The 'Lonely Triune God' LSM's Oxymoron - TOMES

[Cal]

Let me add that I think Lee took the Bride of Christ thing too far. We'll never become Christ's peer. We can be related to him in all kinds of ways. But not as peer. For us to become his peer would require an increase in our cognitive gifts to infinite levels. Do you think that is going to happen?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Let me add that I think Lee took the Bride of Christ thing too far. We'll never become Christ's peer. We can be related to him in all kinds of ways. But not as peer. For us to become his peer would require an increase in our cognitive gifts to infinite levels. Do you think that is going to happen?

Not to infinite levels, but it wouldn't take much to increase my cognitive levels.

[awareness]

Welcome back SpeakersCorner.

Sorry this forum was disagreeable for you in the past. And for my part in it if any.

The verse you quote from John has always confused me.

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

I grew up on farms. Seeds don't fall to the earth and die. Seeds fall to earth and come alive.

I go to the co-op here and buy seeds. They are in a package and are as dead as they are ever gonna be. Sometimes I take seeds and freeze them over winter. They too are as dead as they will ever be (unless burned).

But when I plant them they don't die they come to life.

That's why that verse has always confused me. Not that I don't get the metaphor ... but it can't be taken literally.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Let me add that I think Lee took the Bride of Christ thing too far. We'll never become Christ's peer. We can be related to him in all kinds of ways. But not as peer. For us to become his peer would require an increase in our cognitive gifts to infinite levels. Do you think that is going to happen?

Not a sparrow falls but the Father doesn't know it. How do you think the Father knows? Because He is in "intimate terms" with the whole creation. Every hair on your head is counted. Literally. And reported to the Father. God is "LORD Sabaoth"... his hosts go to and fro continually. They are the transparent eyes that see everything, and the Father sees through them. And Jesus saw this all. And reported it to us. Neither Jesus nor the Father was alone, until that awful moment when our sin was placed on the Son.

Originally Posted by OBW

Maybe it is that the descriptions of the church as a bride is the metaphor rather than the literal. If in this life, marriage is to become "one flesh," then maybe the marriage to the bride is to restore man to his unhindered unity with God as existed before the fall.

I don't say this to be contrary to Lee. I say this because the metaphorical bride and wedding feast is just that — metaphor. And what is a meta for? (over-stated pun intended) It is to describe something else. A metaphor is not the truth that wags reality. It is the picture which describes some aspect of reality by reference to something that it actually is not.

God is the Door, the Pasture, the Bread from Heaven, the water from the rock. We are the sheep, the bride, the the body.

But there is a caveat in all this. Satan wants us to look away from God, and so these metaphors become alternate realities that consume our desire. We look at the "radiant bride", instead of the Bridegroom. We look at the "work", the "move of God", even the "central lane of the move of God(!)" the Bride and the Body, the Holy City, the ministry, the Body of Christ, the "glorious church", can I stop now? Anything to turn from the Savior. These too easily, perhaps instantly, become man-made creations that beguile.

No, our attention should be on Jesus alone. I think of the phrase, "I, who speak to you, am He", and then the disciples came and interrupted. She dashed forth and began to loudly and insistently proclaim this One. Not some other thing. One person. All attention, focus is on this One person.

As soon as we begin to look at ourselves we copy the mistake that the light-bearer of old made. He began to look at God's creation, instead of God. And then he fell like a flash. In Jesus we may continually "behold and reflect as a mirror" the glorious One. Don't look at yourself - either you'll be ashamed and discouraged, or you'll be puffed up, and lost.

The Bible tells of one thing. Not a move, a work, a plan, a destiny. No: the Bible tells us of Jesus Christ. We see nothing else (of course that was the royal "we", but it seemed dramatic. Sorry).

[aron]

"The bride eyes not her garment" so the song went. Eventually we did nothing but eye our garment. "I am rich, and sit a queen."

[HERn]

Originally Posted by aron

But there is a caveat in all this. Satan wants us to look away from God, and so these metaphors become alternate realities that consume our desire. We look at the "radiant bride", instead of the Bridegroom. We look at the "work", the "move of God", even the "central lane of the move of God(!)" the Bride and the Body, the Holy City, the ministry, the Body of Christ, the "glorious church", can I stop now? Anything to turn from the Savior. These too easily, perhaps instantly, become man-made creations that beguile.

No, our attention should be on Jesus alone. I think of the phrase, "I, who speak to you, am He", and then the disciples came and interrupted. She dashed forth and began to loudly and insistently proclaim this One. Not some other thing. One person. All attention, focus is on this One person.

As soon as we begin to look at ourselves we copy the mistake that the light-bearer of old made. He began to look at God's creation, instead of God. And then he fell like a flash. In Jesus we may continually "behold and reflect as a mirror" the glorious One. Don't look at yourself - either you'll be ashamed and discouraged, or you'll be puffed up, and lost.

The Bible tells of one thing. Not a move, a work, a plan, a destiny. No: the Bible tells us of Jesus Christ. We see nothing else (of course that was the royal "we", but it seemed dramatic. Sorry).

So, what are we to make of the following LSM hymn?
1
There’s a race for us to run—Hallelujah,
And a way for us the race to win.
To all those who have begun—Hallelujah,
God has spoken, “Look away to Him!”
Look away! O look away!
Look to Jesus now today!
Look away from everything unto Jesus,
Look away from everything to Him!
2
Look away from all around—Hallelujah,
Look away from all the strife and din;
Look away where peace is found—Hallelujah,
Look away from everything to Him.
3
Look away from fickle soul—Hallelujah,
Look away from failing self within;
Look away toward the goal—Hallelujah,
Look away from everything to Him.
4
Look away from all the past—Hallelujah,
Look away from both the good and sin;
To the living One hold fast—Hallelujah,
Look away from everything to Him.
5
Look away into His face—Hallelujah,
He who’ll finish what He did begin.
O what grace to run the race—Hallelujah—
We obtain by looking off to Him!

The hymn appears to be calling us to look to Jesus. Did Lee get it right here?