Confessions
St. Augustine
Ch. 1
In order to fully embrace Christ Augustine's heart, "had to be purged of the old leaven".
Something held Augustine back. That something was temporal (the idea of marriage) and it left him at unease.
Ch. 2
Augustine visits Simplicianus, the mentor of Ambrose.
Simplicianus thanks God that Augustine had received philosophical instruction from the Platonists and not other philosophers. The Platonists' teachings lead to the path that leads to God.
Simplicianus relates the conversion of the Roman philosopher, Victorinus. This conversion had a powerful impact on Augustine.
Ch. 3
The Lord rejoices more in the repentance of the one than in the just of the ninety-nine who do not need repentance.
"The greater the peril of the battle, the more joy of the triumph".
Ch. 4
"For when many rejoice together the joy of each one is fuller, in that they warm one another, catch fire from each other; moreover, those who are well-known influence many toward salvation and take the lead with many to follow them".
Ch. 5
Victorinus gave up teaching when Emperor Julian made it illegal for Christians to teach literature or rhetoric. Augustine claimed that Victorinus was not so much brave in this act as he now had a reason for giving his full time to God.
"For out of the perverse will came lust, and the service of lust ended in habit, and habit, not resisted became necessity"
Habit became Augustine's enemy: "because I had willingly come to be what I unwillingly found myself to be"
"The law of sins is the tyranny of habit, by which the mind is drawn and held, even against its will"
Ch. 6
Augustine meets Ponticianus, who relates to him the life of St. Anthony and introduces Augustine to Monastic Christianity.
Ch. 7
The search for God and truth is worth more than all the kingdoms of this world.
Augustine still struggled to convert wholly for both love of earthly pleasures (though he knew by now that they eternal ones were far superior) and because he was fighting against habit.
Ch. 8
Augustine became frustrated that even through 10 years of striving he had not achieved the peace that less educated men and women had attained by following Christ.
The distance to God is not great. It is at hand. One only needs the will to go and be unwavering in that will.
Ch. 9
Augustine had two will fighting in him and could not fully commit because of it.
Ch. 10
Two wills does not mean a good will and an evil will. That is a false, Manichean doctrine.
When the goods of heaven attract man from above and the earthly goods pull from below then the man without a single will, will find himself in torment of the soul. His will is partial and incomplete and moved only by custom or habit.
Ch. 11
"I hesitated to die to death and live to life. And the worse way, to which I was habituated, was stronger in me than the better, which I had not tried.
Ch. 12
In his deepest sorrow Augustine read Romans 13:13. Alypius was with him and read further on through Romans 14:1. Both were converted fully in that moment and went and told Monica. She rejoiced in God's answering her prayers for Augustine's salvation
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans. Show all posts
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Jesus' teachings as political policy
"The second thing to get clear is that Christianity has not, and does not profess to have, a detailed political programme for applying 'Do as you would be done by' to a particular society at a particular moment. It could not have. It is meant for all men at all times and the particular programme which suited one place or time would not suit another. And, anyhow, that is not how Christianity works. When it tells you to feed the hungry it does not give you lessons in cookery. When it tells you to read the Scriptures it does not give you lessons in Hebrew and Greek, or even in English grammar. It was never intended to replace or supersede the ordinary human arts and science: it is rather a director which will set them all to the right jobs, and a source of energy which will give them all new life, if only they will put themselves at its disposal" (Lewis, Mere Christianity).
I think in the course of this blog it is becoming clear that I am somewhat disgusted by the politicization of Christianity in the current state of affairs in the US. We have a leader, who uses Christianity as a way of garnering votes and favor. That is nothing new or even worse than others have done in the past. His reading of Two Corinthians only showed that he is less comfortable with using the language of Christians to win political favor with them than past politicians. What is worse and a more dangerous situation are the Christian politicization of their faiths. When you try to shoehorn your faith to fit in a box, be it socialism, liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, etc., you are trying to put in a relationship with the infinite into a finite container. It's just not going to work. You're going to have to peel off a bit here, trim off a bit there to make it work. It isn't even like putting a square peg into a round hole - it's like trying to put the thing with the holes into the square peg. It just doesn't work and the results are divisive inside the Church.
The divisiveness in American politics has seeped into the American conscious so ravenously we can't have polite conversations about anything meaningful. That's sad. It's bad for the country as a whole because it's going to stagnate the country and most of its population. Divisiveness in the Church is far worse. It's going directly against Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought"
Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another"
Galatians 5:26 "Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another"
I'm not saying that there won't be political disagreements between Christians. There will be because each side has elements that mesh with our Christian faith. Each side has things that are not exactly lined up with Christianity. Furthermore, the art of government has things that must be done that have absolutely nothing to do with our faith in God. Agree with one another on the things of God and the other stuff won't matter. The side that wins in an election should not be boastful. Don't challenge one another on everything. That's the way of the world. We're not supposed to be in the world.
Galatians 5:15 "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other"
We are going to destroy one another in the Church if we get to wrapped up in politics. People living in a modern state are going to have disagreements on what that Modern State should look like. The Modern State is pretty damn complex with thousands upon thousands of issues that could and are debated. But, if we as Christians keep on biting at each other, we're going to destroy ourselves. If we bicker like non-Christians do among ourselves then we are being controlled by the sin nature; we are living just like the people of the world (One Corinthians 3:3). If we can't come to an agreement on everything in the political realm that's ok, so long as we come to live in harmony with one another and agree on the salvation through Christ Jesus. If we can't speak about politics in a peaceful and harmonious way with one another then we ought to just cut political discussions out of the Church. Let's listen to the Proverbs.
Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out"
I think in the course of this blog it is becoming clear that I am somewhat disgusted by the politicization of Christianity in the current state of affairs in the US. We have a leader, who uses Christianity as a way of garnering votes and favor. That is nothing new or even worse than others have done in the past. His reading of Two Corinthians only showed that he is less comfortable with using the language of Christians to win political favor with them than past politicians. What is worse and a more dangerous situation are the Christian politicization of their faiths. When you try to shoehorn your faith to fit in a box, be it socialism, liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, etc., you are trying to put in a relationship with the infinite into a finite container. It's just not going to work. You're going to have to peel off a bit here, trim off a bit there to make it work. It isn't even like putting a square peg into a round hole - it's like trying to put the thing with the holes into the square peg. It just doesn't work and the results are divisive inside the Church.
The divisiveness in American politics has seeped into the American conscious so ravenously we can't have polite conversations about anything meaningful. That's sad. It's bad for the country as a whole because it's going to stagnate the country and most of its population. Divisiveness in the Church is far worse. It's going directly against Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought"
Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another"
Galatians 5:26 "Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another"
I'm not saying that there won't be political disagreements between Christians. There will be because each side has elements that mesh with our Christian faith. Each side has things that are not exactly lined up with Christianity. Furthermore, the art of government has things that must be done that have absolutely nothing to do with our faith in God. Agree with one another on the things of God and the other stuff won't matter. The side that wins in an election should not be boastful. Don't challenge one another on everything. That's the way of the world. We're not supposed to be in the world.
Galatians 5:15 "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other"
We are going to destroy one another in the Church if we get to wrapped up in politics. People living in a modern state are going to have disagreements on what that Modern State should look like. The Modern State is pretty damn complex with thousands upon thousands of issues that could and are debated. But, if we as Christians keep on biting at each other, we're going to destroy ourselves. If we bicker like non-Christians do among ourselves then we are being controlled by the sin nature; we are living just like the people of the world (One Corinthians 3:3). If we can't come to an agreement on everything in the political realm that's ok, so long as we come to live in harmony with one another and agree on the salvation through Christ Jesus. If we can't speak about politics in a peaceful and harmonious way with one another then we ought to just cut political discussions out of the Church. Let's listen to the Proverbs.
Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out"
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Weak Faith
The prayer at the bottom of the Alcoholics Anonymous schedule reads "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference". I'll be going to my first meeting tonight and I'm not incredibly thrilled by it. It's necessary because something has to change, but I'll be honest I don't want to give up alcohol indefinitely. That is an admission of failure. I'm unable to control an aspect of myself and I don't like that. But, I'll go into it with an open mind and a hope that I can conquer this regrettable character flaw that is wreaking such havoc in my life. But, I do think about Augustine's rather funny and all too serious prayer: "God grant me chastity, but not yet". I pray for sobriety, but not for a lifetime of abstinence. I want to have a glass of wine, or a beer later on in life. I have to put on complete abstinence for a good long while, but when I travel to France or Italy I'd like to taste wines.
I looked for the Scripture about weak and strong faith to sort of bolster my hope that through a stronger faith I could once again get to the point where I can enjoy alcohol, albeit responsibly. I'm not sure what I've found from it.
"One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables." (Romans 14:2). This gives me the hope that when my faith is stronger I can enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer. Obviously, I can't have the benders that I've been prone to, but enjoyed responsibly I can do it. Because like Paul states later "I am convinced, being persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself" (Romans 14:14). I don't have the conviction that alcohol is bad or wrong per se, only that I haven't mastered it.
But, while hopeful as this is, later Paul states "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). It stings because I know there is a part of me that wishes to conquer this addiction to or proclivity toward excess so that I can enjoy the matters of eating and drinking. Rather than this be my focus I should instead focus on the kingdom of God, which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer Lord, that I would focus not on the kingdom of this world, but the kingdom of God. But I do pray a reversed version of Augustine's silly but serious prayer, God grant me sobriety, but not abstinence. I do humbly petition this.
I looked for the Scripture about weak and strong faith to sort of bolster my hope that through a stronger faith I could once again get to the point where I can enjoy alcohol, albeit responsibly. I'm not sure what I've found from it.
"One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables." (Romans 14:2). This gives me the hope that when my faith is stronger I can enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer. Obviously, I can't have the benders that I've been prone to, but enjoyed responsibly I can do it. Because like Paul states later "I am convinced, being persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself" (Romans 14:14). I don't have the conviction that alcohol is bad or wrong per se, only that I haven't mastered it.
But, while hopeful as this is, later Paul states "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). It stings because I know there is a part of me that wishes to conquer this addiction to or proclivity toward excess so that I can enjoy the matters of eating and drinking. Rather than this be my focus I should instead focus on the kingdom of God, which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. That is my prayer Lord, that I would focus not on the kingdom of this world, but the kingdom of God. But I do pray a reversed version of Augustine's silly but serious prayer, God grant me sobriety, but not abstinence. I do humbly petition this.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Who is saved
(Originally written May 1, 2007 in Book 15)
Class Notes
John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father but by me
Acts 4:12 - There is no other name
I Timothy - One God, One Mediator - The Man Jesus
"If you believe then you will be saved"
does not mean
"If you don't believe, then you will not be saved".
"You will be saved if and only if you believe"
means also
"Since you believe you will be saved"
Romans 10
Old Testament
Who is definitely saved?
- The ones who are in covenant with God
- The sacrifices implicitly direct them to Christ
- Job, Melchizedek, Rahab (worshippers of the true God outside of the covenant), Ruth
Who is definitely not saved?
- Idolaters
Class Notes
John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father but by me
Acts 4:12 - There is no other name
I Timothy - One God, One Mediator - The Man Jesus
"If you believe then you will be saved"
does not mean
"If you don't believe, then you will not be saved".
"You will be saved if and only if you believe"
means also
"Since you believe you will be saved"
Romans 10
Old Testament
Who is definitely saved?
- The ones who are in covenant with God
- The sacrifices implicitly direct them to Christ
- Job, Melchizedek, Rahab (worshippers of the true God outside of the covenant), Ruth
Who is definitely not saved?
- Idolaters
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Class Notes on Pluralism and Exclusivism
(Originally written April 29, 2007 in Book 15)
Class Notes
Grace & Redemption Debate
Options:
1) Ture Pluralism - DeNoia, Heim
2) Coerced Pluralism - John Hick
3) Bashful Pluralism - William Alston
4) Inclusivism - Karl Rahner
5) Exclusivism
Karl Barth
Two Options
1) Either you accept God as He revealed Himself as Christ
2) Or you do not accept God
All Christians have a belief system based on God. All non-Christians' belief systems are based on self. There is no common ground.
Are those who have never heard the gospel lost?
Before answering this question it must be based completely on Biblical data, not merely philosophical or emotive arguments.
Passages:
John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved".
I Timothy 2:5 - "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Jesus Christ."
Romans 9:1-5 "I speak the truth in Christ - I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to the sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen"
1) Exclusivism because otherwise the anguish would make no sense.
2) Cursed and cut off from Christ makes sense only if it is possible.
Class Notes
Grace & Redemption Debate
Options:
1) Ture Pluralism - DeNoia, Heim
2) Coerced Pluralism - John Hick
3) Bashful Pluralism - William Alston
4) Inclusivism - Karl Rahner
5) Exclusivism
Karl Barth
Two Options
1) Either you accept God as He revealed Himself as Christ
2) Or you do not accept God
All Christians have a belief system based on God. All non-Christians' belief systems are based on self. There is no common ground.
Are those who have never heard the gospel lost?
Before answering this question it must be based completely on Biblical data, not merely philosophical or emotive arguments.
Passages:
John 14:6 - "Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".
Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved".
I Timothy 2:5 - "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Jesus Christ."
Romans 9:1-5 "I speak the truth in Christ - I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit - I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to the sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen"
1) Exclusivism because otherwise the anguish would make no sense.
2) Cursed and cut off from Christ makes sense only if it is possible.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Original Monotheism and General Revelation
(Originally written April 10, 2007 in Book 15)
Original Monotheism & Revelation
Among believers in these primitive religions the nature of these beliefs were revealed by God in some way.
Original monotheism appears to be the earliest form of religion. Because of this and the vast similarity of beliefs in the earliest cultures there is good reason to hold that these theistic beliefs are in fact based on a form of revelation.
This for of revelation is general revelation, not special revelation.
"The continuity of monotheism is based on an original special revelation and reinforced by general revelation" (42).
Ancient Semitic Monotheism
"El" - Hebrew for God
"Elohim" - Hebrew for the God
"Ilu" - Babylonian for God
"Allah" - Arabic for "God" (whose root is "ilu")
Chinese Monotheism
- Shangdi - God of Heaven
Indo-European
- Dyaus Pitar - Vedic (the Shining Father)
- Zeus Pater - Greek
- Jupiter - Latin
- Tyr/Tius - Norse
The memory of monotheism ("persistence of revelation") is found in the historical roots of the developed religions and non-developed religions.
General Revelation
General Revelation can be found by looking outward into the world or inward by looking introspectively.
General revelation occurs via intuition (experience of immediate awareness).
The fundamental mode for human thinking is intuition, not formal inferences.
The Bible indicates that the world is a source of knowledge about God (Psalms 19:1 & Romans 1:20)
Romans 2:15 also indicates knowledge about God is available introspectively.
General revelation can have a moral aspect and impact.
A fundamental set of right and wrong pervades all human cultures.
There is a wide variation from culture to culture on what is right and wrong, but the value of human life, truth and property is nearly universal.
Wilhelm Schmidt's five concepts of moral value in monotheistic cultures:
1) Peacefulness - weapons are used for animals, not against humans (thus, no shields)
2) Altruism
3) Property Ownership
4) Honesty
5) Sexual Morality - Special emphasis on marital fidelity
Two aspects of General Revelation:
1) Awareness of God
2) Awareness of moral right and wrong.
Original Monotheism & Revelation
Among believers in these primitive religions the nature of these beliefs were revealed by God in some way.
Original monotheism appears to be the earliest form of religion. Because of this and the vast similarity of beliefs in the earliest cultures there is good reason to hold that these theistic beliefs are in fact based on a form of revelation.
This for of revelation is general revelation, not special revelation.
"The continuity of monotheism is based on an original special revelation and reinforced by general revelation" (42).
Ancient Semitic Monotheism
"El" - Hebrew for God
"Elohim" - Hebrew for the God
"Ilu" - Babylonian for God
"Allah" - Arabic for "God" (whose root is "ilu")
Chinese Monotheism
- Shangdi - God of Heaven
Indo-European
- Dyaus Pitar - Vedic (the Shining Father)
- Zeus Pater - Greek
- Jupiter - Latin
- Tyr/Tius - Norse
The memory of monotheism ("persistence of revelation") is found in the historical roots of the developed religions and non-developed religions.
General Revelation
General Revelation can be found by looking outward into the world or inward by looking introspectively.
General revelation occurs via intuition (experience of immediate awareness).
The fundamental mode for human thinking is intuition, not formal inferences.
The Bible indicates that the world is a source of knowledge about God (Psalms 19:1 & Romans 1:20)
Romans 2:15 also indicates knowledge about God is available introspectively.
General revelation can have a moral aspect and impact.
A fundamental set of right and wrong pervades all human cultures.
There is a wide variation from culture to culture on what is right and wrong, but the value of human life, truth and property is nearly universal.
Wilhelm Schmidt's five concepts of moral value in monotheistic cultures:
1) Peacefulness - weapons are used for animals, not against humans (thus, no shields)
2) Altruism
3) Property Ownership
4) Honesty
5) Sexual Morality - Special emphasis on marital fidelity
Two aspects of General Revelation:
1) Awareness of God
2) Awareness of moral right and wrong.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Class notes on Scriptures of Various Religions
(Originally written on February 22, 2007 in Book 14)
Class Notes - Christianity & Religious Pluralism
The "Protestant Fallacy"
The Bible & Other Scriptures
General Revelation --> Natural Theology
(accesible to all human beings)
Romans 1:18-20 - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Special Revelation
- Writings
- Jesus Christ
Protestant Fallacy -- to assume that the scriptures of other religions function in the same way as the Bible in Christianity.
The "protestant view" of Scriptures:
- inspired
- authoritative
- sola scriptura
- sufficient
- only guid to faith and practice
- no deterero - canon
- theoretically, all of what we believe and do so is based on the bible
- all other users (recitation, symbolisms) are secondary
Religion - "Canonical Scriptures" - Duetero-Canonical
Judaism - Tanakh (Law, Prophets, Writings) - Mishnah, Talmud
Islam - Koran - Sunna/Hadith
Zoroastrianism - Avesta - None
Hinduism - Vedas, Brahmanas, Sutras, Upanishads - Ramayana, Mahabharata
Judaism
-Tanak: Torah, Prophets, Writings
-Mishnah & Talmud - interpretations of the Tanak
The Talmud supersedes the Torah in practice
2 basic thoughts in Jewish belief in pre-Christ/time of Christ
1) Shamai - conservative
2) Hillel - liberal
Jesus' run-ins were more often with the Shamai followers.
Rabbi Gamaliel was another important thinker. The Apostle Paul was a follower of Gamaliel.
The Talmud is the combination of two works: the Mishna & the Gemara
Islam
The Qur'an
-Sunna, Hadith
The primary purpose of the Qur'an is to present the presence of Allah and to substantiate Muhammad's claims. To recite it is more important than to understand it.
Zoroastrianism
Avesta - consists of many parts, spanning centuries
Hinduism
Hindu Scriptures A
-Shruti "heard"
- The four Vedas
- Brahmanas
- Sutras
- Law of Manu
- Upanishads
Smriti
- Mahabharata
- Bhagavad Gita
- Ramayana
-Puranas
Class Notes - Christianity & Religious Pluralism
The "Protestant Fallacy"
The Bible & Other Scriptures
General Revelation --> Natural Theology
(accesible to all human beings)
Romans 1:18-20 - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Special Revelation
- Writings
- Jesus Christ
Protestant Fallacy -- to assume that the scriptures of other religions function in the same way as the Bible in Christianity.
The "protestant view" of Scriptures:
- inspired
- authoritative
- sola scriptura
- sufficient
- only guid to faith and practice
- no deterero - canon
- theoretically, all of what we believe and do so is based on the bible
- all other users (recitation, symbolisms) are secondary
Religion - "Canonical Scriptures" - Duetero-Canonical
Judaism - Tanakh (Law, Prophets, Writings) - Mishnah, Talmud
Islam - Koran - Sunna/Hadith
Zoroastrianism - Avesta - None
Hinduism - Vedas, Brahmanas, Sutras, Upanishads - Ramayana, Mahabharata
Judaism
-Tanak: Torah, Prophets, Writings
-Mishnah & Talmud - interpretations of the Tanak
The Talmud supersedes the Torah in practice
2 basic thoughts in Jewish belief in pre-Christ/time of Christ
1) Shamai - conservative
2) Hillel - liberal
Jesus' run-ins were more often with the Shamai followers.
Rabbi Gamaliel was another important thinker. The Apostle Paul was a follower of Gamaliel.
The Talmud is the combination of two works: the Mishna & the Gemara
Islam
The Qur'an
-Sunna, Hadith
The primary purpose of the Qur'an is to present the presence of Allah and to substantiate Muhammad's claims. To recite it is more important than to understand it.
Zoroastrianism
Avesta - consists of many parts, spanning centuries
Hinduism
Hindu Scriptures A
-Shruti "heard"
- The four Vedas
- Brahmanas
- Sutras
- Law of Manu
- Upanishads
Smriti
- Mahabharata
- Bhagavad Gita
- Ramayana
-Puranas
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Mysticism of Paul
(Originally written November 12, 2006 in Book 11)
Chapter 2: Christianity: The Formative Years: The Mysticism of Paul
Paul was a Jew of the Diaspora. He was Hellenized, of a well-to-do family, educated and a Roman citizen.
Paul was extremely proud of his Jewish heritage.
He aimed himself to destroy the heretical Christian movement.
Paul's vision
Paul switched from persecuting Christians to spreading Christianity after a vision.
Christians explain this vision as a direct intervention of God, Freudians explain it as a psychotic man suffering from sexual repression and a father fixation. Epilepsy, fatigue and other mental problems have been labeled as the cause of Paul's transformation.
Paul's transformation, whatever the cause, had a monumental effect on the history o the Western world.
Paul interpreted Jesus' teachings in light of familiarity with Eastern mysticism.
Paul interpreted all of Early Christian teaching in a way that the Roman world could accept. His reinterpretation of it led to a cult to become a world religion.
The Letter to the Romans
Paul made the historical Jesus into a savior god and "built up a mythical setting for this god out of the Jewish legends and stories" (Jones, 41).
All men have inherited sin from the sin of Adam. Because of sin man's doomed, but Jesus was a savior for all.
Paul was ascetic, holding that the functions of the body were low.
Sin in Paul became associated with flesh and much wider than mere incontinence.
Paul adopted a dualism battle between flesh and spirit for his metaphysical base.
He held that the will was divided unless God intervenes to make it a unity.
This dualism was markedly different from Jesus' teachings.
Paul's asceticism was also much more severe than Jesus' mind-set.
Jesus took for granted that man was capable of working at his own problems, whereas Paul held man to be incompetently helpless.
Jesus held salvation to be obtainable by taking care of one's inner life. Paul believed man needed transcendental help.
Paul's dualism was two-fold:
1) Man was body and spirit
2) Jesus was God and Man
Each dualism had a battle between higher and lower principles, the only difference is that Jesus' higher principles was out unaided by God.
Paul placed emphasis on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus more than any other part of Jesus' life.
Jesus' suffering for us became Paul's chance to give all men hope to achieve the higher principle of life.
Like the Mystery cults, Paul emphasized the union of God and men. According to Paul, this happened through the salvation of man through Christ.
The Mystical Union with Christ
Paul's focus on the mystical union with Christ was a radical departure from the old worship of YHWH.
Man becomes identical with Christ according to Paul.
Paul regarded the Law as the way for man to live prior to the coming of Christ.
Paul attacked the Judaizing of Christianity. He focused on the ritual of circumcision.
Despite using Jesus as a freeing from the Law, Paul still maintained religious rules so people did not live life as there were no consequences.
Some followers of Paul abused the freedom from the Law, but Paul corrected them, especially in Galatians.
Paul maintained that those who truly live in spirit will no longer want to do evil deeds.
Paul held love as the ultimate virtue; knowledge, beauty, strength and wisdom are nothing without love.
Love was the source of all other virtues. Paul also added to love the virtues of faith and hope as important virtues.
Paul's mysticism
Paul was eloquent and a phenomenal missionary.
Paul was brought before the Roman leadership in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was then imprisoned in Caesarea, transferred to Rome, had a long imprisonment and was executed in 62 AD.
Pauline Christianity
Paul was a mystic, not a philosopher. Paul's views have however persisted to be a part of philosophy since the Middle Ages.
Paul's unique cultural background is what enabled him to turn Christianity into a world religion.
The synthesis of Paul's views into a systematic view was a difficult task for Paul's followers.
Paul's view of salvation freed contradicting theses in his own works:
1) Salvation is magical (through ritual acts)
2) Salvation is spiritual (through mystic inner changes)
Paul was contradictory in faith and works to salvation.
Paul's doctrine of original sin was almost problematic. How did men inherit the sin of Adam? If man inherited sin how is he responsible for it? Why did God allow Adam to sin? These questions plague theologies still today.
Another major problem for Paul is Jesus is son of God, but monotheism has to be maintained by now.
Chapter 2: Christianity: The Formative Years: The Mysticism of Paul
Paul was a Jew of the Diaspora. He was Hellenized, of a well-to-do family, educated and a Roman citizen.
Paul was extremely proud of his Jewish heritage.
He aimed himself to destroy the heretical Christian movement.
Paul's vision
Paul switched from persecuting Christians to spreading Christianity after a vision.
Christians explain this vision as a direct intervention of God, Freudians explain it as a psychotic man suffering from sexual repression and a father fixation. Epilepsy, fatigue and other mental problems have been labeled as the cause of Paul's transformation.
Paul's transformation, whatever the cause, had a monumental effect on the history o the Western world.
Paul interpreted Jesus' teachings in light of familiarity with Eastern mysticism.
Paul interpreted all of Early Christian teaching in a way that the Roman world could accept. His reinterpretation of it led to a cult to become a world religion.
The Letter to the Romans
Paul made the historical Jesus into a savior god and "built up a mythical setting for this god out of the Jewish legends and stories" (Jones, 41).
All men have inherited sin from the sin of Adam. Because of sin man's doomed, but Jesus was a savior for all.
Paul was ascetic, holding that the functions of the body were low.
Sin in Paul became associated with flesh and much wider than mere incontinence.
Paul adopted a dualism battle between flesh and spirit for his metaphysical base.
He held that the will was divided unless God intervenes to make it a unity.
This dualism was markedly different from Jesus' teachings.
Paul's asceticism was also much more severe than Jesus' mind-set.
Jesus took for granted that man was capable of working at his own problems, whereas Paul held man to be incompetently helpless.
Jesus held salvation to be obtainable by taking care of one's inner life. Paul believed man needed transcendental help.
Paul's dualism was two-fold:
1) Man was body and spirit
2) Jesus was God and Man
Each dualism had a battle between higher and lower principles, the only difference is that Jesus' higher principles was out unaided by God.
Paul placed emphasis on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus more than any other part of Jesus' life.
Jesus' suffering for us became Paul's chance to give all men hope to achieve the higher principle of life.
Like the Mystery cults, Paul emphasized the union of God and men. According to Paul, this happened through the salvation of man through Christ.
The Mystical Union with Christ
Paul's focus on the mystical union with Christ was a radical departure from the old worship of YHWH.
Man becomes identical with Christ according to Paul.
Paul regarded the Law as the way for man to live prior to the coming of Christ.
Paul attacked the Judaizing of Christianity. He focused on the ritual of circumcision.
Despite using Jesus as a freeing from the Law, Paul still maintained religious rules so people did not live life as there were no consequences.
Some followers of Paul abused the freedom from the Law, but Paul corrected them, especially in Galatians.
Paul maintained that those who truly live in spirit will no longer want to do evil deeds.
Paul held love as the ultimate virtue; knowledge, beauty, strength and wisdom are nothing without love.
Love was the source of all other virtues. Paul also added to love the virtues of faith and hope as important virtues.
Paul's mysticism
Paul was eloquent and a phenomenal missionary.
Paul was brought before the Roman leadership in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was then imprisoned in Caesarea, transferred to Rome, had a long imprisonment and was executed in 62 AD.
Pauline Christianity
Paul was a mystic, not a philosopher. Paul's views have however persisted to be a part of philosophy since the Middle Ages.
Paul's unique cultural background is what enabled him to turn Christianity into a world religion.
The synthesis of Paul's views into a systematic view was a difficult task for Paul's followers.
Paul's view of salvation freed contradicting theses in his own works:
1) Salvation is magical (through ritual acts)
2) Salvation is spiritual (through mystic inner changes)
Paul was contradictory in faith and works to salvation.
Paul's doctrine of original sin was almost problematic. How did men inherit the sin of Adam? If man inherited sin how is he responsible for it? Why did God allow Adam to sin? These questions plague theologies still today.
Another major problem for Paul is Jesus is son of God, but monotheism has to be maintained by now.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Romans 1-2
(Originally written July 28, 2006 in Book 7)
Recently I have been paying a lot of attention to philosophy and been completely neglecting any focus on God. I want to be a philosopher so I can reconcile philosophy with faith in God. If I don't pay attention to God I will fail in this quest. I need to spend contemplative time in the Word of God as well as prayer time with Him. I thin a study of the letters of Paul will again inspire me with God's word.
Romans
1:1-6 Paul describes himself as:
1) A slave of Jesus Christ
2) Called to be an apostle
3) set apart for the gospel of God
He describes the Gospel as:
1) Promised through the prophets
2) about Jesus Christ
He describes Jesus Christ as:
1) The son
2) Humanly descendant of David
3) Holy in spirit
4) declared with the power to be the son of God
5) resurrected from the dead
He offers the resurrection as proof for him being the son of God.
The charge of Paul's apostleship is to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith
The Romans are included in those who Paul is charged to call to obedience.
1:7 - Paul's greeting to the Romans
1:8-16 - Paul longs to visit Rome
He thanks God for the Romans and their faith
v. 12 is interesting "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith". It is interesting because Paul, a man who wrote about half of the New Testament, is able to be encouraged by another person's faith. My minuscule faith can encourage someone who has great faith. That is a testament to faith's power.
v. 14 is also interesting to me and my call. "I am obligated... to the wise and the foolish".
v. 16 The power of faith: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes". The power of God is at the use of believers in the form of the Gospel.
How should we live? The righteous will live by faith...
1:18-32 "God's wrath against mankind"
Godlessness and wickedness surprise the truth
"What may be known about God is plain to them" v. 20. This means that knowledge of God is in plain sight, but that is only what may be known of Him. Hidden knowledge of God is not possible because what is known of Him is in plain sight because God has made it known to them.
No men have excuses because God can be known solely through creation.
Paul eludes to philosophers in v. 22. "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools". This foolishness caused men to become idolaters.
As punishment for their idolatry God gave them over to their sins. A man's choice of sin can therefore become his own punishment. This is evidence for free will.
v. 24, v. 26, and v. 27 condemns homosexuality, but it is one of many sins that God condemns. It should not be singled out as 'the' mortal sin or worse than any other. It is just another sin in the long list of wicked acts performed by mankind. All sins are equally horrid.
Chapter 2
Everyone is condemned by the judgment they pass on others.
Unrepentant hearts store up judgment against themselves from God.
God does not show favoritism.
Chapter two makes a strong case for innate ideas.
Physical appearances are not what God judges man on. God judges man on the contents of their heart. A heart precedes actions and transcends actions. God judges a man's heart.
Today I read Romans 1 & 2. I need to read more, but I am tired. I need to get back into the habit of reading God's word. Lord help me with this. Let the words sink into my heart. Help me to live by faith.
Recently I have been paying a lot of attention to philosophy and been completely neglecting any focus on God. I want to be a philosopher so I can reconcile philosophy with faith in God. If I don't pay attention to God I will fail in this quest. I need to spend contemplative time in the Word of God as well as prayer time with Him. I thin a study of the letters of Paul will again inspire me with God's word.
Romans
1:1-6 Paul describes himself as:
1) A slave of Jesus Christ
2) Called to be an apostle
3) set apart for the gospel of God
He describes the Gospel as:
1) Promised through the prophets
2) about Jesus Christ
He describes Jesus Christ as:
1) The son
2) Humanly descendant of David
3) Holy in spirit
4) declared with the power to be the son of God
5) resurrected from the dead
He offers the resurrection as proof for him being the son of God.
The charge of Paul's apostleship is to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith
The Romans are included in those who Paul is charged to call to obedience.
1:7 - Paul's greeting to the Romans
1:8-16 - Paul longs to visit Rome
He thanks God for the Romans and their faith
v. 12 is interesting "that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith". It is interesting because Paul, a man who wrote about half of the New Testament, is able to be encouraged by another person's faith. My minuscule faith can encourage someone who has great faith. That is a testament to faith's power.
v. 14 is also interesting to me and my call. "I am obligated... to the wise and the foolish".
v. 16 The power of faith: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes". The power of God is at the use of believers in the form of the Gospel.
How should we live? The righteous will live by faith...
1:18-32 "God's wrath against mankind"
Godlessness and wickedness surprise the truth
"What may be known about God is plain to them" v. 20. This means that knowledge of God is in plain sight, but that is only what may be known of Him. Hidden knowledge of God is not possible because what is known of Him is in plain sight because God has made it known to them.
No men have excuses because God can be known solely through creation.
Paul eludes to philosophers in v. 22. "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools". This foolishness caused men to become idolaters.
As punishment for their idolatry God gave them over to their sins. A man's choice of sin can therefore become his own punishment. This is evidence for free will.
v. 24, v. 26, and v. 27 condemns homosexuality, but it is one of many sins that God condemns. It should not be singled out as 'the' mortal sin or worse than any other. It is just another sin in the long list of wicked acts performed by mankind. All sins are equally horrid.
Chapter 2
Everyone is condemned by the judgment they pass on others.
Unrepentant hearts store up judgment against themselves from God.
God does not show favoritism.
Chapter two makes a strong case for innate ideas.
Physical appearances are not what God judges man on. God judges man on the contents of their heart. A heart precedes actions and transcends actions. God judges a man's heart.
Today I read Romans 1 & 2. I need to read more, but I am tired. I need to get back into the habit of reading God's word. Lord help me with this. Let the words sink into my heart. Help me to live by faith.
Monday, May 8, 2006
Eschatology Notes
(Originally written May 8, 2006 in 3 Subject Book)
Historic Christian Belief
Eschatology
Physical Death
Death - body-soul separation
-not merely 'natural'
-an enemy: sin's penalty
(Genesis 2 & 3, Romans 5:12, 6:23)
For unbelievers: prelude to the final judgment (Revelation 20:6)
For believers: final step in sanctification (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Between Death & Resurrection:
Hades (Hebrew Sheol, Hell)
OT - The Graves
NT - For the wicked dead only
Purgatory
Roman Catholic Doctrine (2 Maccabees 12:45)
Protestant objection to purgatory (Luke 16:26, Hebrews 9:27)
Historic Christian Belief
Eschatology
Physical Death
Death - body-soul separation
-not merely 'natural'
-an enemy: sin's penalty
(Genesis 2 & 3, Romans 5:12, 6:23)
For unbelievers: prelude to the final judgment (Revelation 20:6)
For believers: final step in sanctification (1 Corinthians 15:26)
Between Death & Resurrection:
Hades (Hebrew Sheol, Hell)
OT - The Graves
NT - For the wicked dead only
Purgatory
Roman Catholic Doctrine (2 Maccabees 12:45)
Protestant objection to purgatory (Luke 16:26, Hebrews 9:27)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Just War v. Pacifism
(Originally written April 25, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Contemporary Issues of Philosophy
The morality of War
As a Christian do you feel war is right?
1. Violence
2. Obeying the government (Titus 3:1, Romans 13:3-5)
Rae:
War in the Old Testament
-Securing Israel's boundaries (2 Samuel 5:17-25)
-National Defense (1 Kings 20)
-Offensive Attacks (Joshua 6-12)
-Total Annihilation (Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:1-3)
Does God's sanctioning of Israel's military action justify modern warfare?
-God chose Canaan for His people
-Canaan was very vulnerable to attack
-This vulnerability led to a necessary reliance on God
-Disobedience often resulted in war
The Spirit of Pacifism
-The Sermon on the Mount
-Forbidding resistance to evil
-Loving your enemies
-Jesus blesses the peacemakers
-Submitting to persecutors
-Submitting to the government, even that of Rome
However, there is no Biblical record of soldiers who had converted leaving the military for Pacifistic views
Major views:
Pacifism - Direct participation in war is completely wrong, indirect participation is sometimes wrong
Just war theory - participation in war is morally acceptable under certain criteria
Major Biblical support for Pacifism
-Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-48)
-Paul's teachings on non-violence (Romans 12:19-21)
-Peter's doctrine of non-resistance (1 Peter 2:18-24)
Nonviolence vs. non-participation
-Pacifists fall into various levels of pacifism
-All fighting though is considered wrong in every level of pacifism
-Participation in work supporting conflict is and is not acceptable depending on the level of pacifism
Criticism of Pacifism
-If a murderer is in your home with you and your family do you let your family be murdered? Do you fight back and try to subdue the attacker? Do you try to save your family?
-What is the definition of violence?
-Duty to the state argument (Romans 13:1-7, the state 'wields the sword' to keep order and peace). Does our duty to the state outweigh our personal disposition towards violence?
Just War Theory
7 Traditional Criteria:
1) War must be prompted by a just cause
2) War must have a just intention
3) War must be engaged as a last resort
4) The war in question must be initiated by a formal declaration by properly constituted authorities
5) The war in question must be characterized by limited objections (not total annihilation or wholesale destruction)
6) The war must be conducted with appropriate means (force must be proportional to the threat)
7) The war must respect noncombatant immunity
Robert Fullinwider article:
-We should focus more on innocence when assessing validity of violence (terrorism).
-There is a division between combatants and non-combatants, those this distinction is a difficult one to determine in some circumstances.
-We must rethink our definition of terrorism.
-International law brings some order to international affairs.
-Private judgment of a state undermines international law.
-One must be able to justify their actions in a manner that is satisfactory.
Contemporary Issues of Philosophy
The morality of War
As a Christian do you feel war is right?
1. Violence
2. Obeying the government (Titus 3:1, Romans 13:3-5)
Rae:
War in the Old Testament
-Securing Israel's boundaries (2 Samuel 5:17-25)
-National Defense (1 Kings 20)
-Offensive Attacks (Joshua 6-12)
-Total Annihilation (Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:1-3)
Does God's sanctioning of Israel's military action justify modern warfare?
-God chose Canaan for His people
-Canaan was very vulnerable to attack
-This vulnerability led to a necessary reliance on God
-Disobedience often resulted in war
The Spirit of Pacifism
-The Sermon on the Mount
-Forbidding resistance to evil
-Loving your enemies
-Jesus blesses the peacemakers
-Submitting to persecutors
-Submitting to the government, even that of Rome
However, there is no Biblical record of soldiers who had converted leaving the military for Pacifistic views
Major views:
Pacifism - Direct participation in war is completely wrong, indirect participation is sometimes wrong
Just war theory - participation in war is morally acceptable under certain criteria
Major Biblical support for Pacifism
-Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-48)
-Paul's teachings on non-violence (Romans 12:19-21)
-Peter's doctrine of non-resistance (1 Peter 2:18-24)
Nonviolence vs. non-participation
-Pacifists fall into various levels of pacifism
-All fighting though is considered wrong in every level of pacifism
-Participation in work supporting conflict is and is not acceptable depending on the level of pacifism
Criticism of Pacifism
-If a murderer is in your home with you and your family do you let your family be murdered? Do you fight back and try to subdue the attacker? Do you try to save your family?
-What is the definition of violence?
-Duty to the state argument (Romans 13:1-7, the state 'wields the sword' to keep order and peace). Does our duty to the state outweigh our personal disposition towards violence?
Just War Theory
7 Traditional Criteria:
1) War must be prompted by a just cause
2) War must have a just intention
3) War must be engaged as a last resort
4) The war in question must be initiated by a formal declaration by properly constituted authorities
5) The war in question must be characterized by limited objections (not total annihilation or wholesale destruction)
6) The war must be conducted with appropriate means (force must be proportional to the threat)
7) The war must respect noncombatant immunity
Robert Fullinwider article:
-We should focus more on innocence when assessing validity of violence (terrorism).
-There is a division between combatants and non-combatants, those this distinction is a difficult one to determine in some circumstances.
-We must rethink our definition of terrorism.
-International law brings some order to international affairs.
-Private judgment of a state undermines international law.
-One must be able to justify their actions in a manner that is satisfactory.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Image of God, Salvation & Predestination
(Originally written April 21, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Historic Christian Belief
Theosis - the way of the East
The Eastern Orthodox makes a distinction between the image of God and in the likeness of God.
The image of God - the capacity to relate to God
The likeness of God - an unbroken union with God
The Fall resulted in the damage of the image of God in humanity, but is still retained. The Fall however resulted in a complete loss of the likeness of God. The likeness of God can be restored to those in Christ to a significant degree however.
Three Categories of Divine Election
1. General Election
2. Corporate Election
3. Particular Election
General Election
-Election in History
-God chooses nations and individuals to play a particular role in history: to glorify God
Romans 9:6-13 (Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob over Esau in the blessing), Romans 9:16 (Pharaoh)
Corporate Election
-God foresees who will believe in Christ
-Ephesians 1:3 - chosen in Him from before the creation of the world
-Those chosen = a corporate entity, the believers in Christ
-Christ is God's 'chosen [elect] one, all others are chosen in Christ (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 3:9)
Particular Election
-Augustine, Calvin
-Monergism - salvation brought about through spiritual regeneration without willingness from the saved (irresistible grace)
-God has chosen individuals out of the whole of fallen humanity
-Election is one aspect of predestination, Election (salvation & glory), Reprobation (judgment)
-Predestination: Election & Reprobation (John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 8:29)
-Romans 8:29 is actually used by Calvinism & Arminianism
Historic Christian Belief
Theosis - the way of the East
The Eastern Orthodox makes a distinction between the image of God and in the likeness of God.
The image of God - the capacity to relate to God
The likeness of God - an unbroken union with God
The Fall resulted in the damage of the image of God in humanity, but is still retained. The Fall however resulted in a complete loss of the likeness of God. The likeness of God can be restored to those in Christ to a significant degree however.
Three Categories of Divine Election
1. General Election
2. Corporate Election
3. Particular Election
General Election
-Election in History
-God chooses nations and individuals to play a particular role in history: to glorify God
Romans 9:6-13 (Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob over Esau in the blessing), Romans 9:16 (Pharaoh)
Corporate Election
-God foresees who will believe in Christ
-Ephesians 1:3 - chosen in Him from before the creation of the world
-Those chosen = a corporate entity, the believers in Christ
-Christ is God's 'chosen [elect] one, all others are chosen in Christ (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 3:9)
Particular Election
-Augustine, Calvin
-Monergism - salvation brought about through spiritual regeneration without willingness from the saved (irresistible grace)
-God has chosen individuals out of the whole of fallen humanity
-Election is one aspect of predestination, Election (salvation & glory), Reprobation (judgment)
-Predestination: Election & Reprobation (John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 8:29)
-Romans 8:29 is actually used by Calvinism & Arminianism
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Notes on the Holy Spirit
(Originally written April 19, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Historic Christian Thought
The Holy Spirit
Who He is
1. He is personal
-"He" not "it", contra Jehovah's Witnesses
-Not the 'Star Wars' spirit or force
2. He does personal deeds
-John 14:26
-John 15:26
-John 16:13
3. He is God
-Spirit of God/Spirit of Christ/Holy Spirit
-He is the third person of the trinity, John 15:26
Montanus, a 3rd century teacher (contemporary of Tertullian) taught that there were three eras of God's workings:
1. God the Father (Abraham, Moses, up to Jesus)
2. God the Son (Jesus' lifetime)
3. God the Spirit (Pentecost era)
Montanus however, believed that he was himself the last great prophet
Montanism had a lot to do with 'filioque' (and the son). The controversy over 'filioque' is what caused the 1054 split between the eastern and the western Church.
Montanism is nearly dead but will occasionally pop up from time to time.
Montanism today:
Jim Jones (1970s) was a charismatic preacher from San Francisco who went to Ghana. One day he said is this the Word of God (referring to the Bible). He answered 'No, the words from my mouth is the Word of God.' Jones' mission ended in mass suicide.
What the Holy Spirit Does (part one)
-Testifies of Christ, John 14:26, 15:26
-Continues Jesus' ministry, John 14:16, 16:7, Acts 1:1
-The spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself
-Baptizes believers into the body of Christ
-Christ's life through the spirit (Romans 8:2-27)
-Gives fullness of Christ at Conversion (John 1:16). No second work of grace for fullness. Assures perseverance of salvation
Historic Christian Thought
The Holy Spirit
Who He is
1. He is personal
-"He" not "it", contra Jehovah's Witnesses
-Not the 'Star Wars' spirit or force
2. He does personal deeds
-John 14:26
-John 15:26
-John 16:13
3. He is God
-Spirit of God/Spirit of Christ/Holy Spirit
-He is the third person of the trinity, John 15:26
Montanus, a 3rd century teacher (contemporary of Tertullian) taught that there were three eras of God's workings:
1. God the Father (Abraham, Moses, up to Jesus)
2. God the Son (Jesus' lifetime)
3. God the Spirit (Pentecost era)
Montanus however, believed that he was himself the last great prophet
Montanism had a lot to do with 'filioque' (and the son). The controversy over 'filioque' is what caused the 1054 split between the eastern and the western Church.
Montanism is nearly dead but will occasionally pop up from time to time.
Montanism today:
Jim Jones (1970s) was a charismatic preacher from San Francisco who went to Ghana. One day he said is this the Word of God (referring to the Bible). He answered 'No, the words from my mouth is the Word of God.' Jones' mission ended in mass suicide.
What the Holy Spirit Does (part one)
-Testifies of Christ, John 14:26, 15:26
-Continues Jesus' ministry, John 14:16, 16:7, Acts 1:1
-The spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself
-Baptizes believers into the body of Christ
-Christ's life through the spirit (Romans 8:2-27)
-Gives fullness of Christ at Conversion (John 1:16). No second work of grace for fullness. Assures perseverance of salvation
Monday, February 6, 2006
A quiz & some notes on General/Special Revelation
(Originally written February 6, 2006 in Book 23)
Quiz Questions: True or False
Faith and Knowledge are mutually exclusive
-False
The moral sense that tells us when others have wronged us is
-Judicial sentiment
A posteriori arguments argue for the existence of God on what basis?
-Facts observed by the human senses
Thomas Aquinas' version of the argument from designs is called the
-Teleological argument
JFK and C.S. Lewis died on the same day.
Quiz 2
What has Athens to do with Jerusalem is an anti-philosophical polemic by
-Tertullian
Calvin believed that faith in Christ
-included doubt but never results in the ultimate falling away from faith
Who believed the 'first principles' of all truth not through reason, but through the heart?
-Blaise Pascal
Implication of General Revelation
Accountability before God
Romans 2:14-16 (conscience)
Romans 2:1 (judicial sentiment)
Holy Scripture
One aspect of Special revelation
Special revealing: God's self disclosure. "Truth as encounter"
Such encounter does not exclude information (propositional truth)
Quiz Questions: True or False
Faith and Knowledge are mutually exclusive
-False
The moral sense that tells us when others have wronged us is
-Judicial sentiment
A posteriori arguments argue for the existence of God on what basis?
-Facts observed by the human senses
Thomas Aquinas' version of the argument from designs is called the
-Teleological argument
JFK and C.S. Lewis died on the same day.
Quiz 2
What has Athens to do with Jerusalem is an anti-philosophical polemic by
-Tertullian
Calvin believed that faith in Christ
-included doubt but never results in the ultimate falling away from faith
Who believed the 'first principles' of all truth not through reason, but through the heart?
-Blaise Pascal
Implication of General Revelation
Accountability before God
Romans 2:14-16 (conscience)
Romans 2:1 (judicial sentiment)
Holy Scripture
One aspect of Special revelation
Special revealing: God's self disclosure. "Truth as encounter"
Such encounter does not exclude information (propositional truth)
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Class notes on the introduction to Ethics/Logic
(Originally written February 2, 2006 in Book 21)
Topic 1: Introduction to Ethics/Logic
A. Ethics: the philosophy/study of morality
1) Ethics: both a collective singular and plural
2) Moral vs. amoral/nonmoral
3) Unique contemporary challenge: technology
4) Rae's method: combining Biblical studies and philosophy [General revelation and special revelation]
5) Categories and systems (Rae pp. 15-18)
a) Descriptive ethics is basically sociology
b) Normative ethics makes ethical judgments (normative ethics is the focus of this class)
c) Metaethics investigates the meaning of moral language
d) aretaic ethics focuses on a person's motives for actions
e) deontological systems
f) teleological systems
g) relativsim
6) Key Questions
a) What is right and how do we know it?
b) What is the ultimate source of moral authority?
c) Can we do ethics/be moral without God/religion?
d) What is the relationship between spirituality, morality and law?
General Revelation is affirmed by Scripture: Romans 1 & Psalms 19
B. Logic
1) Induction
a) reasoning from the specific to the general
b) the scientific method
c) uses four types of evidence
i. examples (real or hypothetical)
ii. analogies
iii. authoritative testimony
iv. statistics
d) tests the truthfulness of conclusion
e) induction can at best lead to a probability
2) Deduction
a) reasoning from the general to the specific
b) a syllogism is the form of a deductive argument (premises and a conclusion)
c) the trueness of a deductive argument has true premises and a valid conclusion
Topic 1: Introduction to Ethics/Logic
A. Ethics: the philosophy/study of morality
1) Ethics: both a collective singular and plural
2) Moral vs. amoral/nonmoral
3) Unique contemporary challenge: technology
4) Rae's method: combining Biblical studies and philosophy [General revelation and special revelation]
5) Categories and systems (Rae pp. 15-18)
a) Descriptive ethics is basically sociology
b) Normative ethics makes ethical judgments (normative ethics is the focus of this class)
c) Metaethics investigates the meaning of moral language
d) aretaic ethics focuses on a person's motives for actions
e) deontological systems
f) teleological systems
g) relativsim
6) Key Questions
a) What is right and how do we know it?
b) What is the ultimate source of moral authority?
c) Can we do ethics/be moral without God/religion?
d) What is the relationship between spirituality, morality and law?
General Revelation is affirmed by Scripture: Romans 1 & Psalms 19
B. Logic
1) Induction
a) reasoning from the specific to the general
b) the scientific method
c) uses four types of evidence
i. examples (real or hypothetical)
ii. analogies
iii. authoritative testimony
iv. statistics
d) tests the truthfulness of conclusion
e) induction can at best lead to a probability
2) Deduction
a) reasoning from the general to the specific
b) a syllogism is the form of a deductive argument (premises and a conclusion)
c) the trueness of a deductive argument has true premises and a valid conclusion
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Highlights of Acts, James, Calvinism vs. Arminianism & Galatians
(Originally written on January 17, 2006 in Book 20)
Highlights in the Book of Acts
Acts 2 - Birth of the Church
Church = New Testament People of God
Israel = Old Testament People of God
Acts 6 - Prototypes of Deacons/Elders
The 12 - Prototypes of elders/bishops
Functions of the Elders/Bishops
1) Teaching the word
2) Prayer
The Seven = The prototypes of deacons/deaconesses
Acts 8 - Persecuted church scatters
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion
Acts 10 - Gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12 - James is Martyred
Acts 14 - 1st Missionary Journey
Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council
-Must Gentile Christians keep the Law in order to be saved as the Judaizers insist?
Acts 15:39-18:22 - 2nd Missionary Journey
Acts 18:23-21:27 - 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 21:27-23:32 - Imprisoned in Jerusalem
Acts 23:33-26:32 - Imprisoned in Caesera
Acts 27-28 - Voyage to Rome
Acts 28:16-30 - Roman imprisonment
The Book of James:
Author: James, brother of Jesus (oldest)
- Did not believe in Jesus
- Jesus appeared to him post resurrection
- Very religious Jew
Galatians 2:12/Acts 21:17-26
Recipients:
-Jewish believers who scattered after Stephen's death
-Only epistle strictly written to a Jewish audience
Date:
- Earliest Christian document
- Josephus records James' martyrdom in AD 62
- Makes no reference to Judaizing controversy (AD 49)
- Approximately written AD 46-47
Focus of James: The practical outworking of Christianity in a righteous lifestyle
Emphases
1) Patience in the face of suffering
2) How the rich treat the poor
3) Judgment and judging
James & Paul on role of works in salvation:
- Both James & Paul affirm good deeds and are against bad deeds
- Both use the Greek word "erga" (works) but use it differently
James 2:14-26 has a particular kind of works in view
- Good deeds like acts of charity, generosity, impartiality, control of tongue, etc
- His opponents were claiming orthodoxy without action
Paul opposes "works" as in works of the Law
- Stops people from attempting to obtain salvation through the Law, which is impossible
Calvinism vs. Arminianism
Total Depravity vs. Free will/human ability
Unconditional Election vs. Conditional election
Limited Atonement vs. Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace vs. Resistible grace
Perseverance of the Saints vs. Can fall from grace
Calvinism justifies Unconditional Depravity by Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 4:18 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. We are unable to save ourselves and will never choose Christ on our own.
Arminianism justifies free will/human ability by John 1:9 and Titus 2:11
Calvinism justifies unconditional election by Romans 8:29-30, Romans 9:11-18, Acts 13:48. Foreknew = Forechosen. God chooses man, man does not choose God.
Arminianism justifies conditional election via Romans 8:29. Foreknew = Foresaw. God foresaw who would choose Him.
Calvinism justifies limited atonement with John 10:10, John 10:15, John 17:2, John 17:6, John 17:9. Christ only died for the elect.
Arminianism justifies unlimited atonement with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ died for all men.
Calvinism justifies irresistible grace with Romans 9:19-21. Nobody can resist God's will.
Arminianism justifies resistible grace with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God can be resisted.
Calvinism justifies Perseverance of the saints with Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39. Salvation is secure.
Arminianism justifies can fall from grace with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:22. Salvation can be lost.
Introduction to Galatians
Dualism: Body doesn't matter, do whatever. Soul is what counts.
Two Extremes of dualism:
Antinomianism - over indulgence
Asceticism - no pleasure at all, minimalism
If Paul was concerned about distortions of the gospel, we should too.
Problem behind letter to Galatians.
Jewish Christian teachers infiltrated the Galatian churches with a message that endangered the Gospel message. They were Judaizers.
Judaizers sought to complete Paul's gospel in two ways.
1) by requiring circumcision
2) by enforcing Jewish food laws
Highlights in the Book of Acts
Acts 2 - Birth of the Church
Church = New Testament People of God
Israel = Old Testament People of God
Acts 6 - Prototypes of Deacons/Elders
The 12 - Prototypes of elders/bishops
Functions of the Elders/Bishops
1) Teaching the word
2) Prayer
The Seven = The prototypes of deacons/deaconesses
Acts 8 - Persecuted church scatters
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion
Acts 10 - Gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12 - James is Martyred
Acts 14 - 1st Missionary Journey
Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council
-Must Gentile Christians keep the Law in order to be saved as the Judaizers insist?
Acts 15:39-18:22 - 2nd Missionary Journey
Acts 18:23-21:27 - 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 21:27-23:32 - Imprisoned in Jerusalem
Acts 23:33-26:32 - Imprisoned in Caesera
Acts 27-28 - Voyage to Rome
Acts 28:16-30 - Roman imprisonment
The Book of James:
Author: James, brother of Jesus (oldest)
- Did not believe in Jesus
- Jesus appeared to him post resurrection
- Very religious Jew
Galatians 2:12/Acts 21:17-26
Recipients:
-Jewish believers who scattered after Stephen's death
-Only epistle strictly written to a Jewish audience
Date:
- Earliest Christian document
- Josephus records James' martyrdom in AD 62
- Makes no reference to Judaizing controversy (AD 49)
- Approximately written AD 46-47
Focus of James: The practical outworking of Christianity in a righteous lifestyle
Emphases
1) Patience in the face of suffering
2) How the rich treat the poor
3) Judgment and judging
James & Paul on role of works in salvation:
- Both James & Paul affirm good deeds and are against bad deeds
- Both use the Greek word "erga" (works) but use it differently
James 2:14-26 has a particular kind of works in view
- Good deeds like acts of charity, generosity, impartiality, control of tongue, etc
- His opponents were claiming orthodoxy without action
Paul opposes "works" as in works of the Law
- Stops people from attempting to obtain salvation through the Law, which is impossible
Calvinism vs. Arminianism
Total Depravity vs. Free will/human ability
Unconditional Election vs. Conditional election
Limited Atonement vs. Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace vs. Resistible grace
Perseverance of the Saints vs. Can fall from grace
Calvinism justifies Unconditional Depravity by Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 4:18 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. We are unable to save ourselves and will never choose Christ on our own.
Arminianism justifies free will/human ability by John 1:9 and Titus 2:11
Calvinism justifies unconditional election by Romans 8:29-30, Romans 9:11-18, Acts 13:48. Foreknew = Forechosen. God chooses man, man does not choose God.
Arminianism justifies conditional election via Romans 8:29. Foreknew = Foresaw. God foresaw who would choose Him.
Calvinism justifies limited atonement with John 10:10, John 10:15, John 17:2, John 17:6, John 17:9. Christ only died for the elect.
Arminianism justifies unlimited atonement with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ died for all men.
Calvinism justifies irresistible grace with Romans 9:19-21. Nobody can resist God's will.
Arminianism justifies resistible grace with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God can be resisted.
Calvinism justifies Perseverance of the saints with Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39. Salvation is secure.
Arminianism justifies can fall from grace with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:22. Salvation can be lost.
Introduction to Galatians
Dualism: Body doesn't matter, do whatever. Soul is what counts.
Two Extremes of dualism:
Antinomianism - over indulgence
Asceticism - no pleasure at all, minimalism
If Paul was concerned about distortions of the gospel, we should too.
Problem behind letter to Galatians.
Jewish Christian teachers infiltrated the Galatian churches with a message that endangered the Gospel message. They were Judaizers.
Judaizers sought to complete Paul's gospel in two ways.
1) by requiring circumcision
2) by enforcing Jewish food laws
Friday, January 13, 2006
When is someone baptized by the Holy Spirit?
(Originally written on January 13, 2006 in Book 20)
General Epistels/Catholic Epistles
- James
- 1 & 2 Peter
- Hebrews
- Jude
- 1, 2, 3 John
Paul
Acts 28 - 1st Roman Arrest (House Arrest)
Prison Epistles
- Ephesians
- Colossians
- Philemon
- Philippians
Pastoral Epistles
- 1 Timothy
- Titus
- 1 & 2 Peter
2nd Imprisonment: Dungeon
- 2 Timothy
Acts 1-11: Focus on Peter's mission to the Jews
Acts 12-28: Focus on Paul's mission to the Gentiles
Resurrection (40 Days) -> Ascension (Acts 1)
Pentecost (Acts 2)
Acts 2: Birth of the Church
What are tongues signs of?
- Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19 - The Holy Spirit
Impending Judgment
A sign that functions to the disadvantage of believers
Tongues are a prayer language used in private devotions
When is someone baptized by the Holy Spirit?
1) Reformed Christianity
- At the moment someone believes the gospel
- Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:9
- Acts is transitional and some experiences are unique (especially Acts 8 & 19)
2) Pentecostalism
- When you speak in tongues
- The Acts phenomena is normative (especially Acts 8 & 19)
Pentecost
Fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29
2 Separate groups received the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:
-120 (apostles and close followers, already believers)
-3,000 (converts from all over the world)
-All Jews
Acts 10:
Cornelius and the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit
General Epistels/Catholic Epistles
- James
- 1 & 2 Peter
- Hebrews
- Jude
- 1, 2, 3 John
Paul
Acts 28 - 1st Roman Arrest (House Arrest)
Prison Epistles
- Ephesians
- Colossians
- Philemon
- Philippians
Pastoral Epistles
- 1 Timothy
- Titus
- 1 & 2 Peter
2nd Imprisonment: Dungeon
- 2 Timothy
Acts 1-11: Focus on Peter's mission to the Jews
Acts 12-28: Focus on Paul's mission to the Gentiles
Resurrection (40 Days) -> Ascension (Acts 1)
Pentecost (Acts 2)
Acts 2: Birth of the Church
What are tongues signs of?
- Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19 - The Holy Spirit
Impending Judgment
A sign that functions to the disadvantage of believers
Tongues are a prayer language used in private devotions
When is someone baptized by the Holy Spirit?
1) Reformed Christianity
- At the moment someone believes the gospel
- Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:9
- Acts is transitional and some experiences are unique (especially Acts 8 & 19)
2) Pentecostalism
- When you speak in tongues
- The Acts phenomena is normative (especially Acts 8 & 19)
Pentecost
Fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29
2 Separate groups received the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:
-120 (apostles and close followers, already believers)
-3,000 (converts from all over the world)
-All Jews
Acts 10:
Cornelius and the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit
Thursday, July 14, 2005
A Prayer on Romans 10-11
(Originally written July 14, 2005 in Talks With God)
Romans 10-11
To you be the glory forever and ever. I am an olive branch grown in the wild. You grafted me into the tree of good olives. You cultivated it so that it is nourished. The tree will not fail for you have made the roots strong. Help me to produce fruit and not be cut off. Trim me of the undesirable, but keep me attached to the good root so that I can continue to grow. Hear me oh wonderful and gracious master, king, savior and God! Love, in as much as I can understand, and so much more. Praise you infinite times. Let every breath of mine be a praise to you, forever and ever praise. In your Holy Name, amen.
Romans 10-11
To you be the glory forever and ever. I am an olive branch grown in the wild. You grafted me into the tree of good olives. You cultivated it so that it is nourished. The tree will not fail for you have made the roots strong. Help me to produce fruit and not be cut off. Trim me of the undesirable, but keep me attached to the good root so that I can continue to grow. Hear me oh wonderful and gracious master, king, savior and God! Love, in as much as I can understand, and so much more. Praise you infinite times. Let every breath of mine be a praise to you, forever and ever praise. In your Holy Name, amen.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Romans 1-7 & a prayer
(Originally written July 10, 2005 in Talks With God)
I believe you have answered my prayer! I will talk to Zack about a position for evenings and weekends. If this is not your will for me to work, close that door. Thank you Lord.
I was really moved by the sermon this morning. God you are glorious. You are amazing and I am in awe of you. I truly love you with all of my heart, not only in words. I have a deep, burning desire to serve you. Back in a moment, but first...
But even with that desire I am faulty. I have a hard time controlling my impulses. Help me to overcome my impulses. Lord I am willing but I am weak. Help me and please forgive me of my sins. I know sin has consequences and I am willing to accept mine. Forgive me Lord.
Back to this morning's message though. I am inspired to read Romans. I will split time between it and Isaiah if you don't object. I love you Lord.
Romans 2:29b "Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God"
Lord let me not seek praise from men, but let me seek glory for the kingdom of Heaven. This way I can have my reward in Heaven. I seek riches and praise and I desire glory and honor. But let me receive such things from you. For as man's knowledge and wisdom is foolishness to you, so are such things. Money, power and authority are temporary. Let me live a life that warrants glory for you and eternal life for me.
Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus".
Lord, I am full of sin. I fall short of your glory on a daily basis. Your grace is what gets me through day by day. Every breath is a gift from you. Let me lean on you for strength and redemption. Let me prosper so that the kingdom of Heaven may grow. Make me as Paul in this verse:
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God"
Let it be written in your heart that I can be a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be a disciple of the Almighty God and set apart for the will of God. Let it be written in your eternal heart, not for my sake, but for the sake of your Holy Name. Let it be a glorious victory over evil for you. For you have called a wicked man, such as me, out of sin. Let it be known on this day, July 10, 2005 that I have answered your call the same call given to Abraham thousands of years ago. I will serve the true Lord. I lay my life down at your feet. I sacrifice my hopes, desires and dreams to do your work. Not for my glory will work be done, but for the Glory of God.
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is because of Him that I will not only accept but rejoice in suffering. All of my life I have induced my own suffering. Had it not been for my foolish decisions I would not be humble enough to accept my calling of servitude. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be a bitter, bitter person. I have suffered so little compared to some but it is enough to have put me on my knees. And instead of laying down in defeat you have raised me up for victory. This accomplishment is not mine, but fully and only yours. I am excited to see more victories for you and ready to learn from my own failings. If I were not so imperfect Lord you could accomplish so much through me. Not for my glory but for yours. Help me to become more righteous so that the kingdom of Heaven can be more glorified.
Lord I am shaking with nervous excitement over your Word. I can barely hold it in. I live through Jesus who lives eternally! Sin lives in me, but I have died to sin. Because of the grace given to me, by Jesus christ I am alive and well! The sin in me will never die, but I will die to sin, so that I can live in righteousness. I cannot do what I want to do, which is good, because the sin is stronger than me. But I do what is good because He who dwells in me (Jesus Christ) is stronger than me and has defeated sin. All the good that is accomplished through my wretched body is because the Holy Spirit, given to me by Jesus Christ, is shining through the darkness of my sin. Keep peeling away the darkness of sin in my life so that I may be transparent and the light of the Holy Spirit can fully shine in me. Accomplish your goals, win your victories, shine your eternal light! I will fail and sin will overtake me, but you who have shown grace to me are stronger than the sin that plagues me. I will strive to follow the Holy Spirit so that I can be made righteous. By being righteous you will win many victories through me. I, in the flesh, am not fit to do your work, but the Holy Spirit, whom you have sent to me can accomplish great things. Use my body as a vessel to achieve your glory. I am ready to be pruned and stripped of iniquities, however painful the process may be. Give me strength to stand through this. Grant me courage to pursue this. Grant me your wisdom to continue to ask for what seems painful.
I believe you have answered my prayer! I will talk to Zack about a position for evenings and weekends. If this is not your will for me to work, close that door. Thank you Lord.
I was really moved by the sermon this morning. God you are glorious. You are amazing and I am in awe of you. I truly love you with all of my heart, not only in words. I have a deep, burning desire to serve you. Back in a moment, but first...
But even with that desire I am faulty. I have a hard time controlling my impulses. Help me to overcome my impulses. Lord I am willing but I am weak. Help me and please forgive me of my sins. I know sin has consequences and I am willing to accept mine. Forgive me Lord.
Back to this morning's message though. I am inspired to read Romans. I will split time between it and Isaiah if you don't object. I love you Lord.
Romans 2:29b "Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God"
Lord let me not seek praise from men, but let me seek glory for the kingdom of Heaven. This way I can have my reward in Heaven. I seek riches and praise and I desire glory and honor. But let me receive such things from you. For as man's knowledge and wisdom is foolishness to you, so are such things. Money, power and authority are temporary. Let me live a life that warrants glory for you and eternal life for me.
Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus".
Lord, I am full of sin. I fall short of your glory on a daily basis. Your grace is what gets me through day by day. Every breath is a gift from you. Let me lean on you for strength and redemption. Let me prosper so that the kingdom of Heaven may grow. Make me as Paul in this verse:
Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God"
Let it be written in your heart that I can be a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be a disciple of the Almighty God and set apart for the will of God. Let it be written in your eternal heart, not for my sake, but for the sake of your Holy Name. Let it be a glorious victory over evil for you. For you have called a wicked man, such as me, out of sin. Let it be known on this day, July 10, 2005 that I have answered your call the same call given to Abraham thousands of years ago. I will serve the true Lord. I lay my life down at your feet. I sacrifice my hopes, desires and dreams to do your work. Not for my glory will work be done, but for the Glory of God.
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is because of Him that I will not only accept but rejoice in suffering. All of my life I have induced my own suffering. Had it not been for my foolish decisions I would not be humble enough to accept my calling of servitude. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be a bitter, bitter person. I have suffered so little compared to some but it is enough to have put me on my knees. And instead of laying down in defeat you have raised me up for victory. This accomplishment is not mine, but fully and only yours. I am excited to see more victories for you and ready to learn from my own failings. If I were not so imperfect Lord you could accomplish so much through me. Not for my glory but for yours. Help me to become more righteous so that the kingdom of Heaven can be more glorified.
Lord I am shaking with nervous excitement over your Word. I can barely hold it in. I live through Jesus who lives eternally! Sin lives in me, but I have died to sin. Because of the grace given to me, by Jesus christ I am alive and well! The sin in me will never die, but I will die to sin, so that I can live in righteousness. I cannot do what I want to do, which is good, because the sin is stronger than me. But I do what is good because He who dwells in me (Jesus Christ) is stronger than me and has defeated sin. All the good that is accomplished through my wretched body is because the Holy Spirit, given to me by Jesus Christ, is shining through the darkness of my sin. Keep peeling away the darkness of sin in my life so that I may be transparent and the light of the Holy Spirit can fully shine in me. Accomplish your goals, win your victories, shine your eternal light! I will fail and sin will overtake me, but you who have shown grace to me are stronger than the sin that plagues me. I will strive to follow the Holy Spirit so that I can be made righteous. By being righteous you will win many victories through me. I, in the flesh, am not fit to do your work, but the Holy Spirit, whom you have sent to me can accomplish great things. Use my body as a vessel to achieve your glory. I am ready to be pruned and stripped of iniquities, however painful the process may be. Give me strength to stand through this. Grant me courage to pursue this. Grant me your wisdom to continue to ask for what seems painful.
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