We are but worms, made in God's image; sinners, dearly loved; fallen, redeemable. Contradiction, or paradox?
I don't think it's either.
The "worm" side is a reminder of what we are without God. The other a reminder of who God is. The purpose of both ideas is to point us to God. But I think we tend to think about these ideas as about us. Am I a worm? Am I lovely? Yes. Yet your wormness or worthitude come from who you are. And you, you are a beloved child of God, constantly being urged to act like it.
Still, as you look from one of the spectrum to the other, a hardcore Total Depravity girl is going to seem completely opposite of a God Loves Me for Me guy. And, in reality, both are are a little wrong. But both are on to something. And that unity is something I think Christians should foster and those interested in religion should consider.
Which end of the spectrum resonates more with you?
~Luke
Theblogogy
Luke,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by: "And, in reality, both are are a little wrong. But both are on to something. And that unity is something I think Christians should foster and those interested in religion should consider."?
My answer is that there is no spectrum, unless we fixate on one over the other. Recognizing our total depravity coaches the gift of total restoration in Christ out of His immeasurable "...kindness that leads us to repentance[]" (Paul. Romans 2:4)
"There is no spectrum." I'd buy that. We're wrong when we go too hard one way or the other (as you say, fixate). But I like the point that no matter how far on either end of the spectrum you find yourself, there is still more unity in Christ between the extremes than there is outside of Christ. We can find unity, even if we tend to favor one side.
Delete~Luke