Is God Your Co-Pilot?

[J.D.]

Have you seen those bumber stickers? "God is my co-pilot"?

Depending where you stand on that statement may reveal your theology. Here's my summary:

Pelagian - "God is my flight instructor, I fly the plane"

Semi-Pelagian - "God is my co-pilot, I am the pilot"

Arminian - "God is my pilot, I am the co-pilot"

Calvinist - "God is my pilot, I am a passenger"

Calminian/"biblicist"/revivalist-baptist: "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger".

What do you think, good analogy?

 

[Amy.G]

God is the inventor, designer, engineer, builder and pilot of the plane.
I'm just thankful He doesn't throw me out of it.

 

[AAA]

Have you seen those bumber stickers? "God is my co-pilot"?

Depending where you stand on that statement may reveal your theology. Here's my summary:

Pelagian - "God is my flight instructor, I fly the plane"

Semi-Pelagian - "God is my co-pilot, I am the pilot"

Arminian - "God is my pilot, I am the co-pilot"

Calvinist - "God is my pilot, I am a passenger"

Calminian/"biblicist"/revivalist-baptist: "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger".

What do you think, good analogy?

God is GOD, HE is my "ALL in ALL", my everything....

my LORD...
my GOD...
my SAVIOUR
my SOVERIEGN
my SHEPHERD
my CREATOR
my JUDGE
my CONFORTER
my FRIEND
my MASTER
my HEALER
my PROTECTOR
my HELP
my ETC...................

But, HE is not my co-pilot, servant, or santa..........

:godisgood:

 

[EdSutton]

How about:

If God is your co-pilot, you might oughta' swap seats!

Ed

 

[Tom Butler]

Ed,

By George, I think you've got it!

 

[Martin]

Of course I would like to say that "God is my pilot, I am a passenger". However if I were perfectly honest I would have to say that "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger". It is a struggle to let someone else, even God, be in control of day to day life. However I pray that it is something I am learning to do better (each day).

 

[Martin]

God is the inventor, designer, engineer, builder and pilot of the plane.
I'm just thankful He doesn't throw me out of it.

==I know the feeling, AMEN to that! :laugh:

 

[John of Japan]

Have you seen those bumber stickers? "God is my co-pilot"?

Depending where you stand on that statement may reveal your theology. Here's my summary:

Pelagian - "God is my flight instructor, I fly the plane"

Semi-Pelagian - "God is my co-pilot, I am the pilot"

Arminian - "God is my pilot, I am the co-pilot"

Calvinist - "God is my pilot, I am a passenger"

Calminian/"biblicist"/revivalist-baptist: "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger".

What do you think, good analogy?

Historical perspective:

The phrase "God Is My Co-Pilot" was originally the title of a book by Colonel Robert Lee Scott telling of his experiences as a fighter pilot with the Flying Tigers flying in China against the Japanese before the US got into WW2. As such, Colonel Scott was talking about being a literal pilot and feeling the presence of God with him as he fought the Japanese. So in the original context it made sense.

Having said that, I agree that God should be the pilot of every Christian--not the co-pilot.

 

[El_Guero]

I can tell that you do not fly . . .

Have you seen those bumber stickers? "God is my co-pilot"?

Depending where you stand on that statement may reveal your theology. Here's my summary:

Pelagian - "God is my flight instructor, I fly the plane"

Semi-Pelagian - "God is my co-pilot, I am the pilot"

Arminian - "God is my pilot, I am the co-pilot"

Calvinist - "God is my pilot, I am a passenger"

Calminian/"biblicist"/revivalist-baptist: "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger".

What do you think, good analogy?

 

[Jon-Marc]

I like the one I've also seen that says, "God is my Pilot." I'm not Calvinist, but I go with that one. I go to a Southern Baptist church, but I'm from the north and am actually independent Baptist.

 

[J.D.]

Of course I would like to say that "God is my pilot, I am a passenger". However if I were perfectly honest I would have to say that "Sometimes God is the Pilot, and sometimes He is the passenger; sometimes I am the pilot, sometimes I am the passenger". It is a struggle to let someone else, even God, be in control of day to day life. However I pray that it is something I am learning to do better (each day).

Very astute observation, Martin! Putting what we say we believe into practice is a challenge indeed. I'm sure you realize I was speaking theologically in the OP, but since you brought it up, let's talk for a minute about how practice relates to our theology.

A few years ago I would often say that we should believe like Calvinists but live like Arminians, or, we should believe that every thing depends on God, but work as if it all depends on us. This was before I really understood Calvinism. Now, I find that as we work together WITH Him, there are times I find it very easy to just sow the seed and then wait for the Lord to give the increase. Other times, I become inpatient and try to create a harvest with my own hands. Either way, when I think about it, it's very comforting to know that ALL of those things we experience in this life are working together for our good.