“It is as much an error to dismiss affections entirely as unimportant to the reality of true religion as it is to focus on high affections without regard to their source or nature. Satan is happy with either error. He would as much have us fall into a lifeless formality as he would that we be stirred and energized by affections unrelated to truth.” ~ Sam Storms - Signs of the Spirit; an interpretation of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections. p.56
HT:PC
5 comments:
You, my friend, continue to be an enigma. A charismatic Calvinist who is emergent friendly. Man, that so sounds like a Baptist committee. I often get emotional when worshiping my Lord. Emotionless Christianity seems like eating frozed foods.
But sometimes worship has to be emotionless - you can't say that worship must wait until emotions kick in. When they do, it's great, and when they don't, it's OK - in either way, worship doesn't equal emotions. I think you're on to something when you say worshiping the king of the universe, the creative and loving one, is much better when emotion comes with it, and like frozen food when it doesn't - but sometimes you gotta eat the frozen food if you want anything at all.
My take, anyway. I've never been able to turn the emotions on or off at will. Sometimes they're overwhelming. Sometimes not.
"Calvinist charismatic." Now there's a moniker for you.
As I was reading that quote I was thinking that it sounds very Edwardsean. Sure enough.
"But sometimes worship has to be emotionless - you can't say that worship must wait until emotions kick in."
But when true worship occurs emotions follow. It does no make sense that a touchdown elicits immediate emotion and not bowing before the Creator of the Universe.
Hi Rick,
It needs to be remembered that whilst affections necessarily include emotions they are not synonymous. The affections include the more moral responsive qualities of the will and mind.
Pete
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