I for one am glad to be done with Hume // Gabby Strahan

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On page 82 of Hume’s Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Cleanthes makes a statement that really got my attention. “Religion, however corrupted, is still better than no religion at all.” I often stammer at those that have formed the habit of justifying their sin with their humanity. For example, if I corrected someone that was caught severely gossiping and trashing the character of another. they might respond by commenting that humans are wired to sin and that I should not waste my breath calling attention to it. Yes we as humans are promised that we will live in constant war with our flesh and that is what it should be—a war. As Christians we should never passively justify our sin with our humanity. Desiring sin is inevitable, but we must take an active approach to combating temptation everyday because God does not accept a mediocre approach to Christianity, corruption His name. Revelation 3:16 says, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (NIV). God does not welcome a corrupted resemblance of  christianity

One of Mashburn’s questions referring to topics brought up in the reading stuck out to me. “Hume does not believe in superstitions or in superstitious religions—for example, heaven and hell. Would you still believe in God were there no heaven or hell? I believe that without the existence of heaven and hell, christianity would cease to exist as a religion. Humans were intended naturally to walk with God from the beginning and after the initial sin, this was taken from humans and we were destined to die. Jesus coming to die for us bridged the gap where we messed up, to allow us the opportunity of being united with our creator again. Without Heaven this truth no longer exists. Also the truth of heaven and hell allows the necessary urgency to push believers to spread the gospel, so I believe that heaven and hell are necessary components to our faith. But in conclusion, God does not owe us eternity with him and if these two outcomes ceased to exist, He would still be good and he would still remain a holy and true God, deserving of recognition and worship. So yes, I would still believe. 



I commented on Osten Belew and Jacob Clabo’s post

Comments

Zane Duke said…
I believe that if we are to correct others on matters concerning sin, we really need to take one good long look at ourselves. Humility is very important in correcting someone else. Luke 6 says: "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye,' when you yourself don't see the beam of wood in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the splinter in your brother's eye." (CSB) James 1:26 also says "If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself." (CSB) So when it comes to the correction of others, I believe God wants us first to explain to a brother or sister that we are not deceiving ourselves and that we come to them in humility and acceptance of the fact that we are equal in sin to them and equal under God's grace. Zane Duke
October 7, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Jamie Peters said…
I agree with Zane on this. I also want to point out that although we believe these things with absolute certainty, "18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent... 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Cor. 1:18-19, 23-25). Knowledge and reasoning can only get us so far in interpreting and knowing God and his Word.
October 7, 2019 at 7:45 PM
Cody Ercizer said…
I think we can agree that there is a distinction between abusing grace and understanding our sinful nature. One should not expect to be able to act in an unattainable daily life of sinlessness, as they would spend their time filling in failure. Neither should one expect constant grace and sin as if there is no consequence. We as people of God should have a respect for the way He has created things to be, and in doing so, as adhere to these matters as He addresses them biblically. Great post yo
October 8, 2019 at 7:09 AM
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