Theology

Foreknowledge and Predestination

Author’s note:
This post is constructed on a foundation of belief in the truth of scripture. The discussion serves to explore, study, and seek meaning classified by many as mysteries of the Christian faith. Attempts toward comprehension of these subjects push against constraints of man’s mind considering self existence, time, eternity, created man, and the Uncreated God. These concepts extend beyond bounds of man’s thinking — particularly those of this author. These thoughts are offered as concepts to contemplate rather than to understand or grasp.

“Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” — Saint Augustine

Two Words — Two Definitions

What is the difference between foreknowledge and predestination? They are words with similar but different meanings. In Paul’s letter to Christians in Rome he states God both foreknew and predestined them to become conformed to the image of His Son.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;” (Romans 8:29, NASB95)

Paul clearly acknowledges differentiation between foreknowledge and predestination in Romans 8 but he primarily focuses on commonality and connection of the two concepts. Where can contrast between the meanings underlying the terms be found in the bible?

Examples — Foreknowledge and Predestination in the Bible

One passage which casts light on this issue is I Samuel 23: 6–13 where David asks two questions of his Lord and God: (1) will Saul come to the city of Keilah to destroy the city on account of David as he had heard? And (2) will the people of Keilah turn him over to Saul to avoid Saul’s wrath? God answers both of David’s questions in the affirmative saying (1) “He will come down,” and (2) “They will surrender you.” Neither of these events God foresaw actually happened. Upon hearing God’s answers, David and his men leave the city. (1) When Saul hears of David’s departure (v. 13), he aborts his trip to Keilah. Saul never made it to the city. (2) The men of Keilah never turned David over to Saul. This passage demonstrates an important distinction between foreknowledge and predestination. God foresaw Saul’s intent and the resulting actions which could result and reported that foreknowledge to David. God knows the beginning from the end. God certainly foreknew the actual result. God could have responded to David with specificity and detail on the future events, He chose not to do so. God spoke the universe into existence. God also could have spoken a certain outcome and predestined the events. God chose not to go that route; He chose not to exercise His Sovereignty in that manner in I Samuel 23.

““Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” (Isaiah 46:9–10, NASB95)

Predestination is fundamentally a concept specific to God. Only God has the perspective and power to predetermine future events. Mankind lacks knowledge and the ability to predetermine future events. Man can envision and work towards building a specific future. However, when man attempts this it can be negative. Unintended consequences may occur leading to damaging or disastrous results. If used with games of chance, or in competition, ethical lines may be crossed and good may come to some with unfair costs to others. There are never unanticipated consequences with God, He is good, only positive. God never cheats. Man may use his human experience and knowledge to try to understand the divine, but this type of reasoning should be conducted with great care. If the differing contexts of the Creator and the created are not kept in mind while wrestling with these issues then one can easily misunderstand both God and man.

The bible explicitly differentiates God’s foreknowledge and His predestination of events. God knows everything; the bible is consistent, clear and unequivocal on God’s foreknowledge and omniscience. Predestination is another matter. The bible is stingy with information on predestination and the overall message of the bible is mixed. For example, a group of beings known as the council of the holy ones, a group consisting of sons of God, exists in heaven. The bible, including passages such as Psalm 82 and Psalm 89, identifies and recognizes this group as a hierarchical entity with assigned decision-making authority and responsibility. Man likewise is given authority over his actions and choices as touched on in Exodus 23:20-23, God never surrenders His sovereignty but He does assign and grant decision-making authority to others in both the spiritual and physical realms.

“A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?” (Psalm 89:7, NASB95)

Satan was allowed decision-making authority, albeit with constraints, to deal with God’s servant Job:

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”” (Job 1:6–8, NASB95)

“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:12, NASB95)

The church on earth is delegated significant authority. Jesus tells His disciples who were then the soon-to-be leaders of His church on earth:

““Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18, NASB95)

Jesus did not specifically use the term predestination but spoke of the concept to the pharisees and His disciples. On Palm Sunday during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem He indicates that this event was fulfillment of scripture (Zech 9:9), a prophesied event. This event was foretold and predestined. The triumphal entry into the city was predestined but Jesus tells us that His Father did not need men to complete His will.

“But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”” (Luke 19:40, NASB95)

Summary of Differences and Other Observations

Foreknowledge and predestination are similar in that both words are constructed with a time prefix. Both “fore” and “pre” denote relative placement in time.
Consideration of God’s interaction with time creates ambiguity for men. God is eternal. Man understands and relates to time differently than God, different wholly and incomprehensibly.
Foreknowledge and predestination differ in that knowledge and destination are disparate terms with differences including meanings with respect to time and eternity.
The concept of knowledge is fundamentally independent of time. While some knowledge may be in effect for only a specific time period, knowledge may exist whether active in any segment of time or not.
Foreknowledge includes knowledge of things that never happen. This is so for man and God.
The concept of destination includes a very definite aspect of time. A destination is generally defined as a place where one will arrive at a future time when one’s trip or journey pauses or ends.
What God predestines will happen. God’s sovereignty is absolute. He in infinite and all-powerful. Once established, God’s predestination is a certainty, it will happen.
The path to a predestined outcome may or may not be certain or predetermined.
It is incorrect for mankind or others (even highly ranked spiritual beings created by God) to presume God’s will.
God’s plan provides opportunity to man for meaningful and consequential participation in experiences as they unfold.
God’s plan includes man’s interaction with the world as well as man’s relationship with God Himself.
God is able to grant freedom of choice to beings He creates. The results of freedoms granted are certainly foreknown by God for He is eternally omniscient. As Sovereign He may, but need not, predestine specific outcomes.
God is able to predetermine some results and grant freedom of choice to created beings.

Foreknowledge and predestination of God are distinct concepts. Understanding processes at work with foreknowledge and predestination from a human perspective are straightforward. Man is not good, terrible in fact, in both of these skills. Most of us are not good at knowing which grocery line will proceed fastest in a matter of a few minutes. Predestination is perhaps the more difficult concept for humans to understand as man is even less capable of controlling, compared to foreseeing, future outcomes with certainty; this is so even in regard to one’s own actions. Man may use knowledge he obtains through experience and practice in understanding God however he must recognize limitations inherent with such use. Such reasoning can be beneficial. God’s word instructs us however, that bible study, prayer, and seeking truth with God’s help — which He offers in abundance — are the only way to acquire true wisdom and knowledge. Understanding the differences between man and God can help one know and understand God, one’s self, and his or her relationship with our Creator.

Published on: March 22, 2016April 12, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Theology

What Do You Believe?

“How, let me ask, have you believed vain fables, and supposed animals to be charmed by music; while Truth’s shining face alone, as would seem, appears to you disguised, and is looked on with incredulous eyes?” — Clement of Alexandria¹

Everyone reading this post has some belief about God. The religious and atheist alike believe in the certainty of their conviction. The agnostic believes that one either does not or cannot know that God exists; but even believing in uncertainty is still a belief.

The early church father, Clement of Alexandria, posed the question quoted above to the people of his day. It was a very apt and appropriate question from the Athens born Christian teacher and philosopher. Clement of Alexandria was a noted leader of the Church in the late 2nd and early 3rd century (born ~150 A.D., died ~215 A.D.). Alexandria Egypt in Clement’s day was a city of more than a million people and represented the apex of worldly and scientific knowledge. Clement thrived in this environment as he developed and championed reason and meaning for Christ and the Christian faith using the language of Greek philosophy. The theologian reconciled faith with the best of worldly and scientific knowledge in his time.

Eighteen centuries later people of our day would do well to step back and consider the question posed by Clement of Alexandria. The philosophy of our day is no more than a repackaged mixture of concepts that were in play in Alexandria in 200 A.D. Great strides have been made in science and technology. However, worldly concepts have remained fundamentally unchanged from the perspective of, and in contrast to, the constancy and truth of the Gospel. The fundamental truths of God have not changed in the four thousand years since Moses recorded the first five books of scripture. In the early years of the Church Clement unearthed eternal truth and he also recognized that transient worldly knowledge contained elementary yet fragmentary components of truth which could be useful in communicating the real truth of God to mankind. Clement observed that spiritual truth came by the incarnate Word of God (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. But he also realized that the Christian could utilize worldly knowledge in communicating eternal truth to people of the world.

Clement of Alexandria was not a relativist or moderate who compromised the truth of God to further his positions or increase his standing with others. He faced persecution in his day beyond that faced by Christians today, at least for Americans in the 21st century. Clement’s significance for the Church was founded on his great ability to stand true to God’s truth in the language and thought of the day. As a theologian and leader Clement fought battles both within and outside the church with steadfast reliance on eternal truth. Clement proclaimed truth yet also employed measured deference to flawed philosophies underpinning opposing positions. In this manner he sought to “pull” others along. This approach allowed provoking engagement rather than dismissive dispatching of opponents or their flawed reasoning and positions.

Clement in this sense adopted the approach of the Apostle Paul, who writes in his first letter to the church in Corinth:

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:19–22, NASB95)

It is certainly true that in many aspects the 21st century is a very different world than that of the 3rd century.

We live in the information age. This is a wholly different paradigm for 21st century Christians compared to early Christians. Over 2 billion people today have smartphones. Access to information has exploded in recent decades.
The meanings of words and concepts have changed over the millennia, and societal influences over even spiritual terms are evident and increasing. This dynamic sways how people fundamentally view themselves, approach God, their view of faith, and their relationship with God. Our culture’s attempts to redefine God’s concept of “marriage” is but one recent example. But many words, even as basic as one such as “scripture,” can differ in concept today contrasted to the time it was first penned. While early Christians considered a canon of “modern” scriptures as well a list of Old Testament books known as Melito’s canon as early as 170 A.D. there was absent sharp delineation of included and excluded works as exists today. The Latin Church Fathers provided the first “official” list of books of the bible at the end of the 4th century in the Synod of 397 (the Council of Carthage). Early Christians prior to this time generally applied a gradation of spiritual quality among a variety of books and writings that their particular group accepted.

Churches of the 21st century may be differentiated from early churches of the 3rd century in innumerable ways but one factor remains absolutely constant. God is unchanging. No change in man’s understanding changes God. God is. This is true regardless of man’s thinking. No changes which man can make in himself or his knowledge, science, bible, dictionary, culture or society can in any manner alter God’s plan for man nor his ability to engage in relationship with his eternal Creator. Mankind cannot change God’s plan which existed before man first arrived on earth. A man or woman may choose whether or not to accept God’s plan for man, but he or she cannot amend, append, modify or supersede that plan.

Clement’s question was appropriate to every mortal man and woman who walked the earth in his day. It is no less important to each and every person who has been blessed with life every day since — including today. What do you believe?

“The way to Jesus is not by Cambridge and Oxford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Socrates, Plato, Shakespeare or the poets — It is over an old-fashioned hill called Calvary.” – Gipsy Smith

Published on: January 1, 2016April 12, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Theology

Good, Justification and Sanctification

Good in People

The mind of man is a wondrous mechanism capable of great things. It is the mind of man which is the cradle of every action every person takes. No one says a word, makes a move, or takes a single action that is not first conceived in his or her mind. If one’s behavior is bad or destructive, it is due to bad or destructive thinking. The root of all human behavior is the mind of man; it is an incredible controller, an amazing processor of information, more complex than today’s best supercomputer. The mind even has self correcting functionality called conscience which identifies errors and helps one navigate through life. Good in people can be defined as that direction which the conscience, an internal compass, directs one. But even in “good” people with benevolent intentions, aberrant actions can result from faulty thinking, perceptive error, or just sloppy thinking.

The minds of men produce both heroes and villains. Every generation has people who accomplish great and wonderful works in their lives and every generation has people who act in service of evil. Every individual is capable of both great good and great evil. People are born with capacity to act and fortunately most develop a healthy conscience with a healthful concept of goodness towards themselves and others around them. However, everyone is human, short of perfection, and subject to limitations and weaknesses inherent in man’s nature including those in his mind.

Good in Culture

Literature tends to hype and exaggerate individual characters and characteristics. Many stories contain superheroes and supervillains; other works may be founded on less idealized and more subtle plots which include a basically good main character juxtaposed against a seemingly indifferent antagonist. These two extremes along with everything in between can be found in classic and modern works, whether fiction or non-fiction. Heroic behavior is good, villainous behaviors are bad. Literature ubiquitously assigns or assumes classifications of good or bad, often by degree to behaviors and often to individuals in summary judgement. When writers focus on internal conflicts of an individual’s mind the issue of good can become quite complex. The manner in which inner conflicts in the mind of man are considered, modeled, analyzed and described is very broad, and varied. In this context the treatment of good and evil can be extremely subtle, particularly from the perspective of relativism and humanist thinking so pervasive in today’s culture.

The concept of good as something which comes solely from within man himself is a wholly different paradigm than a view where the concept of good is established outside the minds of men. Goodness established by something greater than man is defined and fixed. Goodness established by the mind of man alone is not well defined and often variable. This is particularly so if one considers the mind of man to have developed as the result of random evolutionary happenstance.

Regardless of one’s perspective regarding man, goodness and badness in a person are not generally viewed as fixed traits like blood type or the color of one’s eyes. Most philosophies recognize that each person has freedom, choice and sovereignty over one’s actions, allowing one to decide how he or she will respond to situations in life. Every individual has “pre-programmed” proclivities, strengths, weaknesses, abilities, talents, and characteristics which are part of their DNA, both literally and figuratively. Some characteristics are coded into our physical DNA, others are established early during the development of the brain in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Other thinking patterns are developed, learned or refined throughout life. The mind is however a remarkably dynamic mechanism, possessing the capability to change itself. The mind can alter the manner it processes information and controls the body even to the point of modifying reflexive and autonomic human behaviors like breathing and heart rate. The human mind retains the ability to adapt and change throughout life, although sometimes only with extraordinary effort, or grace.

Secular and humanist philosophies, as well as spiritual based philosophies, acknowledge the role of man in choosing his course of action. The Latin word invictus may be translated as “undefeated” or “unconquered.” Invictus is the title of a poem by the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849-1903). It is also the title of the recent movie on the life of Nelson Mandela starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood. Both of these works have as their title subject the mind and will of man prevailing over overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. William Henley’s short poem titled Invictus reads:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Absolute Good

“And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”” (Matthew 19:16–17, NASB95)

Absolute good exists. Scripture tell us that God is good, not God is not good. Man-centric thinking, that which considers only the perspective of man, does not consider or accept the existence of absolute morality. A man centered perspective discounts consideration of anything but limited relative thinking of goodness. Without God the baseline assumption is restricted so that good, if it exists, originates within man. This is not what scripture teaches. Good is not a fundamental component of man’s thinking whether in total or in part. Good is not a trait of man whether it is dominant or recessive. God’s word does not say that good innately exists in man. Good does not exist apart from the grace of God, only God is good. If one does not recognize that man was created, then one cannot see that man was created for good but man is not innately good. Man has the capacity for, and choice of, being with God, for God, and of God. He also has been given the freedom to not seek God, choose God, and not be of God. If he is with God then he will be good, this need not be because man becomes innately good but simply because he is with God and God is with him (see Acts 4:13).

Justification and Sanctification

Daily — and often more frequently — I need to turn things over to God. This requirement is recurring because of natural tendencies, in some cases habitual tendencies, toward weakness which can quickly surface when man is away from goodness. It is much the same as when the lungs are denied access to oxygen; man was designed for relationship, and relationship with God. Apart from relationship a person suffers and doesn’t operate well. The Christian has a regenerate spirit and 2 Corinthians 5 tells us that he or she is a “new creature.” But the Christian pilgrim is not immediately separated or freed from their mortal mind and body. The will of this new “inner man” works in, with, and through his flesh. The will of man is part of his mind, his flesh. When a man chooses and wills to accept God he still has his old brain, mind, memories, emotions, habits and history. A saved saint’s behavior sometimes misfires and he or she falls back on old habits as the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 7:19. When this happens man’s will and decision to follow Christ are eclipsed by old tendencies of the flesh. Using the terms of the poet William Henley, the old captain can still master control. This may occur years or decades following the saint becoming a committed and even a mature Christian. Deciding, or willing, to change one’s will is one thing — effectively accomplishing such change is an entirely different matter. The transformation of the will is not something accomplished quickly or easily (see Mark 14:38, Romans 7:14-25).

Instantaneous changes can occur with or following conversion. All things are possible with God. But immediate completion of our perfection in Christ isn’t how He usually works. We are immediately and completely justified by Christ, this is finished work and we are fully and absolutely justified in Christ at the moment of our conversion. We are as justified at that moment as on the day of our baptism, the day of our death, and as justified as we will be 100,000 years from now. God can and sometimes does bestow on man instant and miraculous change in the mind and body; He can heal him and deliver him from maladies and bad habits. However, change continues to occur over the Christian pilgrim’s lifetime. Change and healing in a person are just as miraculous whether God works instantly or whether He works gradually. From God’s perspective time means nothing. When God changes a person or their circumstance instantly it is sometimes called deliverance. When God provides His children the privilege of experiencing change over time, often allowing participation in the process, this progression is sometimes referred to as the process of sanctification.

Good in Scripture

The concept of good in scripture is first mentioned in Genesis 1:4 and the last time in 3 John 12. The word “good” is used in the bible 702 times in 648 verses. This is a concept important to God. It is a concept important to Jesus. It should be important to man. In Matthew 19:16-17 quoted above Jesus tells us that with regard to what is good, “there is only One who is good.” This is directly relevant to justification and sanctification in a way only God can be applicable. The exchange in Matthew 19 between this person and Jesus is quite telling. Jesus does not seem to directly answer the question posed. Yet He provides a response to the questioner and to all mankind which is truth and which all mankind needs to hear. Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly as the question is flawed and doesn’t warrant a direct response. Jesus’ response identifies at least 4 significant flaws in the person’s thinking.

First, the question refers to Jesus as “teacher.” The entire question was man-centric, asked by a person, of a teacher assumed to be a mere person, about what man needs to do so man may obtain eternal life. Apart from God there is no eternal life, only eternal death. The question demands proper context and consideration of the fact that the solution to man’s problem as presented here, mortality, comes from outside mortal man. Even if this person did not or could not recognize Jesus for who He truly is, neither the question nor the context should require an answer which comes solely from man. The answer to this question, the solution to the problem of man, can ultimately come only from God. It is ironic that in this case the questioner had it right — he was speaking to God — but he didn’t realize it. Second and very much related to the first flaw, the question presupposes that man is capable of unilaterally implementing the answer to the question. The question put to Jesus is “what shall I do that I may obtain …” a result for man, by man. Apart from God man is spiritually dead. No person can fix this on their own! One must properly recognize man’s capacity to implement any solution, particularly in the realm of the spiritual, for any “answer” to be meaningful. Third and most obvious Jesus takes issue with the questioner’s understanding of good. And finally fourth, the questioner speaks of obtaining eternal life, Jesus speaks of eternal life as something entered into.

Summary

The exchange recorded in Matthew 19 about obtaining eternal life is rich with knowledge, instruction, wisdom, insight and value. A few highlights and observations are listed below:

Jesus is God. Jesus and the Father are One.
No man-centric answer exists for the question about eternal life posed in Matthew 19:16.
God enters into the saved Christian at conversion but eternal life does not enter into man. Man enters into eternal life.
God, and His goodness, His Light, and His Spirit, enter into the life of the regenerate. But man also enters into fellowship with God and into eternal life, into His light and His Spirit.
The goodness of God is not restricted to his children. His goodness, His grace, can be felt anywhere He exists, that is to say everywhere. Good in the world, if properly attributed, can always be traced directly back to the Creator of all existence.
The sense implied by the questioner in Matthew 19:16 is that eternal life is a thing “obtained” indicates a way of thought which, if followed, takes one away from proper understanding of God and His plan for man. A transaction of this sort provides no consideration of relationship between God and His children.
The mind of the questioner in Matthew 19 is much the same, albeit not as brash, as Simon in Acts 8 who offered Peter and John money for the authority to bestow God’s Spirit.
God is always to be first, man is never to be first.
Man does not accept God so that he may obtain eternal life or the Holy Spirit. Man accepts God because God first loved him and it is the only appropriate response to the infinite eternal omniscient loving Creator.

Published on: June 30, 2015March 28, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

What I Used to Know

Sometimes I realize what I used to know. That is, recognize how much knowledge has evaporated away over time. In many ways knowledge is similar to tools in the garage or utensils in the kitchen. Knowledge used regularly is easily accessed, in working condition, and ready for use. Knowledge infrequently used can be hard to locate. Infrequently used tools or knowledge can become rusty and need cleaning and polishing before again being useful. Lost knowledge, like a lost tool or utensil, is of little value if not available when needed.

Sometimes it goes further. It sometimes seems knowledge isn’t something obtained but merely observed. It is possible to be a sightseer rather than a collector of knowledge. A piece of knowledge may be viewed, perhaps examined and explored, but then put down as one’s journey down life’s path continues. Sometimes knowledge can seem so delicate, so exquisite — like the sight and smell of a delicate flower — that it can only be appreciated and enjoyed in the moment. However, while one may not be able to recall at will the smell of a flower or precise hue of a sunset one’s knowledge of those experiences can remain in the recesses of the mind. That knowledge, along with many other memories connected in various ways can come to remembrance following a subsequent experience with the same smell or sight. Re-experiencing a remarkable event may elicit a cascading flood of memories locked away for decades. Such recall may be triggered by a single smell, sight, touch, sound or feeling.

God is Infinite

Man’s limitations with regard to capacity of mind are in stark contrast to God’s omniscience. God is infinite. God is unlimited in capacity for knowledge, awareness and insight. He has infinite and complete knowledge — of everything. He knows the minute of each person’s birth. He numbers the hairs on your head; and He knows these numbers for last year, today, tomorrow and ten years from now. He knows these details for everyone ever born and those yet to be born. He knows the number of galaxies in the universe. He knows the number of stars in each galaxy. He knows the number of atoms in each star He created. He knows the number of electrons around each atom. He knows every hue of every sunset. He knows the pattern of every snowflake. He knows the code of every strand of DNA. He knows the name of each child born, and those never born. He knows everything for all time! All this knowledge doesn’t in any way tax His mind, for He is infinite. Knowledge is only the beginning, along with knowledge He also has infinite awareness, understanding and insight.

“God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.” (Genesis 21:17, NASB95)

God Cares

In the opening book of the Bible we learn that God not only knows everything but that He listens to the voice of a single child. God is not only listening and aware of Ishmael in Genesis 21 but also concerned for Hagar, his mother, sending a messenger to give comfort in her distress over the well-being of her son. Why does God listen to the voice of Hagar’s son Ishmael? It is not because He learns anything from it. God knows before the lad speaks what he will say, or cry. He listens to his voice for His own purposes. Perhaps He listens “just” for our benefit or comfort; but He first created us according to His desire and purpose. Whatever the reason He listens, we know He listens. His word tells us that He listens and He cares. That a holy God cares for mankind and gives them His word is incredible. God is wondrous and beyond man’s comprehension. Nonetheless, in accordance with His design and plan He has given man the capacity for incredible knowledge, awareness, understanding and insight; incredible but — as is man — limited.

God is Light

Scripture associates knowledge and light. The Apostles John and Paul tell us:

“… that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5, NASB95)

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NASB95)

Parallels between light and knowledge are found in the old and new testaments. Light is transient and fleeting in the eye of man. Light appears the moment the switch is thrown or a match is struck. Knowledge can be transient in the mind of man. Physical light sources are temporary. Light bulbs burn out. Lamps run out of oil. Every star in our galaxy including our own sun will eventually exhaust its fuel and go dark.

The light of God, as God Himself, is not created. God is light. God is everlasting and eternal. He is not in any sense transient. God never did not exist and never will not exist. The light of God never did not exist and never will not exist. All of the attributes of God including His knowledge share His unchangeable nature, His non-transience.

Knowledge of God is often difficult to grasp; in fact, it is knowledge impossible for man to fully grasp with his human mind. Complete knowledge of an infinite God is knowledge impossible for limited minds of men to fully comprehend, hold, or understand. How could the mind of man contain such knowledge and not explode? Even mere glimpses into the truth of God are too much for the mind of man to possess; much less be committed to memory and carried along on the pilgrim’s journey.

God Has Provided a Way

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB95)

“Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”” (Mark 10:27, NASB95)

““For nothing will be impossible with God.”” (Luke 1:37, NASB95)

God created man according to a design and plan. According to God’s word man is created in the image of God. God’s plan includes provision to men of a way to relate to an infinite and holy God despite man’s limitations and shortcomings. This plan was not a way for man to reach up to God but God reaching down to man. He did this in Jesus Christ, God becoming a man. God bridged the gap between God and man by His action. His plan is not a:

religious system whereby man earns his way back into God’s graces,
collection of rules and required improvements that man must make to be worthy of heaven, or
group membership which has a benefit that includes entry into heaven.

His plan for men is greater. His plan respects both the sovereignty of God and God’s provision of choice, a limited sovereignty given to man over his own destiny. He provides a way for man to have the mind of Christ.

““Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29, NASB95)

Our Creator Desires our Attention

God’s way for man is not predicated upon sacrifice by men, but willing obedience. Man’s first steps to accept God’s redemptive plan are clearly stated in His Word. In the Old Testament the first commandment was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and is recorded in Exodus 20:3:

““You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3, NASB95)

In the New Testament, Jesus tells people:

““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB95)

““The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44–46, NASB95)

Knowledge Worth Seeking

Much of what I used to know is either forgotten or stored away so deep that it is of little use. When found, it is often too little too late. It is rusted, broken and practically useless.

With absolute certainty — there is a day that was, is, or will be the last day of life for every person on this earth.
At that point the destiny of one is established.
One’s destiny is either eternally with God, or eternally not with his creator.
With absolute certainty — God is desirous of men responding and accepting His plan for their lives.
With absolute certainty — God grants eternal life to His sheep.

At the end of our days on this earth, does anything other than absolute certainty matter? The common denominator of the certain points of knowledge listed above is God.

God is Worth Seeking

What makes God’s plan work is not the logic, reasoning, or even eternal truth as experienced by the mind of man. God is not only the Creator; He is the sustainer of all things.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NASB95)

The heavens and the earth will pass away. In the (very) long-term God is the only thing worth seeking.

Much of what knowledge I have possessed is forgotten. Most of what remains is worthless. Even knowledge from the scriptures is at best second tier in importance unless that knowledge helps me relate to God. Religion, knowledge, belief, sincerity, and even faith are important things but they do not get one to heaven and eternal life. Relationship is the path to heaven, and only relationship with God, through His Son, and blessed and sealed by His Spirit. What one knows, says, does, and believes are each important but not singularly crucial. Whom one knows – whether or not they know their Creator and Living God – is the singularly most important factor in determining one’s eternal home.

Man’s Response

What I know or what I used to know does not matter in the end. Much of what I’ve learned may have been obtained trying to qualify for God’s favor, become worthy of His salvation, or meet some minimum standard that earns His acceptance and love. However, at best those things were signposts, too often they were distractions. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for knowledge I gleaned from life, insofar as it was while pursuing those things I found my way to God and His path for my life.

Never have I seen hikers pick up and carry signposts with them along their way. Novice hikers will sometimes carry unnecessary burdens, either old baggage or items picked-up along their journey. But novices soon learn that extra burdens tax one’s energy and make progress more difficult. Burdens seem to become heavier as the journey goes on. The dedicated hiker, like the Christian pilgrim, learns to jettison unnecessary weight. Jesus gave us a directive — which is also very sound advice — in Matthew 6.

““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB95)

That command embodies invaluable knowledge and direction. This is a fundamental truth by which to live. This is the proper way to walk the pilgrim’s path.

Published on: May 31, 2015October 20, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Church and Christendom

Faith by Objectives

A management practice developed and made popular by Peter Drucker in the 1950’s is a practice called Management by Objectives (MBO). This is a process of defining aims within an organization so that managers and employees agree to objectives and understand what they need to do in the organization in order to contribute to accomplishment and success.

Management by Objectives

The concept was widely accepted and applied with significant success in large and small organizations across the United States and the world. Of course, no model is perfect, and in certain applications and circumstances inherent limitations in the theory manifest themselves. The concept in practice proved to produce distinct advantages as well as found prone to some distinct limitations.

Advantages

All levels of the organization become participants in management in the process of goal setting. This can increase employee empowerment resulting in increased commitment.
The process often improves communication and coordination. Frequent reviews and interactions between employees and managers facilitates relationships within the organization.
Clarity and synchronization of goals are enhanced.

Limitations

Goal performance can supersede the performance of the optimal work plan. The internal inertia of the MBO structure can inhibit agility and performance for the individual and the organization.
Importance of the contextual environment is under emphasized. Productivity generally accrues from concentration and unity of organizational focus. However, if changes occur outside of the organizational field of vision then efficiency and productivity gains can be for naught if competitive or other factors move the optimal goal post position.

The use of MBO is not the fashionable management technique it once was. In fact, it has significant detractors who argue the process is prone to misapplication and pitfalls. In his original work Dr. Drucker warned that a systemic view was required. If poor outcomes occur, they can most often be linked to failure to heed this warning. However, there is a fundamental issue of preference for management over leadership that is inherent in MBO.

While MBO doesn’t enjoy the popular status it once held it is a concept still in use in many forms and derivatives. It leaves a legacy felt far outside the bounds of formal MBO programs. Many principles, practices, techniques and tactics from MBO have been adopted into a wide range of current management practices. The concepts and lexicon of MBO have even migrated beyond organizational confines and become part of the greater American culture and language.

Church and Culture

Pastors and preachers instruct congregations on the gospel message and living in the Kingdom of God. They take spiritual and scriptural concepts and make them relevant to men and women today. That process places spiritual truth into secular culture. Sometimes it is clear where biblical teaching ends and application or worldly context begins, but not always. In some cases, with the historically strong influence which Christian faith has had on European and American cultures, concepts may come full circle. Some fundamental secular concepts, such as justice, originally developed as spiritual concepts in Judeo-Christian faith, tradition and practice. On the other hand, concepts not rooted in scripture can find their way into churches and mistaken as Christian spiritual concepts. The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is one such concept. No such verse exists in the bible. The expression can be tracked back to wholly pagan origin (Greek literature, later picked up by Algernon Sidney and Benjamin Franklin). While a secular concept may not intrinsically be anti-Christian it is important to distinguish what is inspired truth given by God as opposed to “knowledge” developed by men.

A message one may hear from a pulpit which sounds biblical deals with a Christian’s fruit and self-evaluation. Messages exhort listeners to examine the fruit in their lives. Such messages may teach such evaluation is useful in determining the vitality of one’s Christianity, making decisions, setting the course of their Christian walk, or determining whether or not one is even truly saved. These concepts may be helpful, useful and sound. In several ways the the focus on self evaluation and fruit sounds like a spiritual call to Management by Objectives — a call to Faith by Objectives. Where in scripture is this message given?

Fruit is a much discussed topic in the bible. It is mentioned 181 times. The New Testament mentions fruit 56 times, 38 of those in the gospels. It is mentioned 125 times in the Old Testament. Of the 181 times the word is in the bible nowhere is the pilgrim directed or counseled to take stock of one’s own fruit as an indicator of salvation. Fruit is most often referred to as coming from the Spirit, Son or Father; or a by-product of the Christian walk. Fruit in a very real sense is not a product of the branch, but of the whole plant which combines water, soil, air, nutrients and light to produce fruit.

To one who is not a Christian, perhaps exploring Christ, moving towards Christ, or playing at the edges of Christianity, self-examination of one’s own fruit can be particularly problematic. It is ironic but true that the sinner can be at their worst when they are seemingly at their best; and this is most true for the unsaved sinner that is almost but not actually a Christian. A false pregnancy (pseudocyesis) can be incredibly real. One can be very wrong about this matter of their own body. Even those observing one so deceived can likewise be deceived. Sin can similarly disguise itself to one on which it has its deadly grip.

We know that one of the sinners crucified alongside Christ at Calvary was saved. We can know this with certainty not because of that sinner’s fruit or what he did or said on his cross. Certainty comes from what Christ said from His cross that day. The thief on the cross could have been a pretender, a disingenuous schemer, or a man just saying words that sounded good. Are not men capable of such hypocrisy? Christ heard the words and knew the heart of the thief on the cross. We can have certainty that the thief on the cross was saved because we have Christ’s testimony; Christ validated that the sinner had indeed received God’s grace and redemption. It is not fruit that makes one a Christian — it is the heart — and whether His grace has changed the heart. We are instructed to bear fruit, and the scriptures discuss discernment regarding fruit in others.

““Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;” (Matthew 3:8,NASB95)

““You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:16, NASB95)

Observing fruit of others is a very different thing than one’s self. If someone judges another as redeemed or otherwise there is no eternal consequence whether the judge in this case is right or wrong. However, if one uses fruit as an indicator for oneself, and is wrong, their eternal destiny can be at risk. One can appear godly and show outward displays of faith — but not be a Christian. One may practice and profess Christianity — but not be a Christian. One may have great knowledge of God, His Son and the Holy Spirit — yet not know the Son or the blessings of the Spirit. Conviction is not conversion. Conscience is a good thing and can prompt morality — but where the heart is not renewed there is not salvation (Romans 10:10). Reformation is not regeneration (Titus 3:5). The Spirit may impart to one a form of restraining grace but if one does not accept Christ for who He is in gospel terms, God’s terms, then one is not a Christian. Some accept Christ but it is on their terms, that is not honest acceptance. Acceptance of an offer with limitations, conditions, caveats or redefined terms is not necessarily effective nor effectual. Honesty is essential in dealing with God. He knows the heart of each and every man or woman (Psalm 44:21).

““Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7:22–23, NASB95)

Scripture teaches that we may know we are saved (1 Cor 2:12, Col 4:12). But there is no single litmus test. Evidence is provided from multiple witnesses. Our spirits, hearts, and our minds can each be convinced. And each component of our being is healthier when in the light of the truth. God asks for our whole being. If God is changing us, He will be working on the whole man. If one looks to the heavens they declare God’s glory. If we look at the tiniest detail of biology we can see the wonders of life. If we look at the smallest bits of matter we see we can see the wonders of God’s creation. The child of God hears the call and voice of the Lord — we are not told we all listen for it or even recognize it — but the sheep of the Good Shepherd hear His voice (John 10:27). These are all good things. It is man’s condition that our senses, spirits and minds are subject to error. Error may originate internally; such as simple perceptive, associative or cognitive errors; or come as a result of external influences whether innocent or malevolent. However, we have many witnesses of God’s truth and love. Not just one. God’s plan seems to require each of us individually fit His plan to our specific situation. It is not that works are required, but as we put on the armor of God, some adjustment is necessary for a good fit. In other words, some assembly is required, batteries are included, but one does have to turn on the power switch and make some adjustments.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12–13, NASB95)

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Romans 7:4, NASB95)

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:28–29, NASB95)

Summary

Cultural business practices may not be the source of the religious concept of taking stock of one’s fruit. But where is the practice of introspection regarding one’s own fruit found in scripture? God’s Word discusses fruit in association with concepts of obedience; God’s will, provision and blessing; walking in the Spirit; seeking God; abiding in Christ; and living as a branch grafted onto and into the Vine of Life — but nothing akin to fruit and Faith by Objectives.

A practice of self-evaluation of fruit is not necessarily heretical, wrong or false. It may well be practical advice which produces visible benefits. However, it is not a practice explicitly called out in scripture. Biblical advice, that backed by the unchanging word of God, is not subject to limitations as is even the best advice of men. Applying man’s wisdom in life, even helpful advice, without proper consideration and understanding of the application, can fail to produce the intended result. In this case it can distract a Christian from seeking God and His Kingdom by occupying him with what may merely be good. Worse, it can distract a non-Christian from seeking God by occupying him in attempts to make himself worthy to God. That is not what scripture teaches and can lead to fools’ errands — Christ already finished all required works in this regard on our behalf.

Eternity is a long time. No decision is more important than how one will spend eternity. It is a serious error for someone unsaved to consider an outcome motivated by a healthy conscience (or perhaps even a deceitful heart) as fruit of a changed heart and evidence that their heart has been cleansed and changed by God. Unless corrected, that error will have eternal consequences.

Published on: April 30, 2015May 23, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Church and Christendom

A Simple Lesson

Something as simple as a household chore can teach important life lessons. One of my jobs around the house is ensuring ice is available in the freezer. For a long time, too long, it was a task much more difficult than need be. Plastic ice trays are designed to bend and release their ice cubes, that is their design, function and purpose. If two ice trays become stuck together then ice from neither tray releases and two trays together can act as one block of ice until force — sometimes with considerable effort — is applied to separate the frozen mass.

This was a common occurrence, and sadly, it literally took years before just a little thinking was applied and the problem resolved by simply not over filling the ice trays with water before placing them in the freezer.

Once this was figured out the chore was indeed simple. Life can be that way. What is a struggle can become easy with just a little perspective, thought and adjustment. Man can needlessly struggle over the simplest of matters.

One can see in this example (a) the value in thinking about what you are doing, of (b) making best use of one’s time and effort, or (c) how a trained engineer can fail in the simplest of situations to use proper skills at the appropriate time. Failure here was not in accomplishment but in execution. The job got done. Never once was the ice bin found empty. The issue was that only part of me showed up for the job. This was a lesson in divided attention and commitment, an example of the downside of compartmentalization.

The principles in this lesson deal with perspective, involvement of the whole self, and proper matching of resources to need. It is amazing how a mind trained and practiced in tackling technical problems can completely miss application of analytic problem solving skill where clearly needed. At the same time, it is quite possible for me to inappropriately apply analytic problem-solving techniques in cases where a wholly different approach is needed. Specifically that can be seen in other situations where thinking is only in linear scientific analytic mode when a more intuitive, recondite, or heuristic method is appropriate and useful; such as with situations involving complex human relationship issues.

Applications of the Lesson

The lesson has significant application for the Christian pilgrim. God doesn’t just ask us for our minds. He asks for our all. He requires our minds, our hearts, our soul, and through grace He supplies His children with a regenerate spirit. Theology provides tools and methods that help our minds study and understand God, providing crucial benefit to the child of God. Knowing God through experience, interaction and relationship is also important. Our spirit is the point of connection between our self, our soul, and God, who is spirit. The healthy Christian, the whole Christian, is maturing as a whole — body, mind, soul and spirit.

When one considers the spectrum of churches across the land today they bear great similarity to the spectrum of various segments of today’s society which aggregates in so many compartmentalized and specialized groups and factions. At one end of the spectrum of church identity are those groups that eschew the experiential and focus on the rational basis for the Christian faith — and at the other end those who focus on the experiential, the contemplatives and mystics. Merit exists in both camps. Both views can make convincing biblical arguments for their view of truth and faith in the Creator. Given the stakes involved and inherent flaws of both mind and heart in men it is significant that both paths can lead one up the same mountain to the same point. God’s plan for men and women is that they mature in body, mind, soul and spirit as well as in relationship with their heavenly Father. Abraham in the old testament was identified as a friend of God, yet scripture records that it was as long as 20 years or more between conversations among friends. That is a mark of a mature and secure relationship among mature and secure individuals. As new testament Christians we are blessed and sealed with the Holy Spirit, but more, we are instructed to grow and mature in our faith — in body, mind, soul, and spirit.

God does not want us just to know about Him, He also wants us to know and experience Him in relationship. Although we are — and eternally will be — God’s children, He does not want us to remain little children. It is His plan for us to mature as individuals and in relationship with Him through time and into eternity.

God gives us the Scriptures and desires us to know them well, but more, He desires that we know Him intimately. Scripture instructs us — commands us — to focus and consider Him, with our minds, our hearts, our bodies, our spirits. On His part He is ever faithful and deals with us in ways that relate to each of us as individuals and on many different levels. He is everywhere — we are not. He deals with us where we are. Jesus often spoke of the priority of relationship, of He knowing us and we Him. We can approach Him from wherever we may be.

The artist can relate to the One who paints every sunset.
Mothers can relate to the One who brings and nurtures life.
Children can relate to the One who became a child and walked among us.
The suffering can relate to the One who suffered beyond the pale for us.
Those who work with animals can relate to the Good Shepherd.
Those who work with plants can relate to the Vine of Life.
The engineer can relate to the One who designed and created the universe.
The scientist can relate to the One who spoke the universe into existence and sustains it.

Every teacher, fireman, policeman, soldier, craftsman, child, parent, grandparent, athlete, doctor, patient, barber, healthcare worker, tradesman, pilot, or any other individual can each relate from their unique background and experiences to the Creator who made them. That is how He designed us. Not one of God’s children can pass through any experience in life where He will not walk with him or her: young or old; happy or sad; rich or poor; lonely or in relationship; rich or poor; tired or rested; healthy or hurting; hungry or full; or thirsty or satiated. Christ put aside His deity to live as a man among men on earth. He lived a life of service, humility and obedience to His Father. For the Christian, seeking such an attitude of service, humility and obedience is a good and fitting place to begin experiencing a relationship with our Savior, God, Lord and Father. Whether or not we see Him, feel Him, hear Him, sense Him, or encounter Him — He is there. He is. We can never really be alone, because He is everywhere. In our relationships with others we can relate to Him because He is desirous of relationship with man and He has ever existed in relationship in the Trinity. He is unchanging, unchangeable and constant.

Struggles that take one’s focus off God are to be avoided. Struggles only for worldly gain are assuredly pointless and vain. Perspective, thought and adjustment to avoid unnecessary burdens are good. But the pilgrim’s walk is not about avoiding burdens. Christ told us that Christians would have burdens and His burden is light. Our own burdens can be distractions which turn us away from Him — His burdens will not. And He is always there to help us when help is needed.

The child of God seeking his or her Heavenly Father need not complete any prerequisites, classes, applications, or testing; obtain any approvals or acceptances; nor complete any preparations or pay any costs to draw close to their Lord. No aspects of any child of God exist which disqualify one from relationship with the Creator, God, Lord, Father, Papa, Shepherd, and even Friend. Praise God for His loving faithfulness, long-suffering, patience, and willingness to speak to us where we are — in the simplest of terms.

Published on: March 31, 2015May 4, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Church and Christendom

They Will Know Us by Our Love.

Scripture says the world will know us — Christians — by our love. John records Jesus saying:

““By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:35, NASB95)

This is not an isolated command or reference. John later records in Jesus’ high priestly prayer to His Father more on this very matter in John 17.

““The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23, NASB95)

The Apostle Paul also provides instruction on love and associates love and the concept of spiritual unity.

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1–3, NASB95)

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11–13, NASB95)

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:14, NASB95)

The love to which Jesus refers in John 13 is love shown to brothers and sisters in Christ. Several of the cited passages discuss both love and unity, however, Jesus did not say the world will know us by our unity. If He had that might cause one to question the veracity of scripture! Love is a much better indicator of God’s message than unity. Anyone in the world that measures God’s message by Christian unity is likely to be confused. Unity is in some ways similar to sanctification. Both are processes and goals; neither will be wholly realized here on earth until our Lord’s return. In this case, as always, scripture is wholly true. Christians may demonstrate love to one another at any time without regard to meeting any preconditions. Anyone can show love to another, use the name of Christ, and witness to God’s love for the world. This can and does happen. It is almost as if the writers of scripture knew what things would hold true throughout the church age.

Consider an old testament passage which deals with unity among men from a different perspective — the story of the tower of Babel. The people in the land of Shinar following the great flood were unified in language along with everyone else on earth. Genesis 11 records the people of Shinar undertook a building plan to construct a tower to heaven. The building effort was without consideration of God’s will and without any apparent dimension of spiritual fellowship or personal relationship with the Creator. It seems man’s propensity toward mob rule and group-think stepped in. The whole society moved in a way that was outside God’s will. God was left out of their ecclesiastic practices (if any) as well as any other substantive part of their lives, at least corporately.

In Genesis 11:7 God steps in and confuses their language, breaks up the mob, and scatters them across the earth. The Holy Spirit stepping in on Pentecost in Acts 2 presents an interesting parallel of God stepping into history as He did in Genesis 11. The Holy Spirit mitigates but lets stand the confusion of languages on Pentecost. He causes those listening to hear in their native language. Language is a key concept in both of these cases, and there are marked similarities as well as differences. Yet these two lessons, one from the old testament and one from the new, are consistent regarding God and His interest in man’s priority on fellowship with Himself. Man’s fellowship with his God is to be above that of his fellowship with others. God doesn’t call His children out of society and immediately to heaven. The fallen world is where He plans for most of us to work out our salvation and to mature. However, He wants us to have our priorities in correct order here and now. He is to be first in priority, now and forever.

Society, even an ecclesiastic society, is of secondary importance. My Sunday school teacher had it right. She taught “God first, others second and me third.” The “others” in this case refers to other human beings. That includes government officials. That includes one’s pastor, priest or minister. That includes one’s peers. That includes one’s family. That even includes one’s spouse. We are to love God more than others AND self, more than one’s own body, heart, mind and soul.

Scripture provides clear instruction on responsibility, accountability, authority, submission, and discipline. These concepts are applicable whether one is in solitude or in a family, church, or societal setting. Is the concept of placing God first contrary to these additional biblical directions for Christians? Well, it may appear so, but no. The scriptures are wholly consistent. Concepts regarding love or unity do not negate any biblical instructions. With regard to the church, no individual person on earth is, nor organization of people are, the head of the Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and He is risen, alive, and seated at the right hand of the Father. His Spirit indwells each of His children. The Church has many leaders, but only one head. Scripture teaches that ecclesiastic unity just isn’t the top priority for the Christian. It is not the top priority in accomplishing the important task of taking the message of Christ to today’s world. Jesus does not say in John 35 that they will know Christians by their unity, but that they will know us by our love. The world is to know us by our love. That can and does happen in each and every person who proclaims God’s love and performs a loving action in His name to someone, anyone, in the world. That can and does happen regardless of church affiliation, or even the status of one’s salvation. God can, and does, use even unsaved individuals to further His purposes and glory.

It is striking how wise and wonderful is God’s word. It is wonderful in what it tells us, and often in what it doesn’t. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and instructed to seek unity of the spirit, and Christians have been under this paradigm for two thousand years. Still, throughout church history theologians of different stripes speak with their own jargon such that various sects of Christianity are foreign and effectively considered different people groups.

Language is wondrous. It most certainly facilitates, but is not man’s only means of, communication and fellowship. In extreme circumstances it is possible to be unable to speak with others and yet not feel alone or be alone. It is difficult to maintain personal relationships without language — but love can transcend and overcome language barriers. The true God, Creator of All, who is in eternal relationship as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit looked at man and said, it is not good for him to be alone. We are designed for relationship, both with God and with each other. God has gifted us with fellowship and made it possible to enjoy it with Himself and others but scripture clearly tells us God comes first!

I’ll close out this blog post with a few observations:

Every time scripture seems like it may be inconsistent or incorrect, close examination reveals how the perception of error is most assuredly due to misunderstanding the message, not with any problem of the Word of God.
Christ’s love for His Church (Eph 5:25) is infinite and Christ’s love for each of His disciples is also infinite. Infinity is an amazing concept. When I had one child it didn’t didn’t seem possible that I could love another child as much as I did that first one. Then I had a second child and somehow my heart expanded and love was there. My love isn’t perfect and I am quite finite — but God’s love is perfect — and He is infinite.
Interesting thing about love, it can’t be demanded, mandated, coerced, taught or required. No laws or decrees can order it. It must be freely given. If love were able to be taught, would the Father’s will have been for His Son to endure the cross?

Published on: February 28, 2015May 4, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Spiritual Disciplines

Trying to do something is very different from training to do something. Trying hard can be important but is a wholly different activity from training. Training is a valuable concept in sports, playing a musical instrument, speaking a new language, typing, and many of life’s efforts. The difference between trying and training would quickly become quite evident were I to try to run a marathon today compared to begin training today and run a marathon in 6 months. The Christian life is likened to an athletic competition in God’s word as in I Corinthians and Hebrews. We compete not for prizes here on earth but eternal purposes. Training is a biblical concept closely aligned to discipline and discipleship. Training transforms whether the focus is on the body, the mind or the spirit. Where life matters — one often needs to train and practice.

Spiritual disciplines are not a gauge of one’s spiritual maturity. The spiritual person is not one who practices many disciplines. The disciplined person is someone who does well what needs to be done when it needs to be done. There are common misconceptions of discipline in today’s culture.

Disciplines are not ways of earning spiritual brownie points.
Disciplines are not necessarily unpleasant.
Spiritual methods are not about method, they are certainly not a “quick fix.”

If one wants to be like Jesus then one can train or he can “just” try. It is the same with other teachers like Moses, Ruth, David, Peter, or any number of champions of virtue whom God uses to provide instruction for us along the pilgrim’s path. Training can certainly enhance outcomes, but it necessarily transforms the trainee. A marathon runner who doesn’t train will not run a good race even if he tries really hard on the day of the race. A pianist who isn’t well practiced isn’t good even if he tries really really hard when he gets on stage. If I want to run a marathon (or a 5k!) today, trying probably wouldn’t be enough. It would be far preferable to first train. Training would increase the probability I would actually make it 26.2 miles, and also increase my chances of surviving the effort. If I want to climb to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite next summer, I best train months in advance of the attempt.

Effective training carries with it purpose. What counts as a discipline depends on the task for which one is training. Training can provide many benefits to a person in many different areas. Training strengthens one in various areas of body, mind and spirit. However, training for a marathon does relatively little to prepare a skier for a downhill slalom race.

If one wants to train for a marathon, one should run a lot every week.
If one wants to train for a skiing event, one should practice on skis.
If one is entered in a math contest, one best practice computation.
If one are enters a hot dog eating contest one trains by eating lots of hot dogs.
If one is preparing for eternity, love and joy in the kingdom one best trains by practicing spiritual disciplines.

A discipline is an activity one practices to develop and achieve power and strength. Discipline is fundamental to a successful training program that transforms the body, mind, soul or spirit. Scripture provides much instruction on walking the Christian walk, including the role of discipline and training.

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;” (1 Timothy 4:7, NASB95)
““A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40, NASB95)

Disciplines often work in a way which disrupt normal habits of thinking and life. This works to allow consideration of other ways of thought and action. How many trials come our way that serve to train us in righteousness? Might we enjoy benefit from transformation in advance through spiritual disciplines rather than waiting for trials and tribulation to build us up in different areas of our lives? Tests and trials will undoubtedly still cross the pilgrim’s path. However, isn’t it better to pass through a testing period prepared and practiced? Trying to accomplish something in the moment is a valuable skill but it is not a replacement for preparation which results from purposed discipline. For example, will alone is not good — terrible in fact — at overcoming bad habits. One’s will does not easily change itself. Effort in the moment, no matter how focused, will not provide the same result as effort with training and preparation. Training generally involves repetition and is executed over a period of time and fundamentally requires suspending and submitting one’s will. This process modifies behavior, and hence will, but as a by-product to transformation in one’s body, mind, soul or spirit.

The importance of will is ubiquitously overemphasized in today’s culture. Society often supplies rewards based on how hard one tries. That is not to say that only outcome is important, in fact, it is just the opposite. Training and preparation produce benefits far more important than a single outcome. The pianist who practices to play a concerto not only produces a wonderful performance, but steps towards becoming a wonderful musician. The progress required to move one from amateur to proficient athlete comes from training and discipline, not from effort during a single event. It is the same with spiritual matters. Do I want to be like Jesus? To think like Christ? To have the mind of Christ? Then as Jesus tell us in Luke 6, I first must train.

Thirty Spiritual Disciplines

Disciplines of Abstinence (Dallas Willard)
Fasting
Silence
Solitude
Frugality
Chastity
Secrecy
Sacrifice
Disciplines of Engagement (Dallas Willard)
Study
Worship
Celebration
Service
Prayer
Fellowship
Confession
Submission
Other Disciplines
Rote Prayer
Sabbath Keeping
Meditation
Submission to a spiritual coach
Personal Reflection
Evangelism
Stewardship
Journaling
Learning
Memorization
Retreats
Pilgrimages
Acts of Kindness
Education (language, or other)
Simple Living

This is not an exhaustive list, there are many methods of spiritual training not listed above. The list also contains many disciplines which overlap. For example, the practice of solitude may include much meditation. External outcome is not the ultimate goal for one in spiritual training. The goal of such training is transformation. The benefits of training are not deferred until the day of contest. In fact, the most dramatic transformations within ourselves are often most pronounced at the beginning stages of a training discipline.

Key components of training are time, knowledge, effort, feedback, rest and repetition. Generally it is important to practice doing a task right repeatedly so that correct technique becomes normative, reflexive and second nature. Only then can transformation be said to be complete. Often the trainee will benefit from the aid of a trainer, mentor, coach, or training partner(s) who can offer suggestions and course corrections during the training process.

The goal of spiritual discipline is not winning some sort of spiritual contest. The goal of discipline is the building up of the pilgrim, of becoming, not of performance. For the Christian the goal is becoming more like Jesus Christ — the ultimate teacher.

Published on: January 31, 2015June 7, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Auld Lang Syne — Perspective and Remembrances from Days Gone By

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” (Philippians 3:7–9, NASB95)

There are many benefits to living in the times in which we live. It is said common folk of our time enjoy more conveniences than royalty of ages past. We have indoor plumbing, electricity, antibiotics, vaccines, refrigeration, and many benefits of modern technology. We can communicate instantaneously and travel over great distances in a relatively short time. In many ways the poor of today live better lives than a Pharaoh, Caesar, Henry the 8th, Louis the XIV, or even John D Rockefeller, who was the richest man in the world only a century ago. We live in the information age. In the United States we seem to have instant everything and have it our way. Selections are seemingly endless. Abundance abounds.

The follower of Christ today has multiple versions of the bible from which to choose and compare. Books are available instantly in digital format. Teachings on “tape” are downloadable. Our churches are rich with varied programs and deep opportunities. Many churches offer ministry after ministry serving real needs of people. There are children’s ministries, youth ministries, junior high groups, high school ministries, young adult ministries, college ministries, Mothers of Preschoolers programs, and on and on and on. There are many wonderful programs that serve people and allow all to serve in very targeted ways.

In most areas of the country the pilgrim has available a huge church smorgasbord from which to choose. Are you a concrete thinker? Then you might want to try churches in this group. Are you an abstract thinker? Then try these over here. There could be a market for an aid in finding a good church match for those perusing the many variants of Christian congregations; perhaps someone should develop a type of Myers-Briggs personality test for such a purpose! Specialization and self-selection stratify our churches. Great benefits accrue, but there may be side effects which work to weaken the church in ways unrealized. For example, it is postulated that large specialized programs systematically better serve those more extroverted compared to those more introverted.

Long ago, while still in college, I attended a church founded in 1809. I wasn’t there at its founding but I was attending in 1980 when a professor from a neighboring college started a new Sunday morning group bible study at the church. The church was large enough that it offered “traditional” college and post college groups; but this was a new study designed for individuals of all ages. Group members ranged in age from high school to “seasoned” individuals. The leader and his wife were probably in their 40’s. The group totaled about 25 to 30 or so. It was a very rich experience. Contributions came from everyone. The leader was ever vigilant in ensuring that everyone in the group had opportunity to share and contribute — and everyone did. The group was very much short on shared common experience, but was extremely wealthy in perspective.

Some spoke easily, some not so much. One seasoned member of our group was born in Scotland and still spoke with a deep Scottish brogue. When he would speak, particularly if he would read God’s word, it was as if we were enjoying a command performance by an accomplished artisan. His gentle wisdom was always apparent when he spoke. And somehow his wisdom was just as apparent in silence as he listened to others. His sincere humility exuded from his quiet countenance. There were also a couple of foreign students who spoke with strong accents, and they were still very much learning english. There was often trouble with pronunciation and word choice. But even with difficulty in communicating, the concepts came through nonetheless. Each member of the group seemed to bring with them a markedly different background, set of experiences, and circumstances. Despite the differences it was clear all had God’s love in common as well as His forgiveness, tender care, provision and joy. From backgrounds all around the world and at different stages in life’s journey each learned and shared about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

There is certainly great benefit from fellowship where life experiences are similar. Communication and understanding are facilitated through common experience. Strong bonds can be easily formed under such circumstances. However, in dealing with life and things of God, there is also great benefit from fellowship with others of varied experience. In a diverse group of Christian pilgrims there will always be one thing in common — one’s faith — including one’s relationship with the author of that faith, the Savior. I have the same Savior as the college professor, seasoned Scottish gentlemen, high school student, foreign exchange student from Africa, undergraduate student, graduate student, bus driver, and anyone else in the group who heeded His call and was learning about God and His word. Attending church regularly was good, but for those 2 years studying the scriptures in fellowship, attending was wondrous and a blessing!

I went back to my old church just last year. It is still there. I did not recognize anyone nor was I recognized by anyone. There was no recognition of the great work the Holy Spirit wrought under the leadership of that inspired college professor. There was no plaque on the wall recognizing the faithful leaders and contributors in that blessed bible study group. That is a good thing; quietly laying up treasures in heaven is far better then seeking reward here on earth.

““So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” (Matthew 6:2, NASB95)

When I get to heaven I expect our old group from decades ago will get together again, this time face to face with our Savior. It doesn’t seem that it would be heaven unless that were so.

Published on: December 31, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Observations on Music and Faith

Music in Scripture

The subject of song and music is mentioned throughout the scriptures. There are more than 300 references, including song, songs, sing, musician, play (in a musical sense) and related references.
Music is mentioned in Genesis and Revelation, the first and last books of the bible.
The book of Psalms is the longest book in the bible and is a book of songs.
The word “singer” is used but once, The plural form, “singers” is used 36 times. Song is overwhelmingly (but not exclusively) used in a group context throughout scripture
Old and new testaments alike recognize music as integral in worship as well as teaching and admonishment (Col 3:16).
Scripture identifies God as source of songs (Job 35:10).
Musicians were exempt from all taxes, tolls, or tribute (Ezra 7:24), they received benefit from offerings for their service from other’s contributions, tithes and offerings (Neh 13:5).
Song comes from the Lord, often with virtues or gifts such as strength (Ex 15:2), deliverance (Ex 15:21), joy (1 Sam 18:6, 1 Chron 16:23).
Music is identified as heavenly, perhaps eternal (Job 38:7. Rev 15:3).
Song can be misused (Psalm 137:3, Eccl 7:5, Lam 3:14, Eze 33:32, Isa 14:11, 1 Cor 10:7).
Song attests to spiritual realities, independent of fleshly circumstance, as with Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:25).
Music can span the distance between spirit and body [reason, fleshly mind] — (1 Cor 14:15).

Function, Purpose, Effects of Music in Scripture

Admonishment (Col 3:16)
Praise (Ex 15:2, Neh 12:46, Ezra 3:11)
Thanksgiving (Neh 12:46)
Deliverance (Psalm 32:7)
Celebration [Wedding, …] (Psalm 78:63)
Remembrance (Deut 31:19, Isa 23:16)
Worship, Glory (2 Chron 5:13, 29:28)
Witness (Deut 31:19)
Instruction (Deut 31:21)
Service (1 Chron 9:33)
Lament (2 Chron 35:25)
Preparation (Matt 26:30)
Teaching (Deut 31:19)
Proclamation (1 Chron 16:23)
Meditation (Psalm 77:6)
Spiritual healing/protection (1 Sam 16:16, 23)
Refreshment (1 Sam 16:23)
Focus, concentration, making consistent both the soul and spirit (1 Cor 14:15)

Published on: November 30, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

On Sanctification

How many sermons have been given where a comment, often a snarky comment, is made about the Apostle John’s self identification as “the Apostle whom Jesus loved?” This is not a verse oft cited as an example of humility, quite the opposite. It is a reference somtimes chided, or worse, put forth as an example of an insensitive statement made with no regard to how other Apostles might be slighted by these words. Perhaps that is a proper inference, but please consider an alternative meaning,

Another meaning one could take from this phrasing is that John was expressing extreme humility, not a slam on others or speaking with shameless self promotion. John does not describe himself as a disciple who loved Jesus. A statement regarding his own love and its quality or value could much more easily be understood as rooted in hubris. With such a statement the focus would clearly be directed on himself. Is it not appropriate and fitting to acknowledge Christ first? How could he better discuss Christ’s love and Christ as the originator of love? John here could simply be identifying himself a benefactor of Christ’s love. John is called the Apostle of Love, John’s consistent message is that of declaring God’s infinite love, divine love. John speaks much less of himself than many of the other authors of scripture. The whole body of his work is singular in its focus of proclaiming God’s unchanging love for the world, for all time and eternity, without limit, without end.

Hubris is ubiquitous in today’s culture and often encouraged, modeled, taught, and rewarded. Perhaps the perception of hubris in John’s self identification is more a reflection of today’s culture than in the meaning that John, overtly or subconsciously, or the Holy Spirit, intended. Certainly confidence can be a virtue, but not overconfidence, pride, nor arrogance. Yet today these traits are normative in our marketplaces, media, schools and even churches and homes. Shame is often cast on those “lacking” in the area of self promotion. Quiet lives based on humility, service, or deference to others — or God — are seldom recognized by our society, and even our churches. To the humble in spirit this is only right and proper. Glory rightly goes to God. Societies, like men, are free to promote and live according to their own sets of values. However, it seems God’s people, His church, would be governed by values in conformance with humility that minimize hubris rather than value such attitudes.

If the Apostle John’s words were penned (or tweeted) today from any number of popular leaders, an assumption of hubris would be most appropriate. However, does not John deserve consideration for maturing beyond youthful outbursts of self interest? John spent years walking with Christ while He was on earth. More importantly, he spent decades serving his Lord and walking with — and in — God’s Spirit.

There are certainly two sides on this issue. Even as an Apostle, John was a man, a sinner, called and redeemed by Christ. Even as he wrote these words he was still short of the perfection which would be complete when eternally in the presence of his Savior. John’s youthful arrogance does seem to epitomize hubris as documented forever in the argument with his brother James regarding their positions in the eternal kingdom of God. Perhaps immaturity and flaws remained in John’s thinking, however, is it not much more likely that Jesus, and subsequently the Holy Spirit, worked in John’s life and corrected and matured John’s self perception, his ambition, his self-interest? It is evident that Christ indeed worked change in John, fundamental change, just as He did in others.

One can certainly be let down in assuming the best about people. Man seems to blow it regularly and often. That is certainly both my practice and experience! However, one can never be let down when assuming the best about God. He is faithful. He is better than the best I am capable of thinking. One will never be let down in assuming good things about Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired and John recorded or authored the following words to us and for us:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:1–4, NASB95)

““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB95)

““A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34, NASB95)

“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8, NASB95)

The lives of the Apostles following Christ’s rising from the dead demonstrate that the Apostles, including John, were mightily changed men. Certainly they were changed from their experiences with Christ, but also, they were changed through the work of the Holy Spirit which followed. John’s writings which so consistently point to God, and to the love of God, testify to his humility.

With close reading of God’s Word, one can choose to view this servant and messenger favorably. Of course, John was a man; the potential exists that a hypothesis of critical judgement could be correct as applied to John. A fact which is not open to question is the power of God to change His servants. The same Christ who rose from the dead is the Christian’s source of sanctification each and every day. If one is to err, let it not be in underestimating the power and love of our God and His ability to change man by His glory, power, light and love — in the here and now.

Published on: October 30, 2014April 12, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Theology

Life is Tough When You Are a Cat

Cats can complain a lot. They are creatures of habit, comfort and at least it seems, leisure. Cats complain if their lives are disturbed in any number of ways:

Their food is late
The menu is not what was expected
A door usually left open is closed
A door usually left closed is open
An unusual person, or animal, is present
A usual person or animal is absent
It is too hot
It is too cold
It is cloudy
The blinds are closed
The blinds are open
Their box is dirty
They have to go to the vet
They have to go anywhere
You leave
You come home

The Christian may be an animal lover. One can certainly “love” dogs, horses, even cats. One can even learn from looking at these works of God’s creation and consider how they can love, in their way, and what they understand. It is an amazing concept. I think about how little the canine, equine, or feline brain can process and understand, yet they have the capacity for virtue, in the way of their species and beyond, including virtues like obedience, loyalty and even self sacrifice and love. I’ve often looked at my pet and thought about that gap, and as big a gap as there is between myself and my pet, the gap between man and our Heavenly Father is infinitely larger.

There really isn’t a comparison, and some might think it a heretical analogy. But I rest on the knowledge scripture often uses animals in teaching about man, even man and God. The Good Shepherd and His sheep is but one such analogy. The bible discusses lions, horses, dogs, wolves, bears, fox, spiders, eagles, birds, deer, swine, goats and others. While man, like an animal, is a created being it is important to consider that he is also different and unique among God’s creation. Genesis records that man is unique among creation. Man was not only created but crafted and made in the image of God.

It is always important that one tread lightly in extrapolating analogies beyond the intended “lesson” or message that scripture provides. This remains sound practice when looking at animals as lessons of qualities that we should either emulate or eschew. This is absolutely critical when considering God in these analogies.

The term anthropomorphize means to treat nonhuman things as human. This can be a good and useful exercise. To in parallel fashion treat non-divine things as divine is to spiritually venture onto very thin ice. God reveals much of Himself in scripture — directly. And He tells us that man’s ways are not God’s ways.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts. [Isaiah 55:8-9]

God is infinite, man is not. God became man incarnate in Jesus Christ. We can look to scripture for what it tells us about God and we can look to Jesus to see the divine as human, these means are sanctioned. These means are part of God’s outreach to man. These means are wise, prudent, proven, prescribed, and all we need.

Published on: September 30, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Faith: Blind, Knowledgeable or Experienced?

For the Christian and non-Christian alike, faith is common. A biblical definition of faith is provided by the writer of Hebrews:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NASB95)

Faith is fundamentally about things unseen. Faith is belief in an invisible object, perhaps an object that no longer exists, or one that does not yet exist. One might then think the terms ‘faith’ and ‘blind faith’ are wholly redundant, that they are synonyms. Not so. Blind faith is belief without understanding, reason, thought, knowledge, or experience. Blind faith becomes informed faith if the effects, manifestations, or other evidences of the invisible object of faith are perceived and observed by man. Blind faith is the most narrow, most stringent, most specific type of faith. At its essence it is “pure” faith. But in this sense the value of faith lies not in the purity of the faith. The value of faith is dependent upon the object of faith, not the type of faith one holds. Faith in the force of gravity is not justified because one purely and dearly holds such faith, faith in gravity is justified because gravitational force is consistent and dependable.

Faith is very important to the Christian, but for most it is not blind faith. Any spiritual belief, given the invisible nature of spiritual things, requires faith. But the Christian need not hold belief without understanding, knowledge or experience. God is Spirit, and as such, invisible. But He has given mankind knowledge, revelation and manifestations of Himself over the course of human history, these are recorded in scripture and other testimonies of men. The Christian certainly believes in things unseen, in God who is spirit and unseen. But every man is able to see evidence of God in His creation, His written Word, testimonies of men, and even in providence and circumstance, if he looks with an open mind.

A child has faith in his mother to care, feed and love him. That is not blind faith. Even with undeveloped mental and sensory capabilities an infant is still able to understand and expect a mother’s love and care. True, one cannot see love, but the child experiences it nonetheless, and the infant experiences, recognizes and responds to love’s effect. It is no different for the Christian whom scripture ubiquitously identifies as a child of God. The church does not believe in a Christ who is dead and will become alive at some future time. It is true that Christ died and will one day return and rule with His people. But Christ is not dead, He laid down His life for us, but He rose three days later, He is alive today.

After rising from the dead Christ spent time with his disciples. He talked to them. He talked with them. He listened to them. He walked with them. He taught them. He cooked for them. He ate with them. He then left them and returned to His Father in Heaven. Christ’s specific instruction upon his departure was not to take the good news to all the world, His initial instruction was to wait. A week and a half later came Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit came to empower and indwell each and every Christian. The Christian need not serve Him in the blind until one’s death. God has not removed Himself from the brethren until His return at some distant time. The events surrounding Christ’s death on the cross teach that if called upon, the Christian can and should obediently wait on the Lord. But a message of these events, and this is a lesson consistently repeated in the whole of scripture, is that God does not leave us alone to blindly wait in the desert for a future kingdom. Yes, we wait and long for the return of Christ and full realization of His eternal kingdom, but today we are children of the living God. He loves us, He cares for us, He values and desires our worship and our fellowship. This is true where we are, today.

This truth underlies Paul’s messages in Galatians and I Corinthians:

““For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:19–20, NASB95)

“For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” (1 Corinthians 2:11–13, NASB95)

Faith deals with the unseen. But faith need not, and is best not, exercised without knowledge of, or experience with, the object of the faith. In the physical realm, knowledge and experience go together hand in hand in supporting faith in the unseen, as with the unseen force of gravity for example. Knowledge and experience are both physically verifiable and can be used to extrapolate into the unseen, into the arena of unseen forces or into an unseen future. In spiritual matters we have available significant but limited verifiable knowledge in the physical realm, such as God’s spoken word in scripture. This knowledge testifies to the object of faith, which is unseen. Also, since man in his reborn state exists with a spiritual component, the Christian possesses the capability of directly experiencing spiritual things. The Christian is able to reconcile spiritual experiences with physical knowledge regarding God, who is spirit and unseen. Even to the point of experiencing fellowship with God Himself insofar as He is willing to reveal Himself and manifest Himself to an individual man or woman. With the Holy Spirit, man has available knowledge, reason, evidence and experience together on which to base the practice of faith.

It can be difficult for man to trust spiritual experience, this with valid cause. The earth is a place of spiritual warfare. War zones are dangerous places. It is right to be wary of spiritual experience, particularly isolated experiences. Malevolence exists in the invisible realm as surely as it does in the visible. But experience still accords opportunity. A multi-stranded cord is the strongest form of rope. The Christian is made up of body, mind, heart, and spirit. God’s plan includes the Holy Spirit indwelling each child of God, helping, empowering, and sealing the Christian until the day of redemption. God has created man with a physical body and mind, yet the Christian is made a new creature, one with a new spirit. The body of the Christian houses both the temporal and the eternal. In relationship and fellowship, the Christian operates both in the spiritual and physical realms, with both God and man. All this while still here on earth, at this time.

GOD IS TRULY AMAZING! ALL GLORY TO GOD!!

Published on: August 17, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Faith

Count me in that group that considers the object of faith more important than the holder of faith. Philosopher theologians have spent careers studying and writing about faith, of examining, describing, and defining what faith is and how it works. Such writings can be interesting and thought provoking. Such thinking can certainly help one understand faith. Man’s thinking in these matters is certainly important particularly as it impacts his will. Man’s will is a critically important component in salvation. But it is the object of man’s faith that is of primary significance; it is God’s faithfulness which is the source of our salvation. Man’s faith can and does fall short, yet he can still be saved. It is the faithfulness of God that empowers salvation. With regard to faith and salvation — it is not that man can be faithful and thereby secure salvation and eternal life in the presence of God — but that through faith a man is granted the capacity to be a child of God, a benefactor of God’s faithfulness. For we know that salvation is not of man but of God.

Man isn’t required to build perfect understanding of the workings of faith in order to be saved. Man is only required to believe, acknowledge, to repent (to change direction), and confess (speak and act in accordance with belief). In other words, to accept and live in accordance with God’s truth and plan.

Placing oneself into a vehicle and traveling down narrow roadways at 6o mph while at the same time other like minded persons do the same thing in the opposite direction is an exercise of faith. Vehicle occupants have faith that totally unknown persons will stay on their side of a narrow roadway. If either vehicle crosses into the other’s side of the road at the wrong time an impact at a closure speed of 120 miles per hour results with devastating effect. When it happens, and it does occur, the result is too frequently life ending. One’s decision to travel by auto is based upon faith in: (a) the vehicle and its steering system, its tires, it’s safety systems; and like competency in other vehicles on the road, (b) the competency of other drivers, their benevolent intentions, or at least lack of malevolence of other motorists; (c) the constancy of the laws of physics, of momentum, of gravity, and (d) other outside forces, not considered in (a), (b) or (c). It is not one’s faith that saves one from near instantaneous deceleration and death, it is that the objects of the faith are faithful, follow the rules, and stay on their own side which allows each to pass the other safely on a two lane road.

Thank you Lord, for your love, your faithfulness, your patience, your care. Thank you for your plan and wisdom.

Published on: August 16, 2014January 19, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Words Have Meaning

Consider the concept of tolerance. Healthy social interaction requires tolerance. Ask any married couple. At least one of them will acknowledge the importance of tolerance towards others. I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world for whom I thank God every day. I am thankful He gave her incredible wisdom and the ability to be tolerant, she needs it! That people should be tolerant of other people is correct and proper. In this regard tolerance and respect go hand in hand and are almost synonyms. But the words tolerance and respect are not always interchangeable. For example, a healthy society is intolerant of murder yet still accords the respect of due process to murderers. One should always respect the abrasive power of contaminants in motor oil but should never tolerate dirty oil in the crankcase of an engine.

When people demand tolerance with regard to principle, they are asking for something that is neither proper nor correct. Tolerance should apply only to people and situations, never to principle. Intolerance is a term that should hardly ever apply to people. Intolerance should be the norm for actions or activities which are destructive or evil. Intolerance is required in a just society when and where intolerance is on the side of principles which are good and true.

I will venture out and hypothesize that our culture recognizes and understands the concept of tolerance to a much higher degree than frequent misuse of the term might indicate. It is clearly and explicitly recognized that Christians are called to be a loving and tolerant people. Tolerance is expected of Christians by others in society to a much higher degree than for society as a whole. Rare is the call for tolerance of others regarding Christian principles. The frequency of biased use of the term is a sure indicator of intent. One-sided appeal to tolerance is an argument based on emotion, it is but one example of fallacious reasoning being used to persuade. At the same time, in today’s market place of ideas discussions between individuals often become mere simulated discussions. Conversations begin between parties with different viewpoints but then continue “off-line” with correspondents reporting the interchanges to others. The real goals of such discussions are not honest and open debate, but volleys of arguments designed to target and impact others at a later time. In such cases there can be little or no interest or effort in genuinely trying to consider or understand the “opposing” side. The motives in these pseudo discussions shift from persuasion of the other participant to posturing for future purposes and sound bites. Discussion in a real sense does not occur, only oration and positioning for future advocacy and spin. Reason loses out in such situations. Such mock discussions are merely a performer’s stage. Substance readily becomes secondary at best. Subsequent reporting is often by one of the participants or similarly one-sided third parties. Reason and substance become secondary and can be reduced to no effectual consequence in these “discussions.” Perception trumps truth in such conditions.

Take the right to life issue. Christians and others are asked to be tolerant of abortionists and their actions. In this case the action of one individual prohibits another from the experiences of an entire lifetime. That action denies the right to live for individuals whom otherwise enjoy legal rights and protections recognized and accorded by law. Many in our culture ask, expect, and in many cases require tolerance of the principle of abortion and violating the rights of the unborn. Not only are Christians and others asked to tolerate a horrible policy and activity but also to pay for it.

Over eighty years ago, in 1931, then Monsignor Fulton Sheen wrote the following in an essay:

“America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance — it is not. It is suffering from tolerance. Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos. Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broad-minded.”
“Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil … a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. Tolerance applies only to persons … never to truth. Tolerance applies to the erring, intolerance to the error … Architects are as intolerant about sand as foundations for skyscrapers as doctors are intolerant about germs in the laboratory.
Tolerance does not apply to truth or principles. About these things we must be intolerant, and for this kind of intolerance, so much needed to rouse us from sentimental gush, I make a plea. Intolerance of this kind is the foundation of all stability.”

It doesn’t seem that our culture is confused over the definition of tolerance. It is quite evident that tolerance is well understood, at least as a tactic. The frequency of the appeal for tolerance, which may silence some, is a clear indication of understanding. More pointedly, biased misuse of the term can make points with a constituency but belies underlying malevolence rather than simple ignorance or carelessness.

More and more each day the need for another Great Awakening becomes apparent if our country is to have any hope of again living up to its promise and its heritage. Political battles for the hearts and minds of our countrymen just aren’t as important as they once were. Today, the winners of the hearts and minds of so many our countrymen are winning a commodity of less quality and value than previously in our country’s history. Plummeting test scores well document intellectual decline in this country. This is a lagging indicator of greatness. The spiritual health of our country’s citizens is the best leading indicator of the country’s vitality. The first Great Awakening in this country preceded the Revolutionary War by about a generation. The only sure hope of this country recovering its vigor is spiritual renewal among its people. It has been recognized from the beginning, but widely forgotten of late, that at the root of this country’s greatness lies the goodness of its people. Until its people again rise to that condition of goodness, and that will only follow the Spirit of God powerfully working through His people, a national return to greatness in any meaningful way can not be expected. Such fundamental change in people just won’t happen without a move of individuals toward God. Pray that God’s Spirit will once again move and awaken His people, in this time.

Published on: July 16, 2014June 29, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Cultural Issues

Independence Day

It is Independence Day in the U.S. A day that gives opportunity to remember, consider, and appreciate the incredible work our revolutionary forefathers wrought. They took on the British empire, the most powerful nation on earth, and won. The fight was incredibly ambitious. Revolutionary War battles and struggles were not only against the British army and naval forces, but also against loyalists; fence sitters; deserters; internal turmoil and division; weather; hunger; lack of provision, weapons and ammunition; and mercenaries and allies of the British Empire. The war lasted over 8 years. More Americans died as British prisoners of war than died on the battlefield. An estimated casualty figure of 50,000 dead and wounded equates to a proportional figure of 7.2 million dead or wounded compared to the current U.S. population.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.  He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

There were 56 signatories of the Declaration (not listed here).

Spiritual Connection

The seeds of the revolutionary war include a significant spiritual component. Many early colonists came to this continent seeking religious freedom. They were called pilgrims for a reason. Early settlers came from various religious congregations seeking relief from Europe’s volatile and cruel oppressions. While religious tolerance may not be an accurate term used to describe colonial America, religious diversity and respect were strong characteristics, albeit predominantly Christian. Colonists were not a unified group, there were many independent and disparate groups including Separatists, Puritans, Baptists, Anabaptists, Catholics, and Quakers. Spiritual and religious life were a fundamental and important aspect of the colonization of the new continent. Still, group affiliation was not a precondition for respect or acceptance into even the top echelons of the community. At least one prominent Catholic signed the Declaration of Independence, two were signatories to the Constitution. Although in this period there were only about 1,500 Jews scattered among the 13 colonies it is notable that the Revolutionary War provided the first time since their exile from Jerusalem that Jews would or could participate alongside their Christian neighbors as equals in a struggle for freedom.

As revolutionary as these practices were, when one considers that leaders predominantly possessed biblical faith and had their eyes set on the Creator, and were in relationship with Him, then it is quite understandable that the normal divisions between traditional, ethnic and racial groups would fade away as they did so dramatically during this period.

The Great Awakening

Out of the experiences of hardship and difficulties of the early settlers in the 1600’s came the Great Awakening of the 1730’s. Leaders of this movement such as George Whitefield (British Preacher), Gilbert Tenant (Presbyterian), Jonathan Edwards (Presbyterian/Reformed), and Jonathan Parsons (Evangelical pastor and leader), engaged the intellect, emotions, and spiritual attentions of the people. Strong conceptual fundamentals were honed and taught as well as emphasis on experiential and applied Christianity in the individual, the family and the community. Out of great diversity came a movement of incredible spiritual focus and power. The evangelical movement of the mid 1700’s played a key role in the development of thoughts on the role of government and the form of government itself. A revolutionary concept was developed, that belief and information should be free, unbiased, and uncontrolled. Demand for, and protection of, religious freedom was a major underpinning of social development in this period. Concepts such as unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and limited government were advanced. These concepts were nurtured, protected, developed and refined over the course of decades; they matured and led to the period of the American Revolution. The first Great Awakening was an unprecedented phenomenon that highlighted the fundamental value of the individual. The evangelist Whitefield was British, but participation in the Great Awakening included the Dutch, Germans, Native American, African Americans and others in large numbers as well. Traditional cultural, ethnic and racial barriers were realized to be spiritually inconsequential. America refined the characteristic that earned it the label as the world’s melting pot. All of this in the context of religious people attempting to live according to God’s word as they read and understood scripture.

A Warning

George Whitefield said from his perspective as a preacher from Mother England:

“I can’t in conscience leave the town without acquainting you with a secret, my heart bleeds for America! O poor New England! There is a deep laid plot against both your civil and religious liberties, and they will be lost. Your golden days are at an end. You have nothing but trouble before you”

The British evangelist spoke those words at a pastor’s conference in Portsmouth (New Hampshire), in 1764. His words are no less true today. Considering God, man, and spiritual life, isn’t this what we should expect? God deals with man on an individual and personal level. Generations come and go. God remains and is eternally unchanging. God deals with not only generations of men, but with men individually. Man lives on the fruits of what was earlier sown. Much of what a man sows doesn’t bear fruit in his lifetime.

Conclusion

There is much we have to appreciate from the work and sacrifice of the founders of this nation. We should be thankful. There is also much we could learn from listening to them today. They were well grounded in God’s word, which never changes. It turns out that man doesn’t really seem to change much either.

Published on: July 4, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Logic and Reasoning

Logical Fallacies

““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, ” (Isaiah 1:18a, NASB95)

Sound Logic and Flawed Logic

The discipline of logic provides a powerful framework for reasoning. The tools of logic can be very helpful in understanding and analyzing thought. One can spend a career constructing intricate scaffolding allowing the understanding of the highest of thoughts. To our great benefit, many great minds have pondered these thoughts before we came along. Their effort and dedication is an advantage to all who appreciate sound thinking and clear thought. Even for those of us who are not philosophers and theologians, the benefits of the discipline of logic are available and accessible.

Just as proper grammar facilitates clear communication, sound logic facilitates clear thought. The primary goal of disciplines like logic, philosophy or theology is not well-built framework for understanding — it is correct understanding. In the case of theology it is about a correct understanding of truths of God and of God Himself. The purpose of considering these principles is facilitation of reasoned discussion and analysis. With practice, the tools of logic should become incidental. The shovel is not important, what is important and of consequence is the size of the pile of dirt produced by the shovel (hopefully it is dirt).

Any proficient editor of grammar can read any writing and find errors or inefficiencies in how the english language was constructed. Likewise, any practiced logician, philosopher, or theologian, can no doubt find errors or inefficiencies in the reasoning or argument of another. The purpose of reviewing or introducing the concepts of traditional logic is to facilitate thinking and communication of reasoning and thought. Logic is a means, not an end. Discussion of godly knowledge, truth, and wisdom is this blog’s goal. Whether this comes from study and analysis or as a gift from above, the goal is the same.

A fault of blind dogmatism, only considering one side of the argument worth investigating, is that it stymies reasonable dialogue. Often it is not necessary for the reasonable arguer to show that an argument he criticizes is fallacious, logically inconsistent, or based on error and worthless evidence and reasoning. In fact, often strong refutation is not appropriate. Often the job of a critic can be accomplished by showing that an argument is open to reasonable doubt or lacks needed support and is open to questioning. This weaker form of criticism is very often enough to reserve or withdraw commitment to a given position.

One may believe that true wisdom comes only as a gift from God. Even from that perspective, these concepts can be still be considered valuable for man in preparing the container of his mind, heart, and spirit for receiving that blessing from above.

With this background the following information is presented for use in tackling issues in this blog.

Common Errors in Logic, Analysis, and Argument

The construction of logical arguments can be viewed as links of a chain. If one link is weak or broken, the entire chain is compromised. Errors in logic can be obvious or subtle. The term fallacy is generally used to mean an argument that is problematic for any reason, whether it is formal or informal. A formal fallacy is a form of reasoning that is always wrong. The flaw is in the logical structure of the argument which renders the argument invalid. A formal fallacy is contrasted with an informal fallacy, which may have a valid logical form and is unsound because one or more premises are false. Key errors are outlined below:

Types of Formal Fallacies:
1. Bad Reasons Fallacy (your reasoning is bad therefor mine is good)
2. Existential Fallacy (subtype of Quantification Logic Fallacy)
3. Fallacy Fallacy (subtype of Bad Reasons Fallacy)
4. Masked Man Fallacy (illicit substitution of identicals)
5. Modal Logic Fallacy (possibility/necessity, temporal [past/future], obligatory/permissive, knowledge/belief)
6. Probabilistic Fallacy (historically and traditionally categorized with informal fallacies, dependent on knowledge of probability theory)
7. Propositional Logic Fallacy (or, not, only, if)
8. Quantification Logic Fallacy (All/Some)
9. Syllogistic Fallacy (non-valid combination of premises and conclusion)
Informal Fallacies:
1. Personal Attack (ad hominem) — a personal attack on a person in argument. Generally, questions regarding character, motive, trustworthiness of the person
2. Straw Man Fallacy — misrepresentation, exaggeration, misquotes, or otherwise distorting views of others
3. Circular Reasoning (petitio principii), also called begging the question — the conclusion to be proved is already presupposed by the premises of the arguer
4. Vagueness and Ambiguity of terms
5. Fallacy of Equivocation — shifting meanings of a term in the same argument (often context or relativity related issues)
6. Fallacy of Composition/Fallacy of Division — attributes of some parts to attributes of a whole or all parts of a group/or the opposite
7. inductive or Incorrect Statistical Reasoning (post hoc, ergo propter hoc) — assigning casual conclusion on statistical correlation between two events
8. Complex Questions (plurium interrogationum, a question that has a presupposition that is complex)
9. Irrelevant Conclusion (ignoratio elenchi)
10. Ignoring the Issue (ignoratio elenchi)
11. Appeal to Force (ad baculum)
12. Appeal to Pity (ad misericordiam)
13. Appeal to Emotions, popular feelings (ad populum)
14. Appeal to Modesty (ad verecundiam)
15. Argument from Ignorance (ad ignorantiam)
16. Slippery Slope Fallacy
Fallacy vs blunder: Systematic deception or error generally fall under the banner of fallacy. A blunder can be applied for errors that are not systematic or clever deceptions designed to make a point.

Published on: June 7, 2014October 16, 2015Author: A Seeking Sheep

Logic and Reasoning

Logic

“And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,” (Romans 15:14–15, NASB95)

Utility of Logic

Logical argument, the rules of logic, and the history of logical argument enables rational discourse on thoughts of God and theology. Christ came to earth at an interesting time. Trade routes and the Roman network of roads made taking of the gospel to the world possible as never before. God clearly worked to prepare the way for Christ in the affairs of men, even in the world outside His chosen people. God worked in coordinated fashion through nations and men before, during and after His incarnation. Several hundred years before Christ came to earth, major contributions toward the preparations for Christ’s coming were made by Greece’s giants of intellect. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle developed reasoning, thought, argument and logic in a way that allowed man to think and communicate thoughts and concepts as never before. The Holy Spirit and the Apostles recognized and used this well-developed and well honed framework in their writings. The classic structure of logic was used not only in Christ’s time, Aristotelean logic is still used today in science, philosophy, and nearly all other “-ologies” at universities and centers of thought around the globe (albeit “refined” in some respects). In our culture today logic is often lacking, incorrectly applied, or even forsaken altogether; but the framework of logic has not been replaced with anything better. The classical framework of logic is still a useful tool in understanding and communicating truth. This framework provides the foundation for discourse on this blog. Logic is not a goal, not a product, not an end — but a means to the end goal. Logic is only a scaffolding, a means to accomplish the desired goal which is clearly understood thoughts of finite men about the infinite God. Logic has been called “the grammar of thought.” Grammar is language’s system of principles and rules which allow language to perform its function, communication. A great achievement of the ancient Greeks was development of a logic framework of principles for valid reasoning, inference and demonstration that has been in use since Hellenistic times. The accomplishment of Roman road builders was astounding, immense and long-lived. The works of Greece’s giants of intellect were similarly astounding and still stand, as useful today as when they were first fashioned.

Aristotle’s logic, especially his theory of the syllogism, has had unparalleled influence on the history of thought. His teachings on logic did not always hold this position: in the Hellenistic period, Stoic logic, including the work of a man named Chrysippus who was born 105 years after Aristotle, enjoyed widespread popularity. However, in later antiquity, more than a century after Aristotle’s death and following the work of Aristotelian Commentators, the advantages of Aristotle’s logic became evident and dominant. Aristotelian logic was what was transmitted to the Arabic and the Latin medieval traditions. The works of Chrysippus have not even survived.

This is a remarkable and unique historical position given that one man, Aristotle, basically created the discipline in his spare time. Aristotle of course benefited from his fellow Greeks and predecessors Pythagoras, Socrates, and Plato. Kant believed that Aristotle had discovered everything there was to know about logic. Prantl, a historian of logic, suggested any logician after Aristotle who said anything new was confused, stupid, or perverse. During the rise of modern formal logic following Frege and Peirce adherents of Traditional Logic (the descendant of Aristotelian Logic) and the new mathematical logic often saw one another as rivals. However, recent work has demonstrated that application of techniques of mathematical logic to Aristotle’s theories reveal great similarities and overlap between Aristotelian and modern logicians.

The influence of Traditional Logic over the period preceding, contemporary, and following Christ’s time on earth is just one of many reasons to utilize Traditional Logic’s framework when seeking to understand the teachings of Christ, the God of the Bible, and spiritual truth.

Glossary of Aristotelian Terminology

Accept: tithenai (in a dialectical argument)
Accepted: endoxos (also ‘reputable’ ‘common belief’)
Accident: sumbebêkos (see incidental)
Accidental: kata sumbebêkos
Affirmation: kataphasis
Affirmative: kataphatikos
Assertion: apophansis (sentence with a truth value, declarative sentence)
Assumption: hupothesis
Belong: huparchein
Category: katêgoria (see the discussion in Section 7.3).
Contradict: antiphanai
Contradiction: antiphasis (in the sense “contradictory pair of propositions” and also in the sense “denial of a proposition”)
Contrary: enantion
Deduction: sullogismos
Definition: horos, horismos
Demonstration: apodeixis
Denial (of a proposition): apophasis
Dialectic: dialektikê (the art of dialectic)
Differentia: diaphora; specific difference, eidopoios diaphora
Direct: deiktikos (of proofs; opposed to “through the impossible”)
Essence: to ti esti, to ti ên einai
Essential: en tôi ti esti (of predications)
Extreme: akron (of the major and minor terms of a deduction)
Figure: schêma
Form: eidos (see also Species)
Genus: genos
Immediate: amesos (“without a middle”)
Impossible: adunaton; “through the impossible” (dia tou adunatou), of some proofs.
Incidental: see Accidental
Induction: epagôgê
Middle, middle term (of a deduction): meson
Negation (of a term): apophasis
Objection: enstasis
Particular: en merei, epi meros (of a proposition); kath’hekaston (of individuals)
Peculiar, Peculiar Property: idios, idion
Possible: dunaton, endechomenon; endechesthai (verb: “be possible”)
Predicate: katêgorein (verb); katêegoroumenon (“what is predicated”)
Predication: katêgoria (act or instance of predicating, type of predication)
Primary: prôton
Principle: archê (starting point of a demonstration)
Quality: poion
Reduce, Reduction: anagein, anagôgê
Refute: elenchein; refutation, elenchos
Science: epistêmê
Species: eidos
Specific: eidopoios (of a differentia that “makes a species”, eidopoios diaphora)
Subject: hupokeimenon
Substance: ousia
Term: horos
Universal: katholou (both of propositions and of individuals)

Published on: June 6, 2014September 18, 2015Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Truth discovered or truth revealed?

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17, NASB95)

To seek the Lord is a command. Many old and new testament saints were lauded for seeking after God or God’s favor. Searching the scriptures, God’s word, is a primary means of seeking the Lord.

““Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11, NASB95)

Certainly the written word of God is a book full of wisdom and truth. But wisdom is distinct from knowledge, knowing the word of God does not necessarily result in wisdom.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:10, NASB95)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, NASB95)

“For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;” (Proverbs 2:10, NASB95)

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13, NASB95)

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NASB95)

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.” (James 3:13–15, NASB95)

Wisdom is not so much earned or a direct result from learning and study as it is a gift, given, bestowed by God. Acquiring knowledge and understanding may lead one to where wisdom may be bestowed, but man receives heavenly wisdom, true wisdom, as a gift of grace from a loving God.

Published on: May 25, 2014October 17, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Ringing True

“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalm 86:11, NASB95)

Sometimes a speaker or author presents a new thought that rings true. The thought just clicks, a light goes on, an aha moment is prompted. This may be most appreciated and welcomed when a way which one was thinking wrongly is corrected. This can happen solely within the intellect, but sometimes this can also be felt in the spirit. It may well be an indication that one is not led by my spirit at the time, or walking in God’s Spirit, that it takes the intellect performing checks against the thinking of others to determine that correction is in order. Whatever the process, when it comes to truth that is one arena where the end is perhaps as important as the means. The Christian can be very thankful that both the mind and spirit are operating sufficiently to register discord. Is it that it is that the soul, the flesh, is still in charge yet choosing the spirit over the flesh through sheer discipline and desire? Does it make a difference?

God created man with intellect and reason. God also breathed spirit into man, and regenerates his spirit when a man turns to Christ and away from the world. He gives every Christian His Holy Spirit to dwell in man and seal him until his redemption. He didn’t create these parts of man to necessarily war, though certainly they do both in fallen man as well as the regenerate. Whatever God’s purpose, and who can say why God chooses to do anything unless He has told us by His word, a feature of man’s design is that if one or more components misfire, there is still capacity to operate. If the mind, spirit, or will fail to function properly man can still go on. As long as a man lives there is opportunity for repair. His word instructs in Deuteronomy:

““On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.” (Deuteronomy 17:6, NASB95)

Every person has two internal witnesses (at least) that provide feedback and opportunity for correction. These can work to keep or return the pilgrim to their proper place in existence, and incredibly, in eternity. God’s plan of salvation is a clear and simple concept supported by more evidence and rationality than any model of the universe that man has attempted to formulate. God’s written word is evidence that He is and who He is. And true to His word, He has not provided only one witness. Scripture cites several ways He declares His glory, that He communicates with man. God speaks through His creation, His prophets, His written Word, His messengers, His Son, and His Spirit.

There are many ways to know a note rings true. A tuning fork can provide that confirmation, but so can harmonics. One need not hear an identical note but can detect error in pitch by listening to the other notes in a chord. Praise God for His plan, His orchestration of creation, and His creatures that are mankind. Thank Him for creating us strong, like a multi corded rope, with strength that comes from cohesion. He created man with a body, a mind and a spirit that can work together; He designed us to live in families where together parents can nurture us to maturity. He planned for us to live in community, in fellowships, where we can leverage individual strength and provide even more capacity, more strength.

Could God have made man differently? Certainly, He is God, He is infinite. But He didn’t, and He is God, and He is perfect. I choose His way. I measure truth on how it fits with His plan. I want to make sound that adds to His composition.

Man is not always self correcting, for man is not designed to operate in stand-alone mode. Man was designed for fellowship.

Published on: May 16, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Virtue

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,” (2 Peter 1:5, ESV)

Virtue can be defined as “a beneficial quality or power of a thing” or “a commendable quality or trait.”

My thoughts on any virtues one may actually possess have always been extremely cautious and guarded. Counsel to “take heed lest you fall” always seemed particularly applicable in this area; no downside to this guidance was considered. Measuring how one measures up to God can be a particularly daunting practice. God does not possess virtue, He is virtue. For example, the scripture tells us that God is love. Man can have love, man can show love, man can be loving, but man could never possess the quality of love or be love as is God. Unchecked, one can extrapolate this concept to a view that effectively holds that man cannot be virtuous, he can only act virtuously. There is a downside to carrying this concept “too far.”

It is true that in this life that man is never perfect. Man’s virtue is never pure or perfect. And certainly awareness of one’s feet of clay is important, however, balance is very much needed. Virtues such as patience, endurance, justice, courage, faith, hope and love are qualities I want to build in my life and demonstrate through word and deed; these are qualities I need to seek and to possess, even in my own imperfect fashion.

There is a popular concept practiced in athletic and business coaching alike whereby the athlete or executive is taught to visualize the desired result, to visualize the baseball going over the fence, the presentation hitting a chord with the client, the football going between the uprights, or see in the mind’s eye the little white ball going into the cup. It seems somewhere along the way in my Christianity I learned not to think thusly when it came to virtue. I practiced thinking I was not patient for if I did I might not be careful in acting so. Writing this out it seems inconceivable that I thought this way for so long a time.

I generally do not have difficulty being patient. For example, when tested at an airline ticket counter my attitude has often been “I need to be a good witness” and have acted patiently. However, the same effect can be accomplished with a different attitude. I’ve also said to myself “I am patient” and that has not led to pride and failure. The outward action (unless executed with lack of humility) is the same. Our culture places a great emphasis on actions over thought. We are counseled that feelings are not primary and in many cases not really important. If we don’t feel patient in the moment it is still important to act so. This is true, but again, balance is needed. One is better if both patient in deed AND patient in the mind, heart, and spirit. This is particularly important in regard to the heart. Scripture instructs that if we regard iniquity in our heart, we sin and are guilty. I don’t need to kill my neighbor to be guilty of murder, only be angry! One can simply have impatient thoughts and be guilty of impatience. The Christian of course needs awareness of his actions and witness, he also need be concerned about his thinking, his feeling, his intuition, even his impulses.

With regard to virtue my prayer can be:

I’m impatient, grant me patience;
I’m unloving, grant me love;
I’m weak, grant me endurance;
I’m scared, grant me courage.

On the other hand, just as the man who cried out to Jesus:

”Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”” (Mark 9:24, NASB95)

My prayer can also be:

I can wait, grant me patience;
I love, grant me your love;
I can go on, grant me endurance;
I can fight, grant me courage.

As a servant of the Lord I need to have a proper perspective of my own capabilities. Certainly, pride is to be avoided and with Christ as our reference we will never measure up regarding any virtue or good quality. But for the Christian there are deeper considerations. The Christian has learned from God’s word, through the lessons of our fathers in the faith, through the lessons of contemporary brothers and sisters in Christ, and from our own experiences (yes, especially our own mistakes and blunders). We SHOULD have some level of capacity, some virtue, some capabilities. Even the baby Christian who doesn’t have advantages gained from years walking down the narrow path has the benefit of having been called and touched by Christ, and the indwelling of His Spirit. To be sure, an assumption of humility is a good rule in dealing with self and others, but one needs a proper sense of who and what he can do, and where he needs God’s help. Compared to our Lord our righteousness is as rags. Our love is not infinite as is God’s. Nothing we as created beings possess can compare to that of the infinite Creator of All. On the other hand, He created us, He dwells in us, we are new creatures in Christ, we are joint heirs with Christ.

We can remember our condition when He called us, we must always remember who and what we were. To forget that is to forget who the Creator is, He who is the author and finisher of our faith. But we should also see ourselves as loved children of God, co-heirs with Christ. We should consider that Christ has changed us, His love changes those whom He touches. There is not just one perspective to consider — balance is vital for the healthy Christian.

Published on: May 14, 2014January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Caution: Internet Ahead

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12–14, NASB95)

Treatment of Others

Today’s technology can lead to aberrant behavior from otherwise well meaning individuals. For example, a normally polite, humble, and deferential individual can exhibit rude, prideful, and overbearing behavior while behind the wheel of a car. People that would normally never think of rudely cutting into a line of waiting individuals can be seen in their cars slowly stalking as they advance alongside a line of stopped cars waiting to leave the freeway. The aggressive driver is searching for the slow truck or the inattentive driver to provide an opportunity to strike. A slight pause by one driver and the stalker takes advantage and crowds into the opening, cutting into the line at the expense of everyone they just passed. Some are well practiced at finding the optimum time to better their position, to cut in line, at the expense of others. There are people in those vehicles these cheaters are passing! Perhaps the inattentive driver on their cell phone slow to advance is deserving of such poor-mannered behavior, but not all those behind them in the queue. Moreover, this rudeness often occurs by people displaying a Christian bumper sticker! There is something about technology that can negate normal, rational, and proper thinking — and behavior. The Internet evokes similar breakdowns in standards of behavior. Presumption, rash judgment, personal attacks, straw man arguments, and fallacious reasoning are pitfalls generally avoided by following established and well-understood norms of communication. Courteous behavior while in face-to-face discussions with others is not difficult for most of us. However, those norms can weaken or disappear when insulated by technology.

The Internet is an amazing tool. It provides access to a seeming infinite amount of information — sometimes too much. There is much evil content on the Internet along with some that is good and valuable. There are many sites where one who wishes to guard their heart and mind should not venture. Much of the evil on the Internet is easily recognizable. But it should come as no surprise to the Christian that not all evil comes clearly labeled nor is it always obvious. Many Internet dangers are subtle, disguised or hidden. Sometimes the most destructive evil lies are disguised as good, even as biblical truth. The prince of the power of the air knows how to misapply truth, even the word of God; and even well-intentioned believers can create or repeat reasoning containing error, bluster or muddled theology. Unfortunately, such is often the norm in the virtual regions of our culture. One need not go to the dark net to encounter overt and covert darkness on the internet.

Christians are usually circumspect when dealing with others who hold differing views, opinions, experiences and traditions. Judging others is a subject of detailed discussion in scripture. Accordingly, the Christian normally refrains from presumption when in such waters. Christians are, or should be, always careful about speaking to others about other individuals. In cases where judgments are warranted, application is specifically prescribed, as in cases of church governance. The prescription for judgment requires respect and deference to the offending individual. Scripture prescribes application of judgment be executed with love, and where possible, opportunity for repentance, forgiveness, and restitution. Properly applied these guidelines work to protect the integrity and effectiveness of the Church here on earth.

It is far too easy to find scathing evisceration of Christians on the Internet by otherwise prudent fellow Christians. This is not scriptural. This is not right. One may certainly express opinion on issues, even spirited, graphic, bold and colorful opinions. What happens too often is that, instead of issues, discussion focuses on personal character; on the knowledge, intelligence, spirituality, motives, and even state of salvation of others. Gone is brotherly disagreement. Gone is any sense of “we can agree to disagree.” Perspective is absent as is any form of recognition of common ground or agreement. Unity of the Spirit is nowhere to be found. Where is the love? The scriptures say that the world will know Christians by their love. Given that criteria, the world is on firm ground questioning the credentials of many Christians today. It is common to find hype, overstatement, Ad Hominem attacks, straw man arguments, willful or negligent misrepresentation of opposing views, and wholesale character assassinations in media today. Argument, even if well-intentioned and with merit, is contaminated by erroneous logic. The reasoning is fallacious. Furthermore, the witness for the casual or non-christian viewer is extremely poor. There is no respect nor decorum. Many times there is open disdain on display. Every Christian writer should take every thought captive (both in-going and outgoing); fallacious content should not make it into print.

The Internet is not a place where one may hold a private conversation. The Internet is a public forum. Long before the internet wise counsel was that in regard to written correspondence, even confidential memos, one should never put anything down on paper that could not be published as a headline in the local newspaper. The counsel given to me was personalized and emphasized that one should not write anything down with attribution that one would not like their grandmother to see as a headline in the newspaper. Newspapers are becoming obsolete and grandparents may be the only people still reading them, but the underlying concept is as important today as in the days of the newspaper.

Differences on issues will occur between Christians. Discussions on differences can be positive and enlightening, to both sides, even if there is not resolution and a clear winner. Differences between Christians are recorded in scripture, they are biblical. Differences among brethren are unavoidable. Christ is God and God is Infinite. Man and man’s mind are created and finite. Even if one’s mind were 100% correct and 100% full with knowledge of Christ it would differ from a mind of a similarly “correct” brother (or sister) in Christ. No two mortal men will have the same understanding of the infinite God. Two Christians, even if identical twins, raised together and who come to Christ on the same day, will have differences in understanding of the infinite God. It is impossible for it to be otherwise. God created each of us unique, He interacts with each of us personally, He is INFINITE, we are not. We will understand the same God, the parts we know, differently. Praise God for His creativity! Think about it — Christianity is about finite man’s personal relationship with the infinite God — how could any two unique individuals ever be in total agreement?

Public personal attacks by Christians are inappropriate and wrong. In instances where scripture instructs us to exercise judgment and take action regarding an issue with individuals we are given guidelines on how to implement such action. Those processes begin with individual to individual discussion. Corporate discipline is likewise specifically prescribed. The bottom line is that worldly tactics such as Ad Hominem attacks on those with opposing views are not scriptural. Such tactics are not philosophically honest, and outside the bounds of proper Christian behavior. This is not a matter of tolerance. It is a matter of respect. The two are very distinct concepts that are misunderstood and misidentified in today’s culture. We are to be tolerant of other individuals but never tolerant in regard to principal. If we can’t bring ourselves to treat our enemies with respect, how are we to love them as scripture instructs? This is a call for obedience. The Christian is called to be respectful, civil, and polite in word, deed, action and even our attitude. What would my grandmother say if she heard me speaking with disdain of others as is common on the Internet?

Personal verbal and written attacks are rampant in our culture; acceptance of such is either by ignorance or justified by flawed rationalization such as the end justifying the means. The Christian should practice sound judgment and thought, not choose flawed and corrupt tactics because they may be expedient. The responsible Christian should hold to high standards, godly standards, not practice gutter tactics.

It would be wonderful if every Christian would refrain from prideful, poor, silly and sinful behavior by conviction of the Holy Spirit. We can pray for that end; it is probably God’s will. However, until Christian writers change, each of us as consumers of Christian “literature” need to be watchful of personal attacks and other deceitful methods of persuasion. We must filter out materials contaminated by fallacy. It won’t be easy. There is a lot out there. Such is the norm in today’s secular culture of advocacy driven media. Filtering out offending internet content greatly reduces the amount of time one might feel is demanded by this medium. One may then be able to spend more time reading God’s word and meditating on proven, known, and perfect truth.

Published on: April 12, 2014December 3, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

Mindfullness

“AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’” (Mark 12:30, NASB95)

Culture’s View of Mindfulness

It is amazing how far our culture goes to deny the existence of God yet how far it will go to replace Him. It is tacit approval of the principles of God that entire industries form for the purpose of replacing Him.

Consider the cottage industry formed around the concept of “mindfulness” being promoted by such institutions as UCLA and Brown University. This is secularization of eastern practices cleansed of the tinge of religion. The “scientists” of the day scale to great heights only to find that God’s people have already been there. According to Dr. Daniel Siegel, M.D. of the UCLA’s Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Studies Center for Human Development:

“In recent years, the ancient practice of being aware of one’s sensory experience in the present moment—of ‘being mindful’—has taken a prominent place in discussions among clinicians, educators and the general public . … the practice of living in the present has been offered as a way to cultivate well-being in our minds, our bodies, and even in our relationships with each other”

The concluding paragraph of a paper published in the Oxford Journal of Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience by Dr. Siegal states:

“Mindful awareness may also be seen as a way to alter our relationship with the self, with our own mind, so that we can create new states of information flow in the course of daily life. Discerning different components of the mind, and developing the capacity to actively engage some activities and disengage others, is an essential aspect of mindfulness that this study powerfully reveals.”

Here we have a case where “objective scientists” take spiritual practices, firmly endorse them, secularize them, and sell them to the populace. Is this academic pursuit or creation of infomercial commerce? Is it not worthy of at least a comment that the historic writings in the most popular book in history provide specifically applicable discussions on precisely these subjects? Let’s consider the two sentences from Dr. Siegal’s summary paragraph provided above. Six key words/concepts are pulled out and contrasted with biblical terms and specific citations from both the Old and New Testaments.

Relationship — “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”” (Genesis 2:18, NASB95)
Mind — “He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.” (Proverbs 17:20, NASB95)
States of information flow — ““Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.” (Proverbs 8:10, NASB95)
Daily life — “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17, NASB95)
Discerning — “Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.” (Proverbs 2:8–9, NASB95)
Components of the mind — There are numerous biblical references to the mind, will, conscience, spirit and other aspects of man associated with one’s mind.

There is little if any spiritual benefit from study of culture or man’s efforts at spirituality apart from God. The Christian should in fact guard against these. Understanding one’s culture may be useful in communicating God’s message to others and perhaps recognizing mankind’s depravity and shortcomings which can serve as contrast to spiritual truth. But things of God and the spiritual are best understood in light of God’s revelations of Himself and the unseen spiritual world — in and to His glory and the glory of His creation, His Son, His Word, His Church, and His Spirit.

Published on: March 8, 2014May 15, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Christian Walk

The Universe is Not a Closed System

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, NASB95)

Man’s Propensity Toward Anarchy, Disorder, Death

Entropy requires that over time systems will move from order to disorder, from perfection to randomness. Our science, our culture, our literature, and our art subsume and often highlight the misconception that man is evolving, becoming more complex, even becoming like God (or at least Satan). Book after book and movie after movie tell a story about man ascending to another level of existence.

Evolution is a lie. Evolution as an explanation for man is contrary to the laws of entropy. Man is not evolving to become more. He is becoming more prone to decay, he is becoming less. Anecdotally this can be seen by man’s DNA. Adam, Eve, and their immediate progeny lived long lives. Scripture records that marriage between close family members was practiced without adversely affected progeny. This is consistent with near error free DNA. Examination of virtually every highly organized system demonstrates the same applicability of the law of entropy. This includes what man has learned of the cosmos, from geology, from biology, and from the sociological life cycle of civilizations throughout history.

Time after time, a civilization becomes highly organized, efficient, successful and prosperous. Inevitably, there are different factors that facilitate a society’s step up in organization and development, but the inexorable forces of decline are present before, during and after the spark and fire of advancement periods. The spark and step up in organization can come from many sources. Advancement in technology, historically weaponry, has been identified most often as the biggest reason for the build up of civilizations. Other factors which have fed advances in civilizations include individual personality and the ability to prosper from trade. Whatever the escalation in level of organization a society enjoys, the decline of organization has followed as sure as gravity draws water from the mountains to the sea.

Like gravity, the effect of entropy is unstoppable on the individual, an organization, a civilization, or even a galaxy. Yet planes can fly, hills can be climbed and water moves from the sea to the mountains. However, it takes action from outside the system to increase the level of entropy, the order, of any given system. This can be seen in our planet’s water cycle where energy from the sun moves water from the sea to the mountains again and again.

The creator of entropy is the Creator of existence itself. Scripture speaks of God’s role in not only creating the universe, a highly ordered entity, but of sustaining it. It is proper to consider that God is the source of all order. To a follower of Christ the thought that God drives the water cycle is not merely scientific. God created our solar system, including our sun, by speaking it into existence. He can use what He created to do what He desires. The spiritual and the scientific overlap, they are not exclusive of each other. The universe is not a closed system.

For the spiritual man, including one who has enjoyed years or decades of spiritual life with the Creator, the concept of God being the source of order is important. A man can be filled to overflowing with the joy of the Lord again and again. One can step out and operate in maturity and strength in various areas of life. Just as one leaving the protection of the parents’ home, one can venture out into the world with independence. Yet, the best student, the strongest Christian, or the most mature saint, needs continued fellowship with God. Only then may his mind, heart, body and spirit be renewed and replenished from wear caused by inevitable entropic forces at work in this universe.

Published on: February 1, 2014May 11, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Cultural Issues

Study Theology or Study God?

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ― A.W. Tozer

One dictionary’s definition of theology is:

1: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; esp: the study of God and of God’s relation to the world

2a: a theological theory or system

2b: a distinctive body of theological opinion

When someone says they are going to study theology, what do they mean?

Are they going to study God?
Are they going to study religious faith, practice and experience?
Are they going to study different methodologies and disciplines of theology?

Ambiguity and Theology

The phrase “study theology” can be ambiguous. The word theology is comprised of two Greek components. Theo refers to god or gods. The word-forming element -logy means a doctrine, theory, science, discourse, or speaking — it denotes a subject of study or branch of knowledge. The phrase study theology then can be literally interpreted to “study the study of God.” For some the literal interpretation of this phraseology may be the intended meaning. Many use the phrase to mean study of theories, disciplines, methodologies, or opinions about God — to study something related to God — but not God. For others the meaning of the phrase differs from the etymologically literal connotation, with intended meaning including significant or even primary consideration to the ultimate objective of study — which is God.

Phrases in language often carry meaning apart from the sum of their parts. Words knit together into idioms can carry nuance and meaning defined by tradition. Idioms can represent meaning wholly unrelated to the meanings of their constituent words and redundant terminology is common in the English language. For example, the term “safe haven” is regularly used and entirely redundant. What kind of haven is not considered safe? Yet it is common to add the word “safe.” Adding the word safe may be redundant and inefficient but at least no ambiguity is injected into the message with this word pairing.

Meaning With Other -Ologies

The study of natural sciences, areas of study such as living organisms, rocks, water, atomic particles, or the cosmos may be very complex. But the objects of scientific fields of study are well established and generally well understood. The subjects of such studies can be objectively experienced.

Similarly to the word theology, geology is comprised of two Greek components. Geo refers to the earth, rock, ground or soil. Geology then is the framework, science and discipline of studying the earth, rocks or soil. When one studies the earth, rocks, or soil they practice geology, that is, they study the earth, rocks or soil in the field or in a laboratory setting. Geologists understand the difference between (a) studying geology, an activity done in the classroom or from a book, and (b) practicing geology in the laboratory or field. The objective of geology is logical clarification of knowledge about the earth, rock, and soil. There is clear delineation between theory, science, terminology, disciplines, and methodologies of a discipline compared to the objective or subject of the discipline.

The distinctions between study of methodology and study of a subject are understood across many disciplines. One can study medicine or one can practice medicine. With natural sciences it is possible to apply and verify logical rules of analysis and study to the observable universe. This convention can be found in disciplines outside the natural sciences as well. Lawyers study law in school and practice law in their careers. In many or most disciplines of learning, context can provide clarity of meaning even if one uses ambiguous language. Context alone often clarifies whether a methodology or a physical item is being discussed.

What about the discipline of theology? Disciplines such as theology and philosophy work in a different realm, that of thoughts and concepts. What precisely is meant when one says they are studying theology? What is the difference, or is there a difference, between “study of theology” and “study of God”? What are the meanings of various terms such as theology, devotional theology, theological studies, religious studies, and comparative religions? Dictionaries provide some help but usage varies even among academic theologians. Precise meaning can often be difficult to ascertain; no clear delineation exists as with natural sciences. Does someone using the phrase “study theology” intend to convey thoughts consistent with the etymologically literal construct of the phrase or include consideration of thoughts or concepts about God? In many cases convention, tradition or context fail to provide assistance ascertaining the true intent of the message. The phrase “study theology” is prone to ambiguity and may be a stumbling block to clear communication. The sender and receiver may not have a common concept in mind for the term, and meaning may even shift over the course of a discussion.

Consider the many great educational institutions of the world founded centuries ago around devoutly held theology. These great institutions continue to thrive and serve as centers of higher learning even though they may no longer offer theological degrees. For many of those institutions which retain departments or schools of theology, their curricula of theology affirmatively exclude God and discourage professors and students who are devoutly religious. God can be specifically and aggressively excluded from the study of theology! Until recently there was a clear differentiation between theology and study in the associated areas of religious studies or comparative religions. Nomenclature of our day now often ascribes little or no difference in those terms. Language has not only devolved in this area, evolution in our language has worked to obfuscate and confuse understanding.

Modern Language

Most students of physical sciences understand the difference between study of their disciplines and practice of those disciplines. For those imprecise with terminology underlying meaning may typically be gleaned from context, at least for disciplines with observable subjects such as natural sciences. This is not typically the case with theology. Take for example the following two academic sources pertaining to the practice of theology, one Catholic, one Protestant.

“The practice of theology requires study of the origins and uses of Jewish and Christian scriptures, the history of Christianity (Eastern and Western, Catholic and Protestant), contemporary theologies, and theological ethics. It also requires studying the multiple relationships between theology and contemporary philosophies, religions, and cultures.” (Department of Theology, http://www.loyola.edu/academic/theology)

“This text aims to expose students to the history of Christian thought, which is a central part of the discipline of theology. The rationale behind it is that students should not complete an introductory course without having been exposed to a wide variety of competing approaches and having gained some broad knowledge of the tradition, rather than studying methodological concerns only.” (The Practice of Theology, Colin E. Gunton (Editor), 2001 [Publisher’s Summary])

Neither of the selections above even mention God in their discussion of the practice of theology, but that is not why they were selected! It is common in our day for God to be absent from discussions of theology. These examples were selected simply because they both deal with the practice of theology but do so differently. Theology may be likened to scaffolding erected next to a wall. The wall represents the object of study, that is God. Scaffolding in this sense is a tool which facilitates access. The focus of meaning in both of the above examples is on the scaffolding rather than the wall (that is God!) for which the scaffolding is constructed. It is curious and ironic that such ambiguity is created in use of the term theology, a discipline where linguistic precision and syntactics constitute such an important role.

Thirty years ago such distinction carried less significance. But we live in a time when culture is altering definitions of words held for millennia in order to accomplish specific purposes and agendas. In 2004, the Supreme Court case Locke v. Davey upheld the decision of a Washington State scholarship program to withhold promised funding from an otherwise qualified individual after learning the student had decided to study theology in a program the State of Washington considers “devotional theology.” Secular efforts to purge God and freedom of religion from town halls, schools, the city square, and media have aggressively extended into the arena of language and our dictionaries. Shifting definitions have been used to rationalize nullification of constitutional meaning which for over 200 years preserved religious freedoms in the United States.

Time and Eternity

The objective of theology is logical clarification of thoughts about God. Logical clarification of physical systems like rocks or water cycles is a very different matter than study of thought and concept. And there are important distinctions between philosophy and theology. As does philosophy, theology deals with thought to be sure. But the concept of a Creator introduces another entire realm to consider, a realm eternal and spiritual. God is spirit and the Creator of all existence, the universe, and all existence. Theology deals with matters both material and spiritual, temporal and eternal.

Man was created with a spiritual component to his being. The opportunity for spiritual experience exists for men, but there are no objective or empirical means of evaluating such experiences. No empirical systems of study in this arena exist and such are not possible in any practical sense. Empirical methodologies are confined to material existence. In the case of God, who is spirit and uncreated, the very concept of existence contains ambiguity. From man’s position in the created universe it is not possible to objectively study the spiritual nature of God. Subjective spiritual experience is the only directly available data in this territory.

Historical Practice

One course of action has been for theologians to consider God from the limited empirical perspective of physical existence. This would be an impossible course of action except for the act of God aiding mankind on this course by providing a guide — His written word. The bible, through fulfilled prophecy and descriptions of the universe, provides objective verification of the truth it supplies. Through the evidence of fulfilled prophecy the spiritual truth of the bible is validated through scripture. Another course of action has been taken by contemplative theologians, who have focused efforts on the experiential. Contemplatives seek spiritual experiences in order to study God, often to the point of eschewing the natural world.

Approach and Priority for the Christian

Fortunately for us, one need not choose one or the other. The Christian has the benefit of being able to enjoy the fruits of study from both contemplative monks and knowledge seeking logicians. Properly and accurately traversed, both paths take pilgrims to the same place. Both paths are scriptural. Man is constituted with both intellect and intuition. The Christian receives the promise of a new spirit and the mind of Christ. God provides man nourishment, provision and protection to develop to maturity through the Holy Spirit. The bible doesn’t assume that one must choose only a single discipline of development. God in His wisdom created individuals, each with strengths in various areas. The Holy Spirit knows well each person’s constitution and how to best reach and develop an individual. Scripture applicable in the broad spectrum of God making Himself known to mankind includes the following truths:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB95)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB95)

“The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.” (Psalm 119:160, NASB95)

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20–21, NASB95)

““If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),” (John 10:35, NASB95)

““Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17–18, NASB95)

“And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says, “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”” (Hebrews 10:15–17, NASB95)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8, NASB95)

““My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” (John 10:27, NASB95)

“I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly.” (Psalm 85:8, NASB95)

Whether the focus of theological effort is on reasoning of the mind or spiritual experience, the desired goal of both is the same, clear thought about God. A theological work consists essentially of elucidation. Even for the “professional” theologian, the result of original theological effort may not be new doctrine, but to make existing doctrine and ideas clear. Effective theology can aid in making thoughts clear that are otherwise paradoxical, blurred, or opaque. In all cases however, theology is only truly effective when it aids one in relationship to — and with — one’s Creator, Lord and Savior.

The specific meaning behind the term theology is not important compared to the importance of correct understanding of God. This understanding is extremely important — one’s eternal destination can be determined by incorrect understanding if it prevents one from knowing God. Salvation comes from knowing God and entering into a relationship with Him. Salvation does not come from simply knowing about Him or from having studied Him, no matter how well that is accomplished.

““Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22–23, NASB95)

An analogy that might be helpful at this point is that of a cup. A vessel may be constructed and prepared to hold precious content. It may be made of the finest materials, crafted by artisans, cleaned and polished constantly, and kept at the ready for use when called upon. One may have the best cup in the world, the most beautiful, most pure, clean and highly polished, but if it is never used there is no utility, no usefulness. It serves no practical function. Theology, like religion, religiousness, or church affiliation, can promote, encourage, facilitate, nurture, and further spirituality, but man’s efforts are not required prerequisites and do not accomplish salvation. All man’s works to reach God fall short. The distance in that direction is too great. Relationship with the Creator is the only means of one’s salvation. This requires knowledge that is operative in the whole of man — body, soul, mind and spirit. The distance from God to man was great, but Christ spanned that distance, at immeasurable cost. He did this for all that choose Him. He did this for the world, for me and for you, but His plan requires that we choose His way. One can seek, prepare and take steps towards understanding, but one cannot order up or otherwise accomplish salvation through individual effort. While we should consider our lives as a vessel for God to use, we must not confuse our preparations with work of God who fills our cup.

““Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:36–40, NASB95)

Published on: January 11, 2014May 12, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Blog

Site Mission

Mission

It is the mission of this blog to bring glory to God who is the Creator of this planet, the universe, and of man.

Strategy

This mission is undertaken in the context of knowledge, faith, trust and belief that man is indeed created by God, the God of the Bible, and the God of Abraham, Moses, David, John the Baptist, the Apostle John, Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul. This is possible because God provided man with His word; including through the person of Jesus Christ, through whom all was created, who came to earth to finish God’s plan of salvation for men as a man, the incarnate Word of God; and the Holy Spirit who inspires God’s word in men.

Comments and thoughts from others are welcome, including comments that correct statements and thoughts which are incorrect, misleading, overstated or simply poorly worded. All such comments are encouraged. Other thoughts and writings that bring glorify God are welcome as well. The site’s mission is to focus on God not on any man.

Comments of derisive nature regarding the character, motives, or intelligence of others are not viewed as helpful and are not welcome on this site. God loves the whole world, and respects men enough that He sent His Son to redeem and save men. Fostering proper respect and honor for all His creation is fitting policy for a blog with a mission to glorify Him.

This blog considers man’s efforts to glorify God as well as his response when he recognizes God’s glory. This is most often found when manifest by called men and women following the Good Shepherd. The mission of this blog includes reporting the bleating of sheep. It is written by a sheep for other sheep as well as others with interest in eternal and spiritual truth.

Published on: December 31, 2013January 14, 2016Author: A Seeking Sheep

Blog

Who I am and Why I’m Here

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NASB95)

What describes me varies. What describes me differs depending on whom I am with, what I am doing, my role, and my level of energy at any given time. Many terms can and have been used to describe me including:

Husband
Father
Son
Brother
Grandson
Student
Engineer
Employee
Boss
Consultant
Manager
Executive
Quiet
Competent
Master (to dogs)
Servant (to cats)
Hero
Villain
Bright
Oblivious
Nice guy
Not a nice guy

What defines me does not change; I am defined by my relationship to the unchanging Creator of all. I am:

A child of the Living God (John 1:12, Eph 1:5)
Co-heir in Christ (Romans 8:17, Gal 3:29, Eph 1:11)
Servant of Christ and God (Rom 6:22)
Saved by God’s grace (Eph 2:8, 18)
Reconciled to God (Rom 5:10)
One whose name is written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev 21:27)
One imputed with God’s righteousness (Rom 4:6)
In the fellowship of the Spirit (I John 1:3, Phil 2:1)
Hearer and Doer of the word of God (James 1:22-23)
Forgiven (Luke 7:48, I John 2:12)
Strengthened (Phil 4:13)
Joined unto the Lord (I Cor 6:17)
Laborer (I Cor 3:9)
Peculiar (I Pet 2:9, Titus 2:14)
God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10)
In progress (“He hath begun a good work in” me — Phil 1:6, )
God’s temple (I Cor 3:16)
Blessed (Eph 1:3)
Anointed (II Cor 1:21)
Called (I Peter 2:9, I Cor 1:2)
Abounding in grace (II Cor 9:8)
Elect (I Pet 1:2)
Accepted (Eph 1:6)
Chosen (Matt 22:14, John 13:18)
Delivered, rescued (Col 1:12-13)
Reconciled to God (Rom 5:10)
Redeemed (Rev 5:9)
Complete (Col 2:10)
Bought (I Cor 6:20)
Ambassador for Christ (II Cor 5:20)
Created (Genesis 1)
Sealed (Eph 4:30)
Friend of God (John 15:15)
New Creature (II Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15)
Brother (Ps 35:14, I Thess 3:2)

So, why a blog? Why write in the first place?

I don’t write to blog. I wrote before blogs existed. I like writing. I’ve often written about important events in my life. Writing has long served a very important purpose for my mind. The discipline of writing helps thoughts develop to a point at which further thinking does not produce further development. The mind can work like a rock tumbler or a clothes dryer, tumbling its contents over and over. In the case of a rock tumbler the result is polished rocks, or perhaps in some cases just smaller rocks. In the case of a clothes dryer the result is dry clothes. Thoughts can tumble around the mind for a long time. For the author, writing down thoughts, ideas and observations takes them out of the processing mind and allows them to be set aside. It is not that thoughts meet any hurdles of quality, veracity, accuracy, or applicability. Using the dryer analogy, it is only that the thoughts are sufficiently dry that they can be taken from the dryer. The garment may be old, frayed, or stained, but dry. Buttons may be missing or it may need mending, but the garment is dry. Writing thoughts down can free the mind and spare further tumbling around the mind. The thoughts are still able to progress. They can be set aside, mended, pressed, or put to use.

This takes me to my first reason for blogging. Blogging can be a productive activity even with a totally private blog. Blogging can provide a hurdle and establish a higher standard for an author than a personal journal. Building a blog sets a target for the written product which requires whole thoughts, sound fundamentals, clear logic, acceptable grammar and writing relatively free from typos. In the case of theology, reasoning must be biblically grounded with correct contexts, premises, inferences and conclusions.

The second reason for blogging is perceived need. Once refined, after proper peer review, and if the Spirit leads, this blog may be made public. Error is rampant on the internet today. Sound logic, argument, and truth are often difficult to find. Sadly, cultural weaknesses in this regard are evident even in Christian writing. Fallacious reasoning is epidemic. A need exists, if the thoughts in this blog can contribute toward filling that need, then they will be offered.

No shortage of information exists on the internet. Position papers and advocacy abound on scientific, cultural, philosophical and theological topics. In fact, there is far too much “information” in many respects. Unsupported statements on position, opinion treated as fact, attacks on others, bias, and defensive retorts are normative in our time, even in theological discourse. It can be difficult to find logically sound discussion and truth. The new testament instructs us not to say if we are of “Paul or Apollos or Cephas.” Yet to enter into a theological discussion one must effectively choose a group and a language set skewed towards one paradigm, one camp, or another. God is bigger than any denomination. While on earth Jesus Christ did not trump even His own group of disciples over others (see Mark 9:38-40). Arguments which focus upon differences between individuals are generally tainted theologically. Many discussions about theology in our day focus almost exclusively on human agenda and bias. Such agenda based discourse, while sometimes important, does not encourage ecclesiastic unity. These discussions may even be considered biblical, since such discussions are documented for us in scripture. However, the aim of this site is to consider God as new testament Christians who — though they came from a variety of backgrounds, practices, calling, vocations, education, cultures, widely segregated and without common grounds for communication and understanding — began the work of Christ’s flock in this age of His church on earth. That includes followers of Paul, Apollos and Cephas. Understanding of the infinite Creator is a common goal which should overwhelmingly unite and serve to bring Christians together, particularly as we worship and serve our Savior with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Brethren in Christ, just because our leaders can’t get along doesn’t mean we can’t fellowship in Spirit and truth. We are all sheep of One Shepherd. God is the same today as He was two thousand years ago. This view should not be seen as an attack on today’s shepherds, general or individual. Pastors are called to a very difficult job. Leading sheep is an easier job than leading humans. I suspect that with many groups of people the concept of herding cats is more akin to the dynamic at work. All of the kindergarten teachers I know would agree with this assessment. Pastoring groups of people in today’s culture is a very difficult task. Fortunately, nothing is too difficult with our God. We are directed to and need to pray for our pastors, leaders, and shepherds. If you are a sincere Christian in a fellowship with any group, then don’t be led out of that fellowship by anyone but the Holy Spirit, certainly, not a blog. It is not the intent of this blog to knock any leader or any organization dedicated to the work of God. It is the intent of this blog to seek truth for the Christian walking the pilgrim’s path. The preacher Billy Sunday originally compared a church with an auto garage, a slightly reworded version observes:

Standing in any church does not make one a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes one an automobile.

The third reason for this blog is that I feel led to do so. I make no claim of special revelation from God that adds to His written work. Let me be clear, I have none. Neither do I have special abilities to apply the discipline of logic to issues of the day. I have but little education or training in logic, philosophy or theology. However, my desires are in discovering, exploring, analyzing and communicating God’s love and God’s plan for mankind. I have great desire to better know Him who is the source of love and knowledge. The structure of classical logic and reasoning provides an excellent avenue for a higher level of knowledge of God’s word. But it must be emphasized that heavy lifting in directing one to God’s truth comes from the Holy Spirit, not from any person or system of theology. All glory should be given to God for any truth that He shares with His people. Knowing about God profits man nothing, it is knowing Him that allows the Holy Spirit to indwell and change the heart and mind of man, it is knowing Jesus that secures a man’s salvation.

Flawed logic in our own thinking, in our churches, and in our culture is a topic covered in several early blog posts but warrants further explanation here. Logical argument, the rules of logic, and the history of logical argument before, during and after the time of Christ enables rational discourse on thoughts of God and theology. It makes sense to conduct such discourse utilizing a set of rules of communication to work towards that end. Christ came to earth at an interesting time. Trade routes and the Roman network of roads made taking of the gospel to the world possible as never before. God clearly worked to prepare the way for Christ in the affairs of men. These preparations took place throughout the world, inside and outside His chosen people. God worked in coordinated fashion through nations and men before, during and after the incarnation. Several hundred years before Christ came to earth, major preparations for Christ’s coming were made by Greece’s giants of intellect. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle developed reasoning, thought, argument and logic in a way that allowed man to think and communicate thoughts and concepts as never before. Inspired by the Holy Spirit the Apostles used the well-developed and well honed framework for philosophy, logic and reasoning in their theology and writings. The classic structure of logic was used not only in Christ’s time. Aristotelian logic is still used today in science, philosophy, and nearly all other “-ologies” at universities and centers of thought around the globe (albeit “refined” in some respects). The application of logic is often unused, lacking, or incorrectly applied in today’s culture; but the classical framework has not been replaced with anything better. This includes the universal and eternal truth of scripture, the truth that God brought to earth when He became man, the truth the Holy Spirit brings into the hearts of men and women today. The classical framework of logic is still a useful tool in understanding and communicating truth. This framework provides the structure for discourse on this blog. Logic is not a goal, not a product, not an end, but a means to the end goal. Logic is only the scaffolding, a means to carry out the desired goal which is clearly understood thoughts of finite men about the infinite God.

As you might have gathered if you’ve read this far, brevity is not one of the primary goals for this blog. Proper context, sound reasoning, and clear progression of understanding are goals which come ahead of brevity. Simple truths are best. Concise statements are good. But in today’s environment simple statements are common, but far too often they fail to ring true. This blog’s goal is as much to discuss and demonstrate seeking and obtaining truth as expounding truth. There are many sources available which properly state truth succinctly, even in bullet points or tag lines. The Bible itself well summarizes all truth in its first 4 words — “In the beginning God” — everything that follows could be viewed as application and commentary.

As Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun. Christians today have God’s written word, the inspired word of God. We also have the application and development of theological issues from the likes of:

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)

Clement of Alexandria
Augustine
Francis of Assisi
Aquinas
Wycliffe
Luther
Knox
Teresa of Avila
John of the Cross
Brother Lawrence
Edwards
Wesley
Whitefield
Spurgeon
Barth
Lewis
Tozer
Schaeffer

Finally, the fourth and final reason for blogging then is to provide a contemporary voice of one seeking God. This is attempted through expression of thoughts on God and man, many of which echo truth discovered by, and wisdom given to, our forefathers in the faith. If the Holy Spirit can use these thoughts to point out God’s glory to others, so be it. If not, the focus required to write out these thoughts has at least provided excellent exercise for one of feeble mind and spirit.

Published on: December 30, 2013December 3, 2017Author: A Seeking Sheep