pmd@cbscc.UUCP (Paul Dubuc) (05/04/84)
Is that all you wan't steve? A license plate with your name on the
front and "Guess Who?" on the back? Are you making this request
of the Christian God, or a Genie in a bottle?
I don't think God really cares whether you just believe in the mere
fact of his existence. That is not all there is to being a Christian.
I think what he is really concerned with are transformed lives and
people who really love him. Saul of Tarsus (later Paul the Apostle)
did not ask to be knocked down and blinded for God to prove himself
to him (he already believed in God anyway--a devoted Pharasee). God had
mercy on him (perhaps he needed more than others) and had a purpose
in mind.
You also stated that it doesn't matter who the provider of your wish
is. (It could be Satan as well as God). Is this because you don't really
expect that knowing God's existence to be a fact shoule really change your
life? If it is the Christian God who proves his existence to you then
you are faced with the strong possibility that the Bible is true. You
might even have to start living by it... and trying to convince others
of his existence that they might be saved from Hell. I can imagine how
this would look:
God meets your request, but as in the case of Saul of
Tarsus (whom Steve mentioned as the one converted after
a life of trying to wipe out Christianity), something is
now required of you. He has just proven the truth of his
existence to you. Now you must live out all that that
existence implies.
First you must make the decision either to serve God or
go your own way knowing that what happens to those who
reject God is really true. But you've given up your free
will so you don't mind that, in a sense, you haven't much
choice but to follow God. Next comes the task of living
out the will of God which plainly includes taking advantage
of opportunites to convince others to convert.
How do you go about doing this with people you really care
about but who say, "Sorry Steve, but there is really no
reason for me to believe God even exists." Well, you whip
out your licence plate and say, "See! I've got this
licence plate. God proved his existence to me with it.
See how it glows? I asked him for it and, POOF!, there
it was in my hands, with 'Guess Who?' printed on the back
see?" Your friend just looks at you weird and wonders
where you *really* got the glow-in-the-dark licence plate.
"Sure Steve", he says, "That's fine for *you*, but for me
to believe God would have to remove my appendectomy scar
right in front of my eyes."
Why not? If God gave Steve his licence plate surely he
can remove his friend's scar. But, for some reason, God
doesn't. "Why?", Steve asks of God, "You just made a fool
out of me. My friend thinks I've gone nuts. There's no
reason for him to believe you gave me this licence plate.
Why didn't you give him reason?". God decides to answer,
"Wait a minuite. Who is the Master here? Me or you?
Am I supposed to meet every foolish request of me just
to prove to people that I exist? What did you want when
you asked for that licence plate? A relationship with
the God of the universe; or a Genie in a bottle to
fulfill your wishes and those of your friends? What kind
of God would I be then? One who is your servant.
Oh, and about that BMW you asked for last week to go along
with your license plate, sorry, I'm not sure it would be
good for you to have one. I gave you the license plate
so you would believe in me. Are you starting to have doubts?
How long will this go on?"
Well Steve, I hope you get your licence plate, but I'm not going to
ask God to give it to you, OK? As far as the Biblical God is concerned,
believing in him implies living out the implications of that belief.
James summed it up well when he said, "You believe that God is one; you
do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder. Do you want to be
shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren?"
(James 2:19-20). Your request, and others like it, fits the character
of a Genie in a bottle, not the Christian God. If he met them for you
and everyone who demanded of him, he would prove himself to be a God
unworthy of our worship.
Paul Dubuc {cbosgd, ihnp4} !cbscc!pmd
"The true light that enlightens every man was coming
into the world..." (John 1:9)rcd@opus.UUCP (05/08/84)
Well, actually, in most states Steve could just BUY the silly plate with
his name on it. You're right, he should have asked for the Mercedes right
at the start. Wait, don't hang up yet, I'm gonna get serious here.
Oh Lord, won't you buy me
A Mercedes-Benz
My friends all drive Porsches
I must make amends...
(RIP, Janis! And go listen to the words if you haven't heard it in a while.)
OK, but the serious side of the religious folks' views makes some sense -
God isn't the candyman, and let's not go around testing him with petty
material requests. How about all you religious folk praying that some of
us over here on the heathen side see the light? That would fit most of the
criteria.
--
...Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile. Dick Dunn
{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303) 444-5710 x3086