tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post7081503756460572013..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Practical Theology 2: Why Believe in God?Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-53373022491086325662013-04-10T00:06:00.561-04:002013-04-10T00:06:00.561-04:00John,
It is my understanding that prevenient grac...John, <br />It is my understanding that prevenient grace and foreknowledge would be a means to appease the consciences of leaders that want what they want, especially if they believe it to be "God's will". Why worry about the implications if God is really going before by preveniently providing and knowing the end anyway? And people can believe they are doing God's will by imposing and presuming upon others, but without accountability to limit oneself, as it concerns another's life, one will trespass. Then, there is always the "escape" to confession and absolution.<br /><br />Revelation is what people love to claim about the "spirit". But, why can it not be boundaries that have not been maintained or protected, regarding healthy relationship? Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-4489254585302574042013-03-27T13:23:57.648-04:002013-03-27T13:23:57.648-04:00How does this idea about believing about God tie t...How does this idea about believing about God tie together with prevenient grace? With revelation?<br />Thanks.John C. Gardnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-91417962236934103052013-03-25T12:56:54.564-04:002013-03-25T12:56:54.564-04:00Views about Government are numerous, but our Found...Views about Government are numerous, but our Founders wanted to create an "ordered liberty", not an Authoritarian State that could run rough shod over rights, and that did not matter whether the Authoritarian State got its power through Leaders or God! <br /><br />Our country was a Constitutional Republic which had educated leaders who respected the right of others as granted in the Constitution (the Bill of Rights).Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-10019158844786370792013-03-25T12:20:26.568-04:002013-03-25T12:20:26.568-04:00Order" has been used as a proof of God's ...Order" has been used as a proof of God's existence, and still is in some circles of the Religion/Science discussion. <br /><br />Though most science works by "law" (cause and effect), just as our brains like to explain the reasons (or causes) to what happens, not all things are "ordered" (structured) or understood naturally. Then, the question is why do humans not understand naturally? Isn't it because the "order" has to be studied to be understood?<br /> "Biblical Christians" would point to Romans 1 and judge not understanding the "natural order" is due to a rejection of God and "sin", as defined by Christian culture/theology. While Christians project their propositional understandings upon the world, observation and the scientific method attempts and is attempting to discover "order" (or explaination) for the 'natural order". One can presuppose "God" and use observation and the scientific method to affirm "God's order" in what is discovered, but, whether or not God exists, is still a matter of faith to the believing or unbelieving scientists!<br /><br /> The "truth" of the "natural order" is the truth of the natural order and it does not depend on a belief in "God".<br /><br />Cultures are ordered, but are not "naturally ordered", but ordered according to certain belief systems. These are man-made systems.<br /><br />"God" can be understood by a Christian's practical theology if the Christian adheres to certain beliefs, too, but practically speaking leadership is "God". And, unless there is "accountablity" and responsibility to "the rule of law", there is abuse of power, or "tyranny" under the Founder's understanding! This is why it is so important that those in leadership do not impose "God" or "The Regulating State" apart from consent of the governed.<br /><br /> Our nation has not believed in imposing its "faith claims" upon the "created order". This was why Congress was to make no law regarding the exercise of religion. But, at the same time, the State was not to define the specifities of everyone's life, either!<br /><br />Since in our country, leaders were not to be "above the law", which meant that individuals were to be respected in their choice and consent about their life. Leadership was to respect the boundaries of the individual, who was allowed to choose his life in liberty.<br /><br />From developmental psychology, and personality studies, not all INDIVIDUALS are alike, so how can anyone speak of a "universal human right", except liberty? Those societies that live within tribal identities will not understand themselves apart from a "tribal mentality" that is "survival".<br /><br /> Civilization, apart from leaders' transparency and accoutability, just legalizes "tribalism" apart from respecting "the rule of law". "The rule of law" was not to grant special privilege to leadership, which is what we are seeing develop today.<br /> America was a nation that was a country ruled by law and not of men. The leaders were to hold the "trust", responsibility and duty of their oaths "to the people". Civil Service was not viewed as an opportunity to enrich oneself, or demand "duty" from other citizens, but a "sacred honor" to represent the people's interests. No law can stop a criminal mind in/with Power.<br /><br />Corrupt leadership leads the nation astray and the citizens suffer, but the citizens have only themselves to blame, unless corrupt leaders have kept the citizens ill informed through Propaganda techniques, limiting the Press, and ignoring the checks and balances upon Power.Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-74701824814000731042013-03-25T11:28:36.710-04:002013-03-25T11:28:36.710-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-66875436998596416762013-03-24T22:32:30.157-04:002013-03-24T22:32:30.157-04:00I just heard about this Quadrilateral Thoughts,,, ...I just heard about this Quadrilateral Thoughts,,, may be tried laterjudi bolahttp://www.indobookies.comnoreply@blogger.com