Blog | Reproach of Men

Christian Philosophy?

Is there such a thing as Christian, or Biblical philosophy? Or, is the Scripture opposed to the entire idea of philosophy?

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:1-8)

It all depends on how someone is defining philosophy.

Philosophy is defined in the following ways:

1. Originally, a love, or the love of wisdom and knowledge.
2. A study of the processes governing thought and conduct; theory or investigation of the principles or laws that regulate the universe and underlie all knowledge and reality; included in the study are aesthetics, ethics, logic, metaphysics, etc.
3. The general principles or laws of a field of knowledge, activity, etc.; as, the philosophy of economics.
4. (a) a particular system of principles for the conduct of life; (b) a treatise covering such a system.
5. A study of human morals, character, and behavior.
6. The mental balance believed to result from this; calmness, composure.

The Scripture is most definitely not opposed to the love of wisdom and knowledge — so long as it is put in its proper perspective

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:1-7)

However, seeking knowledge outside the LORD results in the following situation:

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:19-23)

Generally speaking, when people speak of philosophy, they are not referring to the first and original meaning of the word. Rather, they refer to the investigation of the human condition:

1. How did we get here?
2. How should one conduct oneself?
3. Why are we here?
4. What is the value of life?

And so on and so forth . . .

Is this Scriptural? Does the LORD approve of investigating these for the purpose of determining a philosophy? Is this, in itself, a philosophy?

For it to be a Scriptural investigation, it is not going to be a very long one, and it is going to have to be accomplished entirely by faith — if it is to be scriptural.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)

This is not going to make it much of a philosophy.

As far a the philosophical discussion of man’s condition, the Scripture is quite succinct:

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5)

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. (Genesis 8:21)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

What about the end of things?

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (II Peter 3:3-10)

Or, they refer to that set of ideas and principles that govern, or make up the Christian ethos, or way of life.

Is there such a thing?

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (II Timothy 3:10-11)

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. (Proverbs 6:23-24)

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. (Proverb 10:17)

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. (Proverb 15:24)

And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. (Jeremiah 21:8)

Out of the above mention in the Scripture, none of them refer to the investigation of principles and ideals could govern one’s life. Rather, the way of life in the Scripture is to follow the commandments of the LORD God.

This does not require investigation. Rather, it requires a willing and obedient heart.

Is there such thing as a “Christian” philosophy?

Just as much as there is such a thing as “Christian” fiction. Both are oxymorons.

Thus, we should understand that, unless someone is expressly speaking of loving the wisdom and knowledge the LORD gives through His word, the Scripture plainly condemns philosophy as a foolish and blind way of seeking to understand one’s life.

After all, there’s not much philosophy in being obedient to the commandment.

Forgiving Yourself?

One of the things that runs around the “Christian” world these days is the idea that one must forgive oneself before forgiving others can occur, or that one can grow spiritually. Frequently, one will hear ‘If I do not forgive myself, will God forgive me?’ or ‘If I do not forgive myself, how can God forgive me?’ The following two quotes are typical of what one sees in response to the expression ‘I can’t forgive myself.’

“I smiled, remembering my mother’s gift of honesty, and thought, I should have known. Accepting others is not next…for one simple reason. Accepting myself has to happen first. I had to accept God and his forgiveness before I could accept myself. And I must accept myself before I can move on to accepting others…” ((http://www.balconypublishing.com/TIExcerpt.htm))

“l AM NOT THE SAME as I used to be. I WOULD NOT DO the same things if I could do them over. I am more than sorry. I believe GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME and I’m going to live like it. I will SPEAK and THINK the truth about myself and God. I REJECT THE LIES of the enemy. And, I FORGIVE MYSELF. Say it louder, I FORGIVE MYSELF! Insert your name in here and say, “ _____________ I FORGIVE YOU!!” Now spend some time thanking Jesus for the new start He’s giving you.” ((But I Can’t Forgive Myself, By Melody Green))

In considering this whole idea of forgiving oneself, I have a question that ought to be seriously considered. The question arises out of this very issue, and was posed to the individual who also made the statement that he was having trouble forgiving himself for some of the things he had done. What I asked him was:

“Who made you judge and jury?”

That’s correct. I asked who it was that made him judge and jury of the action he could not forgive himself for. Why? Consider the following passage from the Book of Proverbs.

There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. (Proverbs 30:11-14)

In the above passage from Proverbs, a generation of people arise that are utterly proud and arrogant, and think the world revolves around them. They think the world owes them a living (so to speak), and they are the determiners of what is right and what is wrong. Sound familiar? It ought to. Ever since the 1960’s in America, the vast majority of the young people have been just like the passage from Proverbs describes: proud, focused on self, disrespectful of authority particularly parental authority, and greedy to the point of destroying others for their own gain.

Now, go back and reread the quotes above. Please notice the focus of the above passages about forgiving oneself. Just what is that focus? Did you notice that it is self? No matter how much the rest of the discussion seems to talk about God and Christ, it always returns to self. Thus it is making the individual judge and jury of what is acceptable and what is not.

But, you say:

Isn’t it necessary that we reconcile in ourselves that we can be forgiven and that we will accept forgiveness, and that if we will not forgive ourselves, then Christ will not forgive us?

To which I must answer:

If you think that Christ’s forgiveness of your sins depends upon you first being able to forgive yourself, then you will never obtain forgiveness from the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter how much you are able to forgive yourself.

The reason for my answer is found in Psalm 51. What is contained in the following verse is a bit of doctrine that is essential for salvation, and for understanding our proper place before the LORD God. Before reading this we must remember that this is King David’s confession of his sins of adultery and murder. Remember, he took another man’s wife, and then had the man killed to cover up his transgression.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:1-4)

Notice what David stated in the last sentence. In speaking to the LORD God, David states: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:”

Now, no matter what sins you have committed, who is the injured party. Just whose will was transgressed that it is counted as sin and iniquity? Yours? Your friend’s? Your unborn child”s? Your parents? Etc., etc. According to Scripture, no matter what sin you commit, and no matter who appears to be the injured party, you have sinned against God and God only.

Now, just what right do you have in stating that you must forgive yourself? Would not that be usurping the place of the LORD God? Was it to you that the Father committed all judgment? Moreover, if you forgive yourself, just how much weight does that carry with God?

By the way, if you think that you must forgive yourself before you can move on with being a child of God, then you obviously didn’t believe God when He said He would forgive you. Hence, you are still not forgiven as you are making your salvation contingent upon your forgiving yourself.

Faith — part 2

Since the receiving of faith is based upon whether one reads and studies the Scriptures, and has a genuine and sincere desire to know who God is and what He requires, it is plainly obvious that not everyone is going to have faith. Really, it is quite the miracle that any of us have any faith at all when we evaluate it in this light. Nevertheless, the LORD is gracious and grants those who truly want to know and understand Him, the faith necessary to do so.

Now I understand that this is a different view than the mainstream “Christian” view. The mainstream view is expressed in the following quote from an on-line Bible Study offered by a independent Baptist church:

“HOW DOES A PERSON OBTAIN FAITH?
The answer is by trusting in God’s Word. This of course requires that one hears what God has to say first. After all, you can’t trust in what you haven’t heard nor can you claim a promise that you don’t know has been given.”

Now, this would initially seem to support what I have previously stated, and what the Scripture demonstrates. However, if we note the initial sentence, we see a precondition that is nowhere in the Scripture. That precondition is “trusting in God’s word.” However, when in reading the study you would have already come across the following statement:

“Faith is TRUSTING IN GOD’S WORD. When you consider how trustworthy God’s Word is, faith becomes a very sure thing. Throughout the New Testament we find various examples demonstrating that faith means trusting in God’s Word.”

Certainly this ought to cause one to question the validity of how one can even claim to have faith at all. It reminds me of being little child and playing “Ring around the Rosie.” Utterly pointless. In short, this is circular logic that has no place in the word of God and is invalid for teaching anything about the doctrines and principles of Scripture.

What is wrong here is a presupposition that one must believe what God has to say before God will grant them faith. However, that is not at all what the LORD indicated when He stated through Isaiah:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

Someone who is already trusting what you have to say doesn’t have to be reasoned with about what you are saying and why. Instead, they already accept what you say and don’t debate it. When one must be reasoned with, it is due to the fact that one doesn’t understand what is presented them and doesn’t accept it. Hence, they must be reasoned with concerning the information they are presented.

The error that is present in the on-line Bible study is one of misidentification of faith, and what it actually is. Instead of letting the Scriptures define faith properly, they have misidentified the properties of faith and thus misidentified faith itself.

The Scripture is very clear on the properties of faith, and actually does define what faith is. However, if we are not willing to allow the Scripture to stand, and we put our own “spin” on what is stated, we are going to have a flawed understanding at best.

In Hebrews, chapter 11, there is a treatise given on faith, why it is utterly necessary, and what the effect of having it is. In the beginning of the chapter, the following is given:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

it is very interesting how the above passage it constructed. For one, hope is not what we would term ‘substantial’ in the sense of being physical, or something materially based. Rather, hope is a thing of the heart and mind. Hence, hope can be built upon an unsure foundation of ‘I think so. . .’ or it can be built upon an more sure foundation of ‘I know so . . .’ What one then hopes for, is entirely dependent upon what one perceives and understands. In the case of the first sentence in the above passage, we are told that faith is the foundation of the things that the children of God hope for, or await the coming of. Now, the sentence continues on to state also that faith is an evidence of things that are not seen. This is understandable as the things of God, and God Himself are not seen, as the Scripture states:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Hence, there must be an understanding that faith then deals with the unseen — the spiritual. Faith is then further clarified by the second sentence which states:

“For by it the elders obtained a good report.”

Now, we have something that we can understand in the way of defining faith. Notice that the first few words are “For by it . . .” “It” is an interesting word as “it” is ever and always a noun, and not ever a verb. Everything in this world that has substance can be called an “it.” However, actions, which are verbs, are not and cannot be defined as an “it.” What this means is the “elders” possessed something that enabled them to obtain a good report in the sight of God. Backing up, we can see that “it” would also be a substance, and an evidence.

In continuing to the third sentence, we are given an example of what this “it” called “faith” enables us to do:

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, . . .”

So then, by “it” I can, or do understand that the worlds were laid out and brought into existence by what God said. What this does is define faith as a thing, rather than an action. Moreover, by using this thing, we can perceive what God is trying to show us in and through His word. However, instead of it being physical, it is strictly spiritual, and the things shown are spiritual as well.

Thus, unlike the explanation given in the Bible study above, the faith described in the Scriptures is a noun, that precedes and precipitates action. In the aforementioned Bible study, faith is described as a verb, that precipitates another action that precipitates the first action. In short, to them faith generates trust, and trust generates faith. Plainly, this is not what the Scripture states, and is illogical.

In contrast, a summary of what the LORD has stated is very simple:

If you will hear His word, be attentive to it, and you truly and sincerely want to know and understand, He will grant you the means — the instrument, whereby you can perceive what He has done, what He states, and the truth of it, so that the LORD can reason with you about the state of your soul, and what He has done to rectify its wicked state.

To be continued . . .

Faith — part 1

One of the things that is least understood (but much claimed and talked about) in Scripture is Faith. It is not well understood by the vast majority who claim it, and it is mocked and ridiculed by atheists who say it is the refuge of the religious when they can’t explain something. Sadly, the atheists are more correct than many Christians. I would have to agree that the vast majority of Christians who claim they know something by faith, do not when the thing they claim to know flies directly in the face of plain Scripture. When this happens, all it accomplishes is the giving of ammunition to the atheist and scorner. It really would have been better for the Christian to keep his or her mouth (or keyboard) silent when they actually did not know what the Scripture teaches.

In the case of faith, I had to consider long and hard as to how to approach the subject. Not that I do not know what it is or how it works, but how to explain it in a sensible fashion, in writing, presents a challenge. Perhaps it is best begun where faith really starts, with the owner thereof.

To be certain, there are those who claim that faith is owned or created by man. However, everything in Scripture has a key verse that is the correct starting place for that doctrine. Sometimes it is the first mention, but not always. In the case of faith, there is a verse that declares that faith must be received:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Since the word “cometh” is in italics, it is necessary to clarify that the original Greek would have been “faith by hearing” which strongly implies that faith is received from someone or somewhere else. Hence, the translators of the KJV tell us that they added “cometh” in clarifying the implication that is strong enough to be a declaration. Thus, if faith “cometh,” then of necessity it is received and not generated within us. This is crucial in that, if one does not have faith, then one has not yet been granted it based upon the criteria the owner has for giving it.

So then, who owns faith? Not to be insulting, but I would hope that all would automatically understand that the LORD God is the owner of faith. However, I know that there are verses that some will point to that declare that certain individuals had faith, and that it is their own. The problem is that none of us have anything that is truly our own (save the wickedness we choose to do) as the Scripture is express:

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (I Corinthians 4:7)

Thus, even our very lives are not truly our own as it is God that grants us life. This being the case, we are driven to the understanding that faith does not belong to us, and neither can we produce it out of nothing. The following passages speak of faith and who owns and controls it. As you read, please note the phrase “faith of” which indicates ownership.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:22)

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: . . . (Philippians 3:9)

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

Now, to be fair the above passages are in the context of the believer in Christ, and how that believer is kept by the Lord. Which, if we examine the passages again, we find the faith which is necessary to keep the believer is not actually the believer’s faith, but Christ’s. Perhaps some find this an oddity, but it is consistent with the above passage from Romans, chapter 10, which tells us that faith “cometh,” and the faith that cometh is Christ’s faith. Since Christ is God manifest in the flesh, and fully equal with the father, we should understand that the Father and the Holy Ghost also have faith. Hence, the owner of faith is Almighty God.

Does this mean those who do not yet know the LORD cannot have faith? Not at all. There are two solid reasons that tell us that someone can have faith, and yet not be born-again. If we remember, it is the LORD’s air we breathe and the life we have does belong to Him, not to mention everything else in creation is also His, and yet He allows us the use of all these things. More importantly, God is not willing that any should perish, and all would come to repentance (though not all will), and they cannot come and please God without faith as Hebrews, chapter 11, verse six, states:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

In the above statement it is clear that one must have faith before they can please God and be reconciled to Him. This means there are certain criteria by which the LORD will grant faith to the individual so they could please Him. One of those criteria is given in the above verse when it states “he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

A second criteria is given in the previously quoted passage from Romans which declares that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” plainly meaning that there is no other ordained way for one to receive faith. One must read and study the Scripture diligently for the LORD to grant them the faith necessary to see and understand the truth of God. However, this is not all; there is one last criteria that must be met:

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)

This verse is confirmed in Job by the statement made by young Elihu, a preacher of the gospel:

Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. (Job 34:10-11)

This is further confirmed by Proverbs:

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. (Proverb 20:27)

It is this last criteria that is the most difficult to meet, as we will lie to ourselves about what we really want. However, the LORD God, Who searches us thoroughly, knows for certain why we are reading His word, and what we intend to do with it. Hence, if we never intend to properly exercise it, or wish to only mock the things of God, the LORD will never grant the instrument of faith whereby one can perceive and understand the truth of God and His word.

Thus, if one is never able to understand the word of God and cannot have assurance to the truth of the Scripture, the place to begin is their own heart. Faith belongs to the LORD God, and like everything else it is His to give based upon who meets the criteria to receive it.

Do you really want to know, or are you just playing a game?

To be continued . . .

And there’s not a problem with this . . .? (Part 2)

Yesterday, I addressed Isaiah 1:18 in and how it appears in the Spanish Bibles when it is translated literally, as compared to the King James Version and the underlying Masoretic text. However, I addressed only a portion of the error that is contained in the verse. In yesterday’s post, I focused on the use of the Spanish word “si” which means “if” instead of “aun” which means “though” and how that changed the entire meaning of the passage. Unfortunately, that is not the only error in the passage.

In the King James Version, Isaiah 1:18 states:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

And in the Reina-Valera 1602, it states:

Venid luego, dirá el SEÑOR, y estemos a cuenta: si vuestros pecados fueren como la grana, como la nieve serán emblanquecidos; si fueren rojos como el carmesí, serán tornados como la lana. (Isaías 1:18)

Which, literally translated, states:

The Lord will say come and let’s agree: if your sins are as scarlet, like the snow, they shall be made white; if the are red like crimson they shall be as wool.

Beside the use of the word “if” in place of “though” there is serious concern for the statement “The Lord will say come and let’s agree:” and what it means with its attendant implications for the doctrine of salvation. Now, I am certain that in the minds of many, the question will be raised: ‘What’s wrong with that statement, isn’t the Lord still seeking to call man to agree that man is a sinner?’ Yes, He is. But the problem lies not in the fact that the LORD is seeking to bring man to the understanding that each and every person is a sinner, as that is very much the case. Rather, the problem lies in the fact that this statement is placed in the future. Instead of “saith the LORD, ” which is present perfect tense. What is given in the Spanish is “The Lord will say” which is future tense.

Why is this an issue, and what real difference does it make? Well, of you are an ultra-dispensationalist, or are one that holds that salvation is different in the different periods of man’s history, I guess it doesn’t really make that much difference. However, if you believe that God has never changed, and that since the fall man has never changed, and you understand that the LORD God knew in eternity past that man would need a Savior, then it is a destructive rendering of the underlying Hebrew text, and inconsistent with the rest of the Scripture.

How so? Consider the following passages:

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: . . . (Luke 1:67-70)

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. (Acts 3:18)

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous. Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. (Isaiah 48:12-16)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 12:8)

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:24-26)

Now, I won’t quote all of Isaiah, chapter 59 as it is lengthy, but well worth reading as it details the condition of man. However, the last part of the chapter states:

Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. (Isaiah 59:15-17)

Just when did the LORD see the condition of man? In Revelation, chapter 13 quoted above, it plainly states that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. Please note this places the sacrifice of Christ to have occurred before the creation of man. Clearly, the Scripture details that the LORD created man on the sixth day, which is after the foundation of the world. So then, the LORD saw the fallen state of man before He made the heavens and the earth, and before man was ever created.

But, it is argued, how could the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, be slain on the cross before the world was ever made, and long before the Gospels detail His crucifixion? Isn’t that a contradiction, and doesn’t that cause problems in the Scripture?

Only if one’s understanding of God is incomplete or flawed. Consider the following passage and its implications as touching what the LORD tells us in Scripture:

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:16-17)

When God “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” what He is telling us is the following: He sees all time all at once and differentiates every point in time from every other point in time. Hence, in eternity past, when the LORD God made a covenant with Himself for the salvation of man, the outcome of Christ’s earthly ministry was never in doubt. The fact that the Word would become flesh, live perfectly before the Father, and go to the cross to pay for our sins, was a sure and certain thing: it was impossible for the Lord Jesus Christ to fail.

Hence, the gospel, and means of salvation for man, throughout the entire history of man from the fall has NEVER changed. In Ephesians, chapter 2 it is expressly stated:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8)

And just so men know that grace and works for salvation don’t mix, we are told in Romans:

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)

So then, when it states in Hebrews, chapter 11 that “by faith Abel” and in Genesis, chapter 6 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8) we know that both Abel and Noah believed in Christ to come and were justified in the sight of God based upon that belief and trust in God’s promise of a Savior. (Of course, one could read Job 19:23-27 or Hebrews 3:15-4:2) Thus, the gospel has always been the same.

Therefore, it is reasonable to pose the question: Is it “the Lord will say . . .” concerning our sin, or is it far more accurate to understand that it has always been “ . . .saith the LORD” in addressing the wicked and sinful condition of man?

Plainly, the LORD God has always stated, and continues to state that we, individually are sinners in need of salvation. He has made it clear that there exists no other means of salvation outside the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the Word, long before the world ever was chose to take on the form of a man and become our next of kin so that He would pay the price of our sin.

The statement and declaration of God is present perfect, not future tense. It is not ‘He will say.’ He has said and continues to say what He knew in eternity past. Thus instead of:

To be accurate it must state:

Venid ahora, y razonamos dice el SEÑOR: aun vuestros pecados son como la grana, como la nieve serán emblanquecidos; aun son rojos como el carmesí, serán como la lana. (Isaías 1:18)

And there’s not a problem with this . . . ?

And there’s not a problem with this . . .? (Part 1)

When I witness to someone concerning their need for salvation, there is a verse that I like to use as it is very applicable to rational Westerners (which we in America are). That verse is Isaiah 1:18, which states:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

The verse contains much in the way of doctrine. Primarily, I’d like to point out that the LORD God does desire to reason with every one of us. I want the person I am witnessing to, to understand that believing in Christ Jesus for one’s salvation is not an issue of superstition or blind belief. Rather, the Lord is not pleased by those methods of believing in either the Father or the Son. No, the LORD God desires that we are fully persuaded by reason. To be certain, this reasoning is not reasoning with the mind, although that does occur in the process. Instead, it is a reasoning with the soul. The reasoning primarily focuses on the state of that person’s soul as God sees it. The reasoning is about God’s righteousness versus man’s ability to become righteous by his own effort. And further, this reasoning also brings the person to consider who Christ is, why He died on the cross, and why Christ is qualified to pay the price for that individual’s sin, and that individual is not.

In all this reasoning that the Holy Ghost does with the individual, there is not an agreement between them, until that person yields on each particular point. Rather, it is an adversarial process that can take months or years with the person denying the truth of their state, and/or the truth of who God is, and how and why Christ came, along with who Christ actually is.

This last point is a very critical point that must be thoroughly understood and agreed to willingly before the LORD will accept the profession of that person. Why? Because the LORD is not pleased by blind belief, nor is He pleased by superstition as they who engage in such practices have no sure knowledge of who and what they are trusting. Instead, the LORD God desires that everyone come to know, not guess, but know Him personally, and know and fully understand that they can indeed trust Him and the provision he has made for us in Christ Jesus. This is what glorifies God. Whereas, blind belief doesn’t glorify at all. However, to persuade an individual and have them come to the knowledge of their Creator, and His love for them, and for that individual to be sure and certain of it, is indeed a glory and honor to God. After all, that soul turned to the truth willingly, and became obedient to the truth willingly; and all because the Holy Ghost persuaded them in their heart. Any fool will believe blindly and without proof, and that is no glory to God.

Thus, there is extreme importance attached to the phrase in Isaiah 1:18 which states “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:” However, that phrase suffers when we decide to use the Spanish Bible. Now, for those who are not familiar with this issue, we in the English-speaking world are not the only ones to suffer from a proliferation of Bible versions. However, we at least do have a right Bible that we can turn to as the need arises. Unfortunately, that is not the case in the Spanish world.

I wish I could state differently, but based upon dealing with translating English into Spanish over the last two years, I cannot. I work with a translator that is qualified to translate, and normally does medical interpretation and translation. She, along with a brother in my home church, have translated the Reproach of Men site into Spanish. In so doing, the Statement of Faith was also translated (and I currently have to update the Spanish version) in which each and every supporting verse of each article was checked to see that it properly supported the statement made. The variation of the Spanish verses from the English is simply astounding. Now, to be sure, the Spanish Bible used was not the RV 1960, rather the Bible used was the Reina-Valera 1602, which is supposed to be the most like the KJV.

However, considering all that was discussed above about the LORD God reasoning with individuals (through the instrument of Faith) and what God requires of them in the way of belief, what is one to make of the following rendering of Isaiah 1:18:

Venid luego, dirá el SEÑOR, y estemos a cuenta: si vuestros pecados fueren como la grana, como la nieve serán emblanquecidos; si fueren rojos como el carmesí, serán tornados como la lana.

And now, the literal translation of that passage:

The Lord will say come and let’s agree: if your sins are as scarlet, like the snow, they shall be made white; if the are red like crimson they shall be as wool.

I don’t know about you, but I do not like what I read in the translation above. If, . . .? If . . . ? If your sins are as scarlet. . .

Uh . . . no, — I don’t think so. Our sins are, . . . not if, but are, as scarlet. The price of our sin is blood, and the shedding of it to cover them. Moreover, (and I asked specifically about this) since when is the snow, scarlet? No, that cannot be right either. It must mean that some punctuation is incorrect.

The Lord will say come and let’s agree: if your sins are as scarlet; like the snow, they shall be made white;

Which, with the replacing of the comma with a semicolon, is better, but it still does not resolve the first clause and all the attendant problems of using the word “if” rather than the Spanish equivalent of the word “though.” In Spanish, the word for “if” is “si” and the word for “though” is “aun.” Thus it is not a “mistake” in the sense of a typographical error. Rather, the word “si” was deliberately chosen when the word “aun” was a clear and unambiguous rendering of the underlying Hebrew (at least in the Masoretic). Moreover, the word “aun” would give the Spanish reader the plain sense and understanding that they are sinners in need of salvation. As this passage stands, the reader is given to option of questioning the validity of the LORD’s charge laid against them.

Of course, the error was repeated in the last phrase as well. Again, the question “if” our sins are red. No, sorry, they are red like crimson.

By the way, this is not the only passage in the Spanish Bible(s) that are flawed in this way. In the Statement of Faith, many verses from the 1602 (it’s worse in the 1960 RV) had to modified to match what is stated in the King James Version. And, yes, this verse was rewritten to match the KJV:

Venid ahora, y razonamos dice el SEÑOR: aun vuestros pecados son como la grana, como la nieve serán emblanquecidos; aun son rojos como el carmesí, serán como la lana. (Isaías 1:18)

Is it any wonder that the Bible seems to have no significant impact upon the Hispanic world?

Doing the “Lord’s” Work

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. (John 14:23-24)

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:6-7)

You know, I suppose there are several ways that the Lord’s work could be done. After all, I do study other religions and try to understand what it is they see as justification for departing from Scripture. However, I do know for certain that the Lord was express in the Old Testament, and He continued it in the New, that things were to be done a certain way. Now, to be clear, there is considerably more leeway in the New Testament than the Old. After all, it really doesn’t matter whether you sing one hymn or three, or pray first and then sing, or the preaching lasts 30 minutes or an hour. No, what really matters is the proper, doctrinally sound ministering and teaching of the word of God to the Lord’s people so that they are strengthened and continue to grow in the Lord.

Moreover, when the Lord’s people are properly taught and built-up in the word, they are generally moved in their hearts to serve the Lord of their own volition. Properly taught, the Lord’s people need no outside motivation to do the work of spreading the message of the gospel. Moreover, if someone belongs to the Lord, their service to the Lord must be of their own volition, and of a right motivation, else the Lord will account it as wood, hay, and stubble to be burned up when the Lord judges His people. Thus, coercing brethren to serve the Lord by going door-to-door, through the use of threats and sanctions is utterly pointless as it does not please the Lord. Moreover, it muddies the message of the grace of Christ to both the individual being coerced and the people he or she witnesses to.

Unfortunately, there are those in this world who say they serve the LORD, who do not understand the above concept at all. However, I do not think this misunderstanding is entirely rooted in ignorance of what the Scripture has to say about service to the LORD. Rather, what is done appears as a calculated, knowledgeable, deliberate, wilful perversion of the Scriptures.

One such organization that engages in this activity with its members, all the while claiming that they are “serving the Lord,” is the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Having dealt with a few when they come door knocking is an interesting experience. After all, I will talk with anyone about what they believe, so long as they want to talk. Unfortunately for the Jehovah’s Witness, just talking with you and not getting you “converted” can get them in a lot of trouble with the Watchtower. Why? Because, in their “Lord’s work” they must account for their time on a time sheet, and they must also fulfill a monthly quota. Otherwise, they are in a heap of trouble, and could be subjected to censure or discipline.

Now, how do I know this? Fortunately, there are those who came out of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and they are not silent about it. There are some excellent sites out there that document the strange way the Jehovah’s Witnesses have of doing the “Lord’s” work. One such site is Watching the Tower. To be clear, the man that operates this site is not a fundamental, unaffiliated, Baptist. Rather, he is a Southern Baptist that was a 3rd generation Jehovah’s Witness prior to his salvation. Thus, this is not an endorsement of his affiliation, but is a pointing out of an excellent resource to use to learn what we deal with when it comes to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

However, this does raise the question for unaffiliated Baptists: What are we doing to reach those in such wicked organizations as the Jehovah’s Witnesses? Or, are we leaving it someone else to minister to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other groups such as Mormons, Adventists, etc.? For that matter, are we concerned about everyone who holds a doctrine of salvation by works, who believe that they are either saved by their “good works,” or kept in salvation by their “good works?” Or, are we all too willing to let “someone else” take care of that. I am glad the LORD God does not do business the way the Jehovah’s Witnesses do. No, the Lord does not need to keep an earthly repository of records detailing the activities of His children. That is an activity that only a man-made organization bent upon controlling its member’s lives would engage in.

Coercion may be fine to cause individuals to “toe the line” in society for the purpose of restraining the wicked activity of sinful man, but it is entirely inappropriate as a motivation to serve God. If the child of God doesn’t love his Saviour enough to give up some time and effort to bring others to Christ, it really does call into question whether they are a child of God.

Appealing to Authorities

Perhaps there is no greater dispute among those who name themselves (or who are called) Baptists than the issue of Calvinism. I have seen and heard many arguments over this issue that range from intelligent treatises to nothing more than eloquent name-calling and name-dropping. The really sad part of this is that some believe that appealing to authorities other than the Scripture nets them some sort of superior argument. I have to wonder, who do they think they need to please: God or man? Appealing to authorities other than the Scripture to prove one’s argument may look good and persuade men, but it doesn’t mean spit in the eyes of God. No, there is one, and only one text that has the respect of the LORD God: His own Holy Word. In this He is very express:

I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:1-2)

Hence, I have to wonder just who those who are arguing about this doctrine think they are pleasing? Moreover, I wonder if they argue about this based upon the call of God in their lives, or is it simply a desire of the flesh to be seen and heard, and in some way justify what they believe? In any case, this constant citation of what men have said proves nothing. Men, no matter how good they think they are, are not God, and they do not say or write what equates to the word of God. We have a complete Bible, and it is fully authoritative and needs no help from man.

However, it is not usually the case in the writings I see on the issue of Calvinism (also known as “Sovereign Grace”). Rather, what I see is a preponderance of quotes from other men who have held the same doctrinal position. Moreover, in some cases there is a total absence of Scripture. Thus, I have to ask: Just what does this prove? Aren’t we told in the Scripture that we are to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)? And, isn’t the standard of proof Scripture?

Thus, if we cannot prove the doctrine by rightly dividing the Scripture, what good are the words of other like-minded men? No matter how much they may agree, it still doesn’t prove the doctrine. Everyone on earth could suddenly agree that God has no authority over us; would that agreement make it true? Certainly not. If everyone on earth, and all the angels along with them decided that God didn’t exist, would that make it true? No, for the Scripture is express:

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (II Timothy 2:11-13)

END OF STORY

It doesn’t matter what you or I believe and who agrees with us. What matters is “What does the LORD God say in His word?” if we do not agree with what God states, then we are wrong. End of story.

Now, pertaining to the false doctrine of Calvinism, perhaps those holding the doctrine could explain the wording and construction of the following passage, particularly the use of personal pronouns? Oh, and don’t shortcut and divert and say that I do not understand the sovereignty of God. I certainly do, and you can find the evidence in the article “God’s Box.”

You know, for Calvinism to be true, the pronoun “his” would have to be changed and the wording of the passage changed significantly, would it not?

The Actor

In today’s society, the word “actor” doesn’t seem to carry any particular meaning beyond a job that one does to entertain or earn money. In short, being an actor is merely a career choice that is fundamentally no different than any other career choice. However, if that is our attitude toward the profession, perhaps we are not looking deeply enough at what it really means to be an actor.

For instance, when one acts, what does one really do? Acting, at its core, is the taking on of the character, nature and mannerisms of another in a way that is convincing to those who observe it. Whether this is done for pay or not is irrelevant to the fact that one takes on the identity of another. Whether one is successful at convincing others is also irrelevant to the fact that the person doing the acting is substituting another person for their own person, whether the character is real or fictional.

What we must do then, is consider what this really means to the person doing the acting. After all, we each have an identity. We are particular persons, with peculiarities that are unique and intrinsic to us as individuals. We do not hold these things collectively. Rather, they are individualized attributes of our unique personality. Now, to be sure, there are certain things common to all of us. The fact that we all are self-focused and generally like being the center of attention are a couple of them. But there are many things about our individual personalities that are distinctive to us, and that no one else shares in the same way. Though we may think much like someone else, we will dislike some things they like very much. In short, we have a particular makeup of characteristics and traits that are unique to us, and us alone.

Thus, the question arises as to what happens when someone takes on, or attempts to take on, the personality characteristics and traits of another? What happens to their own personality when this is done? Where does it go? We know that it cannot be allowed to come to the fore during the time when the person is acting, as it would ruin their performance. We also know that it cannot be allowed to compete with the personality the actor takes on, as that would also create a conflict and would ruin the performance.

Plainly, the only thing that can happen to that person’s identity is for it to be shunted aside, moved to the background and suppressed. However, most people have a strong enough identity that this creates problems that hinder their ability to act, which is why most people are not very good liars. Obviously, this is not the case with those who are successful actors. Either they have personalities which are weak and thus easily overcome, or they do not really do not know who and what they are.

The reason for this is clear: a strong personality will have difficulty with being shunted aside or moved to the background. Strong personalities are by nature assertive and intent upon being known for who and what they are. This is not the case with a weak personality, or with the individual who has no root in themselves to know who they are and what they are about.

This has major ramifications for the individual and the society that elevates such individuals to places of honor. Whether we realize it or not, when we elevate this type of person, we are implicitly stating that we would rather have the weak to be honored than the strong. We are also implicitly stating that we do not value individuality, other than what we can mold into an image that we like and that is pleasing to us. However, that is not the most destructive aspect of this weakness. No, it is most destructive within the individual.

One can only live vicariously for so long before they lose all touch with who they are or might be. They will be confused about what their true emotions, thoughts and feelings are. Moreover, how do they know what thoughts and emotions are truly theirs, and which are from some character they became sometime in the past? Groundless, they will drift, become unstable, and be unable to effectively choose a course of action that is consistent from one time to the next. They are difficult to live with and find difficultly fitting into any particular niche in society. They become oddities, whose every move is used as entertainment for those who like the characters they portray more than the actual individual they are.

What does this state about us as a society? What are we, and what have we become when we partake of the destruction of a person and think it is entertaining? It is understandable that people do choose to destroy themselves, for whatever reason. After all, that has been going on for all history. However, it is not understandable that a society would enjoy watching one of its members engage in the slow-motion destruction of their person. Worse yet, that we would pay someone to do that, all the while saying “its fine; there’s nothing wrong with it.”

It speaks volumes about why we are set for destruction as a society and a nation.

The Real Global Warming

I am always somewhat amused by the dire predictions of the environmental crowd and the craze of “global warming.” However, I am not amused enough to forget that they manipulate public opinion and the politicians enough to make life difficult for the rest of us. The amusing thing about the global warming crowd is the blindness to the fact that the weather forecasters cannot accurately predict the weather more than a couple of hours in advance. Yet, they swear up and down that they know for sure and certain that the earth is undergoing radical climate change in the form of “global warming.”

All right, that’s just fine. Actually, I will agree with them. They are right. The earth will undergo a radical climate change and it will indeed be global warming. Even the word of God agrees with them on this. Yes indeed, the Bible and the anti-God, humanistic, atheist crowd actually do agree on something — global warming.

Now, I know that some will think I am off my rocker about this. Rest assured, I am nowhere near even getting out of the rocker, let alone falling off of it. No, there is sound biblical basis for my assertion that the radical environmentalists and the Bible agree. Here’s my proof:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (II Peter 3:10)

And just so we don’t miss it, the LORD insures that it is repeated:

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (II Peter 3:11-12)

Now, I do believe that the words “burned up” and “fervent heat” positively, assuredly indicate that global warming is coming. That it is indeed a reality and unstoppable. In fact, the “global warming” that will occur is not just confined to our little ball in space. No, the Scripture is quite plain that it will extend to all the physical creation:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:11)

When the Scripture states that “there was found no place for them.” It plainly means that the earth and the heaven cease to exist. If there is “no place” for them, then there isn’t any place where they can be. Not to be flippant, but that’s some “global warming” for you.

You see, the environmentalists and the Bible do actually agree — there will be global warming. The really sad part for the environmentalists comes in the time after the universe is burned up. They will not get to see what the LORD God will do in making a new heavens and new earth:

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 66:22-23)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

Instead, I am afraid all that the environmentalists will see is a great white throne, and a lake of fire:

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15)

Why? Because they do not believe God, or His word. And, they refuse the commandment to repent and believe the gospel. Hence, they are unhappy as they know deep down inside that God is displeased with them for their disobedience:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)

You know, I wish the environmentalists were as concerned for their own welfare, as they supposedly seem to be for the rest of the world’s. If they were, perhaps they would try to insure that they don’t end up in some “warming” of their own.