Protestantism

» redback - On The Table

In response to On The Table posted by pink101:

The idea the term "god" having different meanings is not mine so I can't reason on its behalf, table the inportant ones. God the creator is in the same context as say "god" the dollar bill? Meaningless to me and maybe only me.

The thesaurus gives us alternative words to use to the one suggested. If 'diety' had brought a better clarity to my posts, I'd use it. But the 40 refer to things like 'godship', deity, sun-god, sacredness etc. No reference to chastity etc etc. Nor to 'god is love' come to think of it. Many cliches are covered in our slang book instead.

Which of those options do you consider important enough so that you can put them on the table?

One (following) that will probably be met with a simple 'disagree' response but then, what's really "important"? I for one don't know enough to agree or disagree on God/s role/s.

PONDER: 'God the being' can...per the thesaurus...include the devil (God NOT a trinity???) is one possibility that comes to mind. (The snake-god could be a lesser god??) Per my previous posts, I'm not excited that the First Commandment rules out other Gods...even lesser gods.

If God infuses a $100 bill with its Spirit so that its gambled away or so that the winnings can be donated, that's not god, that's just what god does...for the sake of that example. I really don't know $100 bills are affected thus.

What strikes you as a worthy contender in your thesaurus ie important to table? I personally think calling something else a god may in some cases be denying personal responsibility...partic when its pleasure turns to pain.

Calling a false god...God, is like calling a spade a bucket.

-- posted by redback

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» pink101 - Digging For Strawberries

In response to On The Table posted by redback:
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Well if we were digging for strawberries, we might spend the rest of our life quibbling over the fact that we are digging in the wrong places while we all know that strawberries grow above the ground.
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The idea of any god here is that it is any objectification that can be held in such esteem that it might eclipse the God of Moses in some way great or small--period.
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At least, that's my opinion. You certainly are able to express your opinion.
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Doncha think?
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-- posted by pink101

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» Brian Tubbs - Too abstract

This thread has veered into the contemplative abstract. I think it's much more productive to stay as close to reality as possible. Philosopher Winfried Corduan has, better than any other modern author, explained that there is - almost certainly - a Supreme Being (or, taking a term from the ancients, a "Necessary Being") responsible for the existence of the universe and all of life. His logic is very strong. I've written about him in previous articles. I would also commend to you his book No Doubt About It.

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» pink101 - Too abstract

In response to Too abstract posted by BrianTubbs:
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Too absract.
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Right. I agree. That's why I talked about strawberries.
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Maybe I forgot to include it up above in one of my posts; but, I meant to include the idea that there almost has to be an extreme intelligence far beyond the capability of human beings in all of existence. But, that certainly does not equate to the God of Abraham and Moses. It might be the God of Jesus.
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-- posted by pink101

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» redback - Digging For Strawberries

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by pink101:

You certainly are able to express your opinion.

But not in any way that seems value added...and tis only repeated because you repeat the question.

I fully understand the ruling idea here IS about 'god' in the terms you repeat. I'm NOT climbing on that bus if that's OK. It's a no-brainer to me what you guys mean when that interpretation is used. How you and Brian interpret the first commandment is fine. What it really means is not determined by popular vote. And whatever you guys actually mean re digging for strawberries or being abstract is not read as being dismissive of what I post. TIC

A god who Brian reckons transcends could in fact transcend whatever is meant by God of Moses. That monicker seems to limit him to an old testament character or a persona only of ancient times. And I thought the real god would transcend the complete bible...would transcend a God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc, would transcend a god of mankind.

I really express a question rather than opinion. It seems it's true that when I express not knowing something, it's read as disbelief.

I'm not arguing here but I'll concede to those who know God best.

-- posted by redback

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» pink101 - Digging For Strawberries

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by redback:

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"... the real god would transcend the complete bible...would transcend a God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc, would transcend a god of mankind."
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"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
Hamlet, in Scene I, Act I of Hamlet by Shakespeare.
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-- posted by pink101

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» redback - Digging For Strawberries

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by pink101:

The Pope seemed to follow my line of question when he recently decided to extend the number of mortal sins to bring it into the 21st Century?

"...the Pope lamented the "decreasing sense of sin" in today's secularised world... as I pondered whether calling a sin a "god" may have added to his lament.

But the bottom line is the best laid plans o' mice and men gang aft a-gley (to see your Shakespeare and raise Robert Burns):

I'm told today I'm facing major surgery probably as punishment for the number of "gods" I indulged in my misspent youth. I'm unsure when I'll return so I'd better wish y'all a Merry Xmas now.

-- posted by redback

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» pink101 - Major Surgery

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by redback:
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Major surgery?
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What?
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I remember the moment the doc told me I needed some work done on my heart and when I asked him when, he said, right now.
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I did a big gulp and said, "If you say so. You're the doctor." And, they took me right up to the operating room.
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I hear you Aussies are a tough breed; so, I'm sure you'll do just fine. I hope your recuperation is swift.
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-- posted by pink101

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» Migisi - Digging For Strawberries

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by redback:
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when he recently decided to extend the number of mortal sins to bring it into the 21st Century?
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A new expanded list for me to memorize. I'll have to pack a lunch the next time I go to confession.
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punishment for the number of "gods" I indulged in my misspent youth.
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Ol' Job, the Bible-God's champion, had no other gods, yet he suffered a host of punishments. Maybe you too are a mere pawn in a power game between God and Satan like ol' Job was. When you wake from anesthesia, you may discover that you're a very rich man with many children - God's reward for your loyalty. Hmm... for some, the many children part of that reward might just be another form of punishment? (wink)
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Good thoughts coming your way, Red. Get well soon. Stop in and let us know you're alright, will you?

-- posted by Migisi

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» Brian Tubbs - My impression

In response to Digging For Strawberries posted by redback:

I appreciate the fact that you don't just go with the flow and/or jump on bandwagons. And I understand that you want to keep options open and avenues of thought and exploration open.

What I'm about to add isn't meant to take away from the above, but....

I do believe that some journeys can, do, and should come to an arrival point. And I think there are strong - VERY strong - logical arguments for the existence of a Supreme Intelligent Force of some kind. Obviously, I believe that that Supreme Being is the God of the Bible, but that's not my main point here. My primary point here is that LOGIC favors (and does so pretty strongly) the reality and existence of a Supreme Being of some kind.

I don't claim to "know God best." Ultimately, I have a relationship with God fueled by faith, but it's also one that is informed by and reinforced by logic and evidence. And I've walked through that logic and evidence many times in my life.

Is there a God? The evidence points to an overwhelming affirmative conclusion on that question.

What would "God" be like? Read the articles I've written on Winfried Corduan's "Necessary Being" or read Corduan's book No Doubt About it or go back to some of the ancient theistic philosophers and read their writings. When you deduce the attributes that such a "Necessary Being" would have, the logic points you in a direction that closely resembles the God of the Bible.

Would an intelligent, transcendent God reveal something of Himself to mankind? Here's the biggest step of faith, and it's one that Thomas Paine and other Deists of the past were NOT able or willing to take. But I think it's very logical that, if God was going to go through the trouble of creating the universe and all of life - including a highly conscious species such as humans - that He/She/It would reveal something of Himself/Herself/Itself to us. It's not a stretch.

Is the Bible that revelation? Another step of faith, and one that many refuse to take. But, it's one I'm comfortable making - for reasons informed by logic, evidence, and faith.

Is Jesus God? As the Apostle Paul says, it comes down to the Resurrection. If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then he's just an ordinary man like everyone else. If he DID rise from the dead, then that sets him apart from all other pretenders, would-bes, etc.

As you can see, fewer people take each step. But I've taken all the above steps - and more. And am very comfortable with the choices I've made.

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