tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post6182215797252601247..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Devotional Sample: Romans 12:3-8Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-90508848133572780982011-06-21T11:46:38.856-04:002011-06-21T11:46:38.856-04:00"God" is leadership, because practically..."God" is leadership, because practically speaking, these are the ones that determine or decide. Religious authorities determine based on some understanding of "God" and this is the problem, isn't it? <br /><br />Our government is, practically speaking, "God", which structures our society, but does not determine the individual. Good citizens submit to the laws of the land. But, don't some "good citizens" also protest to things done in government that disregard those it is supposed to serve? (when government leaders do not lead well).<br /><br />And then, ultimately, the person, himself is "god" because he determines his own course in and for his own life.<br /><br />As an Arminian, you believe in personal choice and responsiblity. But, we might part ways, regarding "Christian"....Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-85715571417772383472011-06-21T11:24:11.542-04:002011-06-21T11:24:11.542-04:00If God exists, of course, then it is ultimately al...If God exists, of course, then it is ultimately all about his will. Thankfully, as an Arminian, God's will turns out to be the best for me and us as well. If you're a Muslim or Calvinist, on the other hand, then it turns out pretty much just to be about him whether I'm fried or not. ;-)Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-7587129917966152322011-06-21T11:19:40.235-04:002011-06-21T11:19:40.235-04:00My attitude is distain for those that are so assur...My attitude is distain for those that are so assured of their understanding of "God" that they presume upon another's life.<br /><br />"Life" is about the whole person, NOT just how one fits another's "Plan", whether "God" or man's!!!Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-72479363947480407972011-06-21T11:09:10.816-04:002011-06-21T11:09:10.816-04:00"Mind" in this passage is not so much ab..."Mind" in this passage is not so much about what we believe but about our attitudes toward each other.Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-64195642860787233632011-06-21T11:07:38.869-04:002011-06-21T11:07:38.869-04:00I hate with a vengence collective thought! It is t...I hate with a vengence collective thought! It is the distain of anyone that values, liberty, justice, and a free society! This is a tribalist's mentality! What does such a mindset really say?<br /><br />We might not be responsible for our natural abilities, but, aren't we responsible for our own life? or do others have the right to decide where we fit? some might think that their role is to 'lead" meaning plan another's place, as this is "good organizational structuring", or "being responsible before God". Isn't that presumptuous? Or are those that "lead" supposed to disregard any interests or opinion of those that are to follow and disregard any part of "choice" on those that are to follow? Is this respectful, and yet, they demand respect through a "following"?....those that follow are only mindless robots, that are to "hand over their lives" without question because "God has ordained" such and such...!! After all, God finds such as these "useful" (ultilitarian), irregardless of their desires, hopes dreams, ambitions, or goals! After all they aren't really valued unless they do as they are told and carry out the proposed plan, as a commodity, to bring about a prespecified plan that is labeled in "spritual lingo"!! It is structure and order, at the cost of individuality, and distinction.<br /><br />Such thinking takes "mindless faith" that is totally dependent on "leadership", which undermines most of my values; choice, liberty of conscience, respect and mutuality in relationship, and it takes belief in a "God" superintending or predetermining "his plan". Such faith I don't care to have, as that kind of faith does disservice to "the personal". It is an enmeshed identity, that is unhealthy. Co-dependency needs those that are over-bearing and those that are compliant. And co-dependency is an unhealthy relationship!<br /><br />One must have choice about what, where, when, and how they will serve society. And this is what the university seeks to further in the lives of independent and mindful young people!Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.com