Stupidity in the Information Age

I marvel at the gross stupidity of my people in an age where so many of us have information available at our finger tips.  When I say 'my people', I mean that in the biblical sense.  As a son of God in Christ, all people are my people until the day when the LORD of the Harvest will separate the wheat and tares.

I've blogged elsewhere about Kersey Graves' book, "The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors". I've been reading the book, but I've not gotten very far through it, because I've got several fires burning at once. I also constructed a mind-map for an outline to use as an exploration tool as I keep notes.  I can read Graves' book on the Internet and check his information as I go along. This is great!

So I start my research in earnest by trying to dig up information on 'Hindoo Sakia", one of the savior that Graves cites in the book as being a forerunner  of Christ. I put 'Hindoo Sakia" into a Wikipedia and I draw a blank. I turn to Google for a search on the same name, and I get several web hits that cite Graves' list of phony saviors verbatim. But I don't find any solid information on 'Hindoo Sakia'.

The astonishing thing about this is that I find basically two groups of people quoting Graves' list, atheists and pagans. It's no secret that atheists and pagans regard Christians as stupid. It is amazing to me that people who claim that logic and knowledge trump faith and 'superstition' are so quick to lean on something that they're too lazy to hold up to light.  But that is what they do, friends.

I would think, after all, that those who claim to have a superior intellect would have made my job easier! They only make it harder, because I can waste hours going down blind alleys looking for solid information. Regurgitated lists don't help at all!

Now having said all of that, I'd much rather be researching my way through Higgins' book, "Anacalypsis". Debunking Graves' book is already like shooting fish in a barrel, though I still have much to do in that endeavor.

Please take a look at my results so far.

Mind-mapping

I've recently become aware of free mind-mapping software. I've wanted to find something like this for laying out complex relationships. I have been working on mind-maps for my research on heresy and other topics in apologetics. I am still exploring the present capability of this software.

If you could use some good free bible software, then you should take a look at e-Sword.

The Work of God - part 2

I've struggled with discouragement as I contemplate Christian work.  It was through that struggle that I came to gain a better perspective on how the work of the Church relates to God's Work. I am beginning to learn what my ongoing place in the work might to be.

Not many weeks ago, I finished a 7-year Bible study program.  I served the last three of those seven years in their children's ministry. The study is rather demanding and serving in the children's program made it harder. It's not US Marine Corps boot camp by any means, but I wouldn't be surprised if they borrowed a few things from the Marines in setting things up. The organization that runs the ministry is has weekly classes across the US and in several foreign countries.  Their's is a very rigid program which some have compared to a seminary level Bible study.  I am reluctant to mention the name of the organization here, because I don't want to hinder the work.  Despite whatever criticism I have against their rules and methods, I am convinced that God is working through that ministry to bring people closer to Him. He did that for me, and I pray He'll do it for others as well.

Well, I finished that study feeling broken and worn out. I was stricken with debilitating lower back pain for a few weeks after we finished our last class for the 2006-2007 program.  I had been ignoring back pain for weeks, getting by with over-the-counter pain remedies. But the intensity of the pain rendered those remedies useless.  Within a couple of days after that last Bible study class, I was struggling to walk. I found relief in sitting and lying down, but getting in and out of a chair or bed was a major challenge. 

I was also engaged in a mental struggle over the circumstances that had brought me to that condition. My opinion at the time was that the the rigidity and rules of the organization were more that one ought to bear or tolerate.  I worked with a partner in teaching a class of 8-9 year-old children.  In accordance with the rules of the organization, we each had specific responsibilities which rotated each week.   We had to attend a worker's meeting at 5:30 AM  on the Saturday before each weekly evening class. If either of us missed the Saturday meeting then that person could not teach the following class.  That also meant that the burden fell on the other man to teach the whole class.  The one who missed the Saturday meeting could be there, but trust me when I say that it would probably be better for everyone if he were not there at all during the class.  So it was do or die just to be there for the meetings.  I could go on about more specifics, friends, but I think that should suffice in the way of details.  It seemed like legalism was a big part of the work in that organization.

 To be continued in part 3.

Where is Jesus?

First things first.  I've turned off comments on this blog.  People are going to hate that.  We've lionized 'debate' in our American culture.  People piously talk about debate as if all views ought to be heard.  Debate is fine, but God's way of debate is dictatorial.  That's right, God is a dictator! When your read about the prayer of the Church in Jerusalem in Acts 4:24, we find them saying "Lord, thou art God". The word Lord given to us in the Greek manuscript is 'despotes'.  He's a despot! God is holy and sovereign. A man who is a dictator can't be trusted, but a holy God who delights in saving men by grace can be trusted.  Put your trust in Him, and you'll find out that He can be trusted. God says to a disobedient and proud nation, "Come now, let us reason" (Isaiah 1:18). God speaks to them and tells of blessing for those will to be taught by Him. He speaks of judgement for those who refuse to be still and listen. He mentions forgiveness of sins. Though He says that judgment is something He doesn't enjoy, a strange work, but we're told that He will perform it.

Books could be written on God as a dictator, but I'd better move on.  Those who will look for the word 'despotes' relating God, using a concordance with dictionary, in the Holy Bible will be blessed.

I will agree that truth ought to always hold up under scrutiny, but we have an Adversary who loves debate.  It's very difficult to debate theology without being tempted to go too far.  Serious debate will always bring temptation with it.  I find, in the heat of an argument, that I'm sorely tempted to take things too far and respond in some fleshly way. God is not going to use the Flesh, friends. He'll use clay, but He won't use flesh.

Don't get me started on comment spam. It's evil.  So comments are out.

Some folks are going to wonder where Jesus is in all of the discussion here.  The reader can hopefully see that I'm writing on topics that involve a Christian world view.  But some will think that a web log with the name 'Jesus Only' shouldn't deal with everything under the sun.  Well, there isn't anything under the sun that God is not prepared to deal with.  All things work for the good of us who love God, and are the called according to His purpose. 

I intend to mark out subjects that the Church should deal with while we're in this world.  We ought to be able to defend the truth.  We've allowed ourselves to become weak when it comes to engaging the enemies of our faith.  God didn't tell the children of Israel to stay on the other side of the Jordan and organize car washes, dinners, and rallies.  He told them to go in to the promised land and engage the enemy. 

And let's be clear about who the enemy is; the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. It's not people.  Our enemies are the rulers of darkness in this world and spiritual wickedness in high places.

If the Church is going to take a stand in this world, then we need to prepare.  We must deal with sin in our lives, because it is poisonous.  We need to take a good look at what we're doing.  If something we've been doing hasn't born fruit in due season, then we need to examine it.  That may mean refocusing our efforts.  Jesus said that those who hear the Word and will let it take root, they are going to bear much fruit for His Kingdom.

For those of you who don't know where Jesus is, He is at the right hand of His Father in Heaven interceding for His Church.

My people perish for lack of knowledge. (A Letter to an American Family)

Dear Family,

I just came back from visiting you in another State. I was encouraged by the opportunities I was given to witness and minister, but I am discouraged by the sad condition of my people.

I saw you living in conflict, each one fighting to be the one in charge. The youngest son, 9 years-old, has learned how to set traps for his parents. He's learned how to divide his mother and father against one another. Momma and Poppa don't need any help with that. They're divided already. The wife has put the children first in her household. Father is assumed to be under suspicion, but the children are assumed to be blameless. The older son, 15 years-old, wasn't raised any better. He is liable to sit by and watch Dad be condemned by Mom and little brother for committing made-up crimes. Big brother might have first hand knowledge of Dad's innocence in the matter at hand, but it might be to his strategic advantage to keep silent. Though I have not seen big brother do that, I know that he used to practice the same manipulation as little brother. I was once a victim of big brother's schemes. I saw a train wreck of a family, and it breaks my heart.

I'm pretty sure that each one of you; Mom, Dad, and the two boys consider yourselves to be Christian. But you treat each other much too often like you don't know Christ at all. You act like you are ashamed of the Gospel. You've clearly bought into the notion that the Bible is a book of old stories that has no relevance to your lives. Yet you feed on practically all of the pig slop that this American culture serves up. Your hearts and minds are far from God, as demonstrated by your interactions with each other. If only you knew what Christ said the about the human heart and hypocrisy!

If only Mom and Dad knew what God says about marriage, family life, and how to raise up children. But you don't want to hear about it, because you think you're good people. Never mind the fact that you treat each other with contempt. Each one is convinced in his or her own mind that the other one is the problem. You are smart, but it would be better for you if you were humble.

If you truly knew Jesus Christ, then you would be concerned about sin, righteousness, and judgment. You should be alarmed that the fruit of the Spirit is absent in your dealings with one another. You'd practice forgiveness and restoration instead of vengeance and division. Christians would bless and encourage one another, not curse and lash out at spouse or child. Only God knows if you truly believe. Your actions indicate that you have little love for one another, which is a sign of unbelief.

I love you dearly, but who else is going to speak the truth to you? I don't know. I'd rather be an outcast and lose the relationship I have with you, than to say nothing and see you continue on this way.

Dad, Mom, and boys...you ought to be concerned about your relationship with God. Christians are supposed to act like God's people. He doesn't save you, because you're good. He offers you salvation in Christ, because you're a dirty rotten sinner and you're condemned. He saves you, because you can't save yourself. He says that a believer is going to demonstrate their faith in action. He says that the world will know that you belong to Him, because you'll have love for one another. If you believe, then you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you to accomplish these things in your lives.  Where is the Spirit in your lives? What will He say about your heart when you stand before Him?

You know that God sees into your heart, don't you? You should know that, because the Bible tells us so. (See the later part of John chapter 2 for one of many places where that is given). Have you thought about what Christ would say about contents of your heart? He says that what you say and do comes from your heart. He says that you lie when you say you are His, but then you turn around and act like a child of the Satan.

What is the sum total of your Christian life? The answer to that is an indication of whether you are a believer or a make-believer. Do you know what else He says about one who says they believe and yet acts like a devil? He says that you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven for others by making a mockery of the Gospel. You may not care about your eternal soul, but what about the others?

I write these things knowing that others will gladly contradict them. You'll have no trouble finding someone who will tell you that the Bible doesn't really mean what it says. You can find pastors and priests who will tell you what you'd rather hear. After all, how do you think we've come to this sad condition as a people?

Have you noticed any positive change in me since I became a Christian ten years ago?  Have I been a blessing to you?  If there is anything good in me, then it is by the grace of God and His work in me through the Holy Spirit.  God will do the same for you if you turn to Him.  The kindness of God is meant to turn you to repentance.  Why don't you ask Him to teach you to bless each other?  Ask in honest faith and it shall be given unto you.

I run the risk of becoming a laughingstock and a stranger to you because I'm concerned for you. I'd rather be outcast than see you continue to reap judgment.  God will restore honor to your house through you, if you will only submit to Him.

Love,
REB

PS: I haven't actually sent this letter to you, my family. You won't understand, because you're in darkness.  I just hope and pray God will continue to give me opportunities to speak the words of life to you so that you might hear and believe.