Paradoxes

Paradox: A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. (google.ca)

I don’t care for paradoxes for all kinds of reasons. There are some people who suggest that paradoxes are “impossible,” i.e. a paradox is a trick of language, restate it properly and the paradox disappears. Others say that a paradox is a cop out and if you think a bit more carefully you realize there is no paradox at all. Nonetheless, I find that there are some things that seem to fit the definition well enough to spend some time with.

The difficult or contradictory nature of sin is what I was trying to deal with today. It is true that one sin is enough to make you a sinner; it is an all or nothing proposition. However, when we read Scripture we run across things like the parable in Luke 7 where someone forgiven more sin is more grateful than someone forgiven less sins. What’s up with this? Shouldn’t we be grateful for forgiveness period? Well that’s what I tried to explore in the sermons below.

Knox Presbyterian 130616_Knox

St. Mark’s Presbyterian 130616_StMarks

I have been struggling with two things about this post. The first is how much to share about the second. The second is whether or not to post the Knox sermon at all. When I started this blog and posting my sermons I said to myself, “I will post every sermon I preach that I am able to record . . . no matter how good or bad.” One of the reasons why I made that decision is that I am not by any means the best or only measure of what makes a good or bad sermon. I have preached what I thought were poor sermons which were used by the Holy Spirit so who am I to say. But there are times when . . . well I wouldn’t have blamed anyone if everyone had just read a book. I’ll leave it up to you to see if there is any value in it and the only way I can do it is to post it and hope.

Blessings,