SOME THOUGHTS ON EASTER, 2010

[Newt]

It has never made sense to me that what one does out of fear, force or lack of choice can be said to have the quality of 'virtue'.

It's funny how one can 'find' universal truths in everyday undertakings: there is an oft-quoted passage in a famous horse-training manual by a Greek general named Xenophon (written 2300 years ago!) that contrasts the advantages of willing compliance vs. force.

"For what a horse does under compulsion...is done without understanding; and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer. There would be a great deal more ungracefulness than beauty in either a horse or a man that was so treated."

Works for me.

[Allhallowsday]

Mostly, I've always taken your challenges to Indy's posts as attempts to make him/us think further about why we profess Christ, and I applaud anything that makes me think deeper about my motivations.

In this you are correct.  I agree with much of what else you have written, Derf, but not all.  I meant it when I indicated I agreed with Newt in this regard: "...we are to find it within ourselves to accept and commit because our hearts say it must be so..."  I have faith that it is worthwhile, in and of itself, to behave well, to be kind, and to give. 

Hmmm... so, we must always be kind, and contrite when not, even to JESUS.  I will point out that if JESUS was not a man, he was not our Savior. 

[indianasmith]

Agreed, and what a great discussion!