"Some one has said that the seven deadly sins of society are these: Policies without principles, wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; knowledge without character; commerce and industry without morality; science without humanity; worship without sacrifice." Observer
I received this quote from "Leaves of Gold", a book of quotes copyrighted in 1948. I'm not sure when the actual quote was made, but I'd suggest at least 20 years before the copyright. The author must have seen trends leading into our nations future.
Where are the principles that guide the policy makers of our nation? Are they Utilitarian, Deontological, Biblical, rational or "what seems to be right for the present"?
I leave the rest of the quote without comment, but leave each for your own meditation:
"wealth without work":
"Pleasure without conscience":
"Knowledge without character":
"Commerce and industry without morality":
"Science without humanity":
"Worship without sacrifice":
We need to focus change, not on economics, or the good life, but on a positive restatement of each of the above. Our nation is in crisis because our work ethic, conscience, morality, humanity and commitment to sacrifice are at an all time low.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Staying Above the Circumstances
Overshadowed
How dark and drear my nights and days,
If Jesus’ face I did not see
To brighten all earth’s weary ways.
I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure;
He died to ransom me from sin,
He lives to keep me day by day,
I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love that brightens all my way.
Dr. H. A. Ironside
I often remember Dr. Howard Hendricks (professor at Dallas Theological Seminary) sharing his conversations with another student. Prof. (the affectionate name the students used for him) noticed that the student looked distressed and asked, “How are doing?” The student answered, “Well Prof, pretty good, under the circumstances?” Prof responded, “What are you doing under there?” Puzzled, the student asked, “Under where?” Prof answered, “under the circumstances?”
Prof wasn’t being rude or insensitive. He really did care for the student. His purpose was to help the student swim above the depth of the burdening circumstances that were drowning him. We do that by reaching for the hand of Jesus. It is Jesus love that pulls us out from under the hardships of life’s burdens. As Dr. Ironside states in the above poem Overshadowed,
How desolate my life would be,
How dark and drear my nights and days,
If Jesus’ face I did not see
To brighten all earth’s weary ways.
Friends, what is it that burdens your heart on this day? Is it health, finances, a stained relationship, or something else that causes you to give up hope? Look into the eyes of Jesus. Take his hand. He is there to pull out of despair. It is “His mighty love” that brightens our way.
May your eyes be fixed on the Jesus. In him alone do we have hope.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
What Can I trust
One of my former Bible teachers (I wish I could remember which one) stated the following:
As I've aged this has taken on more meaning. Empericism, Rationalism, Existentialism leave me empty and void. I've come to the conclusion, with solid conviction, that my teacher is correct. My experiences are not very helpful in regards to giving me purpose in this life. I don't live long enough to find purpose in discovering all the facts. Logic isn't so bad, but just how logical am I without the influences of my desires, motivations, ambitions, likes, dislikes, influencing me away from pure logic? Feelings are too illusive to give me security for living. Thanks teacher, you were correct, "I must trust the Bible."
My life is too short.
My mind is too feeble.
My senses are too illusive.
As I've aged this has taken on more meaning. Empericism, Rationalism, Existentialism leave me empty and void. I've come to the conclusion, with solid conviction, that my teacher is correct. My experiences are not very helpful in regards to giving me purpose in this life. I don't live long enough to find purpose in discovering all the facts. Logic isn't so bad, but just how logical am I without the influences of my desires, motivations, ambitions, likes, dislikes, influencing me away from pure logic? Feelings are too illusive to give me security for living. Thanks teacher, you were correct, "I must trust the Bible."
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Changes to GoryB2God
If you visited Glory B 2 God in the past, you have noticed that has been a complementary blog to www.BibleStudies-online.com.
Starting today this site will no longer be restricted to comments about the studies associated with the BibleStudies-online site. Instead, we will offer devotionals and general discussions (and questions) about Christianity, belief, theology, philosophy, ethics, other faiths, etc.
We have not stopped the allowing comments regarding www.BibleStudies-online.com but has changed the blog to http://s171048753.onlinehome.us and invite you to visit us there. There is also a link to the blog at the mother website.
We are looking for to the changes in this site and invite you to participate in the conversations.
Thanks for being patient with us in making these changes.
Starting today this site will no longer be restricted to comments about the studies associated with the BibleStudies-online site. Instead, we will offer devotionals and general discussions (and questions) about Christianity, belief, theology, philosophy, ethics, other faiths, etc.
We have not stopped the allowing comments regarding www.BibleStudies-online.com but has changed the blog to http://s171048753.onlinehome.us and invite you to visit us there. There is also a link to the blog at the mother website.
We are looking for to the changes in this site and invite you to participate in the conversations.
Thanks for being patient with us in making these changes.
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Meaning and Nature of the Church
In the early 1960s the Green Bay Packers were led by a giant of a coach named Lombardy. Lombardy was stickler for the basics and was known to have started one particular season by holding a football in front of the players and announcing, "gentlemen, this is a football".
It's easy to loose grasp of the game and the fundamentals by focusing on something outside the basics; to attempt to be tricky or cool, or advancing to more difficult tasks without mastering the fundamentals.
This concept isn't just for football players, it's true for all sports. Ask any golfer how easy it is to loose touch with the fundamentals of the swing.
The Church is no different. A church can loose touch with what the Church is supposed to be about, often loosing perspective of the meaning and nature of the church by emphasising leadership or management principles used by corporations, or by focusing on fads, or arguing over non-essentials regarding worship styles.
Over the next few weeks we will be presenting a series of eight studies focusing on the Bible for a proper understanding of the meaning and nature of the church. In our first study we will define the New Testament use of the term church and explain the difference between the local and the universal church. We will also attempt to mention misunderstandings of the term church that are popular in our modern culture.
If you're as frustrated as I am about what you see going on in the modern church, please go through this study. I invite you to make comments.
It's easy to loose grasp of the game and the fundamentals by focusing on something outside the basics; to attempt to be tricky or cool, or advancing to more difficult tasks without mastering the fundamentals.
This concept isn't just for football players, it's true for all sports. Ask any golfer how easy it is to loose touch with the fundamentals of the swing.
The Church is no different. A church can loose touch with what the Church is supposed to be about, often loosing perspective of the meaning and nature of the church by emphasising leadership or management principles used by corporations, or by focusing on fads, or arguing over non-essentials regarding worship styles.
Over the next few weeks we will be presenting a series of eight studies focusing on the Bible for a proper understanding of the meaning and nature of the church. In our first study we will define the New Testament use of the term church and explain the difference between the local and the universal church. We will also attempt to mention misunderstandings of the term church that are popular in our modern culture.
If you're as frustrated as I am about what you see going on in the modern church, please go through this study. I invite you to make comments.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
BibleStudies-online.com
GloryB2God is now connected to www.BibleStudies-online.com. I invite you to visit the Bible Study site and offer comments on any of the studies. Or, comment on devotionals and other ramlbings you may receive from me and friends here. Check out the study of the week at Bible Studies and come here to share your response.
I'm looking forward to our future discussions.
I'm looking forward to our future discussions.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Relational Theology
Is all theology relational?
Soteriology, Eschatology, Eccesiololgy, Anthropology, and all the other -ologies often appear academic and sterile.
Yet, theology is about relationships. Gnostics believed salvation was in knowledge. Stoics focused on Logos as the divine mind. But Christians, though they must have knowledge of what to believe are not saved by their knowledge. Christians need knowledge of theology, but theology isn't what saves.
Our theology should be rational, but rational isn't as significant as relational. All theology is about relationship; God's relationship with man, man's relationship with God and his Son Jesus Christ, and man's relationship with man.
We should study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of God. Yet, knowledge without relationship is cold, stagnant, accademic. The knowledge should lead to a greater appreciation for our God, our Christ, for believers and our relationship with non-believers.
By saying this, it must be understood that I'm not denying Doctrine, or the study of theology. I am saying that all theology should be understood within the context of relationship. Therefore, we cannot hide behind our doctrine. Our doctrine move in the direction of responsible relationships.
When the Bible says, God so loved the world He gave his one and only son . . ., we ought to consider all the relationships that Scripture implies. God's relationship to His Son, His relationship to man, man's response and relationship to God and to His Son, etc.
Keep it relational.
Soteriology, Eschatology, Eccesiololgy, Anthropology, and all the other -ologies often appear academic and sterile.
Yet, theology is about relationships. Gnostics believed salvation was in knowledge. Stoics focused on Logos as the divine mind. But Christians, though they must have knowledge of what to believe are not saved by their knowledge. Christians need knowledge of theology, but theology isn't what saves.
Our theology should be rational, but rational isn't as significant as relational. All theology is about relationship; God's relationship with man, man's relationship with God and his Son Jesus Christ, and man's relationship with man.
We should study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of God. Yet, knowledge without relationship is cold, stagnant, accademic. The knowledge should lead to a greater appreciation for our God, our Christ, for believers and our relationship with non-believers.
By saying this, it must be understood that I'm not denying Doctrine, or the study of theology. I am saying that all theology should be understood within the context of relationship. Therefore, we cannot hide behind our doctrine. Our doctrine move in the direction of responsible relationships.
When the Bible says, God so loved the world He gave his one and only son . . ., we ought to consider all the relationships that Scripture implies. God's relationship to His Son, His relationship to man, man's response and relationship to God and to His Son, etc.
Keep it relational.
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