"I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves." Ludwig Wittgenstein
I do not know a whole lot about this guy, except that he died in 1951. I thought this was a good quote considering it was written before the free love '60s and the increasing hedonistic sensibilities of society.
Could there be more to life than pleasure?
Derrick
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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9 comments:
Good Old Ludwig. Let me attach myself to that statement, even if in a very broad sense. Derrick, Tracy, and Kwame; it seems apparant that where two or more are gathered also applies to a blog. In this day and age, I suppose that only makes sense. With that, I offer my sincere apologies to you all. I seem to be at a disadvantage in scripture knowledge. You three are so good, careful, and precise in the attachment of scripture to all things. I, on the other hand, am just an old hippy who found The Lord on June 4th, 1979. Yes, I am very firm about my vision. I shall always retain that. I will also appreciate those who carefully screen other's visions through scripture. As I sat and searched in my Bible for scripture to support me as of late, I was overcome with conviction. This conviction was in the venue of how I was and am protecting my dignity about having such a vision. I felt that my dignity was being questioned, not the vision. Thus, my conviction. You three are doing your job as dedicated believers. If protecting my self due to a vision means losing respect, love, or what means the most to me ( being my wife, daughters, and their husbands ), then I am indeed a fool. I do not have the most stellar of track records. I just do the best I can with what I have. Sometimes, I just don't know what that should be. I pray about it every single day. One constant, is love. I do love you to my death. I would stop a bullet for any one of you. You are indeed more worthy than I. I do apologize for disrupting the blog. I seem to make wide turns away from the core subject. My thoughts seem to go that way it seems. I do mean the best, you know. It just doesn't come out that way and then I get defensive. Let me see if an old dog can indeed learn new tricks. I'll try my best.
Russ,
1) Do you agree that it is not blasphemy for someone to question whether someone heard from God (be it a vision or dream)?
2) Do you agree that it is important for you, Russ, to evaluate all visions or dreams in light of what Scripture teaches?
Please give a clear answer to these questions.
Derrick
P.S. The only reason for a possible advantage of Scripture knowledge is because I (can't speak for Tracy and Kwame) take an active approach to learning Scripture through personal study, commentaries, and gifted teachers and pastors. The key word, for me, is active. [Of course, I am not saying that you don't or haven't studied in this manner-and I am not perfect in this, though I listen to a lot of different teachers and hold fast to that which is good]
It is also important to consider the teacher-I do not want someone to simply tell me what I think I already know (or tells me things to make me feel good about myself).
I check to see if the teacher is speaking the truth, does his examination of Scripture line up with what it says-does it make sense-what do other Christian thinkers say about it?
That is a top reason I challenge folks who post to give some reasons to support their view.
All that said-long story short; I would like to hear your answers to the above questions.
Derrick,
The answer would be "yes" to both questions. That is about as clear as I can be.
Derrick,
The answer would be "yes" to both questions. That is about as clear as I can be.
Russ said:
<< I do mean the best, you know. It just doesn't come out that way and then I get defensive. Let me see if an old dog can indeed learn new tricks. I'll try my best. >>
Not to worry Mr. Russ; I’m sure that none of us have doubted for a second that you mean the best. And this statement about an “old dog” learning new tricks? Du, there is more hope for a person who says this—if in fact he has anything to learn—than for a thousand young zealots and older clergymen and pastors that we have in the world today.
(I mean this, too. As I say this I have been thinking of late about the anti-apologetical attitude and conduct among people who would profess an interest in Christian apologetics and a dedication to the same; sadly, a lot of these people will be the first people to resort to the old “Oh, well, you’re just using ‘man’s wisdom’ and God just needs to open your heart” canard when their lame, half-baked arguments for their particular points of view are shot down by the opposition. Well, some of these arguments are not rejected by people because they just stubborn people relying on “natural knowledge”; no, they are intelligent people who simply do not accept the bona fide logical flaws of a number of the popular arguments in intermural and intramural Christian apologetics today! Okay, now try explaining these flaws to some of these particular apologists and get ready for the whole “I resolve only to know Christ and him crucified” spiel—these pitiful liars.)
So anyway, yeah, what you have said Russ is refreshing and encouraging actually. You can thank God for the good thing you’ve done!
Derrick, what do you think about the idea of Christian hedonism? I have not closely followed the arguments for this. However, considering Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes, is there some merit to the idea?
Being tested is a good thing. Thank You, Kwame. I think I may have tested myself and had done so without even realizing it. It's a wake up call to know also, that satan throws out tidbits of additional temptations when one isn't being as faithful as one should. This has been happening to me. I didn't take the bait, but it was out there. So, what happens after yesterday? I tried to make amends, was hit with a good dose of conviction, and admitted my mistakes. Today,I woke up ill, and my new Jeep may have grenaded just for good measure. So, I may possibly be being tested once again, to see how I handle it. This time, I look to The Bible for calm and direction. Again Kwame, thank you so much. Your post was a true blessing.
As for #2, I think that this applies to everybody, not just a question directed at Russ. As for visions and dreams, scripture is quite clear as to proper response to both those who have them, and to others who evaluate them. I read much, yet do not see the need to quote these scriptures here. They are readily available and my Concordance was quite helpful. As for #1, Let me also share what direction of the word "Blasphemy" I used, so long ago when my paragraph was first taken apart to be evaluated.There are different avenues and definitions of the word. My definition connected to ,"Irreverance toward something considered sacred or inviolatable". This is straight from Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. Yes, there are other definitions.I know what they are, and I did not intend on the other viable definitions being used. Again, my mistake for not defining which part of the definition was utilized. So, I agree with the premise of fellow Christians evaluating what others claim in the way of visions and/or dreams. As for hedonistic sensibilities of society, I know of situations where a person has utilized a form of hidden truth or what one may classify as deception to keep the respect of clergy. Is this a part of hedonistic sensibilities? It makes one wonder how often some people choose a form of pleasure or deception over just being honest and abiding by their own moral fabric and standing by it. Absolutely, there is much more to life than pleasure.
Kwame said:
"Derrick, what do you think about the idea of Christian hedonism? I have not closely followed the arguments for this. However, considering Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes, is there some merit to the idea?"
Kwame, I cannot say that I have followed any of the arguments with regard to this. How would you define "Christian hedonism"?
If you, perhaps, think this means or is related to the idea that Christians ought not go around as if they were baptized in pickle juice, as my pastor used to say. I think Christians can and should enjoy life and, within reason (and qualification), many of the things offered.
Is that what you mean or are you thinking something else.
Derrick
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