I have no idea what I think about that yet, but one of the themes that has come up in some of my very early reasoning is the idea that the Puritans had that they were a kind of 'New-Israel' and so it was important that they, and their children, lived holy lives otherwise God might punish them just as he had once punished sinful Israel.
Ok, now here's my question, that is totally unrelated to the topic, but one that's been bouncing round my head for a while. Now that we are living in the New Covenant... Now that we are under Grace... In what sense would God act towards his people like that? In what sense is it possible for his people to fall away in such a manner?
Answer my questions super smart blog readers and put my mind at easy so I can get back to this essay question!
Not sure about the second question but I am wondering a similar thing ... would God withdraw favour from a denomination like He did with Israel? Could a church loose "blessing" or favour if they were disobedient?
ReplyDeleteOn the first question, you would have to have solid proof that "Youth" existed as a concept during his ministry. Many in Education faculties suggest that youth and adolescence as we know it today wasn't invented until recently. Youth Ministry came into existence when teenagers were no longer treated like adults once they left school but when they turned 21. Even during the Billy Graham crusades there was still a sense that young people were being treated like adults and be encouraged to make an adult decision.
Love to hear your thoughts on both topics.
Not super smart. The following offerings come to mind: The whole bible is for our edification and has a message for us now so in some sense God requires us to love him with our whole being and he can discipline us if we persist in 'sin'. I am not sure that what the Puritans had in mind was along this vein and certainly don't think that God wishes us to live in fear [worry] of his divine punishment! However, we perhaps err on the side of a soft and fluffy view of God and could do with respecting Him more as our judge as well as our Saviour? For example we read of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 [eg. Acts 5:3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
ReplyDeleteActs 5:4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!”
Acts 5:5 Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. ] Paul also says in 1Cor. 11:30 'That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.' Hebrews 12 describes the discipline of God's children [cf Rev. 3:19] and the letters to the seven churches indicate consequences for those churches [as opposed to individuals] who are unfaithful to Jesus in their words/actions.
Hey Mark and Sandy.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking through the first question Mark, but I do find many of Sandy's references compelling. Hmmm...
As to your second question. It seems that in Jonathan Edwards day they did in fact have children and youth and then proper adults (25+). So there you go! That is a revelation to me. I think they didn't have a concept of adolescence, but nonetheless it was on the way!