Who among us will bow his ego to reason, knowing full well that, quite possibly, truth will show at least one contradiction within his most cherished doctrinal belief?
Todd Beal
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It is not difficult to find someone who believes Spiritual truth trumps man’s natural intellect: most sincere-minded Christians believe this with all their heart, in principle. In reality, however, when Biblical exegesis comes into play, they confuse their intellectual certainty with that given by truth through God’s Holy Spirit. So one might ask, “How do I know for certain whether my certainty comes from myself or from truth?” You cannot, unless first you subject your understanding of truth to openly receiving more truth: willingness to change precedes the ability to receive.
We must each decide, “Which do I love more: my established beliefs, or the truth with which my beliefs either align or contradict?” Can you tell the difference, or are you merely certain.
See also on Truth Behind Reality: Are My Beliefs True or Convenient?
Terrific post. Many “rational” people struggle to find and accept spiritual truth because it can’t always be tested the same way physical laws can. What goes up must come down, but the sinner is not always punished on the day of his transgression and the good man often suffers long. So much can only be learned through experience, humility, study, prayer, listening, and testing God’s ultimately unbreakable promises.
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| So much can only be learned through experience, humility, study, prayer, listening, and testing God’s ultimately unbreakable promises. |
This right here, Michael, is the essence of my post: nailed it square on the head. The moment we stop doing this is the very moment we stop listening to truth. Thanks a lot!
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And indeed truth is always both doctrinal and practical! But we in this Pilgrim Church, will always in this life, as Paul says: “Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:12) So not until eternity will I know in any fulness, but even then I will stand and worship, as I can worship, though imperfectly, now! Nice Post Todd!
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Absolutely, Fr. Robert. And it is for this reason – knowing in part – that we must realize our intellect is not the source of truth. Only truth can lead us into more truth, not the intellect apart from truth. I tell ya’ Fr. Robert, I so look forward to that eternal moment when I literally understand everything. Wow! What a day that will be. Man! That gets me going.
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