Basis of Theology - Biblical? Philosophical? Or. . ?

[Gwarlroge]

Uff da, yes, probably the biggest problem with the "sudden missionary impulse" is that it places a low value on what Christ has done for me and a very high value on what I could do "for Him." Thank God I do not earn my salvation!

[Kane Augustus]

Uff da, yes, probably the biggest problem with the "sudden missionary impulse" is that it places a low value on what Christ has done for me and a very high value on what I could do "for Him." Thank God I do not earn my salvation!

Why do the two propositions need to be exclusive of each other?

[Gwarlroge]

Uff da, yes, probably the biggest problem with the "sudden missionary impulse" is that it places a low value on what Christ has done for me and a very high value on what I could do "for Him." Thank God I do not earn my salvation!

Why do the two propositions need to be exclusive of each other?

You're right, they don't. I put "for Him" in quotation marks because I wouldn't be obeying out of gratitude--I would mostly be obeying for my own sake (to avoid Hell or life-wasting), not that there's anything wrong with that. I think what I was trying to say is: My motives would be mostly bad for doing missionary work, if I did it. I would do it as a self-righteous or works-righteous thing, supposedly to "please God" but really to satisfy myself that "I'm obeying God, therefore God loves me." God's love is not conditional on our obedience, and that's where my feelings are mistaken.

[Kane Augustus]

I'm interested in the psychology of your choice, to be honest. For example, can you explain why choosing to do something for your own happiness, your own desire, would necessarily be a bad reason? Why do you, in making a decision like missionary work or not, have to be excluded from the relational aspect of you and God? How is self-abnegating going to be of any help to you when considering whether you want to help others and tell them of your faith?

[Gwarlroge]

I'm interested in the psychology of your choice, to be honest. For example, can you explain why choosing to do something for your own happiness, your own desire, would necessarily be a bad reason? Why do you, in making a decision like missionary work or not, have to be excluded from the relational aspect of you and God? How is self-abnegating going to be of any help to you when considering whether you want to help others and tell them of your faith?

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad choice. No matter what I do, I hope that I want to help others and tell them of my faith. And if I end up doing missionary work, I definitely want to be "happy" doing so--in a sense.

The problem for me is that, in becoming too introspective and anxious, I tend to forget that God loves me and freely offers his grace to me. So I hope and strive to remember this, praying that I will not always disbelieve God's goodness to the extent that I do now.

...there's more to be said, but I have to go for now.

[Gwarlroge]

I'm interested in the psychology of your choice, to be honest. For example, can you explain why choosing to do something for your own happiness, your own desire, would necessarily be a bad reason? Why do you, in making a decision like missionary work or not, have to be excluded from the relational aspect of you and God? How is self-abnegating going to be of any help to you when considering whether you want to help others and tell them of your faith?

Well, first of all, there's the question of my happiness as a motive. I doubt anyone does something because they think it will make them unhappy. (In a perverse way, some people can want to be sad or depressed becuase it makes them feel emotionally "deep" or "alive" and therefore happy.) However, not everyone knows what will make them truly and most deeply happy. Some people think that sin will make them happy.

Therefore not all decisions for happiness are good or reasonable.

Second, my "missionary impulse" (which is sometimes a "janitor impulse") is probably not based on a true conception of my happiness or the nature of things. We were created "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever," and my missionary impulse reflects a view of God as a "hard master" who won't love me unless I leave my home, family, friends, etc. to follow him. This is not true: God loves me unconditionally and accepts me based on the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ, which I receive by faith. So the missionary decision, if I made it last year, would not have been a good one. It would not have made me happy in the short run.

Does that answer your question, Kane?

[Kane Augustus]

Does that answer your question, Kane?

Yes, I think so. Thank you.

[Gwarlroge]

Does that answer your question, Kane?

Yes, I think so. Thank you.

Excellent. Sorry about the long sentences.

[Kane Augustus]

Does that answer your question, Kane?

Yes, I think so. Thank you.

Excellent. Sorry about the long sentences.

I'm not sure an apology is in order here, sir. You write the way you do, and I see nothing wrong with it. I appreciate your explanations, lengthy or not.

[Metacrock]

where do we go from here?