The Parables of Exclusion
11/14/20 11:27 AM Filed in: Christianity
There are a number of stories of exclusion that Jesus told.
The "Wise and Foolish Virgins" (Matthew 25:1-13), "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23), "The Rich Man" (Mark 10:17-22).
We normally take these stories to mean that there comes a time when the door will be shut, the party will begin, those who are inside will rejoice. And while that is true, I'm no longer sure that that's what Jesus is really saying.
I don't remember all of the details, but in Men's Bible Study a few weeks ago the question was asked, "what would you do if Jesus said to you, 'I never knew you?'" The first answer was, "Nothing. There's nothing you can do."
I had an epiphany and said, "On the contrary. I would say to Him, 'In November, 1978, at two in the morning, you called me and I have followed ever since. You invited me to this party. Now, it's your party, but if you want me to leave you're going to have to summon your bouncers."
In the same way, the "foolish" virgins should either have followed those who had lamps, or returned to the party once they had gotten more oil and pounded on the door until someone opened, even if it was the next day. It isn't as if that party will end.
I think we need to read these stories in light of the Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter (Mt 15:21-28). She didn't give up, she didn't let go.
In the single-minded pursuit of God, you mustn't quit.
The "Wise and Foolish Virgins" (Matthew 25:1-13), "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23), "The Rich Man" (Mark 10:17-22).
We normally take these stories to mean that there comes a time when the door will be shut, the party will begin, those who are inside will rejoice. And while that is true, I'm no longer sure that that's what Jesus is really saying.
I don't remember all of the details, but in Men's Bible Study a few weeks ago the question was asked, "what would you do if Jesus said to you, 'I never knew you?'" The first answer was, "Nothing. There's nothing you can do."
I had an epiphany and said, "On the contrary. I would say to Him, 'In November, 1978, at two in the morning, you called me and I have followed ever since. You invited me to this party. Now, it's your party, but if you want me to leave you're going to have to summon your bouncers."
In the same way, the "foolish" virgins should either have followed those who had lamps, or returned to the party once they had gotten more oil and pounded on the door until someone opened, even if it was the next day. It isn't as if that party will end.
I think we need to read these stories in light of the Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter (Mt 15:21-28). She didn't give up, she didn't let go.
In the single-minded pursuit of God, you mustn't quit.
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Link censored by Twitter
10/14/20 04:13 PM Filed in: Politics
This is the link that Twitter won't let be published:
Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad
Updated 10/13/2020 @ 9:35pm to include this link which claims to show inconsistencies with the story by the NY Post. I present both links without comment.
Smoking-gun email reveals how Hunter Biden introduced Ukrainian businessman to VP dad
Updated 10/13/2020 @ 9:35pm to include this link which claims to show inconsistencies with the story by the NY Post. I present both links without comment.
Electric Mudball
10/07/20 09:17 PM Filed in: Ideas
Google returns no hits for "electric mudball." I hereby designate it as a description of a brain.
Dialog with Jeff Williams: Intermission
This is a continuation with the dialog between Jeff Williams and I. Jeff asked:
Having written the first three (of five) parts, I think I've answered everything except "the limits of the invariability principles." To do that, I have to finish the posts on "meaning" and "math," then ruminate on the nature of infinity and its relationship to nature (a small part of the latter is here, but I also have some unpublished material on that, too).
Since I think I've answered all but the last (and I have every reason to believe that I can answer the last, but with a lot more exposition), I'm going to take a break to take time to mentally recharge before working on the next two parts.
Jeff can now attempt to rebut.
Table of Contents
I would ask you to demonstrate why reason is an atomic arrangement, and why it being a part of nature would imply truth; and along with that how you would explain erroneous ideas and the limits of the invariability principles.
Having written the first three (of five) parts, I think I've answered everything except "the limits of the invariability principles." To do that, I have to finish the posts on "meaning" and "math," then ruminate on the nature of infinity and its relationship to nature (a small part of the latter is here, but I also have some unpublished material on that, too).
Since I think I've answered all but the last (and I have every reason to believe that I can answer the last, but with a lot more exposition), I'm going to take a break to take time to mentally recharge before working on the next two parts.
Jeff can now attempt to rebut.
Table of Contents
- Jeff's original post
- Intro to my reply
- Part I to my reply
- Part IIa to my reply
- Part IIb to my reply
- Part III to my reply
- Intermission to my reply
Dialog with Jeff Williams: Part III
This is a continuation with the dialog between Jeff Williams and I. The previous post was here. The first post was here.
This is the third part to the answer of his question:
The answer will consist of five parts:
This post will cover the third topic, Logic and Reason.
Read More...
This is the third part to the answer of his question:
I would ask you to demonstrate why reason is an atomic arrangement, and why it being a part of nature would imply truth; and along with that how you would explain erroneous ideas and the limits of the invariability principles.
The answer will consist of five parts:
- The road to logic
- The road to truth
- Logic and Reason
- The road to meaning
- The road to math
This post will cover the third topic, Logic and Reason.
Read More...