This was might first lesson in "formal regimented logic and reasoning" versus the informal "common-sense" style of negotiated, shared, and community understandings. He asked me one question, "If you were a guest seated for dessert at Thanksgiving dinner and the host offered you a slice of pie à la mode or pineapple upside-down cake which would you take."
When faced with such a list of options, we most frequently only select one. Prudence and politeness suggests that a guest at dinner table only select one of the wonderful choices. Yet, the use or "or" in formal logic is most commonly inclusive. It means one, the other, or both. It has a logical-counterpart in formal reasoning called the exclusive-or, which denotes one or the other, but not both. It the blur of symbols that are used in modern formal logic and reasoning that more closely resembles a mathematical proof in algebra or topology, these each have unique operator-symbols associated with them. The inclusive-or is either "∨ or +",and the exclusive-or is commonly "⊕".
Yet, let us dismiss with the "high-brow, egg-headed, and rigorous" formalism. An "Ubergenius" intelligence level as measured by men is not a prerequisite for faith. We should although thank the Lord for that. Real genius is the acceptance of His Word with the innocent awe and wonder of a child...
[Mat 18:3 KJV] 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Yet, open minds of little children often become confused when biblical scholars discuss his Words numerous facets and its spiritual dynamics. Nothing is more so true that the letters of Paul that discuss the circumcision of adult Gentile converts during the growth of the early church.
[Rom 3:1-31 KJV] 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: 14 Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Now, notice that Paul never truly dispenses with the Law in this passage, yet in the end establishes it. The topic of discourse is whether the Lord shall allow the relaxation of one statute in a particular case so they Spirit of the Law might be maintained and the church might grow, especially in light of the fact that the other early Jewish believers and followers of Christ fell down in certain areas. His argument was that they should not exclude Gentile men who would rather not endure the pain of circumcision without anesthesia, seeing that many of them might be of the same temperament. The argument from this former Pharisee is why should we place this burden that we ourselves would not bear on the backs of the new Gentile converts.
Some might misconstrue portions of Paul's epistles, when taken out of context, as saying that Christ's sacrifice on the cross frees us from the "need" of following His Law as given in the Old Testament.
Yet, Christ said during His Sermon on the Mount that:
[Mat 5:17-20 KJV] 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
He did not say that men who taught others that they should disobey the Law would enter the Kingdom of Heaven and see an Eternity of Joy while classified as the least among those in Everlasting Life. What the context of the scriptures suggest is that these would be considered the lowest of men among those on earth. They would have less respect than the common criminals whose "sin" arose from their beguilement which told them that they had a Carte Blanche on sin, and could sin fragrantly and willfully as long as they simply believe that God is. Such a belief is "all" that some teach is a prerequisite for complete forgiveness. Such is not scripturally-based not based on the words of Christ Himself. In fact, such a teaching makes a mockery of Christ life and suffering.
Although the author has not read the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Theologian who protested the National Socialist Movement, he believes this is what Pastor Bonhoeffer calls "Cheap Grace".
It is one that we cheapen by the non-chalant assumption that we can act in ways that would disgrace our Heavenly Father with our disobedience, and with a "bold disrespect" say, "I no you forgive me." A force that can shape the universe, part the Red Sea, and make "time" roll backward with the reversal of the Sun's movement is not a "push-over". He, His Spirit, and His Son is Long-Suffering.
It seems that Paul himself struggled with expressing this in his epistles, In Galatians 5 with its cornerstone verses of 22-23, he starts by criticizing the Judaizer's who insisted upon the new adult Gentile male converts experiencing the pain of circumcision and conclude by saying, in summary, that if we walk in the Spirit and our guided by Him, we do nothing in violation of the Law, verse 23.
[Gal 5:1-26 KJV] 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
So, in conclusion if we walk in the Spirit, love God by following the Greatest Commandment, we need not dispense with the Law, since, by merely expressing the gifts of His Spirit, we will never be in violation of His Law.
[Rom 12:17-21 KJV] 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
[Pro 16:7 KJV] 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
So, the question is "His Love or His Law". Why not both. Zero reason exist for strife among sincere Christians, Jews, Islamists, and likely members of the other major world-faiths. We have more in common than we do in conflict. We must learn how we can "respectfully" negotiate and navigate faith boundaries among those who truly believe. Then, all of us can free ourselves from the yoke of beguilement that produces and nurtures the works of the flesh:
"18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
America is still paying a price for its rashness in 2001 and will for decades more. That horrendous was perpetrated by a few and not the millions who have suffered as a consequence, including many of our own....
Have Wondrously A Blest Week. Do not be an Evil-Doer. Then "We" can "Get Rid of These Evil-Doers".
