Comments for ShelfLife

Comment on Chapter 11 by Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:03:56 +0000

I didn’t include any questions… sorry about that.
If y’all are out there… here are a few to ponder.

1) What “rules” do you tend to run after instead of resting?

2) What keeps you from giving God time and space? (fear, business, unbelief, etc)

3) Are you able to be honest with God about what you don’t believe? Do you take those to Him so that He can transform your unbelief to belief?

4) Make a list of things that you worry about or try to control, then on the same page, make a list of truths you KNOW to be true about God. If you believe those truths, does your outlook on the first list change?

Continuning to run to the Lord with my questions, unbelief, and performance. Man… rest is pretty amazing- Suzanne

Comment on Chapter 11 by Katie

Katie — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:47:51 +0000

Well said Suzanne. Thank you.

Comment on Chapter 10 by Adam

Adam — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:02:37 +0000

Thanks for the response Katie. I’m anxious to read Keller’s next book called Counterfeit Gods. My understanding is that he really unpacks the concept of idolatry in this book. Such a great approach. Thanks for participating in ShelfLife.

Comment on Chapter 10 by Katie

Katie — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:58:29 +0000

I hear you Adam. I have had simialr experiences of putting something in the place of God during my life too. Never worked for me either. I learned a new concept form Chapter 10. Sin is not only doing something bad but also elevating something good to God-like status. I’ve watched some evangelicals on the show “Way of the Master” and their approach has been to show how each person has violated at least one of the ten commandments and that makes them sinners in God’s eyes and therefore shows them their need for a savior. But they never use the first commandment when presenting their case. I’m with you. It seems showing how we very eaisly commit the sin of idolitry would be a kinder gentler way of showing that we are sinners and need a savior.

Comment on Chapter 8 by Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:41:47 +0000

Question 2> God hasn’t given us real proof because “without faith, it is impossible to please Him”… Since the beginning of time, God has desired our faith in Him. If there were “real” proof, there would be no need for faith.

When (doubting) Thomas needed proof, he was showing his lack of faith. He had witnessed the works and miracles of Christ and had heard Jesus proclaim that He would be resurrected, yet he wouldn’t believe until he saw! We are no different!! We watch God perform awesome works in our lives and then a crisis arises and we fall prey to fear, worry and doubt. Yet, praise God, He is faithful when we are not. He works right through our unbelief time after time, and aren’t we glad HE does??!!

Comment on Chapter 8 by Paul Muncy

Paul Muncy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:56:42 +0000

I agree with Katie that it is not a concern to me that there is no proof of the existence of God. There is, however, plenty of evidence. If there were no doubt, there would be no need for faith.
Like Isaac, I also used to think that the Big Bang theory was one that did not require the existence of God, but now have come to understand, as many scientists have, that whatever exploded in the Big Bang had to come from somewhere. I recently listened to a commentary from John Patrick, MD, who said the question we should be asking atheists is, “In the beginning, what?”
In view of all the evidence that I have before me, it seems to be a greater leap of faith to say that there is no god, than to say that the God of the Bible does not exist.
In another place, talking of those who use the existence of pain and suffering as a reason to not believe in a god, Dr Keller says that it is arrogant of us to think that a God with the wisdom and power to create the universe would always have to act in a way that we would understand.
Keep up the good work.

Comment on Chapter 8 by Katie

Katie — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:34:06 +0000

Doesn’t bother me that there is no proof for the existence of God. I mean are humans so arrogant as to think we have all the answers? Do we humans actually think that we have all the capacity to comprehend all there is to comprehend? I believe that there are things that we just don’t have the mental ability to grasp and this point. So not being able to prove the existence of God doesn’t bother me or stop me from believing.

Comment on Chapter 7 by Allison Koons

Allison Koons — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:24:02 +0000

Jackie,
I just read this blog tonight for the first time since Lulie mentioned it to me a few weeks ago. Love it! Thanks, everyone, for the effort!

Comment on Chapter 6 by G. Farrell

G. Farrell — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:37:00 +0000

Well said, complex yet simple … good job

Comment on Chapter 6 by Herb Thomas

Herb Thomas — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:44:24 +0000

David- very insightful – great blog. Herb