Re: [asa] Orthodox Theologian Speaks on Modern Deserts

Rich -

You may recall that you sent me your paper "True Religion" & that I gave you some comments on, & criticisms of, it. I see on looking over my marked-up draft that I failed to comment on your closing sentence (before the "Note"), "God favors the learned." I must have gotten careless near the end, for otherwise I would have suggested at least some qualification of that, as I have here recently.

One problem I see with understanding the fall primarily "as the shift from instinctive to learned behavior" is that this is essentially a psychological rather than a theological interpretation. I.e., one can speak about instinctive & learned behaviors & their implications without connecting that at all with God & humanity's relationship with God. (I'm not saying you do that but it's possible.) & in particular, this doesn't get at what is the pretty clear meaning of the text, that humanity disobeys God.

You may ask, "OK, how do you understand the story of the fall in a way that takes evolution (& its Darwinian aspect in particular, seriously?" My paper "Roads to Paradise and Perdition: Christ, Evolution, and Original Sin" is in the latest issue of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith. It's not online yet but I can send it to you if you like.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: RFaussette@aol.com
  To: gmurphy@raex.com ; rich.blinne@gmail.com ; janmatch@earthlink.net
  Cc: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 5:36 PM
  Subject: Re: [asa] Orthodox Theologian Speaks on Modern Deserts

  In a message dated 7/19/2006 1:21:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, gmurphy@raex.com writes:
    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."

  George,

  You're one of my most consistent critics but I appreciate your input.

  I'm probably opening a can of worms, but my statement God favors the learned is based on the proper understanding of the fall as the shift from instinctive to learned behavior. The text in Genesis is very specific and I cover those specifics in my paper True Religion which is available upon request.

  If I understand Job correctly, I can't rely on God's favor as reciprocity for my good behavior. God is God and need not keep the same scorecard I do.

  Submission must be complete. The self must be transcended. Any hope or concern for the self negates the self sacrifice. Trust must be wholly in God and not the self. When you stop asking questions about heaven and salvation for your "self" you're there. The creature (your self) is gone.

    1.. The Catholic Encyclopedia: “In heaven, however, no creature will stand between God and the soul. He himself will be the immediate object of its vision. Scripture and theology tell us that the blessed see God face to face.”

  rich faussette

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Received on Wed Jul 19 18:04:18 2006