This week, we discuss something that may be harder (for many of us) than chastity...both dispensing it and receiving it.
The chapter: Forgiveness.
http://www.philosophyforlife
Saturday, 10am.
See you!
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Past books
- Book of Judges
- Book of Hebrews
- "Counterfeit Gods" by Tim Keller
- "The Gospel of Matthew" by Matthew
- "The Reason For God" by Tim Keller
- "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Phillip Yancey
- "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis
5 comments:
I'd love to join in this week but I have other obligations that I must attend to...
This I find to be a fascinating topic from the perspective of our individual growth as people- mature individuals. I can say from my own experience I have sometimes held the perspective that if someone has "wronged" you in some capacity that if they truly acknowledge that from their heart that it has hurt you that you should let bygones be.
But forgiveness should not be easily dispensed to people who have wronged you purposefully. It should be "acknowledged" and 'let go" but some may take the measure that "revenge is best served cold". To some that would make them more at ease- and for some maybe not...I think we ultimately decide what suits our conscience and our heart- "bygones be bygones" or the old babylonian adiage "an eye for an eye..."
It really is what the individual seeks-
But I do ask that if one does keep scores whether that is somewhat of a non productive and time consuming endeavor?
Nevertheless it is a debatable topic of how we ought to conduct ourselves as individuals...to which and what we thinks would help us- and make us content...
Lastly should we ask for forgiveness if we have wronged someone- I think so- matter of speaking from our heart and from our soul to let that individual know that we make mistakes and at least make every effort to rectify mistakes in life...and the central point being able to owning up to mistakes and moving forward in a positive direction...
My perspective is more philosophical in approach- in the sense we strive for improvement each and every day in every possible way.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) - Jessie and I are going upstate for the last weekend of summer so we won't be at church. However I agree that forgiveness is probably THE central theme of the gospel message... it is what the cross was and is all about. And I think betrayal, the cross and forgiveness are also all very purposefully linked. It is easy (in my experience) MUCH easier to forgive a stranger who has wronged you... but forgiving someone who is close to you and who you love is often (ironically) the hardest thing to do. That is of course because that is the risk involved in truely loving someone... only those whom you really care about can REALLY hurt you... and they are the only ones who canb really betray you. There is nothing really to "betray" if there is no relationship. Hence Judas... whom Jesus loved... betrayed his Lord... And Jesus who IS love forgave us all on the very cross we put him on (and continue to put him on as wel fall in lfe). Jesus continues to love as we continue to betray and hurt him... that is the ultimate gospel message and I think the ultoimate message of forigveness.
But - finally - we must understand that we are not capable of that kind of forgivenss without God's help... so even for that we must rely upon him for...
OK - that was my two cents. I hope we can make this a two Sabbath discussion... I really think it is worth the time.
Love and prayers to all,
Mike
Thanks for the invite and great messages. Unfortunately I will be out of town for the next 2 weekends....weddings and stuff.
But, after that, I am definitely in.....
great topics. Great job.
I won't be in this weekend (and I've actually skipped class quite a bit) I need to get back on track, but I do enjoy the email discussions... and I know that live are even better!!!!
Jeremiah-- couldn't agree more with you. And indeed, there has to be a relationship establish and some level of trust for "betrayal" to take place... if not it's just a wrong act done to someone. Anyhow, this topic is pretty good/intense we can have at least to Sabbaths worth of discussion.
Wow, and we haven't even had our meeting yet! =)
See you all when you get back...
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