The Trinity is a great topic; let's focus this on the question of the effect it has on how we live in the world. Specifically, is there such a thing as a proper attitude or perspective that is the guiding principle of our faith? If so, what does it look like? Check out this quote below from William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury during WWII, as he talks about salvation in the Trinity:
"All is of God; the only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed."
A few questions to think about:
1) How are we capable of goodness?
2) If Temple is to be believed, is our free will truly a gift or a curse?
3) What does it mean to be "human"?
See you Wednesday night!
Bailey
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's About Attitude
A new topic from Bailey.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Quite an interesting topic, and I'm upset that I have to miss the first part of the conversation tonight! That said, I'll throw in a couple counter-questions:
1) What reason is there to assume that we are only capable of badness? In other words, why do we attribute all of our goodness to God, but we don't attribute all of our badness to another entity?
2) "All is of God," but, as T. Colliander wrote, "It is for us to begin. If we take one step towards the Lord, he takes ten towards us - he who saw the prodigal son while he was yet at a distance, and had compassion and ran and embraced him." So (a) why should we assume that our free will is either gift or curse (not a combination), and secondly, (b) aren't we responsible for taking the "first steps" either way?
3) What does it mean to be "divine"? (I'm not really serious about this, but it's a nice corollary to your question).
In relation to Bailey's points (first typing was 'pints' - appropriately!):
a and b) We are made "in the image of God" and, as such, we are intrinsically capable of goodness. This goodness is both concordant with our spiritual "design", and with the will of God, so is "of God." That Temple states that sin is the only thing that is "his very own" is not to suggest that he, intrinsically, is not capable of "good." It suggests that the good which stems from him is in line with his God-given purpose, and thus is not truly his own. Sin, however, is not of God, but is possible because we are made in God's image (i.e. we have free will). Sin is an abuse of that will, stemming collectively from us as a species - and is thus our own.
To address Kelly's point 2: I would argue that it is both a gift and a curse. Without free will, our lives would be utterly meaningless. However, we seem largely incapable of responsibly weilding that free will.
I have no words to express effectively what it means to be divine - though I can "see" it. That reminds me of a topic I meant to raise on here. I'll get to that soon :-)
I would like to comment on the quote that my husband posted by Archbishop Temple. I agree with the statement made:"All is of God; the only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed." However, I would like to add an addition to the quote which I think is of value. Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause and we do have control over how we redeem our sins, but I believe that there is a HUGE factor that is worth mentioning.
--OUR GIFTS!!
Our abilities, talents and gifts so to speak, are from God. No doubt there. However, what WE do with those gifts is what is of importance. We can have the most amazing effects on how we live and the way we live based on our gifts alone. The possibilities on how we can reach and touch others-- not just ourselves, is endless. I'm by any means not ignoring my husband's questions- but instead I would rather spend my time thinking about how my "gifts" effect just not my life, but the lives of others instead of attempting to answer questions like #2. (however, if I am to answer, I would say nothing that is given to us, is a curse.)
Perhaps Temple was focusing too much of sin- (though it is worth much contemplation), I would rather say my prayers, and re-focus on what are my gifts, and more importantly, what I do with them. God knew we would sin, Romans 3: 23 . However, focusing on sin we miss the big picture-- Jesus. Acts 2:38
We should think ourselves as instruments capable of extraordinary things through God and with God!
Nicely put, Sara. It seems to me that, if one focusses too heavily on the negative, there is a danger of losing focus and failing to take responsibility for putting our lives to best use.
That said, I think Temple's point is not aimed to dwell on the negative, but to cirumvent the potential smugness that could result from claiming goodness as our own.
Sara, I agree with you about gifts. God gave us these gifts, but it is our respnsibility on how to use them. And we are gifts from God ourselves. My name means God's gift in Greek.
Post a Comment