A few years ago (okay, probably fifteen years ago, now), I read an article by Southern writer and comedian Lewis Grizzard that listed the most controversial things a person could say. I don't remember all of them - one of them was "crank up the Enola Gay" - along with some others that I won't repeat here.Jesus used to say some things that seemed calculated to illicit a response in his hearers. (Matthew 3:9 and 5:20 are good examples, among others). You might say, Jesus used controversy to teach.
I'm curious. What do you think are the most theologically controversial but biblically valid statements a person can make in our day and time?
I'll start us off with two of my favorites: (1) Holiness, not love, is God's chief attribute, and (2) God's love is not unconditional. There are more where those came from, but I hope they will get the ball rolling.
Thanks ahead of time for being willing to share!
In Christ,
Pastor Brent
P. S. If you want to argue with my two statements, let's do that on another blog posting. Right now, I'm interested in your statements!
"No one comes to the Father but through Me." - Jesus, John 14:6.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Why controversial?
Answer: Because people today erroneously think "there are many ways to God." Wrong! The only way is the straight and narrow path of the Christian walk with Jesus Christ.
Application: Do we always stay perfectly on the path? No. Sinners saved by grace (and mercy), still make mistakes. We still wander from the path, and/or get lost at times. Still, we know how to get back to it and proceed with the One who will lead us the only way to Glory. - Barron
Part I...I don't know that I'm at a point to name God's chief attribute but Holiness is definitely near if not at the top. Our holiness falls completely short of the "perfect" walk we are to strive for from the example of Jesus. Our holiness has to come from God because ours falls so short...just like our righteousness falls short. Jesus had to impute his righteousness to us because of that fact...
ReplyDeletePart II...I personally don't think God's love is conditional. If it is...knowing the sin we as humans would commit...why would he create us? I believe He loves us unconditionally and without reservation. We are the ones who put conditions on OUR love back to him because of our sin and disobedience. Humans seem to abandon their "faith" at the drop of a hat because of their circumstance.
Part III...I can see where this would be controversial. Everyone has to make a choice and determine God's attributes is in their own personal relationship with Him. Many different personalities, circumstances of life, and differences in heritage/race/geographic origin can bring many different points of view. The one fact still remains...and Barron hit on part of it for me...No one comes to the Father but through Me. The little things that are so controversial are miniscule compared to just believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, that He rose again, sits at the right hand of the Father...and praise the Lord...HE WILL COME AGAIN!!
JLW