Seeking Answers…Finding More Questions Part 4: How Does God Interact with Me? Seeking Answers A Study in Ecclesiastes Lesson 4, December 14, 2011
Today’s Scripture 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. -- II Timothy 3:16-17
Thought for Today "When humans should have become as perfect in voluntary obedience as the inanimate creation is in its lifeless obedience, then they will put on its glory, or rather that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch." -- C. S. Lewis
Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it. -- Benjamin Franklin
The World of the Dualist Both are independent and self-existent. After Creation, there is no interaction of the Super-natural with the Natural
Igor’s World: The World of the Naturalist Nature: The Whole of Everything There is Nothing More There is nothing out here!!! Problem: If anything exists that is not explained by Cause and Effect, there must be something beyond Nature -- the Supernature A vacuum, void, nothingness
Hebrews 7 1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Deductive Reasoning in God’s Word
Romans 5:19 – 6:2 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Inductive Reasoning in God’s Word With False First Premise
Igor’s World: The World of the Naturalist Nature: The Whole of Everything There is Nothing More There is nothing out here!!! Problem: If anything exists that is not explained by Cause and Effect, there must be something beyond Nature -- the Supernature A vacuum, void, nothingness
The Supernatural is: self-existent, infinite, omniscient, omnipotent. Does God Interact with Me? The Supernatural Can, Has, Will, or Does Interact With the Natural: Creation (Gen 1:1-2) Propagation (Gen 1:3) Sustenance (Matt 5:45) Judgment (Gen 1:4; Heb 9:27) Providence (Job 10:12 NIV, Gen 50:20) Termination (2 Peter 2:10) Intervention With Cause (Ex 14:21) Without Cause: Natural Law Suspended or Superseded by the Supernatural (John 11:43) Natural Revelation (Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20-25) Special Devine Revelation Incarnation (Luke 1:29-33) The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-7) Inspiration (2 Tim 3:16-17)
The Supernatural is: self-existent, infinite, omniscient, omnipotent. Does God Interact with Me? The Supernatural Can, Has, Will, or Does Interact With the Natural: Creation (Gen 1:1-2) Propagation (Gen 1:3) Sustenance (Matt 5:45) Judgment (Gen 1:4; Heb 9:27) Providence (Job 10:12 NIV, Gen 50:20) Termination (2 Peter 3:10) Intervention With Cause (Ex 14:21) Without Cause: Natural Law Suspended or Superseded by the Supernatural (John 11:43) Natural Revelation (Ps 19:1; Rom 1:20-25) Special Devine Revelation Incarnation (Luke 1:29-33) The Resurrection (Luke 24:1-7) Inspiration (2 Tim 3:16-17)