Worldly Philosophies

by Jannie

Worldly philosophies vs the Word of God

 

Prologue

On the subject of popularity, we can deliberate scriptures such as Lk 6:26; Jn 15:19 and Jm 4:4.

Let’s ponder briefly the idea in Col 2:8, the sufficiency of Christ, shall we?

The meditation “Counselling and deliverance ministries” points out that psychology is a study that concerns itself with man in his fallen state (Rom 5:12, then 1 Cor 15:45-49). Similarly do many philosophical notions elicit to the Christian’s mind Scriptures such as Romans 1:21-22 (Ampl) that observes, “Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead, they became futile in their thinking [with vein imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves]”. There is of course, 1 Cor 1:18-2:2 (2 Cor 10:3-6), as well. The Bible is clear that eternal life is only in God through Jesus Christ (Jn 1:1-4,14,17; 3:16-21; 14:6; 1 Jn 4:8-9; 1 Jn 5:11-12; to name a few.

By the way, people trying to avoid God and His Word, are often heard uttering the rather daft statement that my truth and their truth contrast (varies). This shows a lack of understanding of the difference between perception and truth. Perception obviously differs and is personal but truth is absolute. Ponder Jn 14:6 (Jn 1:1-4,14); Jn 8:32,36. The authority and credibility of The Bible is examined in the meditation “The Bible”.

To the serious academic that probably already feel offended, this somewhat maladroit author ask for some patience and leniency as his language and message might not be regarded as set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but nevertheless hope to be in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them]; so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. The combined effort and time expended to put together all on www.gospel-truth.co.za as a whole, hope to give great and powerful revelations – albeit academically inept. The introduction to this website states that these are considered meditations, and not academic papers, by the author.

Meditation for the Buddhist, and their nirvana, as a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of professed karma and supposed cycles of death and rebirth, may represent the final goal of Buddhism; but to this author, for one, makes no sense as nothing cannot solve anything nor offer any reward (compare Heb 11:6). Note that nothing does not equal no action as no action implies something; also, that reward here is not sensual and self-seeking. Such nothingness of the Buddhist infers a void and loss rather than any real victory. Compare Ps 1:2. Meditation therefore by definition for this author translates as opposite to a nothingness and emptiness devoid of any real solution. How can a cognitive attempt to empty your thought-life, be characterized as meditation? Surely meditation implies mental constructs, reason, musing, considerations, thought exploring reflections formulating theories and models that can draw conclusions that can be recalled as synopses and strategies and be of use to other? (2 Tim 3:16-17). Again, there is no victory in a state where you “empty your mind” to think that is ridding yourself of evil [bad thoughts] by getting rid of the “good” thoughts as well. A completely empty mind sounds, at any rate, like a fallacy for a mind devoid of thought will not wake up to reality again. No, victory (Phil 4:13) is rather in the process described in 2 Cor 10:5.  Jesus taught that an empty mind must take care to get filled with His Holy Spirit, unless a worse fate befalls him than before demons were driven out of him – Mt 12:43-45; Lk 11:24-26; Jn 5:14 (Heb 10:26-27).

As far as a clean and empty man is concerned, hear Jesus in Mt 12:43-45 and Lk 11:24-26 (Heb 10:26-27). A clean and empty soul is extremely dangerous before being filled with good. This is the dangerous time between a water baptism (that dealt with the past) and a baptism of the Holy Spirit (that deals with the future.) The meditation “Baptism” expands on this.

Please read with this author through, what he would like to call, “meditations” on this website. Let’s use this one as an example, picturing a man sitting peacefully in a quiet place, gazing over a beautiful valley to the mountains beyond… or for that matter, just as well in a place buzzing with human wasteful activity and noise… while some cognitive processing entertains this being with flashes of inspiring thoughts…

Comparison of Christianity to other belief systems and philosophies

Zen

A typical popular question is whether the Buddhist concept of Zen is compatible with the Christian faith?

The Buddhist concept of Zen refers to a meditative state sought as a means of spiritual awakening and self-discovery. While practitioners of Zen claim that zazen (“sitting meditation”) is compatible with the Christian faith, there are some key distinctions that make this practice incompatible with Christian beliefs.

First, Zen seeks self-enlightenment. Christian prayer or meditation, in contrast, seeks God’s enlightenment of the believer. Zen Buddhism teaches one to empty the mind of all thoughts. This of course is rather irrational, dull and useless for long term “purification” in real life (“nothing” or “emptiness” does not equal good); righteousness that at any rate is provided by the salvation and sacrifice provided by Jesus Christ, no one else (Rom 3:20-24,28; Phil 3:9; the meditation “The Gospel” expand on this). Buddhism emphasizes “meditation” rather than study of Scriptures, which diametrically opposes the Christian meditation that is laden with thoughts of God’s greatness and worship of Him. Ps 63:6 exemplifies godly meditation, which has God as the focal point. A lack of knowledge is what destroys God’s people (Hos 4:6). Having said this, it must be emphasized that the true Christian’s aim is a genuine close personal relationship with God and not externalism (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:4,18).  Religion is mere rituals, tradition and examined in the meditation “The Gospel”.  Read it and find that even the very pious [pompous] referral to “spirituality” [as supposedly opposing mere “religion”] is in fact simply still opposing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 4:1-3; Gal 1:6-9).

Second, Zen’s meditative focus is upon looking inward for inspiration and direction. In contrast, the Bible teaches that our search for direction should be founded upon God’s Word. Refer to God’s instruction to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 or the statement in Ps 1:2; even Rom 8:14. The direction is from God but will point to our problem: the self and its self-righteousness – read the meditation “The Gospel” for more on this.

Third, Zen’s focus is upon living in the moment, being fully aware of all that is taking place in daily life. While there is nothing wrong with being aware of one’s surroundings, it is incomplete as a means of fulfilment. Ps 77:12, for instance, notes a focus on remembering God’s work in the past (Jn 1:17; 3:16-21!). Many passages also teach us to live with an eternal perspective, looking ahead to our future with Christ. Paul noted, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Phil 1:23). Incidentally, Zen is far from the mark if it implies Buddhists are more “aware”. According to the Word of God, are they lost (Jn 14:6; 15:1-5; Rom 8:14). Ponder Col 1:10-23; 1 Cor 16:13; Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 5:6; 1 Pet 1:13; 4:7).

Fourth, Zen practice entails the acceptance of other Buddhist beliefs incompatible with Christian teachings. This includes belief in reincarnation, which is at odds with at least Heb 9:27. (The most convincing proof for reincarnation is Van Rijn – he used to be a painter but is now a cigarette). Buddhism also holds to a view of God very different from Christianity. Buddhism teaches the oneness of all things; Christianity teaches that God is transcendent and exists as a Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit (refer to the meditation on this website entitled “Trinity doctrine”). Further, human sin and the need for salvation are viewed far differently in Buddhism, which sees no need to be saved from sin and does not believe in a heaven or hell.

Many more differences could be mentioned, but these key contrasts denote the essential disunity between Zen and Christian meditation. The practice of zazen is far different from the pattern of meditation expressed in Scripture. We are called to say, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways” (Ps 119:15) and “I will meditate on your wonderful works” (Ps 145:5).

Citizen of the world

Another popular secular idea is that of the social movement “World citizenship” (A “Citizen of the world”), the concept that all human beings are born citizens of the world, rather than mere citizens of a particular nation. They even have a badge.  In general usage, the term “Global citizen” or “Cosmopolitan” appears in effect the same as “World citizen”.  Various organizations, such as the “World Service Authority”, have advocated global citizenship and go so far as to offer a passport.  As far as the publication of Oliver Goldsmith’s “The Citizen of the World” (1760) is concerned, the reader is invited to research that as a topic on its own.

In general, a world citizen is a person who places global citizenship above any nationalistic or local identities and relationships. An early expression of this value is found in Diogenes of Sinope (c. 412 B.C.), a cynic philosopher in Ancient Greece. Of Diogenes it is said: “Asked where he came from, he answered: ‘I am a citizen of the world (kosmopolitês)'”. This was a ground-breaking concept because the broadest basis of social identity in Greece at that time was either the individual city-state or the Greeks (Hellenes) as a group. The Tamil poet Kaniyan Poongundran wrote in Purananuru, “To us all towns are one, all men our kin.” In later years, political philosopher Thomas Paine would declare, “my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” Today, the increase in worldwide globalization has led to the formation of a “world citizen” social movement under a proposed world [non-Christian] government. In a non-political definition, it has been suggested that a world citizen may provide value to society by using knowledge acquired across cultural contexts. Many people also consider themselves world citizens, as they feel at home wherever they may go.  But how is the matter of faith and fellowship in Jesus Christ and God the Creator to be blended with other belief systems and paganism into one concoction, devoid of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Albert Einstein described himself as a world citizen, famously saying “Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” World citizenship has been promoted by distinguished people including Gary Davis, who lived for 60 years as a citizen of no nation, only the world. Davis founded the World Service Authority in Washington, DC, which sells World Passports, a fantasy passport to world citizens. In 1956 Hugh J. Schonfield founded the Commonwealth of World Citizens, later known by its Esperanto name “Mondcivitana Respubliko”, which also issued a world passport; it declined after the 1980s. “Global citizenship in the United States” was a term used by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2008 in a speech in Berlin.

The Bahá’í faith promotes the concept through its founder’s proclamation (in the late 19th century) that “The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” As a term defined by the Bahá’í International Community in a concept paper shared at the 1st session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, New York, U.S.A. on 14–25 June 1993. “World citizenship begins with an acceptance of the oneness of the human family and the interconnectedness of the nations of ‘the earth, our home.’

Mundialization philosophically is seen as a response to globalization’s “dehumanisation through [despatialised] planetarisation” (Teilhard de Chardin quoted in Capdepuy 2011). An early use of mondialisation was to refer to the act of a city or a local authority declaring itself a “world citizen” city, by voting a charter stating its awareness of global problems and its sense of shared responsibility. The concept was promoted by the self-declared World Citizen Gary Davis in 1949, as a logical extension of the idea of individuals declaring themselves world citizens, and promoted by Robert Sarrazac, a former leader of the French resistance who created the Human Front of World Citizens in 1945.

The first city to be officially mundialised was the small French city of Cahord (only 20,000 in 2006), the capital city of the Département of Lot in central France, on 20 July 1949. Hundreds of cities mundialised themselves over a few years, most of them in France, and then it spread internationally, including to many German cities and ironically, to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In less than a year, 10 General Councils (the elected councils of the French “Départements”), and hundreds of cities in France covering 3.4 million inhabitants voted mundialisation charters. One of the goals was to elect one delegate per million inhabitants to a People’s World Constitutional Convention given the already then historical failure of the United Nations in creating a global institution able to negotiate a final world peace. To date, more than 1000 cities and towns have declared themselves World cities, including Beverly bHills, LA, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Philalephia, Toronto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Nivelles and Königswinter.

As a social movement, mundialization expresses the solidarity of populations of the globe and aims to establish institutions and supranational laws of a federative structure common to them, while respecting the diversity of cultures and peoples. The movement advocates for a new political organization governing all humanity, involving the transfer of certain parts of national sovereignty to a Federal World Authority, Federal World Government and Federal World Court. Supporters claim to, supposedly basing its authority on the will of the people, to develop new systems to draw on the highest and best wisdom of all humanity, and solve major planetary problems like hunger, access to water, peacekeeping, pollution, war, and energy. The mundialization movement includes the declaration of specified territory – a city, town, or state, for example – as world territory, with responsibilities and rights on a world scale. Currently, the nation-state system and the United Nations offer no way for the people of the world to vote for world officials or participate in governing our world. International treaties or agreements lack the force of law. Mundialization seeks to address this lack by presenting a way to build, one city at a time, such a system of true World Law based upon the sovereignty of the whole. There is even an earth anthem.

Aspects that are aimed to be addressed in such a world order are for example, the following:

Geography, sovereignty, and citizenship. The idea of global citizenship may require a redefinition of ties between civic engagement and geography.

Global citizenship education given by several scholars of the changing configurations of citizenship due to globalization is the possibility that citizenship becomes a changed institution; even if situated within territorial boundaries that are national, if the meaning of the national itself has changed, then the meaning of being a citizen of that nation changes.

Human rights. The lack of a universally recognized world body can put the initiative upon global citizens themselves to create rights and obligations. Already the worldly citizens have construed this to mean that a teenager may have her unborn child murdered without her parents interfering in her decision and people of the same gender can be married to each other “legally”.

Education. In education, the term is most often used to describe a worldview or a set of worldly values toward which education is oriented (see, for example, the priorities of the Global Education First Initiative led by the Secretary-General of the UN. The term “global society” is sometimes used to indicate a global studies set of learning objectives for students to prepare them for global citizenship. Within the educational system, the concept of global citizenship education (GCED) is beginning to supersede or overarch movements such as multicultural education, peace education, human rights education, Education for sustainable Development, and international education. Additionally, GCED rapidly incorporates references to the aforementioned movements. Jesus is not allowed in such an “education system”.

Philosophy. Global citizenship refers to a broad, culturally and environmentally inclusive worldview that accepts the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. Political, geographic borders become irrelevant and solutions to today’s challenges are seen to be beyond the narrow vision of national interests. Proponents of this philosophy often point to Diogenes of Sinope.

Not all interpretations of global citizenship are positive.

For example, Bhikhu Chotalal Parekh advocates what he calls globally oriented citizenship, and states, “If global citizenship means being a citizen of the world, it is neither practicable nor desirable.” He argues that global citizenship, defined as an actual membership of a type of worldwide government system, is impractical and dislocated from one’s immediate community. He also notes that such a world state would inevitably be “remote, bureaucratic, oppressive, and culturally bland.” Parekh presents his alternative option with the statement: “Since the conditions of life of our fellow human beings in distant parts of the world should be a matter of deep moral and political concern to us, our citizenship has an inescapable global dimension, and we should aim to become what I might call a globally oriented citizen.” Parekh’s concept of globally oriented citizenship consists of identifying with and strengthening ties towards one’s political regional community (whether in its current state or an improved, revised form), while recognizing and acting upon obligations towards others in the rest of the world.

Michael Byers, a professor in Political Science at the University of British Colombia, questions the assumption that there is one definition of global citizenship, and unpacks aspects of potential definitions. In the introduction to his public lecture, the UBC Internalization website states, “‘Global citizenship’ remains undefined. What, if anything, does it really mean? Is global citizenship just the latest buzzword?” Byers notes the existence of stateless persons, whom he remarks ought to be the primary candidates for global citizenship yet continue to live without access to basic freedoms and citizenship rights. Byers does not oppose the concept of global citizenship, however, he criticizes potential implications of the term depending on one’s definition of it, such as ones that provide support for the “ruthlessly capitalist economic system that now dominates the planet.” Byers states that global citizenship is a “powerful term” because “people that invoke it do so to provoke and justify action,” and encourages the attendees of his lecture to re-appropriate it in order for its meaning to have a positive purpose, based on idealistic values.

Neither criticism of global citizenship is anything new. Gouverneur Morris, a delegate to the Constitutional United States, criticized “citizens of the world” while he was on the floor of the convention; 9 August 1787. “As to those philosophical gentlemen, those Citizens of the World as they call themselves”, He owned he did not wish to see any of them in our public Councils. He would not trust them. “The men who can shake off their attachments to their own Country can never love any other”.

The obvious cautioning [for the Christian] then is to not associate with the “world” as mentioned in Jm 4:4-10; i.e., the world that all the meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za emphasize as against God and His Kingdom on earth. There is but one God that did what He did for us in Jesus Christ our Lord (Jn 14:6).

Feel free to investigate the example given in the book of Daniel, especially chapter 3, illustrating this crucial point; and refer to Joshua 24:15,19-20 as well as Peter and John in Acts 4:12,17-20. Some highlights here are Dan 2:22,28,44,48; 3:12-14,22-25. In Dan 3:29 the heathen king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon even decreed “…that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego [fellow believers and friends of David] shall be cut in pieces and their houses be made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way.”

Karma

Another prevalent typical worldly philosophy is the so-called karma. This viewpoint is found in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Avvavazhi, Sikhism and Jainism that claims that all living creatures are responsible for their actions and the effects of their actions (karma).  What sounds right is that we must accept responsibility for our actions.  This is found in the Bible.  But in Hinduism and Buddhism the idea is that the sum of a person’s actions in this and previous states of existence, are viewed as deciding their fate in future existences; and often comes down to plain good or bad luck, viewed as resulting from one’s actions.  It is for them about a cycle of cause and effect culminating in re-incarnation. Some even links the theory of karma to be an extension to Newton’s third law of action and reaction where every action of any kind including words, thoughts feelings, the totality of our existence, will eventually have a reaction, a same type of energy coming back to the one that caused it. It implies however, that absolutely nothing exists, which does not comply with the law of cause and effect. (For ideas of illusions vs. reality, refer here to the meditation “Scientology”).  On the scale of the Universe, it would imply absolute determinism of all actions, feelings, thoughts and developments for the past and for the future making both calculable, if the current state of the Universe would be known fully. In terms of spiritual life, karma is about all that a person has done, is doing and will do. Karma is said to not be about punishment or reward but to make a person responsible for their own life, and how they treat other people.  But how can admonishment take place outside of love [care, help]? We read in 1 Cor 13:5 that love is not puffed up; it does not behave indecently, does not seek its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth, and quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things and never fails!  It is, therefore, hard to not see an idea of punishment and revenge camouflaged between the efforts of self-fulfilling awards earned by the self. Compare here the Word of God in even just Phil 3:9 (2 Tim 3:15-17); Jn 1:1-4; 3:15-21 or Col 1:9-20; or for that matter 1 Cor 1:18-21!  At any rate, was Jesus (Jn 1:1-4,14,17; 14:6,23-26; Gal 3:8; Col 1:16-17) first with His statement in Mt 7:12: “Therefore all things, whatever you desire that men should do to you, do even so to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Contemplate also even just Mt 5:38-41, 43-48; or Rom 12:14,17,19-21.  Note the Bible’s reference to a heavenly Father (Mt 5:48), not a mere omnipresent force manipulating all living creatures’ lives with a revengeful punishment that is then euthanized and argued away as a teaching method – by a universal force that shows no mercy, no grace and no love?  Consider the meditations such as “God is Love”; “The Gospel” and “The will of man, the will of God” in www.gospel-truth.co.za for a more detailed and Biblical Christian perspective.

It seems clearly disastrous to embrace [tolerate, mix] worldly belief systems and philosophies that is incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ into one concoction of a philosophical life orientation.

Note. Obviously not each and every religion is examined here or in too great detail for it is superfluous when studying God’s Word, The Bible; this statement hopes to become clear as a sensible assumption when reading all the meditations on this website as a whole. Some other options are discussed elsewhere on this website as the titles indicate (except a brief look at the Roman Catholic Faith that is set out in the meditation entitled “Church part 2”). It seems that most foremost religions and philosophical systems can be categorized close enough into broader categories if they oppose The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Refer at least to the meditations “Who is Jesus Christ” and “The Bible” before too hastily discredit this notion?

General

So, with a receptive [humble] heart and prayerfully [honestly, genuinely], contemplate carefully the following: Mt 11:25-30; Jn 8:32,36,42-47; 14:17; 15:18-23; 2 Cor 5:15-21; 10:2-11; Eph 4:23-31; Col 1:13-23; 3:1-17; 2 Tim 4:2-4.  Before reading further, have you really considered these scriptures?…  (Heb 2:1-18)

In worldly wisdom and intellectuality, we therefore find a sad and tragic misunderstanding of who we can – and should – be in Jesus Christ; hence, scriptures such as 1 Cor 2:8-16 and 2 Cor 10:2-11; 1 Jn 4:4…  There are of course, also 1 Cor 3:19 and 2 Cor 1:12 (Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10; 17:24; Jm 1:5-8)!!…

Typically, the world’s “wisdom” will give advice such as

– “Don’t get your hopes up too high” (compare here your Designer’s encouragement in just Eph 3:20)

– “What you don’t know won’t hurt you” (Exactly the opposite of just Hos 4:6)

– “What you see is what you get” (Not what God’s Word says – Heb 10:38-11:3)

– “You sleep on the bed you made” (Responsibility is one thing, but take note of Jn 4:38; 1 Pet 1:16-23)

The other meditations on this website will expand on this.

So, instead of “support groups” that sets you up for despair (in which you identify not with God Who created [designed] you to be and radiate perfect love (1 Cor 13; see the meditation “God is Love”); but instead, you let people in the same messy situation [spiritual place of lack] define [limit] you.  No, we should not embrace adversity but believe Jesus in Mt 12:28-30 (Jn 8:32,36) – and then experience the new creature you become inside (2 Cor 5:17 and the Scriptures in paragraph two above), in God’s image (1 Jn 4:4,8) and a consistent life that is lived in victory and authority (Jn 1:12-13; 14:12-18; Heb 13:5), exuding Jesus Christ – not the religious play-acting too many [mere] church-goers get trapped in.

Believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:4; Gal 1:6-9; Rom 1:16-17) must take care with formulations and explanation from “modern” psychologies, and vigilantly test their account for conditions such as depression, with Scriptures such as Rom 8:29; 12:2 and 2 Cor 5:17. Jesus, in for example Mk 5:15; Lk 8:35, got that poor man healed by getting him in his right mind.  If you read those passages thoughtfully, you’ll notice that Jesus probably spoke to him for longer than a mere instant to get his mind healed [restored, renewed, enlightened, informed to who he should be in Christ] (Mt 10:7-8; Mk 16:16-20; Jn 17:20-23; Rom 8:29-39).  Refer to the meditation “Counselling and deliverance ministries” for thoughts on missing chemicals vs. a missing Word [seed]. Where an obviously real physiological condition can be treated effectively by modern medicine or procedures, by all means have it done for it would then be stupid not to; but just be very sure you grasp fully a possible extension of Rom 12:1-3 that can apply to the psyche as well before blindly getting medicine from specialists not truly reborn (Jn 3:3).  Read the meditation “Body, Soul, Spirit” as well?  Ask for God’s wisdom (Jm 1:5), especially where the wellbeing of [your] children is at stake.

[Our] purpose in life

Ultimately, the aim is to [first] obtain everlasting Life; and then not reincarnation to even other life forms!  The meditation “The Testimony” and “The Gospel” expands on this.

Popularized as a challenge to a specific discovery of a higher explicit meaning for every individual person, our purpose in life thus touches on the subject of God’s sovereignty. This is expanded on in the meditation entitled “The will of man, the will of God”.  Suffice for our purposes now, to point out that God is Love and that true love never manipulates.  By implication then, is the viewpoint of God controlling, directing and manipulating every action, imbued with problems that are in fact irreconcilable with The Word of God (The Bible and the precepts of Jesus Christ – Jn 1:14; 6:14,47-51; Col 1:11-20)!  Just for one, is the expectation that God then supposedly have only one specific mission for each of us, not sensible; for this implies God, as some purportedly claim, manipulates us at any rate to get us to do what He wants?  This, from observation, is clearly not so.  No, we have to distinguish between [available] guidance and outright control where no will [choice] is available.  God clearly made and designed us as free moral agents (Refer to the meditation “The Gospel” as well).

Of course, we should have unselfish purpose and meaning and be useful to others once we have reasonably fulfilled our own development to such a stage where we can commence this utility as a service or ministry.  But this reveals an error in reasoning if we perpetually seek to find the ever elusive one single answer as if our purpose in life is one huge and virtually unsolvable enigma that involves merely one task as if it’s a piece in a puzzle that God is building.  Consider here even just Heb 2:8. God is not playing games with us. He can, however, provide and supply us with His wisdom and guidance, consolation, and so on; as in Jm 1:5 (Jm 1:6-8!); Jn 14:26; Gal 3:2-5; especially Eph 1:3-12 and Phil 1:19; 4:6-9 and particularly then, verse 19!

Emotions

Refer to the meditation “Body, Soul, Spirit of man”.  Grasp that emotion is part of the self (psuche).

The strongest emotions are conjured through a seemingly instinctive yearning for survival, both physical (immediate) and ultimately eternal in spirit through religion. The irony is that religion needs no god and is based on self-righteousness [in essence flawed in making the self its own god]!!!  This will be explored and revealed in this short meditation – and the other meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za.  Read it in its entirety and then perhaps reconsider the notions inherited from a lost world (Rom 1:18-25).

All religions believing in a god have a system whereby the self aspires to impress their god sufficiently to obtain everlasting life (for the self).  Those claiming not to believe in a god are in effect making themselves their own god (such as atheists or evolutionists).  Even those claiming not to believe [at all], must believe themselves claiming this, so their belief is probably that they don’t believe!  Now consider that the only God worth serving is the real omnipotent, omniscient God that is the Creator.  If you’re under the impression that everything formed from nothing by accident long, long ago, read “Evolution” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.

Let us now consider the concept of making an impression.

 

Impression – an explanation

The idea is to make someone feel admiration and respect.  It implies having an impact on, to influence, to affect, to move, stir, rouse, excite, inspire, galvanize, or make a mark.  A good analogy is to stamp your initials on a metal object.  To achieve this, you have to make a mark or indentation (impression) on that object.  For this to happen, the receiving object has to be struck by something of greater substance (in our example a punch made of harder metal).

Now ask yourself this question:  How would you – or any human for that matter (pardon the pun) – impress an omniscient, omnipotent God?  Do you really think that your – or any human’s – goodness can impress the Source of all goodness?  Take perhaps more time to contemplate this properly.  The meditations entitled “The Covenant and the Law” and “Mixing Old and New” in www.gospel-truth.co.za might prove to be enlightening reading on this subject of thinking you can save yourself by following a Law.

 

Self[1] – a question

People today, and as time moves on, are possibly not [becoming] more intelligent than the first man [Adam] was. Do not confuse intelligence with learning from a technological stage [development step].

Observe how people are motivated to “give” or “contribute” (even to “society”) – while the real intent is to alleviate fear and ultimately gain for the self! Hence people’s incredible gullibility to perpetual scams with empty promises to satisfy a hunger for lust and greed. Are people blinded by science and technology or is there another blinding factor?

The answer to this enigma has in fact been recorded in the most ancient manuscripts all along.  These are combined and put together as one unfolding, progressive revelation of our Creator in the Book the worldly puppeteers want to desperately get out of their way – the Bible.  How is it that “intellectuals” scoff at the one Book that is infinitely more credible than anything any human mind could produce to this day?  The very academic’s criteria applied to the Bible makes it unsurpassed in the literary, scientific, philosophical and religious world today. How is it possible that “intellectuals” fail to see that academics change their doctrines continually while the Bible remained unchanged?

The answer is given in the Bible, as the Word of God, very plainly – man is blinded by himself – by his own conceited, ignorant mind. Naturally the “puppeteers” [empire-building and self-inflating – even embittered – humans in rebellion] will want the Book out of the way that reveals this self-destructing trait of man and especially since this Book will make man accountable to a Creator-God.  The tragic fact is that numerous so-called “religious” people have completely misrepresented the Source of all LIFE, intellect, creativity, grace, righteousness, [agape] Love and all things good but ultimately absolute Truth, by the very same principle with power-drunk empire-builders [in reality] there for themselves; even “Christians” that try and live [actually die] with one purpose in mind – to not end up in hell.  What a mistake!!!  Do yourself a favour – humour yourself – and contemplate the little meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za.  It is a dare.

Confusion is a state of mind, yet these confused [ignorant] “intellectuals” prefer to trust their (and their false teacher’s) minds over an obvious greater intellect [God the Creator]?  Mere mortal men try in ludicrously futile attempts to elevate themselves above the Source of intellect, LIFE, creativity, wisdom, [agape] Love, wisdom and all that is good??!  Man is blinded by his own conceited, haughty, arrogant self; puffed up by a perception of “knowledge” none other than pseudo-intellectualism, pseudo-science, pseudo-wisdom; pseudo morality… basically arrogance and pride, lust and greed. Note how a beast has a soul (intellect, emotion, will) and a body but not a spirit.  The soul is self-conscious while the spirit is God-conscious; therefore, the spirit has to be born-again, the God-consciousness has to be awakened [quickened] to be able to recognise what your “conscious” and “intuition” was all along…  Note that these came like a “small” Voice… it was imparted… note also, that it was a gentle Voice, not the manipulator the religious people propagate [so that they can manipulate followers with fear in order to scare people into giving – to get – and to only empower themselves]… Likewise are companies/enterprises probably also ultimately interested merely and mainly in how [much] they can gain [financially].  Even “entertainment” is based on what pleases the “self”. Muse means to think.  A-muse is to not think.  Perhaps reconsider, therefore, our willing subjection to institutions that offer us amusement.  Especially if we observe them raking in huge wealth from it…

 

False hope

The world will want you to believe you are born innocent and inherently are a good human being and that the good is inside of you naturally. This is in fact a judgement of the outward appearance [acting] of man and is a dangerous delusion. Think why a child left alone, never corrected, becomes a delinquent minor. Ponder carefully 1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:9; Ps 5:9; Mt 5:27-28; 7:21-23; Mk 7:21-23; Rom 3:13,20,23,28; 5:12; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:5-8 and so on. Ex 34:7,9 distinguishes between iniquity (H5771, an inherent fault or quality of perversity, unrighteousness, wickedness) and transgression (H6588, rebellion) and sin (H2403, offence). Note here that iniquity (wickedness) implies to be bent. That is, bent towards unrighteousness and sin. So, only being born without ever meeting and knowing Jesus Christ is a self-destructive disaster. Your spirit, your God-consciousness, has to be activated by your choice (belief, faith) to be re-born – Jn 3:3,5-7 (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 5:1-20; Phil 3:9; Col 1:13-20).

Self-righteousness

Quite a large number of people apparently have the idea that they are inherently good and don’t need a Saviour in Jesus Christ; and so, if they mess up, they want to blame someone else. Well, The Bible contradicts that in even just Jn 15:4,5. The revelation to be discovered is that the self is the problem; we can blame no one else. But we like to blame an outside, even a higher force, the devil, instead of first envisaging Mk 7:20-23 with scriptures such as 1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:9-10; Mt 13:15-17; Eph 4:20-24; Phil 3:9; 2 Tim 2:19 and Col 3:5-8; even Is 5:18 and Ezekiel 37:23. Carefully ponder these scriptures again, given to us by our designer (2 Tim 3:16-17; Col 1:13-20; Jn 1:1-4).

Ponder Phil 3:9 again with the meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za such as “The Gospel”, “The Covenant and The law”, “Body, Soul, Spirit of man”, where it should become clear that self-righteousness [the self] is our problem! A typical example is the pompous philosophical question, “If no one [human] is around and a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound?” Well, a squirrel probably just about had a heart attack! That sound [wave, reality] will be a result of that event as part of physics, just as the falling tree was, whether it is measured or not.  The issue for this puzzled philosopher is actually the reality of absolutes.  Is it not telling how the philosopher reasons that his [your] observation is required to make an absolute true?! It is quite dim-witted to make a statement that “There are no absolutes!”  The very statement is an absolute!  Truth cannot exist without being an absolute (Jn 8:32,36).  To think that a truth does not exist merely because you have not observed [recognised] it, is exactly the self-righteousness that The Bible highlights and illustrates with beautiful sensitivity (refer to the meditation “The Bible” and “Apparent controversies in The Bible”).

In the meditation “The Gospel”, we see that Jesus arrived for us in His ministry and His vicarious blood-offer (Jn 3:16) after intellectualising and philosophizing failed to produce any salvation to mankind, having reached its climax with the Greek philosophers.  Religion had also failed in its pinnacle, Judaism; and military might failed in the Roman Empire.  Then we received Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of mankind that could represent us all while simultaneously presenting God to us.  This is expanded on in the meditation “The Gospel” and “Who is Jesus Christ”.

 

Observation

 

Let’s think about what the popular world today regards as normal. Generally, typical ideas such as ‘use now, pay later’, even to attempt “investing” money while simultaneously fundamentally struggling in overwhelming debt. This “Investing” entails enriching greedy underwriting companies and their money-driven agents selling policies designed to enrich them while any advantage to the client is accidental. Many put on expensive clothes to go to work in a car they are still paying for, in frustrating traffic and working conditions, just to be able to pay for the clothes, car and other items and a place to live in – standing mostly vacant while they’re at work, the very place they leave vacant on weekends and holidays ‘to get away from it all’? Have you bought into “retirement products” based on the idea that you have to sit around doing nothing and having no use [contribution] while being paid for it at a still useful age?  These products are mostly structured on the basis of commissions for the product floggers and company profits rather than the interest of its “retirement” fund members.  Have you perhaps discovered some of your fund “guardians” involved in fraud, scams, secret profits, unregistered-/misused funds and unexplained expenses, “losses”, evaporation of funds…  all leaving the “investors” destitute?  We are told democracy is the form of government to embrace, implying the majority decides on what is right or wrong – not God. In South Africa then, with around 51 million people registered, we find that 3,3 million (that is about 15 %) pay 99% of the income tax that, by the way, contribute little or nothing to the public good due to inability and corruption of a grossly oversized bureaucracy.  And no, I’m not cynical; it’s merely my observation in my plain language – it does not rob me of my inner peace with God.  But I think I know why Scriptures such as Revelation 13:16-18 have even modern theologians baffled.  This is also illustrated in another meditation on this website called “Rapture raptured” (#4, “The sign of the beast” on page 9/24).  It is a very plausible and straightforward explanation of this “sign of the [a] beast”.  Also consider the discussion on aliens further on in this meditation, if you will.

It is astonishing that “modern” humans vote per political referendums to alter laws on, for example, abortion and homosexuality as if any particular local (earthbound) majority vote can alter an absolute (God’s perspective, Word)? Refer to the meditation “Homosexuality”.  Also consider the fact that a human life deliberately ended is in most cases simply murder.  Also, that it is the rights of the one incapable of speaking for him/herself that needs rights protected [on her/his behalf] and that the unborn child is the obvious one that deserves the chance to live [be protected]. Then also, that a homosexual “couple” that adopts a child, messes that child’s mind up terribly and cannot be “justified” by the argument that the child was rejected by “straight” parents – it is a gross error in reasoning to think that two wrongs constitute a right.

People today, and as time moves on, are possibly not [becoming] more intelligent than the first man [Adam] was. Do not confuse intelligence with learning from a technological stage [step] in technical development.  Why, Adam, the first man, seems to have known he did not come from an animal and the Bible gives no such hint (Mt 19:4); yet today “modern man” thinks he has his origin from slime (what about where the slime – organisms still present in its same form today – comes from?).  For a consideration on what “evolution” means, contemplate the meditation so entitled.

From “ABC Myths, Legends, Lies”, a short note on the supposed “cavemen”.  The Horites in Gen 36:21 is similar to a Hebrew word for “cave” but is not the same! The term Horite was incorrectly interpreted as “cave dweller”, but later archaeological discoveries have shown that the Horites are not to be explained as “cave dwellers” but are to be identified with an important group in the near East in patriarchal times (J.P. Free, Archaeology and Bible History). In fact, neither The Bible nor archaeology has any proof of aboriginal “cavemen”. Cities of great antiquity have been unearthed with ever-increasing evidence that “when civilization appears it is already fully grown”, and “pre-Semitic culture springs into view ready-made” (Hall, History of the Near East)

Please consider the meditation “Who by Fire” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.

Consider also reading the meditation entitled “The Bible” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.  At closer inspection, the reader will find that all quotes of wisdom, morality and spiritual insight can be traced to what is penned [first] in the most superior literary work known to man – The Bible. Socrates is credited by some for originating ethics around 400-470 B.C. and Sophocles (around 497-405 B.C.) is credited, for example, for saying “What you cannot enforce, do not command”.  But contemplate then Jn 1:1-4; Col 1:13-20; Rom 12:7,17,19 and the words of Jesus Christ in Mt 19:4; 7:12; Mt 5:41 and so on that are based on what came from God (even just via Abraham and Moses) before these great Greek philosophers were born.  This can be repeated with all of the best man ever came up with.  The other meditations such as “The Bible” expand on this.

1 Cor 12:6,12-22 is about gifts of the Holy Spirit, not worldly philosophies.  See verses 1-3, 22 – 25.  So also, is Eph 4:25 referring to the verses leading up to this point:  Eph 4:3 onwards [note verses 12-15].  This is not to be confused with the eastern philosophy-systems (and “modern” politicians and some preachers) such as Buddhism or Hinduism that tries to advocate the plurality-idea that all religions are really the same search for the same “god” – a vague, mysterious and unidentifiable “force” of some kind in the universe.  They invented these analogies of the “elephant and the blind men trying to figure it out”, miss-communicating their individual findings; or “all climbing the same mountain from different sides” – it is utter nonsense to the re-born Christian.  We have the Bible [Jesus Christ!] as the revealing supernatural Word of God and Jesus Christ [and Holy Spirit!].  If you want to philosophy, imagine that God gave all blind men a miniature elephant [Bible] to put the big [real] one into a more accurate perspective, and talk to that mountain of self-righteousness [law, casting it into the sea]!  Do not underplay Jm 4:4; 2 Pet 1:20-21; or 1 Jn 4:4; 5:9-11 (Jn 14:6) – There is only one saving faith!!! As a matter of fact, many a “Christian” should perhaps reconsider 1 Jn 5:9-11 (Jn 14:6) again carefully before claiming that any [other, even any] religion is “good”, or someone is “a good person” just because he wasn’t violent towards you [at a particular moment]!  Note that religion is a system of rules, tradition and ceremony [externalism] and a far cry from a true and continuously working relationship with the one and only Living Creator-God and His salvation plan in Jesus Christ.  Investigate this closer in this meditation and on www.gospel-truth.co.za…

True Christianity as a relationship differs from all other religions, in that we have a personal, intimate, real [manifesting miracles and wonders] relationship with a Loving, caring [revealing] heavenly Father – A Person that is the Source of all righteousness, Love and wisdom.  A crucified and risen Christ.  Moses knew the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as a gracious and merciful Father, but Jesus Christ revealed this Truth behind all truths finally (Jn 1:12).  He is His face [nature and character] of God the Person we can all identify with and live (consider Rom 12 again).  Guard against superficial philosophical ideas “that sounds good” but at its root intends [were designed] to refute Christianity and make it “one of the many religions of the world”.  This is futile, ignorant and dull.  We differ from them all in that we believe God took [has] the initiative and revealed Himself perfectly in His Son Jesus Christ (hence Jn 14:6; 1 Tim 2:5).  God is abundantly clear – humans “rationalise” when self-consumed.  Contemplate Rom 1:16-22; 10:1-11.

If you want to adopt or rationalise the world-philosophies, contemplate again Mt 7:15-26 (Mt 12:36,37 – note “operative words” in the Amplified); 2 Tim 4:1-4; 1 Tim 4:1-3.  This means that false teachings are not to be seen as “all climbing the same mountain from different sides”!  There should be no denominations in the body of Christ.  The Bible has the perfect ability to explain itself – we distort it with “commentaries”, “explanations” – plainly put  often still false teachings (2 Cor 3:4-7; 11:12-15; Jn 8:42-48; 15:18-20; Mk 4:17; and so on).  For example: [Old Covenant] law is not [N.T.] grace; sprinkling is not baptism, homosexuality is an utter abomination to God, and it is illogical and blasphemy to teach that you “may” [is justified to] be “cross at God”!!  Of course, with your free will given by God [Love], you can experience any given emotion and perception but to foster any misplaced attitude towards a Perfect Creator-Father-God is insane.  The Source of righteousness and good and cannot sin [do any wrong]!  How on earth “Christians” can buy this satanic lie that they – whose thoughts [flesh] are so far below their Creator – “can be cross with [distrust] God”, is absolutely amazing – be puzzled, be seeking for answers [God the Father through Jesus Christ and His Word, even nature], be disappointed at your own offense, but please, see God for Who He is!!  Stop pulling Bible verses out of context to suit petty ideas of man and self-righteousness!  The message is really plain – it is one, unfolding, revelation of the biggest love story in the universe God created [as a perfect caring Father]:  a true story of a Bridegroom and His Body-City-Bride.  The only salvation given – and paid for – by our only Savior revealed to us as our heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  And He and His message – for us – is all about everlasting Life!

Incidentally, Jesus is the Love of God for us demonstrated (Jn 3:16), so to reject Jesus is to reject God’s Love (Jn 3:17-21).  From the meditation “Riches”, the following note on our perception of a blessing or a curse.

Note on “Blessing”.  Refer to the meditation “The will of man and the will of God”.  First, contemplate even just Rom 12:14-21 (Mt 5:44-48). Note that, to understand “bless” and “curse” as verbs in the sense that a condition can be imparted to another person or persons as if the recipient will have no control over it, is nonsense; for it imply the same mechanism as in witchcraft or some form of sinister voodoo control. Certainly, you can bless someone by giving a gift, treatment or favor but not by merely speaking a condition into being without any corresponding act. God is not a manipulator and is consistent (Heb 13:5,8), and will therefore not remove anyone’s free will [ability to exercise your choice]. Because God [Love] is not a manipulator, is witchcraft no part of Him and why we should have absolutely nothing to do with it (the section “Witchcraft” in the meditation “Pornography, Witchcraft” expand on it with scriptural references).  The articulation of “blessing” someone, is therefore more accurately expressed as a declaration of a positioning [realms of body, soul and spirit] that you hope someone to end up in, and accompanies the hope [trust, faith] that the recipient will actively contribute towards that perceived will in agreement.  This gives more practical meaning to concepts such as admonish and Scriptures such as 2 Tim 3:15-17 that works [labour, as in giving birth] of a new creature as in Rom 8:19,28 and 2 Cor 5:17; and so together result in a certain blessing to the recipient in 2 Tim 3:17.  Even the giver when considering the beatitudes in Mt 5:4-11.  Observe – especially – Mt 11:6 (Heb 11:6)! Also, ponder Mt 13:16-21; 21:9; 23:39; 24:46.  Even the very popular Jer 29:11 continues therefore with verses 12-14! Observe even the effective declaration “But” and “Because” with another outcome than what was declared as a hope [wish, perceived will of verse 11], in verses 17-19.  Likewise, the “curse” as a result in verses 21-32.

The Apostle Paul is often misquoted with “we now know in parts” to feed eastern philosophical ideas that attempt to unify [equalise] all religions of the world.  Meanwhile, we should perhaps read Eph 4:9-15 and see – in context – Paul’s possible Trinitarian[2] view [not arguments trying to justify false teachings]:

Eph 4:11-15.  Five  leadership gifts [charismata] given by Jesus Himself to equip saints to prove the working Holy Spirit, building His Body, His heavenly (not heaven) city on a hill (Zion) – the church.

Rom 12:6-8.  Seven ministries [diakona] given by the Father to train saints to serve like Jesus (Heb 2:8-10).

1 Cor 12:8-12.  Nine Spiritual gifts [energemata] given by the Holy Spirit to show the Father’s power in all believers.

The world-system operates by-, and is based on, fear.  You are indoctrinated to be anxious and fearful, then you buy proportionally into their schemes of “provision”, “policies”, “protection”, etc. – all distorted and manipulated to enrich them, even attempts to get an elevated status for the self.  No, friend, rather consider Phil 4:6-9…  see Prov 16:9; Rom 8:7; Jer 29:11-14; Jn 16:33; and so on… Selah!

This system of manipulation that is based on fear is not focused on Jesus Christ, but on the self and what/where the self can gain/fail [usually accompanied by what/how much money you must contribute to their schemes]. It propagates a Godly City as a place in space while God says it is a certain people of faith in Him (Is 60:14; Mt 5:14; 1 Pet 2:4-10)!  It is used by preachers today, that propagate a “Rapture” with the Anti-Christ still coming with the big “Armageddon”.  For a clear exegesis on this hoax, see the meditation by this author entitled “Rapture Raptured”.  The sad fact is, however, that most “Christians” that are blindly mesmerized by these preachers, will not allow the Bible to stand between them and what they believe! If you read the Book of Revelation and feel fearful, you must seriously again consider whether God draws people to Himself by intimidation, or Love.  God is Love [the Source of Love and Life].  Rev 1:1 reads “… this is the revelation of Jesus Christ…”.  Note that it is not a hidden secrecy to believers (only to the ungodly, Mk 4:11 Ampl); and that it is about Jesus Christ, not the “Anti-Christ”.  These (plural, not singular) “Anti-Christ” are anyway mentioned in verses such as 1 Jn 2:4,22; 4:3…  More about these and misrepresentations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, can be studied in the other meditations by this author on www.gospel-truth.co.za.

 

Darwinism and its millions of years

Please refer to the meditation “Evolution” for more detail. In short, it is a human attempt to find an alternative for The Bible, rejecting God as our Creator.  It makes Jesus Christ [God] out to be a liar (Gen 1:27-28; 2:7; Mt 19:4), while in fact Jesus is the Truth (Jn 8:32,36; 14:6) and is God (Jn 14:8-11).  Philosophical science pretends to be physical science that is superior to the Word of God.  Some “Christian” academics ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16-17; 2 Pet 1:7), sadly tries to compromise The Biblical facts and teachings with false dogma. Refer to the meditations “Evolution” and “Who is Jesus Christ for an exegesis.

It’s rather funny how conceited minds try to reason God out of His creation, even with questions such as “Who created God?”  Why does God need to be created?  If He was created, He would have been a creation and not the Creator!  It is obvious that our minds are inferior to Him who created us.  Design is evident all around us.  This design requires a supernatural creative intellect, not chance happenings from nothing, nowhere observed.

Evolution (Darwinism) is a belief-system wanting people to believe Darwinism is science and that science disproves the Bible.  The sober fact is, however, that Darwinism is an embarrassment to science.  The meditation “Evolution” points to the difference between philosophical and physical science. There is an old saying that ignorance can be fixed but that stupidity is fixed. So, if we are open to reason, then only we can talk meaningfully to each other. Does this make sense? (Perhaps consider the meditation “Ignorance about ignorance”?).   By mixing some truths with preposterous lies [ideas] the evolutionist misleads with erroneous assumptions.  Any reasonable and honest person will agree that any one clock showing a young earth is worth looking into, all the more so if an overwhelming number of these gives the same indication – a young earth!  It should be obvious that most fossilized animals have died in a sudden, violent manner.  Their necks are typically bent backwards and often parts are missing while being fossilized. A carcass that lay exposed for a long period of time would have been consumed by insects and bacteria.  A fossil forms when it is rather quickly sealed off (by for example mud or sediment) and is exposed to minerals (such as would be expelled from beneath the earth’s crust; and note here the “fountains of the deep opened up” in Gen 7:11). The surprising discovery that indicates a fairly recent [world-wide] catastrophic event was the discovery of soft tissue in these fossils that oppose tens of thousands of years and especially millions of years! A world-wide flood as The Bible informs us is a perfectly logical and acceptable explanation of evidence that we found on earth abundantly.  A catastrophic event as described in The Bible (Gen 7) seems plausible to have been real and in fact global if fossilized sea creatures are found in the highest mountains, not so? A creation (Creator) needs no long time period to create!

The irony of a conceited mind

In 1 Cor 8:1 the apostle Paul made the observation that knowledge causes people to be puffed up (bear themselves loftily and be proud). If it wasn’t so tragic and pathetic, it would have been hilarious with what confidence someone gets lost [on a short-cut] or convinces them of a concocted hypothesis, postulate or theory and so approach the creation enigma with the very bias they scientifically try to eliminate.

Even the “Christian” scientist or intellectual who, in their hidden unbelief, feel embarrassed by the Biblical account of Gen 1:1-31, sadly attempts a compromise with the illogical contradictory explanation that God created with an explosion (“big bang”).  This is not at all what The Bible even remotely implies for it clearly states, as the Word of God (Jn 1:1-5,14-17; 2 Tim 3:16-17), that our creation was spoken into existence by our Creator [God] in a specific intellectual order over six literal consecutive days. (More about this are found in the meditations “Evolution” and “The Bible” and “The gap theory”).  The irony is that, because the human mind battles to fathom this immense greatness, tries to formulate an alternative that would be more acceptable to the smaller mind of the created, missing in distrust [unbelief] the magnificent demonstration given by the Creator in an apparent expanding scale that was created ex-nihilo by a [mere] command from our Source of intellect and creativity that in an instant could commence our time and relativity with a universe that simply blows our minds. What took God an instant, will take us and our light at our given present [young] rate and capability millions of light years to reach with comparative sizes and distances that was apparently meant by God to show us the relation of the extent of our abilities such as intellect, mercy and Love, in comparison with His as our Creator-father-God (Ps 36:5).  Even Job talked of “God who alone stretches out the heavens…” (9:8), David sung to God “who set Your glory above the heavens” (Ps 8:1), and in Ps 19:1 that “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse proclaims His handiwork”.  The word expanse in the KJV is firmament (H7549, רקיע, raw-kee’-ah), from H7554 that properly refers to a visible arch of the sky. Ps 50:6 states “And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God Himself is judge. Selah.” Ps 96:5 declare “For all the gods of the nations are idols; but Jehovah made the heavens.” Ps 104:2 says God stretches out the heavens like a curtain; Again, in Ps 97:6: “The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.” So why don’t we?  Are we beyond such a Creator and are we more “modern”, smarter and wiser or merely more apostate? Solomon said in Prov 3:19, “Jehovah has founded the earth by wisdom; by understanding He has founded the heavens.”  Perhaps we should credit [praise] God with more as David did in Ps 136:5: “To Him who by wisdom made the heavens; for His mercy endures forever” (2 Pet 3:9).

So then, what if the immense scale of our universe and seemingly insignificant little blue planet that virtually disappears compared to an indescribable vastness and colossal celestial bodies, only points to us [our ability and knowledge] in proportion to God as our Creator-Father? It points to His infinite [Source] of Love and our measly, ignorant [eros (1 Cor 6:15-20), not even phileo or storgé!] kind of love (Rom 12:9).  Ponder, if you will, Ps 8:6 (with Ps 118:8; Heb 2:8).  Note how Job (23:1-6) missed it also in Job 25:4,6.  Anyone who approaches the Word of God with a self-righteous and literal incredible ignorant mind-set will naturally find themselves in the dark and confused and rebelling against His creation idea (even the flood!).  Scriptures such as Col 1:11-20 should seriously get the attention of any human’s mind, if it functions remotely right.

And then despite this evidence that the Designer and Creator is clearly greater than us, do humans brazenly distrust Him and His other ultimate demonstration of His Love for us in the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ on His cross for all our sin [unbelief, Jn 16:9]. It would not be a waste of time to at least ponder this.

Further down Darwin’s road

Those “deep” questions Darwinists pose such as “Who are we?”, “Where do we come from?”,“What is our purpose?” and “Where are we going to?” cannot be answered by Darwinism because Darwinism (Atheism) implies that you have no worth and no purpose because you supposedly “evolved” by chance from nothing that became slime then a rock and then you as a complex human being and that in effect you are now your own god (that have these questions unanswered?)!  Such a ridiculous belief-system would nullify you as useless and without any purpose higher than an animal or slime. Are you really mere temporal “energy”?

Bear in mind (1) that the Bible [God’s Word, God] is not against science but is imparted to ordinary men by the Source of [true] science. Darwinism is against the Bible and against science [provable/repeatable by observation and experiment] for other reasons than true science. (2) Don’t make the grave error of projecting your [mankind’s] inabilities on God as the Creator! Just because you can’t figure out how God could do it [in six days only about 4 000 BC] does not mean you must reject Truth and substitute it with lies. Google the video clips such as http://youtu.be/G1RUhkgqjug and http://youtu.be/r83ROf8coSU.

Darwin himself complained: “innumerable transitional forms must have existed but why do we not find them embedded in countless numbers in the rocks of the earth?”  Because they do not exist!  Darwin has been refuted so many times over the last 130 years (since Darwin formed his blasphemous ideas) that I want you to see and for yourself please, if you will.  Study a photograph (and scientist’s comments) of a single cell, also every field in science that just cannot find fossils of invertebrates that were supposed to have formed over millions of years from a single-celled ancestor.  By the way, it is scientifically evident that the blue-green algae, from which evolutionists believe all life forms have evolved, has in no way changed – ever – they are still with us in ponds and even swimming pools.  Do the different birds have unique songs because of their evolution from other life forms?

We have to at this juncture, clarify our concept/perception/definition of the word “evolution”. There are at least six meanings of the word/idea called “evolution”.  Please refer to the meditation by this author entitled “Evolution (Darwinism)” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.  The honest observer will have to admit that there is no proof that any one kind [can] develop into another kind.

To only “believe” what you [can] see, is not “believe”.  Seeing is accepting what you did not believe!  Likewise, is understanding not believing. Faith is accepting unreservedly what you [can] not understand!  Faith [believe] is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof [substance] of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].  So, hope without faith, is not hope, but mere “wishful thinking”.  To try and only “believe” what you [can] understand, is foolish – just think here about your senses [not fully explainable by any man], and wind, and gravity [we see and can predict the effect, but cannot explain it], [unseen] electricity and radio or TV signals.  Just as you cannot receive these signals without a receiver [and see it without a display screen], just so do you need [a spirit] FAITH to “see” the Truth that will set you free.  The word “fool” [in the Bible], is seldom used to describe the feeble minded, idiot or moron.  Rather, it always has within the meaning of a rebel, especially against God and His laws of decency [all morals were first recorded in the manuscripts the Bible uses as God-given.  The Bible is the world’s oldest and most translated (not altered), and most sold Book]; the Bible is also about God’s precepts of order and justice against the Holy Spirit of God.  A fool, then, is sceptic [distrust and fear reflect unbelief and sin] about God and resists Him.  This characteristic brings forth a mystic search, like a void, a hole that only Jesus can fill.  Because only Jesus revealed God perfectly to us [so we could see His true nature and character] and represented us perfectly to God.  A fool, therefore, has the characteristic of rebelliousness, is sensual [spiritually blinded], unwise [in the Creator’s ways], missing the essence of the gospel and has a distorted view without revelation [from God].  The world can only produce information-knowledge, while God gives revelation-knowledge.  Enlightening to note that “logic” stems from “Logos”.  Jesus Christ [the Light for the world] is described in His Book, the Bible, as eternal, having existed prior to His coming to earth as the Logos, the intelligence, which gave birth to everything that is and Who also became the expression, the Word.  Why are people searching for the truth?  What is the truth?  What if that Truth is a Person, and not an “it”?  What if love is a heavenly Father’s (Creator’s) expression of Himself through a human made to His image (by Him)?   A magnificently complex created man[kind] searching for his origin that he really relates to?  What if these millions of “saved” people are not lying about knowing Him?  That would make you accountable to Him, not so?  Maybe this is what unbelief in God is all about: a very futile [frustrating, self-destructing] attempt to reason God away, thinking your accountability will vanish by ignoring Him.  Perhaps this is just all about that rebellion against your Creator the Bible is talking about.  It is called SIN.  Sin is disobedience, rebellion, unbelief toward God (Jn 16:9), the One Who created you and I.  We both are accountable to Him:  Jesus Christ.

Literate and learned scientific people are familiar with utilising complex words.  Some are compound words, such as “universe’, that is compiled of “uni-“(one); and “verse” (a spoken sentence).  Now consider Gen 1:1. Note how very soon you read “… And God said… let there be…”

Programs on the world’s “discovery” programs, talk after atheists who stubbornly rejects the one Book that is infinitely more credible than any other “scientific” work/meditation/book – and this, ironically, measured according to the academic world’s own system of accreditation! See the meditation “The Bible” and another on “Scientologists” in www.gospel-truth.co.za for a brief discussion on the credibility of The Bible as the undisputable Word of God the Creator. This author is convinced there is no other Book like it, nor can there be.  Dare to study it seriously.  Even just reading it on www.gospel-truth.co.za  hopes to be insightful and helpful. For more scientific explanations, try www.trueorigin.org?

A few cryptic observations: (a) Time is against “evolution” as it is propagated by Darwinists, not for it! An explosion is basically divergent instability, which means that particles will be further removed from each other and become less organized with time, not the other way around. Give “Creationists” the same amount of thought and time, and you’ll be amazed how logical and easily the so-called evolutionist “scientists” are refuted.  “Science” implies that their observations can be repeated by experiments… and you were once what?…  (b) How is it that all these evolutionist “scientists” ignore the Bible (Noah’s) flood of about 2 349 BC? It perfectly explains the great faults, canyons, sediments, etc.  (c) Observe how “Christians” allow non-believers to make an unproven assumption and then argue with them around these false theories!…  Did God say there was an explosion?  What exploded, if nothing existed then?  With what energy?  God gave us His creation account; rather apply 2 Cor 10:5; and at least Heb 12:2. Contemplate Ps 118:8 if you will.

So, let’s try this on a smaller scale.  A scrap yard explodes.  When the dust settles, we see the result: a perfectly serviceable B 747-400, ready to fly, with humans inside, manning and operating it expertly. Too silly and far-fetched?  OK then, let’s add a few million years… now some say, it is possible? Astounding!

The meditation “Gap Theory” might also prove enlightening. An excerpt from “Myths, legends, lies” reads:

‘…Nothing can create itself ex-nihilo, because it would need to exist before it came into existence.  “Quantum vacuum” is a lot of matter-antimatter potential, not “nothing”!  Without a cause, there is no explanation why this particular universe appeared at a particular time, nor why it is a universe.  The universe can’t have any properties to explain its preferential coming into existence because it would not have any properties until it actually came into existence. Relativity shows time is linked to matter and space; thus time must have started with matter and space in the beginning of the universe.  Since God is the Creator of the universe [time, matter, space], is it not difficult to see that He has no beginning.  In around 740 BC Isaiah recorded a clear enough indication that the earth is round (Is 40:22) and the laws of thermodynamics (Is 51:6).  If Gen 15:5 states that there are countless stars, while about 1 200 are visible, and Ptolemy in AD 150 dogmatically stated that the number of stars was exactly 1 056; the supernatural knowledge of those old writers – apart from amazing, fulfilled prophecies – must account for something

The theory of evolution teaches that human beings came from primordial forms to evolve as biological entities with a gradual increase in intellectual ability.  Those who subscribe to this theory are at a loss to explain the Source of Life and light and the creation of darkness and water; and of the spiritual realm that was recorded as part of the very first man (Rom 5:12); or for that matter, design.  And that was quite plausibly 6 000 years ago (see the appendix in the meditation entitled “Who is Jesus Christ?” by the author for a plausible explanation).  They do not accept man has a spirit, given by a Creator, so they think that man functions as his own god [morality, destiny].  Disagreeing then often resorts to violence, insults and manipulation to resolve differences.  The result is mental, spiritual, familial, and social disruption and degradation. They ignore the Biblical flood as the obvious [recorded] explanation of all the large-scale erosion and sedimentary deposits strewn around the globe.  It is questionable and dangerous to buy into their belief of unbelief. (Nazism was born from a believe that some people evolved superior to others, while those who obsessively clung to that belief did themselves not exactly proved to be so pure and superior…)

The Piltdown Man.  After Charles Darwin published his revolutionary “On the Origin of Species” in 1859, scientists scrambled to find fossil evidence of extinct human ancestors. They sought these so-called “missing links” to fill in the gaps on the timeline of this supposed human evolution. When archaeologist Charles Dawson unearthed what he thought was a missing link in 1910, what he really found was one of the biggest hoaxes in history. The discovery was the Piltdown man, pieces of a skull and jaw with molars located in the Piltdown quarry in Sussex, England. Dawson brought his discovery to prominent palaeontologist Arthur Smith Woodward, who touted its authenticity to his dying day. Although the discovery gained world renown, the lie behind Piltdown man slowly and steadily unravelled. In the ensuing decades, other major discoveries suggested Piltdown man didn’t fit in the story of human evolution. By the 1950s, tests revealed that the skull was only 600 years old and the jaw came from an orang-utan. Some knowledgeable person apparently manipulated these pieces, including filing down and staining the teeth.

The scientific world had been duped. So, who was behind the fraud? Many suspects have surfaced, including Dawson himself. Today, most signs point to Martin A. C. Hinton, a museum volunteer at the time of the discovery. A trunk bearing his initials contained bones that were stained in exactly the same way the Piltdown fossils were. Perhaps he was out to embarrass his boss, Arthur Smith Woodward, who refused to give him a weekly salary.  Similarly, can all the other “examples” be shown to be plain nonsense and lies.

Likewise has the anthropological studies of presumed primitive man debunked the hoaxes such as The Peking man (based on teeth only); the Java man (a hoax); the Nebraska man (this swindle was used in a court case to get creationism out of schools and evolution in.  It later came to light that this was actually based incorrectly on a pig’s tooth); the Neanderthal man is now widely recognized as large “homosapiens”.  These museum pieces have been formed from a few bones only and are fraught with error and imagination, not science.  Why is it still there posing as fact?  Is it not high time that these bogus displays are removed from our museums?

[Godly] morality originates only from God.  The Bible’s civilizing influence is undeniable.  The Word of God stopped practices such as blood drinking, cannibalism, and inspired the noblest literature, music and art.  Only the Word of God [and what originates from it] uplifts man[kind].  See Who was first – make an honest study and see what single Book has verbatim unparalleled credibility…

Instructions [information] for specifying the complex organization of living things is not in the molecules themselves (as with a crystal) but is imposed from outside.  The Source of intelligence infinitely exceeds our intelligence.  The first law of thermodynamics states that the amount of mass energy in the universe is constant.  The second law of thermodynamics says that the amount of energy in the universe available for work is running down, or entropy (measure of disorder or decrease in usable energy) is increasing to its maximum.  Thus, evolution is opposed by its own “scientific” definition.  Of course, evolutionists try to deny their erroneous reasoning and belief”.

The unparalleled credibility of the Bible as a Book

What is the Bible?  What is its origin?  How reliable is it? Is it inspired by God? These questions are perhaps answered in the meditation “The Bible”, as well as the other meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za.

Aliens

We are all aliens. (Even to extraterrestrials would we [also] be aliens).

The Bible (the most credible account of creation) mentions only two kinds of aliens – The right kind and the wrong kind.  The right kind is part of the household of the true Triune God and is alien to the world.  The wrong kind is part of the world and is alien to the household of the same Triune God.  Forget life elsewhere and the superior intellectual seeking for more.  We have not even exercised God’s original idea here!

It’s quite funny how a multi-billion-dollar space program sends a PhD to turn a wrench in space and then say “oops, lost a tool” and watch a 100 000-dollar tool drift away (an apprentice on a scaffold on earth would probably have tied it with a piece of string to his belt) …

So, you are bored [fulfilled, fully accomplished] on earth and so are seeking more to life… and answers elsewhere in space?  Do you know all your answers are right in front of you?  People that don’t yet even realise how infinite the smaller things right here in and around them are – on earth – now want to look at space to be saved – from what? The Bible says: from yourself!  And Jesus Christ did exactly that – He already paid for and made all spiritual provision for anyone who is prepared to trust Him [the Creator!] and follow His teaching.  His work is accomplished.  Man’s biggest disaster is mentioned in Lk 9:25.  If you support the popular world, chances are, you are an alien, but the wrong kind!  We should be aliens to the world (1 Pet 2:11; Jn 15:18-23; Eph 4:18), not aliens to the household of God (Eph 2:19-22)!  So, are the arrogant “churches”[3] that even claim to be of Jesus Christ (Even Mormons do so!).  This type of “alien” is actually mentioned in the Bible.  The aliens in Eph 2:19 are those who are [have since Adam, become] estranged to the household of God.  They have lost knowledge, trust, discernment of Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14; Jn 14:6,9). Read Ex 18:3; Dt 14:21; Job 19:15; Is 61:5 and see all the uses of “alien” that insinuate heathendom, adultery, non-relative (Heb 2:11), estranged (Rom 5:12); have disregard and suspicion of God’s Word [His idea – Jn 3:16; 10:10; 11:26; 12:50].  Allow this author to interrupt here and point you to the meditation “The Testimony” on www.gospel-truth.co.za.  Then come back to this paragraph again.  You’ll be amazed…

You probably think you fully know what this life is about, don’t you?  In Gen 4:1, Adam “knew” his wife and then she bore Cain.  Then, John (17:3) says that eternal life is to “know” Jesus Christ.  There is actually a connection between the original Hebrew and Greek meanings (H 3045, H 853, H 226, H 225; G 1097), that reveal concepts associated with a sign (Mt 3:14), beacon, a monument, a token, a miracle (some words unrepresented in English) that also mention to declare, comprehend, be aware, have respect, trust, a surety… Contemplate 1 Cor 11:23-311 with Jn 6:27,40,47-50,54,68; 1 Tim 1:16; Tit 3:7; Jude 1:21; it goes on and on and is mentioned in “The Testimony” (virtually the whole book of John, ex 3:16; 4:14; 5:24,37-47;  etc.).  Consider Jn 1:1-4.  Note v. 4 says that this [eternal] Life is for men (not aliens).  Now only – and perhaps for your first time in context – you can comprehend better Gal 6:6-8.  Observe v 8 that clearly states that your spirit and soul and body (1 Thess 5:23) can only reap everlasting life if you believe God for it!  LIFE! Remember Mt 19:26; Lk 1:37; 18:27; Heb 6:18; 11:6!  Are you still thinking space aliens are more exciting?

The aliens in space many people are so paranoid over and so obsessed with, is actually a shocking indication of how naive humans can be. We still seem to think that a remote control in our hands makes us more intelligent than Abraham or Solomon… this arrogance and ignorance is astounding.  We are supposed to be TWO THOUSAND YEARS into the future of those “unsophisticated and illiterate” men in Acts 5:15-16…

Most scientists want to explore space but know little of earth [have it mostly all wrong], and even less of their own origin and place in this creation.  “They think themselves wise but are making simpletons of themselves” (Rom 1:18-22; Rev 22:11-15; 1 Cor 1:18-23; 3:18-20; 2 Cor 4:3-7; Prov 3:7; 12:15; 14:6; 26:12; 28:11; and so on).

Over-confident scientists put together visually impressive presentations that are actually attempts to show their own superior intellect and reasoning [questioning] whilst asking the [already answered] questions. Who are we?  What are we doing here?  Where are we going?  I want to say wake up!  God gave those answers long ago!  Where are those ears to hear and those eyes to see?  What if, like Job (36:2; 38-41 and please note Job’s confession in 40:1-5 and 42:1-6), what if you also have to yet admit your pride and ignorance, sir/madam?  (Prov 16:18)

Do we fully grasp the meaning of the aliens mentioned in Eph 2:19-20?  Do we know what Jesus (Jn 1:1-4; 14:6,26-27; Col 1:10-20) was saying in Jn 6:48-50; 8:51; 11:26?  Consider the thoughts in the meditation entitled “The Testimony” for perhaps a severe wake-up call for us all.  It has to do with Heb 2:6,8-11; and a God that created man to His image (Gen 1:26-28; 5:1; 9:6).  This Almighty God did not want this man to be alone (Gen 2:18) and so created him a woman [wife]…  This all is a prophetic image of Christ and those who allow Him inside permanently in trust and knowledge (faith) that will cause us to be a sign (miracle of ever-lasting LIFE) to the aliens!  God did help us to get it – Jn 3:16!

UFO’s

Clever masses are so easily distracted form secret government projects!  All a government department such as a weapons development centre of an Air Force, for instance, have to do to divert attention away from their experimental flights, is to create an extremely secret office that they then deny exists!  The rest is left up to the fanatics, conspiracy-theorists, the paranoid, the unbelievers…  to the aliens [to Jn 4:24] – and so they can carry on unhindered with their projects that blows billions of tax-payer’s money… that could have been put to good use in God’s household (not “charities” that absorb money into their own purses).   TV channels such as “Discovery” will also soon capitalize hugely with expensive advertising space on programs about this clever “human race” that has been visited by aliens from outer space.  Is it not tragically hilarious how “Christians” fail to see the world’s copy-cat versions in their stories and films, with themes of a single hero that emerges to save a whole people; or about aliens that have been here once to impart knowledge and wisdom, and will return again?… Jn 3:16-21?

It should be clearly superfluous to delve into technicalities when the obvious is staring you in the face.  Ponder Ps 8:6.  Job, in despair, also missed it in Job 25:4,6.  No, it says the opposite – think about it:  How immensely overwhelming to think that such an infinitely capable Creator-God loves us so much [“thinks of us”] that He… (Jn 3:16-20)… and specifically you, like a pearl, in this vast universe (Mt 13:45-46; 18:1-7)…

Forget the frail, feeble, melancholy, woeful, sick, beggarly perceptions that are evil [twisted].

Be blessed in Jesus’ magnificently powerful name.  Let’s love one another without distorting God’s Truth by “marrying” them to the world’s empty hybrid-philosophies [idolatry, adultery, condemnation, fear].  Amen?

Peace and life [immortality] to you! Jn 11:25-26; Rom 8:29-39; 1 Thess 5:23?

Then there is the matter of our enigmatic inferior judgement (Jer 17:9). God is (a) not a manipulator, and (b) cannot make anything defect. Yet he gave us our seemingly defect will [innate inability to choose right]!  Is our ability to choose in fact defect [very limited or impaired] or is self-induced self-righteousness [haughtiness, malice, deceit] the self-destructive factor as illustrated also by king Saul when he admitted in 1 Sam 26:21 “I have played the fool…”  The meditation “The will of man vs The Will of God” and “The Covenant and the Law” tries to expand a little more on this by contemplating the possible purpose of the Law (The 10 Commandments). Gal 3:19 and its context will show it was to reveal to man the futility of any attempt at self-righteousness, whether by trying to earn your own way by claiming any merit of your own – whether by works or by lineage.  God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons or nations (Acts 10:34-35); we can only approach Him today through His Salvation Plan – Jesus Christ!

Epilogue

We’ll conclude this meditation with the following comment from The Amplified Bible on 1 Sam 26:21, “When for a moment a man is off guard, in all probability you will know more truth about him than in all his attempts either to reveal himself or to hide himself.  The ever-present consciousness, habitually hidden, flashes forth.  Later he may apologize and say he did not mean what he said.  The fact is that he was surprised unto saying what he was constantly thinking.  In all probability Saul had never said that before and would never say that again, but he had been thinking it for a long time – ‘I played the fool.’ There is no escape for any man, as long as reason continues, from the naked truth about himself.  He may practice deceit so skillfully as not only hide himself from his fellowmen, but in his unutterable folly to imagine he has hidden himself from God; but he can never hide himself from himself. In some moment of stress and strain he says what he has been thinking all the time… Ere Saul knew it, he had said, ‘Behold, I have played the fool.’ That is the story of the man” (G. Campbell Morgan, cited by J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore the Book).

There is only One who’s right it is (Ez 21:27); and there is only one way (Jn 14:6). And it’s our choice… So, in conclusion, as far as philosophies go, can we again consider Col 2:8 but with Col 2:9-15 and Phil 4:6-8.

It is perhaps useful to refer to the first two pages of the meditation “The Trinity doctrine” as well, that list errors and traps in erroneous reasoning.

Peace and joy to you in Jesus Christ.

[1] The meditation on “Body, Soul and Spirit” in www.gospel-truth.co.za, expands on emotion being part of the self-centred  soul.

[2] Like actors used masks [lit. meaning “personalities”] – to make the audience understand the character they are looking at or listening to.  Imagine these “masks” [Persons] to be see-through:  behind [through] the Father, you see God; behind [through, identifying with] Jesus Christ, you see the same God; and through [by] the Holy Spirit you see [know, experience] the same God.  It is easy to fully trust Father-God. Refer to “Trinity doctrine” for an exegesis.

[3] See meditations by this author called “Church” on www.gospel-truth.co.za, if you will.