Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.

[BlessedLovedByGod]

[h=5]Ed Lapiz Notes
[/h][h=5]God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

How can an infinite human comprehend an infinite God?

That is why religious discourse leads to discord and quarrel: people try to contain all the water of the ocean in an incapable tiny earthen vessel.

Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.[/h]

 

[Tintin]

Debating and arguing are two very different things. Debating is beneficial but arguing is just fruitless.

 

[RedTent]

I didn't learn much from my Mother. She did not believe in talking things over, said it was arguing.

My Dad and I would get away from her so we could, what she called, argue. I learned a lot from him.

So, as my kids were growing up, I would set the timer for three minutes. Then, as we were doing something boring like washing dishes together, we would pick a subject to discuss. I would write out two sides to it. Even as young teens, some could get pretty intense, like sex before marriage. They each drew a paper with a side written on, we had decided they weren't to choose. They spoke on that side for three minutes when they switched and spoke on the other side for three more. Then we would often talk about it together. They grew up close to the church, and their choices have always been good ones.

When people post using blanket condemning, or condemn people instead of saying why they think something is not right, or argue without love, that is different. That never leads to God, but I think arguing does.

 

[Angela53510]

I think we are talking more about Christian maturity. Mature Christians can discuss the Bible and learn from each other. I know for many years I could not do that - I always ended up arguing. Lately, better, but still on a journey, aren't we all?

I pray that part of growing in the grace of God for all of us, is learning to respect one another, even if we disagree on theology and in a major way.

 

[crossnote]

Ed Lapiz Notes


God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

How can an infinite human comprehend an infinite God?

That is why religious discourse leads to discord and quarrel: people try to contain all the water of the ocean in an incapable tiny earthen vessel.

Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.

He is talking about the incomprehensiveness of God but Jesus has revealed Him as well as Scripture up to a point. It is that which has been revealed that debate goes on with those who deny what is revealed. The Apostle Paul had many debates in which he defended the faith without trivializing or vulgarizing God.

 

[tribesman]

Ed Lapiz Notes


God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

How can an infinite human comprehend an infinite God?

That is why religious discourse leads to discord and quarrel: people try to contain all the water of the ocean in an incapable tiny earthen vessel.

Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.

That is a pretty blunt statement. Christians have to discern/judge what is sound doctrine. It's not an option.

 

[teuful_hunden]

Ed Lapiz Notes


God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

How can an infinite human comprehend an infinite God?

That is why religious discourse leads to discord and quarrel: people try to contain all the water of the ocean in an incapable tiny earthen vessel.

Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.

prove that point. don't just throw things out there because you personally don't like it

 

[Elizabeth619]

Has anyone noticed the OP posts all types of threads then never responds back to them? Some of these threads consist of content that isn't at all scriptural.

 

[hattiebod]

Yes....there was 9 different threads started in one forum yesterday...bit odd? <><

 

[Ariel82]

I think its pointless to debate about the existence of God, because you either have faith that has been given to you from God. or you don't.

most of the time you don't because your heart is harden and eyes blinded to receive His truth.

However religious discourse about subjects such as how one best follows God's will, why certain Laws God has given to govern our behavior is beneficial, God's blessings and promises, Jesus life, death and resurrection, etc are very useful and does not trivialize or vulgarize the Divine at all. It is fulfilling what God tells us to do: meditating upon those things that are good and fruitful so that we might learn wisdom.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

 

[2Tim3vs16]

I agree "Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine." But he's not "mysterious" to people who are studying and examining the deeper things of the Bible together. Have you ever read the scripture at 1 Tim 3:16? Right, there it tells us that God's word is for teaching and setting things straight.

I've noticed that many people who argue about God are also the same ones who say they love and represent him. They are also the one's who do not know the God that Christ Jesus, himself, worshiped. Did you know that Jesus is in subjection to someone higher, identified in the Bible as the Almighty Father, God, YHWH?..The Father who loves his son (John 3:35)

See, no reason for confusion and quarreling if we just read the Bible with the kind of open heart that God is looking for.

 

[2Tim3vs16]

So then we share something scriptural that applies to the original post. If spiritually mature "Christians" here, are using the Bible as their reference as they should be, there will be no cause for the"...religious discourse (that) leads to discord and quarrel".

If spiritually mature ones are lovingly accepting the responsibility to help the spiritually young ones, then they identify the disconnect and engage the new ones to see things from the Bibles point of view, because that is God's point of view. Otherwise, why should they reply to just more personal opinions?

 

[1still_waters]

Ed Lapiz Notes


God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

How can an infinite human comprehend an infinite God?

That is why religious discourse leads to discord and quarrel: people try to contain all the water of the ocean in an incapable tiny earthen vessel.

Debating about God only trivializes and vulgarizes the Divine.

But the statement below is in fact an argument about what the author feels are aspects of God.

God is God: infinite, mysterious, transcendent.
Human is human: finite, plain, limited.

 

[Ariel82]

oh the irony.....

 

[iTOREtheSKY]

Has anyone noticed the OP posts all types of threads then never responds back to them? Some of these threads consist of content that isn't at all scriptural.

I'm glad someone else took notice of this as well...I counted 44 threads started in 6 different categories in the past few days alone by this one member.

 

[AgapeSpiritEyes]

Is their arguement and debate in Heaven? If Phil 4:8 and then James 3:1f For me i will not argue and debate, in the past i did, even if i was overwhelming i still lost, but to each their own choice and decision, the reason i lost is because the Lord told me that, "you(i) do not have to prove anything to anyone, that it is sacred to be a teacher with a grave pending weight of Judgement let others say what they will for HE will judge me for every word i say not what someone else says, so i remembered to be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to anger, for the anger of man is not the Innocence (Justice)of God.

 

[crossnote]

In our effort to help younger christians in the faith, who have sincere questions, there comes those who bring in heresies and confusion,..what are you going to do? Watch the wolves in sheeps clothing?

 

[BlessedLovedByGod]

Theological debates and arguments about God will never end but will always end up in quarrels and further divisions among "believers".

Has any debater changed her/his mind after hearing the other side? No! Debaters only further harden their hearts/positions since they either really believe their view of God or they really need to win debates.

Those who argue about God are like frogs leaping with all their might, against each other, to reach the clouds. Everyone gets spent and no one succeeds.

Frogs would do best to not dare touch the sky; they should just sit back, relax, believe the sky is there, and enjoy the sight.

 

[BlessedLovedByGod]

Thank You for following me!

I'm glad someone else took notice of this as well...I counted 44 threads started in 6 different categories in the past few days alone by this one member.

 

[crossnote]

There is a time on these forums when 'debate' goes too far...
Just substitute 'tongue' for 'fingers on the keyboard'.....

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(Jas 3:5-18)