Socialist Savior: TRUE or FALSE?

In case no one caught it, the title of the thread was meant to display what is a MAJOR HOTBUTTON issue within Christianity…..& that issue is SOCIALISM/THE SOCIAL GOSPEL.  Many people may not know about it, but you’ve probably seen it more often that not. Whether it be in Organizations like “The Salvation Army” or others seeking to provide material goods to those who are destitute, the Social Gospel has influcneced MUCH OF OUR NATION ALREADY.

To be more specific,

The Social Gospel was a movement in the early twentieth century with a profound impact on churches and nonprofit organizations to the present day. Developing from mainline Protestant denominations from Baptist to Episcopal, it believed that Christians should work to improve social conditions for the poor, the sick and the downtrodden. Inspired by the miracles of Jesus and his Sermon on the Mount, it believed that the Kingdom of God would appear on earth, and that the faithful should work to achieve it.

Walter Rauschenbasch, a Baptist minister, was a prominent leader. As a young man, he worked in the slums of New York City known as Hell’s Kitchen and came to believe it was more important to heal, comfort, and educated the living than to save souls for eternity. Rauschenbasch felt that if Jesus were living there he would do this, just as he healed the sick and the blind 19 centuries before in Palestine. The Social Gospel maintained this was the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer phrase “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.” Bringing salvation on earth was a stage in Christian development appropriate for the time, just as earlier the stage was evangelizing. Adherents argued that humans were inherently good, not sinful, and that improving social conditions would prepare the way for the Second Coming of Christ. Americans were a Chosen People, like the ancient Hebrews. In addition to helping people directly, the Social Gospel was concerned with influencing government policy.

Although the terminology fell into disfavor 80 years ago, the Social Gospel continues its influence.

http://www.politicalscience.utoledo….vis/gospel.htm

The Salvation Army, for all its good deeds, is a product of Social Gospel. Helping the poor, helping in natural disasters, soup kitchens, etc. These type organizations see sin and salvation as social rather than individual. Social Gospel for the most part embraced liberal theology.

Wikipedia has an interesting definition of Social Gospel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Gospel
Are we making Christ our top priority and giving because He does and saying that is why we are giving? Or are we giving because we are considerate and kind and never mentioning our actions are because we know Christ and want to tell them it is because of what He has done for us? In the same encounter with a person, or people, are we exposing someone to Jesus Christ and telling them why we take such actions or are we just doing a good deed? If we are….then we are following a social gospel and not Christ.

James 2:14-17

James 2:20-26

Faith in Christ promotes a Christian to good deeds.

That said, there are many views on the Subject. For example, consider the words of an individual I listened to during a debate on the issue:

  Was Jesus a Socialist: Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler

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Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler _
Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, follow Me.
Matt 19:21

Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack.Go, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.
Mark 10:21

And when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, Yet you lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, follow Me.
Luke 18:22

Today we read about the story of when the rich young ruler came to ask Jesus about how he might inherit eternal life. The New Testament gospels mentions this 3 times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Here we also see the Trinity where Matthew has a Jewish/Mosiac-Law perspective (Father); while Mark’s focuses on the sufferings during Christ’s earthly ministry (Son); and Luke’s shows a Gentile perspective (Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh). In all three gospel accounts we find a call to follow Jesus, by selling all that we have and giving to the poor for us to have this treasure in heaven. In every age of God’s Project of Salvation for mankind, these truths have remain unchanged. Our eternal life is this treasure – yet there is much opinion out there as to what it means to sell and to give in order to follow Him. Many today in Christianity are not defined on what it truely means to be poor. When we consider what each gospel represents, as well as the fine details that make each of these 3 accounts different from one another, we begin to see that it transcends religious materialistic presumptions and enters the prophetic and Spiritual.

In the gospel of Matthew we see the overall theme of Jesus Christ as our King of Kings. Indeed we serve a Heavenly King, rather than an earthly one. Today religious Christianity serves society and the rights of the people. In fact this is what the name Laodocia means literally: the rights of the people (Greek 2993 – λαοδίκεια – Laodikeia: from a compound of G2992 and G1349). Laodocia was a presumptuous Church that Jesus had nothing good to say about in Revelation chapter 3. A place where people are their own masters, and kings of their own lives – serving their own interests. Such people are described with the example of this young rich ruler, spoken of in this account. This man was in fact a materially rich young ruler – the indeed the king of his own life, serving his own interests – hoping to justify himself by his own merits for perfection. In this gospel Jesus says “If you want to be perfect..” and goes on to describe what to do. In the end the young man’s true love is revealed, and he goes away sad. This raises an important question for ourselves: do we want to be perfect, or is it just religious words and a concept we agree with on a detached intellectual level? In order to be perfected, we must serve our King of Kings and His interests. This must be our want, our need.

In the gospel of Mark describes Jesus as a suffering servant. It is in this gospel that He says for us to take up the cross. Jesus died on the cross after carrying for a great distance in agony for us, and 3 days later rose to new life. The scriptures teach that our lives ought to imitate His. We must die to our own flesh, and seek to live in sanctification. We too will experience much suffering at times because our sinful flesh is at war against the Spirit who works inside us. There is no reason for us ever to be taking pleasure in sin. We groan inwardly awaiting the Lord’s return so we can be free of these temptations, and mortal pains. It’s also uniquely mentioned here how Jesus was “beholding“ (or “looking at”) this young man, and “loved“ him, prior to answering his question about what he still lacked. We must allow Jesus to look at every corner of our heart. To search us, and try us, to see if there be any wicked way in us, so that his love might abide in our hearts (this was David’s prayer in fact – Psalm 139:23-24). We must seek Him to find out what we still lack, what darkness remains. We cannot mix darkness with light (2 Cor 6:14). We must die to the flesh daily (1 Cor 15:31) – which at times can be very difficult – yet there is hope in Jesus Christ (Rom 7:14-25). Never the less, we press on, fighting the good fight, knowing victory through Christ is already been assured (Rom 8:31-39; 1 Cor 15:57). We must be cleansed by His Blood to be a channel of blessing – reminding us that salvation is a process.

The gospel of Luke describes Jesus Christ as the perfect man, who lived a sinless life. How was He able to do this? Jesus suffered the same trails we suffer daily with temptation – He was fully God and fully man. This is why Jesus was constantly in prayer, fasting often – He was showing us that the means of grace (pleading for the Blood of Jesus, fasting, early dawn, etc) are the means to maintaining the blessing and fellowship with the Father.

Jesus Christ prayed with all His might and being – and so should we. He cried out to the Father. How about us? Are we speaking to the Father in Jesus name, so He can hear us? In this account we are told that Jesus “heard these things” the young man was saying, before Jesus Christ answered. Further more we ought to be listening for His answer, and waiting on the Lord patiently. His answer often comes at a later time when we least expect it. One time Jesus met His disciples, while walking over a stormy Sea of Galiee at night, at a time when they least expected. So too Jesus Christ comes to us at a time we least expect, both for victory and also in His return. We must remain awake and in prayer with Him as He exhorted John, Peter and James in Gethsemene. Finally the exhortation to give is a little different here in this gospel. Instead of saying give (Greek 1325 – διìδωμι – didōmi), Jesus says to distribute (Greek 1239 – διαδιìδωμι – diadidōmi: to give throughout a crowd, that is, deal out; also to deliver over (as to a successor): – (make) distribute (-ion), divide, give.) Jesus wants many to hear our testimony, and for us to give them something to eat from His table – reminding us of the act of salvation, that first moment we came to believe. This wasn’t a call to favor socialism over capitalism (both human inventions, both systems having good and bad points, which ultimately divides people.) This was a call to evangelise and unite those outside the Body of Christ, into this Body where we live as One in Christ through His Blood – His Holy Spirit. Even the God breathed Mosiac Law could not be kept, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The law is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness…great grace was on them all. For neither was anyone needy among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and they laid them down at the apostles’ feet. And distribution was made to every man according as he had need.

Act 4:31-35

Finally the gospel of John is silent on this account. Yet we know that this gospel speaks as Jesus as the Son of God and as God. God is in heaven, where our reward is. This account in all 3 examples mentions how there is “treasure in heaven“. So too such reward awaits those who are sons of God, those whom are born of the Spirit. No religion can offer this. Those who treat Christianity as a religion of humanism and not a personal relationship with the Father as SONS, do not preceive this. Religion does follow Jesus our King, nor can they give what the soul needs, nor are their earthly schemes heard. This was not a call to spread a social gospel – providing material goods to the materially poor – but rather to the Spiritually poor. What value is there in material charity without the good news being spoken? There is certainly a time and a place to give materially, but it can never become the primary mandate of the Faithful Church who has been called to be fishers of men (Matt 4:18-19). Where we no longer beg for alms (Acts 3:2-10), but are taught how to fish (Luke 5:1-10), where to throw the net (John 21:6): how to evangelise, so that many can be saved. Furthermore, what about those materially rich who do not know Jesus? We cannot write a cheque to make our guilty concience go away. No we must follow Jesus, and sell all that we have in exchange for His grace, so that we might give to those truely poor a word of hope for their hearts.

who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Matt 13:46

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. You have received freely, freely give.

Matt 10:8

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1 Cor 15:19

Now, in reading that, I felt that the author had many solid points. However, I think it’d IMPORTANT to note that the social gospel is an inextricable component of the Gospel, as proclaimed by the Prophets, Christ, John the Baptist, Paul, James the brother of Jesus, and John. Just look up verses about giving to the poor, and the like, and you will find an inordinate amount. It IS good news (i.e. the Gospel) to be freed from the bonds of Poverty, here and now. Christ did not JUST bring eternal life, but the Way, the Truth, and the Life to change the World.

When Christians only look at the eternal, post-mortem aspect of the Gospel, they commit an ancient heresy: Gnosticism. They deny the world and live only for the Future life.  The Gnostic worldview claims that the material is inherently, and completely corrupt, created by a lesser, evil god. The Spiritual realm is perfect and complete. Gnosticism has its roots in both Manicheanism and Zoroastrianism, both of which have anti-material and pro-spiritual views.  The Gnostic Heresy as it relates to Christ is that he was not really a man, but just the Perfect God of the Spiritual Realm. He never really died (as that would require a physical body) and he never rose in a physical body (as that would “taint” him). Clearly this is not scriptural, but it is not the whole of Gnosticism; it is merely an element.

Thus, I was saying that the “asocial” Gospel has elements (quite strong) of Gnosticism. Yes, we need to be concerned about the afterlife, but not at the expense of this life. “All of Creation groans for redemption…” “Be stewards of this earth” and the Prophets all support this view.
Please understand that I am not exclusively supporting the “social gospel”, but I just don’t see how you can separate the asocial gospel from the social gospel. It is impossible and heretical whichever you separate (Gnosticism vs. Humanism).

Most of society has a concept of ‘Christians’ from the media that is all talk and negative social action, that when we, as “Authentic Christians” (to use William Wilberforce’s words) live a true Christ-like life and say we are Christian’s, people notice and listen. But if we go out and say we are Christian’s first, they turn a deaf ear because of the ‘reputation’ Christian’s have.

Did not Jesus heal as well as tell the masses about the Kingdom of God? Did not Jesus feed 5,000 as well as teach? Are we not called to be the same? The point is that sometimes it is necessary to use the ’social’ gospel along with the authentic gospel.

Evangelism without good works often turns people off. There’s a lot of people who are closed to the Gospel, because of the way Christians have presented the Gospel……without love. A lot of non-Christians see hypocracy in Christians who preach the Gospel without living it. Presenting the Gospel in a ’social’ manner or through good works can dispell the assumption self-righteousness that non-Christian’s have of Christians.

Generation X: Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity ON THE RISE

Before procedding with this post, I’d like for everyone to consider the following information/statistics from BARNA. They were pretty shocking to Read:

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?P…naUpdateID=280
September 24, 2007

(Ventura, CA) – As the nation’s culture changes in diverse ways, one of the most significant shifts is the declining reputation of Christianity, especially among young Americans. A new study by The Barna Group conducted among 16- to 29-year-olds shows that a new generation is more skeptical of and resistant to Christianity than were people of the same age just a decade ago.
The study of Christianity’s slipping image is explored in a new book, entitled unChristian, by David Kinnaman, the president of The Barna Group. The study is a result of collaboration between Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons of the Fermi Project.
Rising Reactions
The study shows that 16- to 29-year-olds exhibit a greater degree of criticism toward Christianity than did previous generations when they were at the same stage of life. In fact, in just a decade, many of the Barna measures of the Christian image have shifted substantially downward, fueled in part by a growing sense of disengagement and disillusionment among young people. For instance, a decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a “good impression” of Christianity.
One of the groups hit hardest by the criticism is evangelicals. Such believers have always been viewed with skepticism in the broader culture. However, those negative views are crystallizing and intensifying among young non-Christians. The new study shows that only 3% of 16 – to 29-year-old non-Christians express favorable views of evangelicals. This means that today’s young non-Christians are eight times less likely to experience positive associations toward evangelicals than were non-Christians of the Boomer generation (25%).
The research shows that many Christians are innately aware of this shift in people’s perceptions of Christianity: 91% of the nation’s evangelicals believe that “Americans are becoming more hostile and negative toward Christianity.” Among senior pastors, half contend that “ministry is more difficult than ever before because people are increasingly hostile and negative toward Christianity.”

The Set of Perceptions
While Christianity has typically generated an uneven reputation, the research shows that many of the most common critiques are becoming more concentrated. The study explored twenty specific images related to Christianity, including ten favorable and ten unfavorable perceptions. Among young non-Christians, nine out of the top 12 perceptions were negative. Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) – representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians. The most common favorable perceptions were that Christianity teaches the same basic ideas as other religions (82%), has good values and principles (76%), is friendly (71%), and is a faith they respect (55%).
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
Interestingly, the study discovered a new image that has steadily grown in prominence over the last decade. Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is “anti-homosexual.” Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. As the research probed this perception, non-Christians and Christians explained that beyond their recognition that Christians oppose homosexuality, they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians. One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a “bigger sin” than anything else. Moreover, they claim that the church has not helped them apply the biblical teaching on homosexuality to their friendships with gays and lesbians.

The ‘UnChristian’ Label
When young people were asked to identify their impressions of Christianity, one of the common themes was “Christianity is changed from what it used to be” and “Christianity in today’s society no longer looks like Jesus.” These comments were the most frequent unprompted images that young people called to mind, mentioned by one-quarter of both young non-Christians (23%) and born again Christians (22%).
Kinnaman explained, “That’s where the term ‘unChristian’ came from. Young people are very candid. In our interviews, we kept encountering young people – both those inside the church and outside of it – who said that something was broken in the present-day expression of Christianity. Their perceptions about Christianity were not always accurate, but what surprised me was not only the severity of their frustration with Christians, but also how frequently young born again Christians expressed some of the very same comments as young non-Christians.”

Changing Allegiances
One reason that Christianity’s image is changing is due to the shifting faith allegiances of Americans. Simply put, each new generation has a larger share of people who are not Christians (that is, atheists, agnostics, people associated with another faith, or those who have essentially no faith orientation). The new book refers to this group as “outsiders” because they are describing what Christianity looks like from an outsider’s perspective. Among adults over the age of 40, only about one-quarter qualify as outsiders, while among the 16 to 29 segment, two-fifths are outsiders. This represents a significant migration away from the dominant role that Christianity has had in America.

The Proportion of those “Outside”
Christianity is Growing with Each Generation

Source: The Barna Group, Ltd. 2007
As pointed out in the Barna Update related to atheists and agnostics, this is not a passing fad wherein young people will become “more Christian” as they grow up. While Christianity remains the typical experience and most common faith in America, a fundamental recalibration is occurring within the spiritual allegiance of America’s upcoming generations.
Yet, the research shows that millions of young outsiders have significant experience with Christians and Christian churches. The typical young outsider says they have five friends who are Christians; more than four out of five have attended a Christian church for a period of at least six months in the past; and half have previously considered becoming a Christian.
“Older generations more easily dismiss the criticism of those who are outsiders,” Kinnaman said. “But we discovered that young leaders and young Christians are more aware of and concerned about the views of outsiders, because they are more likely to interact closely with such people. Their life is more deeply affected by the negative image of Christianity. For them, what Christianity looks like from an outsider’s perspective has greater relevance, because outsiders are more likely to be schoolmates, colleagues, and friends.”

Responding to the Research
David Kinnaman, who is a 12-year-veteran of the Barna team, pointed out some of the unexpected findings of the research. “Going into this three-year project, I assumed that people’s perceptions were generally soft, based on misinformation, and would gradually morph into more traditional views. But then, as we probed why young people had come to such conclusions, I was surprised how much their perceptions were rooted in specific stories and personal interactions with Christians and in churches. When they labeled Christians as judgmental this was not merely spiritual defensiveness. It was frequently the result of truly ‘unChristian’ experiences. We discovered that the descriptions that young people offered of Christianity were more thoughtful, nuanced, and experiential than expected.”
“Some Christians fear the changing reputation of Christianity and it certainly represents an uncomfortable future. Yet, rather than being defensive or dismissive, we should learn from critics, especially those young Christians who are expressing consternation about the state of faith in America. Jesus told us to expect hostility and negative reactions. That is certainly nothing new. But the issue is what we do with it. Is it a chance to defend yourself and demand your rights? Or is it an opportunity to show people grace and truth? Common ground is becoming more difficult to find between Christians and those outside the faith. When the Apostle Paul advises believers to ‘live wisely among those who are not Christians’ and to ‘let your conversation be gracious and effective,’ (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT) he could be writing no better advice to committed Christians in America.” The book also includes exclusive perspective from 30 Christian leaders, including Mark Batterson, Chuck Colson, Louie Giglio, Dan Kimball, Brian McLaren, Kevin Palau, John Stott, and Rick Warren. Kinnaman described their contribution as an effort “to make sense of the complex and challenging project – both why the problems exist as well as what Christians ought to do in response to the information. We looked for the biblical space in order to respond to the sharpest criticism. Beyond simply reporting the problems that we discovered among a skeptical generation, my partner Gabe Lyons and I want the book to help Christians find a way forward, to read positive examples and find hope that their life can provide a clearer picture of

As messed up as this is, I wonder How much of this is a reflection of the views ADULTS HAVE.

  To note, I do feel that this is a pretty accuracte view of how things currently are, especially seeing that I’M A YOUNG KAT MYSELF (just turned 21)  & see this 24/7 already.  The hatred of and obsession with homosexuals, the aggressiveness of evangelism – whether or note these perceptions are accurate ones, the survey is correct about the impression people are getting.

These are clearly bad trends for Christianity – and they will continue if nothing is done to reverse them. It’s only a matter of time before perception translates into losing faith – if that hasn’t already been happening.

The research survey served to remind me of how many people skeptical of Christianity are not so much skeptical of that as they are the thing that has come to represent it: The Modern Day Church.

Don’t know where this’ll fit in, but it’s also  interesting to see the results of what happens when Christianity is badly represented…..& for that matter, when those having issue/being skeptical of it add to the problem of it having a bad image.

For your consideration:
http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001390.cfm

And to give an excerpt from the article……,

Quote:

“I’ve stopped going to church.” The statement took me by surprise; especially since it came from a friend who had been a longtime member of his local congregation. It had been years since we talked and my curiosity was piqued. As he described his new churchless existence, I wondered what was behind his drastic decision. Was he just being lazy? Or was he losing his faith?According to him, it was neither. He was still a Christian, he assured me. But he had traded church for a different spiritual experience, one that came from a combination of books, Bible Studies on CD, and mostly, the Internet. At first I found it tough to argue with his new mode of spirituality. As he pointed out, going it alone had some major advantages to the conventional Sunday service. His pastor’s sermons had always been a little short on substance. But now he had his choice of the best pod casting preachers in the world! Then there were all the problems at church: hypocrisy, infighting, gossip — you name it. Online, he could avoid all the flaws and foibles of church life. And of course there was the convenience that the internet affords. He was able to read devotionals, listen to speakers and sing along to the best praise music at any time, all in coziness of his own bedroom. With all that at your fingertips, why struggle out of bed early every Sunday? Though I was concerned by his choice, I was hardly in a position to point the finger. After moving to a new city, I hadn’t exactly been Mr. Consistent when it came to church either. Wearied by the search for a new congregation, I ended up slapping the snooze on more than one Sunday morning. During the week, if someone asked where I had gone I’d smile sheepishly and reply, “Bedside Baptist.” Like my friend I was supplementing my sporadic church attendance with an increased diet of online resources. Yet unlike him, I didn’t feel liberated. I was craving the unique fellowship of God’s people that no podcast or webzine could provide. My friend seemed happy. But was he right to forego church? A recent study by the Barna Research Group shows that he is not alone. An increasing number of Americans are getting their spirituality online. Right now “godcasting” (religious and spiritually themed podcasts) and Christian “vidcasts” are the hottest tools on the net. The study found that 8 percent of adults and 12 percent of teenagers “use the Internet for religious or spiritual experiences.” Though only a small percentage currently report using the Internet as a replacement for church, that number is rising dramatically. The future forecast is startling: Barna projects that within a decade some 50 million people could rely on the internet as their sole source of faith experience. George Barna concludes, “By the end of the decade we will have in excess of ten percent of our population who rely upon the Internet for their entire spiritual experience. Some of them will be individuals who have not had a connection with a faith community, but millions of others will be people who drop out of the physical church in favor of the cyberchurch.” This “cyberchurch” phenomenon will have the greatest impact on people under 35 — a group that the study reported was more likely than others to seek spiritual fulfillment on the web

Another Study to Consider: Understanding the idea of Sin/Self-Rule

 

 

 

 

 

 Here’s another study our

 

church went through awhile

 

back. Again, I pray it blesses someone…..

 

Sin

Defined as

“Self-Rule”

C hap. 1 p g. 1-2

Why a wrong definition of “Sin” is so

dangerous.

Short and Expanded Bible def. of “Sin”

C hap. 2 p g. 3-12

Scriptures on Sin as “Self-Rule”

C hap. 3 p g. 13-14

How Jesus parables explain how to live

a practical daily life as a

· “Steward” of the loving King

· “Slave” of the loving King

· “Servant” of the loving King

Chapter 1

There is great danger in not understanding the definition and nature of

sin. A wrong definition of sin can lead to a complete

misunderstanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many people make the mistake of defining sin as a “Wrong Action”

or an “Unkind Action”.

The danger of this error is that it subtly changes the Gospel of Jesus.

The error of defining sin as a “Wrong Action” or an “Unkind Action”

leads to multiple dangerous ASSUMPTIONS.

The wrong definition of sin as a “Wrong Action” or an “Unkind

Action” leads to the ASSSUMPTIONS that:

1. If I take a morally positive or a morally neutral action while in control

of my life, this wrong definition ASSUMES these morally positive or

morally neutral action are NOT sin.

Every action that has a base in a person controlling their own life is

sin. A good or kind action based on the assumption of control or

authority over your own life is sin.

This assumption that the definition of sin is a “WrongAction” or an “Unkind Action” is an extremely dangerous

and incorrect assumption, which leads to further incorrect

assumptions.

2. That I am ABLE to be a “Good” person.

3. That my “Good” actions can some how outweigh my bad actions.

4. That you can retain control of your life and still get to heaven.

This horrible doctrine allows deceived people to believe that they

can receive Jesus as Savior with OUT receiving him as LORD!

The first 39 books of the Bible (The Old Testament) were written

primarily so that we can understand sin. All of the sacrifices loudly

declare the essence of sin and the cost of sin. This emphasis on the

truth and horror of sin allows us to understand the price our Savior

had to pay to save us from our sin.

The greatest explanation of the covenant of salvation is Romans 1-8.

The first seven chapters of Romans are primarily concerned with us

understanding sin so that we can understand salvation.

2

In its most simple definition sin is “SELF-RULE”. The very nature of

sin is to believe that you are in charge of your life. It is a denial of

your Creator as the Lord of your life. Any act or thought with the

basis of this belief (that you are in charge of your life) is sin. Good

actions done under a heart that believes that they are in control of their

life is sin.

Sin is actually deeper than just SELF-RULE. It is an understanding

that:

1. My heart (apart from God’s grace) is evil, deceives me and

denies responsibility for my own evil.

2. I (apart from God’s grace) can not be pure or even improvemyself morally. I (apart from God’s grace) am bent toward evil

and will try to do almost anything that I think I can get away

with.

3. I (apart from God’s grace) am gripped in a slavery to

selfishness. Even when I do good things my motives are all

about ME. I want ME to look good. I want ME to feel good

about ME.

For the purpose of this short study, we will study Sin in its most basic

and simple definition of “SELF-RULE”.

3

Chapter 2

If sin is a “Wrong Action” — HOW could a child be sinful from

conception and birth. However, if all humanity is cursed with

separation from God and a self-will that assumes SELF-RULE then

each child is soaked in sin from conception and birth.

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing

love; according to your great compassion blot out my

transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before

me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is

evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you

speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful

at birth, sinful from the time my mother

conceived me.

Isaiah 53 is the greatest Messianic passage about Christ on the cross in

the entire Old Testament. Please notice that the DEFINITION of the

iniquity that Christ bore on the cross is that we each turned to our

OWN WAY.

Isaiah 53:6

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned

to his OWN WAY; and the LORD has laid on him the

iniquity of us all.

The act of becoming a Christian is repeatedly defined in scripture as

giving up CONTROL or SELF-RULE of your life.

II Cor. 5:15

And he died for all, that those who live should NO

LONGER live for THEMSELVES but FOR HIM who

died for them and was raised again.

4

I Cor. 6:19-20

You are NOT YOUR OWN; you were BOUGHT at a

PRICE. Therefore honor God with your body.

Luke 14

25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to

them he said: 26″If anyone comes to me and does not

hate his father and mother, his wife and children, hisbrothers and sisters—yes,

even his own life—hecannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not

carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28″Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not

first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough

money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is

not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

30saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to

finish.’

31″Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another

king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is

able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming

against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he

will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off

and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any

of you who does not give up everything he

has cannot be my disciple.

34″Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be

made salty again? 35It is fit neither for the soil nor for the

manure pile; it is thrown out.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Matthew 16:

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would

come after me, he must deny himself and take up

5

his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save

his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life

for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if

he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can

a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8

34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples

and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny

himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For

whoever wants to save his life[a] will lose it, but

whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel

will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole

world, yet forfeit his soul?

Luke 9

23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come afterme, he must deny himself and take up his cross

daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save

his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me

will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole

world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is

ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be

ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory

of the Father and of the holy angels.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to

offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and

pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

6

Matthew 13:46

When he found one of great value, he went away and soldeverything he had and bought it.

Mark 10

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,”

he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because

he had great wealth.

23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard

it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said

again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of

God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a

needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each

other, “Who then can be saved?”

27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is

impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with

God.” 28Peter said to him, “We have left everything

to follow you!”

29″I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has

left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or

children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to

receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes,

brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with

them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Luke 5:11

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on

you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore,

left everything and followed him.

7

Luke 5:28

and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Acts 13:22

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified

concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man

after my own heart; he will do everything I

want him to do.’

The word “SIN” in used in the New Testament 110 times. The chapter

that uses the word “SIN” more than any other chapter is Romans 6.

(19 times). By the way, the second and third chapters that use the

word “SIN” are Roman 7 (17 times) and Romans 5 (9 times).

Thus, this section of scripture is the clearest and largest study of sin in

the entire Bible.

In Romans 6 “SIN” is compared or contrasted to its OPPOSITE eight

times. In each of these cases the OPPOSITE of “SIN” is to:

1. Be a “SLAVE” to God

2. To “OFFER” yourselves to God

3. Alive to God

By defining the opposite of sin as living for God, Romans 6 defines

sin as living in control of your own life.

In addition, the word Death or Die is used in Romans 6 – nineteen

times. The message is that we DIE to CONTROL of our lives in and

live for God in order to be free from “SIN”—“SELF-RULE

Romans 6

1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that

grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can

we live in it any longer? 3Or don’t you know that all of us

who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his

death? 4We were therefore buried with him through

baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was

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raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we

too may live a new life.

5If we have been united with him like this in hisdeath, we will certainly also be united with him in his

resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified

with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,

that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because

anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also

live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised

from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has

mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once

for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin butalive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do

not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil

desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as

instruments of wickedness, but rather offeryourselves to God, as those who have been

brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your

body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sinshall not be your master,

because you are not under law,

but under grace.

15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law

but under grace? By no means! 16Don’t you know that when

you offer yourselves to someone to obey

him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you

obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads

to death, or to obedience, which leads to

righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you

used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the

form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have

been set free from sin and have become slaves to

righteousness.

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19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your

natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts

of your body in slavery to impurity and to everincreasing

wickedness, so now offer them in

slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the

control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at

that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those

things result in death! 22But now that you have been

set free from sin and have become slaves toGod

, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, andthe result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is

death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our

Lord.

In Romans 8; having seen, in Romans1-7, that “SIN” = “SELFRULE”

we are now told how to LIVE the Christian life. The key word

that is used is “CONTROL”. We give “CONTROL” of our lives to

God’s Spirit and are “LED” by that Spirit

Romans 8

5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their

minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live

in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set onwhat the

Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is

death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit

is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It

does not submit to God’s law, nor can it

do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful

nature cannot please God.

9You, however, are controlled not by the

sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God

10

lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of

Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in

you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive

because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who

raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised

Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal

bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12Therefore,

brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to

the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live

according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the

Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will

live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of

God are sons of God.

Here are more passages which make this point clearly that “SIN” is

SELF-RULE and the opposite of “SIN” is to give total control of your

life to God.

1 John 2:16

For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful

man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has

and does—comes not from the Father but from the

world.

Please notice this next passage. It defines sin as lawlessness.

Lawlessness is refusing to submit authority and control of your life to

a higher authority.

1 John 3:4

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is

lawlessness.

11

Ephesians 1:22

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him

to be head over everything for the church,

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the

beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in

everything he might have the supremacy.

Hebrews 2:8

and put everything under his feet.” In putting

everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject

to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to

him.

Heb. 4:

11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,

so that no one will fall by following their example of

disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than

any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul

and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creationis hidden from God’s sight.

Everything is uncovered

and laid bare before the eyes of him to

whom we must give account.

John 8:34

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who

sins is a slave to sin.

12

John 16:9

in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

Note: Please notice that “BELIEVING” in Jesus is MORE than

acknowledging Jesus existence. Believing includes receiving Jesus as

King, Lord, Boss and Slave Master. Thus SIN is to NOT acknowledge

Jesus as the one in control of your life.

Romans 14:23

But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats,

because his eating is not from faith; and everything

that does not come from faith is sin.

13

Chapter 3

How Jesus parables explain how to live a practical life of

Christianity.

If I am a not allowed to make decisions, how can I know if it is OK

with God if I:

1. Go to the mall?

2. Eat this bowl of ice cream?

3. Change jobs? etc.

So many of Jesus parables dealt with a KING giving responsibility to

his Stewards, Servants or Slaves to produce results for their King!

1. M aster and Servant (Luke 17:7-10)

2. T h e Servant Entrusted with Authority or The Faithful

and Unfaithful Servants (Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46)

3. T he Waiting Servants (Luke 12:35-38; Mark 13:33-37)

4. T he Laborers in the Vineyard or The Generous Employer

(Matt.20:1-16)

5. T he Money in Trust or The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30;

Luke 19:12-27)

6. T he Lamp (Matt 5:14-16; Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16, 11:31) and

The City Set on a Hill (Matt. 5:14b)

7. T he Body’s Lamp (Matthew 6:22 f.; Luke 11:34-36)

8. T he Discarded Salt (Matt 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34 f.)

9. T he Patch and the Wineskins (Matt. 9:16 f.; Mark 2:21 f.;

Luke 5:36-39)

10. T he Householder’s Treasure (Matthew 13:52)

11. T he Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-12)

12. T he Defendant (Luke 12:58 f.; Matthew 5:25 f.)

13. T he Unforgiving Official or The Unmerciful Servant

(Matthew 18:23-35)

14. T he Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)

15. T he Wicked Vinedressers (Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-9;

Luke 20:9-16)

16. T he Two Builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49)

17. T he Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43)

18. T he Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

19. T he Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45 f.)

Jesus is our KING! He has given us a commission to bring people to

Him! Our goal is to do His will every moment of our lives. Through

His Word, Prayers and Godly Wise Counsel, we can often discern His

will in many situations.

14

YET, there will be many hundreds of thousands of decisions where

we will not know for certain if a specific action is God’s will or not. Is

it God’s will to eat this bowl of ice cream or not?????

God’s word tells us that we all have a commission from our King to

bring people to Him!

II Cor. 5:10-11

For we must all appear before the judgment seat ofChrist, that each one may receive what is due him for the

things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try

to persuade men.

II Cor. 5:19-20

And he has committed to us the message of

reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’sambassadors, as though God were making his

appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s

behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven

and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make

disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and

teaching them to obey everything I have

commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the

very end of the age.”

Thus, finding the will of our King is actually fairly easy. Our first test

of God’s will is always God’s Word. However, when something is not

clearly spoken to in God’s word; the main question is: “Does this

direction in my life help to bring people closer to Christ?”.

All of our life is measured by this commission. What a privilege to

have such a huge, wonderful and important purpose to our lives.

 

Teacheable: A Scriptural Study on the Subject

What follows is a a Scriptural Study on the subject of being TEACHEABLE that my church did  a while back. It was one of the most influential/insightful series I’ve ever heard…..& I’d like to share that with the rest of you who may read, for the issue of whether or not one is teacheable is something that far too many Christians fail to remember.

A SCRIPTURAL STUDY

ON

THE ATTITUDE OF

“TEACHABLE”

A. SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

B. GENERAL SCRIPTURES

C. DON’T WASTE TIME ON UNTEACHABLE PEOPLE

D. SEEKS COUNSEL / RESPONDS TO COUNSEL

E. HUMBLE

F. OPINIONATED = OPPOSITE OF HUMBLE

G. MOST IMPORTANT ATTITUDE

A.SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

1) The whole basis of being “teachable” is the realization that at salvation we are no

longer the final authority in our lives. Jesus and His truth now rules our life.

So….what WE THINK is no longer important. The only issue in our lives is

discovering how the Lord views the situation. For the rest of our lives, His word

is the final word. Our only job is to find out His will and obey it.

(Note: This is why being opinionated is so dangerous to your spiritual health.)

I Corinthians 6:19, 20

You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

John 14:6

I am the truth.

Romans 10:9

That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised

Him from the dead, you will be saved.

2) Scripture indicates that we are to have human spiritual coverings who help us

find the blind spots in our lives.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must

give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden for that would be of

no advantage to you.

Acts 15:19, 24, 28

It is my judgment therefore –– we have heard that some went out without our authorization —

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the

following requirements.

II Corinthians 10:6

And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

II Thessalonians 5:12, 13

Now we ask you brothers to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the

Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard, in love because of their work.

II Timothy 4:2

Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.

Titus 1:13

Therefore, rebuke them sharply so they will be sound in the faith.

2

Titus 2:15

Encourage and rebuke with all authority.

Philemon 8:9

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I

appeal to you on the basis of love.

3) The motivation or the reason why human spiritual authority is so important is the

realization that WE CAN BE DECEIVED. Anyone who has only himself as the

final word on what the Lord is saying can be deceived. The safety net that the

Lord has provided to protect us from deception is to have Godly covering to

provide Godly counsel.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things.

Proverbs 19:16

He who obeys instructions guards his life.

Proverbs 19:27

Stop listening to instructions, my son, and you will stray from words of knowledge.

Proverbs 15:22

Plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisors they succeed.

Proverbs 6:23

And the corrections of discipline are the way to life.

Comment

The subject of human spiritual coverings is a very sensitive subject. It has

been taken to both extremes. We have studied God’s word carefully and

thoroughly to attempt to find God’s balance. Time and space limit us from

giving the hundreds of scriptures that directed us. However, we

encourage you to search the scriptures yourself on our conclusion. The

bottom line issue is: When do human spiritual authorities have scriptural

authority to correct or rebuke a fellow Christian?

What we found in God’s word are the following truths:

1) When God wants to rebuke you, His first method is through His

Holy Spirit directly to you.

This “Priesthood of Believers” is the single greatest message of the

New Testament. We each can approach God directly and God is

very able and willing to discipline us directly. (Hebrews 12:5-11)

3

Whenever human authority is OVER-emphasized, the great truth of

the Priesthood of Believers gets dangerously diminished.

2) When God wants to rebuke you, His second method is through

your marriage partner.

The highest covenant is salvation. The second highest is marriage.

The covenant between believers is WAY BELOW the marriage

covenant. Ephesians 5:21-33 says that the marriage covenant is

the highest and clearest picture of salvation that we will ever see on

the earth.

This point is not only Biblical but Practical. If you are married, then

you are probably already smiling at the obvious wisdom of this

point.

3) W hen God wants to rebuke you, His third method is through

circumstances.

Scripture is clear that your SIN is what rebukes you. (Romans 6:23)

When you won’t listen to God, or your mate, then God will allow you

to receive the wages of your sin.

4) T he only New Testament examples of Church rebukes are for:

a) Open Sexual Immorality

b) Vicious Continual Strife and Gossip

c) Teaching Heresy (Not just minor doctrinal differences but

major truths about salvation)

Therefore, in these 3 areas Liberty Church has freedom to correct

or rebuke.

This brings us back to the real issue. If your HEART is teachable, then

you will SEEK the input and counsel of trusted Deacons, Elders and

Pastors.

Proverbs 15:10

Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path. He who hates correction will die!

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

4

II Peter 2:10

Those who follow the corrupt desires of the sinful nature and despise authority…

Comment

Unteachable people always resist authority.

Proverbs 16:20

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Comment

Notice a very important connection: Teachable people are able to

rest under human covering, not necessarily because they always

trust the human covering. Rather, they trust the Lord to work all

things to their good if they remain teachable before Him.

4) Notice also:

Proverbs 11:14; 13:13; 13:18; 15:22; 19:20; 20:18; 23:19; 24:6

5

B. GENERAL SCRIPTURES

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Comment

To be “poor” is to be “aware of your own lack”. To be “poor in spirit”

is to realize that you don’t “have it all” spiritually. You are humble,

open to change, to grow. You are TEACHABLE. (I think it is

significant that this is the first Beatitude and the first words of the

Sermon on the Mount.)

Proverbs 1:23 (wisdom speaking)

If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my

thoughts known to you.

Comment

It is SO important to realize that wisdom begins with a rebuke.

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance.

Comment

Notice that the main qualification for Leadership is to be teachable.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge but he who hates correction is stupid.

Comment

This is a blunt evaluation of what the Lord thinks about unteachable

people.

Proverbs 13:1

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 15:5

A fool spurns his father’s discipline but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Proverbs 15:31

He who listens to life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.

6

Proverbs 15:32

He who ignores discipline despises himself but whomever heeds correction gains

understanding.

Comment

This verse makes a very interesting point – an unteachable person

will have a poor self-image.

Proverbs 19:25

Flog a mocker and the simple will learn prudence, rebuke a discerning man and he will gain

knowledge.

Proverbs 21:11

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets

knowledge.

Comment

Those two verses make a very important point. The main

difference between a wise man and a mocker is how TEACHABLE

they are. A wise man is so teachable (so eager to learn and be

corrected) that you don’t have to beat him over the head to teach

him something.

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise.

Comment

Being teachable doesn’t mean you are wise, but it means that

eventually you will become wise.

Psalm 141:5

Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness. Let him rebuke me – it is oil on my head. My

head will not refuse it.

Comment

Notice that a teachable person is actually thankful for correction.

They consider it a kindness.

Mark 5:22

And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins and

both the wine and wineskins will be ruined. He pours new wine into new wineskins.

7

Comment

Jesus very clearly stated that the condition for receiving the “new

wine” of the Holy Spirit is that you must be changeable, stretchable,

TEACHABLE!

James 3:17

(KJV) Wisdom that comes from above is easily entreated.

(Amplified) Willing to yield to reason.

Notice Also:

Proverbs 1:8, 25, 30; 4:1, 2, 13, 20; 5:1, 2; 6:20, 23; 7:2; 8:10;

22:17; 23:22; 24:32

8

C.SCRIPTURAL ADMONITION TO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON

UNTEACHABLE PEOPLE

This is an astonishingly important Bible Command. This is the only

attitude someone can have where God says to not waste time with them.

How VERY, VERY important then it is for us to understand this attitude. It

is the beginning of discernment. We must know it thoroughly and be able

to recognize its traits and characteristics quickly.

Years and years and years of effort have been wasted by sincere people

who really wanted to help. Whole lives of ministry have been wasted

because they kept trying to help unteachable people and were sucked dry.

Proverbs 9:7,8

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult. Whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

**DO NOT** rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.

Comment

Now, notice the opposite of this wicked man, mocker. It is a man who is

characterized by the trait of wanting to be corrected. (TEACHABLE)

Proverbs 9:8,9

Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still. Teach

a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

Matthew 7:6

Do not give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.

Comment

Without a doubt the most sacred and most valuable pearls you have to

offer anyone is your TIME, ENERGY AND CARING. Nothing you have is

more valuable than these. So who is this group of people that you are

supposed to withhold those pearls from? The strongest common

denominator between pigs and the street dogs that existed in the 1st

century was that both of them were renowned for their filthiness.

But if we dig a little deeper, we realize that the attitude they both possess

is that they didn’t want to change from their filthiness. They are

UNTEACHABLE. If you go to a lot of energy and trouble to take a pig or

street dog and clean and scrub it, what will it do as soon as you let it go?

It will immediately return to its filth. You could spend a whole lifetime

trying to “teach” them how to live a “clean” life and in the end, all of your

efforts would have been useless.

9

Notice the rest of the verse:

Matthew 7:6

If you do, they may trample them under feet and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Comment

Not only will your time, energy and caring be completely wasted, but very

often they will conclude the relationship by turning against you.

Proverbs 17:10

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Comment

Notice the tremendous effort and energy to try to get the attention of

(impress) a fool (A hundred lashes is a lot of work!); it still didn’t have

as much effect as a simple rebuke to a teachable man.

Proverbs 19:19

A hot tempered man must pay the penalty. If you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Comment

When you approach someone to help them, if they are not very humble

and willing to change, then they have not “paid the penalty”; the have not

yet learned their lesson.

Proverbs 22:10

Drive out the mocker and out goes the strife. Quarrels and insults are ended.

Comment

Remember that according to Proverbs 9:7,8, a mocker is an unteachable

person. This verse is saying that the healthiest thing that can happen to a

church is for the unteachable people to leave.

Proverbs 23:9

DO NOT speak to a fool for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

Comment

Remember that Proverbs 12:15; 15:5; 17:10; and 29:9, among others, all

clearly says that a fool is an unteachable person.

10

D.SEEKS COUNSEL / RESPONDS TO COUNSEL

1.Seeks Counsel

There is such a BIG difference between being “willing to receive” counsel and SEEKING

counsel. To actually seek counsel requires initiative! Hungering so intensely to know

God’s truths that you seek out your mate, your children, your Elder, your boss, your

employees.

Proverbs 15:12

A mocker resents correction. He will not consult the wise.

Proverbs 2:3, 4

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and

search for it as for hidden treasure.

Comment

Notice the ENERGY in these vivid illustrations. Asking questions and

seeking counsel is not something that is done on rare occasions. Rather,

it is a consuming passion.

Proverbs 18:15

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Proverbs 18:13

He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.

Proverbs 20:5

The purpose of a man’s heart are deep waters but a man of understanding draws them out.

Proverbs 23:5

Apply your heart to instruction, your ears to words of knowledge.

James 1:19

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen.

2.Responds to Counsel

Again, there is a BIG difference between “willing to receive” counsel and RESPONDING

to counsel.

Matthew 7:24

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice….

11

Matthew 7:26

But everyone who hears these words and does NOT put them into practice….

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!

12

E.HUMBLE

Our concept on how strong the Bible is on the concept of being “TEACHABLE” is

greatly expanded when we realize that “Teachable” and “Humble” are almost exactly

the same word.

Proverbs 13:10

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Comment

Notice that the opposite of Pride (what we call “humility”) is those who are

“teachable”.

Zephaniah 3:2, 11, 12

She obeys no one. She accepts no correction…I will remove from this city those who rejoice

in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the

meek and humble.

Comment

Another way to see this clearly is to imagine a person who “acts” very

humble. How do you know if they are truly humble? After all, the Bible

warns against being deceived by false humility.

Colossians 2:18

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility…

Colossians 2:23

Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom with…their false humility.

Comment

So how do you look past pious words and looks to recognize true

humility? Very simply, truly humble people are those who are “easily

correctable”, “teachable”.

Notice: 1 Kings 21:29; 2 Chronicles 12:6,7; 2 Chronicles 30:11; 2 Chronicles 33:12; 2

Chronicles 34:27; Psalm 68:30; Psalm 44:9; Psalm 107:39; Isaiah 2:9; Isaiah 2:11, 12, 17.

Comment

In all of these verses, the Lord calls someone “humbled” when they are

subjected to, or respond to, correction!

13

F. OPINIONATED = OPPOSITE OF TEACHABLE

This is an important trait to help recognize unteachable people. An “opinion” is defined

as taking a strong stance on partial knowledge.

Proverbs 18:2

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

Comment

Notice that sharing your opinion is the opposite of seeking understanding.

Sharing your own opinion focuses on what partial truth you already have.

Seeking understanding (being teachable) focuses on how much full truth

you would like to learn.

1 Corinthians 8:1

(Partial) knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Proverbs 10:8

The wise in heart accepts commands but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Proverbs 17:19

He who loves a quarrel loves sin.

Comment

A quarrel is usually two people adamantly exchanging their opinions.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool seems right to him but a wise man listens to advice.

Comment

Again, notice that the opposite of an opinionated person is a teachable

person.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.

Comment

Being opinionated can kill your spiritual life.

Romans 14:1 (NIV and NAS)

Now accept the one who is weak in faith without passing judgement on his opinions.

Comment

Notice that someone who is weak in faith is characterized by their

opinions.

14

Notice Proverbs 26:3-11

In these verses, there are given many, many derogatory descriptions of a fool. The, next verse

says:

Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? (Opinionated) There is more hope for a fool than for

him.

15

G.MOST IMPORTANT ATTITUDE

Isaiah 66:2

Declares the Lord, “This is the one I esteem, he who is humble and contrite in spirit and

trembles at my word.”

Matthew 23:11, 12

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and

whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Comment

This is the attitude that is most important to the Lord.

Matthew 18:4

Therefore, whoever humbles himself (makes himself “teachable”) like this child is the greatest

in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Comment

Think about little children. What is it about them that caused Jesus to

name the trait of humility to be universal among children? They are by

nature very selfish, so that cannot be what Jesus was referring to….

Think about this…

All little children are under authority, and all little children are aware that

there is MUCH they do not know. They are TEACHABLE, and Jesus said

this is the GREATEST trait.

1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Comment

The factor in your life that determines whether the Lord is FOR you or

AGAINST you is whether you are TEACHABLE or not.

Matthew 11:29

For I am gentle and humble in heart. (Jesus’ description of himself.)

Comment

The truth that being teachable is the most important attitude answers a

very big question. That is….

On what basis will God judge Christians’ works?

How can God compare the works of a peasant lady who lived in the dark

ages, who was a Christian but had so little Bible truth available to her, to

16

the works of the preacher man who was raised in a Godly family in the

1980’s, who has so much Bible truth available to him??

Very simply! God evaluates us on how teachable, easily correctable,

humble, and willing to change we were in relation to how much truth was

presented to us. At the end of all things, we will be judged as Christians

by how teachable we were!

1 Samuel 16:7

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

17

LINKS ON CHURCH LEADERSHIP (HUSH)….

To anyone interested,

   

Regarding the church issue (i.e. leadership, defining what is a church, etc),  here are some of the things whcih  things that I researched before. Some of the things I think still stand as something worthwile to hold to after I studied the Word…..and many of the resources do indeed come from men/women who’ve proven to be faithful to the Word of God and truly seeking to do things right/as fairly as possible, such as many of John Piper’s resources on church leadership, 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, and an article I researched on church government recently from Bible.Org:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/productevent=AFF&p=1011693&item_no=77758

http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/cjb/cjb_09.htm (on Church LEADERSHIP)

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&client=google-coop-np&cof=AH%3Aleft%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fexecutableoutlines.com%3BCX%3AExecutable%2520Outlines%2520Search%2520Engine%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fexecutableoutlines.com%2Feo.gif%3BLH%3A41%3BLP%3A1%3BGFNT%3A%23666666%3BDIV%3A%23cccccc%3B&adkw=AELymgVfLEgSo-Jn8vrTRlFJJXoP2GukGjKK80L5iMbp3P-CJlFn7vRejdhNb2YjDAPWwmQxoG43wWAys8XnAb7vQULk1SErzPb6fakbrDeMpRuHcworxit52audPWbHzdsQSI1OyfRpmCXacbG6KjCDlhp U7IGLLA&q= Church+Elders&cx=008993941041993740965%3A_jtvqhldgsq

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&client=google-coop-np&cof=AH%3Aleft%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fexecutableoutlines.com%3BCX%3AExecutable%2520Outlines%2520Search%2520Engine%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fexecutableoutlines.com%2Feo.gif%3BLH%3A41%3BLP%3A1%3BGFNT%3A%23666666%3BDIV%3A%23cccccc%3B&adkw=AELymgVfLEgSo-Jn8vrTRlFJJXoP2GukGjKK80L5iMbp3P-CJlFn7vRejdhNb2YjDAPWwmQxoG43wWAys8XnAb7vQULk1SErzPb6fakbrDeMpRuHcworxit52audPWbHzdsQSI1OyfRpmCXacbG6KjCDlhpU7IGLL A&q=DEACON S&cx=008993941041993740965%3A_jtvqhldgsq

http://shepherdtheflock.com/resources/

http://www.gotquestions.org/pastors-obey.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/search.php?zoom_sort=0&zoom_query=pastors+

Here’s one website that’s relatively unknown and yet highly informative…… MUCH good info on the subject:

http://www.church.org.uk/resources/allsermons.asp

http://www.church.org.uk/resources/sermondetail.asp?serId=798

http://www.church.org.uk/resources/sermondetail.asp?serId=660

http://www.church.org.uk/resources/sermondetail.asp?serId=92

On Church Structure and Spiritual Organization (Acts 6:1-7)

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/54-25.htm

http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/1720.htm

http://www.biblebb.com/brefindex/act.htm

Study Guide: “The Anatomy of a Church”
–“The Anatomy of a Church” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Internal Systems – A” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Internal Systems – B” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Internal Systems – C” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Internal Systems – D” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Muscles” (Selected Scriptures)
–“The Muscles and the Flesh” (Selected Scriptures)
–“Chris t: The Head of the Church” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Study Guide: “Marks of a Healthy Church”
–“What in the World is the Church to Be?” Part 1 (Selected Scriptures)
–“What in the World is the Church to Be?” Part 2 (Selected Scriptures)
–“What God Wants the Church to Be” (1 Thessalonians)
–“The Calling of the Church” (Ephesians 1:4-14)
–“Marks of an Effective Church” Part 1 (Selected Scriptures)
–“Marks of an Effective Church” Part 2 (Selected Scriptures)
–“Doing the Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way” Part 1 (1 Corinthians 16:5-9)
–“Doing the Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way” Part 2 (1 Corinthians 16:9-12)

Study Guide: “Church Leadership”
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 1 (1 Timothy 3:1)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 2 (1 Timothy 3:2a)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 3 (1 Timothy 3:2b-c)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 4 (1 Timothy 3:2d-g)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 5 (1 Timothy 3:3)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 6 (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
–“The Call to Lead the Church–Elders” Part 7 (1 Timothy 3:6-7)
–“Qualified Servants for the Church–Deacons” Part 1 (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
–“Qualified Servants for the Church–Deacons” Part 2 (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

“Fail-Proof Spiritual Leadership” [1 Thessalonians 2:1-6] “Parental Pictures of Spiritual Leadership” Part 1 [1 Thessalonians 2:7-9] “Parental Pictures of Spiritual Leadership” Part 2 [1 Thessalonians 2:10-12]
Leadership [02]	“The Anti-Model of Spiritual Leadership” [Philippians 2:19-24]
Leadership [03]	Shepherds or Potentates?
Leadership [04]	The Call to Church Leadership -  “It is a trustworthy statement; if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach,…” 1 Timothy 3:1-2.  Convocation Message of Dr. John F. MacArthur Jr., President, The Master’s Seminary, September 9, 1990
Leadership [05]	True Success in Christian Leadership

Church Life

    Church Membership

    Church Issues

    The Nature of the Church

    Small Groups

    Spiritual Gifts

    Multi-Site Church Ministry

Church Practices

    Baptism

    Baptism & Church Membership

    Church Discipline

    The Lord’s Supper

    The Lord’s Day

    Worship

Church Leadership

    Biblical Eldership

    Church Government

    Church Mission

    Preaching & Teaching

    Pastoral Ministry

    Spiritual Leadership

    Youth Ministry

From Bible.Org (And if you haven’t investigated this, consider checking it out)

http://www.bible.org/search.php?cx=002862574462228651213%3Awlwzhu5hnzm&cof=FORID%3A11&q=church%20government#0

http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=421

From 9 Marks

http://www.9marks.org/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID314526|CHID616736|CIID,00.html

http://www.9marks.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID314526|CHID598016|CIID1640734,00.html

http://www.9marks.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID314526|CHID598016|CIID1641680,00.html

http://www.9marks.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID314526|CHID598016|CIID1640730,00.html

   

On the flip side, here are some of the resources that have been recommended to me and that ALSO have me thinking much lately

Here’s one from a man named David Shepherd, who’s Charismatic but a missionary and leader in the HouseChurch movement that’s bearing much fruit (IMHO):

http://www.shepherdserve.org/for_ministers.htm

http://www.shepherdserve.org/dmm/dmm_04.htm

http://www.shepherdserve.org/dmm/dmm_03.htm

For others,

	allathisfeet.com	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
CHURCH LEADERSHIP LINKS…. Various Links/Resources on the issue of Church GOVERNMENT/OPERATION….from those against INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENTS to THOSE FOR THEM	emissary7.wordpress.com/2007/10/…	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
GENE EDWARDS	seedsowers.com/catalog/index.php	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
HOME CHURCH	home-church.org	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
HOUSE 2 House….. To help saturate and transform communities with radical, home-based church planting movements	house2house.net	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
House Church.Org	house-church.org	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
HUSH MONEY: Provides various tools and resources to educate church and ministry leaders in how they may unlicense their incorporated 501c3 churches and ministries, and how to properly organize and operate as a free-church or free-ministry.	hushmoney.org	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
NTRF: Reforming Today’s Church with NT Practices	ntrf.org/articles/index.php	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
THE CHURCH: Redifining what CHURCH is Biblically….	mysite.verizon.net/bunning/Church	FREE Gospel-Centered E-Books on the Internet, RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
The School of Christ.Org	watchman.net/about.html	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
TRUTH FOR FREE.com (Re-Examining the phrase	prayershack.freeservers.com	RADICAL (POWERFUL) thoughts on CHURCH POLITY/ STRUCTURE		Yes	Edit	Delete
Worldwide House Church Registry	hccentral.com/directory

        This is one of the sources my children’s church pastor (the one who recently was fired) started investigating and that he recommended to me. Though be warned, so of the material is very controversial…..and I’m still procedding in investigating things with a HIGH DEGREE of caution as there is much info I do disagree with/question still how well-researched it is……and also since it appears that many of the articles seem to give the impression that any churches with buildings/programs of any sort are in error….and that I believe would be judging/too much of a blanket statement, especially to those old school “Storefront churches” that were holding it down/keeping it real on the streets and taking people in that no one else would….that was my experience anyway……but I must say that MUCH OF THE MATERIAL WAS SPOT ON AND TRULY INFOTMATIVE WHEN ONE TAKES THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE SCRIPTURE FOR THEMSELVES.

http://prayershack.freeservers.com/articles.html

http://prayershack.freeservers.com/links.html

    Also, regarding what was discussed last Sunday, here is the book that I’m reading and that I think you may wish to consider investigating sometime:

The book’s really in-depth, with Scripture examined systematically, and very intriguing. In the words of the author,

     “Although there are already other books and articles written from a similar perspective, this book attempts to be unique in several regards. First, this book includes some original research and scholarship to provide a comprehensive understanding of all the major issues of the Church in one place. There are already several individual books that when taken together adequately cover much of the content addressed here, but not everyone has the time or patience to read so many different books [a.1]. Some of these books only discuss the Church from one particular vantage point making it difficult to grasp the big picture of how everything fits together. One book might highlight the equality of all Christians as a “kingdom of priests”, for example, but then leave people wondering how Biblical leadership fits into the picture [6.1.2]. Other books merely tell nice stories of how they think it should be without any Scripture to back them up. Second, this book is broken into chapters and sections to make things easier to find for future reference. This reference guide format makes it easy to jump back and forth between sections while still providing an awareness of the surrounding context. Third, this book includes “Practical Applications” sections that offer advice and practical steps that you can apply to your life. Other books on these topics may present the truth well enough, but then the reader is left wondering, “Where do I go from here?” And this can be overwhelming for many who are learning these things for the first time. And finally, unlike some authors who are trying to make a profit from the gospel, this book is made freely available.”

     In case the books is too much to read, I found a link that actually gives the ENTIRE BOOK ONLINE so that you can investigate for yourself bit by bit:

http://mysite.verizon.net/bunning/Personal/christian/index.htm

http://mysite.verizon.net/bunning/Church/

http://prayershack.freeservers.com/links.html

     

Again, pray that the resources are a blessing, Brah……and that in all things, we’d be DILLIGENT STUDENTS OF THE WORD AND GIVE A FAIR HEARING ON ALL SIDES before making any decisions. If Paul stayed on the backside of a desert before coming out into ministry, hey….so can we (Lol). And heck, even when it came to church leadership, it wasn’t just something folks DISCUSSED. One fellowship had literally a time of PRAYER AND MUCH FASTING (which would probably be something good to study since there seems to be so many CRUCIAL DECISIONS that we’re all having to make lately) for a good while before choosing anyone to lead:

http://executableoutlines.com/fa/fa_so.pdf

http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/fa.htm

http://www.google.com/cse?cx=008993941041993740965%3A_jtvqhldgsq&q=Fasting

Acts 13

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

 1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 14:21-24 

The Return to Antioch in Syria

 21They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders^[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,

      Though I value your friendship, I also covet your prayers as well…….because Honestly, on many things I honesty don’t know what to believe anymore…..but amazingly, though I used to be so fearful of that and in a rush to get a solution, I’m cool with it now……..keeps me from keeping God in a BOX/being in control…..and there’s wisdom in having that sense of hesitation on all sides if one isn’t absolutely sure they’ve done their homework first, or hasn’t prayed on how to go about doing things the best way that would be beneficial for ALL!!!

In all honesty, there’s a aspect of truth that all people have on something….but only when we discuss an issue fully /objectively can we have COMPLETE TRUTH, UNDERSTANDING, and a BALANCED PERSPECTIVE on ANY TOPIC…..

 Proverbs 16:11

 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Proverbs 11:1
The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.

Proverbs 20:23
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

Proverbs 18:13

13 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
Proverbs 18:15

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;
the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:17

17 The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.

      To be zealous alone in our beliefs and yet have no desire for understanding’s and seeking to be certain we understand what we’re getting ourselves into and whether or not we’re fully accurate is a dangerous thing. Just like the Word says,
Proverbs 19:2

2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.

And even with all the frustrations I’ve been having of late, can’t help but be reminded of this:

James 1:18-24

Listening and Doing

 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

TO WHAT END? Questions/thoughts on Situational Ethics

NOTE: It would behoove the reader to realize that you probably should be a TREKIE of some sort before procedding further. If you are, hopefully you’ll enjoy and get a laugh ……and if not, oh well

CURIOUS…….

Has anyone ever seen the series “STARTREK DEEP SPACE 9″?

If anyone’s a fan of the show (as I am), there was one EPISODE entitled “In the Pale MOONLIGHT” that was highyly enjoyable……(http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/In_the_Pale_Moonlight , http://www.startrek.com/startrek/vie…ode/72359.html , which are simply links for reference to what I’m talking about and give a better summary on the subject…..and prayerfully I’m staying within the rule system with the links. If not, someone, please let me know!!!)

Regarding the episode, It deals with Captin Sisko’s struggles during the DOMINION War…. Going over casualty lists, Sisko realizes there is only one hope of winning the war and saving millions of lives in IMMEDIATE danger — the Romulans, who signed a non-aggression pact with the Dominion— must be convinced to join the Federation/Klingon Alliance. Sure that the Dominion will eventually invade Romulus anyway, Sisko recruits Garak to discreetly obtain evidence from Cardassia that will bring the Romulans into the war.

Sisko soon learns that several Cardassians expressed a willingness to help Garak, but all were killed within one day of speaking with him. Undaunted, Garak suggests that he and Sisko manufacture false evidence (lying/deception) of an impending Dominion attack on Romulus, then call a secret meeting with a Romulan senator scheduled to be in the sector and present it to him.

Frustration with the war convinces Sisko to agree, and when Garak recruits a condemned prisoner named Tolar to create the crucial evidence, the scheme begins.

Throughout the episiode, as the scheme unfolds, he eventually gets to the point where he begins to compromise and up willing to do things he never thought he do/considered immoral (i.e. lie/cheat and bribe, trick others into fighting for him, risking their lives and even becoming an accessory to murder regarding those who won’t cooperate in helping save the lives of millions in War)….and though Sisko is upset to have lied and cheated…..all at the cost of his self-respect, with a possible victory finally in sight, he decides it’s a feeling with which he can live. Talk about Situational Ethics in action…..

I’d love to hear feedback……. but before responding, would everyone please check out the link first (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4u6BTMTA6s ) and then let me know what you think?

 That way, everyone would have a least a mental picture of what the situation is that Sisko was facing.

I pray no one immediately dismisses this posting……..for Yes, the post may seem silly!!!! (and I happen to be in the mode for craving silly discussions lately), but I sincerly think it may have some fun/intriguing things to add to the discussions here on the forum…….because when it comes to the BOTTOM LINE question regarding how far one should go in the preservation of life, One’s Worldview is KEY!!!!

Whatever are the basic assumptions/teachings or philosophy one adheres to is what will determine the conclusions/actions one will make about an issue. As a wise man once said (Neil ANDERSON), “People won’t always live what they confess, but they’ll always live what they believe”… ……….and I was just curious as to how someone who may be involved in a CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW would’ve handled a situation like that, as compared to one in a secular perspective.

Would they be radically different in their approaches? Would they be the same or would they agree on many points and yet still be distinct? If faced with a strong/difficult ethical dillemna, which one would bear up against the most scrutiny and, in the end, prove valid for ALL situations?

True, situations like the one in the episode may not be something we think on or even face every day. And, when I posed the question to someone else, they said:

Quote:

I fear these mental gymnastics are interesting, entertaining, and challenging. However, they are often far to abstract to have serious application to real world settings that many (if not most) Christians are faced with. It is hard for me to imagine Christians being persecuted under Roman rule gathering around a camp fire in a catacomb (or other historically accurate situation) and doing an in-depth philosophical analysis of their moral choices in exquisite detail. I would suggest that many Christians might talk a good game about their absolute morals while actually living a situational ethics reality…that would be my guess.

Now, as valid as the statement may be, I do think that exercises like this are important…..because the situations like the ones in this DEEP SPACE 9 episode are reflective of MANY situations that do happen today. Situations like:

• Being willing to decieve/lie in the Military/Intelligence Agency in order to protect a country.

• Assinating a individual who may’ve been hindering a plan for a government that could potentially help many

• Being willing to go against one’s morals if it meant saving the lives of many, as it is with many Christians in foreign countries who face persecution and are faced DAILY with ETHICAL DILLEMAS WE IN AMERICA NEVER EVEN THINK OF (SEEING THAT WE’RE NOT FACED WITH THE SITUATIONS……YET), such as denying one’s faith (whether it be by spitting on a BIBLE, going against a command of God like being forced into prostitution/a sexual act if it meant saving the life of a child in IMMEDIATE danger) in God or else watching countless Christian Brothers/sisters die………or being forced to steal/cheat in order to provide for their family members/loved ones, due to the fact that Christians are not protected where they live.

Whatever your thoughts are, I invite you to share your thoughts and question if you were in Captin Sisko ’s shoes and had to wrestle with debating how far you would go to gain help in preventing the IMMEDIATE danger present to millions of lives, even if it meant losing self-respect, tricking others into fighting for you and even doing things you normally would’nt do in normal circumstances that you’d normally consider “Wrong”/”Immoral”, what would be your end decision be?

If the STARTREK clip/example doesn’t help, cool….one can also use similar situations like Rahab’s Lying to protect the spies in immediate danger, David stealing showbread to keep himself alive/others alive, and of course, the infamous Ann Frank scenario (and her lying/deciet to protect innocents) as a basis.

Also, if interested, here are some articles that may tie into the discussion….

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/535 (Specifically, this one deals with the issue of whether Rahab’s lying to protect others was justified or not……

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2643

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2628 (Both of these deal specifically with the issue of SITUATIONAL ETHICS and whether or not it is justifiable in the Word of God)

Hopefully, people will respond……and I pray that they have fun/learn something when they do.!!!Blessings, and Later………

PLAGERISM: Humble Inquiry on whether it can be done with Cults/Unbelievers

PLAGERISM: A Different Spin on the Subject (regarding WOF, Cults, Unbelievers,…) To begin, a reference on the definition of plagiarismQuote:

Plagiarism (from Latin plagiare “to kidnap”) is the practice of claiming, or implying, original authorship or incorporating material from someone else’s written or creative work, in whole or in part, into one’s own without adequate acknowledgement. Unlike cases of forgery, in which the authenticity of the writing, document, or some other kind of object, itself is in question, plagiarism is concerned with the issue of false attribution.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagerism )

Continuing, with that in view……

I was wondering whether or not anyone had any insight on an issue I’ve been struggling with for awhile. If the taking of another’s thoughts as one’s own is ALWAYS wrong and credit/reference is always due, Question: Why would someone who is against anything they consider to be Herectical/”Cultic”/Non-Christian not be willing to reference an idea they may have that another from that particular individual/organization in scrutiny HAD FIRST, even if the resulting idea was indeed Biblical, factual, original and insightful?Moreover, seeing that all TRUTH/WISDOM/KNOWLEDGE Originated in the Mind of God, would it be right of me to ignore a powerful truth someone raised rather than acknowledge whether or not the Bible/Christ is the source behind it and try to attempt to separate the fact from the falsehood?

In case what I’m saying isn’t making sense, The reason I’m asking is because there have been many instances where I’ve seen individuals within Herectical/Cultic groups have made MANY EXCELLENT BIBLICAL POINTS, phrasing them in very well-written style……and yet the information was ENTIRELY DISMISSED without any consideration to the person who made it.

For example, consider the example with WORD OF FAITH, a group that many Christians consider to be herectical in their teaching. If one were to regurgitate the same idea to another without reference to the author, there would seemingly be no problem and many would heartily agree that the point was more than welcomed…..but the moment one says “Oh, that idea was formulated by this individual within WORD OF FAITH (a group that many Christians consider to be herectical in their teaching)….”, or “By the way, the phenomenal idea was made by a Mormon/Jehova’s Witness…”, the idea is often completely dismissed due to possible pre-conceived bias one may or may not have on the source.

Sometimes, a person may even take the thought as his or her own and not even acknowledge that they are NOT the ones who originally thought of the idea, and may claim “I don’t have to give any credit to someone from that organization. They’re already off, so how could they have ever come up with any original/solid truth to begin with?!”

To me, this may possibly be a mishandling of Information and a bit extreme of action. When I consider, for example, the myriad of people throughout history who’ve made many powerful points/ideas, whether they were good or not (from Gandhi to Malcolm X, Napoleon, Caesar, Socrates, and countless others), I’m very hesitant to dismiss them completely in referencing something they’ve thought of that was extremely wise.

For example, I wouldn’t dismiss Thomas Edison because he was a Deist, despite the radical ideas he came up with for our society. Nor would I ignore some of the powerful principles Gandhi stated regarding the resistance of tyranny through mass civil disobediance/total non-violence that momumentally shaped the thinking/success of many in the Civil Rights Movement because he was an unbeliever/A student of Hindu philosophy…… Or any of the wisdom/ways of Socrates, Plato and others of Greek Thinking—many whom we form modern day basis for rational/logical thinking and other things—simply because they were not explicitly BIBLICALLY BASED/GOD-FEARING in their mentalities?

In my view, TRUTH SPOKEN IS TRUTH SPOKEN, though I would never link myself up with any of these men in ministry or seek to condone their actions, contrary to the commands of Scripture:

(Ephesians 5:11-12).

Ephesians 5:10-12

11(B)Do not participate in the unfruitful (C)deeds of (D)darkness, but instead even (E)expose them;
12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

To balance things out,

Romans 16:17-19

17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

2 John 1:7-11

Beware of Antichrist Deceivers

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we[a] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we[b] may receive a full reward.

9 Whoever transgresses[c] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Now, perhaps I’m wrong………but I don’t think that John was implying that a person teaching false doctrine shouldn’t have the things said by them that are factual rejected/un-examined ALONGSIDE all the e other foolishness we should reject outrightly.

From what John seems to be saying, believers were not to show hospitality to false teachers/THEIR FALSE TEACHINGS ……in fact, they were to do nothing that would encourage the herectics in their propagation of falsehoods….and if believers were to invite them in, such action would show that they were approving of what the false teachers said/did.

It’s not that John was saying that we should forbid common courtesy….Rather than condeming hospitality to unbelievers, he again was condeming the ACTIVE TOTAL SUPPORT of those who are dedicated to opposing the true teachings of God, for in choosing not to prohibit action that will encourage the herectics in their work, the church would be undermined in it’s efforts to spread the Gospel….to be hospitable/support a false teacher in any way would be to share int the teacher’s wicked work and not the Work of God!!

Personally, however, I’ve always been of the mindset that if someone is teaching false and true things as well, that it’d best to simply see what things they’re say is Biblical or not, take that which is BIBLICAL and accept it while SIMULTANEOUSLY throwing away the rest of what they have to offer regardless.

For example, if someone like Creflo Dollar said something that was UNBIBLICAL one week but that was actually based in TRUTH the next, I know how confusing it would be for someone not knowing the Word of God fully. They would have questions, as I did, asking “How can the man be wrong if he’s still saying things that are correct?”……and I’ve been there myself plenty of times.

And usually, it was because someone who knew better than to trust him but understood I needed clarity as well went alongside me to exmaine his teachings, compare them to the WORD of God, and show me what was Biblical in his statemenst as well as what was not so I could make a decision for myself. Would they’ve suggested that I go out and buy his books so I could read them for error?

By no means, for in buying the resources of those who promote error, we inadvertly represent/support the things they promote them, just as it is in a court of law when someone is guilty for something but you’re harboring something they used to commit a crime. Doing so implicats us as guilty as well.

However, again, I don’t think this necessarily means one should completely discount/not reference ANYTHING a false teacher or Non-Christian says, for there’s an element of truth in every wrong teaching promoted today and maintaing a “THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER” mentality can be just as dangerous as holding onto ALL a false teacher has to offer.

Moreover, although we’re not to accept the False teachings of individuals as a WHOLE even if they have correct things to say, I think part of being discerning is learning how to recognize truth from error and to think critically, which implies in my opinion listenting/referencing to what a false teacher may say from time to time (at least, from a distance) and later taking it back to the WORD for verification, and by simply being up to date on what he says and knowing how it compared to the counsel of the Lord, it helped me be that much more prepared to know what’s up and warn others about Him (although there are some who may say otherwise, as seen in this article against those with a “eat the meat and swollow the bones” mentality

http://www.seekgod.ca/soundoctrine.htm

MOREOVER, I realize that GOD IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF ALL LIFECHANGING TRUTH……and if someone in a Cultic Group/crew makes a Biblically sound/original statement, I should reference it/ACCEPT it regardless and take it for what it is.

Even Solomon, it seemed, may’ve had this mentality to a degree…..Regarding the book of Proverbs, which contains many practical expressions of general truth rooted in God, there were many points where He did not author information but simply collected/compiled the information for what it was and didn’t hesitate to place the information out before others because the authors may not’ve been explicitly For God (for instance, consider Proverbs 22:17 through Proverb 24:34, in which he collected/shared 77 proverbs, and godly principles most likely spoken by simple wise men)…….and what of the many wise sayings from others besides himself in other instances (Take, for example, the words of Agur, Proverbs 30:1-33, which are a collection of proverbs written by an unknown sage who may not of been explicitly Christian, but was a simple student of wisdom at the time of SOLOMON (I Kings 4:30-31…….Regardless of his possible doctrinal stance, the things he did say that were godly/biblically based were powerful nonetheless……But that’s just me, at the moment

If anyone is interested in sharing their thoughts, I’d love to hear. Again, this is not definite on what I believe. It was simply thoughts I’ve had at the moment and wanted more clarification on……

Looking forward to hearing ya’lls thoughts. Blessings…