I knew there was one true Christian out there that wouldn’t let me get away with such blatant blasphemy! I also know that in mentioning something to me, it means you care :) and that you are serious in your convictions.
I will definitely add that book to my list of reads…haven’t read it yet. Thanks for the suggestion! But please don’t let my soul be your burden…
Romans:”For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
“I am the way, the truth, & the life.”
So if God is self-evident, and God is truth, then truth is self-evident (if you are willing to be open to the truth).
Since I left the church early in college, I dedicated my life to the open pursuit of true knowledge. I tossed aside my filter of biblical absolutes, and in its place I set a screen of MY logic and experiences. I took in all viewpoints like a child, and passed them through my filter only. In this way, I believe I have made myself the most open I can be to “self-evident” truth.
As a bonus, I am able to process more information, which has landed me nuggets of truth that otherwise wouldn’t have made it past the “absolutes” filter.
If I truly belong with the God of your conviction, then that same self-evident truth will lead me back to Him, so the burden is not on one small speck of creation (Paul), but on all that “has been made”!
I am a moth to the flame of truth. I am open, however, I also believe that the truth has set me free.
P.S. It was such a bummer not to see you…hope you’ll come back to SF soon!
Thanks for taking my response in the caring and unobtrusive way it was intended. I would compare it to the actions of a driver who instinctively throws her arm in front of a tiny passenger to protect him as the car skids to a stop. Although there is risk of bruising the child, the action was taken with the best of intentions. I hope I haven’t bruised our friendship.
There is no question that you know the Scriptures and could probably offer the antithesis to most assertions–as demonstrated by the pin-pointed reference to Romans 1. For that reason, arguments of logic could never persuade (although they are kind of fun :). No, it seems to me that you’ve hit the nail on the head. If God is real and the only timeless Truth is contained in the Bible, He should be strong enough to draw you to Himself. Your dedication to the truth should ultimately lead you to Christ. As quoted, “If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Until that time, I’m looking forward to my next trip to SF! And don’t worry, I promise not to bring this subject up anytime we hang out! :) I hope the business is going well; I’m still recruiting clients from S. Mississippi for you.