It's time for another hiatus, a longer one this time. Although I have more ideas than I know what to do with, I don't have time to shape them into posts.
But don't worry, I'll be back!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Placing and removing block
What is a stumbling block? There are many kinds. Hatred and evil in the name of Christ, demanding adherence to a very particular set of beliefs, etc.
But what about questioning a belief? Is that a stumbling block? It could be. Maybe the person we are questioning is not ready for the idea. Or maybe we are the ones who are wrong and our questioning introduces a doubt that will grow and fester. But questioning a belief could be what removes a stumbling block. It could be what sweeps away a misconception. It could be what shines a light into the darkness.
How to proceed? Is a hard conversation placing a stumbling block or chipping away at one? There is no hard and fast rule. But I think we have guidelines which will help us err less often.
Our words must come from a place of humility and love. Humility helps us to keep in mind that we may be the ones who are wrong. Neither we nor the person we are talking to actually knows who is right when it comes to the ultimate mystery. Love ensures that we have these conversations out of a sincere belief to find the truth, not out of a desire to prove ourselves right.
But love and humility are not enough. Someone can come into a conversation with love and humility and still put a stumbling block in front of their fellow traveler. We must also listen. Sometimes the words we say will fail to help because the other person does not understand those words the same way we do. To truly avoid hindering others, we must pay attention and watch. When we say something, are they drawing back? Reacting with exasperation, boredom, or anger? Then, despite our best intentions, we are failing to communicate. If they express interest, then there is hope. But without listening, we cannot tell the difference.
What other guidelines can help us keep from placing stumbling blocks in front of others?
Related posts:
But what about questioning a belief? Is that a stumbling block? It could be. Maybe the person we are questioning is not ready for the idea. Or maybe we are the ones who are wrong and our questioning introduces a doubt that will grow and fester. But questioning a belief could be what removes a stumbling block. It could be what sweeps away a misconception. It could be what shines a light into the darkness.
How to proceed? Is a hard conversation placing a stumbling block or chipping away at one? There is no hard and fast rule. But I think we have guidelines which will help us err less often.
Our words must come from a place of humility and love. Humility helps us to keep in mind that we may be the ones who are wrong. Neither we nor the person we are talking to actually knows who is right when it comes to the ultimate mystery. Love ensures that we have these conversations out of a sincere belief to find the truth, not out of a desire to prove ourselves right.
But love and humility are not enough. Someone can come into a conversation with love and humility and still put a stumbling block in front of their fellow traveler. We must also listen. Sometimes the words we say will fail to help because the other person does not understand those words the same way we do. To truly avoid hindering others, we must pay attention and watch. When we say something, are they drawing back? Reacting with exasperation, boredom, or anger? Then, despite our best intentions, we are failing to communicate. If they express interest, then there is hope. But without listening, we cannot tell the difference.
What other guidelines can help us keep from placing stumbling blocks in front of others?
Related posts:
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Is God responsible for evil?
Is God responsible for evil?
Well, yes, in so far as God is responsible for everything, in so far as He has the knowledge and power to stop evil.
But is evil God's will?
That is a much more interesting question. Evil, human evil at least*, is mainly God's responsibility in so far as he gave us free will. God lets evil exist. We cannot deny that. Blaming Satan or demons (not that I believe in those literally) just pushes the problem back another level because if they exist, it is also by God's leave.
So evil exists by God's leave, but is it his will?
As with all questions of this nature, we cannot know. For all that we know, God could have created us because he likes to see suffering. But I believe is that evil is not God's will. Evil is God's concession to the reality that growth cannot happen in a static universe, growth cannot happen without suffering. Ultimately, God wants us to grow. Thus, God lets us be and suffer from evil.
Is there more suffering than is necessary for growth? Probably. But if God were to hold us back so that we experienced just enough evil then we would not be growing.
* Natural evils, or rather, the natural events we call evil, fall under a different discussion.
Well, yes, in so far as God is responsible for everything, in so far as He has the knowledge and power to stop evil.
But is evil God's will?
That is a much more interesting question. Evil, human evil at least*, is mainly God's responsibility in so far as he gave us free will. God lets evil exist. We cannot deny that. Blaming Satan or demons (not that I believe in those literally) just pushes the problem back another level because if they exist, it is also by God's leave.
So evil exists by God's leave, but is it his will?
As with all questions of this nature, we cannot know. For all that we know, God could have created us because he likes to see suffering. But I believe is that evil is not God's will. Evil is God's concession to the reality that growth cannot happen in a static universe, growth cannot happen without suffering. Ultimately, God wants us to grow. Thus, God lets us be and suffer from evil.
Is there more suffering than is necessary for growth? Probably. But if God were to hold us back so that we experienced just enough evil then we would not be growing.
* Natural evils, or rather, the natural events we call evil, fall under a different discussion.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Guiding words
I have been thinking a bit about how I want to organize this blog. This brought me to a wider point: what is the theme of this blog?
In some ways, there is no theme. I want a place where I can wonder and explore, search and share. Yet some ideas keep coming up in my thoughts. The ideas that fascinate me are
In some ways, there is no theme. I want a place where I can wonder and explore, search and share. Yet some ideas keep coming up in my thoughts. The ideas that fascinate me are
- The journey: How am I growing and changing? Where is God leading me, and how can I follow? Why is the journey important?
- Love: The most important commandments are loving our God and loving each other. What does that mean, and how can I live it?
- Diversity and universality: I don't believe that you have to believe the right things to be right with God. There are many ways of experiencing the journey. What are consequences of that?
- Relationships: Between God and me, between God and the church, between God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, between people. The Bible is all about relationships.
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