In Reply to: Re: We do need fantasy posted by Donny on March 08, 2003 at 10:28:36:
Hi Donny. I think we hit on a really good subject for discussion, one that appears to be glossed over in most studies on theology. While I certainly agree with you that the Lord gave man the ability to imagine, (IE. Adam was given the privilege to name all the creatures that God created and that certainly reguired an active imagination.) the fact is that the fall corrupted that faculty allowing such to be used for evil. When I do a search on the subject in the scriptures I find that Satan makes great use of man's imagination to prevent man from even realizing that God exists or even realizing that every man and woman will stand one day before the Lord to be judged as to where they will spend eternity. The condemnation that caused the Lord to destroy this world by a flood (Apart from their filling the world with violence.) was because the imaginations of men's hearts were only evil continually. I cannot find even one reference where man's imagination is commended. Man because of his tainted imagination is not even in a position to properly judge for himself (apart from God's Word) whether his thoughts are considered good in God's sight or not. In my view the imagination like everything else that the Lord has given man, has for the most part been used for evil. (selfish immoral objectives) While it is a fact that the imagination can be used in service to God, I am sure that most would agree that such cases, pertain to the, 'exception' and not the rule. You think for example that I am deluded re: Billy Graham and Rome, but have you read the recent document that Rome has produced claiming that no one is saved apart from the Catholic Church and that Protestant Churches are phoney and that if a Protestant should happen to be saved it is because of grace proceeding from the Catholic Church? The choice will be made even clearer in the days ahead, IE. The Pope as your God or Jesus Christ as your God. Billy Graham is a traitor to the cause of Jesus Christ, pure and simple. Remember, that the Lord Himself was betrayed with a kiss. Remember also that Judas was an apostle. Read the following article(the link)and see for yourself.
WHO IS YOUR LORD & SAVIOR ROME OR JESUS CHRIST?
A decisive moment is now before Evangelicals in the Christian world. In the Roman Catholic document, "Dominus Iesus" Rome has declared her position as the sole depository of salvation and has adamantly declared that churches since the Reformation are not churches in the proper sense. Now, leading evangelical pastors in Canada have written a rebuttal of Rome’s claim. They urge you to endorse the refutation that they have drafted. In this way, a stand is made for truth in these tumultuous times of false ecumenism.
<a href='http://www.bereanbeacon.org/canpas.htm'
Canadian Pastors Answer Rome's "Dominus Iesus"</a>