Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Agnosticism

Agnosticism is the theological suspension of belief in God or a creator. An agnostic can be “hard” or “soft.” The “hard” agnostic does not believe that anyone can know whether or not there is a God. A “soft” agnostic is one who has not personally made a decision about God's existence but does not believe that others cannot come to solid conclusions about the matter. The term agnostic can be used more generally in other contexts in which people do not take a definite stand. This term is mostly used for theological reasons and I personally believe describes where a lot of people are in their belief in God, or even the Bible.

I've come to realize in my life that you simply can't force anyone to believe anything really, but especially when it comes to spiritual matters. Even scripture itself speaks on this. Paul writing in 1 Corinithians 1:18 says "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through it's wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." Paul clearly states here that the Christian message is foolishness to the wise of the world, those whom he describes is perishing. They won't believe it nor do they have the power to believe it without the help of the Holy Spirit, and drawing of the God the Father. John 6: 44 Jesus says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;" He goes on to explain a couple of chapters later that "The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:25-28God wisely established that men could not come to know Him by human wisdom, which is exactly how all other religions attempt to know him. That would exalt man, so God designed to save helpless sinners through the preaching of a message that was so simple, the "worldly wise" deemed it silly and folly. Is this not how true Christians are viewed today by most of the world? Salvation requires and comes only through faith, and Jesus himself when asked who could be saved, responded by saying that the things that are impossible with people are possible with God (Luke 18:27), meaning, we can't save ourselves, only God can. And only God can open the blinded eyes, and closed mind of an unbeliever to His glorious truth.

While it is true that any who come to Christ for Salvation will not be turned away, the truth of scripture is that they cannot come unless they are awaken and drawn by the Father, and of those, he will turn none away. Let us not be discouraged when we cannot make anyone believe the truth we hold so dear, let us just proclaim it boldly and let God the Father do His work. For it is only by hearing of, and faith in the Word of God that anyone can be saved. Rom. 10:17

2 comments:

Kathy said...

Love the Blog. No wonder Behki loved those Monday Night Bible Studies.

Jeremy said...

Thanks! I hope it edifies you. Hope you and Mr. McFarland are doing well!