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Robots and Puppets Are God's people "robots" and "puppets"? OR... are God's people truly God's children (link) and God's servants, students, soldiers, "trainees" ? A "tablet" from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets", ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
SEE related link: FREE WILL.... who says so? 5/01; 6/01; 7/01; 9/01; 12/01; 2/02; 4/02; 8/02; 9/02; 11/02; 2/03; 8/03; 11/03; 12/03; 3/04; 5/04; 8/04; 9/04; 1/05; 6/05; 9/05; 2/8/07 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to the author Dear Brother, We received you fax-response concerning my composition about "trust" (link). PJT and I read your musings, with interest. A few comments will follow, below. Remember, AL, we never try to convince anyone that we are "correct" in our spiritual understandings.... and we have no interest in "proselytizing". We do, however, enjoy sharing our "decipherings" with interested individuals. Now, concerning your thoughts expressed in your fax: 1. One big point -- about whether we humans are God's "robots", or "puppets". God's people (link) are not "robots". They are children of God (link), as portrayed repeatedly in the Bible. Compare God's children with "human" children. Human "children" are not their father's robots or puppets -- but, human children are indeed guided, protected, molded, corrected, disciplined, and loved -- by their "human" fathers.... just as "God's children" are "managed" and directed, by "God-the-Father". As God's "children", we human-beings are allowed to have the "free-will" of a child.... not mechanical "puppet-strings". My wife and I analogize this human "free-will", in the eyes of God, to be like the "freedom" that a young child has in a "playroom". That human child has "free-will" to do whatever he chooses -- in his "playroom" world. He goes where he wants, plays with any toy, makes his own "decisions" -- so long as he doesn't violate his parent's orders. If the child does break-the-rules, he is immediately corrected, and re-directed, and possibly "disciplined".... by a loving parent. The human-parent always watches the child closely, and protects him, and instructs him.... very much like God does with His "children". Similarly, a child at school -- a student -- is not a "puppet". He (or she) is allowed to believe that he has free-will (link) -- but does he? Or is he almost totally under the control of the "teacher"? Doesn't the teacher make all the significant decisions, and then guide the student along -- according to the teacher's wisdom, and the teacher's plan-of-instruction? The same concerning "servants". Servants are not "robots". Servants of human-masters are trained and instructed about how to act, how to "be", and what to "do". They are allowed "free-will", within the parameters allowed by the "Master". If the servant does not function properly, he is brought-into-line.... by "The Master". So, you see, Godspeople are not "robots" -- they (we) are children, students, servants, and "sheep" (link); and "good trees".... and other similar Biblical metaphors for "God's people". 2. Concerning your "question" about whether Godspeople can sit back, and do nothing -- except passively "trust" in God -- I would say that for Godspeople that scenario is totally impossible. I perceive that a Godsperson does indeed labor and sweat and agonize.... and all the things you suggest -- in the precise way that he was created to function. A "Godsperson" interacts with God.... and "responds" to God. (See link: "Responding to God".) In a "Godsperson", all of an individual's characteristics are innate attributes that occur by "plan" -- because of the way that each individual has been "designed" by God (see link "God's individuation"). To analogize again (paraphrasing Jesus's remarks about "good trees" and "bad trees"), a tree must bear what it was designed to bear. (See link: Fruits and deeds; weeds and creeds.) A tree must "be" what it was created to be. An apple tree will bear what God considers to be "good fruit" -- apples; as specified by the Creator. It will never bear pears (even though God considers pears, likewise, to be "good fruit"). (Interestingly, metaphorically, "pear-trees" and "apple-trees" disagree [and argue] with each other, as to which "fruit" is more desirable to God.... and "fig-trees" sometimes claim that only "figs" are acceptable to God.) Nevertheless.... for this discussion, God considers an "apple" to be a good "fruit", borne by a "good tree" -- "designed" to bear apples. If any "good tree" does not bear what it was assigned to bear, it will be pruned, fertilized, re-planted, dug-up, moved, or otherwise altered -- by the "Chief Gardener" -- so that the intended "fruit" will be produced, in adequate amounts. If you don't believe this.... see what God's Bible says about "good trees" bearing "good fruit".... and "bed trees" bearing "bad fruit": Matthew 7: (NRSV) Jesus speaking: 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit.... but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit; nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits. 3. In response to another of your points: Many of God's individuals are born not with beautiful bodies, and great brains, and white skin -- but quite the opposite. Surely you have known many "simple", plain, ordinary people who have great spiritual understanding, and genuine faith (yes, "trust"). No one can possibly believe that all of God's people are beautiful, and materially successful, and healthy. We all should remember one of the great Biblical admonitions (1 Corinthians 15: 19): "If it for this world only that the Christ has given us hope, then we of all people are most to be pitied." That is to say -- this world (this "life") is not the entire purpose for our individual existences. (Later, I will send you another "writing" on my understanding of the Kingdom of God [linked].) I do not know why there are "inequities" in this world. I do not know why wars are allowed to take place, and why tornadoes occur, and why cancers develop in some people.... in the "good", and in the "bad". My "faith" tells me that there is Divine purpose and intention and oversight.... in everything that happens. That "purpose" may not always be evident, to us humans-beings. (See link Good and evil.... both from God.) If I believe the Bible (and I do), then there are chosen (link) individuals, and there are other individuals who are created as "vessels made for destruction". Yes, God has enemies (link); and God destroys His enemies; and God protects His people from their enemies (not only human "enemies" -- but also spiritual enemies -- including spiritual ignorance). 4. One last point, Brother, then I will let your brain rest.... for now. PJT and I do not understand that we humans "put our trust in God" (as you stated). Everything that we have deciphered from the Bible says that the "putting of faith" is by God -- from God, into His people. Faith is a gift from God (see link). Faith cannot be manufactured, or claimed, or pretended, or simply "tried". As John Calvin said, in "Institutes of Christian Religion": "If, at any time, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us remember that no one can understand the mysteries of God, except those to whom it is given." Enough for now. See if you can make any sense out of all this. From yo' brother, JNT P.S. See: Some say we have "FREE-WILL" (link).
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