Comments on part 3
Jamie
tricky, difficult argument in suggesting that the virgin birth (or
other such doctrines) are just springs that could theoretically be
removed without destroying our ability to "jump."
On one hand, I think he has a point: We ought to be flexible on the
wording of our doctrines, because we might be wrong, and because it
might be possible to shoot down some orthodox doctrines (if they
turned out to be erroneous) without actually destroying Christianity.
We need to be open to that possibility. Our focus ought to be on Truth
as a person rather than truth as a system of doctrines and/or
propositional statements.
On the other hand, I think you are right, Michael, that the virgin
birth is no minor issue. It's not like you can just take away that
spring and have everything be ok. When we start stripping springs
away, there comes a point where we can't bounce anymore. Maybe not
just with the removal of one spring, but each spring IS important to
the strength of the whole.
<i>We must be wary of the despair found in chosen uncertainty. I have
experienced that despair. We must not love mystery so much that we
create it where there is none. I am not uncomfortable with Bell's book
because I am afraid to challenge my own beliefs. On the contrary, I am
cautious about hyperextending my doubt at the expense of weakening my
faith because I have been down that road a few times. It leaves scars.
Balance is needed.</i>
This is so, so right.
Roland
"You could be "over-analyzing" Michael, but I would rather see you do
that than be complacent about it. After all, would you be able to
trust the trampline if there were no springs? Or would you just be
jumping on the ground? I don't have all the answers. And to be
honest, I'm glad I don't. God allows us to have a sense of wonder,
each and every day. "
I think there is a point you could end up taking away framework
instead of springs as well. But I don't think that is what Bell was
trying to do. He was asking a "what if...?" type of question. Could
you believe in the Christ if He wasn't born of a virgin? Could you
believe that love is the answer if that happened? I think the virgin
birth is a very great truth, but it isn't the reason Jesus is God. It
IS one of the things that helps point Him out as God. But it isn't
THE thing. Do you follow Christ because He was born of a virgin, or
is there some other reason you follow Him?
Kent...@gmail.com
> I think the virgin
> birth is a very great truth, but it isn't the reason Jesus is God. It
> IS one of the things that helps point Him out as God. But it isn't
> THE thing. Do you follow Christ because He was born of a virgin, or
> is there some other reason you follow Him?
It struck me a few days ago when I was reading Matthew 12:38ff that
Jesus said that people may look for a sign, but the only sign they'll
get is the death/burial/resurrection (implied in hindsight) of the Son
of Man.
As Roland writes, the virgin birth helps to point Jesus out as God,
but it's the resurrection that is the crux.
--
Kent