Questions, I reckon...

Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.


When Paul uses all this 'accounting jargon' what does he mean?
When are we justified? -
When our account reaches zero?
When our account has the righteousness of Christ as a debit?
When some of our own righteous works are debited? Can we even contribute?

How far above zero do we have to be to be saved?

If we are imputed, counted or reckoned to be debt free, are we also imputed, counted, reckoned to have a positive balance on account?
If so, how much, who put it there, and whose is it?

Who errs?

Mat 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

They erred, not knowing the scriptures. Apparently the ability to not err comes from knowing the scripture. Which would mean that the scriptures are without err wouldn't it?

Romans 8:14

A Christian believes that there are two forces at work on an individual's life - good and evil. He believes that there are only these two at work, no middle ground. No neutral decisions.
Essentially every one of his decisions are made with this at work behind the scenes, in his conscience as it were. If this premise is true, then it also stands to reason that when several Christians assemble and they make a corporate decision they are also affected by this phenomenon. Either their decision is good or their decision is evil.

Most Christians would call for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their individual and corporate affairs. Alas, Jesus himself said that where "two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst".

Is it a safe induction to say that the Holy Spirit is present giving guidance and inspiration to individual and corporate decisions made? Perhaps a distinction should even be made between individual and corporate decisions. Is there some number needed for a quorum? Jesus said two or three.

Is there something wrong with this logic?

Observations from the bow

It's amazing to me how that some will go to such intellectual lengths to prove that going to intellectual lengths is not recommended.
Then when they see that their Logical Ship: Hypocrite is shown to be quite unseaworthy, how reluctant they are to grab on to the lifesaver marked Belief.

word or Word?

I guess that I have always viewed God as somehow controlling the hand of the Biblical authors as they wrote the words that they were inspired to write. Whether or not it happened in just this way, I knew that God was involved somehow.
However, others say that the Bible is simply a collection of some historians, poets, dreamers, and other motley associated people and their thoughts, recollections and observations. Maybe this is true. To be honest, I am tired. Tired of trying to boil it down to either/or. Black or white. Yes or no. Right or wrong.
Even though I really believe it is one way or the other and that the character of God is stake, I like to think that this whole issue maybe doesn't matter that much.

And, yet... that is so unsatisfactory.

Freedom of press(ure)

Usually when I’m fearful, my heart beats faster and my palms begin to sweat. Now is one of those times. The United States Government’s First Amendment has included in it’s content freedom of the press, or freedom to write or express what one will. However, as a basic right of humans created in the image of God, is this really an expectation that is reasonable? Is this something that we are entitled to in light of the Holy Scripture?
For some reason our country, The United States of America, seen fit to adopt as one of her guiding principles the right of her citizens to express themselves in poetry or prose. Was this because her founding fathers were denied this right at some other time prior to their organization? Of course. They were denied this privilege to some degree or another in some countries of Europe and then to a different degree by England when it became apparent what this upstart young rebellious group of people were striving for. Liberty!
In truthfulness, that is not always what this country has experienced since then. Consider the plight of the Native American, the African American and other oppressed peoples throughout the course of history. But, the point remains, we desire to have the freedom to write and express what is on our minds.
However, this is dangerous. Anyone can see that. One author has an essay titled “Ideas have consequences”. Stirring addresses have been written. Revolutionary books have been penned. Piercing poetry has been composed. Jokers write to make people laugh. Hucksters write to turn a buck. Professors write to impress. Journalists write to spread bad news. Prophets write because their bones are burning.
Does the Bible support the freedom to write without worry of censorship? I think it does. If you don’t, then how will we resolve this dilemma? Who has the right to expression? The oldest? The wisest? The furthest up the church ladder?
Some churches have taken it upon themselves to monitor material written by their members. This is prudent. However, if the iron fist descends in judgement upon the erring soul, what is the judgement bar? Is it the Word of God? Or, is it men’s writings that are used to determine whether the judged has indeed transgressed?
I think that our fellowship has built and nurtured a system that oppresses our own thinkers and writers from expressing thoughts and writing articles that may seem to threaten the Establishment. Do we have something that cannot weather a little criticism? Are we afraid that our doctrine and system may tumble under the lightest scrutiny? I say no! Let the flood gates of opinion and careful exegesis both open. We will be the better for it.

How do you know that?

You can never know too much...

Dan. 12:4, Ecc. 12:12