Yet Another Delay In Posts

If you have been under a rock and not seen what has happened in the Texas Gulf, Hurricane Ike has become the new Katrina. I am able to say that with absolute confidence in that Ike's force surpassed Katrina's by 10% based on the amount of water that was moved (kinetic energy). So with that said, I will be out of pocket for a few weeks to a month. You can see updates and photos of operations on my other blog http://www.theperpetualchristian.blogspot.com

-blessings

Dismantling The Shack

The first four chapters read more like your typical fictional novel until the end of chapter 4 where it begins to touch upon the charater's past seminary experience which then brings theology (the speaking of God) into the storyline.

"In seminary he had been taught that God had completely stopped any overt communication with moderns, preferring to have them only listen to and follow sacred Scripture, properly interpreted, of course. God's voice had been reduced to paper, and even that paper had to be moderated and deciphered by proper authorities and intellects. It seemed that direct communication with God was something exclusively for the ancients and uncivilized, while educated Westerners' access to God was mediated and controlled by the intelligentsia. Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book. Especially an expensive one bound in leather with gilt edges, or was that guilt edges?" (pp. 65-66)


It is quite tragic that the author, whether intentional or not, would feel that Scripture is a reduction of God's voice and not a manifestation of it. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Additionally, God's Word is His greatest revelation to us in this generation. I am in agreement with the author in that God's Word must be properly interpreted (exegesis, isegesis and hermeneutics). For many have misinterpreted (whether intentional or not) God's Word to either suit a personal agenda or out of ignorance to the cultural backgrounds, context, style and meaning of the original manuscript. God's Word is not exclusive as the author states, rather it is inclusive of ALL that seek Him. The Bible was written at an elemetary grade level so that all could understand. Make no mistake, however. There are many who will not understand Scripture;

But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God's Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated (discerned) spiritually. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

There are many atheists that know Scripture well enough to quote, however until Scripture is put into practice, it was never really learned. An example would be reading a book on how to build a house. I can know the words and teachings of the book from cover to cover, but until I put my hands on a hammer or saw and attempt to build a house, everything I know is hypothetical or assumed. To understand God's Word, one must first know God's Son (John 1:1) otherwise Scripture will be like trying to read stereo instructions in a different language.

We can now see some hints as to the author's (or at least his main character's) beliefs toward Scripture. For us, God's Word is His greatest revelation to the church-age. It is His voice to this generation;

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13).

I will try to have a post ready for next week, however I will probably be re-deployed this week for Hurricane Ike.

grace and peace,

-josh

Break in Weekly Posts

Josh will not be able to post for a while, he has been deployed with Texas Task Force 1 to help with Gustav efforts.

The Shack

By the suggestion of some of you that have left comments, this week I sat down and read William P. Young's The Shack. Let me first say that I am not much of reader when it comes to fiction, but I simply could not put it down. It's quite an easy read, though some portions can be rather deep. Young is a very talented writer that is able to bring you into the storyline by his vivid use of words and description. You will find yourself, at times, frantically turning the pages merely to find out what will happen next.

Let me also give you a stern warning. This book is nothing more than fiction and some of the theology it uses is, as some have already written, heretical. Before even attempting to read this book, you had better know your Bible and know it well otherwise you will face the chance of being deceived into a false and manipulated form of theology. Similar to the da Vinci Code, some have been incredibly mislead into believing a piece of fiction as truth.

"The word theology is derived from two little Greek words. The root “theos” means “God” and the suffix “-ology” comes from the Greek word for “speak.” So when we use the word “theology” we mean “speaking of God” or as has become the more popular definition, “the study of God.” That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Anyone who has thought about God or who has spoken
about God has been engaged in theology. Of course there is good theology and bad theology. Good theology is theology that is consistent with what the Bible teaches us; bad theology is theology that is different from what the Bible teaches or that is even in direct opposition to what the Bible teaches. Though The Shack is not a textbook for theology, and though it may not appear on the outside to be theological, as long as it discusses the nature and the plan of God, it must be so (Tim Challies, A Reader's Review of The Shack, timchallies.com)."

I will give you all an opportunity to read this well-written story this week and then next week we will begin to pick it apart using Scripture as a foundation. I hope you all have the opportunity.

Blessings

The Great Divide

All week long I worked on an argument to support a thesis of one of those biblical 'grey' areas and was fully prepared to share it in its entirety but am now convicted to refrain. My conviction comes from the reasoning of that I can be overly passionate and rather dogmatic when discussing beliefs. This is something that I must work on for it is incredibly easy for me to become a 'theological bully' if you will when it comes to sharing God's Word. Additionally, much can be read in another's words on paper. Something may be construed completely out of context that the author never intended.

Different viewpoints have always and will continue to exist within the church. As Christians, we are called to live in community with other believers to preserve Ephesians 4:3; "diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit that binds us." "No matter the particular issue, all disagreements occur only because one or more parties in the disagreement are at least partially to error. Both you and I can be wrong when we differ over something, but we cannot both be totally right. Not every error is a legitimate cause for division, and differences must be tolerated whenever they do not undermine Christian faith (Tabletalk, Ligonier Ministries, August 4, 2008)."

I will continue to defend God's Word with not only evidence from God's Word, but extra-biblical texts as well. It is my prayer that my passion for God's Word not be misunderstood as anger. Debate, discussion, arguing or whatever else you want to call it helps me (and others) to think and to rethink views that have shaped us throughout our cultural lives. Discussion assists me (and others) to further immerse myself in God's Word to reinforce my position; or to completely change it altogether. I appreciate everyone's comments and I greatly look forward to discussion with everyone. I will not, however allow nonessential truths to break fellowship of the Body of Christ.

in His sovereign and loving grip,
-josh

The Mark of Righteousness

"You cannot always distinguish them by their bark and leaves, nor by the spreading of their boughs, but by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruit is according to the tree. Men may, in their professions, put a force upon their nature, and contradict their inward principles, but the stream and bent of their practices will agree with them. By the fruits of their persons, their words and actions, and the course of their conversation. If you would know whether they be right or not, observe how they live; their works will testify for them or against them (Matthew Henry)."

There are many "good" people in the world that have done many "good" things for their fellow man. However, how good is good enough? How do we measure ourselves to be considered righteous before God; to be warranted passage to eternity with Him? The absolute epitome of leadership was given to us through Jesus' earthly ministry some 2000+ years ago. It was and subsequently is by His example we are to follow.

Father, thank you for the opportunity & desire to not only write these words, but to follow the practices of Your Word. We know that nothing is ever learned until it is put into practice. There are countless individuals in this world that know Your Word better than I, yet their hearts are hardened because they have not put Your principles into practice. It is my desire to honor You with this information that is being shared with the masses. I pray that it is correct in its context and interpretation. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
-Amen

In Matthew 7, verses 15 & 16 tell us that false prophets (Greek-pseudoprophetes) are recognized by their fruit (Greek-karpos; deed, activity; produce of a person) We must learn to recognize the good from the bad-similarly to recognizing ivy from poison ivy. John, in his writings found in 1 John 3 & 4, petition believers to "test the spirits". Those "believers" that produce good fruit are those that embrace and keep His commands; they are those that follow the guidelines set forth in and throughout Scripture without waiver. Please do not misunderstand. There are and will continue to be those that produce the good fruit, according to God, that still sin. This is clearly seen 1 John 3:6 and has been widely debated due to a misunderstanding of the passage's context. As humans, we are going to sin - POINT BLANK! However, this passage refers to believers that do not sin habitually; those where sin is not a way of everyday life. There are people that claim to be Christians whose fruit shows otherwise due to habitual sin without remorse. TEST THEM!

There is a fine line to draw when testing and rebuking an other's walk (or lack thereof). Our reasoning is to be that found within the scriptures, not our own agendas We must do it in love; we must do it in love with a fervent desire to bring them back into the fold of God's people. They will not always listen and may be subsequently excommunicated from the church should proper, biblical discipline be used. This does not mean that the church should just simply write them off. This process is no to shun them. It is to remove a potentially dangerous influence from within the church. As John MacArthur wrote, "regard [them] as an evangelistic prospect rather than as a brother."

Father, again, thank you for Your Son. Thank you for loving us first by the blood of Your Son. Thank you for seeking us out. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be with You in eternity. May these words I write be Yours and Yours alone.
-Amen

So, What's It Gonna Be?

While we are in somewhat of a delay for the lack of posts for the last two weeks (and if you're curious as to why, go to http://createdbycourtney.blogspot.com) what topics would you like to see in the future?

There are many "grey" areas within Scripture so I know you have questions. I'm not saying I have the answers, but I'll do my best.

So, What's It Gonna Be?

-josh