by Cowboy Bob Sorensen
In the beginning was blamestorming. After eating the forbidden fruit, Eve some to Adam, and he blamed both Eve and God for his choice (Gen. 1:12). When confronted, Eve blamed Satan for her choice, and made the excuse that she was deceived (Gen. 3:13). Seems to be human nature to blame others for our own bad decisions, and to seek other ways of justifying our actions. This can be seen throughout history through today.
Atheists will use an argument from outrage, including cherry-picking things in the Bible that they don't like to justify denying God's existence and authority. Likewise, they will use Bible texts that they don't understand to make excuses for rebelling against God, such as "How can a loving God..." Well, how can an honest person not bother to do some homework on the questions? One way I've seen the "logic" of unbelievers seems to work this way: "You're not a good enough Christian to meet my arbitrary standards, therefore, the Bible is not true, there is no God, I can do what I want". Not hardly!
For that matter, there are Christians who will find excuses reject biblical truths that they don't cotton to. Sure, there are honest disagreements on nonessentials, but when it comes to clinging to pet doctrines and beliefs, some Christians will act just like atheists. When shown from Scripture that they may not be exactly right, people can get meaner than a burlap sack full of sidewinders. Blaming God (Job 40:8) can be seen in both believers and unbelievers.
Let's back up a mite. As we know, people will pass blame and make excuses for their own behaviors. This is seen in the pro-homosexual lobby. "You Fundies can't tell us about our sins, because you have adulterers and allow other kinds of sins!" That shallow, emotionally-laden tu quoque argument is easily dismantled. For one thing, Christians who oppose homosexuality are not justifying their own sins and making them a means of identity. "Hi, I'm Bob, I'm an adulterous heterosexual white male, and I want acceptance, reinterpretation of the Bible, and special legislation to suit my lifestyle." Also, the "you do it too" reaction, whether accurate or not, is a way to distract from the main point that homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible. The same kinds of poor reasoning are used by abortionists, atheists, liberal religious people, cultists, and more.
Blaming, self-justification by pointing out flaws in others, various excuses — they are excuses to cling to our sins and bad thinking. You want to call me a bad Christian? Go ahead, I admit that I've sinned and have inconsistencies. Flaws in other people? You betcha! You'll find a passel of them in professing Christians, even in our spiritual leaders. Cherry-picking verses out of the Bible so you can pretend it's untrue? It's been tried before, and keeps on failing, do your homework and see. All of those are distractions to avoid the main point that God is the Creator, he makes the rules, and we are responsible for our actions. No excuses will work. Just ask Adam and Eve.
We need to humble ourselves before almighty God (James 4:6, Matt. 18:4, Psalm 51:17), repent (Acts 17:30-31, Matt. 4:17, Luke 24:46-47, Rom. 2:4), and believe for salvation (John 3:16-17, Acts 10:4, Rom. 1:16). Those who believe are assured of salvation (Eph. 2:5-7, John 1:12-13) through the faith (Eph. 2:8-9). No excuses.
In the beginning was blamestorming. After eating the forbidden fruit, Eve some to Adam, and he blamed both Eve and God for his choice (Gen. 1:12). When confronted, Eve blamed Satan for her choice, and made the excuse that she was deceived (Gen. 3:13). Seems to be human nature to blame others for our own bad decisions, and to seek other ways of justifying our actions. This can be seen throughout history through today.
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| "Unpopular Opinion Puffin" has an unpopular opinion. |
For that matter, there are Christians who will find excuses reject biblical truths that they don't cotton to. Sure, there are honest disagreements on nonessentials, but when it comes to clinging to pet doctrines and beliefs, some Christians will act just like atheists. When shown from Scripture that they may not be exactly right, people can get meaner than a burlap sack full of sidewinders. Blaming God (Job 40:8) can be seen in both believers and unbelievers.
Let's back up a mite. As we know, people will pass blame and make excuses for their own behaviors. This is seen in the pro-homosexual lobby. "You Fundies can't tell us about our sins, because you have adulterers and allow other kinds of sins!" That shallow, emotionally-laden tu quoque argument is easily dismantled. For one thing, Christians who oppose homosexuality are not justifying their own sins and making them a means of identity. "Hi, I'm Bob, I'm an adulterous heterosexual white male, and I want acceptance, reinterpretation of the Bible, and special legislation to suit my lifestyle." Also, the "you do it too" reaction, whether accurate or not, is a way to distract from the main point that homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible. The same kinds of poor reasoning are used by abortionists, atheists, liberal religious people, cultists, and more.
Blaming, self-justification by pointing out flaws in others, various excuses — they are excuses to cling to our sins and bad thinking. You want to call me a bad Christian? Go ahead, I admit that I've sinned and have inconsistencies. Flaws in other people? You betcha! You'll find a passel of them in professing Christians, even in our spiritual leaders. Cherry-picking verses out of the Bible so you can pretend it's untrue? It's been tried before, and keeps on failing, do your homework and see. All of those are distractions to avoid the main point that God is the Creator, he makes the rules, and we are responsible for our actions. No excuses will work. Just ask Adam and Eve.
We need to humble ourselves before almighty God (James 4:6, Matt. 18:4, Psalm 51:17), repent (Acts 17:30-31, Matt. 4:17, Luke 24:46-47, Rom. 2:4), and believe for salvation (John 3:16-17, Acts 10:4, Rom. 1:16). Those who believe are assured of salvation (Eph. 2:5-7, John 1:12-13) through the faith (Eph. 2:8-9). No excuses.