The document discusses the concept of divine dualities within Christian theology, providing examples such as the humanity and divinity of Jesus, predestination versus free will, and strength found in weakness. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these paradoxes in relation to God's nature, actions, and our own experiences as believers. The text concludes by noting the global need for access to biblical teachings in diverse languages, highlighting the ongoing challenge in sharing God's love.

1. Divine Dualities: Holding the BalancePam Bendor-Samuel15th June 2011

2. Dualities?‘Antimonies’ (Calvin)‘Double truths’‘Opposites’‘Paradoxes’‘One the one hand…. On the other hand….’

3. 1 - ‘God in a body’Divinity and humanity of Jesus

4. 2 - PredestinationA centuries-old debatePredestination / FreewillDivine over-ruling / human responsibility

5. 3 – Where is God?Omnipresence?1 John 4:13: ‘In my heart’

6. 4 – What can God do?God is omnipotentGod cannot lie / deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13)

7. 5 – When is God?Eternal and outside timeGod can intervene with split-second timing

8. 6 - ChangeGod is unchangingGod brings change

9. 7 – A Profligate GodHe flings out the stars, the grass…But he does not waste anythingJohn 6:12: ‘Pick up the pieces that remain’

10. 8 – Strength in Weakness2 Corinthians 12:10: ‘When I am weak, then am I strong’2 Corinthians 3:5: ‘We are no sufficient of ourselves; our sufficiency is of God’c.f. 2 Corinthians 4:7: ‘treasure in earthen vessels’

11. 9 – Activity and StillnessNote the paradox in Hebrews 4:11: ‘Labour … to enter that rest’

12. 10 – Unity in DiversityAs in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11:‘Many gifts, one Spirit’

13. 11 – Christ / YouChrist in you, you in ChristGalatians 2:20: ‘I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me’

14. 12 – The IncarnationChrist’s divinity and humanity‘Jesus wept’ Luke 19:41, as he approached JerusalemJohn 11:35, before the raising of Lazarusc.f. Philippians 2:6-11

15. 13 – Infinite and InfinitesimalThe God of Creation, both in micro and macro.

16. 14 – Wrath and LoveGod of holiness, justice and wrathGod of mercy, compassion and loveIsaiah 45:21: ‘A just God and a Saviour’Psalm 85:10: ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other’

17. 15 – Beginning and EndHebrews 12:2 : ‘Jesus, the author and finisher / completer of our faith’

18. 16 – Law and Spirit2 Corinthians 3:6: ‘The letter kills – but the Spirit gives life’

19. 17 – How old are we?2 Corinthians 4:16: Outwardly we may be ‘wasting away’, but inwardly ‘being renewed’

20. 18 – Fear and FaithMark 4:35-41, when Jesus calms the stormc.f. walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

21. 19 - MissiologyNeed to think / be informed and pray:GloballyLocally

22. 20 – Suffering and Comfort2 Corinthians 1:5 – abounding suffering, but abounding comfort‘For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.’ (NIV)

23. 21 – Depth and Height1 Thessalonians 4:13ffChrist descended into Hell, and then ascended into Heaven, so that we might ascend into Heaven instead of descending into Hell.

24. 22 – Impossible?Things which are impossible for us become possible.Conditions:Colossians 1:11 – being empowered follows knowing and doing God’s will (vv9-10)Matthew 9:23 – if you have faithMark 9 – belief (v23), prayer (v29)

25. 23 – Impossible…for God?Hebrews 6:18 – He cannot lie(c.f. Balaam in Numbers 23:19 and Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:29)2 Timothy 2:13 – He cannot deny himselfActs 2:24 – death cannot hold himRomans 8:39 – nothing can separate us from his love

26. 23 cont. – Possible for God‘Things which are impossible with men are possible with God’Luke 18:27Matthew 19:26Mark 10:27‘For nothing is impossible with God’Luke 1:37Genesis 18:14

27. 23 cont. – The MysteryMatthew 26:39; Mark 14:35-36: ‘Father, all things are possible … nevertheless’

28. 24 – Serve in LoveGalatians 5:13: ‘Serve one another in love’‘On the one hand, serve. On the other hand, love. Our service is prompted by love.’Gordon Temple, of Torch Trust, speaking at the WA Conference 2011

29. 25 – More…There are many more we could mention. What other dualities can you think of?

30. Worldwide there are over 300 million people who do not have access to the story of God's love for his people - the story of the Bible - in the language that they understand the best, their 'heart' language.