[Westminster Larger Catechism](https://opc.org/lc.html)
Q. 4. How does it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God?
A. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God.
#Reformed #Christian #grownostr
The Apostles went about preaching Christ and, in doing so, "turned the world upside down."
Thing is, it was already upside down--they were turning it right-side up again.
Sort of like a magnet, damaged in such a way that it is drawn southward, getting restored to its natural state of being drawn to True North.
One day all will be set back to True North.
Yes, I think so. Fruitless disorder, almost an "uncreation," is the consequence. You could almost go down through all 10 commandments and see their reversal in those curses.
Certainly, there are exceptions--Matthew 19 comes to mind as well as Paul. I think Paul's instruction in 1 Cor. 7 is within the context of the New Creation equivalent of the Genesis mandate, which is "go forth and make disciples." I also know there are individuals who are faithful, repentant Christians who nevertheless struggle with SSA--I don't think it's necessarily a 1:1 that they're being judged. Hard to explain concisely. I mean to point out the interesting connection between right worship and rightly ordered (and fruitful) affections on the one hand, and disordered worship and disordered (and fruitless) affections on the other.
That they are effectively denied the blessings of marriage, children, and family speaks to what enormous blessings they are actually meant to be--and to how deeply entwined those things are with our being, purpose, and relationship to/with our Creator. It all goes together, or it all falls apart.
21-32
I say this not as a "dunk" - but as a fellow sinner. Grace alone makes us differ.
I find it interesting that, in Romans 1, one consequence of God's judgment is effectively "don't reproduce" - a revocation of the command and blessing of Genesis 1 & 2, to "be fruitful and multiply."
>Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
Isaiah 26:3-5 KJV
Anyone know if @VigilantFox from ded bird app is on nostr yet?
The birdsong is a hymn.
Do you think the birds are singing for no one?
It's a morning-song of gratitude, as they woo in the sunrise.
Darwin said something similar. "The eye alone makes me doubt my entire theory" (or something close).
Irreducible complexity.
We are submerged in and surrounded by a world overflowing with Art - harmony, symmetry, and proportion.
It is no accident.
We are no accident.
There's a reason Paul warned Timothy to "flee" (like Joseph) rather than merely "try real hard to avoid."
"AMONG HER SLAIN ARE A MIGHTY THRONG"
Imagine thinking the mathematical precision, order, and symmetry of nature, all aglow with beauty and purpose...came about as a result of some cosmic "accident."
I mean, have you ever seen a truly beautiful woman, or sunrise, or starfield?
Miraculous. Mysterious. Awe-provoking. Powers that humble and yet also stoke gratitude.
"The fool says in his own heart, 'there is no God.'"
If you've never seen the movie To End All Wars, I highly recommend it.
#movienight
"In this world, you shall have tribulation. But take heart: I have overcome the world." - Christ Jesus
#nostr - emphasis on the
# NO
#m=image%2Fjpeg&dim=1053x1920&blurhash=%5DM9a8KbHWBj%40fk%7EqbGoLj%5Bj%5B%7EqbGjuj%5Bj%5B%7Epa%7Cj%5Bj%5Bj%5B_3a%7Cj%5Bj%5Bj%5B_3bHayj%5Bfk%3FbbHayj%5BbH%3FbfRf6fkj%5B-%3Ba%7Cayj%5Bfk&x=46fdd8215eb244a985c4c60b12ac3757a66e1dd4cbcbeea733a5e696d0a77af9
Yep, that's about it. Neo-Marxism blended with postmodernism, both fueled by gnosticism. Attacking Western "cultural hegemony" via "the long march through institutions" and all that. Woke.
