116. Paradoxes, Why, in the New Testament
116. Paradoxes, Why, in the New Testament
116 WHY PARADOXES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
INTRODUCTION "Variety is the spice of life"; attract and hold attention to principles. l. WHAT IS A PARADOX?
1. "Truth standing on its head to attract attention."
2. Seeming contradiction.
3. Kernels of truth in parables and paradoxes.
II. SOME EXAMPLES 1. Losing and finding life. (Luke 9:24.) 2. Giving and taking. (Matthew 13 : I 2.) 3. Last and first. (Matthew 20:16.) 4. Dead bury the de ad. (Luke 9:60.) III. PARADOXES STIMULATE THOUGHT 1. Must be interested to learn truth.
2. Jesus’ teachings in spire and stimul ate.
3. This done through paradoxes.
IV. SPIRITUAL TRUTH REQUIRES EFFORT 1. Must work for what we get.
2. Study develops ment al power s.
3. Paradoxes require study.
V. SPIRITUAL TRUTH ELUSIVE 1. Mysteries of human life elude scientific grasp.
2. Three steps in scientific process.
(a) Classification . (b) Analysis. (c) Explanation .
VI. REASON FOR THE UNREASONABLE 1. Jesus the model teacher.
2. Pre sented teachings logically.
3. Some of his teachings seem unreasonable.
4. Gave always reasons for th e unreasonable .