What God May Really Be Like – Misbeliefs About God

Can We Determine God’s Views On Women According To The Bible?

God either controlled the writers’ thoughts to perfectly represent God, or God did not control writers misunderstanding God at times and coming to a better understanding over time. It is not God’s nature to control and supernaturally prevent personal or cultural influences. Besides, literature always requires interpretation thus why scholars differ on what the Bible says about divorce, hell, homosexuality, gender roles, etc. When we insist the Bible is infallible, we often end up defending our interpretations as infallible. We become dogmatic in our views rather than sharing different opinions with a flexible attitude. The Bible can be used selectively to justify almost any belief in the name of God.

https://mikeedwards123.wordpress.com/2018/01/12/q-a-what-if-bible-not-infallible-or-misrepresents-god-at-times/

https://mikeedwards123.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/my-journey-is-the-bible-infallible-or-human/

Next in Series: Does the Bible definitely say God thinks roles are based on gender than gifts?

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What Problems Arise If Roles According To Gender Than Gifts?

 “It’s been bothering me since 9/11. What’s the difference between the strain of Islam that proscribes gender roles and its counterpart in Christianity that does the same thing, albeit with a different set of prohibitions?”        Unknown person to the editor of a newspaper

I am no authority on other cultures that dictate what women should wear in public. The men making the rules often hide behind “because God said so according to some Holy Book.” I will address the problem of an infallible Book in a later post, but interpretations of any ancient literature are not infallible. There is wide debate what God says about women, dress, and roles in the Bible. How a woman wants to dress surely is a woman’s business. It is a man’s responsibility to not look if they think they may lust. Maybe we need rules for men to avoid certain dress. Also, the God of Islam and Christianity, if loving, would never deny a woman a role in the priesthood or pastorate if gifted to fulfill such a role. It is hard to imagine a loving God would deny anyone to pursue their passions to make for a better world.

Next in Series: Can we determine God’s views on women according to the Bible?

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Why Matters What Men Think A Woman’s Role Is?

“To believe the Bible teaches wives are in subjection to their husbands in a way husbands aren’t to their wives can create an environment more conducive for the atrocities women face at the hands of men throughout history. Mutual submission is nearly impossible for men to twist to justify their subtle or blatant mistreatment of women. Men often interpret leadership as making final decisions when there is a stalemate but there are many creative ways to resolve impasses.” 

Mike Edwards, A Book About God, not published

When two debatable interpretations of Scriptures exist on the same issue, it seems more loving to err on the side that leads to less mistreatment of human beings. Mutual submission rather than leadership is much more difficult for men to twist who are prone to violence and taking advantage of their power over women. But, many men are not such pigs and believe in loving leadership. The problem I have seen is that when a leader is designated, when differences arise creative solutions go out the window. I get that in government or business a CEO may need to be the final decision-maker. But, a dyad isn’t that complicated. I have been married over 35 years and not once was the man as final decision-maker necessary to solve the problem. Besides, give me an inch and I will take a mile!

Next in Series: What problems can arise when roles determined according to gender than gifts?

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Why Matters What God Thinks A Woman’s Role Is?

I am doing a series of Posts concerning women and God. I have written more in detail my views on this issue below, so here I want to simply provoke “food for thought” in hopes the reader will run with it if interested. Many base their beliefs about God on the Bible and assume the Bible teaches roles are determined according to gender and not gifts. Many are rightly turned off by a God if appears to be a sexist. I am deeply offended when my daughters are denied the same opportunities as men despite being as qualified. Now, not everyone can do every role. I can’t be a musician or even a CEO because I lack musical/business skills or the interest. Women make up half the human population so billions are impacted. When roles are determined according to gender, we are denying many women the freedom to follow their passions. It matters what God thinks because most assume One who claims to be God is worthy of imitation.

https://mikeedwards123.wordpress.com/why-and-what-i-believe-series/

In This Series of Posts:

• Why Matters What God Thinks A Woman’s Role Is?
• Why Matters What Men Think A Woman’s Role Is?
• What Problems Arise If Roles According To Gender Than Gifts?
• Can We Determine God’s Views on Women According To The Bible?
• Does The Bible Definitely Say God Thinks Roles Based On Gender Than Gifts?
• How Can We Know What God Thinks If Not The Bible?
• How Possibly Have So Many Gotten The Bible And God Wrong About A Woman’s Role?
• How Do We Handle Our Differences Regarding God And A Woman’s Role?
• Final Q & A

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

What Is God’s Greatest Desire For You?

God wants what you want – to become the person you deep down desire to be. You don’t have to read any further. I have told you all you need to know about God. Thomas Talbott says it more elegantly: “God wills for us the very thing we really want for ourselves, whether we know it or not…” The Inescapable Love Of God, p. 185.

But, we get a lot of information about God from the Bible and doesn’t the good Book tell us God want us to be what God wants us to be so shut up and give God the glory! The Bible can be used to defend any belief.

Isaiah 43: 6-7 is quoted to make it seem God’s desire for devotion is to remind us of God’s greatness or we can go to Hell: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth…whom I created for my glory.” But, 2 Tim. 2: 14 can be quoted to reveal God isn’t an egotistical glory hog: “He called you…that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Which desire to you think best fits a loving, good perfect God?

I know, I know some friends or terrorists deep down desire to control or kill if you don’t accept their beliefs.

I was talking about you who would even read this far. What do you desire to be deep down? I can only speak for myself.

I want to be a better partner. Okay, I want to be a perfect partner. That means treating Janet like a queen. That means speaking her love language. My wife isn’t materialistic but just once she would love I give her the gift of planning a trip together to change the routine. Whoops! Maybe she will read me writing this one day and I will get some credit for at least having the thought. I want to be more loving, patient, etc. Oh wait, that is what God desires for us.

I want to be a better parent. Okay, I want to be a perfect parent. I don’t want to be known as a controller and want for my kids what I want. I just want them to grow up and not be self-centered. I don’t care if their occupation is what I had in mind or what others think is an important job. I want them to follow their gifts and passions. Oh wait, that is God’s desire for us.

I want to be a better friend. Okay, I want to be a perfect friend. Friends say things they regret. I want to be able to let it go if they come to me and express regret. We can restart. Friends sometimes bug us. I want to be honest with them rather than talk behind their back, but say things in a way I would want said to me. Oh wait, that is what God’s desire for us.

God only want what you want and is hoping you will accept Them coming alongside in your journey to be the best you can. What a legacy to have!

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be notified of future Posts only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Being Your Valentine’s Valentine!

The below was sent today to my kids and their partners. I included the wife, but dang now I got to try to walk the talk. I hope blog readers will find some food for thought in their relationships and reach out for help to others if needed.

Kids: I posted this on my blog today, but I said what the heck – send to the six kids you love the most. I get making a difference is more about living it than talking it. I suck at that sometimes but I am going to die trying. I will be brief what is on my heart (Get it. Valentine’s Day!)

I want to share what I have come to understand the main reason couples grow apart. I already sent to you several months ago a longer version of ways to make marriage work.

I am convinced there is one key understanding backed by action that enables a couple to remain good friends.

After all, don’t most couples get married because they have grown to be best friends. This understanding has been vital in my relationship with Mom/Janet these past thirty-five years. I saw it essential when I worked with couples in private practice. Couples I know today don’t have the relationship they could because of it.

Differences don’t have to divide! Learn to be “happily incompatible.” 

It is not normal for two people that have a 24/7 relationship to not have differences. The reason that you don’t have as intense conflicts with others friends is because you don’t live with them. Share finances, closets, bathrooms, children, etc., and challenges will come to your doorstep.

Don’t make the same mistakes I did with my Valentine in the beginning of our marriage. Thankfully, all six of you seem to have a more mature attitude about relationships than I did when young. I am not sure why but I assumed love meant Janet and I would always agree. Doesn’t work that way if human. And the longer the relationship last, the more differences there will be especially if you live with someone as opinionated as I am.

Accept and even embrace your differences. You may be better off with two brains than one. It is easy to know how to handle differences but hard to do. 

When differences arise, communicate to your partner the way you wish to be spoken to.

Listen more than you talk, don’t raise your voice, etc. If things get heated agree to try again later. Letting anger fly usually doesn’t work. Be creative in your “differences” solving like you are in your other relationships. Just thank God you don’t have to live with them!

Love you six more than you can imagine!

Dad/Mike

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be sent future Posts. This will notify you of future Post only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Is Church Always The Best Place To Grow Spiritually?

Is Church Always The Best Place To Grow Spiritually? 

“You can scour your Bible from beginning to end, and you will never find anything that remotely resembles our order of worship…They are officiated and directed by a clergyman, they make the sermon central, and the people are passive and not permitted to minister…actually hinders spiritual transformation…it encourages passivity…We grow by functioning, not by passively watching and listening.”  

Pagan Christianity?, Frank Viola & George Barna, Chapter 3 

I do not wish to discourage church attendance for those it helps grow in their spirituality. I do wish to acknowledge that attending church is a burden and not spiritually transforming for many. Life is too short to not find environments to be encouraged and encourage others in becoming more the person you deep down desire to come. Many may not know or have heard that God desires for us the very thing we want for ourselves. Also, another good book on the subject matter is Beyond Sundays by Wayne Jacobsen. See my review below of the Book on Amazon.   

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sundays-Wayne-Jacobsen/dp/0983949190/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518263896&sr=8-1&keywords=wayne+jacobsen+beyond+sunday#customerReviews

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be sent future Posts. This will notify you of future Post only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Why Wouldn’t God Give Second Chances After Death?

“Why would God have a complete character lobotomy after we take our last breath here on earth?….God can’t stop being God somehow after our last breathe by refusing to forgive any offense. I cannot imagine even imperfect human parents ever cutting off a child when finally accepting responsibilities for their actions. Why would God pretend that every reason for a person refusing God in this life is equal?”

https://mikeedwards123.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/why-wouldnt-god-give-second-chances-after-death/

Why even bother living a good life here on earth since all may be eventually forgiven? God doesn’t advise living unselfishly here on earth to earn a “Get Out Of Hell” free card. I can die with my toys or relationship fulfillment. But, for the love of justice! After death God may bring to memory every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. There is hope for our loved ones who had their reasons for not accepting God in this life.

Click on FOLLOW at bottom right of this page to enter email address to be sent future Posts. This will notify you of future Post only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com

Can There Be Justice If God Gives Second Chances After Death?

“That is to say, why would we imagine that God cannot or does not wish to continue pursuing the one after that individual’s death? …Most victims of crimes, as it turns out, do not just want to see the perpetrator punished; they want the person to understand the consequences of their actions, to feel remorse, to repent, and make amends of some kind.”

Click to access 31-1_Clark-Soles.pdf

After death God may bring to memory every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others. But Jesus’ message wasn’t to say the sinner’s prayer or go to Hell. God wants to inspire and empower us to live a life here on earth that we can look back on life with fewer regrets.

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Does God Demand Admiration And Obedience Or We Can Go To Hell?

“Religious people sometimes speak of God as if he were just another human magistrate who seeks his own glory and requires obedience for its own sake…God wills for us the very thing we really want for ourselves, whether we know it or not…”

 Thomas Talbott, The Inescapable Love Of God, p. 185.

The Bible is often quoted as if God’s desire for devotion is so we can remind God of Their greatness. God’s request for respect (glory) is no different than a loving parent’s desire for respect because their uncontrolling love always have our best interest in mind.

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Click on FOLLOW at the bottom right of this page and enter email address to be notified of future Posts only. No other unrelated emails will be sent. Go to About/Using This Site tab at top of page or Menu on phones to help navigate this Site. If you wish to discuss anything I have written, you can email me at medwar2@gmail.com