Re: [asa] Orthodox Theologian Speaks on Modern Deserts

OK, I've been trying to resist getting into this, both because I'm soon going to get off the list for while and because, frankly, I haven't found discussions with Rich F. very profitable. But there's an important point that's being missed here, though I think (perhaps surprisingly) that Rich F. is the closest to being right on this particular point.

What's being left out here is faith, the most important aspect of which is trust. & faith, properly understood, is the open hand which receives what God wants to give us. "Justification by faith" means to accept the gift of forgiveness, salvation, &c which God freely gives for Christ's sake. Of course there are different levels of trust & we properly trust in other people & things but our ultimate trust is to be in God rather than anything else - including ourselves. Faith is, therefore, closely related to "submission" - though not submission in a servile way.

But it is precisely the need for this type of submission that rules out claims like "God favors the learned," the subject of previous debate. If God favors the learned & I'm learned then I have something in myself that I can rely on to gain God's favor. My submission need be only partial because I can say to God "Here's something that you should reward me for."

Acceptance by God depends only upon God, & faith is simply the passive acceptance of God's choice. That is illustrated nicely in Gen.15 where God makes a covenant with Abram while he's asleep!

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: RFaussette@aol.com
  To: rich.blinne@gmail.com ; janmatch@earthlink.net
  Cc: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 12:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [asa] Orthodox Theologian Speaks on Modern Deserts

  In a message dated 7/19/2006 12:02:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, rich.blinne@gmail.com writes:
    So, yes we should submit and surrender to God but is it the core of Chrisitianity? No as it doesn't even show up in the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galations but there's that pesky word love again.
  Yes, the self sacrifice which is love/surrender/submission to God is the core of personal religion and Christianity.
  The (self) sacrifice of the Cross is the essential element of Christianity. I believe we find it in each of the synoptics.

  We are arguing because I prefer submission/sacrifice rather than love to express man's relationship with God. I'm pragmatic and don't believe love is an effective descriptor. If it were, churches would have more men in them. The self sacrifice is a challenge which men might respond to. They haven't responded to "love."

  Love is surrender.

  rich faussette

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Received on Wed Jul 19 13:21:15 2006