Doug looks at something pastors and theologians seldom discuss: God limited human capacity and divided human community. A provocative show about the power of humans and the plan of God to stop us from destroying each other, his plans and his creation.
Thank you for dealing with a possibly controversial subject. Obviously quite a few marvelous things have been done apart from faith in God. For that matter, even atheists can do altruistic acts. The difference is motivation, not quality or capacity. The danger of seeing non-Christians as depraved is that it can lead to treating them as subhuman: so that particular ‘doctrine’ can be a mask for oppressing persons, stealing their land and goods, etc.
What I see you emphasizing is the value of the human person. Whether that person is powerful and creative or weak and destitute, they bear the image of God, they are His creation, though they may be in rebellion. Thus, it is very disturbing when people use hateful language against non-Christian groups, as if God didn’t love them, as if Jesus didn’t die for them. Americans seem to think that other nationalities are not only immoral but inferior. Maybe if there were a better understanding of the value of each human in God’s eyes, we could begin to grow beyond the prejudices and stereotypes we absorbed in school and in society.
We can do nothing of eternal value apart from God, but it’s just not factually accurate that people can do nothing of human significance apart from being a born-again Christian. Paul is talking about spiritual fruit, Kingdom advancement in 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. Also 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master-builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. Also i Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Also 1 Corinthians 13 implies that people can do great good for others, yet not be motivated by love. Therefore, it is the unloving doer who is nothing in the Kingdom of God, though others may benefit from his good works in a material way.
The point that God limits us, not necessarily Satan, is an important one. I’ve heard people attribute the blocking of their plans to Satan, as if God was obliged to rubber-stamp their prayers. A good father will stop his child from what is destructive both to the child and to others. Prayer can be a chance to see if our desires are truly in line with God’s nature, with the Holy Spirit, because we still struggle with self-deception, as well as sin.
Thank you again for speaking from the Scriptures and from your heart.