Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Christ-Likeness and Rejection From the World


"Cognitive Dissonance" for many sincere Christians seeking to be authentically Christlike, is the reality:

"That you can do, and be, everything right; that Christ would have you do, and be; and yet the World will still reject what you do and are; as well as Christ..."

Many times, these sincere Christians would simply rather universally blame their own Fellow Believers, Christian Tradition and/or perceived, outmoded Biblical Theology...

Jesus also said this:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.


– John 15:18-19

Contemporary Dissension Within The Church


Notably, the primary and great issue of DISSENSION 
within the Church today, 
ironically enough happens to be: 

"What does it mean for a Christian to be "Christlike?"

And... therein lies our problem...

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.…

Eph. 4:1-3

21 [I pray Father] that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;…


John 17:21-22

Subjectivism and Chaos


CHAOS:

When EVERYONE, 
with their respective ideology and worldview, 
are affirmed and afforded 
the opportunity to treat those ideologies and worldviews
as a unifying singularity... ***

In the end: "There Can Be Only One..."

*** sin·gu·lar·i·ty
ˌsiNGɡyəˈlerədē/
noun
1.
the state, fact, quality, or condition of being singular.
"he believed in the singularity of all cultures"
synonyms: uniqueness, distinctiveness

"the singularity of their concerns..."

SCOTUS: We Must Obey God Rather Than Man

"...We must obey God rather than man."

Acts 5:29

A decade ago Governmental sanction and mandate for Gay Marriage, to be lawfully recognized, had all the appearances of a insurmountable bastion... As of today there is nothing left but the crumbled and smoldering ruins of that sentiment. This new precedent sets the stage for the next assault by the Over-Culture and Social Progressivist Cultural Elites, for this same Mandate to be recognized, followed and enforced, by ALL people, in all places and at all times... Understand, it won't happen tomorrow, but it will happen... And when it does, it will only have become possible because of SCOTUS' decision on Gay Marriage yesterday.

Right now you will hear from some "Social (Biblical?!) Social Justice Christians" and many Social Progressives say pejoratively: "There, there, [regardless how 'hateful' and 'intolerant'] your beliefs and practices on this issue are safe and unassailable... The Constitution protects you..."

Look, Presidents come and go, the Legislative Branch "evolves," and the ideological makeup of SCOTUS Justices change... It's simply naive and pollyannic to believe anything to the contrary... We are in the midst of an inexorable, winner-take-all, worldview battle, that is being won through duplicity, intimidation and sheer will and grit... In addition, as long as they have time, and we lack conviction and resolve, they will win... So, Gird your loins...

If the state eventually moves to coerced marriages for churches on behalf of the LGBTQ demographic, then we will move to a "Matrimonial Blessing Ceremony," following their marriage being solemnized by the state. For many Christians then in view of the Laws of the state and the Laws of God, it will become a two tiered process. The state will legally officiate (we will remove ourselves completely from this equation) the heterosexual marriage and our church will perform the Christian Blessing of it. Our part will not be legally binding, but for many who choose to participate, it will be for them, spiritually binding... Thus, for many of these believers, this two part process, will equate in their hearts, the completion of their matrimonial responsibilities. But I, as well as others like me, will no longer officiate a state sanctioned marriage.

Understand, I recognized that we live in a post-christian world, they can believe and practice as they see fit, but it does not follow that I/we have to assist them. Nor should we be forced to do so...

"...We must obey God rather than man."

Acts 5:29

Let's be clear...

The Over-Culture is saying: "If you (simply) BELIEVE that homosexuality etc. is wrong and sinful, you are not being loving and tolerant."

(Most) Christians who disagree with Homosexuality etc. ARE saying: "We love authenticity those who embrace homosexuality etc. but we still believe it to be wrong and sinful."

This is much of the battle line; and one of which has become inherently obfuscated... Intentionally so by some, and arrived at in an undisciplined fashion by others...

The inability for many Christians to grasp this vital distinction is mind-numbing... and I have to believe largely because of their blind, unwitting and subjective immersion in Social Progressivist ideology. Note: If, in the 1980's, it was inappropriate for Conservative Christians to be too friendly with Political Conservatives, it is most certainly inappropriate (even dire) for Social Justice Christians to be bosom buddies with Social Progressives. Both entities are inherently political.

One of the great victories of Social Progressivism within the church, is to pit the attributes of God, against each othet. E.g. Love vs. Truth; Grace vs. Holiness etc.

Finally, the issue writ large is really much bigger than just whether homosexuality and gay marriage is right or wrong. It is being used quite effectively as a "wedge issue" to alienate and delegitimize the Historic-traditional Christian community from the culture...

Christ-likeness means more than just "Grace," "Love, and "(social) "Justice;" It ALSO means obedience, righteousness and holiness... (Matt 5:18-19). Again, What Social Progressivism and Social Justice Christians have done so well, that is so demonic, is to pit the attributes of God against themselves...

Yesterday's SCOTUS decision was a watershed issue, and a MAJOR victory for the Social Progressivist UNFOLDING AGENDA, that will begin to dramatically change the course of Christian Faith and Practice permanently... It's not about whether we love those who think and practice their sexuality differently than us; but rather whether Christians will be permitted to believe and practice what they have done in a 3 thousand year old tradition... Make no mistake…

An important caveat to my earlier post regarding "Same Sex Marriage."

1. When our culture was dominated by the Judaeo-Christian world-view some decades ago there was in our representational form of government, a compelling and legitimate, "legal" argument against Same-Sex Marriage.

2. Today, ideologically, we live in a "Post Judaeo-Christian" culture; with the dominate worldview being that of "Social Progressivism."

3. Writ large (and this is very complicated) but on the whole, I don't believe that inherently Christian values should be forced legislatively/judicially; or imposed upon a non-Christian people (even if I believe they are better and more healthy); particularly when, through their value structure, they are clearly and openly rejecting them.

4. Importantly, I don't believe that issues like Same Sex Marriage can or should be argued as an inalienable Civil Right, but rather from a representational point of view. If theologically Conservative Christians are going to change the Culture (missionally) then it must be done predominately from the HEART, in theirs as well as others... Christians changed polygamy in other cultures historically, not because they changed laws, but rather because through them, Christ changed their hearts...

5. However, issues represented by the Majority, should not be license for silencing and punishing the Minority (historically this has happened from both sides). Currently the standard practice of conflating sincere and authentic dissent synonymously with "hate" and "intolerance," is quite simply intellectually dishonest and manipulative...

6. Reality: In terms of their final ideological outcomes, Social Progressivism and Christianity (as well as other faiths - not the least of which is Islam), are quite simply mortal enemies... The former seeks to worship an evolving "man-god," while the other seeks to worship a God, who would make (the faithful and obedient) man, like Him...

7. There are two great chasms emerging, (even as I write this, that are becoming deeper, wider and longer), within our culture between: A. Historic-Creedal-Theologically Conservative Christianity and the Culture ideologically dominated by Social Progressivists; B. Historic-Credal-Theologically Christianity and Christians who have syncretized and blended themselves with Social Progressivist Ideology.***

8. Long Range Prognosis for the culture as it pertains to all sides, for so many different and complex reasons... Very Poor... "Gird Your Loins..."

9. Read Ephesians 6... In regards to the "Over-Culture," It explains sooo much...

10. Regardless of what the sin and who the sinner, Christians are called to be obedient when it comes to loving one another, EXACTLY in the fullness, like Christ does and would. There can be no variance or vacillation on this principle...

***Usually through highly selective reading of scripture, as well as privileging certain attributes of Christ against other attributes of Christ. I.e. Christ-likeness means only the exercise of his (e.g.) Love vs His Truth; Grace (Tolerance) vs. His Holiness; Kindness vs. His Law (I.e. A matrix of antinomianism and autonomianism).

Arguing for "Grace"

IRONY: Arguments for "Grace"

In a spirit of patronizing self-righteousness...

The Symbiotic Nature of God's Love and Truth


It is a great Truth
To say the we must Love everyone;
it is equally a great Love

To convey Christ's Truth, to all as well...

Subjectivism and Truth: If Truth "Offends," Then It Cannot Be Truth!


The culture's prevailing moral arguments, regardless of existing authoritative sources; and how they are conveyed:*

1. "If 'The Truth' offends,**
then it cannot be Truth!"

Further...

2. "The Truth that "offends," is: ALWAYS judgmental, ungracious, hateful, unloving and un-Christlike...."

Finally...

3. "Therefore, the ONLY Truths, that are Truly True (and good), are the ones that most affirm the inner perceptions of ourselves; and our perception of any reality outside of ourselves..."

.........................
* (Even) Lovingly, Graciously, Kindly, Honestly...

** (Subjectively) Hurts feelings, Disaffirms, Causes Angst, Discourages...

Consider:

...Christ's "Christlikeness"

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10:34-39


(Context: Matthew 10:16-39)

Christian Subjectivism and Self-Deification



Quite simply, there just isn't much light between the prevailing (trendy) practice of "christian" subjectivism (1) and humankind's ancient and inexorable evolution towards self-deification.

(1) The "heart" as our sole authority for humanity to follow God

Subjectivism, Truth and Compassion



Regardless of the shooshing assurances from the Over-Culture...
It is is neither normal, nor healthy to
"Feel" with our Minds,
And To Think with our "Hearts."

Not unless of course, we desire a (chaotic) New World Order...

AND

When will we ever figure out
That the steadfast compromising of Truth
In the name of "Compassion"
Makes "Demons" of us all

And that steadfast compromising of Compassion
In the name of "Truth"
Makes "Gods" of us all?

Rather, to be like Christ necessarily means living in a balanced, albeit painful crucible; faithfully exercising the steadfast praxis of

of Truth and Love, and Love and Truth...

Christian Observance of July 4th.



In every way that our Sovereign God,
led and influenced our Founding Fathers,
in the establishment of any goodness and greatness as a nation,
as well as the benefits and blessings from it,
and that we and the world have enjoyed,

let us heartily and joyfully remember and celebrate that this day!

Greed, Power and Hedonism


Greed Should Not Be Conflated With Power
But Rather With Hedonism
With The Pursuit of Power
Being The Far Greater Danger...

Because The Selfish Coalescence of Power
Has Far More To Do With Self-Deification

Nevertheless, The "Benevolent" Facilitating Of Hedonism
Does Make For A Effective Distraction and Smoke Screen

For Those Who Seek To Consolidate Their Power...

Keeping Contemporary Biblical Theology... Uh... Practical...



An Observation...

It is rather amazing
How a pastor's "biblical" theology
Can be magically shaped and inspired
By a newly constructed edifice,
With large mortgage payments*

So much so, that 3,500 years of Judeo-Christian teaching can be driven and over-turned, by a mere 35 years of Secular Progressive challenges...

It can give a whole new meaning
For the Church as a "non-prophet" organization...

What you win people with
You keep them with
And you win them to

What you are in bondage with
You will seek to enslave others to

'Your god will be their god
Your people their people'

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.…

Galatians 6:6-8


* Half-informed, personality driven, and adoring crowds are a factor as well...

Abusing Grace...



Grace" does not mean: Freedom to ignore, and/or break "The Law."

Grace means: Getting What You Don't Deserve (As an unearned And unentitled gift) even after you Have Broken The Law.

The problem if we despise God's Grace, when we willfully continue to break The Law...

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Hebrews 6:4-8

26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


Hebrews 10:26-31

Christians and Our Imaginary World...


IMAGINE a World

Where the Person of Jesus Christ and His Gospel
Are NEVER perceived as offensive.

Where all Non-Believers
Are ALWAYS "Truly Sincere."

Where the effects of the Fall
Resulted EXCLUSIVELY in Human "Brokenness,"
And not "Depravity."

Where the effects of the Fall
Resulted EXCLUSIVELY in Human "Depravity,"
And not "Brokenness."

Where Christians who "Fail" the World,
Did so, ONLY because they did not demonstrate enough
"Love" and "Grace."

Where Christians who "Fail," the World,
Did so ONLY because they did not teach
Eternal "Truths" and "Holiness."

Where insisting on "Christ-likeness"
Actually meant ALL of the Attributes Likened to Christ's Nature.

You would have to IMAGINE it,
Because in REALITY,
It does not Exist...