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NASB | Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. |
Subject: Christian Response To Eastern Thought? |
Bible Note: Jensen, I hope this is not a burden. No response expected. Just a few thoughts to add. (written a few days ago, but internet connx down) You are most polite to inform us that you have what you need and are coming to the realization that you might have to write something yourself. Clearly, that's how you are being led. I have been given some general insights that may be useful as you write. This forum is, of course, not the place for discussion of the understanding of the workings of the HEAD and the HEART. However, you might want to reflect on the nature of the individual entities of intellect and emotion. Steve aka IJ's point regarding God's perfect intellect can be well taken. Emmaus' suggestion re the handbook of apologetics should prove useful. Your own comments regarding emotions and Christians can be developed as well. Please consider these ideas (I believe they are based on Albert Ellis' work in rational-emotive theory in cognitive psychology.): When in perfect balance (in the order that God intended), the head and the heart work together. When disordered (from sin, concupiscience), then the problems begin. Ordered or disordered, the emotions are informed by the intellect. For example, Person A and Person B both lose a huge sum of money. Person A might completely fall apart, or get terribly and destructively angry. Person B does not. Both persons are equal socioeconomically. What's the difference? What each one thought about the money. In the case of anger, which by the way is what's called a secondary emotion, the underlying (or primary) emotion is fear. There's is (although very fleetingly) information (perhaps false) that the loss of the money will result in some sort of (albeit only perceived) disaster. Therefore, the person reacts with "negative" emotions. Extrapolate the model to two persons who might lose salvation. Proofs from the Bible and apologetics are excellent when appropriately timed, but until one knows exactly what the subtleties of thought under the emotions, efforts at intellectual proof will fall by the wayside if not do more damage. Before taking the trouble to lay out point by point what you would like to say, reflect on exactly what your friend might be thinking and what emotions might be at work. You might be already thinking about how the cycle might work; that is, false thought leads to negative emotion that leads to further false thinking (FG) which leads to emotional reactions to anything against FG, etc., etc. Psalms are always a good starting place when confronted with overwhelming problems. Many blessings in your task, mtw Psalm 5 A morning prayer for help Let my words come to your ears, O Lord: hear my sighs. Listen to the voice of my crying, my King and my God. As I pray to you in the morning, Lord, listen to my voice; in the morning I will stand before you and await you. You are not a God who loves evil. The wicked cannot stay near you, the unjust cannot remain in your presence. You hate all who do evil - you destroy all who speak falsehood - the Lord abominates the bloody and deceitful man. But in the abundance of your mercy you will admit me to your house: I will worship you in your holy temple, with fear and reverence. Lord, guide me in your justice, protect me from my enemies: let me see the path I must follow. For there is no truth in their mouth - their heart is a bottomless pit - their throat is a wide open grave - their tongue seduces. Punish them, Lord, and let their own plans destroy them. On account of their crimes, thrust them from your presence; for they are rebels against you. Let all who hope in you rejoice, triumph for ever. You will shelter them and they will glory in you. For you bless the just, O Lord, and your good will surrounds them like a shield. |