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paradox
[par-uh-doks] –noun
1. a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.
2. a self-contradictory and false proposition.
3. any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature.
4. an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.
Paradox is one of the coolest words.
As Christians we can accept that Jesus was 100% man and 100% God. But we really butt heads on the rest of the bibles apparent paradox's. For 400 years a paradox of a sort has battled it out.
Calvinism and Arminianism
And sure there are many more. But these two have a way of bring out the most in Christians. At the core of beliefs, even more than spiritual gifts. I've been reading about both of these for a while now, and while I lean far to one side, I can still see the others points fairly clearly. I'm still trying to leave room for God to lead, but I'm struck with a question. Why isn't it clearer in the bible? Why not just say it plainly? I think I'm fairly smart, but I could see great confusion for some people I know, (for most people I know).
I'm beginning to think I should be taking my faith, my salvation, my practices and my belief system more seriously. Sure I'm glad I'm saved, but I should be grateful. I should be more humbled than I have been. I should be more thankful for all the Lord has given me. (and taken from me).
And there is another paradox;
fulfillment and discontent
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Jamie! i love this theology talk! this is my first time getting around to reading your blog, but so glad i did! you should add the "subscribe" feature so peeps can get updated when you post! And, on a sidenote, if anything by CS Lewis is on your book list, you are a really smart guy!
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liz mc
Paradox - seems funny to read this from you and your struggles with your "dad" figure and how I hated him, truly hated him because I felt he was trying to be my dad too and I so didn't want that, and I still don't. I remember us when he first came into your family, our family. He did, and I assume he still does, love you. I used to be mad at him because I thought he loved your sister more, which he may have, but he still loved you. He just didn't show his love the way you might have thought he should. Wow, I can't believe I am sticking up for this man! He was tough, he was tough on all of us, even his biological kids, and me. He tried to keep us out of harms way by impossing strict rules, but that only made us mad and we defied his ways, just like we do with our Heavenly Father. We, especially as teenagers, think we know it all. Your dad came into your life when you were a preteen, so much had happened right before that. How could you trust a man after what you had just been through with the father figure that had just departed this life? There was resentment in all of us when he married your mom, but I think that was fear. That was when your mom lost her husband to a horrible death, then the church shunned us because she married again. That was a lot of loss for us, especially when we were so young. Another way he used to show his love is through his picking on you, and me for that matter. Remember when he used to tease, relentlessly, when one of us would start dating? In your case, when a girl would call he would make kissing noises when you would get on the phone or make fun of you when you got ready for prom or a date? I think that was his way of saying, "You're awesome!" So he didn't say the right words, maybe because he didn't know how or because he wasn't shown how, or it felt embarassing to him, I don't know, but he was proud of you. I also remember him rushing you to the emergency room, a few times, whether it was for all those bees stinging you or for when you were climbing the fence and it went through your lip. He stayed calm while all of us, including your mom, went hysterical. He made sure you were ok. Maybe the reason he was harder on you than his eldest son was because he saw and felt the pain that you would cause your mother and he couldn't deal with that. He knew (knows) just how much your mom loves you and maybe he just couldn't bare to watch what was happening to you, in the past, hurt your mom. I know I can't speak for him, or on his behalf, because I am not him. He may never be able to actually have a conversation with you but try not to judge him for that. I think he may be afraid of the whole religion aspect of your life and feel intimidated by that. I certainly don't remember him ever commenting about his faith when I was living at home. He may feel that you will "impose" your faith upon him and he is not able to tolerate that. I love you, always have even when you were living on the streets. I couldn't even deal with you when you were on drugs and hurting yourself and I even felt that when you first found Christ again that it was a scam, but I was also didn't have faith in Christ and was questioning Christ. Considering what kind of work your dad did, working with inmates and such, they quite often say "They found God" just so they can be released from prison early, I know my ex continues to use that excuse for me to talk to him, but... that is a whole other story. Jamie, give him time, maybe ask God why it is he is keeping your dad from you. Maybe instead of meeting your dad on your terms, you can meet him on his - like at a race track where he doesn't Have to give you his full attention and he can use the scenario as metaphors to his relation to you and maybe you need to let him know that you will not impose your religious beliefs on him, as he may feel very threatened by that. I will pray that you get your answer(s) on this. I love you! Your Auntie :-)
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