tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post6309713244524192352..comments2023-10-25T02:18:43.690-07:00Comments on Contend Earnestly: Faith and Reason: Do They War Against Each Other?Seth McBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765679934165890595noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-18284024790056868132009-10-16T12:40:31.776-07:002009-10-16T12:40:31.776-07:00From what I understand of Luther, his stance again...From what I understand of Luther, his stance against reason in part had to do with his view of the Sacraments. He taught and truly believed that the water of Baptism combined with the Word of God, effected and brought about the promised result. So it was that he saw the waters of Baptism truly imparting the life of God in the one being baptized. <br /><br />In the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, he taught and believed that the Word of God together with the blessing of the gifts of bread and wine truly resulted in the people of God partaking of the true body and blood of the Lord. <br /><br />He strongly preached against the Lord's Supper being merely symbolic just as he preached against Baptism being symbolic. Yet, he recognized that when the Christian believes in the Sacraments, they believe in faith that they accomplish what they represent even though reason tells them something quite different. The waters of Baptism indeed impart the life of God and the Christian who partakes of the bread and wine is partaking of Christ's body and blood. Both of these Sacraments are means of grace imparted to the believer to strengthen his spiritual walk and comfort him in times of doubt.<br /><br />As an Orthodox catehchumen, I am coming to appreciate the nous, the mind in the heart. It is through living the life of Christ and experiencing the life of the Church that I am encouraged to continue in the faith of my Fathers. <br /><br />Christ said to Thomas, "Blessed are they who believe and have not seen." The apostle John says, "For we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."<br /><br />So much of our Christian life is trusting our Heavenly Father. We believe in the Blessed Triune God, even though reason can explain it away. We believe that all things were created through Christ, even though man's reason can explain it away. Yet as we continue in belief and trust, He sustains us with innumerable gifts, the fruits of the Spirit, hope in the Resurrection, victory over sin, comfort in times of grief, courage in the face of danger. <br /><br />Christ has taken on our humanity and now we share in His divinity, being changed into His likeness.<br /><br />Christ be with you on your pilgrim's journey!Darlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01183436767997017002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-3494225416106137422009-10-15T04:59:40.457-07:002009-10-15T04:59:40.457-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.ARISTIONO NUGROHOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11874245216002643342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27391906.post-82492183977856746892009-10-14T11:52:09.016-07:002009-10-14T11:52:09.016-07:00In my dozen years of teaching/ministering/pastorin...In my dozen years of teaching/ministering/pastoring I have never heard "I just believe.' However, I am sure those people exist.<br /><br />I, the one, who unapologetically posted the quote that got you all worked up, posted it because I am recognizing more and more how much I must lean into my faith when "worldly" reason, sense and understanding tempt me to rely on what is seen and not on what is unseen - the God, who is there and surrounds us with gospel-love given daily because of what Christ has done.<br /><br />Since I resigned from my position and have no gainful employment at the moment and only have a call and the gospel promises, this quote rings true for me. Not because my trust in God is objectively "unreasonable" but because so many people think it is "unreasonable."<br /><br />I am also ok with the term blind faith. I am not so snarky and willing to parse every word uttered by people I have no other reason to trust, understand what they are saying. No one knows what the day holds for them, whether tragedy or reasons for laughter. They are blind to that as Abraham was. But they do know God and his promises and character and the gospel that even if the day holds death, they will be showered with love from their Father for all eternity.<br /><br />You see, I do not think we disagree at all - except I felt the quote needed no qualification and you did. I think it rings true for many who would never, ever say, "I just believe" or the like. I think many get it because the world tells them everyday their constancy in virtue is unreasonable their sacrificial support for the propagation of the gospel makes no sense and they are constantly misunderstood when they choose difficulty over the American Dream of ease. They get it.Matt Redmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11932597864330476492noreply@blogger.com