tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post6201521893187575641..comments2024-03-22T06:31:42.929-05:00Comments on Wry Thoughts About Religion: Luck and the Kingdom of GodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post-48421473139512218692022-10-26T21:22:19.557-05:002022-10-26T21:22:19.557-05:00Thanks Dennis!Thanks Dennis!Charles Hedrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11285420936166236724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post-28674581093434175372022-10-26T09:45:18.310-05:002022-10-26T09:45:18.310-05:00Charlie,
I suppose the Calvinists tried rid themse...Charlie,<br />I suppose the Calvinists tried rid themselves of luck in regard to one’s destiny, since they figured final destiny was planned from the beginning. It seems portions of the Bible had this view of the cosmos, as God having planned & in control of everything from the “get go” (for instance, Eph.1.4; 1 Peter 1.20; Col. 1.15-20, Job 7.1-3,14.5-6, Eccl. 3, especially v.11). That would seem to negate luck, except I reckon original “luck of the draw.” The use of omniscience and foreshadowing in narratives reinforces this in biblical narratives. <br /><br />The Puritan Increase Mather in 1697 (“Man Knows Not His Time”) wrote, “... all is determined in Heaven before it comes to pass on earth.” No “luck” in that, just “decrees.” I bet it added a pessimism to the soteriology.<br /><br />My view is that there are too many variables to account for why good or bad happens, why something is described as “good” or bad “luck.” It is like a leaf on the highest branch of a tall oak in a forest. No one can know from from looking at it exactly when, where, and even on what side the leaf will rest when it falls. There are too many factors which in turn are each controlled by other factors.<br /><br />Dennis Dean Carpenter<br />Dahlonega, Ga.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post-46876388262601949822022-10-24T09:46:08.181-05:002022-10-24T09:46:08.181-05:00Good Morning Gene: With respect to Romans 8:28 I t...Good Morning Gene: With respect to Romans 8:28 I think it is true that God (if God there be) wants the best for everyone. The problem is that bad things still happen to good people, even the people of God. In my experience most Christian folk think this verse affirms that whatever happens is God's will. I am reluctant to affirm that God manipulates things so that some receive good luck and others misfortune. In my view the universal law of this present cosmos is that "the unexpected sometimes happens." I do not think that God is responsible for every little thing that occurs. In any case we are the ones that describe our luck as good or bad. In long term what we in the short term describe as good or bad, turns out to be just the opposite.<br />Charlie Charles Hedrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11285420936166236724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post-9546896091049733272022-10-21T21:35:21.379-05:002022-10-21T21:35:21.379-05:00Hi Charlie,
What do you make of these verses and ...Hi Charlie,<br /><br />What do you make of these verses and the experience of luck.<br /><br />We know that all things (including good luck and bad luck?) work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he FOREKNEW he also PREDESTINED to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those he predestined he also CALLED; and those whom he called he also JUSTIFIED, and those whom he justified he also GLORIFIED (Romans 8:29-30). Compare Mark 13:26: Then the Son of Man will send out the angels and gather HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. <br /><br />It sure sounds like the predestined and elect are the lucky ones. If only one had a choice!<br /><br />Gene Stecher<br />Chambersburg, Pa <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2828101829504518203.post-83538620124464438322022-10-17T15:05:58.105-05:002022-10-17T15:05:58.105-05:00“The unexpected sometimes happens.” What a great d...“The unexpected sometimes happens.” What a great description of luck! I think many Christians, particularly Evangelicals, have difficulty with the concept of luck because of the randomness of it. They look at verses such as Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love him…,” and Jer. 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord …,” which seemingly imply that there is an overall blueprint, a plan for each individual, and therefore, there must be a Planner. Ancient Greeks personified a similar idea in the Fates, so maybe it’s human nature to want to believe someone or something is in control. <br /><br />MarciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com