MM recently posted the following, which I thought was interesting:



Does this make sense to anyone besides MM? The argument from "Since God is perfect" on doesn't make any sense to me.

That's one thing that could be discussed, but the thing I really found interesting was the assertion that God has no options, since He is a perfect being. I believe that God has many more options available to Him than we do, because of His being more powerful and intelligent than we are. Great power and great intelligence always leads to more options, it seems to me.

It seems to me that Mike thinks there are only two options to anything. One option being bad and one option being good. Mike, wake up and smell the coffee. Choose the red pill and wake up to the real world. The fantasy world will only serve you for so long.

There are only two ways from which we can choose - the broad way and narrow way. We are born on the broad way, therefore, we really have only one choice. Our options are not many.

Matthew
7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The narrow way is speaking of the fact that we cannot enter into paradise while clinging to sin. There is only one way, which way if Christ. But that doesn't mean that, providing we do not cling to sin, that we don't have options. We have many options. God is a God who loves freedom, and loves to see His creatures use this freedom wisely.

Options, a doctor choosing to work at a local emergency ward or to work in Sudan with the Médecins Sans Frontières. Which is the narrow way and which is the broad way?
A successfull buisnessman choosing to give a $10000 donation to the red cross or to the amnesty international. Which is the narrow way and which is the broad way?
A environmentally concious person selling his car and buying a bike for transportation or isolating his house to decrease need to warm up. Which is the narrow way and which is the broad way?

Awaiting the results with interest.

According to Jesus' words, quoted above, there are only two ways, not many ways. Can we at least agree on this point? Yes or no, please.

PS - I realize there is more to discus, but for now it is important that we at least agree on the foundation. Otherwise, it is pointless to go any further.

According to Jesus' words, quoted above, there are two general directions, lets say north and south. If Jerusalem is to the north and Babylon to the south, it would be a detour to go south if aiming at Jerusalem. However, any of the many roads leading north would do the job.

Thomas, are you suggesting that Matthew 7:13 and 14 means there are many narrow ways that lead to life, that the expression "the narrow way" means "many narrow ways"?

Mike, I am suggesting that the concept you try to attach to this verse is not there but entierly an addition by you (or whoever you got it from). If you look at the other parables presented in Matthew 7, the first one speaking about judgement, that sinfull humans are in no place to judge others, the second speak about persistance in prayer and that it will be answered, the third one is the one we are considering, the fourth one is a warning of false prophets and advice that they will show their true colors by their fruit, the fifth one is saying that words which are not matched by deeds will help noone before Gods throne and the last one says that Jesus is the safe foundation to build on. These are all teaching about practical and theological things to consider for a safe christian life. For Jesus to add a philosophical teaching about the number of choises does not fit at all. Rather I believe this to be teaching the same as does Luke 14:28-33

TV: "According to Jesus' words, quoted above, there are two general directions ..."

MM: We agree there are two gates and two ways. Jesus named them 1) the strait gate, and 2) the wide gate. Life begins after we enter the gate. The way beyond the wide gate is broad and full of death, whereas the way beyond the strait gate is narrow and full of life.

Matthew
7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.