Hello from the other side….
When viewed from different perspectives, a Diamond reflects many hues— a spectrum only seen by examining individual facets.
-- This is a contrarian view of everything. Well, almost everything that folks may already have their hearts set upon. If you are one of those folks who- once they have their heart set upon something, they can't ever let go of it, then this thread probably isn't for you. To get much of anything out of it, you'll have to set aside some of your previously held beliefs at least momentarily to consider this alternative perspective. If you can't do that, or simply won't agree to do that, then please-- do us both a favor and pass on by this one. Or stay and listen if you like... You might find it at least interesting, or mildly amusing-- if so, stay awhile.... lean in. --But if it just upsets you... riles you up? Please take your case up somewhere else. I'm open to questions or comments, but if you want to argue a point, please start a separate thread in which to do so and that side discussion can take place there, where you can present your ideas or your displeasure with mine. Clear enough?
So what exactly is this thread about? It's a contrarian perspective to be sure-- you won't find these ideas somewhere else on the forum and I've never encountered similar thoughts at a church, or from any teacher, or anywhere on the Internet. It's just what is given to me to share with whosoever will lend me an ear. One can never have too many ears. Every doorpost can use one in the service of the Great King. So Friends... Romans... Countrymen.....
I'll likely spin out a separate thread for one specific topic that might otherwise be contained within this overarching theme, -and that would be devoted specifically to "what it all means." "What it's all for... or about." We'll get to it when we get to it, but it will be dedicated to a contrarian view of the gospel.... the good news at the end of the rainbow. But that will come later.
First we have to start closer to the start and also deal with this whole Moses issue that hangs like a cloud around a tent. -And it's this history of histories that Moses gave us that we will start with. This thread is built around one single premise. You either believe it, or you don't. You either accept it.... or you don't. There is no middle ground. If you believe it and can accept it- wonderful. Let's go forward from there. If you don't.... if you can't.... if you won't.... then there is no basis (notice I didn't say axiom) for understanding from which to begin and this conversation will be futile, so again.... please continue on your way and take your reasons for not accepting the premise elsewhere.
The premise:
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
So that is right where we're going to start. Understanding that. --To be fair, it's more about what precedes that statement in John, but you have to understand this truth before you can begin to consider what precedes it-- which is:
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
We'll get to that.
This, more than anything else is the telling of a story. The never-ending story. If you will consider it, it's the story of man... and his fall, -and all that has become of us and where we are now and what happens next. Revisiting that premise above, if no one (no man) has seen God at any time, what can be said of Moses? Where did he get his ideas and instruction?
Do you like stories? This is a story. Pay close attention to the introduction…. Catch a new angle on the fall of man.
