Monday, December 06, 2021

Brief Monday Bullets: 2 Corinthians 6

Photo 1: London, Ontario, CTV News, London

Photo 2: christmas-tree-web 2020 NBC 5 Chicago 

• Interesting contrast between two recent sermons I have heard, in my humble opinion. 

• The other day, online, I listened to an evangelical sermon on a common, specific, area of desire.

• It is in many cases a legitimate need, and a good thing from God.

• There is often a related suffering when the desire and need is not fulfilled.

• This pastor stated (paraphrased) that this certain suffering can be largely, often, caused by idolatry in regards to the desire.

• So, he stated (paraphrased), that all you need is God/Jesus.

(sigh, I have heard this far too often)

• However, there is a serious philosophical contradiction.

• If (paraphrased) all you need is God/Jesus works as advice for  people with this desire unfulfilled, this need unsatisfied, why does it not suffice for the people that have this desire  fulfilled and need satisfied?

• Sadly this sermon like many evangelical sermons, in-part, at least, portrays legitimate suffering and loss as making an idol of something. 

• Of course a desire can lead to idolatry, but suffering because of a desire that is an actual ontological (nature, existence) need is not necessarily idolatry.

• As is often the case, once again, leaders in the Christian Church are mishandling the theology/philosophy of religion of problems of evil. 

• I, having completed British, PhD/MPhil theses and two questionnaires, reason a major problem is, many evangelicals, in particular, just are not willing to state that God sometimes wills suffering and loss for the sake of sanctification.

• Contrast this sermon with the one from my pastor on Sunday.

• From a solid, Reformed theological perspective.

• Within the sermon, he quotes 2 Corinthians 6: 10 and the context of believers suffering. 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (English Standard Version/ESV)

• I talked briefly with my pastor after his sermon and I mentioned that for example, 'as sorrowful' in 6:10 shows that a Christian can be very sad and yet have the peace and joy of Jesus Christ.

• In other words in Christ, one may simultaneously have misery and joy/peace. 

• My pastor agreed.

• 2 Corinthians 6, theologically connects suffering with sanctification in Jesus Christ.

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