I've been reading over the last week, a book by Athol Dickson called "The Gospel According to Moses: What my Jewish friends taught me about Jesus." In it, the author speaks about his time in what he calls Chever Torah, where he meets with Jewish people and a rabbi to discuss the Torah. It sounds more like a discussion group where ideas can be discussed. In this group, the author comes to understand the Bible and its background in new ways. One thing that he mentioned that really struck me which I hadn't seen before was how many paradoxes are in the Bible. I will mention some of the ones the author mentions and some that I thought about about. I wonder if you see any others?
1. The Paradox of Fertility- so many of the promises of God start out with a woman who was barren. Think about it, John the Baptist mother, Samuel's mother, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel. Yet, from these wombs the promises of God come forth. What do you suppose God is telling us through that.
2. The Paradox of Obedience- In one instance, Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac. To commit murder by sacrificing him. He has to disobey one law to obey the command of God. To his credit, Abraham doesn't hesitate.
3. The Paradox of Promise- The Israelites spend forty years crossing the desert only to find the promise land occupied by the Canaanites. It is a gift, yet they have to pick up their swords and destroy another people to obtain it.
4. The Paradox of Omnipresence- God is said to be everywhere. He sees all things and is present everywhere at the same time. Yet, the Bible also speaks of God being distinctly present at some times more than others. For example, when God appears on Mt.Sinai in the cloud or the Mount of Transfiguration.
5. The Paradox of Free Will vs. Being Chosen- Maybe one of the more difficult ones that I could think of. How we both have free will and yet are chosen by God. This has led to a lot of debate over the years and for some to not be very evangelistic since if someone is going to be saved regardless than why work hard to make it happen. How to reconcile these two things together which are both affirmed in the Bible.
6. The Paradox of Lost vs. Saved. In order to find my life, the Bible says that I must lose it. That I must be willing to follow Jesus and to give it away to others. Matthew 10:39 and then maybe the most significant of all
7. The Paradox of the Life Giver- Here we see Jesus, the author of life and all that exists having to die on a cross. The one who did no wrong, in order to save others from death. The greatest paradox of all, God in a grave.
Can you think of others?
I would welcome your thoughts.
If you get a chance to read the whole book by Athol Dickson I would recommend it. He is a deep thinker and it will enrich your life.
1. The Paradox of Fertility- so many of the promises of God start out with a woman who was barren. Think about it, John the Baptist mother, Samuel's mother, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel. Yet, from these wombs the promises of God come forth. What do you suppose God is telling us through that.
2. The Paradox of Obedience- In one instance, Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac. To commit murder by sacrificing him. He has to disobey one law to obey the command of God. To his credit, Abraham doesn't hesitate.
3. The Paradox of Promise- The Israelites spend forty years crossing the desert only to find the promise land occupied by the Canaanites. It is a gift, yet they have to pick up their swords and destroy another people to obtain it.
4. The Paradox of Omnipresence- God is said to be everywhere. He sees all things and is present everywhere at the same time. Yet, the Bible also speaks of God being distinctly present at some times more than others. For example, when God appears on Mt.Sinai in the cloud or the Mount of Transfiguration.
5. The Paradox of Free Will vs. Being Chosen- Maybe one of the more difficult ones that I could think of. How we both have free will and yet are chosen by God. This has led to a lot of debate over the years and for some to not be very evangelistic since if someone is going to be saved regardless than why work hard to make it happen. How to reconcile these two things together which are both affirmed in the Bible.
6. The Paradox of Lost vs. Saved. In order to find my life, the Bible says that I must lose it. That I must be willing to follow Jesus and to give it away to others. Matthew 10:39 and then maybe the most significant of all
7. The Paradox of the Life Giver- Here we see Jesus, the author of life and all that exists having to die on a cross. The one who did no wrong, in order to save others from death. The greatest paradox of all, God in a grave.
Can you think of others?
I would welcome your thoughts.
If you get a chance to read the whole book by Athol Dickson I would recommend it. He is a deep thinker and it will enrich your life.
