Re: [asa] Random and design

On Nov 25, 2006, at 7:46 PM, Rich Blinne wrote:

> On 11/24/06, Pim van Meurs <pimvanmeurs@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> If I understand you correctly this depravity applies to all, and
>> in fact one
>> may very well argue that anyone has failed to comprehend the
>> depths of one's
>> own depravity, at least under your 'logic'. But this was about
>> abusing
>> Christ's teachings to evangelize a position of expecting the worst
>> from each
>> other and from social institutions and movements. When in fact, it
>> now seems
>> clear that good and evil are expressed with respect to what is
>> done for the
>> Glory of God makes the discussion one of equivocation.
>>
>
> You don't understand her correctly. When we "expect" the worst we are
> not surprised by it and are prepared to forgive any future
> transgressions, particularly personal ones.

Is that what Janice really meant? I'd like to hear from her directly

> It is also a means of
> great optimism because when social institutions and movements (and
> churches and individual Christians for that matter) fail, we are not
> depressed nor dismayed as that is not where our confidence lies. We
> wait for -- as J.R.R. Tolkien coined -- the eucatastrophy as best
> exmplified by the Cross.

Janice's portrayal of hope for the best expect the worst however
seems different from how you interpret the Scriptures.

>
>
>> Given the extent of altruism and reciprocal altruism found not
>> only amongst
>> men but also on other levels of His Creation, I do not see a
>> logical link
>> between the two, in fact I see 'love thy neighbor' as an essential
>> teaching,
>> showing that we should not distrust them. That's the message of
>> love I find
>> in the Scriptures.
>
> You show precisely the misunderstanding of the lawyer that caused
> Jesus to follow up the Golden Rule by the parable of the Good
> Samaritan. When Jesus said "love thy neighbor" it was immediately
> replied with the question who is my neighbor? The reason for the
> response is the implied assumption that our "neighbor" deserves our
> love.

How does my position show a misunderstanding? It has nothing to do
with deserving our love, it has all to do with a position of trust
towards one's neighbors, irregardless of whether or not the neighbor
deserves it.

Love they neighbor seems at odds with hope for the best, expect the
worst. Is that the attitude we as Christians should follow? I'd say
expect the best

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Received on Sat Nov 25 23:40:27 2006