Photo 1: London, Ontario, CTV News, London
• 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.
