So at the end of the post you seem to be indirectly (or maybe very
directly) making a comparison between the square circle and what you
view as the logical impossibility of the Calvinist view of election. I’m
curious, what are the Catholic interpretations of scriptures like
Romans 9 (a classic Calvinist election support scripture)?
For the record, I am not a Calvinist nor share their view on the
interplay of God’s sovereign will and man’s will, but I am curious what
the Catholic view point is.
To me this is the less productive side of philosophy and logic. I’m
very interested in both and I wouldn’t suggest that Christians turn
away from studying these subjects (logic is one of the homeschool
subjects I am teaching my son); however, in both areas people have a
tendency to get lost in abstractions and lose the forest for the trees.
At some point I feel like stepping back and saying “hey are we even
discussing a real thing anymore?”.
The question has been around for a long time and I know it is posed
in seriousness, and I also know that it is sometimes posed as a “gotcha”
question, so this is a good and welcome post and Matt gave the only
really good answer there is for this logical paradox in my opinion.
I just hope people don’t feel as though they aren’t prepared to give a
reason for the hope that is inside of them if they get stumped on this
one. I’ve seen too many people trying to memorize arguments from their
favorite apologist (no offense Matt), so that they can defend themselves
against Richard Dawkins fans. These arguments never find and endpoint,
and certainly Paul engaged the Greek philosophers where they were, but
most of us aren’t Paul.
I still think the best testimony before anyone is to be ready at all
times and with gentleness to share the hope in the salvation that comes
through Christ, and for those you come into contact with to see the
radiant fruit of the spirit in everything you do.
Gee if God said 2+2+ 4 , does the sum of 4 always = 2+2 ?
i have seen so many Catholics that think they are working4christ2 ,
and they can’t even, function out side of a commentary some one else
taught them..
probably the most amazing thing about being raised a catholic– is
that the roman catholic priests are still trying to rat tionize why
their homily is boring–
where as if you go to a protestant teaching or preaching– then you
can use reason and spiritual decernment to understand the value of the
information..
start out with a dumb question– end up with a answer4dummies
whic is easy to accomplish is you are a coman catholic– as the Holy Cross brothers said “the church is dumbing down the parish”
so keep up the process– because i not exactly sure where in scripture that question is asked — or where it is answered–
Why would God want to make OR pick up a rock that heavy in the
first place? He would have to be very stupid, and that He is not. This
is a childlike question coming from an actual child (Matt’s son), but
from a young adult, only childish.
I’ve heard other “simplistic” answers to these questions such as
Rock: “Yes He could, and then He would lift it.”
Square Circle: “Yes, it’s called a square.”
Though, if you think about it, Jesus is God, and while on earth, in
his human nature, I’m sure there were rocks he couldn’t lift.
That’s interesting considering that Jesus told the Apostles that if
they had faith, they could tell this mountain to uproot itself and be
hurled into the sea. You forget that even though Jesus had a human
nature, he is still God.
Well done Matt!
And no doubt your son is a budding artist.
Another reason the answer is NO! is this brief defination of God:
God is all Good things perfected.
The key words here are “good and perfect”
GREAT post
Thanks,
Patrick
working4christ2
For the record, I am not a Calvinist nor share their view on the interplay of God’s sovereign will and man’s will, but I am curious what the Catholic view point is.
God Bless you
Patrick
working4christ2
The question has been around for a long time and I know it is posed in seriousness, and I also know that it is sometimes posed as a “gotcha” question, so this is a good and welcome post and Matt gave the only really good answer there is for this logical paradox in my opinion.
I just hope people don’t feel as though they aren’t prepared to give a reason for the hope that is inside of them if they get stumped on this one. I’ve seen too many people trying to memorize arguments from their favorite apologist (no offense Matt), so that they can defend themselves against Richard Dawkins fans. These arguments never find and endpoint, and certainly Paul engaged the Greek philosophers where they were, but most of us aren’t Paul.
I still think the best testimony before anyone is to be ready at all times and with gentleness to share the hope in the salvation that comes through Christ, and for those you come into contact with to see the radiant fruit of the spirit in everything you do.
i have seen so many Catholics that think they are working4christ2 , and they can’t even, function out side of a commentary some one else taught them..
probably the most amazing thing about being raised a catholic– is that the roman catholic priests are still trying to rat tionize why their homily is boring–
where as if you go to a protestant teaching or preaching– then you can use reason and spiritual decernment to understand the value of the information..
start out with a dumb question– end up with a answer4dummies
whic is easy to accomplish is you are a coman catholic– as the Holy Cross brothers said “the church is dumbing down the parish”
so keep up the process– because i not exactly sure where in scripture that question is asked — or where it is answered–
Rock: “Yes He could, and then He would lift it.”
Square Circle: “Yes, it’s called a square.”
Though, if you think about it, Jesus is God, and while on earth, in his human nature, I’m sure there were rocks he couldn’t lift.
And no doubt your son is a budding artist.
Another reason the answer is NO! is this brief defination of God:
God is all Good things perfected.
The key words here are “good and perfect”
GREAT post
Thanks,
Patrick
working4christ2