Former Christian
Member
- Jun 2, 2011
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Childeye and John Zain
I have to agree with John Zain on this one. Intellect and education are more often than not a hindrance to understanding reality. Intellectuals and the educated tend to interpret their observations of reality, instead of understanding reality as it is. This includes how the physical universe is understood by Evolutionists, whether Atheistic or Theistic; and how the bible is understood by Christians, regardless of denominational influence. And unfortunately there are many who follow them, not only in their interpretations, but also in their practice of interpretation.
How anyone can get the impression I’m overly intelligent or educated, let alone “brilliant”, is beyond my “great intelligence” to understand.
I know something of Koine Greek, self learned with the help of many others who understand the language far better than I.
In the view I present, I claim to understand something of what the bible says because I listen to the one teacher who knows for certain what it says. The Lord Jesus Christ. I claim that I don’t lean on my own understanding, nor the understanding of any other man or any institution. Claims that some consider impossible and impracticable. Especially when I present ideas that disagree with their own.
Intellectually I’m very ordinary. Some have said less then ordinary. Since they must themselves be extra-ordinary, they aren’t on my level to be among my friends. All of whom are as ordinary as I am.
I wouldn’t consider my education more than ordinary. I did manage to graduate high school, along with most in my class. With grades like most in my class. I’m thankful for the privilege to have been taught how to read and write adequately by the public school system. I’m thankful to have learned a modicum of common sense primarily through my father, but also others of my clan and my friends. And I’m thankful to have been granted curiosity and open mindedness, without which all the treasures physical and Spiritual would have no more meaning than my ordinary mind could conjure.
In accordance with how John Zain understands his doctrine of salvation of the believer, I am no doubt to him an unbeliever. The idea that Christians who don’t agree with a particular doctrinal standard are unbelievers is fully within the limits of Christian denominational thinking. Wherein the idea of endeavoring to keep the unity in a perceived truth overrides the idea of endeavoring to keep the unity of the one Spirit, unity of the one body, and the unity of the one life.
I could take offense and react in kind. I could “come clean” and admit he’s right. Or I could just shine it on as yet another example of the denominational character of Christianity. As extreme as what he said may appear to some on the surface.
In the view I present, if John Zain intends no harm in what he says, as implied by his use of the phrase “in my opinion”, then surely God will NOT judge him according to the judgment wherewith he judges. And neither will I.
According to the principle of forgiveness put forth by Jesus Christ, John Zain is allowed to make that same claim at least 489 more times. Who knows but that maybe he will be proven correct or change his mind before the 489th claim. Provided that forgiveness is not something conditional, based on asking for forgiveness due to an already changed mind, as is controversially thought by some.
Everything is open to controversy in Christianity. And in my opinion, it’s a wonder there aren’t more Christian denominations than there are. It could be due to God’s restraining hand. Or it could simply be due to the numerical ratio between sheep and those who consider themselves shepherds.
FC
I have to agree with John Zain on this one. Intellect and education are more often than not a hindrance to understanding reality. Intellectuals and the educated tend to interpret their observations of reality, instead of understanding reality as it is. This includes how the physical universe is understood by Evolutionists, whether Atheistic or Theistic; and how the bible is understood by Christians, regardless of denominational influence. And unfortunately there are many who follow them, not only in their interpretations, but also in their practice of interpretation.
How anyone can get the impression I’m overly intelligent or educated, let alone “brilliant”, is beyond my “great intelligence” to understand.
I know something of Koine Greek, self learned with the help of many others who understand the language far better than I.
In the view I present, I claim to understand something of what the bible says because I listen to the one teacher who knows for certain what it says. The Lord Jesus Christ. I claim that I don’t lean on my own understanding, nor the understanding of any other man or any institution. Claims that some consider impossible and impracticable. Especially when I present ideas that disagree with their own.
Intellectually I’m very ordinary. Some have said less then ordinary. Since they must themselves be extra-ordinary, they aren’t on my level to be among my friends. All of whom are as ordinary as I am.
I wouldn’t consider my education more than ordinary. I did manage to graduate high school, along with most in my class. With grades like most in my class. I’m thankful for the privilege to have been taught how to read and write adequately by the public school system. I’m thankful to have learned a modicum of common sense primarily through my father, but also others of my clan and my friends. And I’m thankful to have been granted curiosity and open mindedness, without which all the treasures physical and Spiritual would have no more meaning than my ordinary mind could conjure.
In accordance with how John Zain understands his doctrine of salvation of the believer, I am no doubt to him an unbeliever. The idea that Christians who don’t agree with a particular doctrinal standard are unbelievers is fully within the limits of Christian denominational thinking. Wherein the idea of endeavoring to keep the unity in a perceived truth overrides the idea of endeavoring to keep the unity of the one Spirit, unity of the one body, and the unity of the one life.
I could take offense and react in kind. I could “come clean” and admit he’s right. Or I could just shine it on as yet another example of the denominational character of Christianity. As extreme as what he said may appear to some on the surface.
In the view I present, if John Zain intends no harm in what he says, as implied by his use of the phrase “in my opinion”, then surely God will NOT judge him according to the judgment wherewith he judges. And neither will I.
According to the principle of forgiveness put forth by Jesus Christ, John Zain is allowed to make that same claim at least 489 more times. Who knows but that maybe he will be proven correct or change his mind before the 489th claim. Provided that forgiveness is not something conditional, based on asking for forgiveness due to an already changed mind, as is controversially thought by some.
Everything is open to controversy in Christianity. And in my opinion, it’s a wonder there aren’t more Christian denominations than there are. It could be due to God’s restraining hand. Or it could simply be due to the numerical ratio between sheep and those who consider themselves shepherds.
FC
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