In Reply to: Re: global warming and Christian faith posted by katie on June 13, 2007 at 09:59:32:
I really liked the feedback here & thanks for your
post, Katie...I totally agree with Mark about having to be responsible for your actions & living on less...but I guess that's the hard part for the "flesh"...human nature etc.
With all due respect - I think, I know what you mean- I do differ on that stance/opinion you outlined here:"Unfortunately the nature of belief often seems to be that one wouldn't even stop to consider.. "What if i'm wrong??". "
Since we're not God...not allknowing etc. nor very wise and full of diverse prophetic etc. gifts (I shun now the ones claiming to have all that)...I think we ought to continously consider: what if I made a mistake in interpreting a verse.Meanwhile I collect (via ebay) diverse interpretations (exegetical stuff) especially about Romans, as it is such a "hard nut to crack"-epistle...but before I spout off some nonsense - rather than saying I don't know (one of the few good advises of Berg!)-
I first like to see how others dealt with some heavier problems & then if I still am unsure, then I say so & obviously shouldn't blame anyone, who understands as little as I & those who are wiser usually have the gift to be convincing enough with
enough good fruits in their lifestyle (many preachers/teachers seem to miss that point...just to say, it's not just an intellectual thing/debate)
The thing I differ on is simply: what you described seems "normal" belief, but not the way I now understand belief...the kind of belief I "like"/mean is mingled with humility & not the kind who is willing to chop the opponents head off, if he disagrees...that's the way Jesus lived anyway...from what I can see.
So in a way I agee with your description of the "normal" faith-attitude.
Some stuff in the Bible is so tough, that you cannot be super dogmatic about it...it's still not understand by the smartest theologians....and that after 2000 years....however, I thing it's human pride, to get sidetracked (attracted to ) by things which are hard to understand...rather than zeroing in on things (and doing them) which we do
know and where there is no doubt about among believers.