We are not, part of a mystery religion

While watching an old PBS series on “The West” they talked of how the Indians would go off for a week of intense spiritual introspection and when they would have a vision, they would come back and tell everyone what their name now is, on the basis of what they had been impressed with. I am now to be called “broken stick” or “arrow in the head” or” two for the price of one.” They stressed the point that no one could disagree with them because, only they, had had the vision. My wife and I looked at each other and said, it’s the church.

The standard has become, what too many think, and not what the word says.

When Voddie spoke at Heritage, he talked of how our modernist concept of love that is at odds with Gods word. How there was no confusion over gender roles until after the communist manifesto and its egalitarian viewpoint came on the scene and how except for the last 100yrs, church services were done in the same manner as they had been since the apostles days. The family was together.

There is this women Elder who cannot stand Doug Wilson and I heard her in a debate with Wilson keep saying, “…those scriptures that are the plainest sounding, you have to be the most careful with them.” Upon hearing Wilson make a point about Jesus that was clearly from the word she quickly and strongly pointed out “…that’s not the Jesus I know….” Not because of something else the word says…she just knew, Jesus cannot be like that!

Western thought, Humanism. Overman in his Assumptions book said that the Greeks started with what they thought, and reasoned in their minds to their conclusions. (like Eve did) The Hebrews were supposed to start with what God has said in his word. His word should also be the primary dictionary of the terms we use. If His word is the starting point and we use His definitions, the result of our thinking, done rightly, will be in harmony with His word and with Him.

Heb 11:6 …He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Jesus. Do you really want to know Him? Do you really, really want to be in Him? Will intense worship and praise cause you to abide in him? What will? How do you know?

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1 John 2:3-5

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39 His word speaks of Him. Justice , mercy, righteousness, loving kindess etc. We are finite and he is infinite, and at the very best, we will only vaguely see him. It is from his revealed word that we will know him, because that is how he has chosen to reveal himself to us. Wilson at the Piper conference spoke of this. May we become a people after his own heart, may we say that we know and walk in his ways.

Calvin Wrote while urging obedience to God’s commands…”Let us remember this lesson:That to worship our God sincerely we must evermore begin by hearkening to His voice, and by giving ear to what He commands us. For if everyman goes after his own way, we shall wander. We may well run, but we shall never be a wit nearer to the right way, but rather farther from it” From his sermon “Separation unto blessing” Duet 28:9-14