Non-contradiction

[But_for_Grace]

something cannot be and not be at the same time and in the same manner. You cannot stand up and sit down at the same time. A man can be a father and a son but not to the same person. Truth is not relative. One cannot read the bible and understand it correctly without understanding how it has been intreprated in the past. God’s truth does not change, neither then does what he wishes to express in his bible. One God, One Truth, One Faith, One Baptism, One Church… this is all there ever has been, everything else is a contradiction of God’s truth and hence is to a greater or lesser extent false.

so what’s your two cents :twocents:

 

[steve_c]

Everything you wrote makes sense, but just make sure you leave room for paradox – a critical element in our faith. It allows for the union and/or communion of two things that “apparently” contradict. Whether it is the paradox of Mary being virgin and mother at the same time or the paradox of Jesus who was sinless, yet became sin, the truths found in these paradoxes are more real than our limited human intelligence may be able to understand.

 

[gardenswithkids]

steve c:

Everything you wrote makes sense, but just make sure you leave room for paradox – a critical element in our faith.

Yes, the sign of contradiction is key. Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords was born in a humble stable. The contradictions of His life continued until ultimately by dying He destroyed death, and in rising He restored life. The prayer of St. Francis points out many such contradictions in our faith: in giving we recieve, in pardoning we are pardoned, and in dying we are born to eternal life.

But as the original poster pointed out, truth is not relative. These statements appear to contradict, but they really only contradict with the “wisdom” of this world, which is foolishness to God. Jesus embrassed true wealth, rather than gold and things that pass away. Humility is worth more than riches. And tying back to the original point about understanding of the Bible,
But for grace:

One cannot read the bible and understand it correctly without understanding how it has been intreprated in the past. God’s truth does not change, neither then does what he wishes to express in his bible.

In humilty Christians should believe we need the assistance of others to understand the scriptures, and we should not expect that the Holy Spirit will enlighten us personally with any information that God has not already shared with His Church. To believe otherwise contradicts with the spirit of humility, which Jesus valued more than all the wealth of the world.