Post by Josh on Nov 17, 2012 22:43:05 GMT -8
We're starting a 3 part study on the book of Titus tomorrow.
In reading through chapter one, I'm struck by the fact that I've had several conversations with different people about the respective and intertwining roles of knowledge and faith lately, and that's exactly the idea that kicks off the book of Titus:
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,...
On another note: if God does not lie, does that mean that God cannot lie or that He merely never chooses to do so? I think the former (see Hebrews 6:18, which seems to indicate that it is impossible for God to lie). How can God be truly omnipotent if there are things he cannot do? Well, the only way to reconcile it is to appeal to His very nature. The reason God cannot lie is because His very nature is Truth, and He cannot both be Himself and not be Himself.
12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”[c] 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
I was knew someone who was really bothered by Paul's apparent approval of a gross judgmental stereotype regarding Cretans. Thoughts?
Regarding Elders, I think it's interesting that Elder Chris is teaching this one
In reading through chapter one, I'm struck by the fact that I've had several conversations with different people about the respective and intertwining roles of knowledge and faith lately, and that's exactly the idea that kicks off the book of Titus:
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,...
On another note: if God does not lie, does that mean that God cannot lie or that He merely never chooses to do so? I think the former (see Hebrews 6:18, which seems to indicate that it is impossible for God to lie). How can God be truly omnipotent if there are things he cannot do? Well, the only way to reconcile it is to appeal to His very nature. The reason God cannot lie is because His very nature is Truth, and He cannot both be Himself and not be Himself.
12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”[c] 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith
I was knew someone who was really bothered by Paul's apparent approval of a gross judgmental stereotype regarding Cretans. Thoughts?
Regarding Elders, I think it's interesting that Elder Chris is teaching this one