How would existence look any different if it were nature writing the lines? If “God writes straight with crooked lines” can justify any theology, then it cannot function as a meaningful starting point for evaluating a specific one.
Right, exactly. It can justify absolutely anything at any time. Of course, MG will only ever use it to justify his doctrines in the case that the straight-line versions have already been tried and rejected.
For instance, if a young Catholic is angry at his church for selling indulgences, and goes off to explore a Lutheran church, a wise Catholic priest might sit down with the young man and tell him that "God writes straight with crooked lines" acknowledging the indulgences may be less then ideal but the young man is throwing the baby out of the bathwater (another MG fav) by making such a rash decision to abandon his heritage.
It would be a great line for a loyalist Nazi chaplain comforting a Nazi soldier preparing himself to commit an atrocity.
I think Philo did a good job abstracting the core idea from its use as a mere apologetic for anything the apologist whishes to justify.
Lost Gospel of Thomas 1:8 - And Jesus said, "what about the Pharisees? They did it too! Wherefore, we shall do it even more!"
What do you mean by “God can write straight with crooked lines” and how has it been established as a “truth”?
Google it and see how it was coined by Teresa of Ávila, a nun who lived in the 1500's. It's a religious adage with a meaning meant to inspire by showing how God can overcome all things in spite of human faults. A quick search will prove it's never been cited in General Conference or used by the Mormons who wouldn't dare assign God with anything less than perfect lines. The word "crooked" in scripture usually has negative connotations. Mormonism equates God with perfection in everything he does and anything crooked would make it seem less so.
I don't find fault with the adage but it's not something the Mormons have adopted in their teachings with the exception of MG who wants to play mind games with members of the board.
Why is God’s nature never questioned, while our explanations of His actions always are? We may understand the events well enough; it may be our assumptions about who God is and what motivates Him that need re-evaluation. Ironically the question in the op could be used to defend this version of God too.
Why is God’s nature never questioned, while our explanations of His actions always are? We may understand the events well enough; it may be our assumptions about who God is and what motivates Him that need re-evaluation. Ironically the question in the op could be used to defend this version of God too.
I think this response is another toss of the Hoppy Taw.
Why is God’s nature never questioned, while our explanations of His actions always are? We may understand the events well enough; it may be our assumptions about who God is and what motivates Him that need re-evaluation. Ironically the question in the op could be used to defend this version of God too.
I think this response is another toss of the Hoppy Taw.
Regards,
MG
Don't let him troll you, Fence. His intentions are crooked, anything but honorable. You made a good point and he has nothing better to say than tossing the silly rubber marker into the Hopscotch game. He's playing you. This business of a straight line is a ruse in which he intends to turn into a senseless maze.
I like your answer a lot, but I don't see it as compatible with any church or religion being the one true church or theology or set of doctrines.
The OP (and subsequent probing of same) placed no conditions such as a church or religion or the one true church or theology or doctrines on our answers to his questions.
Paths people take may look bent, messy, and full of detours...yet the destination can still be purposeful. Does God follow along with us showing a 'better way'? Writing straight along or parallel with our crooked lines? If this is so, does this do away with the fantasy of a perfectly controlled life? Does imperfection erase meaning?
Is it possible that unexpected/unwanted/unacceptable outcomes can still align with a larger purpose?
It seems that God can write straight with crooked lines.
It reminds me of a scriptural reference in the LDS canon where it is said that God makes weak things strong and that God may even choose those weak things to serve Him in His purposes. Some of the strongest people are those that traveled a squiggly line (hardship and trials) while God worked with them to show/teach them a 'better way'. Traveling the straight line to bring us into conformance with a path that leads to greater good/happiness.
I'm speaking in regard to humanity as a whole, not one particular religious faith tradition. And again, I'm treating this as a hypothetical...that there is a creator God. I'll add one more thing in here. That God loves us/humanity and wants the best possible outcome...in the long run...for all of us (is this unreasonable?).
That a spiritual life must be tidy or doctrinally linear may be a misnomer.
OK. I'll back out again. Looking forward to what others might have to say independent of what I've said.
It seems that God can write straight with crooked lines.
God had nothing to do with lines barring blacks from the priesthood. Those lines were man-made in nature whereby God had nothing to do with it. The First Presidencies consisted of men who loved Satan rather than principles of equality which is what God loves. The lines drawn by Church leaders were evil and Satanic in nature because their hearts were far away from God. They were hypocrites and liars.
