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Wednesday, October 04, 2006

5 Questions

As evidence that I do not profess to have all things figured out (as questioned by some), and as a way from taking a break from my blog for the rest of the week, I offer these five questions for discussion:

5. Can someone please hire Lou Pinella as a manager for next year so that we don't have to listen to him on Fox broadcasts? Anyone else willing to take up a collection to make this happen?

4. How should you respond when your child celebrates the discipline of a sibling?

3. Was it foolish to trade players (in my fantasy football league) to make myself stronger in the playoffs when I'm not even playoff eligible right now?

2. Where did this idea that disciples and believers are distinct from one another come from? (And no Brad, I will not accept that dispensationalism is to blame!)

1. No one would watch a football game, if all the players were only as talented as the viewer. No one would go to an art museum if all of the art was only as good as what the attender could produce. No one would want to watch a movie if the actors were only as talented (and as good looking) as the viewer. Why is that? Why in a society where self is exulted do we delight in seeing things superior to ourselves? (Actually, Piper has a great answer. HT: JT)

[Not listed: Obvious questions like, "Is Tressel the best coach in NCAA?" "Can the Buckeyes win the national championship?" "Should every Bengals fan be worried about their inability to stop the run and vunerable offensive line?" The goal is to get conversation started.]

posted by danny2 @ 9:33 AM  

10 Comments:

  • At 2:45 PM, Blogger Brad said…

    Hey now, you know that wasn't my answer. It came from a much more reliable source with whom I was only agreeing.

     

  • At 3:02 PM, Blogger ~~anna~~ said…

    Don't know the answers to any of your questions, but did you see the Colts/jets game on Sunday? We watched it with Mexican coverage. Bob and I were going crazy the last three minutes of that one!
    We got so excited over the last 8 seconds with the Jets performance, that John in the next apartment thought there was a problem out on the street taking place! That was wild!!!!!

     

  • At 8:12 PM, Blogger danny2 said…

    actually, i told her stop it AND she was next.

     

  • At 4:59 AM, Blogger Brad said…

    I remember my "Words and Works of Jesus" professor at Master's addressing #2.

    He said that although he agreed with JM's conclusion on lordship salvation, he disagreed with one of his premises, namely that "believer" and "disciple" were synonymous during the earthly ministry of Christ.

    He pointed out that some believers (like the twelve) were called to leave everything and follow Jesus while others (like Legion's host) were encouraged rather to return to their homes and families.

    In this professor's opinion, the term "disciple" applied primarily to those with this more extensive calling. Others, he said, were believers but not disciples in this fuller sense.

    I don't know if his distinction holds true; matter of fact, I'm pretty sure it doesn't, but even if it did, it certainly wouldn't hold the weight placed upon it by "free grace" folks.

     

  • At 8:53 AM, Blogger danny2 said…

    i would say that's a bit of a stretch by your professor.

    it seems that with "the artist formerly know as legion" was actually commissioned to go back home and share what has happened. we don't see him given a lazy, doesn't impact your life mission, rather we seem him traveling about the whole city, declaring the great things Jesus has done.

    certainly, every disciple is not the same as the 12 disciples...just as all 12 are not the same as the 3. it seems silly to not notice an obvious distinction there.

    on the discussion board (from pulpit), i'd have to agree with the man who stated we find no where in Scripture that we are commissioned to merely make converts. i would also add that we find nowhere in Scripture that we can be contented that at least a person is a convert if they are resistant to becoming a disciple...personally, the concept of a genuine convert who chooses not to become a disciple sounds impossible to me.

     

  • At 12:49 PM, Blogger Brad said…

    I agree. The general distinction seems wholly unmerited by the scriptures.

    Can I get you to concede that there is at least some connection between the reign and the lordship of Christ to the extent that one's view of the former could influence one's view of the latter?

     

  • At 4:16 PM, Blogger danny2 said…

    i don't think you can.

    here's why:

    i've been listening, for quite some time now, to you saying that you view Christ as reigning in a more superior way than dispensationalists.

    i just don't see it.

    i don't deny God's sovereignty over everything, nor that Christ is seated at the right hand of God. but that which you must make figurative, or must try to explain as happening in an indistinguisable way, i see as literally coming in the future.

    it does not mean that i don't see Christ as ruling now. He is. it's just that i'm also waiting for the day when He will rule in Jerusalem, literally seated on a throne there.

    do some dispee's diminsh the rule of Christ now to try to articulate His future rule, probably? do i think you must say Christ is not ruling now to believe He will rule in the futre? i don't see it.

    clarify this for me (on your blog if you want.) in what ways to you see Christ ruling or sovereign that I am not willing to concede?

     

  • At 10:13 PM, Blogger Brad said…

    I want you to know how much I appreciate your interaction. Thank you.

    I have answered. Check the first comment on the most recent post.

     

  • At 8:29 AM, Blogger danny2 said…

    look forward to checking it out!

     

  • At 1:00 PM, Blogger David Mohler said…

    Excellent dialogue.

    I am reminded of James' statement, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder."

    Then he immediately follows with, "But are you willing to recognize you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?"

    It seems that this is a scriptural basis for understanding that belief and discipleship are inextricably linked. Disciples, having the mind of Christ, do the works of their master through the power of the Holy Spirit.

    I just don't see two classes of Christians supported by scripture: some who take up their cross daily (disciples) and others who do not (believers). All who profess must put their hand to the plow and not look back -- or they are not fit for the kingdom of God.

     

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