ADBC: 28 – What God Cannot Do, Stars and Knowing For Sure

Here’s the premise of the conversation.

Previously in the conversation: An element of the conversation I appreciate with my brother is how he sets up and expands on some fascinating concepts. For example, I asked him a question about his journey to homeschooling. His response was not a rebuke, but a revelation on why the process is more about unschooling. The mere thought about how entrenched the concept of compulsory schooling is to me is remarkable. Just how much of the norm it is and so much unexplored about it. Great work by Hesediah in touching on those matters in his response with fascinating links to boot. What he says about the arbitrary nature of age restrictions is worth the read as are his comments on the issue of listening vs reading. Good work as ever from my brother, worth the read and sharing as well, so you can read it here and I trust you to share it accordingly.

Hence my brother applied himself assiduously to the task of answering my questions, should I give anything less in the response to his? Well … let’s hope it’s worthwhile, here goes:

Q – Response to your answer to the astrology question – In your response regarding astrology, you said the Bible says the purpose of stars is governing seasons, that it’s not a basis for using astrology for telling you what God wants you to do, and that if that were the case, there would exist in scripture instructions or allowances for it. Surely then you’ve argued against the use of doctors and medicines, against even natural therapy that uses herbs or the body’s own systems for self-healing, since there is no scriptural instruction or allowance for their use, and I mean clear allowances, not just mentions. In addition, I did not mention using astrology to “tell you what God wants you to do” any more than seeing a green-lighted man at traffic lights tells you that God wants you to cross the road. So, that brings another question: what do you believe astrology is used for? Lastly, you mentioned that scripture states that stars govern seasons. Are you implying that scripture states that the only purpose of stars is governing seasons in terms of heat and cold or times of the year? To get to a fundamental point, what is a star? What is its essential nature?

Picking through that there are the following questions to answer:

• What do you believe astrology is used for?
• Is the only purpose of stars to govern seasons in terms of heat/cold?
• What is a star?
• What is its essential nature?

OK, I’ll endeavour to address these questions … to the best of my ability.

What do you believe astrology is used for?

I believe astrology is used to see how the position of stars influences human affairs as well as what happens in nature on earth, hence its strong association with things like horoscopes.

Is the only purpose of stars to govern seasons in terms of heat/cold? What is a star? What is its essential nature?

I do not have comprehensive knowledge of the purpose of stars. What I understand to be a star is something in the heavens that emits light.

Q – Can God do or create what is logically contradictory in the ways I’ve described above? I clarified this question before the 25th podcast edition, in the introductory section but received no answer, so I bring it up again.

On the basis of that clarification with helpful examples, to the best of my knowledge at this time, I don’t think God can do those things.

Q – What do you know for sure?

What a fascinating question. It sounds simple, but you’re asking me, you see, so I have the tendency of seeing more to things than the simple. Key words for me are ‘know’ and ‘sure’.

When I hear the word ‘sure’ I think of something that has a strong degree of certainty. For example, most people are sure that when I accurately throw a heavy rock at someone’s head, on the impact it will inflict considerable pain.

The word ‘know’ to me is very much rooted in what the thinking faculties gather and process to a degree of intimate assurance.

On that basis, some might have a long list of things that they know for sure. I don’t think I have such a long list. I know for sure that my existence is determined by God. Everything beyond that is only ‘known’ in the light of that.

This is my answer at this time, subject to change.

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Very thorough questions, my brother, very thorough. I don’t make any claim to be comprehensive or totally perfect in the responses, but I do endeavour to be as thoughtful as I can in engaging with them. Thanks for that, bro.

Here are some questions for you:

Q – What are the responsibilities of a parent – what source(s) outlines those responsibilities?

Q – What is righteousness? Who do you know to be a relatively regularly practitioner of it and why is it a quality worth pursuing today (of course assuming you believe it worth pursuing)?

Q – Law exposes the reality that humans are rebellious creatures. Do you agree with this statement, give reasons for your answer (as well as feel free to offer corrections and developments on the issue)?

I remain very grateful for the time and effort you put into this conversation, Hesediah. Thanks for your time.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden