Honest to God, but only the New Testament God
Of all the books I've read in this fine school, this has been in the top three of most infuriating. I have several beefs with this author, but I am going to start with some compliments to give myself a chance to calm down.
First, Mr. Robinson, the idea of God as ultimate reality is a good reminder of how Christians ought to view life. God is not "up-there" nor "out-there" watching distantly or waiting to be called upon by a desperate prayer, He is active and working in this world at this very moment, holding together the very fibers of physical matter that make up this planet. Second, I appreciated what you said about prayer being motivated by our relationship in God. In fact, everything we do ought to be motivated by love of God.
Okay, time to turn up the heat. I read up to page 104 and became increasingly agitated as I did. First of all, by definition, the Bible is myth. Myth does not mean that the story is made up, but that there is a traditional story involving a hero with supernatural powers/abilities. So, yes, Christianity must involve myth and the supernatural realm. Second, what is this junk you're throwing out about God wanting man to realize he doesn't need Him? "God is teaching us to live as men who can get along very well without him"? The whole point of the Old Testament law was to show how hopeless we are on our own. The only time amazing things happened in the Bible was when people relied on God alone for help. Anytime people tried to do things on their own, disaster struck. There are examples of this all through the Bible, human history, and I can guarantee you'll find examples in your own life, too. Third, I can see how people find God in the relationships around them, but He has to make Himself known to them first, otherwise they will see nothing. Also, Christianity is not about putting others first and God second, but vice versa. Robinson probably isn't saying that, but it sure sounds like it. Fourth, don't even get me started on Robinson's Jesus. I realize this guy isn't a pastor or theologian, but come on, has he even studied the Old Testament? What would the point of all those animal sacrifices be if there wasn't a debt that needed to be paid because of sin? Fifth, we should never have to change the gospel message to appeal to the masses. We can and should change the medium depending on the circumstances, but we should never compromise the message. What Robinson is proposing is riding awfully close to that line. Sixth, the main focus of worship should not be to get something out of it such as a feeling or a conviction, but to give glory, honor, and praise to God who is worthy. Seventh, I don't think prayer should ever be forced out with a grudging attitude, but I think it is essential to keeping a healthy, spiritual life. While it can be done anywhere, anytime, we ought to set aside some time everyday for daily devotion and prayer. This isn't a "religious" thing, it's something you do in a relationship when you love the person. In short, I think Robinson needs to reread the Bible cover-to-cover. It seems as though he is pulling his ideas about who God is from the New Testament alone. There is a lot more depth to God's character that can be uncovered in the Old Testament.
*Takes a deep breath* Okay, I'm done now. I commented on Will and Zelda's posts.
First, Mr. Robinson, the idea of God as ultimate reality is a good reminder of how Christians ought to view life. God is not "up-there" nor "out-there" watching distantly or waiting to be called upon by a desperate prayer, He is active and working in this world at this very moment, holding together the very fibers of physical matter that make up this planet. Second, I appreciated what you said about prayer being motivated by our relationship in God. In fact, everything we do ought to be motivated by love of God.
Okay, time to turn up the heat. I read up to page 104 and became increasingly agitated as I did. First of all, by definition, the Bible is myth. Myth does not mean that the story is made up, but that there is a traditional story involving a hero with supernatural powers/abilities. So, yes, Christianity must involve myth and the supernatural realm. Second, what is this junk you're throwing out about God wanting man to realize he doesn't need Him? "God is teaching us to live as men who can get along very well without him"? The whole point of the Old Testament law was to show how hopeless we are on our own. The only time amazing things happened in the Bible was when people relied on God alone for help. Anytime people tried to do things on their own, disaster struck. There are examples of this all through the Bible, human history, and I can guarantee you'll find examples in your own life, too. Third, I can see how people find God in the relationships around them, but He has to make Himself known to them first, otherwise they will see nothing. Also, Christianity is not about putting others first and God second, but vice versa. Robinson probably isn't saying that, but it sure sounds like it. Fourth, don't even get me started on Robinson's Jesus. I realize this guy isn't a pastor or theologian, but come on, has he even studied the Old Testament? What would the point of all those animal sacrifices be if there wasn't a debt that needed to be paid because of sin? Fifth, we should never have to change the gospel message to appeal to the masses. We can and should change the medium depending on the circumstances, but we should never compromise the message. What Robinson is proposing is riding awfully close to that line. Sixth, the main focus of worship should not be to get something out of it such as a feeling or a conviction, but to give glory, honor, and praise to God who is worthy. Seventh, I don't think prayer should ever be forced out with a grudging attitude, but I think it is essential to keeping a healthy, spiritual life. While it can be done anywhere, anytime, we ought to set aside some time everyday for daily devotion and prayer. This isn't a "religious" thing, it's something you do in a relationship when you love the person. In short, I think Robinson needs to reread the Bible cover-to-cover. It seems as though he is pulling his ideas about who God is from the New Testament alone. There is a lot more depth to God's character that can be uncovered in the Old Testament.
*Takes a deep breath* Okay, I'm done now. I commented on Will and Zelda's posts.
Man, you REALLY hate this book, don't you? When you told me earlier today that you wrote the longest blog post ever, you were not lying haha. I personally have been enjoying the book, not because I agree with it, but just because some of the ideas are very much new to me. You are right though, there are several flaws in the reasoning at points. Although, I think that the flaws are in a way a big part of the book, because after all, it is named "Honest to God" and humans nature itself is very much flawed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you included the definition of a myth. I believe what Robinson is trying to push across is the idea we should try before just giving up and not trying at all before asking for help from God. Realistically, he's always helping us, but also He wants us to try and help ourselves as well, no?
ReplyDeleteHe is a New Testament scholar so you could say he's a theologian. But title's don't really mean anything, cause there are "theologians" who are mislead more than others who never took a Christian Theology class. I know we will be hearing from you in class, haha, I'm definitely looking forward to it!!
ReplyDeleteSo in regards to the "living as men who get along with each other well without Him" comment, I'd say it's accurate but from a different perspective. God wants us to strive to love one another, but only after they have given their love to the Father first. It also goes into the "where there is few gathered in My Name, I will be there as well" sort of thing. He wants us to be able to cooperate with one another as He commands so the praises we can provide as a body of believers are true and in spirit. I'm honestly just trying to play devil's advocate here.
ReplyDelete