Friday, December 29, 2006
Careful what you pray!
I can't count the number of times I have heard someone address God as Father in their prayer, and then moments later, thank the Father for dying on the cross for their sin. This is a heresy known as "Patripassianism." Our prayers must not be vague, rambling and poorly reasoned but rather specific, clear, and well reasoned. After all, God is to be worshipped "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
What's This fuss over TV all about anyways? PT. 3
Here are some highlights of Groothuis's third point concerning how TV contributes to truth decay. I would strongly recommend you read this entire article yourself by purchasing his book, Truth Decay. It is well worth the read.
A Peek-a-Boo World: Discontinuity and Fragmentation
Third, television relentlessly displays a pseudoworld of discontinuity and fragmentation. Its images are not only intrinsically inferior to spoken and written discourse in communicating matters of meaning and substance, but the images appear and disappear and reappear without a rational context. An attempt at a sobering news story about slavery in Sudan is followed by a lively advertisement for Disneyland, followed by an appeal to purchase pantyhose that will make any woman irresistible and so on, ad nauseum. This is what Postman aptly calls the "peek-a-boo world" - a visual environment lacking coherence, consisting of ever-shifting, artificially linked images...
Since postmodernism thrives on fragmentation, incoherence and, ultimately, meaninglessness as modes of being and acting (since there is no God, no objective reality and no universal rationality to provide unity to anything), this facet of television serves postmodernist ends quite well...
A Peek-a-Boo World: Discontinuity and Fragmentation
Third, television relentlessly displays a pseudoworld of discontinuity and fragmentation. Its images are not only intrinsically inferior to spoken and written discourse in communicating matters of meaning and substance, but the images appear and disappear and reappear without a rational context. An attempt at a sobering news story about slavery in Sudan is followed by a lively advertisement for Disneyland, followed by an appeal to purchase pantyhose that will make any woman irresistible and so on, ad nauseum. This is what Postman aptly calls the "peek-a-boo world" - a visual environment lacking coherence, consisting of ever-shifting, artificially linked images...
Since postmodernism thrives on fragmentation, incoherence and, ultimately, meaninglessness as modes of being and acting (since there is no God, no objective reality and no universal rationality to provide unity to anything), this facet of television serves postmodernist ends quite well...
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Food for thought...
"To say of what is that it is not, or of what is not that it is, is false, while to say of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not, is true; so that he who says of anything that it is, or that it is not, will say either what is true or what is false."
-Aristotle on propositions, Metaphysics
"Nothing can both be and not be at the same time in the same respect."
-The Law of noncontradiction
"Facts don't need statements in order to exist, but statements need facts in order to be true."
-John Searle, The Construction of Social Reality
"Beliefs depend on minds for their existence. There can be no beliefs without minds to hold those beliefs (whether a human mind, an angelic mind or the divine Mind). However, what a belief is about, or what it refers to, is not dependent on our mind believing it. The truth value of a proposition's content is mind-independent."
- Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay
-Aristotle on propositions, Metaphysics
"Nothing can both be and not be at the same time in the same respect."
-The Law of noncontradiction
"Facts don't need statements in order to exist, but statements need facts in order to be true."
-John Searle, The Construction of Social Reality
"Beliefs depend on minds for their existence. There can be no beliefs without minds to hold those beliefs (whether a human mind, an angelic mind or the divine Mind). However, what a belief is about, or what it refers to, is not dependent on our mind believing it. The truth value of a proposition's content is mind-independent."
- Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay
What's this fuss over TV all about anyways? PT. 2
Here is some highlights of Groothuis's second point concerning how TV contributes to truth decay. I would strongly recommend you read this entire article yourself by purchasing his book, Truth Decay. It is well worth the read.
The Loss of Self: Truth Removed
Second, along with the displacing of the word by the flickering television image comes a loss of authentic selfhood, whereby the self is deemed as a moral agent inexorably enmeshed in a moral and spiritual universe. Instead the self is filled with a welter of images and factoids and sound bites lacking moral and intellectual adhesion. The self becomes ungrounded and fragmented by its experiences of television...
Post modern illiterates live their lives through a series of television characters (better: shadows of characters), and changing channels becomes a model for the self's manner of experience and its mode of being. Moral and spiritual anchorage is lost. The self is left to try on a pastiche of designer personae in no particular order and for no particular reason.
The reading of great literature immerses us in realities beyond ourselves, although not unrelated to our selves. But this life of reading requires existential participation not permitted by television, which simply sweeps us along at its own pace. One cannot muse over a television program the way one ponders a character in Shakespeare or in C.S. Lewis, or a Pascal parable, or a line from T.S. Eliot.
Through television, oblivion to self is amplified and broadcast globally and ceaselessly. As a consequence, the self is destabilized, uprooted and hollowed out; it becomes ungrounded, weightless, truthless, opaque to itself - and it likes it that way, because no alternative is available (on television).
The Loss of Self: Truth Removed
Second, along with the displacing of the word by the flickering television image comes a loss of authentic selfhood, whereby the self is deemed as a moral agent inexorably enmeshed in a moral and spiritual universe. Instead the self is filled with a welter of images and factoids and sound bites lacking moral and intellectual adhesion. The self becomes ungrounded and fragmented by its experiences of television...
Post modern illiterates live their lives through a series of television characters (better: shadows of characters), and changing channels becomes a model for the self's manner of experience and its mode of being. Moral and spiritual anchorage is lost. The self is left to try on a pastiche of designer personae in no particular order and for no particular reason.
The reading of great literature immerses us in realities beyond ourselves, although not unrelated to our selves. But this life of reading requires existential participation not permitted by television, which simply sweeps us along at its own pace. One cannot muse over a television program the way one ponders a character in Shakespeare or in C.S. Lewis, or a Pascal parable, or a line from T.S. Eliot.
Through television, oblivion to self is amplified and broadcast globally and ceaselessly. As a consequence, the self is destabilized, uprooted and hollowed out; it becomes ungrounded, weightless, truthless, opaque to itself - and it likes it that way, because no alternative is available (on television).
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
What's this fuss over TV all about anyways? PT 1
Starting today and continuing for the next few days I will be posting some excerpts from an appendix in Douglas Groothuis's book, Truth Decay. This appendix is entitled "Television: Agent of Truth Decay." In this appendix he highlights five ways in which television contributes to the loss of truth, and then gives three practical suggestions for overcoming these effects.
All that follows is taken from the appendix in Truth Decay. This is his first point how television contributes to truth decay.
The image over the Word: Discourse in Distress
First, television emphasizes the moving image over written and spoken language. It is image-driven, image-saturated and image-controlled. This is precisely what television does that books, recordings and pictures cannot do; it brings us visual action. However, when the image dominates the word, rational discourse ebbs...
When the image overwhelms and subjugates the word, the ability to think, write, and communicate in a linear and logical fashion is undermined. Television's images have their immediate effect on us, but that effect is seldom to cause us to pursue their truth or falsity...
The triumph of the televised image over the word contributes to the depthlessness of postmodern sensibilities. Reality becomes the image, whether or not that image corresponds to any objective state of affairs - and we are not challenged to engage in this analysis...
Joshua Meyrowitch, a professor of communication, complains that his students "tend to have an image-based standard of truth. If I ask, 'what evidence supports your view or contradicts it?' they look at me as if I came from another planet." This is because "It's very foreign to them to think in terms of truth, logic, consistency and evidence."
Kenneth Myers stresses: "A culture that is rooted more in images than in words will find it increasingly difficult to sustain any broad commitment to any truth, since truth is an abstraction requiring language."
In postmodernism, truth and logic are mere social constructions, which can be deconstructed and reconstructed at whim...
God gave us a book, not a video. When, in any culture, written language is marginalized by television, biblical truth begins to lose its vibrancy. Christians must restore the primacy and power of the Word as an antidote to truth decay by television.
All that follows is taken from the appendix in Truth Decay. This is his first point how television contributes to truth decay.
The image over the Word: Discourse in Distress
First, television emphasizes the moving image over written and spoken language. It is image-driven, image-saturated and image-controlled. This is precisely what television does that books, recordings and pictures cannot do; it brings us visual action. However, when the image dominates the word, rational discourse ebbs...
When the image overwhelms and subjugates the word, the ability to think, write, and communicate in a linear and logical fashion is undermined. Television's images have their immediate effect on us, but that effect is seldom to cause us to pursue their truth or falsity...
The triumph of the televised image over the word contributes to the depthlessness of postmodern sensibilities. Reality becomes the image, whether or not that image corresponds to any objective state of affairs - and we are not challenged to engage in this analysis...
Joshua Meyrowitch, a professor of communication, complains that his students "tend to have an image-based standard of truth. If I ask, 'what evidence supports your view or contradicts it?' they look at me as if I came from another planet." This is because "It's very foreign to them to think in terms of truth, logic, consistency and evidence."
Kenneth Myers stresses: "A culture that is rooted more in images than in words will find it increasingly difficult to sustain any broad commitment to any truth, since truth is an abstraction requiring language."
In postmodernism, truth and logic are mere social constructions, which can be deconstructed and reconstructed at whim...
God gave us a book, not a video. When, in any culture, written language is marginalized by television, biblical truth begins to lose its vibrancy. Christians must restore the primacy and power of the Word as an antidote to truth decay by television.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
1 Thessalonians 2, 3 and Apologetics
I am not in this post seeking to formulate a total, exhaustive definition of apologetics. I am however, seeking to emphasize what is in my mind a clear part of apologetics that often gets missed, and that is its relation to reality, or in another way, its practice. What I am arguing for is that apologetics is both intellectual and practical and that Paul exhibited an apologetic for ministry by using his own as an example. He put his apologetic in the flesh. He communicated his apologetic through his ministry. You cannot divorce your apologetic from your life! Apologetics is, to borrow a term from Francis Schaeffer, “orthodoxy in the flesh” as much as it is intellectual.
It has been said Paul is not giving an apologetic (defense) of his ministry to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3. I think that is true, I agree that he was not giving an apologetic for his ministry, but he was giving an apologetic nonetheless, an apologetic of Christian ministry in the flesh (in practice). Let me explain. Paul is not giving a defense of what he did as if he did something wrong, came under attack for it, and had to defend himself, but he is presenting an apologetic of how he did his ministry and hence how anyone else should do it! Thus Paul presents an apologetic of ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3 by giving example of his own ministry. This example of his ministry is a defense (or apologetic) of the proper manner by which ministry should be done. Not a “defense” in the manner of being on the defensive or under attack, not “defense” in the sense of justifying ones actions or words, but a “defense” in the sense of proving the right and proper manner by which something should be done or understood, in this case, ministry.
Apologetics is often described or discussed in relation to its being a "defense." This is certainly true, and this is certainly its primary purpose. However, in my honest opinion, for apologetics to be understood as merely a "defense" is to rob it of any effectiveness by keeping it merely academic or intellectual. Let me explain. It is important for one to be ready and able to give a defense of ones worldview, especially in the realm of Christianity because the Christian worldview proclaims itself to be total truth, total reality, or true truth. For such a profound and staggering claim then, those who hold to it must be able to defend its truth to all who would ask. But being able to defend something intellectually is not nearly the same as being able to live accordingly to it. You see, for something to be "true" it must correspond to reality, because reality reflects truth. Christianity as a worldview certainly corresponds to reality, and this is why it becomes tantamount in importance for believers to defend it intellectually, but also to practice their apologetic in the everyday rhythm of life! To intellectually understand and defend the credibility of the Christian worldview is one thing, but then to live another is no apologetic whatsoever. The way you live your life is an apologetic. The way you do ministry is an apologetic. The way you interact with people is an apologetic. The way Paul said he does his ministry is an apologetic. The way you live your life exhibits and effectively communicates a defense of your faith.
I do not think we can rip the practical part out of apologetics, because then what is the worth of even having an apologetic? Isn’t the nature or purpose of an apologetic to defend a position? But why defend that position if it is not even applicable to the reality of life! One cannot divorce from ones apologetic theory its day to day practice. So while Paul may not have been explicitly defending his ministry to the church of Thessalonica, he is certainly in my mind giving an apologetic for how ministry should be done by giving example of how he does ministry! In other words, his apologetic is being put into the flesh. Apologetics must be visible and observable. Apologetics must correspond to reality.
Apologetics can be understood as an academic study that teaches students to effectively defend the credibility of Christianity, but I ask you what is the value of such a system if it at the same time it does not teach you how to “live in the flesh” your apologetic? What value is it to know intellectually a worldview, if you cannot or do not think you must communicate it to the whole world through words and lifestyle? One's apologetic then must incorporate the intellectual and the practical. Any other apologetic might as well be thrown out the window or thrown into the trash receptacle. !Apologetics then is as much concerned with an academic, scholastic, intellectual defense of a system as it with the everyday fleshing out of it in life.
In conclusion, let me summarize with these two points. First, Paul is giving an apologetic. Not a defensive apologetic in that he thinks he has to justify to the Thessalonian church how he does ministry, but an apologetic in that he has provided a defense for how to do ministry. One is a noun, the other is a verb. One is reactionary, the other is setting the standard. Secondly, I am saying Paul has provided an apologetic that is life encompassing. It is more than intellectual, scholastic, or academic. The way Paul did his ministry exhibited and effectively communicated an apologetic of the proper mode of ministry. Apologetics then is intellectual and practical. Apologetics is much more than an intellectual defensive system that goes up every time one feels his or her worldview is under attack, it is a manner of life. It is incorporated into your lifestyle.
I hope this post has been helpful whether you agree or not.
It has been said Paul is not giving an apologetic (defense) of his ministry to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3. I think that is true, I agree that he was not giving an apologetic for his ministry, but he was giving an apologetic nonetheless, an apologetic of Christian ministry in the flesh (in practice). Let me explain. Paul is not giving a defense of what he did as if he did something wrong, came under attack for it, and had to defend himself, but he is presenting an apologetic of how he did his ministry and hence how anyone else should do it! Thus Paul presents an apologetic of ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3 by giving example of his own ministry. This example of his ministry is a defense (or apologetic) of the proper manner by which ministry should be done. Not a “defense” in the manner of being on the defensive or under attack, not “defense” in the sense of justifying ones actions or words, but a “defense” in the sense of proving the right and proper manner by which something should be done or understood, in this case, ministry.
Apologetics is often described or discussed in relation to its being a "defense." This is certainly true, and this is certainly its primary purpose. However, in my honest opinion, for apologetics to be understood as merely a "defense" is to rob it of any effectiveness by keeping it merely academic or intellectual. Let me explain. It is important for one to be ready and able to give a defense of ones worldview, especially in the realm of Christianity because the Christian worldview proclaims itself to be total truth, total reality, or true truth. For such a profound and staggering claim then, those who hold to it must be able to defend its truth to all who would ask. But being able to defend something intellectually is not nearly the same as being able to live accordingly to it. You see, for something to be "true" it must correspond to reality, because reality reflects truth. Christianity as a worldview certainly corresponds to reality, and this is why it becomes tantamount in importance for believers to defend it intellectually, but also to practice their apologetic in the everyday rhythm of life! To intellectually understand and defend the credibility of the Christian worldview is one thing, but then to live another is no apologetic whatsoever. The way you live your life is an apologetic. The way you do ministry is an apologetic. The way you interact with people is an apologetic. The way Paul said he does his ministry is an apologetic. The way you live your life exhibits and effectively communicates a defense of your faith.
I do not think we can rip the practical part out of apologetics, because then what is the worth of even having an apologetic? Isn’t the nature or purpose of an apologetic to defend a position? But why defend that position if it is not even applicable to the reality of life! One cannot divorce from ones apologetic theory its day to day practice. So while Paul may not have been explicitly defending his ministry to the church of Thessalonica, he is certainly in my mind giving an apologetic for how ministry should be done by giving example of how he does ministry! In other words, his apologetic is being put into the flesh. Apologetics must be visible and observable. Apologetics must correspond to reality.
Apologetics can be understood as an academic study that teaches students to effectively defend the credibility of Christianity, but I ask you what is the value of such a system if it at the same time it does not teach you how to “live in the flesh” your apologetic? What value is it to know intellectually a worldview, if you cannot or do not think you must communicate it to the whole world through words and lifestyle? One's apologetic then must incorporate the intellectual and the practical. Any other apologetic might as well be thrown out the window or thrown into the trash receptacle. !Apologetics then is as much concerned with an academic, scholastic, intellectual defense of a system as it with the everyday fleshing out of it in life.
In conclusion, let me summarize with these two points. First, Paul is giving an apologetic. Not a defensive apologetic in that he thinks he has to justify to the Thessalonian church how he does ministry, but an apologetic in that he has provided a defense for how to do ministry. One is a noun, the other is a verb. One is reactionary, the other is setting the standard. Secondly, I am saying Paul has provided an apologetic that is life encompassing. It is more than intellectual, scholastic, or academic. The way Paul did his ministry exhibited and effectively communicated an apologetic of the proper mode of ministry. Apologetics then is intellectual and practical. Apologetics is much more than an intellectual defensive system that goes up every time one feels his or her worldview is under attack, it is a manner of life. It is incorporated into your lifestyle.
I hope this post has been helpful whether you agree or not.
Daniel 12 Bible Study
This Wednesday night we will be having our bible study. We will begin covering Daniel chpt. 12 (though there are a few things I would like to go back over in Daniel 11), and perhaps even finish it! In light of this fact, be thinking about what book of Scripture we should study next.
The context for this chapter is the "end time" (Daniel 11:40, 12:1, 12:4, 12:9), specifically, the end time as it relates to God's holy people Israel (Daniel 12:1; 12:7).
Some things to be thinking about as you prepare for this Wednesday night are (in no specific order):
1. How does Ezekiel 38, 39 relate to Daniel 11:40-45.
2. Is Daniel 12:1 simultaneous with 11:40-45 or is Daniel 11:40-12:4 chronological?
3. What is the "time of distress" (Daniel 12:1)?
4. What is the significance of "attaining to the 1,335 days" (Daniel 12:12)?
5. Some important cross references to look up including Ezekiel 38, 39 are:Psalm 17:15; Isa. 26:19; Matthew 24-25; Rev. 20:1-6.
6. What is the significance of this entire vision? Or in another way, why is this vision given to Daniel?
7. Outline Daniel 10-12! This will help you a great deal!
The context for this chapter is the "end time" (Daniel 11:40, 12:1, 12:4, 12:9), specifically, the end time as it relates to God's holy people Israel (Daniel 12:1; 12:7).
Some things to be thinking about as you prepare for this Wednesday night are (in no specific order):
1. How does Ezekiel 38, 39 relate to Daniel 11:40-45.
2. Is Daniel 12:1 simultaneous with 11:40-45 or is Daniel 11:40-12:4 chronological?
3. What is the "time of distress" (Daniel 12:1)?
4. What is the significance of "attaining to the 1,335 days" (Daniel 12:12)?
5. Some important cross references to look up including Ezekiel 38, 39 are:Psalm 17:15; Isa. 26:19; Matthew 24-25; Rev. 20:1-6.
6. What is the significance of this entire vision? Or in another way, why is this vision given to Daniel?
7. Outline Daniel 10-12! This will help you a great deal!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Sunnis or Shiites?
Ever wondered what the difference is between Sunnis and Shiites? Ever find yourself having trouble keeping the two apart? Dean Barrett has posted a useful FAQ about it.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Escape From Reason
I read Francis Schaeffer's book, "Escape From Reason" yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend that you also read this book. It is short and easy to read (I read it in just over an hour). Here are some quotes from it to whet your appetite some.
"It is an important principle to remember, in the contemporary interest in communication and in language study, that the biblical presentation is that, though we do not have exhaustive truth, we have from the Bible what I term 'true truth.' In this way we know true truth about God, true truth about man and something truly about nature. Thus on the basis of the Scriptures, while we do not have exhaustive knowledge, we have true and unified knowledge."
This is an important point that Schaeffer makes because humanity at large is seeking "true and unified knowledge" apart from God. Albeit, the modern trend of "postmodernism" posits the impossibility of ever having "true and unified knowledge," but it has this belief due to humanity's failure over the centuries to establish a unified knowledge of the world. Thus in despair, post-modernity has thrown up its arms in disgust and cried it is not possible to have any "unified knowledge."
Scripture of course teaches the exact opposite. We can have a "true and unified knowledge" because God's word reveals God as the supernatural, infinite, being who is both heavenly (supernatural) and personal, who has given us knowledge concerning Himself and of men and nature. Thus humanity can have "true and unified knowledge" because God as the Creator has spoken and given truth on his earth and in His Scriptures, and because this truth speaks to the supernatural and the natural. There can be no split between what is rational truth (viewed as objective, and fact) and faith (often viewed as private, subjective, relative) because they both are from God and revelation of true truth. God's revelation is total reality, it is total truth or as Schaeffer says, "true truth."
One more quote from Francis Schaeffer, "We cannot deal with people like human beings, we cannot deal with them on the high level of true humanity, unless we really know their origin - who they are. God tells mans who he is. God tells us that He created man in His image. So man is something wonderful....Why is he so wonderful and yet so flawed? Who is man? Who am I? Why can man do these things that make man so unique, and yet why is man so horrible? Why is it? The Bible says that you are wonderful because you are made in the image of God, but that you are flawed because, at a space-time point of history, man fell."
"It is an important principle to remember, in the contemporary interest in communication and in language study, that the biblical presentation is that, though we do not have exhaustive truth, we have from the Bible what I term 'true truth.' In this way we know true truth about God, true truth about man and something truly about nature. Thus on the basis of the Scriptures, while we do not have exhaustive knowledge, we have true and unified knowledge."
This is an important point that Schaeffer makes because humanity at large is seeking "true and unified knowledge" apart from God. Albeit, the modern trend of "postmodernism" posits the impossibility of ever having "true and unified knowledge," but it has this belief due to humanity's failure over the centuries to establish a unified knowledge of the world. Thus in despair, post-modernity has thrown up its arms in disgust and cried it is not possible to have any "unified knowledge."
Scripture of course teaches the exact opposite. We can have a "true and unified knowledge" because God's word reveals God as the supernatural, infinite, being who is both heavenly (supernatural) and personal, who has given us knowledge concerning Himself and of men and nature. Thus humanity can have "true and unified knowledge" because God as the Creator has spoken and given truth on his earth and in His Scriptures, and because this truth speaks to the supernatural and the natural. There can be no split between what is rational truth (viewed as objective, and fact) and faith (often viewed as private, subjective, relative) because they both are from God and revelation of true truth. God's revelation is total reality, it is total truth or as Schaeffer says, "true truth."
One more quote from Francis Schaeffer, "We cannot deal with people like human beings, we cannot deal with them on the high level of true humanity, unless we really know their origin - who they are. God tells mans who he is. God tells us that He created man in His image. So man is something wonderful....Why is he so wonderful and yet so flawed? Who is man? Who am I? Why can man do these things that make man so unique, and yet why is man so horrible? Why is it? The Bible says that you are wonderful because you are made in the image of God, but that you are flawed because, at a space-time point of history, man fell."
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Who wants reformed criminals anyways?
Over at the Musclehead Revolution, Kevin McCullough has posted a link to a NY Times article decrying government funding of a Christian criminal reform program.
Kevin McCullough, after asking a few questions to those who oppose the criminal reform program says, "Evidently the answer to these questions is - YES. We would prefer for society to become a much more dangerous place than to admit - that God's way just MIGHT straighten out a few bad apples."
At the heart of this issue is one's wordlview. Either these criminals need to "get right" with their Creator who made them, by repentance of their sin, or these criminals need to deny their Creator and any supposed responsibility to listen and follow him, and "get right" with their autonomy as an individual, with having no moral responsbility, and only follow their animal like instincts...since after all, they are no different or better than those from which they have evolved...
It should be clear which worldview I support! The Truth of the Bible is truth with a capital "T." It is total reality. It is total Truth.
Kevin McCullough, after asking a few questions to those who oppose the criminal reform program says, "Evidently the answer to these questions is - YES. We would prefer for society to become a much more dangerous place than to admit - that God's way just MIGHT straighten out a few bad apples."
At the heart of this issue is one's wordlview. Either these criminals need to "get right" with their Creator who made them, by repentance of their sin, or these criminals need to deny their Creator and any supposed responsibility to listen and follow him, and "get right" with their autonomy as an individual, with having no moral responsbility, and only follow their animal like instincts...since after all, they are no different or better than those from which they have evolved...
It should be clear which worldview I support! The Truth of the Bible is truth with a capital "T." It is total reality. It is total Truth.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Think Upon Christ
Because of the emphasis in this blog upon "how one thinks directly impacts how one lives," I thought it would be beneficial to post a few thoughts about Christ that we should think about, and indeed, praise God for, that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
Our mind, our thoughts, our whole bent of being then should be set on things above. Reasons to dwell on Christ:
We have been rescued from the kingdom of Darkness (Col. 1:13)
We have been transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13)
In Christ we have redemption (Col 1:14)
In Christ we have forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14)
Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15)
Christ is the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15)
By Christ all things were created (Col 1:16)
All things have been created through Christ and for Christ (Col 1:16)
Christ is before all things (Col 1:17)
In Christ all things hold together (Col 1:17)
Christ is the head of the body, the church (Col 1:18)
Christ is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself will come to have first place in everything (Col 1:18)
All the fullness of deity dwells in him (Col 1:19; Col 2:9)
Through Christ all things are reconciled to God, having made peace through the blood of the cross (Col 1:20)
Though you were alienated, hostile in mind, and engaged in evil deeds, Christ has reconciled you in his fleshly body through death to present you before God holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Col 1:21-22)
Christ is in your and he is the hope of glory (Col 1:27)
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
You have been firmly rooted and are now being built up in Him and established in your faith (Col 2:7)
In Christ you have been made complete (Col 2:10)
Christ is the head over all rule and authority (Col 2:10)
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God (Col 2:12)
You were dead in your transgressions and uncircumcision of your flesh, but Christ made you alive together with him (Col. 2:13)
He has forgiven you all your transgressions (Col 2:13)
Christ has nailed to the cross the certificate of debt which was hostile to you (Col 2:14)
Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (Col 2:15)
Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1)
Your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3)
Christ is our life (Col 3:4)
When Christ is revealed then we will also be revealed with him in glory (Col 3:4)
Our mind, our thoughts, our whole bent of being then should be set on things above. Reasons to dwell on Christ:
We have been rescued from the kingdom of Darkness (Col. 1:13)
We have been transferred into the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13)
In Christ we have redemption (Col 1:14)
In Christ we have forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14)
Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15)
Christ is the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15)
By Christ all things were created (Col 1:16)
All things have been created through Christ and for Christ (Col 1:16)
Christ is before all things (Col 1:17)
In Christ all things hold together (Col 1:17)
Christ is the head of the body, the church (Col 1:18)
Christ is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself will come to have first place in everything (Col 1:18)
All the fullness of deity dwells in him (Col 1:19; Col 2:9)
Through Christ all things are reconciled to God, having made peace through the blood of the cross (Col 1:20)
Though you were alienated, hostile in mind, and engaged in evil deeds, Christ has reconciled you in his fleshly body through death to present you before God holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Col 1:21-22)
Christ is in your and he is the hope of glory (Col 1:27)
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
You have been firmly rooted and are now being built up in Him and established in your faith (Col 2:7)
In Christ you have been made complete (Col 2:10)
Christ is the head over all rule and authority (Col 2:10)
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God (Col 2:12)
You were dead in your transgressions and uncircumcision of your flesh, but Christ made you alive together with him (Col. 2:13)
He has forgiven you all your transgressions (Col 2:13)
Christ has nailed to the cross the certificate of debt which was hostile to you (Col 2:14)
Christ has disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them, having triumphed over them (Col 2:15)
Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1)
Your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3)
Christ is our life (Col 3:4)
When Christ is revealed then we will also be revealed with him in glory (Col 3:4)
Friday, December 8, 2006
Gender issues
In case you haven't heard about this I thought I would post some thoughts about it. Transgender activists brought a proposal to the NYC health department that would have allowed them to change their gender on their birth certificate without a sex change operation. Thankfully, this proposal was rejected...so it is back to the drawing board for the GLBT association. However, read carefully why it was rejected and your rejoicings for its denial will soon end. It was not denied because it is contrary to common sense, or because it is contrary to human nature itself, or because it is plain wrong, but because of "certain societal ramifications."
We live in a society that has rejected any platform from which we can judge right and wrong. We live in a society where truth is thought of as relative, and instead of moral absolutes like "right and wrong," "sin and righteousness," we are confronted with a philosophy of "if it feels good, do it" and that is all that matters.
Well, lets follow this thinking through. If it feels good for someone to commit pedophilia, does that make it OK? If it feels good for someone to rape a women and then stab her to death, does that make it OK? If it felt good for Hitler to wipe out the Jews, did that make it OK? In other words, what feels good to one person may not feel good to another person, so who is right?
The fact of the matter is, it really doesn't matter how you feel or what might seem right to you, because after all what makes your feelings or thoughts better than anyone else? What matters is TRUTH, and if what you "feel" goes contrary to what is truth or reality, then don't follow through with what you feel. What matters is if as Scripture says, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, and that God made us in His image, then that means we are accountable to live to the standard for which he created us.
The truth is, God created man and woman. God wants women, who are women because of certain physical anatomy, to be women! God wants men, who are men because of certain physical anatomy, to be men! Is that really such a radical idea! Is that really so terrible! I think not. What is terrible and indeed, quite sad, are those who people who are so convinced they are not made in the image of God and are merely the sum of their actions and feelings, feel they must change their sex to be happy and free!
We live in a society that has rejected any platform from which we can judge right and wrong. We live in a society where truth is thought of as relative, and instead of moral absolutes like "right and wrong," "sin and righteousness," we are confronted with a philosophy of "if it feels good, do it" and that is all that matters.
Well, lets follow this thinking through. If it feels good for someone to commit pedophilia, does that make it OK? If it feels good for someone to rape a women and then stab her to death, does that make it OK? If it felt good for Hitler to wipe out the Jews, did that make it OK? In other words, what feels good to one person may not feel good to another person, so who is right?
The fact of the matter is, it really doesn't matter how you feel or what might seem right to you, because after all what makes your feelings or thoughts better than anyone else? What matters is TRUTH, and if what you "feel" goes contrary to what is truth or reality, then don't follow through with what you feel. What matters is if as Scripture says, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it, and that God made us in His image, then that means we are accountable to live to the standard for which he created us.
The truth is, God created man and woman. God wants women, who are women because of certain physical anatomy, to be women! God wants men, who are men because of certain physical anatomy, to be men! Is that really such a radical idea! Is that really so terrible! I think not. What is terrible and indeed, quite sad, are those who people who are so convinced they are not made in the image of God and are merely the sum of their actions and feelings, feel they must change their sex to be happy and free!
A Pertinent question
I was reviewing Daniel 11:36-45 and I was struck by the thought of the relationship between the battle depicted in Daniel and that of Ezekiel 38-39. Are they one and the same event, or are they separate altogether. Not a simple question to answer, but a pertinent question nonetheless. Let me know your thoughts.
This book you MUST read
As you may have noticed or even heard me say, I am currently reading Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. This is a book you absolutely must read and should have readily accessible on your home book shelf. Albert Mohler says the same thing.
For those who were at the bible study Wednesday night you will remember me making a point on history, evangelism and our worldview beginning in Genesis 1:1. Well just this morning I was reading from "Total Truth" and Pearcey hit the nail on the head with this paragraph, "The Christian message does not begin with "accept Christ as your Savior"; it begins with "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The Bible teaches that God is the sole source of the entire created order. No other gods compete with Him; no natural forces exist on their own; nothing receives its nature or existence from antoher source. Thus His word, or laws, or creation ordinances give the world its order and structure. God's creative word is the source of the laws of physical nature, which we study in the natural sciences. It is also the source of the laws of human nature - the principles of morality (ethics), of justice (politics), of creative enterprises (economics), of aesthetics (the arts), and even of clear thinking (logic). That's why Psalm 119:01 says, "all things are your servants." There is no philosophically or spiritually neutral subject matter (Pearcey, Total Truth, 45).
For those who were at the bible study Wednesday night you will remember me making a point on history, evangelism and our worldview beginning in Genesis 1:1. Well just this morning I was reading from "Total Truth" and Pearcey hit the nail on the head with this paragraph, "The Christian message does not begin with "accept Christ as your Savior"; it begins with "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The Bible teaches that God is the sole source of the entire created order. No other gods compete with Him; no natural forces exist on their own; nothing receives its nature or existence from antoher source. Thus His word, or laws, or creation ordinances give the world its order and structure. God's creative word is the source of the laws of physical nature, which we study in the natural sciences. It is also the source of the laws of human nature - the principles of morality (ethics), of justice (politics), of creative enterprises (economics), of aesthetics (the arts), and even of clear thinking (logic). That's why Psalm 119:01 says, "all things are your servants." There is no philosophically or spiritually neutral subject matter (Pearcey, Total Truth, 45).
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Prince of the Covenant
Those present at the bible study last night will remember there was some discussion concerning who the prince of the covenant may be. My first inclination upon reading this verse was the "prince of the covenant" is the Ptolemaic King that made a covenant to become an ally of Antiochus should the Syrians help him regain his throne in Egypt. However, upon further reflection of the text, context rules out Ptolemy as the "prince of the covenant" and points toward it being the hight priest Onias III who is assasinated by Antiochus. Daniel 11:28 and 11:32 both use the term "covenant" in reference to Israel, so why would that be different for 11:22. Onias III would be called the "prince of the covenant" because as High Priest he is the head of the theocracy.
Quotes worth Quoting
Historians can "point out twistings and falsifications and other mistakes and shortcomings in this or that kind of historical representation...[because] the purpose of history is the reduction of untruth."
- John Lucaks, Historically Speaking III, 2002.
"How shall we labour with any effect to build up the Church, if we have no thorough knowledge of her history, or fail to apprehend it from the proper point of observation? History is, and must ever continue to be, next to God's word, the richest fountain of wisdom, and the surest guide to all successful practical activity."
-Philip Schaaf, What is Church History, 1846.
"The principle [of historical events] is God's sovereign providential control of history. God is history's unifying and directing force. God's gracious, redemptive plan in history gives it purpose and ultimate meaning. History's highest goal and ultimate outworking is the fulfillment of God's will to his glory."
-Clyde P. Greer, "Reflecting Honestly on History," 2003.
"Why are you here now? You may answer: 'because I wanted to come'; or you may say: 'because a railway-train carried me here'; or you may say: 'because it is the will of God'; and all these things may be true at the same time - true on different levels. So with history..."
- Herbert Butterfield
- John Lucaks, Historically Speaking III, 2002.
"How shall we labour with any effect to build up the Church, if we have no thorough knowledge of her history, or fail to apprehend it from the proper point of observation? History is, and must ever continue to be, next to God's word, the richest fountain of wisdom, and the surest guide to all successful practical activity."
-Philip Schaaf, What is Church History, 1846.
"The principle [of historical events] is God's sovereign providential control of history. God is history's unifying and directing force. God's gracious, redemptive plan in history gives it purpose and ultimate meaning. History's highest goal and ultimate outworking is the fulfillment of God's will to his glory."
-Clyde P. Greer, "Reflecting Honestly on History," 2003.
"Why are you here now? You may answer: 'because I wanted to come'; or you may say: 'because a railway-train carried me here'; or you may say: 'because it is the will of God'; and all these things may be true at the same time - true on different levels. So with history..."
- Herbert Butterfield
Sources, Sources, and more Sources
Well, like I promised, here is a list of works I highly recommend for those interested in pursuing a biblical worldview of history.
Cairns, Earle E. God and Man in Time: A Christian Approach to Historiography. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979.
Cairns, Earle E. Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church.
3rd ed. Revised and expanded. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Greer, Clyde P., Jr. “Reflecting Honestly on History.” Think Biblically! Recovering A
Christian Worldview. Ed. John MacArthur. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2003.
Mansfield, Stephen L. More Than Dates and Dead People: Recovering a Christian View
of History. Nashville: Cumberland House, 2000.
Noll, Mark A. America’s God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2002.
Wells, Ronald A., ed. History and the Christian Historian. Grand Rapids, MI: William b.
Eerdmans, 1998.
I should also note that any work done by George Marsden and Philip Schaaf on History, or any other subject matter, should be picked up at the library or bought immediately! Sorry about the format of the bibliography. I had a hard time making them fit in the HTML format.
Cairns, Earle E. God and Man in Time: A Christian Approach to Historiography. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979.
Cairns, Earle E. Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church.
3rd ed. Revised and expanded. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Greer, Clyde P., Jr. “Reflecting Honestly on History.” Think Biblically! Recovering A
Christian Worldview. Ed. John MacArthur. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2003.
Mansfield, Stephen L. More Than Dates and Dead People: Recovering a Christian View
of History. Nashville: Cumberland House, 2000.
Noll, Mark A. America’s God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2002.
Wells, Ronald A., ed. History and the Christian Historian. Grand Rapids, MI: William b.
Eerdmans, 1998.
I should also note that any work done by George Marsden and Philip Schaaf on History, or any other subject matter, should be picked up at the library or bought immediately! Sorry about the format of the bibliography. I had a hard time making them fit in the HTML format.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Almost Speechless
Tonight's Bible Study went off without a hitch and almost without a word! Well, I exaggerate a little bit, but not too much. In a room where most Wednesday's nights silence is nowhere to be found, tonight was full of just that - Silence!
Some points that were made tonight:
1. Daniel 11:36-45 describes the AntiChrist. This is argued on the exegetical grounds of v. 40 which begins by reading "at the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him..." This verse makes clear the time frame is "that of the end," not the time period of Antiochus Ephiphanes IV who is described from Daniel 11:21-35. Secondly, this verse says the King of the south attacked "him," that is the king described in verses 36-39. For these two reasons, one stands on good exegetical ground to argue Daniel 11:36-45 is the AntiChrist.
2. God is sovereign in all of these human wars and conflicts and working them all out to their appointed end. This is made clear from Daniel 11:27, "for the end is yet to be at the appointed time," Daniel 11:35, "for it still awaits the appointed time...," Daniel 11:40, "At the time of the end." This provides streams of encouragement for all God's people who will listen and let these words flow to their heart. You see, God never promises easy times to anyone, but he does promise to always be faithful to his people no matter how good or hard the times may be. Times are hard in Daniel 11 for God's people, there is nothing but war, oppression, and violence, yet God is working it all toward the appointed time revealed in Daniel 12:1-3 "and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."
3. History is important because God created time and space, or in other words, God inaugurated history. So it follows that when people study history, they are studying God's amazing universe of time and space. It should go without saying then that believers in Christ and His Scriptures should be the best historians of all time because we have a personal relationship with history's author and because we have God's authoritative "history book" full of historical events and persons such as the Fall, Flood, Exodus, Incarnation, and the Resurrection! History is also important because it gives us identity, it demonstrates God's perpetual faithfulness to Himself and those that love him, and is an almost insurmountable evangelistic/apologetic tool.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Daniel Bible Study - Short but perhaps helpful outline
In case you are feeling abit lost in Daniel 11 I thought I would post a brief outline and a few tips.
Outline-
11:2-4 Background and Introduction
11:5-20 Conflict between the Kingdom of the South (Egypt) and the Kingdom of the North (Syria) up until Antiochus Ephiphanes IV
11:21-35 Conflict between the Kingdom of the South and the Kingdom of the North with special emphasis on Antiochus Ephiphanes IV
11:36-12:3 A new king from the North is on the scene (who is, in my humble opinion, the AntiChrist); End time events are described
You will of course notice I have outlined it from 11:2-12:3. This is because the chpt. divisions rudely interrupt the flow of this vision. One will do well then to read 11:2-12:3 in preparation for tomorrow nights bible study, or for even greater comprehension, read from chpt. 10 to the end of the book since chpt.10-12 comprises the entire final vision given to Daniel.
Another observation that may be helpful for you is to notice 11:2-19 is background to help us get to Antiochus Ephiphanes. The emphasis of Daniel 11 is clearly Antiochus Ephiphanes and the AntiChrist. Emphasis is put upon these two kings because of their dealings with God's people Israel.
Lastly, take your time reading this portion of Scripture (advice that should be followed with all portions of Scripture for that matter). The predictive details can get confusing, but that should not hurry us or frustrate us, rather it should make us slow down and carefully think about what is being said. All Scripture is profitable, so profit from your reading of this passage!
Outline-
11:2-4 Background and Introduction
11:5-20 Conflict between the Kingdom of the South (Egypt) and the Kingdom of the North (Syria) up until Antiochus Ephiphanes IV
11:21-35 Conflict between the Kingdom of the South and the Kingdom of the North with special emphasis on Antiochus Ephiphanes IV
11:36-12:3 A new king from the North is on the scene (who is, in my humble opinion, the AntiChrist); End time events are described
You will of course notice I have outlined it from 11:2-12:3. This is because the chpt. divisions rudely interrupt the flow of this vision. One will do well then to read 11:2-12:3 in preparation for tomorrow nights bible study, or for even greater comprehension, read from chpt. 10 to the end of the book since chpt.10-12 comprises the entire final vision given to Daniel.
Another observation that may be helpful for you is to notice 11:2-19 is background to help us get to Antiochus Ephiphanes. The emphasis of Daniel 11 is clearly Antiochus Ephiphanes and the AntiChrist. Emphasis is put upon these two kings because of their dealings with God's people Israel.
Lastly, take your time reading this portion of Scripture (advice that should be followed with all portions of Scripture for that matter). The predictive details can get confusing, but that should not hurry us or frustrate us, rather it should make us slow down and carefully think about what is being said. All Scripture is profitable, so profit from your reading of this passage!
Is Christianity Credible?
Perhaps you read this article in USA Today last week. When I first read it, I had some initial reactions that I won't share with you....but thank the Lord though for men like Albert Mohler. Albert Mohler goes on the offensive and demonstrates that arguments made in this article by Oliver Thomas cannot be sustained. A wise man has said, "Eternal truth doesn't change, but the contexts in which it must be defended do" (Hugh Hewitt, foreword given to Musclehead Revolution, pg. 10). Albert Mohler is a great defender of our faith and he has defended it well in this article!
Apologetics
Justin Taylor has provided a link for free lectures by Dr. Groothius on apologetics. I would encourage you to download and listen to each of these that you may be ready to give an answer of the hope that is within you to all who might ask. Enjoy listening!
The Measure of a Person
These words of Spurgeon are wonderful. The measure of a man or woman, indeed of humanity itself, is not riches, wisdom, or power but rather it is what do you think of Christ! It is by this and this alone that one should be measured. I ask you then, how would you stand up to such a test?
Charles Spurgeon - “What think ye of Christ?
"The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you “fairer than the children of men”—“the chief among ten thousand”—the “altogether lovely”? Wherever Christ is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise themselves with energy."
"I will judge of your piety by this barometer: does Christ stand high or low with you? If you have thought little of Christ, if you have been content to live without his presence, if you have cared little for his honour, if you have been neglectful of his laws, then I know that your soul is sick—God grant that it may not be sick unto death!"
"But if the first thought of your spirit has been, how can I honour Jesus? If the daily desire of your soul has been, “O that I knew where I might find him!” I tell you that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know whether you are a child of God at all, and yet I am persuaded, beyond a doubt, that you are safe, since Jesus is great in your esteem."
"I care not for thy rags, what thinkest thou of his royal apparel? I care not for thy wounds, though they bleed in torrents, what thinkest thou of his wounds? are they like glittering rubies in thine esteem? I think none the less of thee, though thou liest like Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick thee—I judge thee not by thy poverty: what thinkest thou of the King in his beauty? Has he a glorious high throne in thy heart? Wouldest thou set him higher if thou couldest? Wouldest thou be willing to die if thou couldest but add another trumpet to the strain which proclaims his praise? Ah! then it is well with thee. Whatever thou mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to thee, thou shalt be with him ere long. "
Charles Spurgeon - “What think ye of Christ?
"The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you “fairer than the children of men”—“the chief among ten thousand”—the “altogether lovely”? Wherever Christ is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise themselves with energy."
"I will judge of your piety by this barometer: does Christ stand high or low with you? If you have thought little of Christ, if you have been content to live without his presence, if you have cared little for his honour, if you have been neglectful of his laws, then I know that your soul is sick—God grant that it may not be sick unto death!"
"But if the first thought of your spirit has been, how can I honour Jesus? If the daily desire of your soul has been, “O that I knew where I might find him!” I tell you that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know whether you are a child of God at all, and yet I am persuaded, beyond a doubt, that you are safe, since Jesus is great in your esteem."
"I care not for thy rags, what thinkest thou of his royal apparel? I care not for thy wounds, though they bleed in torrents, what thinkest thou of his wounds? are they like glittering rubies in thine esteem? I think none the less of thee, though thou liest like Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick thee—I judge thee not by thy poverty: what thinkest thou of the King in his beauty? Has he a glorious high throne in thy heart? Wouldest thou set him higher if thou couldest? Wouldest thou be willing to die if thou couldest but add another trumpet to the strain which proclaims his praise? Ah! then it is well with thee. Whatever thou mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to thee, thou shalt be with him ere long. "
Colossians 3:2 - Further thoughts on Phroneo
The Apostle Paul writing to believers at Colossae gives an imperative (command) to "set your minds (phroneo) on things above, not on earthly things." It is of course Christ who is above and Christ whom they are to set their minds on.
It at first seems strange that believers should have to be commanded by the Apostle to set their minds on Christ, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the habit of us humans is to take for granted that which is most valuable to us.
Christ is what is most valuable to believers, and truth be told, we believers take Christ for granted all the time. We take our mind off him. We begin to think less of him, at times forget about him, and what's more, we try to add to Christ our works and philosophies. The believers at Colossae had started to do this. They had started to add to Christ vain philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8)!
Paul then, knowing all to well the unfortunate habit of humans to wander with their mind and direction of life, gave this imperative to "set your minds upon" Christ in the present tense! This setting of our minds is to be continuous! It is not merely one event but a continuous action on our behalf to set our minds on Christ. It is to be our lifestyle! Our rhythm of life!
When we keep our head, eyes, and mind lifted upward into the face of our blessed Redeemer the trials, temptations, and hardships of this life will fade away. When we consider the cross and the beating Jesus took for our redemption; that he became a curse; the incredible humble act of veiling the God of glory in a human body; our hardships, temptations and trials fade away.
When our mind is fixed on the risen glory of Christ, we are empowered to live in a godly manner, even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Christ becomes our ever-burning passion, our vision of love, mercy, and power. A mind that is fixed on Christ is not easily snared and lost in the depravity of this world. A mind fixed on Christ is constant, steadfast and sure. It is like the Rock of Gibraltar, unshaken by the storms, winds, and waves of the sea.
It at first seems strange that believers should have to be commanded by the Apostle to set their minds on Christ, but upon further reflection, it becomes clear that the habit of us humans is to take for granted that which is most valuable to us.
Christ is what is most valuable to believers, and truth be told, we believers take Christ for granted all the time. We take our mind off him. We begin to think less of him, at times forget about him, and what's more, we try to add to Christ our works and philosophies. The believers at Colossae had started to do this. They had started to add to Christ vain philosophies and traditions (Col. 2:8)!
Paul then, knowing all to well the unfortunate habit of humans to wander with their mind and direction of life, gave this imperative to "set your minds upon" Christ in the present tense! This setting of our minds is to be continuous! It is not merely one event but a continuous action on our behalf to set our minds on Christ. It is to be our lifestyle! Our rhythm of life!
When we keep our head, eyes, and mind lifted upward into the face of our blessed Redeemer the trials, temptations, and hardships of this life will fade away. When we consider the cross and the beating Jesus took for our redemption; that he became a curse; the incredible humble act of veiling the God of glory in a human body; our hardships, temptations and trials fade away.
When our mind is fixed on the risen glory of Christ, we are empowered to live in a godly manner, even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Christ becomes our ever-burning passion, our vision of love, mercy, and power. A mind that is fixed on Christ is not easily snared and lost in the depravity of this world. A mind fixed on Christ is constant, steadfast and sure. It is like the Rock of Gibraltar, unshaken by the storms, winds, and waves of the sea.
Monday, December 4, 2006
Among other purposes...
Another purpose of this blog will be to post regularly (semi-regularly) thoughts and observations on the book of Daniel for my bible study group that meets every other Wednesday night. The idea behind this is to foster study of God's scriptures for those not present and to promote discussion and thought for all involved even before the bible study meeting. We never seem to have enough time to cover absolutely everything, and this way I can post on issues we did not get to or exhaust and those involved can ask questions they never had a chance to answer. I have never tried this before, but in theory it seems like a good idea. Feel free to post questions, observations, thoughts you might have in the comments section.
This Wednesday we are beginning chapter 11. Chapter 10 introduced Daniels vision and chapter 11 reveals the visions contents. As you read this chapter be thinking about a biblical worldview of history. Is history a series of random events? Was God in control of historical events? If he was in control then, is he now? Is history important? What does history teach us about life, God, and humanity? These are just some questions that scratch the surface and will Lord willing be further thought upon Wednesday night.
This Wednesday we are beginning chapter 11. Chapter 10 introduced Daniels vision and chapter 11 reveals the visions contents. As you read this chapter be thinking about a biblical worldview of history. Is history a series of random events? Was God in control of historical events? If he was in control then, is he now? Is history important? What does history teach us about life, God, and humanity? These are just some questions that scratch the surface and will Lord willing be further thought upon Wednesday night.
Free Download
Justin Taylor has provided a coupon for a free audio download of the young adult version of Pilgrims Progress. Go check it out!
So perhaps you find yourself wondering why such emphasis on this blog about thought and worldviews? The purpose for this emphasis is because many have forgotten, or worse, many deny, that ones thinking directly impacts ones life. Accept it or deny it, but nevertheless there is no such thing as neutral thinking. Men and women, sons or daughters, are always aiming at something. As Goetzmann says, "A man’s thinking and striving cannot be seen in isolation from the overall direction of his life; the latter will be reflected in the aims which he sets for himself (NIDNTT, Goetzmann, vol.2, 617).”
The implications of this simple truth are profound and far reaching. Consider what Paul the Apostle says regarding ones mind and its object of thought in his epistle to the church of Romans - For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5, 6). One cannot miss the clear explicit teaching of the Apostle Paul! Set your mind on the flesh (earthly things, transitory) and the outcome of your life is death! Set your mind on the Spirit (heavenly things, permanent) and the outcome of your life is life and peace! Stop and think now. What do you think about? What do you "set your mind upon?" Remember, whatever it is that you set your mind upon, that is the engine that is driving your life either to life or death!
The implications of this simple truth are profound and far reaching. Consider what Paul the Apostle says regarding ones mind and its object of thought in his epistle to the church of Romans - For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5, 6). One cannot miss the clear explicit teaching of the Apostle Paul! Set your mind on the flesh (earthly things, transitory) and the outcome of your life is death! Set your mind on the Spirit (heavenly things, permanent) and the outcome of your life is life and peace! Stop and think now. What do you think about? What do you "set your mind upon?" Remember, whatever it is that you set your mind upon, that is the engine that is driving your life either to life or death!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Humble Beginning...
While most of the world will take little notice, if any at all, to this new blog that has entered its realm, it is nevertheless a ground breaking event for me. I am quite honestly excited about it and look forward to the future there might be in it, however bleak or bright it may be!
One may be wondering why I have chosen the title "Phroneo." This is actually a transliteration of a Koine Greek verb that is defined by BAGD in the following manner: "to have an opinion with regard to something, to give careful consideration to something, or to develop an attitude based on careful thought." That is me in a nutshell. I like to think and give careful thought to anything and everything, as well I should, because life without thought is colorless and boring.
In an age rich with intellectual atrophy, this blog will be a call to myself and whomever might read it to give careful consideration to ones worldview, ones "weltanschauung." Everyone has one of these, whether they are aware of it or not, and everyone acts in accordance with it, each and every moment of the day.
So go ahead, go out there and start using the muscle in your head and start giving careful thought to anything and everything. Don't just go through the motions and accept things the way they are. Think! Exercise your brain!
One may be wondering why I have chosen the title "Phroneo." This is actually a transliteration of a Koine Greek verb that is defined by BAGD in the following manner: "to have an opinion with regard to something, to give careful consideration to something, or to develop an attitude based on careful thought." That is me in a nutshell. I like to think and give careful thought to anything and everything, as well I should, because life without thought is colorless and boring.
In an age rich with intellectual atrophy, this blog will be a call to myself and whomever might read it to give careful consideration to ones worldview, ones "weltanschauung." Everyone has one of these, whether they are aware of it or not, and everyone acts in accordance with it, each and every moment of the day.
So go ahead, go out there and start using the muscle in your head and start giving careful thought to anything and everything. Don't just go through the motions and accept things the way they are. Think! Exercise your brain!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
