So why do we discuss this? What is the point? To understand. But there is this: one cannot actually understand God, and I'm not sure we are really called to understand God. God gives us everything we need to know in the Bible about himself in one phrase "God is love." Or perhaps what would be a better example is "I am the I am." So let us focus on things such as this.
One student said that debates on doctrine such as this one could be viewed as iron sharpening iron, perhaps. The sad truth is that many are not sharpened in the right way through debates such as this one. For many in discussions such as this, we do not seek the truth, but we seek to prove ourselves correct. Perhaps debate would be a better word. And if we debate with no interest in actually pursuing the truth, then we cannot debate in a healthy way and ought not to.
So when Plantinga talks about the Fall in Engaging God's World, I'm not sure if I see the benefit in a lot of what Plantinga had to say. We must understand that we are fallen, we must understand that we cannot save ourselves, that no act we do is going to bring us salvation. We must understand that our only hope lies in Jesus Christ, but why all of this other stuff? Do we really have to figure God out? Do we really have to know of this total depravity? In fact, it is very possible that our finite minds cannot understand a lot of the doctrine of the Bible (because it was written by an infinite mind).
My final point is this: If no act or knowledge of our own can save ourselves, or others, and God is an infinite being that lives outside of time and space, what does knowing this doctrine do for us? Clearly, an understanding of total depravity will not help you win someone for God because an act or knowledge of our own cannot bring someone to salvation. Only Jesus Christ can bring someone to the Lord.
Just a disclaimer, I am not trying to trash doctrine or witnessing or anything, but this is just something that has been battling in my mind for a few years now.
In Christ,
Ben
I agree with you. Denominations are not all that important. Even if a person says that they discuss to find truth, it is inevitable to mix personal feelings in a debate.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also used to think like you about how unnecessary is to know some things. But I've come to see that trying to understand knowledge beyond us makes us realize how much important God's grace and presence is. For example with total depravity, because one knows one is depraved, one can understand that one needs grace, and thus Jesus Christ.
Ben, I understand where your frustration lies with doctrine/theological debates. And to some degree I will agree with you. But this is just something to think about; when you said you do not really think we are meant to understand God. Yes, we will never fully understand God but we are still told to seek him (in the sense of the knowledge of God). After all, the bible has countless stories of people who knew God more intimately. So, I think that there is something to be said about seeking to understand the heart of God even though it can't be done completely. I hope that makes sense.
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