Why the Doctrine of Creation Matters for Your Life - today
That much was abundantly clear.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce!”
Shakespeare’s words came to mind as I looked at my three-year-old daughter with a mixture of pride and exasperation. I admired her conviction but at the same time, I knew she was fighting against something that was ultimately for her own good.
My girl had already had one bad experience at the dentist and she had no intention of repeating it. She won her battle that day after the dentist gave up (eventually we found another dentist who knew how to work with children).
A closed fist is a revealing form of body language that connotes firmness of resolve-think of someone preparing for a fight. It’s a signal of unyieldingness.
Open palms usually have a positive effect on people- a sign of making amends. Combined with outstretched arms, it communicates openness and acceptance.
People who are worshipping often, instinctively, adopt this gesture, holding their arms outstretched, palms open.
You may have heard the phrase, open-handed vs. close-handed issues. It can be used to differentiate between the beliefs that Christians hold; the ones that are non-negotiable, clearly required by the Bible, and the ones that we may differ on with others, as the Bible is unclear on them and salvation does not hinge on their adherence on way or the other.
We must be brave enough to receive and hold to what the Bible teaches as inerrant truth from God (close-handed), but we should remain humble and avoid needless controversy when it comes to the open-handed issues.
The doctrine of creation is this,
God created the entire universe out of nothing; it was originally very good; he created it to glorify himself. (1)
To enjoy the rest of this post, go with me over to Dawn Klinge’s site.
Click HERE for the remainder of this post.
Each week, we will highlight and explain a core doctrine. Then, we will pose the question, “Why does this matter to you and me?”
In addition, you can catch all of this year’s “Delight in Doctrine” posts by clicking HERE.
For the purposes of the study, our main texts will be first, the Bible, of course, and Wayne Grudem’s classic, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine.
It is our prayer that by the end of 2017, we will all find more delight in understanding what we believe and why we believe it.
“…YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” LUKE 10:27 (ESV)
Encouraged by what you read?
Would you share this article with a friend, co-worker, or family member?
Or, maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?
This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Additionally, Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Also, for more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.
© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Further, excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
