Martin Luther and the mystery of God.
"Are there problems raised by this Biblical doctrine of the absolutely sovereignty of God in providence and grace? Of course there are. Everything that God reveals of Himself transcends man's comprehension; every doctrine, therefore, must of necessity terminate in mystery, and man must humbly acquiesce in having it so...These words express a truth that I am grudgingly coming to terms with. As a young student interested in philosophy I seemed to believe that I would somehow be able to climb the ladder, and peak into God's chamber: knowing those things about God that have thus remained a mystery. Now just a few months away from graduating with a degree in philosophy I am coming to terms with the FACT that simply because of the infinite difference between God's nature (as creator) and human nature (as creature), humans will never, in this life, fully understand GOD....If I could by any means understand how this same God, who makes such a show of wrath and unrighteousness, can yet be merciful and just, there would be no need for faith." ~~Martin Luther
However, this is not cause for despair, for "there is life after this life" and all that is not understood now will be revealed, "provided only that meanwhile we believe it, as we are instructed and encouraged to do..."
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.How easy it might be for us to claim "if only I was alive when Jesus was on earth, certainly I would not doubt Him," but who are we fooling? Posted by at March 8, 2001 09:16 PM
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So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
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A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
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Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
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Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
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Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
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Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
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But these are written that you may [1] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.