paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
Always interesting to see what we project onto God and which aspect of God's character we emphasize.
Luke's Take on the Talents (Luke 19: 11-27)
- Thread starter paradox3
- Start date
Welcome to Wondercafe2!
A community where we discuss, share, and have some fun together. Join today and become a part of it!
unsafe
Well-Known Member
If you have a child and you have rules for that child to follow and the child obeys your rules does that please you ----so it is the obedience of the child that pleases the Parent ---- -
if your child rebels against your rules would that not displease you and would you not discipline your Child for their disobedience ---I would hope so -----
True Christians will want to please God -----by obeying His Commands ---so it us who please God by obeying His rules and trusting in Him to look after our needs -----
God does not need us at all ----We humans are in need of God ------
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
It is possible that we need each other. From a relationship standpoint this would certainly be so.
This parable doesn't really address that relationship though. It tells us there will be dire consequences to displeasing God.
unsafe
Well-Known Member
Why do you think it doesn't address the relationship in the Parable ---and what are you meaning by the relationship ----are you talking Born Again ?
unsafe
Well-Known Member
Can you give an example of God needing us in relation to a Relationship standpoint ---just trying to understand your thought on this ----
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
No not talking about Born Again.
The parable suggests to me that we have received something from God ( a Law?). And we will be accountable for what we do with it. I guess this is a relationship of sorts but it's an authoritarian one. Not where my mind was going with this.
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
Now you've got me thinking.
We are called to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. As Jesus said, this is the Law and the Prophets.
Do you believe God loves us reciprocally? This is something I believe but I'm not sure where I picked up the idea. Is it biblical or is it from our tradition and hymns?
God does pursue us too.
jimkenney12
Well-Known Member
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
I want my children to have good lives, to treat others well because that feels right to them, not to please me. This is where Jeremiah 31:31-34 comes in.
unsafe
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your reply -----
My view
I see that there is definitely a referral to the Relationship standpoint as the true Disciples who were faithful in their knowing and obeying what was expected of them to do with the resources they received from the King tells us that they were inbirthed with the right Faith in the King to carry out their rightful duty until the King returned -----
BetteTheRed
Resident Heretic
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
I don't know, but I do.
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
Do you approach God though? I have the impression you value your Christian community and enjoy exploring matters of faith. These things are intertwined of course but they are not identical
Mendalla
Happy headbanging ape!!
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
What if someone believes in approaching something but doesn't call it "God" (or the equivalent in their language)? I was watching a video last night, which I should post in R&F, about how Swedes have largely abandoned traditional religion but apparently talk a lot about finding connection in nature. So if they get from their experience of nature what others get in church, is that "approaching God" without actually using the word?
After all, "God" is a word that carries a variety of meanings for people and understandings of that word have been shaped by the actions and teachings of the church to a great degree. So for some, "God" really is about the petty tyrant who punishes us for every failing that was referenced upthread. If someone rejects that vision of "God", why not reject the word that denotes it for them, too? Because psychologically, if they feel only pain associated with that word, why would they use it?
So is someone who walks the walk but not talking the talk "approaching God"?
unsafe
Well-Known Member
Well my view on this is -this -----
You are right ----we are called to love God ----and neighbour -----not sure how you see this Love here though---
the Love mentioned here is unconditional --it is Agape ----that is a gift of the indwelling of Holy Spirit to anyone who is Born Again of the Spirit -- so not all people can Love God or their neighbour with this love and this is the Love God calls us to --Agape ------
Your Quote here --
I believe the Scripture that says -------God Is Agape -(love)---it is who God is ---so in my view -God doesn't give out Love He Is Love and He doesn't care if we love Him or not ----or if we obey Him or not ------His Love is unconditional ---He loves the unlovely ----He loves sinners as well as His Saints =so it is not a reciprocal Love -----it is a one sided Love ----
Now ---that being said -I believe --------in the Old Testament as far as His covenants were concerned and the keeping of His laws were concerned there was a Law of Reciprocity
God had a part to keep and the Jewish Nation had a part to keep ------it was 2 sided
Obey my Commands says God and I will Bless you ---Disobey my Commands says God and I will Curse you ------2 sides
Now that is not the case ----God finished it all for us -----all we have to do is receive what God has done for us by His Saving Grace which comes through His saving Faith --
unsafe
Well-Known Member
I definitely agree with this statement ------we have a choice to accept this pursuing or reject it ---Both Satan and God are always on the move to pursue people -----the goal is soul winning -----and you win or loose the Battle in your mind -----
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
All very good points you raise here.
@BetteTheRed has told us so many times she is a "nontheist" that it surprised me to hear her speak of "approaching God".
Depends what she means by the phrase I guess.
unsafe
Well-Known Member
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Is all Prophecy ----- the Coming of Jesus and the new Covenant of Grace ------which is all about Salvation -----which being Born Again in Spirit -----
So this Scripture you quote has nothing to do with God having to be pleased ---it is about God giving His Creation a chance to reconnect back to Him ----when His Son comes to do His Father's will-----just saying
paradox3
Peanuts Fan
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Her
@Mendalla and @BetteTheRed
This reminds me of an interchange I had with Golden rule/ GRR on the original WC. He argued that loving God and loving neighbor were identical. I see them as separate but intertwined commands.
If someone lives an ethical and compassionate life without believing in God, I say they are showing love of neighbor.
To equate this with love of God actually seems imperialistic to me.
Anyway, I am probably not being terribly clear.
This reminds me of an interchange I had with Golden rule/ GRR on the original WC. He argued that loving God and loving neighbor were identical. I see them as separate but intertwined commands.
If someone lives an ethical and compassionate life without believing in God, I say they are showing love of neighbor.
To equate this with love of God actually seems imperialistic to me.
Anyway, I am probably not being terribly clear.
Mendalla
Happy headbanging ape!!
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Perhaps, but devaluing their love of neighbour because they don't love God is equally so and I suspect certain people would do exactly that. Perhaps that is why GRR argued as he did.
If I love my neighbour because I value their inherent worth and dignity (to use UU language) and you love your neighbour because of Jesus' commandments, those are equally valuable to the neighbour and should be recognized as such. You shouldn't get brownie points for also loving God and I should not be condemned or devalued for not loving God.