Are we the sum of our life experiences?
Apr 28, 2019 12:36:32 #
There are basically two approaches: the metaphysical and the existential. Of course, whichever perspective you take to dispute or justify the merits of that question, neither can provide any proof; it will remain a hypothetical. But that doesn't make it just a useless mind-game. Believing or disbelieving that we are the sum of our life experiences from either viewpoint has real life consequences.
From the Existential frame of reference, as one example, if we favor that we are indeed the sum of our life experiences the notion that we are the captains of our destiny may form. We think, “What I have done thus far in my life has led me here, so I will continue on that path to create the future I want,” all that happens around us sort of a stage for the play of our existence.
From the Metaphysical angle, nearly the opposite is true. This is best demonstrated by Jeremiah18:6: “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand.” (The potter working with the clay reminds us that God is at work in us “for His good pleasure.”) Philippians 2:13
Also consider, none of our life experiences can make us a “new creation.” None of our life experiences can can create and improve spiritual gifts. None of our life experiences can produce and grow spiritual fruit. All that is in the heavenly hands of God. As my signature quote at the end of my every post says, “The more God takes us over, the more our true selves we become.” C.S. Lewis
Change “sum” to some and that will work. That's my thoughts on the matter.
From the Existential frame of reference, as one example, if we favor that we are indeed the sum of our life experiences the notion that we are the captains of our destiny may form. We think, “What I have done thus far in my life has led me here, so I will continue on that path to create the future I want,” all that happens around us sort of a stage for the play of our existence.
From the Metaphysical angle, nearly the opposite is true. This is best demonstrated by Jeremiah18:6: “Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand.” (The potter working with the clay reminds us that God is at work in us “for His good pleasure.”) Philippians 2:13
Also consider, none of our life experiences can make us a “new creation.” None of our life experiences can can create and improve spiritual gifts. None of our life experiences can produce and grow spiritual fruit. All that is in the heavenly hands of God. As my signature quote at the end of my every post says, “The more God takes us over, the more our true selves we become.” C.S. Lewis
Change “sum” to some and that will work. That's my thoughts on the matter.
Apr 28, 2019 19:39:34 #
Well said...
And well reasoned...
Hope your heart is doing ok...
And well reasoned...
Hope your heart is doing ok...
Apr 29, 2019 10:19:10 #
Canuckus Deploracus wrote:
Well said...
And well reasoned...
Hope your heart is doing ok...
And well reasoned...
Hope your heart is doing ok...
早上好。謝謝您的讚美。希望你很好，享受中國
Apr 29, 2019 10:35:35 #
rumitoid wrote:
早上好。謝謝您的讚美。希望你很好，享受中國
学的不错。。。但是现在是晚上，马上睡觉。。。我今天很好。。。结婚了十年
我也希望你天天好好。。。上帝保佑你和你家。。。祝你一辈子健康快乐
May 5, 2019 10:30:35 #
rumitoid wrote:
早上好。謝謝您的讚美。希望你很好，享受中國
Translated into English (by Google):
"Good morning. Thank you for your compliment. I hope you are very good, enjoy China."
99% of the public is prevented from understanding the comments when there's no translation, stifling their possible contribution to the conversation.
Adding the English translation easily remedies this.
May 5, 2019 10:31:09 #
Canuckus Deploracus wrote:
学的不错。。。但是现在是晚上，马上睡觉。。。我今天很好。。。结婚了十年 img src="http... (show quote)
Google translation into English: "Learning well. . . But now it is night, go to bed right away. . . I am fine today. . . Married for ten years"
Google translation into English: "I also hope that you are good every day. . . God bless you and your home. . . I wish you a healthy and happy life."
May 5, 2019 11:38:54 #
Jean Paul Sartre, French philosopher, playwright, novelist, political activist, biographer, literary critic, and exponent of "Existentialism" said, "We are the sum total of our experiences."
"Existentialism" is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's own acts."
– for Christians, who understand what is written in Acts 17:28: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being" (or, more briefly, "exist"), this can be a great and positive thing, for other people this can work against them in life, because our life's experiences strongly influence how we react to future events.
It is in how we allow ourselves to react to these events (regardless of whether they were good or bad), that we profit from our life's experiences, as we can each acquire the God-given wisdom, inner strength and motivation, accordingly, to change how we live our life, that it may be pleasing to Him whose Name is above every Name.
In 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4, God promises to comfort us as we surmount all our errors in life, and to allow us, in turn to be of comfort to others who are experiencing what we have conquered through His strength and power.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
It is only by letting go of our own very human and selfish lusts and desires that allows God, the Holy Spirit, to guide and direct us, for as we "die" to ourselves, and allow Him to control our lives more fully, we fleetingly and faintly, reflect Jesus' image, to the glory of God, the Father.
When God, the Father looks upon those who are in Christ, it is through our covering of His beloved Son's shed blood on Calvary that allows Him to see us as His beloved and redeemed children.
Romans 12:1 "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
"Existentialism" is a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's own acts."
– for Christians, who understand what is written in Acts 17:28: "For in him we live, and move, and have our being" (or, more briefly, "exist"), this can be a great and positive thing, for other people this can work against them in life, because our life's experiences strongly influence how we react to future events.
It is in how we allow ourselves to react to these events (regardless of whether they were good or bad), that we profit from our life's experiences, as we can each acquire the God-given wisdom, inner strength and motivation, accordingly, to change how we live our life, that it may be pleasing to Him whose Name is above every Name.
In 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4, God promises to comfort us as we surmount all our errors in life, and to allow us, in turn to be of comfort to others who are experiencing what we have conquered through His strength and power.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
It is only by letting go of our own very human and selfish lusts and desires that allows God, the Holy Spirit, to guide and direct us, for as we "die" to ourselves, and allow Him to control our lives more fully, we fleetingly and faintly, reflect Jesus' image, to the glory of God, the Father.
When God, the Father looks upon those who are in Christ, it is through our covering of His beloved Son's shed blood on Calvary that allows Him to see us as His beloved and redeemed children.
Romans 12:1 "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
rumitoid wrote:
There are basically two approaches: the metaphysic... (show quote)
May 6, 2019 10:42:35 #
Zemirah wrote:
Translated into English (by Google):
"Good morning. Thank you for your compliment. I hope you are very good, enjoy China."
99% of the public is prevented from understanding the comments when there's no translation, stifling their possible contribution to the conversation.
Adding the English translation easily remedies this.
"Good morning. Thank you for your compliment. I hope you are very good, enjoy China."
99% of the public is prevented from understanding the comments when there's no translation, stifling their possible contribution to the conversation.
Adding the English translation easily remedies this.
As does a short trip to google translate, with the added bonus of commenting oneself.
May 6, 2019 15:10:18 #
Actually, rumi, I waited several days, expecting someone else to do just that.
Please don't start posting in an :unknown tongue, as there is no online translation for that.
Please don't start posting in an :unknown tongue, as there is no online translation for that.
rumitoid wrote:
As does a short trip to google translate, with the added bonus of commenting oneself.
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