think with all this technology they could have come up with some better music. Do you think I’m fighting a loosing battle?
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Seminary Nerd is a student at a respected Midwestern Seminary. He hopes to be a Bible Nerd when he graduates, but for now he is content with going to classes and passing along the stack of empty pizza boxes that are the Links of the Week.
Tags: Seminary Nerd
Wrestling with God is something the bible gives an example of in a couple of places. I think God wants his people to be aggressive in their walk with him not just passive. Remember the bible is living and active, not a textbook!
SN, I actually liked the music on the Did You Know 4.0 video. Kinda catchy.
Alex
I think you are right in this. One of the criticisms of “Systematic Theology” is that it can tend toward a textbook-ish treatment of Scripture. There is something in the character of God, I think, which enjoys His people struggling with him.
Dear Leader
Do not presume to question SN on matters of aesthetic judgment. Unless, of course, you want my burning wrath to fall upon you.
I have recently been thinking on this and agree, that (and I think it has to do with our more western/hellenistic view of God – and not a very OT view of God) we are somewhat hindered in our relating to God with our ‘over’ realized view of God’s sovereignty for sure. Which I believe has far reaching implications, like how we treat ourselves and others..coldly maybe or just simplistically — not allowing for the toughness of life and struggles sometimes…
Tim Keller has a great sermon “Praying our Tears” where he addresses this topic a bit when discussing David and telling God to go away and not look at him — cause he wanted to die.
Just watched a movie called “God on Trial” based on a true story of Jews in the concentration camps charging God with breaking covenant, etc. Fascinating arguments and beautiful heart-wrenching struggles with faith. After the declare God guilty, they pray!
Personally, I think it has allowed me to avoid relating to God as intimately as I should, because of the view that we can/should only approach Him contritely….the very Jewish practice of ‘arguing with God’ is missing from our practice. I know folks who struggle with faith and the ‘western’ answer is accept or reject when maybe a more OT/Jewish perspective (Abraham, Moses, Job, Jeremiah) of argue, wrestle, accept is more authentic.
Just a few thoughts, hope they make sense.
Thanks for the comments, Leanne. It would be interesting to see if Christians in the non-Western world have a better understanding of wrestling with God than we do. I wonder if our cultural background in a deistic “mechanical” universe has influenced Christian doctrine at this point. I had heard of the movie “God on Trial” but have not seen it. The action of praying to God after declaring Him “guilty” sounds like a very “human” thing to do.
-SN