Theological option for the "I don't know, and that's okay" crowd.

[Dkh587]

Sounds like a fence riding cop-out to me.

 

[mlepfitjw]

For myself just seek for the truth of what scripture says is my only focus. To be able encourage others in the faith and teach by prayerfully understanding with viewing of the scriptures.

Is it okay if someone doesn’t know everything and just has faith? Absolutely. Not everyone will desire to know the truth, and that is okay. Jesus Christ is the truth, the way and the life. He is the central one we look toward who paid for our sins, and God had risen again.

There is more to it than this but if people do not desire to know that is perfectly okay.

We love with faith (trust/confidence) on God and the Lord Jesus Christ and love others, as ourselves. Regardless if they desire the truth, or desire to believe however it is their churches and doctrines have taught them, and that is okay.

Thank you for the post Michael. God bless.

 

[public hermit]

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above or immeasurably more than we could imagine or think. Therefore,

I don't really believe in eternal torment, annihilationism, or universalism. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. All the people are probably wrong.

I don't really believe in free will or pre-destination arguments. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Both are probably wrong.

I don't believe in theologies that say how it will end. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Everyone is probably wrong, as it is written: May God be true and every human a liar.

The idea came to me as a theological option, how would this affect your church if everyone started applying this idea? And also, what do you think of it?

Given the three issues presented in the OP, do we have an obligation to pick a side and give it a relentless defense?

What if someone examines the relevant positions for each, and after having examined each thoroughly can truthfully say, "I don't know," have they shirked some obligation? It's hard to see how.

Isn't it safe to say the thief on the cross held no position in regard to these issues and yet still entered paradise?

Could it be that consuming one's energies on these issues, defending them with zeal, feeling self-satisfied in one's commitment is simply another way to avoid the more demanding task of working out one's own salvation with fear and trembling?

 

[mmksparbud]

I hope you meant sandals. - lol

AAAGHHH!!! LOL! I fixed it---the word is "things!"

 

[public hermit]

AAAGHHH!!! LOL! I fixed it---the word is "things!"

I'm glad you did. I was trying really hard to make "thongs" work, but gave up. I even considered the use of thongs and yoke, like Jeremiah 27:2, but that made less sense, lol.

"Thus the Lord said to me: “Make yourself thongs and yoke-bars, and put them on your neck."

 

[Saint Steven]

Given the three issues presented in the OP, do we have an obligation to pick a side and give it a relentless defense?

What if someone examines the relevant positions for each, and after having examined each thoroughly can truthfully say, "I don't know," have they shirked some obligation? It's hard to see how.

Isn't it safe to say the thief on the cross held no position in regard to these issues and yet still entered paradise?

Could it be that consuming one's energies on these issues, defending them with zeal, feeling self-satisfied in one's commitment is simply another way to avoid the more demanding task of working out one's own salvation with fear and trembling?

I think there is a doctrinal malady, especially in Evangelical apologetics, that says we always have to have an answer for every question. In some cases this has led to making something up, instead of just admitting that we don't know. The former being worse, in my opinion, than the latter. Why is it unacceptable to admit that we aren't omniscient?

 

[Saint Steven]

Given the three issues presented in the OP, do we have an obligation to pick a side and give it a relentless defense?

Only if we believe that posting on a Christian forum is a blood sport. (take no prisoners)

 

[Saint Steven]

Sounds like a fence riding cop-out to me.

Is this your first rodeo? - lol

 

[Saint Steven]

Not everyone will desire to know the truth, and that is okay.

What? No, that's not what this is about.
Why would it be okay for anyone to NOT desire to know the truth?

 

[Saint Steven]

I'm glad you did. I was trying really hard to make "thongs" work, but gave up. I even considered the use of thongs and yoke, like Jeremiah 27:2, but that made less sense, lol.

"Thus the Lord said to me: “Make yourself thongs and yoke-bars, and put them on your neck."

I'll have to confess, that's not what came to mind when I read the typo. It did look like a good opportunity for some humor though.

 

[public hermit]

I'll have to confess, that's not what came to mind when I read the typo. It did look like a good opportunity for some humor though.

I covered that option in my mind, as well. But quickly discarded it, lol.

 

[Hanging by a Thread]

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above or immeasurably more than we could imagine or think. Therefore,

I don't really believe in eternal torment, annihilationism, or universalism. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. All the people are probably wrong.

I don't really believe in free will or pre-destination arguments. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Both are probably wrong.

I don't believe in theologies that say how it will end. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Everyone is probably wrong, as it is written: May God be true and every human a liar.

The idea came to me as a theological option, how would this affect your church if everyone started applying this idea? And also, what do you think of it?

Closer to Fine-Indigo Girls???

 

[aiki]

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God is able to do exceeding abundantly above or immeasurably more than we could imagine or think. Therefore,

I don't really believe in eternal torment, annihilationism, or universalism. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. All the people are probably wrong.

Uh, this is a huge non sequitur. And doesn't comport with the facts found in the Bible.

I don't really believe in free will or pre-destination arguments. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Both are probably wrong.

Again, a huge non sequitur.

I don't believe in theologies that say how it will end. And that is okay, because God will do immeasurably more than we can imagine or think. Everyone is probably wrong, as it is written: May God be true and every human a liar.

And...another non sequitur. Also, a false dichotomy.

The idea came to me as a theological option, how would this affect your church if everyone started applying this idea? And also, what do you think of it?

It is glaringly irrational as a perspective, jumping to unwarranted conclusions and assuming unnecessarily limited options. I would not be part of a church that encouraged such thinking.

 

[mlepfitjw]

(Sitting next to @Saint Steven ) ~shrugs and looks around~ ~points at the birds~

 

[fhansen]

And also, what do you think of it?

I think Christianity has to stand for something-or else it stands for nothing. Does God exist? Does it matter? Is Jesus God? Does it matter? Does it matter what we do, or only if we believe? Some truths may be more critical than others but any can be challenged. It's all a matter of where we draw the line-and perhaps who draws it.

 

[Saint Steven]

I think Christianity has to stand for something-or else it stands for nothing. Does God exist? Does it matter? Is Jesus God? Does it matter? Does it matter what we do, or only if we believe? Some truths may be more critical than others but any can be challenged. It's all a matter of where we draw the line-and perhaps who draws it.

The OP isn't about the things we CAN understand, but the things we can't.

Job 37:5 NIV
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

 

[Strong in Him]

It doesn't matter what you believe. We believe what scripture says.

All Christians believe what Scripture says; they just have 100 different ways of interpreting it.

 

[Saint Steven]

(Sitting next to @Saint Steven ) ~shrugs and looks around~ ~points at the birds~

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

 

[Saint Steven]

Uh, this is a huge non sequitur. And doesn't comport with the facts found in the Bible.

That's the problem with huge non-sequiturs, they just don't comport. - lol
Small non-sequiturs work much better. Even in the comport of your own home.

 

[Saint Steven]

I would not be part of a church that accommodated such thinking.

I'm pretty sure they would be relieved to know that. - lol