Q. Ok... so the difference between preternatural and supernatural is that one goes along with the nature of the subject and the other doesn’t, right? In that case how is it supernatural to become a child of God? If God created us in his own image (much like a son naturally takes after his parents), is it not natural that he would call us his children? At least those of us who have accepted him as a father? Is that not more preternatural? It rhymes with man's inherent nature to connect with his maker and with God's love for us as his creation and children.
A. Ok. So first preternatural and supernatural both go along with nature. It's not that preternatural goes along and supernatural goes against. I guess it's more like to what degree it goes along.
Q. So the distinction is degree?
A. I think distinction is in degree. But maybe you could ask someone who knows more than me...
Q. Will do.
Then I was asking what's so supernatural about becoming a child of God when He already made us naturally in His own image? Like a son naturally resembles his parents, right? That's something natural not supernatural.
A. Angels are also made in the image and likeness of God. They too have an intellect and a will. In fact, by nature, they are MORE like God than we are since they are pure spirit, like God.
But angels however not children of God. We are.
That divine sonship is not by nature - otherwise angels would also be children of God. It is by grace. A gift.
If you do accept that gift - offered to us at baptism - then we become ADOPTED children of God. Only Jesus is the child/son of God by nature.
Q. That makes sense. But my big issue is that God gave us the right to be called his children. Right. So if it is right does it not fall into our nature?
A. You don't have a right to become or be called a child of God. Not in the sense of the human right to life, right to work, etc. It is not something God owes you. Being or being called a child of God is entirely a gift. God's initiative. We don't deserve to be His children or to be called His children. He freely gives it to us because He is so good.
Does it fall into our nature? No. Otherwise there would be no need for baptism to become a child of God. If it was in our nature, then the moment I had the human nature (i.e. when I was conceived), I would automatically be a son of God. But that's not the case.
It is not IN our nature, but our nature can receive it from outside, has the "capacity" to receive it; our nature is compatible with it. But it has to come from the outside: we have to be baptised to become children of God.
Q. I get that, but He says it himself in John 1:12. I think the right is the gift. Like what he gives us out of His goodness is the right to be called His children.
A. As in like the gift gives us certain rights?
Q. Yes. The gift is essentially the right to be called His children.
A. That sounds an acceptable way of phrasing it...
Q. Thanks for the clarification.
To be continued...
7thOctober 2016