I've recently begun reading Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul by James Porter Moreland. I'm only 50 pages into it, but can tell that it's going to be a scathing attack on all forms of anti-intellectualism that are found within the church.
As a cornerstone verse for this book, Moreland cites Matthew 22:37, which was Jesus' response to the challenge of summarizing the Old Testament. Today's churches are all about the heart, finding meaning in our lives, filling an emotional void and seeking general happiness. These are all good, but the mind is not as exercised as it once was, especially in the church.
How did this happen? Moreland goes into much further detail than I could at this time, but he does stress that the church has lost most of its saltiness. At one time, churches were places of intellect and the arts. Once, the church was very salty, being spread throughout society. But then something happened. The church was separated from science and social matters and became quite marginalized.
As a result, many Christians are afraid to evangelize and look to feelings before facts to base their convictions to others. Fearful of the questions that they don't know how to answer, so many just clam up, avoiding any discussion of religious matters altogether.
I haven't even begun to do the first 50 pages of this book justice here. This is a book that one should read at least twice. One time to read it through and one time taking notes. I have learned a bit about effective debate already, though I wouldn't consider myself well-schooled in this short time! The lesson comes from a conversation between Jesus and some Sadducees.
Matthew 22:23-33 (NKJV)I had wondered before what they were trying to accomplish. At the beginning of this story, it is mentioned that the Sadducees didn't even believe in the resurrection, so why would they use that as part of the setting of their argument? I didn't stop and really think about it, though. As this story is discussed, though, Moreland gives us some indication of what strategy the Sadducees may have had. They thought that Jesus was left with three possible options, all of them unattractive:The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: "Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her."
Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
- Deny the Resurrection.
- Affirm her marriage to all seven brothers at the resurrection, which would grant acceptance to polygamy and adultery.
- Unfairly limit her to being the wife of one brother and not all, which would make the other marriages eternally illegitimate.
- First, He denied the premise of the Sadducees' argument. That is, He denied that there would be marriage after the resurrection.
- He then instructed them, using theology that the Sadducees accepted. There are better verses in the Bible to support His argument, but the Sadducees did not believe in the authority of the profits. He also knew that the very verse that He quoted was a defining verse of the Sadducees. Jesus had taken the time to learn the viewpoints of his opponents, rather than avoid any of their theories to "cloud his mind" as we are so quick to do.
- He used a verse they accepted, partly because it gave them common ground that neither side would argue against. And using this agreed logic, Jesus refuted their argument.
I would love to have the skills needed to effectively discuss religion with someone who asks the "hard questions" or who disputes the truths I believe in. Partly at the suggestion of this book, I plan to start studying apologetics, or the defense of the Christian faith. Becoming more and more familiar with these, I will be more effective in my role online and also during the day-to-day conversations that come up when we least expect them. One site I will use for this study is CARM. If you're interested in losing your timidity around this subject, I encourage you to study apologetics as well!
I have run on beyond the length of writing I usually allow myself, so I'll close with that thought.
Today's reading is found in Isaiah 18-23.
In our reading, we have seen how God's patience with Israel's rebellious nature had come to an end. I wonder if He had been holding out on the judgment of surrounding nations for Israel's sake, much like how He often was kinder to Israel than I feel he should have been for David's sake. I told you from the start that I'm no theologian, and this week, I will definitely prove that point!
Today's reading is found in Isaiah 24-27 and 29.
God wasn't planning to just punish the surrounding nations. He was planning on a punishment that would rock the world due to the immorality of all humans. As this punishment unfolds, the underlying reason is to show the glory of God. He puts the sun and stars to shame with His majesty, and this would be known. There are those out there who worship those cosmic items. There have been almost since the beginning of time! And when the light of our planet's energy source is compared with the one who set it all into motion, all of the cosmos is put to shame! But He is more than just a source of brilliance. He is a mighty warrior that none can resist. He is a refuge for the downtrodden. He is a shelter for the weary. He is the conqueror of death. He has given us victory over the human frailties that separate us from Him.
What are the constellations in the night sky? Pretty star designs. What's the sun? The source of my sunburn! (That reminds me, I gotta get some sunscreen) That also brings up a valid point. In Iowa, I can get a sunburn during the warm months and that's about it. Certain constellations are only visible at certain times or are clear in certain months. That's not very consistent if you ask me. I prefer to base my faith in the unmoving rock of Christ Jesus.
Today's reading is found in Isaiah 30-33.
God is the only helper we need. To look elsewhere is to ignore our first commandment and is also a great way to disregard the greatest assistance that could ever be available to us. To reject this aid is to walk a treacherous path that will lead to a ruin that cannot be escaped. Even as a fool attempts their escape, God is still waiting for His call to assist them. If it doesn't seem that your situation is one that He will want to help you with, or if you feel that it's just too difficult, just remember the story of Jonah. Running from God, then waiting three days in the belly of a great fish wasn't anything for God to fix. All Jonah had to do was ask for a second chance. He wants to be your strength, your deliverer. He does have the right to be your lawgiver and the judge of those laws, for these reasons and more. He created you and me. How could we possibly think our ideas rival His?
Today's reading is found in Isaiah 34-35 and Micah 2-5.
Judgments and deliverance are the topics again today, only this time, it's not so much specific nations being represented, but the world itself. It does say that those ransomed of the lord will return on the Way of Holiness. Note, this passage doesn't say that those who are good enough will return under holy protection. It says those who are ransomed. That can also mean redeemed, or forgiven. God knows the flaws in human character and has already designed a way for us to be ransomed.
This ransom can only be done in blood of an innocent. In the Old Testament times, this meant the blood of a pure animal. Today if is the blood of Christ. All you have to do is accept his gift that is already given to you! If Jesus Christ is the head of your life, nothing can endanger you. If you love evil and hate goodness, God will not even listen to your prayers. Is senseless lust and greed worth that kind of a life? Sins may be fun for a short while, but nothing compares to the joy of living for He that made you. Let Him fill you with the fruits of the spirit and you will never regret that choice.
Today's reading is found in Micah 6-7, 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, 2 Kings 18:13-18, Isaiah 36:1-3, 2 Kings 18:19-37, Isaiah 36:4-22.
Another review here. God asks how he had burdened Israel here and the answer is simple. He redeemed them and fought for them every step of the way. Hey, wait, that isn't a burden! What did he require of them, then? That they act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with Him? That sounds like a sweet deal to me. God is a forgiving God, but he is also a hater of evil and detests lying in all of its forms. Because of the dishonesty and other evils of the Israelites, they were to begin their punishment.
An interesting part of this punishment is the scorn of the nations. Hasn't this problem been around for millennia? It is a part of God's judgment and Man is powerless to affect it in any way. Does this mean that true peace in the Middle East is a powerless idea? Yes. Another note: The land of Israel was promised by God. That land has no place on the bargaining table of human politicians. Thus, all human efforts to achieve a lasting peace will fail.
Back to the topic at hand, though. God has also promised to bring Israel up from her problems and restore her to her glory once their sins have been forgiven. And then the recent prophecies came to pass. Some would say that if the people knew what was expected of them, they could have just done the opposite to disprove these foretold events. That is silly. God doesn't need my help to carry out His will and there is nothing I could do to alter His timeline.
Today's reading is found in 2 Kings 19:1-19, Isaiah 37:1-20, 2 Chronicles 32:9-19, 2 Kings 19:20-37, Isaiah 37:21-38, 2 Chronicles 32:20-23.
Despite the broken faith of Israel, God was still willing to fight for them to protect His holy name and for the sake of David. The Assyrians were taunting Israel, saying that their faith in God was unfounded, just as the faiths of other peoples was shown to be useless from their military exploits. For the sake of God's name and the love He had for David, the Lord saw to it that the violence would not reach His people. That very night, an angel went to the enemy camp and decimated their ranks of fighters. Later, after the king of Assyria had escaped to his own lands, he was cut down by his own sons. God keeps His word even to those who will not.
Today's reading is found in 2 Kings 20:1-11, Isaiah 38:1-8, 2 Chronicles 32:24-31, Isaiah 38:9-22, 2 Kings 20:12-19, Isaiah 39:1-8.
Very seldom do we see anyone request their life be extended, but Hezekiah had done a great job as king of Israel and God decided to grant this wish. Hezekiah was a proud man, though, and did not respond well to this kindness. He was a big enough man to repent of this, though. A king who is just humble enough to repent? Israel hadn't seen that in generations! Neither had God, so when an envoy from Babylon came, the time to test Hezekiah had come.
Hezekiah gave them the grand tour of the wealth of Israel, leaving out no information of her blessings or her military strengths... and weaknesses. Isaiah asked him about this and the king answered truthfully that he had been a fool, although he didn't realize that yet. To drive the point home, Isaiah informed him that the Babylonians would take all of this plunder and some of his descendants. He didn't seem to mind, though, because he didn't think any of this would happen until he had passed on. What a jerk! I can't wait to see how his story ends up!
Weekly LinkIn a time when music serves as a source of conflict in many churches, the goal of the Center is to return peace and power to the Church. Music can do this. When music and the Word of God are combined, a powerful force for good is unleashed. The singing of hymns encourages the best of the Christian faith. In the words of Luther, "The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to mankind to let him know that he should praise God with both word and music." We believe that hymns must remain at the forefront of congregational song. No other musical form can replace the singing of hymns in the church. For only hymns can unite a musical language (harmony, melody and rhythm) of varying styles with a theologically minded text inspired by a strong personal experience. And the singing of a hymn allows the contemporary Christian to sing with the saints through centuries of triumph and tragedy. Thus, by proclaiming God's truth through hymns, the believer enters a unique place. A place where truth and beauty unite to inspire hope and confidence. In singing a hymn, the mind is nourished and the spirit lifted as this thrice holy God becomes the object of worship and adoration. Singing a hymn is not only a great privilege, it is truly a great opportunity! |
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