I went back to my community group for the second time. I had read up to chapter 12 in the book they were reading. I thought they would be on chapter 6 but it turned out that they were on chapter 5 instead. Since it's been awhile since I read chapter 5 (the consequences of rushing ahead) I felt unprepared to bring anything to the discussion.
We spent a lot of time talking about weddings (they always do, even in morning fellowship on Sunday mornings) and eating. When we finally got to the book, people seemed reluctant to even talk about the chapter.
[The Issue]
In the book, the author had juxtaposition the story of Noah and the story of Jesus when He was on the boat during the storm. Then one guy had said "I can't and don't believe that Jonah actually was swallowed by a whale".
"What about a talking donkey?" the pastor's wife had offered.
He responded saying "I don't believe that either. Couldn't all the Old Testament scriptures just be parables and metaphors to forshadow Jesus? How come God doesn't do miracles or do things like that today?"
I for once threw something into the conversation saying "What if He does but you just don't know it?"
The guy didn't answer but I had someone agree with me. I have seen God do things that is Old Testament-y like (lol). Maybe it was once, but it happened.
Then I said "If they were mere parables, wouldn't they have informed us that it wasn't literally true to avoid deception?"
The guy said "Well, did they do that in 'insert book that I don't know here'?"
By this time he was giving me attitude because I unintentionally gave it to him first. That was a bad move because he is the one that drives me home xD
But the table was divided over the people who thought the OT was literal or simply metaphors. I got smart (idk where this attitude thing came from but it wasn't on purpose) and said "So by your logic, God can create the world out of nothing but He can't make donkeys talk?" The guy's wife agreed with me showing that she was obviously upset with her husband.
The preachers wife quoted from the book we were reading which quoted from another book saying "Don't get mad at those who have smaller faith than you because faith is a gift." <- something like that, it's paraphrased.
I really should live by that quote. I do get very impatient with people who have smaller faith than me and I have no right to. It really did shut me up though. :#
I love Chapter 6, it's about patience and it hit home with me. I needed to hear about patience and God's timing more than probably anyone else at that table. I wonder what people will say about it next week. >.>
We spent a lot of time talking about weddings (they always do, even in morning fellowship on Sunday mornings) and eating. When we finally got to the book, people seemed reluctant to even talk about the chapter.
[The Issue]
In the book, the author had juxtaposition the story of Noah and the story of Jesus when He was on the boat during the storm. Then one guy had said "I can't and don't believe that Jonah actually was swallowed by a whale".
"What about a talking donkey?" the pastor's wife had offered.
He responded saying "I don't believe that either. Couldn't all the Old Testament scriptures just be parables and metaphors to forshadow Jesus? How come God doesn't do miracles or do things like that today?"
I for once threw something into the conversation saying "What if He does but you just don't know it?"
The guy didn't answer but I had someone agree with me. I have seen God do things that is Old Testament-y like (lol). Maybe it was once, but it happened.
Then I said "If they were mere parables, wouldn't they have informed us that it wasn't literally true to avoid deception?"
The guy said "Well, did they do that in 'insert book that I don't know here'?"
By this time he was giving me attitude because I unintentionally gave it to him first. That was a bad move because he is the one that drives me home xD
But the table was divided over the people who thought the OT was literal or simply metaphors. I got smart (idk where this attitude thing came from but it wasn't on purpose) and said "So by your logic, God can create the world out of nothing but He can't make donkeys talk?" The guy's wife agreed with me showing that she was obviously upset with her husband.
The preachers wife quoted from the book we were reading which quoted from another book saying "Don't get mad at those who have smaller faith than you because faith is a gift." <- something like that, it's paraphrased.
I really should live by that quote. I do get very impatient with people who have smaller faith than me and I have no right to. It really did shut me up though. :#
I love Chapter 6, it's about patience and it hit home with me. I needed to hear about patience and God's timing more than probably anyone else at that table. I wonder what people will say about it next week. >.>
