Bob Thune 2004-06-21
From Summa Bergania
From : David Bergan
Sent : Monday, June 21, 2004 4:17 PM
To : Bob Thune, Jr
Subject : The aliens rejected me
Hi again Pastor Bob,
Happy first day of summer. It would be fun to be abducted by aliens, but alas, I must not have the qualities they are looking for. The girl who has had my emotions on a roller coaster is not Julie... Julie and I didn't really develop into much of a relationship, and we decided to stop seeing each other around Easter. She's an exceptionally nice girl (I haven't dated a nicer one in my life), but we had different worldviews and goals. I do wonder about Julie from time to time...
Ok, so how am I coming on my assignment? I think the easiest way to proceed is to go by section through Archer's chapter and note my reactions. Then you can take the reactions that you disagree with and tear them to shreds. ;)
Chapter 2: The inspiration of the Old Testament
I) Evidence for the unique inspiration of the Bible
-In the fourth paragraph, Archer remarks that apart from Judaism/Christianity, there is no one clear answer to the question "What must I do to be saved?" I'm not sure that Christians are all that unanimous on the question, either. Some denominations state that you have to recite the 'sinners prayer' for salvation. Lutherans say that faith alone is the answer. Wesleyans say that faith is only the first step to sanctification, the rest is works. Charismatics tell me that speaking in tongues is the only sure way of knowing one's salvation, while others say that speaking in tongues is entirely meaningless. Pelagius thought that infants were born innocent and pure. Catholics require baptism. The Church of Christ requires baptism by immersion. The Latter Day Saints require marriage. And Calvinists say there is nothing we can do to be saved... God made the choice already before we were born. Christians have killed each other over these views.
Harder yet is that I don't think the New Testament is totally unanimous. The parable of the Good Samaritin and the Sheep and the Goats seem to suggest that salvation is totally dependent on your works, even when you are of the wrong religion (ie. the Samaritin, and not the Levite or the priest gains eternal life). The instructions to the rich young ruler, the story of the buried treasure, and the pearl of great price all suggest that none are saved without selling all that they have to the poor. But in other parts Jesus heals people with the words "Your faith has made you well" and all the world knows that St. Paul believes that it is by faith we are saved through grace... but that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling. St. John tells us to be comforted knowing that we are saved.
Anyway the point isn't to start a new discussion about what it takes to be saved (I favor the Wesleyan position... it melds both faith and works together), but to point out that what Archer uses against non-Christians can be used against us as well. He says, "The end result of four thousand years of human investigation and philosophic inquiry has, apart from the Bible itself, been hopeless disagreement and confusion in the whole area of religion." And I'm saying that if we take a step back and look at Christianity, we find just as much disagreement... disagreement in the Bible and in its interpretation.
-His point in paragraph 5 about how people of equal intelligence, upbringing, etc will likely agree on issues of science, but not on issues of religion is interesting.
-The last paragraph asks a great question: How do we know the will of God for our lives? That's one I've struggled with for years. In one sense the answer is easy: love God and love your neighbor. More specifically we can follow the Bible that we should care for widows and orphans, be people of justice and truth, and repent of our sins. But what about questions like, "Should I go to grad school?" "Should I continue to go out with this girl?" "Should I find a new line of work?"
Those are the questions that aren't cleanly answered in the Bible or any holy book. Yet I think that God does have a Will in them. I think the Holy Spirit leads the faithful to right things at the right time in the right way. Witness St. Augustine, St. Paul, Hudson Taylor, John Wesley, Martin Luther, Mother Theresa, Jonah, Bonhoeffer, and CS Lewis. Archer says somewhat sarcastically that if the Bible isn't inspired, then God has to reveal His Will "to each individual of each successive generation"... and that such a situation is unlikely. I don't think it is at all. The general rules of God's Will are written down in the Bible, but also written on the hearts of all men (Romans 2:15). The specifics of God's Will are worked out between people of faith and the Holy Spirit.
I write too much... I have to stop here for today, and all I have covered were the introductory remarks - nothing of much substance to the real issues or proofs. Anyway, let me know your thoughts so far and we can march forward together.
Kindly,
David
--David Bergan
"I wish I had never been born," she said. "What are we born for?"
"For infinite happiness," said the Spirit. "You can step out into it at any moment..."
-CS Lewis (The Great Divorce)
