Post #109651 speaks of Abraham.

Btw, "unquestioned obedience" is not the same thing as what we're talking about. "Unquestioned obedience" has to do with not having a rebellious spirit. We're talking about having an intelligent appreciation of God's character and understanding the principles of His government.

Regarding Abraham, you said of yourself, when I asked how you would know if a voice you heard was from God, that you would consider whether what you were told agreed with what you know of God's law and character, which was an excellent response. Now, wouldn't Abraham have done the same thing? Doesn't taking into account God's law and character characterize an obedience which involves knowledge and reason?

Tom, I disagree that "unquestioned obedience" in the quotes I posted above imply not having a rebellious spirit. The context makes it clear to me that it means obeying God without questioning why. For example, if God told me to sell everything and give it to the poor, I would obey Him without question. I might be tempted to get in line where the poor benefit from my donation, but hopefully I would obey Him without first demanding an explanation.

Questions, in the right spirit, are a good thing!


















Here are a number of statements which explain that God does not want a blind credulity, but intelligent, reasoning followers who have an understanding of the truth.

The previous post I quoted a number of statements, but I'd like to take a different tack here. What do you think God is like, that He would want people to do what He says without understanding why? What do you think that says about Him?

My concept of God is that He wants us to follow His commands out of an intelligent appreciation of His character and the principles by which He runs His government. He wants us to question, with the right spirit, why He does things. This is demonstrated by Jesus' comment:



God runs His government on the basis of love. Love, in order to be rendered, but be done so on the basis of character appreciation, not blind submission to authority. The authority by which God runs His kingdom is moral authority, which is based not on position but on character.

Boy, I liked that last sentence. I'll repeat it, and emphasize it.

The authority by which God runs His kingdom is moral authority, which is based not on position but on character.

Yes, there are times when God wants us to understand the reasons why He commands us to do something. The question is - Does He want us to withhold obedience until He explains the reasons why? I don't think so. What do you think?

When I asked you how you would know if it were God who was saying you should do something, you answered by knowing His character and His law, which I accepted as an excellent response, and agreeing with the point I was making, at which point I thought we were through.

To answer your question here, I would answer on the basis of what you said earlier, which is that He doesn't want us to withhold obedience, but to obey on the basis of intelligent appreciation of His character and understanding of His law.

Tom, do you see a difference between obeying on the "basis of intelligent appreciation of His character and understanding of His law" versus obeying "even though we do not understand the reasons why"?

For example:

1. God is holy, just, and good.
2. His law is holy, just, and good.

Therefore, I can obey the command to sacrifice my son without understanding the reasons why.

So you're saying if you heard a voice commanding you to kill your son, you would do so, reasoning:

1. God is holy, just, and good.
2. His law is holy, just, and good.

Therefore, I can obey the command to sacrifice my son without understanding the reasons why.

Yes, of course. Wouldn't you? As in the case of Abraham, however, I would anticipate God calling it off at the last second.

PS - I have no doubt God will never command me to sacrifice my son. Do you feel the same way?

Tom, do you see a difference between obeying on the "basis of intelligent appreciation of His character and understanding of His law" versus obeying "even though we do not understand the reasons why"?