Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Perceptions

There are few things as entertaining on TV or DVD as what my wife and I witnessed the other night. Tired of all the commercials on regular TV we got out a DVD from our “stash”. The story was about a displaced Canadian Mounty and his wolf that go around Chicago solving crimes. This particular episode featured a pack of dogs the wolf befriended. The show is hardly realistic but it is lighthearted and amusing, but our real entertainment came through the reaction of our eight year old Jack Russell/Poodle, Pippin. From the time the dogs first appeared on the screen, Pippin was in her protective mode. Whenever, the dogs appeared Pippin barked out her warnings for them to stay clear of her territory. She was not about to let them take over our house. When the dogs barked she barked. When the dogs ran out of sight on the screen, Pippin went behind the TV to see where they went. She was sure they had to be somewhere, lurking. Despite my attempts to reassure her, Pippin remained vigilantly on guard until the show was over. To Pippin those images on TV were real. We humans in the room couldn’t stop laughing.


I began to think how this compares to how people perceive reality. Pippin, who has absolutely no concept of electronic gadgets, saw what she interpreted in her doggie brain as real. Nothing on my part would convince her otherwise. Her eyes and ears told her there were dogs coming into the room and that was it. She had no way of knowing that what she saw was not real. Perception is based on interpretation of information gathered through the senses. Pippin’s senses could only give her some of the facts, leading to faulty conclusions. Similarly, we people make conclusions about the world about us. While we make judgments to the best of our ability, relying on our senses and past experiences, what we perceive is not always accurate especially when our perception involves matters of a spiritual nature. Paul called this “seeing through a glass darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12). As Pippin could only see part of the picture, so it is with us as we try to understand the total picture of the world that surrounds us.

Happily God has provided us with His Word to assist us in interpreting true reality. Nothing else can help us interpret what is right and what is wrong. Nothing else can show us what is in actuality true. God’s Word can provide guidance for each step we take, helping us avoid the pitfalls of going in wrong directions. God’s Word validates what is true and right. God’s Word is the basis for strong faith and sound doctrine.

However, there is a growing tendency within Christian circles to interpret the dealings oneself without going first to Scripture. Note the rising popularity of “Christian” self help books that contain wit and wisdom from the secular world, but little Scripture and little, if any, Gospel. Huge ministries have been built, based on warm stories that make people feel good, but intentionally leave out any mention of sin and Jesus’ substitutionary atonement on the Cross (which are seen as divisive). While many may feel encouraged and even strengthened by such as these, without the guidance of God’s Word, they are basing their faith on an inadequate perception of reality that will ultimately fail them. Much hardship and heartache could be avoided if they would validate the truth of what they are being taught rather than deferring to individuals they consider being experts. Scripture needs to be our guide, for it is the only way by which we can validate truth. To think otherwise is to consider Scripture inadequate.

There is another growing tendency in Christian circles that is perhaps more dangerous than the first in that it  has permeated churches that claim to be Bible believing and Bible teaching. This is the tendency to exalt experience over Scripture instead of using Scripture to validate experience. What God has told us in His Word, doesn’t seem to be enough on which to base our faith. Some kind of spectacular experience seems to be required as well. Witness the tremendous popularity of books that emphasize extraordinary experiences in an effort to bolster faith. Apparently, what God has revealed us in Scripture is inadequate. People want to hear from those who have visited heaven. Others have gained comfort from reports of loved ones now deceased but have returned in some way to comfort those that are bereaved. While such stories are said to be Biblical in that they claim not to contradict Scripture, they are in fact extra-biblical giving information that God has not chosen to include in His Word. Consequently believers are asked to accept as truth, things that by nature remain in doubt.

In addition, churches are increasingly made vulnerable to misleading by those who claim to have a prophetic gift. Dreams and visions have replaced prayer and study as the means to add to or interpret  understanding of the Bible. The written Word of God has become secondary to experience and as a consequence such a church becomes vulnerable to strange and even heritical teachings. The practice of making sure that everything taught within a church must line up entirely with Scripture must never be abandoned. Experiences that add to what God has revealed in His Word should never be placed on an equal basis with Scripture.

We need to get back to seeing God’s Word as the sole authority for faith and practice. We need to study and cherish it. We need use it as a lens to interpret and validate experience, not the other way around. Only through God’s Word will we know truth. Anything that does not line up with God’s Word is false. God’s Word must come first if we are going to avoid making false conclusions and avoid being to be like Pippin, chasing things that aren't there.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Apologies

A well-known conservative radio commentator makes unwise, unthinking, insulting crude remarks, and while facing repercussions, he apologizes. While, he still strongly disagrees with the person who was the brunt of his comments, he is sorry if he hurt her. This has prompted one commentator from the left to make apologies for comments he have made as well. However, he is quick to point out that his comments were not as bad as those by the person referred to above. It is interesting how seldom we hear  apologies like these. The person is sorry, but...Why is there always the need for qualiffication. Wrong is admitted, but intentions were sincere. Apologies such as these leave us with the feeling nothing has changed. The offender has been caught at some discretion, is open to consequences, and is sorry, but the sorrow expressed does not indicate any significant promise for modification of behavior.

Similarly, the radio preacher who predicted the end of the world has gone public with his apology. He now sees it was sinful to make such a prediction. He now agrees with those that quoted the verse in Matthew that states no man knows the time of Christ’s return. He is promising to return to Bible study and to the ministry of preaching the Gospel which appears to be good news to those of us hopeful that this preacher’s radio network will once again support the cause of Christ. However, this man never apologizes for the faulty system of Bible study that led him to his erroneous remarks. He makes no mention of the harm he has done to Bible preaching churches across America by his open condemnation of them, nor does he mention  that he has reduced the Gospel of Christ that invites whosoever will to come to a “hope so” religion. Has anything really changed?

The Bible talks about the need for genuine repentance. It was the essential part of John the Baptist’s teaching and was proclaimed by Jesus Himself, and it is not to be confused with a simple apology that expresses real or feigned sorrow. Biblical repentance does not justify actions and goes beyond sorrow, proving it is genuine by producing change. True repentance is not just saying you are sorry, but that you will hereafter be different. The apologies cited above are strong in the word department but appear to be weak on actions.

The Bible clearly states that all men (and women) are sinners. That is, we are all going after our own ways, instead of seeking God. Romans chapter one describes us as not glorifying God, turning from Him, refusing to give Him the thanks He deserves. The message of the Bible is that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God and this sin brings the just result of death—physical and spiritual. Salvation from the penalty of sin comes only when we turn from our own efforts and accept the provision God has made for us by sending His Son to die on the Cross at Calvary. John chapter one tells us to receive Christ and believe on His Name. Apologizing for sin is not enough. We need to repent. We need to turn from depending on our own heart’s desires and receive the living God into our hearts. We need to change. This is possible only by the grace of God.

It is sad to say, however, the message of repentance is no longer preached by the majority of churches today. To talk about sin and the Cross is not popular to many churches not wanting to appear irrelevant, that leave sin and the Cross out of their teaching. In so doing they are leaving out the one message that can change people’s lives for all eternity. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, includes the fact that we are sinners in need of a Savior Who died on the Cross for us, and that receiving--believing in Him brings eternal life. The Gospel is nothing to be ashamed of. It needs no apology.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Beginning Of Winter

I don’t know about most people, but I don’t need  a calendar to tell me when winter begins but rather the first significant snow. Accordingly, winter has finally begun for us in these mountains with a six inch snow fall on March the first. I want to say something clever about the ground hog being wrong this year(he supposedly predicted six more weeks of winter), but I'm not sure how to interpret things. While today’s storm certainly fits into the framework of the prediction of more winter, but can one say we’re having more winter when we essentially haven’t had any yet. But as for today, I suppose the ski slopes are happy—if they are still open. Yes, winter finally came. Skimobiles were out in force as if to make up for lost time. Snow ball fights are breaking out. It is a virtual winter wonderland outside. Now I’m ready for spring.

It is interesting how events affect different people in the same area. Truthfully, I haven’t missed the shoveling of, and the driving in, the frozen precipitation. But many people in our area are dependent on snow for their living. The area ski slopes have been having nothing resembling a banner year to say the least. Snow plowing businesses are also suffering. The local skimobile shop appears to have a surplus of machines on hand. I’ve heard that retail stores cannot move their inventory of snow blowers. Anyone want to buy a snow shovel, cheap? It’s hardly been used.

I’ve lived long enough in these mountains to know, however, how things can quickly change.Last year we had record snows. This year our first significant winter snow has come in March (the one in October doesn’t count). Next year, who knows? Maybe I should search out bargains on snow blowers. I might get a good deal. Besides, this winter is not over yet (according to the calendar). These mountains commonly have had snow storms well into April. One year we had snow on Memorial Day--ten inches. I even remember flurries on a Fourth of July (It’s amazing how the older I get I remember things others don’t seem to recall).

But whatever happens, it is clear that it is not in anyone’s control. I can hope for an early spring. Others may want more snow. Whatever happens, not everyone will be pleased.The lack of snow has benefitted some while hurting others. At any rate, the forecast is for 50 degree weather by the weekend. The snow we have will probably not be around long which pleases those like me, but not those who need the snow. However, neither my wishing, nor anything else I can do, will change what will happen. And so it is with so many things in our lives. Such events are beyond our control.

It is comforting, however, to know that there is One for Whom nothing is out of control. Those of us who are in Christ have a heavenly Father, Who is never taken by surprise. All natural events occur according to His will (not global warming). Nothing takes Him by surprise. I can try to anticipate, plan and even worry, but only God knows what will happen. How blessed it is to trust in the One Who knows what tomorrow will bring because He is already there.

This has been a year for me to learn to trust our heavenly Father. But how can one trust Him unless he first knows Him? The first step in trusting is in accepting what He has done for us on the Cross. It all comes down to this Truth: Jesus died for our sins so that whosoever receives His provision for sin will have forgiveness and a relationship with the One Who created all that there is to see. While most things are out of our control, it is so wonderful that we can trust the One Who is in control.