Unfolding Patterns Of God's Plans

Good thought I heard from Wayne Grudem the other day...he was talking about the way that God unfolds His purposes and reveals His Glory gradually over time, for instance:

Creation Of The World - Whether you hold a "Day-Age" view or a "Literal" view, etc, God gradually created and sculpted the world over time.

The Calling Of The Jews - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Twelve tribes...

The Sending Of The Messiah - centuries passed before Jesus was incarnated.

Spreading Of The Gospel - gradually over centuries, we are seeing God's Purposes unfolding.

The more I think about it, the more all of life is like this. There is a development process to all things that have life, meaning, value, and purpose. The only things that are really made in an instance are material and expendable.

So this gradual revealing of God's purpose certainly has personal application to us as well. He wants our lives to have meaning, value, and purpose, and the only way to do that is through a gradual development via a daily relationship with Christ.

In fact, Charles Spurgeon, in his sermon delivered on the Sabbath Morning, January 7th, 1855, stated the following: "Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity."

I think that God unfolds His purposes gradually, so that we can "continually investigate" His greatness...Allow me to draw a parallel from the outstanding Christian philosopher and theologian of the eleventh century, Saint Anselm, who coined the phrase, fides quaerens intellectum...translated to mean, “faith seeking understanding”...Perhaps God has so arranged life that our faith seeks an understanding, and then our understanding leads to a revealing...then purpose...

Faith --> Understanding --> Revealing --> Purpose

For Anselm, "faith seeking understanding" was “an active love of God seeking a deeper knowledge of God.” He believed that true faith is a love for God and a drive to act as God wills...Ultimately, our purpose is to become Christ-like...Jesus was everything God is, and He was everything that we were meant to be...so what happened was that sin entered the world, we became separated from God, and our image became distorted...man has been on a search for purpose ever since...a search for God through Christ...a desire beyond all desires in which C.S. Lewis beautifully summarized in the following quote:

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy,
the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

...God, through His gradual unfolding of meaning, value, and purpose, wants us to first have a "deeper knowledge" of Him...and a deeper understanding of Him...a desire to become Sanctified and Christ-like...so that when God unfolds our meaning, value, and purpose in life, we see Him as the architect, the composer, and the designer of it all.

Determinism vs Free Will, Part 1

I will be recording a few thoughts as I ponder Libertarian Free Will (Molinism and Arminian) vs Compatibilism/Determinism (Calvinist) ...I also want to toss in some thoughts about hard-lined, scientific determinism, such as materialistic atheism/philosophical naturalism...and while I certainly do not desire "in-house" fighting among fellow Christians, I do think the discussion leads us to a better understanding of God's Word, so it should prove to be a fruitful endeavor!

...so, for the first entry, a question and a thought for those who believe in determinism...

1. How do you know that determinism is true? From an epistemological viewpoint, you could not be able to logically affirm the validity of determinism, because you would simply be determined to believe in determinism...it results in circular reasoning...it is self-defeating to try and come up with reasons for why determinism is true or how you know it to be true, because the second you invoke reasoning, you have canceled determinism...one can not be determined yet at the same time use any sense of reasoning...can a computer give you a reason for why the input leads to the output? No, it simply does what it is told, but it has no concept for why or how it works...this is how determinism works, there is no way around it...

...on the same view, I find it puzzling when someone who holds to determinism as doctrine, tries to persuade me to believe in determinism...they do not see the logical incoherence that is inherent in doing so, because it would mean, if persuaded to believe in their argument, that I CHOSE to believe in determinism...but I can not freely choose anything if I have been pre-programmed for determinism...

They could say, "well, this just means that you were determined not to believe in determinism." Then by default, if, for the sake of argument, determinism was true, this would mean I was determined to believe in free choice...but this would be another logical blunder to be pre-programmed to believe in choice because it would lead me to the option of not believing in determinism....which means I would never defend determinism as a realistic truth and thus would be self-defeating for me to be determined as a determinist who believes in free choice...

More to come on this issue, next up...Do Calvinist's have accountability groups?

Defend And Destroy

We destroy arguments and every lofty
opinion raised against the
knowledge of God.

2 Corinthians 10.5

• • •

As Christians, we need to be well-educated so that we can win the battle of good over evil. I like how Wintery Knight puts it:

"...if we study everything very well, people will link our intelligence to our faith. They’ll say “if you’ve put this much thought into economics, then you must have a well-thought-out faith, too”. Being well-rounded makes you more convincing, more influential on moral and cultural issues, and more effective at
turning conversations to the gospel."

The reason I bring this up is because it amazes me how we live in a society of so-called tolerance, inclusiveness, and diversity, yet Christians are the only ones who are not tolerated, not included, nor accepted into the diversity club. A prime example of this can be read about in an amazingly well written and shocking article over at Townhall.com, called the Cisco Kid. It's discusses how Dr. Frank Turek, the well-known Christian Apologist, author, speaker, radio host, and leadership consultant, got fired from his position at Cisco, simply because he is a Christian who has moral and ethical values. So it appears the definition of tolerance has been transformed to only tolerating those you agree with...which is an absurdity because one can only tolerate what one disagrees with. I like how Dr. Turek describes how we now see inclusion and diversity being applied:

..."'inclusion' and 'diversity' only applies when an employee agrees with them."

In other words, "it is not inclusion nor diversity when a person is excluded because of his or her different view."

So as Christian who can influence culture, we must take the commandment of 2 Corinthians 10:5 seriously. We nee to educate ourselves and be clear thinking Christians. We need to know how to articulate and how to be equipped to discuss the issues of our time...we need to know how to Defend and Destroy the nonsense that is going on in our culture...Christians need to understand things such as the First Amendment, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act...we must be able to take a stand in the market place of ideas...we must put aside the pseudo-humility and non-involvement so that we can think and take action.

One last note: Do you want to know how the devil is working today? Take a look at our companies who fire Christians...take a look at our politicians and what they legislate...the enemy uses two words to destroy our culture: POLITICAL CORRECTNESS...

So what can we do? Begin by educating and equipping yourself. Here are some great books to get you started on how to transform culture instead of culture destroying you:

Tactics - by Greg Koukl
Moral Relativism - by Greg Koukl and Francis Beckwith
Legislating Morality - by Dr. Frank Turek and Norm Geisler
The Case For Life - by Scott Klusendorf
Christian Ethics - by Norm Geisler
Basic Economics - by Thomas Sowell
Correct Not Politically Correct - by Dr. Frank Turek
Politics-According To The Bible - by Wayne Grudem
Money, Greed, And God - Why Capitalism Is The Solution And Not The Problem - by Jay Wesley Richards
Body & Soul - by J.P. Moreland and Scott B. Rae

Calvinism, Election, And False Love

Just read a great entry from the Wesleyan Arminian blog about Calvinism and Election. They mentioned a movie illustration from the film, When In Rome, to teach how the process of election preceding faith leads to a "false" love...a love that is merely pre-programmed instead of authentic and genuine...

Click here to read the short blog entry from the Wesleyan Arminian blog, and then take a look at the clip from the movie that I have provided here:



So you can see, these individuals may "think" they actually love Beth, but they have no way to know other wise because they have been simply "programmed" or "elected" to do so.

On the contrary, God wants those who freely choose Him. That is why in Revelation 3:20, Jesus offers us the "If-Then" option...an option that establishes the possibilities for counter-factuals and libertarian free will. He showers all of mankind with a Prevenient Grace...a grace that we must have before we can be justified and sanctified, but it is also a resistible Grace that leads to an authentic love via free will...

Allow me to summarize by quoting A.W. Tozer, who stated,

"A God less than sovereign could not bestow moral freedom upon His creatures. He would be afraid to do so."

Be sure to read Tozer's excellent article, The Sovereignty of God, which demonstrates how the free-will of man does not limit God's Sovereignty...it actually Proves God's Sovereignty.

Reasoning And The Resurrection

1 Peter 3:15 states, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy..."

So how do we do this? Do we do it through subjective feelings? Do we honor Him as Holy by telling people that Christianity is true for me even if it is not true for you? Do we honor Him as Holy by telling others that we believe in Christ, but we don't want to offend them if they do not.

Do we honor Christ as Holy by saying that Christ simply lives in our heart, and that I don't need to read my Bible as long as I have a warm fuzzy feeling in my subjective experience about reality?

No...to the contrary, 1 Peter 3:15 actually combines the heart with the mind...

In our HEARTS we honor Him...by giving REASONS...

Take a look: 1 Peter 3:15 goes on and tells us to honor The Lord as Holy by "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."

One way to do this is to give REASONS for why you believe in The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Intellectual, scientific, and historical REASONS of why you are a sane individual who actually thinks and has common sense to believe in the Trans-Cultural and OBJECTIVE Truth of Jesus Christ.

Click here for your weekend homework: How Every Christian Can Learn To Explain The Resurrection Of Jesus To Others

This kind of reasoning will catalyze any and all type of evangelism...If we really want to witness, preach The Gospel, and be powerful Ambassadors of Christ to transform culture, then providing REASONS will allow us to overcome emotionalism with intellect and allow Christians to take a stand and be front runners in the market place of ideas...a market place that has been overturned by secularist for far too long!

4th Of July Challenge

Abraham Lincoln once observed, “The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.”

G. K.Chesterton’s observation about Russia has come true here, “Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God.”

• • •

Great article by Frank Turek, titled Country a Mess? Blame the Church...

I have been very motivated and challenged by this article, and I believe you will be as well. So I would like to issue a 4th of July challenge to all Followers of Jesus Christ...we need to transform culture and society by infiltrating it instead of avoiding it...so...

Let's put an end to the anti-intellectual movement that leads believers to separate from society rather than reform it. Let's reform society by thinking, writing, influencing, and creating.

Let's stop bifurcating life into two separate spheres—the sacred and secular. We need to saturate society with the Truth of Christ, morality, and ethics...not separate from it. And forget about being PC and non-offensive. Our softness is allowing culture to spit on The Cross of Christ.

Let's stop substituting Reason for emotionalism, and thinking that only activities that directly save souls are deemed sacred. A saved soul is wonderful, but we must make the connection that a saved soul is a transformed person...and transformed people lead to a transformed culture.

Eternity is at stake, but so is our present day...May God's Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven...

**Bold captions are derived from Frank Turek's article, Country A Mess, Blame The Church

Men - wear the pants - be a pillar

"Now Naomi had a relative of her husband's, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz."

Men, wear the pants. Be worthy of being called a "man."

Skirts
We've got a lot of men today wearing skirts. Not to be inappropriate but truthful, if there not wearing one, their lusting over woman who are in one...acting like a bunch of chauvinists pigs.

I'm all for the metro-man and using as much hair paste as possible...being aware of boot cut or straight leg jeans...what I'm not for are those who don't know how to put on the work jeans...what I'm not for, are the boys who think they are men - pleasing themselves instead protecting woman - God's daughters.

Ford Truck Man
If we are going to be men who protect our ladies in holy, Jesus-like love, and shape our children in the power and might of God's Holy Spirit, we need to beat our chest and give out a war cry when a ford truck commercial comes on while we're on our way to bring our wife a cold glass of iced tea! That's a "worthy man"! Ladies, can I get an "Amen!"

Worthy Man

Let's get a sense what it means that Boaz is a "worthy man". As one preacher puts it, and I paraphrase, you're not a man just because you can shave - that's not what makes you worthy. According to a commentary I read, where the ESV says, "a worthy man", the Hebrew literally reads, "a man mighty in substance."

• The Orthodox Jewish Bible reads, "an ish gibbor chayil."

Let's look at these two Hebrew words: gibbor chayil.

Gibbor

When you think "gibbor", think "champion," "valiant men", "helper", and "hero". Picture in your mind the "Mighty Thor". Whoever wields this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor. Had to put that in there!

Gibbor refers to the vitality and strength of a victorious warrior...excellence.**(see resource notes for this at double asterisks below).

Men, you got any "gibbor" in you? Do you "help" your wife? Stop sitting there expecting her to do the "woman's" job. Be a man. Help her with the kids. Are you a "hero" to your kids? Are you "victorious" over sin? Man up!

Chayil

This is the word for "wealth." It can mean valiant, power, strength, might, power, virtuous, riches, and of course, wealth. Interesting enough, it is the exact word chapter 3:11 of Ruth uses to characterize Ruth as an "excellent" woman.**

Men, are you "wealthy" - not just talking financial stuff here - are you "rich and mighty" in the Word of God and prayer for your wife and kids? Are you "rich and mighty" in your witness at the workplace and in the gym? If single, are you "rich" and "mighty" in holy living, prayer, church life, "water cooler discussions"?

This is where it gets cool

Another interesting word concerning Boaz being a "worthy man" is the Greek word, ischus - it means "strength" or "ability".

The name "Boaz" means, "In Him (the Lord) is strength". If you have read Boaz chapter 4:17, you know that Boaz is King David's great-granddad. If you know the Bible, you know that David is Solomon's dad...making Boaz King Solomon's great-great granddad. 2 Chronicles 3:17 and 1 Kings 7:21 tells us that King Solomon built God's Temple in Jerusalem. Now, watch this - watch what Solomon, great-great grandson of Boaz named one of the pillars of the temple:

"He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the south he called Jachin, and that on the north Boaz." (2Chr 3:17, 1Ki 7:21)

Could it be that Solomon's great-great granddad left a lasting generational impression on his family?

Even More Cool

The Septuagint LXX, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, could give some insight to the meaning of Boaz here in 2 Chronicles. Here is how the English translation of the Septuagint reads:

"He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right hand and the other on the left: and he called the name of the one on the right hand 'Stability,' and the name of the one on the left Strength."

Do you remember our greek word, "ischus"? It is the word in 2 Chronicles for "strength." Have you ever read Mark 12:30? Love the Lord your God with all your what? Heart, soul, mind, and "ischus" - strength.

Stand Strong - be a pillar

As one person has said, we need to be careful with interpreting the significance of Solomon naming the north pillar, "Boaz"; however, it is insightful. According to one commentary, a pillar was an ancient symbol of strength and security. When destruction would come about and everything else had fallen, the pillar would often still stand - strong and tall.

Leave a mark

Also in ancient times, someone of great worth is society, would have a pillar erected in their honor and their name would be etched in the pillar - it would "leave a mark" - recognizing the impact they had on their and all future generations.

Build a legacy

I wonder what our actions as men are "etching" into the hearts of those we love? I wonder what kind of "mark" we are leaving for our children - what kind of legacy? I've heard one preacher say, and he's right, that too many men today want a good time or a good weekend - not of a good legacy. God forgive us.

Jesus

Jesus, the most worthy Man of all time, says in the Book of Revelation, "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God..." (Rev 3:12). Men, your faithfulness to Jesus, to your wife, your kids, your church, your country, your neighbors, will not be forgotten.

Boaz is a pillar in the temple of Jesus' God. He was a pillar for Ruth, Noami, and his boy Obed. - grandfather of David. From his line, came Jesus.

What is coming from you as man? Anything worthy?

Next time - Boaz as a man who fights for those he loves...a man who takes action - quickly

**RESOURCES FROM http://www.preceptaustin.org/ruth_21-7.htm#2:1