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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Greg or e who wrote (10566)	4/5/2001 7:26:20 PM
From: thames_sider	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Your bold... It has been said that those who feel no conviction of sin either know little of God, or little of themselves, or both. And, er, this means what? I don't see myself as a 'sinner' - nor, for that matter, a saint. But I feel I know myself well. I don't see myself as perfect, by any means, but OTOH I don't feel I'm deserving of eternal torment, either... Your statement works only if one accepts the Catholic definition of original sin - in that sense, it's a loaded definitino. For example, Buddhists accept that they are not perfect - by being reborn on Earth, they know they are sinful... but Buddhism requires self-knowledge as a vital tool for self-improvement, not an abdication. Sure, they know little of God - their beliefs don't require such. This proves nothing, means nothing in terms of actually living. Possibly people feeling little 'conviction of sin' pay little service to the Christian God... what does this say, other than that they don't regard themselves as sinners from birth? Or, puttng it another way: Edwards knew in his heart his own pride, rebellion, and slothfulness. From the contrast of the great holiness of God and his own sin comes his rapture with the Gospel of grace. What does he feel with respect to Allah, or Odin, or Rama? How does he contrast himself to their avowed divinity? without the elements of the true nature of God and a true apprehension of the fallenness of man, the grace of God seen in the Gospel would never be truly appreciated. IOW, just another self-referential argument. If you don't believe in the God of the Bible, you'll never appreciate it... I'll admit to slothfulness, pride and indeed most of the other 6 deadlies... oh, such a sinner am I. But I'm also kind, and considerate, and generous, and loyal, and - etc, etc. So, I'm not perfect. This still desn't demand rapture with the gospels... sorry.