Before we get started with this post, I just want to restate how much I adore my Sunday School class. Recently Carolyn, our faithful teacher, encouraged us to study a book by Adam Hamilton entitled Half Truths. Here is an overview from the book's back cover:
"They are simple phrases. They sound Christian - like something you might find in the Bible. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. Join Adam Hamilton in his search for the whole truth by comparing some common Christian sayings with the wisdom found in Scripture."
The weekly topics (half truths) were...
1. Everything Happens for a Reason
2. God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
3. God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle
4. God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It
5. Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin
In the book, Adam explains why it was important to him to scrutinize these phrases.
"Here's why it is important to examine these particular half truths: I think they can sometimes hurt people. I think they can lead people to conclusions about God that are not only untrue but that may push some people away from God. Some of these half truths are used to avoid careful thinking about complex issues. Some are used to justify our own biases or prejudices. Some, when spoken to others, can bring pain."
I thought you might be interested in these half truths and so for the next five Sundays we will focus on each one. But as I have said before in these Sunday Schoolism posts, none of this is my interpretation. I am not adding my two cents worth- except for the awesomeness of my Sunday School class. I am doing my best to condense down to the main points and am directly quoting the author. If these highlights set you to pondering or disagreeing, buy the book and delve deeper! Here we go...
Everything Happens for a Reason
"When something bad has happened and we're trying to help someone through a difficult time, we say 'It was meant to be.' "
"If we extend this logic, we can arrive at some extremes that seem silly:
'God meant for my team to win (or lose) the World Series.'
And we can get to some very troubling questions:
'Does God really want little children to die in a school shooting?' "
"Though Christians share a belief in God's providence and sovereignty, they often interpret these concepts in very different ways. Some tend toward a view of God as micromanager, involved intimately each day in every detail of the world's operation. Others believe that God follows a hands-off approach, like an absentee landlord who created everything and then stepped away to let the world run itself. Still others believe the truth is somewhere between the two positions."
"Yet God superintends. God wrote the laws of nature. God has a will and plan for humanity. God guides us by the Spirit through the Scriptures, in church, as we pray, and through other Christians. God strengthens and walks with us. We are called and empowered to be God's hands and voice in the world, but God does not force us."
"He (Ray Firestone) once shared a quotation with me, which he said he found helpful in dealing with suffering, particularly after the death of his wife in a car accident. I have found it helpful too:
Suffering is not God's desire for us, but it occurs in the process of life.
Suffering is not given to teach us something, but through it we may learn.
Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment.
Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.
God does not depend on human suffering to achieve his purposes, but sometimes through suffering his purposes are achieved.
Suffering can either destroy us, or it can add meaning to our life. "
(Read Romans 8:28) "Many Christians know that passage by heart. But let's look at what Paul doesn't say. He doesn't say that God makes everything happen for a reason, or that whatever happens was part of God's will and plan. Rather, he says that no matter what happens, however bad it may be, God will somehow bring good out of the situation for those who love him. God will force evil to accomplish good."
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