tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195077991229481958.post5064891484648530044..comments2024-03-27T09:54:14.832-06:00Comments on Practical Eschatology: February 22, 2019 -- A Quick Run Around the WebUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195077991229481958.post-6298208547744162582019-02-25T21:03:39.464-07:002019-02-25T21:03:39.464-07:00A more than fair answer, with thoughtful examples....A more than fair answer, with thoughtful examples. I do think a person can be so given over to evil that they won't seek atonement, and your final statement is spot on - utterly consistent.<br /><br />Well said.John Wilderhttp://wilderwealthywise.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195077991229481958.post-55867616178243288682019-02-24T12:33:03.877-07:002019-02-24T12:33:03.877-07:00I've wrestled with the idea of redemption and ...I've wrestled with the idea of redemption and forgiveness and how far Christ redemption can reach. Back in 2013, I came across an article about Joshua Milton Blahyi who had been a Liberian warlord responsible for many thousands of deaths, but who had been preached to about Christianity, converted, and changed his ways, becoming a preacher and trying to atone for all that he'd done. (https://practicaleschatology.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-far-does-forgiveness-extend.html). <br /><br />As I pondered how to respond to your comment, I was reminded of one of the stories involving ancient Israel as they wandered in the wilderness during the Exodus. Namely, I was thinking of the incident where many had been bitten by poisonous serpents and were dying. Moses was commanded to make a brass serpent and hang it on a pole. To be healed of their bites, the Israelites simply had to look at the brass serpent. Despite the ease of the remedy, many refused and died. This story is obviously a foreshadowing of Christ's crucification, and, in fact, Christ preached of how he was the way and the life, the living water, and that his yoke was easy and light. Although we are required to be baptized by water (baptism proper) and the spirit/fire (receipt of the Holy Spirit), the sacrifice that Christ requires of us is only a broken heart and contrite spirit (e.g., being repentant and being meek toward God). So, I guess what I am trying to say is that Christ has redeemed us from our sins and we only need to cast off the heavy yoke of that life, look to Christ and take up the lighter yoke he offers.<br /><br />How far can such forgiveness extend? I think pretty far. The Book of Mormon has a story about a group of Lamanites (a society that was generally at war with the righteous peoples in the Book) who had converted to the Church, and were set upon by a second group of Lamanites that began slaughtering the first group. But as the first group didn't resist, the second group became horrified of their actions, and, in turn became converted. However, they were so concerned about falling back into their past ways of murder and theft, that they swore an oath to never carry weapons again and buried their swords. My point here is that these people had engage in wanton killing and yet, by completely shedding their past, apparently benefited from Christ's atonement. <br /><br />Conversely, King David remained under condemnation for his role in the death of Uriah to cover up his affair with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. For instance, God refused to allow David to build the temple, although David collected all the expensive materials and set aside money for the building of the temple and otherwise attempted to redeem himself in the eyes of the Lord. I think the reason is that David refused to repent to a level commensurate with his crime. For instance, notwithstanding that it was his lust for Bathsheba that got him into his mess, he nevertheless married Bathsheba as fast as he could and eventually conferred the kingdom onto a son (Solomon) that he and Bathsheba bore. Also David didn't give up the throne (the source, I'm sure, of Bathsheba's interest in David) or submit himself to the requirements of the law.<br /><br />So, in short, I think that Christ's atonement reaches as far as we will let it.Docenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13573255956484552163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2195077991229481958.post-54678588715088595972019-02-22T20:34:29.672-07:002019-02-22T20:34:29.672-07:00Great batch of stories. The one about evil was pa...Great batch of stories. The one about evil was particularly interesting - that's deeply philosophical. What I wrestle with is that I really do believe that evil exists, but I also believe in redemption. It doesn't have to be a contradiction, but it can be close.John Wilderhttp://wilderwealthywise.comnoreply@blogger.com