Upon reading Learning in War Time, I began to disagree with one of C.S. Lewis' statements. That, unless for the glory of God, every action we do is a sin. I understand that the smallest decisions are impacting and that everything in this world is sacred, but I find it difficult to see every action not associated with God being a sin. There are many truths about life spoken by non-Christians that are adapted by the church.
Charles Darwin (some churches)
Albert Einstein, agnostic
Abraham Lincoln
Ernest Hemingway
Benjamin Franklin
Was Charles Darwin's breakthrough on evolution a sin? I understand that it is not for the glory of God, but I see it as a lukewarm action. God is truth. I don't see a non-Christians discovery of truth to be a sin. Sins are a detriment not only to the person doing it but everyone around them.
I may just be looking at it wrong, but that's my feelings.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Dear Derek,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your frankness, it is to be commended!
Your disagreements are valid, and deserve addressing. However, I do believe the final answer, both for you and me, will only come in heaven, when all is over and done with (doubt and faith matters that is).
1. May I first mention an inconsistency of one of your arguments?
IF “the smallest decisions are impacting and everything in this world is sacred” THEN “every action not associated with God” IS a sin. If the definition of sin is any that brings you AWAY from God.
2. When you state that “there are many truths about life spoken by non-Christians that are adapted by the church”. I would like to divide this into two comments if I may?
a. “there are many truths about life spoken by non-Christians”
Yes, I do believe that non-christians may see ‘truths’. The truth is NOT hidden to non-christians (Romans 1:16-32), this is called by theologians as ‘general revelation’. Nature is one of the great examples. God’s creation ‘proclaims God’s greatness’. However, they are ‘parts of the whole truth’, only what we all see with our physical eyes. Then there is the ‘special revelation’ revealed in God’s Holy Word. This is available to any who will read it. However, if it is read without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is just a ‘piece of historical literature’. ONLY with the help of the Holy Spirit will it come alive. “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This needs to be experienced by FAITH. Here is the churches’ basis for TRUTH. The Bigger, eternal Truth (Jesus says He is the Truth and the Light).
b. “That are adapted by the church” I think you are talking about different denominations?
May I propose that much of what is ‘adopted’ by the church is ‘culturally’? I.e. skirt length, beard yes/no, Darwinism, etc. However, God’s Eternal truths are the same, nobody can ‘adopt’ more or less. Actually, John states a warning in the book of Revelation “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book” (Revelation 22:18).
As such, some thinkers may have partial truths and are ‘adopted by some churches’ as you say. I would say “put God’s ‘plumb line’ beside them over a period of time and see what happens”. One start doubting or adding one part and other sections of the Bible will lose their meaning, and one ends up with two covers (front and back). You need to take the Bible as a whole, no way out!
Finally, “breakthrough’s come and go”. Last week I was at Baker book, looking for some hymnals. I was amazed to see numerous ‘old hymnals’ with the title ‘the new hymnal’ one would think one would learn the lesson…
Maybe you want to mention a few of your ‘feelings’ on things out loud! So we all can participate and learn.
Again,
thanks for your openness!
God Bless,
Adriana & Paulo