tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16270045477641642642024-03-13T12:17:38.465-04:00Glory and LoveA blog on Philosophy, Education, Politics, Triathlons, School and an occasional nod to "Theology."David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-15541004478676129492016-11-28T07:00:00.000-05:002016-11-28T07:00:32.081-05:00Resisting Gossip - Replacing Gossip with the Gospel <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the last couple weeks, we have been discussing the sin of gossip in Sunday school at 2<sup>nd</sup> Reformed Presbyterian Church. We have been using Matthew C. Mitchell’s book, <i>Resisting Gossip</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week we looked at how to replace gossip with the Gospel. There are two ways: First is speaking with edifying ears. Second is listening with Gospel ears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A. Speaking with Edifying Ears </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“Do
not let any </span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">unwholesome</b><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"> talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building up others up according to their needs, that it may
benefit those who listen.” The term "unwholesome" means "Rotten,
corrupt or decomposed." The Greek word is often used to describe fruit and fish
that has gone bad.</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Paul exhorts the Ephesians to put off unwholesome talk and put on edifying talk. Mitchel discusses five ways a believer can do this: </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">First, say nothing at all. It's often been said</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> “If you can’t saying anything
good, don’t say anything at all.” When you have the urge to share a juicy piece of news, pause and remember what Christ has done and limit yourself to speaking only edifying speech. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Second, commend the commendable. replace what you were thinking about saying with something kind and uplifting about the person. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Third, talk to the person and not about the person. Perhaps someone has caused you offense. Go to them directly. Do not spread your frustrations to others. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fourth, offer words of mercy. Speak about them in the best light. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fifth, if you can't think of anything to say, share a testimony about how God has been good to you or how you're seeing the gospel in a different way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">B. Listening with Gospel Ears </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listening to gossip is just as bad as giving gossip. The reason is that how we listens matters just as much as we say since both stem from our hearts. The key is to having a loving ear that comes from a loving heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mitchell gives four ways we can listen with loving ears. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">First, pray and weigh. Sometimes you have just a second to think about how to respond to someone gossiping to you. In that moment, cry to God for wisdom, that his Spirit will direct your words. Also, weight what you have just heard. Do not receive it passively but think about who's speaking, why are they speaking and is this the whole story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Second, avoid places of gossip. If you know certain environments have a tendency toward gossip then stay away from those places. Also, if someone is prone to gossip around you, avoid being around them. If you cannot avoid them, work to change the topic when gossip is brought up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Third, cover for the person being gossiped about. Say something along the lines of: <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“I’m not sure about that, but I don’t think
that it is any of our business.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lastly, ask the other person if they are willing to go talk to the person about this issue. Offer to go with them. In certain cases, it might be appropriate to say that you will go alone. [they probably will never gossip around you again with this approach.] </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Conclusion </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One thing that Mitchell emphasis in this section of the books is that this all takes discernment and wisdom. Not of these "how tos" are intended as absolute principles. There is a lot of gray in these matters and before acting on them, take time to pray, weight and seek Godly counsel. </span></span></div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-62500178527058618052016-11-08T12:32:00.003-05:002016-11-08T12:32:41.120-05:00Resisting Gossip - what is the core of Gossip? Part III<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the last couple weeks, we have been discussing the sin
of gossip in Sunday school at 2<sup>nd</sup> Reformed Presbyterian Church. We have
been using Matthew C. Mitchell’s book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting
Gossip</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This week we looked at the internal battle of gossip, what
is the core of gossip? <o:p></o:p></div>
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In its essence, gossip stems from a person being judgmental
of others. When we gossip, we slander [speak evil against] another person.
Being judgmental is a necessary part of slander. Judging others is not
necessarily bad. It is necessary in certain circumstances. “judging is necessary
but dangerous.” (Ken Sande) But how do we fall into being judgmental? There are
three ways.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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1. Rushing into Judgment </h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Proverbs 18:13 says, “He who answers before listening – that
is his folly and his shame.” People make rash judgments when they are not
patient. Often impatience happens when do not take the time to listen to both
sides of the story. Proverbs 18:17 says, “The first to present his case seems
right, till another comes forward and questions him.” Also, we fail to consider
the source of the story, who is speaking. Proverbs 14:15 says, “a simple man
believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” Lastly, we assume
we know a person’s heart and this causes us to jump to conclusion. This was
Israel’s mistake when they assumed they knew that the Transjordan tribes were
building an “imposing alter” against God in Joshua 22. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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2. Prideful Judgments </h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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James 4:11-12 says, “do not speak evil against [slander] one
another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother,
speaks evil against the law and judges the law. <b>But if you judge the law,
you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and
judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. </b>But who are you to judge your
neighbor?” When we are judgmental, we are playing God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We play God by not considering three things. First, is this
my place? God goes us to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">serve </i>as
judges in certain situations. When he has not, we should hold back from
judging. Second, we fail to apply the Golden Rule to the situation. Sometimes
we are hyper-critical of others when we would not want the same standard be
placed on us. Third, we fail to lower ourselves as Christ did when he came down
as man. We fail to become servants and look up at others actions and instead
look down on them.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
3. Unloving Judgments </h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Paul speaks of love in 1 Corinthians13, “Love is patient and
kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not
insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at
wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends [fails].” <o:p></o:p></div>
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In commenting on this passage Mitchell says, “He [Jesus]
would surely be fully qualified to do so [gossip about us]. He knows the whole
truth about us and <i>could </i>rush to judgment. He <i>is </i>the lawgiver and
the judge. Yet Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus does not delight in evil. He
does not sinfully judge us. He saved us by his own sacrificial death. If Jesus
has shown us this love, we need to show it to others.” (Mitchell, 74)<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Conclusion </h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ultimately the sin of gossip is a failure to be like Christ.
As we can see, it’s in very specific way. The layers of our sin are many and
deep. Yet, we are not stuck fighting gossip as it happens. The gospel does not
only encounter and stop gossip. It changes how we use our words and what words
we use. This is what we’ll discuss in two weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-65420641420896272672016-11-01T11:00:00.000-04:002016-11-01T11:00:00.264-04:00Gossip and the Church - What is Gossip, Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are now in the second week of our Sunday School class on
gossip at 2<sup>nd</sup> Reformed Presbyterian Church. In the first week we
answered the question, what is gossip? Gossip is “bearing bad news behind
someone’s back out of a bad heart.” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting
Gossip</i>, 23) This week we discussed how scripture talks about five different
kinds of gossips.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Gossip 1: The Spy</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Proverbs 11:13 says, “a gossip betrays a confidence, but a
trustworthy man keeps a secret.” In this passage the Hebrew word for “a gossip”
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rakil. </i>This means a “peddler of
secrets, a deceiver or spy.” A spy loves to get a juicy piece of bad news out
of people. Mitchell quotes an email he received from someone on this type of
gossip. “I think for some people gossip is like a thrill or a high from being
the first one to tell someone else about things. It’s like a competition to see
who knows the low-down on someone else first. It makes them feel better about
themselves because they ‘knew’ before you did.” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting Gossip</i>, 48)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heart of the spy is to have power over others. They want
to have the control that comes with being the first to know and then having the
power to tell others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul speaks in Ephesians 1:18-20 about Christ’s power, which
is in contrast to the spy. Paul says Christ’s power is “immeasurable.” Jesus
used his power to help others. Rather then using it selfishly, Jesus used his
power to even give up his very life. Likewise, we are to use the power of our
words to help others and encourage others, not to lord over one another.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Gossip 2: The Grumbler</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Proverbs 16:18 says “A perverse man stirs up dissension and
a gossip separates close friends.” The Hebrew words for a gossip here is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nirgan</i>. This gossip is one who is a
whisperer – he murmurs about another person behind their back. “The grumbler
complains. He criticizes. When she is upset about something – and misery loves
company – she will talk about others behind their back. We often
euphemistically call this ‘venting.’” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting
Gossip, </i>50) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heart of the grumbler is jealousy of others. The source of
their “venting” is looking at what others have and unjustly wanting it for
themselves. The opposite of jealousy is contentment. Paul speaks in Philippians
4:12-13 about the “secret of being content in any and every situation.” This
secret is found in looking to Christ to supply our needs, “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.”<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Gossip 3: The Backstabber</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The backstabber is like the grumbler, only worse. Mitchell
says, “backstabbing gossip overflows from a heart bent on revenge, retaliation
and real malice. The backstabber actually desires the target of his gossip to
experience pain.” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting Gossip,</i>
52) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was David’s experience. He says in Psalm 45:5-9, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My enemies say of me in malice, ‘When will he
die, and his name perish?’ And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad. All who
hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. They say, ‘A
deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.’
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel
against me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heart of the backstabber is revenge. They want to take
out their enemy with a vengeance. Scripture has a strong warning for
backstabbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 26:27-28 says, “If
a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll
back on him. A lying tongue hates those it hurts and a faltering mouth works
ruin.” Paul warns in Romans 12:19 to not take revenge but leave it to the Lord.
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is
written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Gossip 4: The Chameleon</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Chameleon is one who goes along with gossip to try to fit
in with the crowd. Proverbs 29:25 says “The fear of man lays a snare, but
whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” The heart of a chameleon is the fear of
man. Rather than fearing the Lord, one who struggles with this kind of gossip
is focused on what others think more than God. The answer is to meditate on the
greatness of God and remember that he is greater then anything of this world.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Gossip 5: The Busybody </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mitchell defines the busybody. “The busybody is a person who
is idle, not engaged in purposeful business and wants to be entertained.” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting Gossip,</i> 56) Paul specifically
mentions individuals in the church who are “not busy; they are busybodies.” (2 Thessalonians
3:11) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many foolish people exist in the world and we sometimes
think that we can, as busybodies laugh at their foolishness. Whether it is
someone falling down the stairs or being caught in the public eye for their
misdeeds, their foolishness does not exist for our entertainment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The heart of the busybody is selfishly serving themselves
rather than loving God and loving others. Christ did not laugh at the foolish,
he helped them. Rather than whispering about others foolishness, go to them and
build them up. Help them in their time of need.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Conclusion </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So which kind of gossiper are you? Do you have a tendency to
gossip in a specific way? Take some time to reflect over your sin, asking God
for the sweet cleansing balm of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Then go and
begin speaking as one redeemed by Christ.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-49752255749811459392016-10-27T15:50:00.002-04:002016-10-27T15:50:49.100-04:00Gossip and the Church - What is Gossip? - Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This past week we started a new Sunday School class at 2<sup>nd</sup>
Reformed Presbyterian Church. We are discussing the sin of gossip and how it
can bring great harm to the church. Our main source is Matthew G. Mitchell’s
work <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Resisting Gossip</i>. In the first and
second week we are working to define gossip.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
1. The Lure of Gossip </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Gossip is like Doritos. You eat one and suddenly the whole
bag is gone. It says in Proverbs 18:8; 26:22, “The words of a gossip are like
choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” We like it so much, but
why? Mitchell explores the seductive nature of gossip by walking by first
defining it.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
2. What is Gossip? </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Mitchell defines gossip as “bearing bad news behind
someone’s back out of a bad heart.” (23) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
First, gossip has to do with words. A gossip can be one who
speaks gossip but also one who receives it. Hence, it says in Proverbs 17:4
that “wrongdoers eagerly <b>listen </b>to gossip…” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Second, gossip is bad news. Mitchell explains that there are
three kinds of bad news. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
There is “bad information” or information that is completely
false. There is bad news about someone that is true but shameful. Sometimes we
call it a “bad report.” Lastly, there is bad news about someone’s future. You
predict what is going to happen to someone in a bad way. For instance, “they’re
going to lose their job.” “He’s clearly not going to make the team.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Mitchell notes that words of “bad news” are not always
gossip. Sometimes we have to speak bad news and hear bad news. He discusses how
we can do this appropriately later in the book. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Third, gossip happens behind someone’s back, when they are
not there. Mitchell offers four questions to help diagnose whether what you’re
saying is behind someone’s back:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. Would I say this if he were
here?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Would I receive this bad news
about her in the same way if she was present?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Am I hiding this conversation
from someone?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. Would I want someone else to
talk this way about me if I was not present?</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Lastly, gossip is out of a bad heart. Christ said that “out
of the overflow of the mouth, the heart speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) From our heart
comes our motives/reasons for our words. This begs the question, why does our
hearts enjoy the taste of gossip?<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
3. Why do we Gossip? </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Everyone loves a good story. God designed us to eat them up.
This is one reason the gospel comes to us in four stories. Gossip is a story,
but it is a bad story. “Bearing bad news can be antithetical to the gospel
itself.” (37) In the garden the serpent slandered/gossiped about God, “Did God
really say….” (Genesis 3:1) All gossip is an echo of this first slander against
our Lord. Mitchell explains that: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Gossip is believing the ancient lie that we
can attempt to play God by destroying others with the power of our words.
Gossip is not just breaking a rule; it is perversely living out Satan’s lies,
which we would rather believe than the truth.” (37)</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Using Christ’s words from Matthew 12:34, Mitchell develops “the
principle of overflow:” we gossip because bad words overflow from our bad
hearts. Gossip is not a minor offense against God or our neighbor. It’s a sign
of deep sin in our lives. What we speak is merely the overflow of the
wretchedness of our hearts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
So how do you change your heart? We can’t change ourselves.
We are helpless. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives
that any change happens. Paul speaks in Romans 6:22-23 that: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
“But now that you
have been set free from sin” [Christ’s work on the cross to pay for our sins] “…..the
fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages
of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.”</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
With this being our key premise, next week we’ll begin to
embark on how to discern what kind of gossip are we individually especially
attracted to. Then we’ll move into how to combat the sin of gossip with Godly
language. Lord willing, not only will be learning how to defeat the sin of
gossip but transform how we think about words and their power. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-89259759106380837452016-10-26T16:31:00.003-04:002016-10-27T15:58:08.147-04:00The Sabbath Today - Managing your Time Through the Sabbath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For the last couple weeks in Sunday School at 2<sup>nd</sup>
Reformed Presbyterian Church we have been discussing the role of the Sabbath in
the Christian’s life. The first week we looked at the question, “why did God
rest?” Then we discussed the place of the Sabbath in the Old Testament.
Finally, we discussed the role of the Sabbath in the New Testament. In the last
week, we looked at two questions: What is the essence of keeping the Sabbath
and how can I keep the Sabbath here at 2nd RP?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Warning: Two
Extremes </b></h2>
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In approaching the Sabbath, as any Christian practice, we want
to avoid falling into the two extremes of legalism and Antinominalism. There
are many ways to define these two terms. How we use these terms here is not
intended to be comprehensive. Legalism is binding our hearts to rules outside
of scripture. Antinominalism is breaking away our love for God from loving his
law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We want to avoid binding ourselves to rules outside of
scripture when it comes to the Sabbath. For example, it’s appropriate to
generally not play sports on the Sabbath. It’s also appropriate for a child
with ADD to play sports on the Sabbath. Another example, it’s appropriate to
generally not buy things on the Sabbath. It’s also appropriate for you to go
buy band aids on the Sabbath if you have a nasty cut. God gives us a clear law,
but leaves it to us to have wisdom in how we apply it. We should not then take
how we apply God’s law and lift it to being equal with God’s law. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We also want to avoid breaking away our love for God from
loving his law. God desires people to keep the Sabbath. He desires people to
enjoy this day of rest. Throwing the Sabbath to the side or making light of it
is tearing away our love for God for our love of his law. One cannot love God
without loving his commands. The two are essential to one another. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is the Essence
of Keeping the Sabbath? </b></h2>
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The essence of the Sabbath is Jesus Christ. When we lose our
focus on him then we lose the Sabbath. What this means is that the Christian’s
approach to the Sabbath is to have a heart/yearning for our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. We desire to rest because Christ gives us a spiritual rest. We
desire to go to worship because of Christ is worthy of worship. We desire to
not labor because it reminds us that we do not work for salvation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How can I keep the
Sabbath here at 2nd RP?</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<!--EndFragment--><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Members in Christ’s body will answer this questions
differently. For the last half of class, we discussed how we individually and
corporately can keep the Sabbath. People gave different answers to this
question. The question is for you the reader as well. How do you keep the
Sabbath where you are? Feel free to comment below. <o:p></o:p></div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-24591245961264520032016-10-20T10:56:00.001-04:002016-10-20T10:58:17.675-04:00The Sabbath in the New Testament - Managing your Time through the Sabbath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Sunday School at 2<sup>nd</sup> Reformed Presbyterian
Church this past week we continued our class on the Sabbath and
our time. Last week we looked at the purpose for the Sabbath in the Old
Testament. This week we examined the purpose of the Sabbath in the New
Testament.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-left: 21pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Christ’s View of the Sabbath </h2>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 21.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of Christ’s miracles were performed on the Jewish
Sabbath and was criticized by the Pharisees for not keeping the Sabbath. In
Mark 7:1-13, Christ and the Pharisees debate the role of rituals and customs in
society. The Pharisees ask Jesus why his disciples don’t wash their hands. His
response is to call them hypocrites because they are concerned with rituals
while forgetting the essence of the law. They did not focus on the inclination of a person’s
heart. Rather than wanting to keep God’s law, they made it lawful to break
God’s law. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another time, the Pharisees catch Jesus’ disciples picking
up grain to eat on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-14. They challenge Jesus’ about
his disciples behavior. Jesus’ response is to say that works of mercy and works
of necessity are allowable on the Sabbath. One should do good on the Sabbath.
Helping others have a day of rest is a fitting use of the Sabbath. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In some sense, Christ’s interpretation of the fourth
commandments broadens it from how the Pharisees were interpreting it. Rather
than limit what one can do on the Sabbath, Christ broadens the fourth
commandment to encourage fellow believers to do good to others, especially on
the Sabbath.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-left: 21pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Paul’s warning about the Sabbath </h2>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 21.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Colossians 2, Paul warns the church in Colossea to not
allow anyone to pass judgment regarding “questions of food and drink, or with
regard to a festival or a new moon or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a</i>
Sabbath.” The reason is that these things are “shadows” of the “substance”
which is Christ. Ultimately, these practices have no eternal value for the
believer. Rather our substance is found in Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Likewise, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the </i>Sabbath’s
focus is on Christ. It is a day for Christians to remember what God has done to
bring them to Himself. It’s a joyous celebration. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">particular </i>practices or “human precepts and teachings” that come
out of keeping the Sabbath (like no bicycling on the Sabbath) are not what is
fundamental to the Sabbath. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul warns the young pastor Timothy to beware of people who
have the appearance of godliness, the form, but deny its power (2 Timothy
3:1-5). People who merely keep the appearance of godliness, following right
practices, are still in their hearts set against God. This is how Paul
describes them: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“lovers of self, lovers of money,
proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One can keep the Sabbath, keep the structure and follow the
rules, but if one’s heart is not set on Christ and love for Him then one is
merely following the appearance of godliness.<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-left: 21pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Church’s Response to the Old Law </h2>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 21.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Acts 15, the church had to decide whether the Gentiles
were to keep the old law or ceremonial law. In the midst of the debate, Peter
argues that the Gentiles do not have to keep the old law. His reason is put in
the form of a question. “Why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke
on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to
bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,
just as they will.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter is saying that the church should not put the burden of
the law on the gentile believers because it is by grace that believers are
saved. The Gentiles won’t be saved by keeping the law. Keeping the Sabbath is
not a burden of the ceremonial law. As it says in Isaiah 58, keeping the
Sabbath is a “delight.” Sometimes though, believers practice of the Sabbath can
be like keeping the ceremonial law. Rather than keeping the focus on Christ,
the focus is on the rules and regulations of a particular place and time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="margin-left: 21pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The Focus of the Sabbath </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Hebrews 4:1-13, the writer tells the church that one day
there will be rest for God’s people in God’s presence. The writer points to the
Sabbath as a sampling of what we’re looking forward to. But even more so, the
Christian ceasing from work on the Sabbath is a deep and comforting reminder
that because of Christ’s work on the cross, Christians do not need to work for
their salvation. Pulling back from work on the Sabbath and saying no to what we
do during the week gives us a taste of what is to come but also reminds us that
our salvation comes from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Joseph A Pipa says in his book, <i>The Lord’s Day,</i> “The
Sabbath ‘deals the death-blow to our becoming workaholics or to our being
obsessed with our favorite recreation or activity.’ - there is the practical
side effect of the Sabbath that here is a direct contradiction between what God
wants us to do and what we want to do.” (66)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In conclusion, the focus of the Sabbath is on Christ. We use
the Sabbath appropriately when we set aside the daily affairs of life to focus
on Christ. It is a day of rest in what Christ has done for us. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-55575134688055223612016-09-16T13:40:00.002-04:002016-09-16T14:27:22.173-04:00Why did God Give Ancient Israel the Sabbath - Managing your Time through the Sabbath <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At <a href="http://www.secondrpc.org/">2nd Reformed Presbyterian Church</a> I am teaching a class on the Sabbath. Last week we looked at the question “Why did God rest?” This week we are asking the question, “why did God give ancient Israel the Sabbath?” <br />
The general goals of the class are: <br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>To know why God rested </li>
<li>To know how Legalism and Antinomianism creeps into our Sabbath </li>
<li>To process our redeeming the time through the Sabbath </li>
<li>To perceive the Sabbath as the reference point for how we use our time </li>
<li>To prepare our hearts and minds for worship </li>
</ol>
This week we’re going to pay special attention to the second goal, specifically through Israel’s response to God’s command to “remember the Sabbath.”<br />
<div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. Israel’s Heart Toward the Sabbath </h3>
It says in Amos 8:4-6: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?</blockquote>
Amos was written near the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Rather than having hearts and minds for God, Ephraim turned its hearts were greedy. Consequently, the Sabbath became a burden to them. It was something they wanted to throw off. </div>
<div>
<br />
The Northern Kingdom’s attitude is very different than when God first gave the command, “Keep the Sabbath Day.” The writer of Exodus describes the state of Israel when they were slaves in Egypt: <br />
<br />
During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew… Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings... (Exodus 2:23-25 and 3)<br />
<br />
Israel did not rest while they were enslaved. In his last public address, Moses reminds the Israelites that they are to “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.” Because “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” (Deuteronomy 5:12 and 15) <br />
<br />
When Israel first received the law, the Sabbath reminded them of their former slavery in Egypt and the freedom God gave them in the promise land. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
2. God’s command to Israel</h3>
The command of God to Israel, to “not do any work,” on the Sabbath was strict. The command goes as far as to say, “Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” (Exodus 35:3) Why did God give a strict structure to the Sabbath? <br />
<br />
It was to give Israel a break. Bruce A. Ray explains in <i><a href="http://www.prpbooks.com/book/celebrating-the-sabbath" target="_blank">Celebrating the Sabbath</a></i>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A man is refreshed when, having exhausted himself, he recovers his breathe. The Sabbath, therefore, is a God-given opportunity to catch our breath in the midst of our weekly routine of work. It is intended to be a break, an opportunity to pause and be refreshed, to catch our breath before going back to work. (61)</blockquote>
In order to give people the chance to “catch our breath” We need boundaries. The purpose for not even “kindling” fire on the Sabbath is to show that keeping the Sabbath takes preparation. Work needs to be done on the six other days. Fires need to be kindled before the Sabbath, not during the Sabbath. In Psalm 42, David remembers what it was like to keep this solemn and holy day:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
These things I remember,<br />
as I pour out my soul:<br />
how I would go with the throng<br />
and lead them in procession to the house of God<br />
with glad shouts and songs of praise,<br />
a multitude keeping festival. (Psalm 42:4)</blockquote>
David remembers the Sabbath day as a day of keeping festival, full of joy and shouts of praise. The boundaries set up by God for Israel created a space for Israel to celebrate and have a joyous occasion. </div>
<div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
3. Israel’s Response</h3>
While wandering through the wilderness a man is caught collecting sticks on the Sabbath. Here is what happened: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:32-36)</blockquote>
Israel’s response to the Sabbath is to follow God’s command. They are willing to take a man’s life for breaking God’s law. But why did God command the stoning of a man for just picking up sticks, and why the whole community? <br />
<br />
The context is helpful in answering the first question, why did God command the stoning of a man for just picking up sticks? Just prior to to the story in the text, instructions about people who intentionally break God’s law and unintentionally break God’s law are given: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who makes a mistake, when he sins unintentionally, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him. (Numbers 15:27-31)</blockquote>
Israel was chosen by God as a holy people. To be pure before the Lord. For them to have one who intentionally sins against God and to “revile the Lord” is to have someone who is a traitor to their country. Just like any country would put a traitor to death in our day, so Israel did the same. There is also a deeper reason. <br />
<br />
The man was not just picking up sticks. He was creating a different culture in the camp that would have made it more difficult for others around him to keep the Sabbath. This is why the whole community participated in his execution. Keeping the Sabbath is a communal activity. You cannot keep the Sabbath alone. The man was participating in an economic activity would have put him a step above other competitors in his profession. This would have created pressure for others to start working on the Sabbath as well. <br />
<br />
How we spend our time on the Sabbath, as in any other day, has an effect on people around us. In fact, the decision of how we spend our time is an ethical decision. Judith Shulevitz in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sabbath-World-Glimpses-Different-Order/dp/0812971736" target="_blank">The Sabbath World</a> </i>says: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Sabbath – God’s claim against our time – implies that time has an ethical dimension. We rest in order to honor God and his creation, which suggests that not to rest dishonors both. So must we say that the speeding up of everything is not only psychologically harmful but morally wrong? (24)</blockquote>
Ultimately, Israel’s strong response to dwindled. By the time of Zedekiah’s reign, Israel did not keep the Sabbath: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. 13 he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel. 14 All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem. 15 The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 but they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy. (2 Chronicles 36:11-16)</blockquote>
Consequently, Israel was taken into captivity for their disobedience. All the while, God spoke to them by the prophets, warning them to turn their hearts toward him: <br />
<br />
“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14) <br />
<br />
Israel had rejected God’s blessing of the Sabbath. Rest brings life and the Sabbath is a day of “keeping festival.” Instead of receiving this wonderful blessing, Israel returned to slavery and exile from the promise land. Eventually, Israel was allowed to return to the promised land and the faithful began to keep God’s law. <br />
<br />
What’s interesting, prior to their exile is how Israel stopped keeping God’s law. Then, they began to keep God’s law but it got to the point where they kept it the extreme. After the fall of Jerusalem, The Talmud was written. In it, as a way of clarifying God’s law, additional regulations and rules were added to the Sabbath. Eventually, about 1,500 regulations were added to explaining what it meant to keep the Sabbath. Israel flipped from not keeping God’s law to adding to God’s law. <br />
<br />
The danger is that we begin to fall back into a list or set of rules that are not of scripture and even if they are of scripture, we give them higher priority than what scripture speaks of in general (helping the poor, giving to those in need, loving others,) and that is actually an act of pride. We’re putting ourselves in control of the Sabbath and not recognizing God’s sovereignty over the Sabbath – that he in his omnipotence has chosen one 24-hour period for a day of rest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Questions for Reflection:</h4>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Is there a time in your life where you have seen yourself swing from antinomianism to legalism or vice versa? </li>
<li>Keeping the Sabbath takes discipline and work. What are ways where how we spend our time will influence our Sabbath? </li>
<li>Why does it take a community to keep the Sabbath? </li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-69922088785606564452016-09-05T20:43:00.000-04:002016-09-15T09:00:07.133-04:00Why Did God Rest: Managing your Time through the Sabbath<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
At <a href="http://www.secondrpc.org/" target="_blank">2nd Reformed Presbyterian Church</a>, I am beginning to lead a new Sunday School class on managing our time through the Sabbath. Each week I’ll be posting a summary of the class discussion for people who were unable to attend. <br />
<br />
There are five goals for the class: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. To know why God rested. <br />
2. To know how legalism and Antinomianism creeps into our Sabbath. <br />
3. To process “redeeming the time” through keeping the Sabbath. <br />
4. To perceive the Sabbath as the reference point for how we use our time. <br />
5. To prepare our hearts and minds for worship. <br />
<br />
This week we looked at, “why God rested on the Sabbath” and how that relates to our daily lives. <br />
<br />
Your position on the Sabbath is inevitable. Automatically we decide how to use our time on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was given to us by God and inevitably we use it. In her book,<i> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjkrt2nvvnOAhXH4yYKHW9cAs0QFggcMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FReceiving-Day-Christian-Practices-Opening%2Fdp%2F0787956473&usg=AFQjCNEg6aTUsZqZUvBOwueOTfYVTwm9mQ&sig2=GOw6I0r95mt_kG9RQkgNGw&bvm=bv.131783435,d.eWE" target="_blank">Receiving the Day</a></i>, Dorothy C. Bass quotes sociologist Edward T. Hall: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Time talks… It speaks more plainly then words. The message it conveys comes through loud and clear. Because it is manipulated less consciously, it is subject to less distortion than the spoken language. It can shout the truth where words lie. (xi)</blockquote>
Similar to money, how we spend our times says a lot about who we are and what we value. <br />
<br />
Also, God wants us to use our timely wise, as Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (5:15-16) The King James phrases it as as “redeeming the time.” We all are given a certain amount of time in our lives and some day, like the servants in Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-20), we will have to answer for how we have spent our time. <br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Why did God Rest? </h2>
God commands all people to keep the Sabbath day holy. This command stems from when God created the world, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” (Genesis 2:2-3) But this raises an interesting question, God has no need to rest, so why did God rest? <br />
<br />
Joseph Pipa in his book, <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjx_cbtv_nOAhUF7yYKHfZEDTIQFggcMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLords-Day-Joseph-Pipa%2Fdp%2F1857922018&usg=AFQjCNGIelw2pTbZl5S790qhmxMVREUcdw&sig2=YzvTcv3hruryxc8LTXPs-Q&bvm=bv.131783435,d.eWE" target="_blank">The Lord’s Day</a></i> (28-31) offers three reasons for why God rested:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. To Declare his Work as Creator was Completed</h3>
All the work that God had done in the first six days was complete, and so, God came to the seventh day with no additional work that needed to be done. Certainly, God had work. Jesus says in John 5:17, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” Resting on the Sabbath does not mean the mere ceasing of all work.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
2. To Express Delight in Creation</h3>
God enjoyed the Sabbath. It was a day of refreshment for him. All His weekly work was complete and He was able to relish in it Exodus 31:17 goes as far to say that God was “refreshed.”<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
3. To Picture the Rest He Provides for Humanity</h3>
There is an eternal rest for all of humanity found in Christ Jesus. The writer of Hebrews says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10) Christ’s resurrection, which we celebrate on the first day of the week, is not the end or fulfilment but is the beginning of life eternal, of the abundant blessed rest in Jesus. Sunday is a taste of the saints’ experience in heaven. <br />
<br />
In light of these ideas about why God rested on the seventh day, what does this say about us and the Sabbath?<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
How God's Rest Relates to Us</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. Come to the Sabbath with your Work Completed</h3>
It important to recognize that this is not a command of Scripture but a sign of what is going on in our lives. A sign is a mark or signal of the presence of something else. <br />
<br />
When you find yourself at the end of the week wishing you could work on the Sabbath then you have a sign of something deeper going on in your heart. It is a sign that something is beginning to take the place of God in your life. That your desires are being turned away from God and to something that God created. The Sabbath is a good litmus test to see what idols we have in our lives.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
2. Enjoy the Day</h3>
Judith Shulevitz in her article "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/02/magazine/bring-back-the-sabbath.html?pagewanted=all&focus_loaded=1" target="_blank">Bringing Back the Sabbath</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Most people mistakenly believe that all you have to do to stop working is not work. The inventors of the Sabbath understood that it was a much more complicated undertaking. You cannot downshift casually and easily. This is why the Puritan and Jewish Sabbaths were so exactingly intentional. The rules did not exist to torture the faithful. They were meant to communicate the insight that interrupting the ceaseless round of striving requires a surprisingly strenuous act of will, one that has to be bolstered by habit as well as by social sanction. </blockquote>
A part of having “rules” about Sabbath keeping comes from a desire of being able to enjoy a day of rest and refreshment. In Deuteronomy, God reminds the Israelites that when they were enslaved in Egypt, they had no rest. The Sabbath was given to them to remind them that “God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.” Because they were free from slavery, God wanted them to work hard at creating a day of rest. <br />
<br />
It takes work to enjoy the Sabbath. You have to be mindful that what you commit to doing on Monday influences whether you’ll come to Saturday night ready for a day of rest. Without careful prep, it is difficult to rest.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
3. Remember What the LORD has Done</h3>
Christ calls “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He is saying that those who are burdened with their sin can come to Him and he will ease their burden. The Sabbath is a special day to remember what Christ has done and then to live it out in our lives. We can take off the toil of work and relish in what Christ has done.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Conclusion</h2>
God calls all people to rest. It is a day he intended to be full of rest and relief. Yet, to get to this point of resting, it takes work during the week to prepare for the Sabbath. Next week we’ll be looking at the purpose for the Sabbath in the Old Testament.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Questions for Reflection: </h3>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>What are we to remember specifically on the Sabbath day? Also, what are practical consequences for how we are to go about remembering</li>
<li>If an infinite being would rest, why can’t you? </li>
<li>Do work, hobbies and activities during the week hurt your ability to rest on the Sabbath, why? </li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-39739175075944918832014-06-12T19:45:00.001-04:002014-06-12T19:45:32.610-04:00What is Ancient Western Philosophy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.loyola.edu/~/media/academic/philosophy/images/socrates.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.loyola.edu/~/media/academic/philosophy/images/socrates.ashx" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It can be a
tricky thing to explain when something begins and ends. Political era and wars
are fairly easily to define. The Obama Administration began in 2008 and most
likely will end in 2016. The War on Terror began in the year 2001. But even
these can be hard to define. For instance, Wildrow Wilson was virtually
incapacitated for his last year in office as president. Can we really say his
term ended in ’21 since his wife essentially took the reigns of his presidency?
Perhaps its more accurate to say that for two years, the country was run by the
First Lady, like many a Empress Dowager of China? Here we are splitting hairs
but it goes to show that it can be precise when saying when something began and
when something began. Explaining when Ancient Western Philosophy began is of
this sort.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the side,
I do defend my decision to not talk about Eastern Philosophy in this series. It
is a practical reason. There is not enough time to cover that much material in
a summer. On top of a practical reason there is a conceptual one. Eastern
philosophy is a whole different ball game then western philosophy. Perhaps, if
this goes well, that will be a future project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So when did
Ancient Western Philosophy begin? Most history of philosophies will begin with
Thales as the first ancient Greek thinker. This is not to say there was no one
before him. I am not saying Thales discovered philosophy like Isaac Newton
discovered the law of gravity. Rather, the earliest writings we have of western
philosophy, aka Greek philosophy, are attributed him. But when does it end?
This is where the dilemma really begins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
resolution is simple. My goal is to reach Neo-Platonic philosophy that began
around the 200s A.D. If I get beyond that then I will have more then
accomplished my goal. In other words, ancient western philosophy ends when the
summer ends and a real answer to the dilemma is forth coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An Overview of the Summer’s Postings <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The series
is broken up into four parts. First there are the Pre-Socratics. These are
philosophers who lived before Socrates or were not influenced by him. This will
lead us up to the big three: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Then there is
Hellenistic philosophy. I am considering breaking these posts up into
explanations of philosophical systems rather then philosophers. Readers input
here will be quite helpful. Lastly, there will be Roman philosophy. You will
see that I have divided ancient philosophy chronologically with the exception
of The Big Three. I hope breaking the series down into these sections will help
show while highlight how ancient philosophy changes over time yet certain
questions remain throughout this rich time in world history. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-12940224170773756092014-06-10T21:13:00.000-04:002014-06-10T21:13:54.457-04:00Who Cares about Ancient Western Philosophy? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://home.wlu.edu/~mahonj/Ancient_Philosophers/DeathofSocratespic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://home.wlu.edu/~mahonj/Ancient_Philosophers/DeathofSocratespic.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to the first in a series of
explanations of ancient western philosophy. I hope you find these articles
helpful and thought provoking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You are probably wondering why read about
ancient western philosophy. This knowledge does not add practical value to your
life nor is it entertaining. In fact, there seems to be no value in thinking
about ancient western philosophy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since you are still reading you may find it
worthwhile to spend a couple minutes thinking about the reason for learning about
ancient western philosophy. Perhaps you can’t put your finger on it, but you
have an inkling there is worth in pursuing knowledge of ancient western
philosophy. Intuition is not enough. The skeptic’s attack drowns out the hint.
The skeptic’s claim is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ancient
western philosophy is not a worthwhile investigation. It does not add to our
lives. Our time and energy is best spent on things of pleasure and practical
value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At first glance this claim seems to take the
wind out of our sails, and we haven’t even left the harbor. Certainly, the
“pleasure objection,” as we will call it, has some force. If I have a choice
between reading Plato and taking in the aroma of facebook, I often choose facebook.
Likewise, cats chasing lasers tastes better then reading Zeno. Yet, this is not
what the pleasure objection is saying. It is saying that ancient western
philosophy is worthless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The irony of the pleasure objection is that
it follows the path it objects against. By offering the claim ancient western
philosophy is worthless, it is promoting a specific philosophical position that
lies within the tradition of ancient western philosophy. Really, the objection
is saying that it thinks itself has no value. That is a self-defeating claim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Stronger Objection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps we can salvage the pleasure
objection. We will call it the sophisticated pleasure objection. It goes something
like this. Humanity has gone beyond ancient philosophy. Technology and science
are the foundation. Man is becoming more and more sophisticated and the world a
more complex place. Ancient western philosophy is no help because we live in
such a different world. In other words, there is no longer a need to study ancient
western philosophy because it is obsolete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are forced to concede something. First, we
agree that the world is much more complicated then it was back when ancient
western philosophy wasn’t ancient. Furthermore, Western society no longer
functions even just a 100 years ago, much less over 2,000 years. The
foundational principles of the west have eroded away. A pseudo-postmodernism
reigns triumphant. We see it in art, movies, and culture. At its foundation
lies trust in science and technology to solve problems and make sense of the
world around us. This we are forced to concede. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet, we are not forced to concede to the
objection if we can show on the contrary that ancient western philosophy is not
obsolete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We can’t stop people from thinking but we can stop people from
thinking poorly. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Good thinking doesn’t come naturally. It comes
from constant hard practice and from a teacher. That’s what philosophers do.
They teach us how to think well. When you read and consider Plato’s forms, you
are not just figuring out if he has gotten it right but being taught how to
think from one of the influential minds of the west. Over time, it will rub off
on you if you are committed to constant hard practice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is not an easy task nor is it for the
faint of heart. Careful thinking requires diligent labor. It’s long and hard labor
that takes years before fruit begins to grow. The fruit is well worth the wait.
So join me in this summer of reading about ancient western philosophy. I think
you will find it to be profitable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Story for Your Consideration<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A couple weeks ago I was discussing with my students the
ethics of the Opium Wars between China and the British Empire. I asked my
students whether countries are ethically obligated to stop trading a good if the
other country asks them to stop. Our discussion naturally revolved around
today’s drug wars. One of my classes took the discussion in an interesting
direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two claimed it is not possible to answer the question. They
said there is no one who can say there is right and wrong, “it’s all just our opinion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My response was that there seems to be
universals about what is right and wrong. My two students interjected that
there are multiple opinions about morality and we can’t clearly see these
universals throughout all cultures. “It’s just too hard to figure it out,” said
one. Quickly I pointed out that they would agree that actions of genocide and
rape are wrong, have always been wrong and will always be wrong. There is no
context, for instance, where the Holocaust can be ethically justified. One
conceded but the other did not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He spoke tentatively. “Yeah, the Nazis saw what they were
doing to be right and good. So it was right and good for them. How can I figure
out how they are wrong?” Sadly, I never answered his question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What was troubling about the discussion was not my student’s
positions but their lack of reasoning. They found the very existence of a
contrary moral claim to be evidence that moral intuitions are inherently
defective. One student was even willing to go as far as to say he couldn’t find
reason to claim the Holocaust is wrong. Clearly one could argue, as the Nazis
did, such treatment is justified, but there are a host of reasons to
confidently disagree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Though you might take my student’s position about the
relativity of ethics, I hope you can see the shallowness of my students
thinking. They hadn’t rubbed shoulders with powerful arguments and claims of thoughtful
writers. He probably never will. How do you know you’re not in the same position?
It is worth reading about ancient western philosophy because it forces us to
think and even to think carefully. So, join me in this blog series on ancient
western philosophy. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-43868842195749911112013-10-07T19:44:00.000-04:002013-10-07T19:54:48.857-04:00A Response to Albert Mohler Jr. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just recently, Albert Mohler Jr. wrote a <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v8/n4/is-public-school-option?utm_source=aigsocial09302013publicsch&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebooktwittergooglelinkedin" target="_blank">blog post </a>on the question "should Christian parents send their children to public school?" As a Christian and a public school teacher I think there are issues with Dr. Mohler's post. </div>
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<b>Mohler's Analysis in sum </b></div>
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Dr. Mohler provides a short history of education from the late 1800s to the 1980s. He says American education originated in "the village." Parents controlled most of the curriculum in their child's school. This began to change with the arrival of the industrial revolution. Cities grew and farm life shrunk. Yet, parents still had a major voice in public schools. </div>
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Things changed. "Educational authorities... pushed for a 'progressive' understanding of education." People like John Dewey pushed for a "liberalism," forced through the separation of church and state, and taught secularism. This took a long time. Also, the Supreme Court handed down decisions that destroyed the local communities. The parent lost control over their children's education. Mohler calls this an "ideological revolution."<br />
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Everything from homosexuality, evolution, postmodern concept of truth, revisionism in history and naturalism are coming into the schools. If your school doesn't have it, it soon will. Yes, there are Christian educators, but that's not how things were. So, Christian parents are now saying no. </div>
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<b>Mohler's Answer </b></div>
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Dr. Mohler doesn't give an answer to the question. I think he implies his answer with statements like"If these developments have not come to your local school, they almost surely will soon." He sounds more like a prophet then a theologian. </div>
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<b>What is wrong with this Analysis</b></div>
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The basic problem with Mohler's analysis is he is not doing theology. He reduces American educational history to this: American education was going really well until the big guys in Washington stepped in and messed it up. This is a philosophical and historical point. He is giving a philosophical analysis of the state and history of education. He hasn't given a Biblical argument except that parent's have a Biblical responsibility for their children's education. </div>
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I think this is a case where Dr. Mohler needs to be quiet. He is in higher education, not secondary or elementary. He is a theologian, not a historian or educator. He is not working in his role. Let those who are trained in this area do the historical analysis and philosophical work. </div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-21874525704877282882013-09-30T18:29:00.003-04:002013-09-30T18:39:36.597-04:00A Thought on Phenomenology <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am taking Phenomenology and Existentialism this semester. I am gaining an understanding of early and mid-20th century philosophy. We have read Husserl, Ponty and now Arendt. They are timely because many theological developments occur during this time. (For instance, the beginning of the culture wars and theological splits in churches.)<br />
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I also am understanding why I find continental philosophy to be full of a lot of “huhs” and “duhs.” What I understand, I find to be plainly true and not controversial. What I don’t understand, there seems to be little ways to go about understanding it. What I disagree with, I find no argument to wrestle with. Perhaps it has to do with my background in analytical philosophy, but a professors word of wisdom on continental philosophy was helpful. "Continental philosophy is either nonsense or common." </div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-23348458593750561642013-04-05T14:21:00.000-04:002013-04-05T14:27:47.394-04:00How Much are you Eating?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style>This post is an accumulation of thoughts and conversations with various peoples through the years.</span></div>
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<span style=>Around the time I started to study philosophy at Taylor, my younger sister and I had a conversation about how much philosophy is helpful to read. She mentioned that our neighbor and elder in the church said we ought to read more of the Bible then any other book. At the time we both found this preposterous since I was finding myself reading up to hundreds of pages of philosophy in a week.</span></div>
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<span style=>Soon after, I was walking with my older brother about music. Back then there was a lot of discussion about what type of music was helpful to listen to, particularly rock and CCM. At the time, he thought it helpful to understood rock music like candy. A little can be fun and ok, but too much and you'll get sick.</span></div>
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<span style=>Last summer, this same brother convinced me to listen to a sermon series. I struggle to listen to sermons, and they have been of little help in my life. There is really only one pastor's sermons who have been of great spiritual significance in my life. Anyway, he convinced me to listen to this series on assurance of salvation. He made the point that it's important to have a large quantity of spiritual things in our lives. At the time, and for a while by then, I thought it was more important to have a few high quality things in our spiritual life.</span></div>
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<span style=>I listened to the sermons. Didn't get much out of them. These three stories have one thing in common, quantity of spiritual things. Rarely do we think about the quantity of spiritual things in our lives. We often analyze of the quality of spiritual things, thinking their their orthodoxy and application.</span></div>
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<span style=>Jeremiah Burrows was a puritan minister who wrote "Gospel Worship." It's a series of sermons he gave about how we ought to worship. In talking about the Lord's Supper, this is what he said. I apologize for the length of the quote, Puritans are always long-winded, but it's worth reading through. If you don't just skip and read my summary below:</span></div>
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<span style=>This is the communion of the body of Jesus Christ and of his blood, and therefore there ought to be hungering and thirsting desires of the soul after Jesus Christ. Therefore you must take heed that you do not come with your stomachs full of trash, as children do when they can get plums and pears and fill their stomachs with them when they come to your tables. Though there is never so much wholesome diet, they have no mind to it at all. </span></blockquote>
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<span style=>So it is with men of the world. They fill their hearts with the trash of this world, with sensual delights, and whence it is that when they come to such a great ordinance to enjoy communion with Jesus Christ, then they feel no want at all of Christ. They only come and take a little piece of bread and a draught of wine, but for any strong, pausing desires to meet with Jesus Christ there in the ordinance, to come so as they know not how to live without Christ, even as a man who is hungry cannot live without his meat and drink, and so for the soul to to have such a disposition after Christ is a rare thing." </span></blockquote>
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<span style=>The point being, when we approach the Lord's table, don't be feasting on the things of this world or you will come to the Lord's table with a full stomach of trash. You will not desire to feast on Him.</span></div>
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<span style=>In the Old Testament, the Kings of Israel were required to read and study the Law day and night. King David expressed a love for God's law (See Psalm 119, all of it). In the New Testament, we see Jesus as a child having a great depth of God's law as a child (Luke 2). Furthermore, Paul himself was well versed in the Law and it almost got him killed a couple times by the Jews, Acts 9. Paul tells the Philippians to approve the things that are excellent in Philippians 1 and later to meditate or think on wh<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">at is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or praiseworthy. In Revelations, John claims to "be in the spirit" when he received the revelations of things to come. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By reading more of the Bible then any other book, filling my mind with excellent things then the Lord's Supper becomes much more desirable. Likewise, I find my relationship with Christ to be much stronger and prayer, bible study and worship comes easier to me. If we increase the quantity of spiritual things in our lives then we will desire them more. The more of the Bible I read, the more I enjoy it and realize how much I don't know about it. </span></div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-19068225684301224542013-04-01T13:18:00.000-04:002013-04-01T13:18:24.812-04:00The Worship Service vs. Discipleship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In our church* there is a tension/debate about placing priority on the worship service or discipleship. On one side, you have people claiming that if we just bring people to worship on the Sabbath and place them in front of the pastor and they hear the word, then they'll begin to grow in Christ. On the other side, meet with the person weekly, share your applications from your ABC Bible study, check each other's memory verses and talk.<br />
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<b>Arguments for which side? </b><br />
It's easy to take a side on this debate depending on how the Holy Spirit has worked in your life. In my life, relationships with men who shared their applications and reviewed memory verses with me have helped me grow in Christ more then listening to sermons on Sunday. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who have grown tremendously from hearing sermons week after week. In fact, some claim that the spirit works primarily through the preaching of the word. Perhaps this means I'm a stunted Christian....<br />
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So, what should the church emphasize? Discipleship or the worship service? In answering any question, I have always tried to say "both" as much as possible unless a clear contradictions presents itself when you agree with both sides. So, public worship and discipleship are both of equal importance and worthy of equal emphasis in the church. I haven't understood why this is the correct answer, until now.<br />
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<b>A Question that Explains why "both" is right</b><br />
I've been reading Pipa's work "Public Worship, 101" for a class I'm taking on public worship at 2nd RP. He asks this profound question in chapter 2, "where do we anticipate our most profound encounters with God?" It is profound on a couple levels. First, we encounter God on different levels in different contexts. The question asks whether we work to figure out where? Second, in our relationships with people, we know that there are certain things to anticipate. For instance, I anticipate that I need to converse with my coworkers about NCAA basketball so I make sure to know who is in the Final Four. Likewise, we should anticipate what kindles our relationship with God. Third, where does God most profoundly affect us?<br />
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Pipa points to the worship service, citing Revelations 5. If you think about it, the most profound experience we will have with God is going to be in heaven, worshipping King Jesus. The worship service is a preparation for that glorious day, and it's no surprise for us to find that our most profound moments will be in the worship service.<br />
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Here is where we pause. At this point, one will think that this means the church ought to emphasize the worship service over anything and everything else since its a preparation for the most glorious encounter with God! It's a "well, duh!" thought. But no, there is more.<br />
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<b>Why It is Both</b><br />
I don't know about you, but if I don't know the people around me and how God is working in their lives, it is difficult for me to worship God with them. It's like being around a really good friend with a stranger. You can't focus on getting to know better your good friend as much.<br />
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The greatest and closest encounters I have had with God in a worship service are at my home church, 2nd RP where I know my pastor's life, he knows mine, I am meeting with others in that particular body, and we're praying for each other. If I know the people I'm worshipping with better then I'm much more able to have a close encounter with God.<br />
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So if worship is to take a priority in the church, it won't fully blossom unless there is discipleship. At the same, time, discipleship can't fully function on its own since the worship service is a bringing together the body of Christ. It doesn't make sense to neglect Worship when throughout the New Testament worship is seen as a very important part of the Christian life.**<br />
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*This debate takes place at my church as well as in theRP Church broadly speaking.<br />
**I myself have noticed that when I miss church, I tend to have a tougher week. I'm crabbier, sullen and things just don't go as smoothly. </div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-89243291254253751992013-03-23T13:00:00.001-04:002013-03-23T13:00:18.778-04:00Do you Want your Youth to Stay in the Church?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/36544903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/36544903.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's a dumb question to ask since any church member with the ability to think would say, yes. We don't want our youth to leave the church. This post is in response to Marc5sola's <a href="http://marc5solas.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/top-10-reasons-our-kids-leave-church/" target="_blank">post</a> about why young people leave the church. We want young people to stay in the church. If they leave for another city or town, we want them to be rooted in a strong community of believers where the gospel is preached.<br />
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I almost left the church. Specifically, I almost left the RP church because of the following reasons: 1. are<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>very few people my age. 4. It's hard to relate with many in the church.<br />
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I'm not abnormal either. Large numbers of 20-somethings are and have left the church. It's an epidemic right now. If you want to keep your youth in the church, here is how:<br />
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You give them leadership positions, you disciple** them and you be honest. </div>
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<b>Leadership </b><br />
I have stayed in the church, specifically in the RP church. Here is why. In high school I was given leadership positions. I was a member of CYPU and so four/five times a year I was organizing, helping lead events in the RP church for the presbytery youth.<br />
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Also, I once had breakfast with my pastor, and I asked why we don't have a "youth group" at 2nd RP. His explanation, youth groups pull the youth out of the church and create a second church. He then <i>challenged </i>me to take my desires and use them to benefit the church. He challenged me to serve. As as a result, I started to organize and plan various service projects to help others in the church.<br />
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Because I was given leadership and challenged to invest in the church as a leader, it was hard for me to leave church. No one leaves what they've invested in very easily.<br />
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<b>Discipleship </b><br />
Discipleship is not hard to understand. You meet with a fellow believer on a regular basis, share your applications from Bible study and review memory verses. What's hard is being honest on how you're doing spiritually and keeping up with meeting with your brother on a regular basis. <br />
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In high school, I was discipled. My Dad and pastor regularly met with me, sharing <i>their </i>applications and memory verses. I saw their spiritual lives. It gave me an honest picture of how one grows in Christ.<br />
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<b>Honesty</b><br />
During my junior year and senior year of high school, an elder in the church met with me weekly, reading through various books like Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. I got to deal with questions he struggled with and I got to struggle through my own. I was able to start to get an honest picture of the struggles of today's church.<br />
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<b>Two Final Comments </b><br />
First, This is not a sure-fire way to keep young people in the church. Young people will leave the church. The question is whether they are going to leave with you screaming, crying and fighting as they go. It's important to never quit with young people. They're a strange bunch. When you least expect them to listen, they do. When they act like they've rejected everything, they really haven't.<br />
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Second, pray constantly. Just because a child of God has left, it doesn't mean this child lost. The prodigal son returned. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Part of the reason I saw worship as "boring" is because I didn't understand in my mind <i>why</i> the things happened in the service that did <i>and </i>I didn't hold in my heart the willingness to humble my desires in light of God's. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**Discipleship: What Jesus did with the Twelve Disciples, what Paul did with Timothy. </span></div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-49467587921067294692013-03-22T08:39:00.002-04:002013-03-22T08:40:13.831-04:00Van Til "The Defense of the Faith" Chapter 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the second post on Van Til's work "The Defense of the Faith." My analysis of the first chapter is <a href="http://davidpulliam.blogspot.com/2013/02/til-defense-of-faith-chapter-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Again,<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="line-height: 20px;">I am reviewing it chapter by chapter as a way of digesting the book. It is not thick, but Van Til is an important thinker in reformed theology. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I'm also coming at it from the perspective of a philosopher who wants to be a help to today's reformed theologians. So I won't be making comments on all parts of the book but rather limit what I say to where I think I can help clarify ideas and definitions and correct problems. </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Before we Talk about Reality, the Method</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Van Til is doing philosophy from a reformed theological standpoint. That is really important to understand before we get into anything. He is </span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">trying </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">to make everything he believes about philosophy to be informed by the Bible. This is his </span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">method. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In philosophy, your method will determine what you say about </span></span><span style="line-height: 20px;">ultimate</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> reality, how we know, if we can know, do we know, what is beauty, what is justice, what is goodness and if there is a God. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>God is Reality and the Universe is Reality </b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;">So Van Til responds to that last question by saying yes, God exists. Furthermore, God is reality. He says that we must be careful to make a distinction about the term <i>reality</i>. God, who is reality, is self-sufficient and is distinct from His universe. This distinction is very important since it triggers important stances in ethics, psychology and my favorite epistemology. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"><b>A Side Note </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Van Til says this "Most philosophers have not been Christians." He says this comment in the context of explaining why it is improtant to take theological language and redress it with philosophical terms. This is a small point, but yeah I disagree with this comment. Let's begin with a list of orthodox* Christian philosophers: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Boethius </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Augustine </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Thomas Aquinas</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Anselm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">George Berkeley </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Kierkegaard </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Melebranche </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Pascal </span></li>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">*Orthodox defined as one who holds beliefs put forth by the historic creeds </i><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ok, moving on.</span><br />
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<b>The Problem of the One and Many </b><br />
In this chapter, Van Til attempts to work through the problem of the one and the many. He briefly outlines the problem. "The philosophers have sought for a unified outlook on human experience. Philosophers have sought for as comprehensive a picture of the nature of reality as a whole as man is able to attain. But the universe is composed of many things. Man's problem is to find unity in the midst of the plurality of things." I like how Heraclitus put it, when you put your foot in a river and take it out <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">again, is it the same river the second time you put your foot in? </span><br />
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This problem has plagued humanity since we started trying to categorize things. (Yes, it is why I struggle to keep my room clean. I have one room and many things and don't know how they ought to be unified together.)<br />
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Various philosophers have tried putting forwards answers. Some have said there is no unity, just diversity. Heraclitus said everything is in constant flux. Plato argued that somewhere out there there are a set of forms on which all things are based. Kant said we can't know reality in itself, hence don't worry about solving this problem. You can take your pick, and Van Til puts his on the list.<br />
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<b>Another Distinction </b><br />
Quick to separate himself from the philosophers, Van Til makes a distinction between "the eternal One and Many" and the "temporal one and many." This important since the former is the trinity, residing in complete unity. On the other hand, God is also equally diverse. Neither the Father, Son or Holy Spirit are fundamental. "The Son and the Spirit are ontologically on a par with the Father."<br />
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<b>The Temporal One and Many Concrete Universals </b><br />
With this distinction between the eternal one and many and the temporal one and many, Van Til focuses on the temporal one and many. The realm of temporal one and many (this world we created beings reside in) has equality among each other. There are no created ideas/facts that are more ontologically basic then others. The reason being, all are equally derived and equally dependent upon God. On the other hand, their relation to each other is one of a hierarchy. Certain laws like man's purpose is "higher" then the mechanical laws of this universe. These different laws are mutually dependent on each other. Though, Van Til doesn't explain how.<br />
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<b>Why I Disagree with Van Til </b><br />
Honestly, Van Til doesn't solve the problem of the one and the many. I'm still confused on how having a trinity solves it. I think Van Til simply pushes the problem back to a horny dilemma of how can God be one and three? In fact, trying to use the trinity to solve a philosophical problem (the former being of faith and the latter of reason) opens a nasty can of worms for theologians. I admire Van Til for wanting to be theological in his philosophy, but I fail to see how he solves this philosophical problem. Rather, I think he makes it worse for theologians.<br />
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<b>Faith and Reason - an Important Distinction to Hold </b><br />
Because he has brought a concept that is known by faith into the realm of reason, we now have <i>muddled </i>an important distinction between two forms of knowledge. Knowledge by faith and knowledge by reason. We <i>know </i>the problem of the one and many through reason. We <i>know </i>the existence of the trinity through faith. If you muddle this distinction you start going down the path of the late scholastics and later our friend Descartes. We've been there, let's not go back.<br />
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note: I'm not saying I'm against "faith seeking understanding" since understanding is different then reason. </div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-38293269054574353772013-03-08T16:22:00.001-05:002013-03-08T16:22:28.795-05:00Why World History can be Overwelming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What do world history teachers teach? Well, they teach all history except U.S. History. That includes: The Maya, The Aztecs, Islamic Empires, The Chinese Dynasties, Russia, North Africa, African Empires, East Africa, Mesopotamia, the Enlightenment, the Renaissance, the Reformation and Ancient Egypt. Note, I haven't mentioned topics like the World Wars, Cold War, Age of Revolutions, Age of Exploration, Rome, Greece, the Byzantine Empire, rise of Christendom and rise of Islam. These are also a part of World History. Oh don't forget key figures like Genghis Khan, Qin Shi Huangdi, Menelik, Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Peter the Great, Elizabeth I, Napoleon, Plato and Aristotle. Those are also a part of world history. Yes, you could spend the rest of your life studying just one of these topics. Furthermore, this just a sampling of what includes world history. World history is an overwhelming topic to teach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a lot of fun teaching world history because there are so many interesting events, people, places and ideas to explore. On the other hand, it's overwhelming to decide what to cut out. For instance, I never talked about ancient Egypt in my world history class this year. There simply wasn't enough time. What makes this more frustrating is that there is no universal method to figuring out what is "important" history and what is not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A great example of this is the responses of historians, writers and movie directors response to the following question "what is the most important day in history?" All their answers were <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/03/the-big-question/309238/" target="_blank">different</a>. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The diversity of these responses shows that it's a hard task figuring out what is important in history and what is not. We can't even decide what is the most important. </span></div>
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-30783539905429980982013-03-06T19:23:00.002-05:002013-03-06T19:23:33.347-05:00Why I'm terrified of Finding Scripture Passages in Public<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I need to tell you two stories. The first was when I was about 10 or so. During the yearly church meeting, the kids were placed in a room with some older teenagers to watch us. I remember that we played a "game" of who "Who can find that passage first?" The leader would tell us a passage of scripture. The one who found it first one. Let's just say I didn't even know the gospels are in the middle and Psalms and Proverbs were next to each other. (In this moment, I can't even remember which comes before the other.) I didn't get one passage. Oh how unholy I felt that evening.<br />
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The second story took place my senior year of high school. I was at a high school retreat sitting in on a workshop. To give some context, not only was I attending the conference i was one of the student leaders. Yes, I was also a senior. I distinctly remember the spot I was sitting in. I distinctly remember raising my hand saying I could find a passage in Malachi Two minutes later, I asked "where is Malachi I can't find it." What was worse was the guy sitting next to me was also a student leader. He couldn't find it either.<br />
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Because of these vivid memories, I have always been terrified of finding passages of scripture in public. Now that I'm in a class on the doctrine of worship, the professor often asks students to read/find passages of scripture. I have my computer, but I still struggle to remember, where is Malachi?<br />
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David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-51358527099955388752013-02-23T13:19:00.001-05:002013-02-23T13:24:10.195-05:00Broken Art - Seen through Parent-Teacher Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past week we had this semester's parent teacher night. For those not familiar with how public schools work, a.ka. homeschoolers, parent-teacher conferences are meetings where parents have the opportunity of meeting individually with their student's teachers for about 10 minutes.<br />
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In these meetings I have the blessing of telling parents their students are great. I get to say he has an A in my class, contributes to the class and is a great person to be around. This happens quite a bit, which is great. </div>
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On the other hand, I have to have conversations with parents who have students with poor grades. I often notice these parents are tired, overworked, stressed and saddened. Even parents with students who do well, I have noticed that there is a general sadness when I talk with them. Life is hard and people go through divorce, have to work nights, don't get enough sleep, have medical problems and/or have financial issues. This is only the parents I'm talking about. </div>
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A couple of the conversations I had to have were regarding students misbehavior and/or poor grades. It was hard to add this on to these parent's lives. It was easy to feel like I was the next guy in line contributing to a parent's mounting list of problems. I also found that as a teacher I was in a position of power in those meetings. </div>
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In these meetings, I made sure that I explained as clearly as possible the best way for these students to pull their grade up or improve their behavior. It would be easy for me to offer no solution or offer something that is simply not possible for a parent to accomplish with their student. That's an easy response to brokenness. It was really important to see through the brokenness and provide a roadmap for them to follow in order to bring the student's grade up. I have the power to provide a way of success or leave them in the dark. This is a heavy burden. </div>
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I have over a hundred students. I'm scrambling just to get my lesson plans finished. (And write an occasional blog post.) Grading is better know as LPP (large pile of papers). Discipline issues randomly pop up, students miss class, emails need to be sent and on top of that I teach. I survive because my administration is really helpful. </div>
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It feels like I have a heavy sword that can lie dormant or be used poorly. It's so heavy I might as well not lift it up. When I do, it's easy to do something hurtful with it. I'm amazed when I see teachers doing great things. It surprises me and gives me comfort there are teachers able to do the work of a teacher. They help guide students towards their high school diplomas and on to college. It's a great thing to see. </div>
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Parent-teacher night is tough because it's a lot of talking and listening. It's full of hard conversations, but I found it an opportunity to tell parents about how they can give their student success. It was great to tell a parent who went through a divorce, works nights and just found out her/his student is failing my class that there is a way to bring that grade up. Not all is lost.</div>
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<b>A Great Teacher</b></div>
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On a similar note, Pastor James Faris posted a commemorative <a href="http://gentlereformation.org/2013/02/21/honor-such-men-rich-johnstons-thirty-years-of-youth-minsitry/" target="_blank">blog post</a> for a mentor, friend and pastor of mine, Pastor Rich Johnston. Pastor Johnston is stepping down from his 30 years of ministry as a youth secretary in the Great Lakes Gulf Presbytery of the RPCNA. He's been really important in my life. I posted a comment on Gentle Reformation, but I thought I'd put it on my blog to express my thanks for all of Pastor Johnston's work. My thoughts above would not be possible if it wasn't for the work God has used Pastor Johnston in my life. </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I was on the CYPU Leadership team in high school, did a couple internships at 2nd RP and now work with the high school students at 2nd RP under Pastor Johnston’s leadership. While in high school, I was held to a high standard by Pastor Johnston with the other leaders and all the students who attended the CYPU events.<br />
I learned so much under Pastor Johnston’s leadership while in college because he gave sound and wise advice and direction. He also was incredibly patient and kind to a crazy college student who continually messed up under his care. Now as a public school teacher, I look back on these experiences and stories Pastor Johnston told as reference points for my teaching today.<br />
God has used Pastor Johnston in a special way in my life which I am eternally grateful for. I’m saddened that he will be stepping down this spring, but thankful for these 30 years he sacrificed for the church and her children."</blockquote>
<b>Why Hope is Possible</b><br />
Lastly, I found this video to be thoughtful, power and encouraging. It's worth <a href="http://devour.com/video/to-this-day/" target="_blank">seven minutes </a>of your day. It's called "To This Day." I watched it after parent-teacher night and found it was saying part of my thoughts. </div>
</div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-35161545889198424202013-02-18T18:32:00.003-05:002013-02-18T18:35:05.627-05:00Van Til, The Defense of the Faith, Chapter 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the first post in a series of posts on Corneilius Van Til's work "The Defense of the Faith." I am reviewing it chapter by chapter as a way of digesting the book. It is not thick, but he says a lot which influences reformed thinking today.<br />
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I'm also coming at it from the perspective of a philosopher who wants to be a help to today's reformed thinkers. So I won't be making comments on all parts of the book but rather limiting my comments to where I think I can help clarify ideas and definitions and correct problems.<br />
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<b>Introduction of the Book</b><br />
In his introduction, Van Til quickly distinguishes himself from Rome. He finds that Roman Catholic thinkers have compromised Christ by merely asking the "natural man" to "add wisdom and work of Christ to that which man has in and of himself." (Pg. 3) The consequence is twofold, man is not shown his internal inconsistencies and this view gets stuck in "contingency."<br />
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Christians ought to reject this view of apologetics by uncompromisingly put forward Christ. Specifically, "their method of apologetics should be in line with their theology. In both Christ should be taught and preached unto men who are lost in all their thinking and living without him." What Van Til means, man is really lost and without Christ he can't even think straight. Van Til also distinguishes himself from other views. He claims to be following Warfield's line of thought. (As a philosopher, the reformed v. Neo-orthodoxy v.Arminianism doesn't interest me right now since I have yet to see how I can as a philosopher be helpful.)<br />
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<b>What is Theology? </b><br />
Enough of the introduction, Van Til says right off the bat in the first chapter that theology is simply taking what the Bible says and teaching it. So, the first chapter Van Til summarizes this "system of truth" acquired from the Bible.<br />
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<b>History, what about it? </b><br />
He notes that Christianity is a historical religion and Christ being a historical figure, Christianity is not void of a history. He notes that a pragmatist will attack this historical argument for Christianity by saying that all facts are unrelated and so to make a connection between the fact of Jesus' resurrection and us 2,000 years later, is superfluous. Hence, we must be involved in a philosophical discussion since we have to respond to the pragmatist. (I actually like this point. He says we should do philosophy as a way of defending the truth of Christianity. Glad I have a place in Van Til's system.)<br />
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<b>Reason/Experience vs. The Bible - a Problem </b><br />
Van Til goes on to stop us from throwing away the Bible by saying "we do not first defend theism philosophically by an appeal to reason and experience in order, after that, to turn to scripture for our knowledge and defense of Christianity." Okay, stop. We need to talk about this.<br />
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Why does Van Til think that one must place the introduction of Christianity in an order? Why do you either introduce God's existence through reason and/or experience and then the Bible or vice versa. You're in trouble if you take this approach. You're bound to start with experience. All knowledge stems from experience. (Cheers to Locke and Edwards for this point.)<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">note: Yes you can believe that all men are born with innate ideas/dispositions and say this. Edwards did. </span><br />
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<b>The Problem Explained </b><br />
If you want to say we ought to start with the Bible you are not actually saying that. Rather you are actually saying we ought to start with our senses picking up the Bible and then telling us about them. No person on earth has sensory experiences or thought processes that are devoid of experience. Philosophically I'm saying something controversial, but let's follow a simple thought experiment. Think of anything, God, friends, your thoughts or your thought of your thoughts of your thoughts. Is that thought process devoid of experience? Well, what's a good criteria for something being an experience? For simplicity sake, let's say time is necessary. A necessary part of experience is the passing of time.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Okay this definition does get me into issues of "how do I know what is time outside of experiencing time?" If I can I can't then this goes in a circle. If you don't see the circle, here is is, what is experience? time. What is time? something we experience. Well, what is experience? So, let's get out of this circle by deal with what is time better, but that would take a book. I'm not writing a book. </span><br />
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Did you pass time while you were thinking? Think about it. Notice, to think about whether time occurs when you think requires a bit of time. So, we're left with experience being foundation. I don't know if that's Biblical. It could be, but I don't know. As Van Til said, we want to stay Biblical, perhaps we don't want to get into this situation.<br />
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<b>The Problem Resolved (hopefully...) </b><br />
Well let's resolve this sticky situation by saying we don't have to start with one or the other. Let's ask this question, do we have to start with either experience or the Bible? I argue there is no good reason for us to say one has to go with the other. God created us to function through experiences. They are vital to our identity. The Bible is vital to our knowledge of God. If one places them in two separate spheres saying one is prior to the other then we get into an unnecessary mess. So let's just say one doesn't have to start with one or the other. The implication for this is that we do have to do philosophy. Van Til said that. Oh good we can move on.<br />
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<b>What Van Til Said </b><br />
Now, I know Van Til didn't create such a mess. He's not a second rate thinker. He doesn't say "One must start with the Bible and nothing else," but rather he says "It is therefore the system of truth as contained in the scriptures which we must <i>present</i> to the world." This is different then saying "<i>ultimately</i> we must start with the Bible." He is saying the Bible is the determining principle for what we say about what is.<br />
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If you don't think carefully, you may think that ultimately the Bible is foundational to EVERYTHING. No, no no. Let's not get into that false dichotomy Let's say the Bible contains the truth and we need to follow it.<br />
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Van Til goes on to exposit basic concepts in systematic theology: Doctrine of God, Doctrine of Man, Doctrine of Christ, Doctrine of Salvation, Doctrine of the Church, and Last Things.<br />
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I won't bother discussing these parts since I've already said a lot. Next time we have chapter II and a really fun problem in philosophy which I don't think Van Til solves. - watch me eat my words.<br />
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Feel free to ask questions, critique or comment on this post. This is the first work I've read of Van Til so getting feedback from more educated individuals will be helpful. </div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-20076484250682338072013-02-18T16:26:00.001-05:002013-02-18T16:26:17.007-05:00Should Protestants Celebrate Lent?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the spring of 2008, I visited Ireland for a semester. I worshiped church that was a part of the Church of Ireland since there were no RP churches in the town we were staying. For those who are unaware, the Church of Ireland is essentially the Anglican Church in Ireland. The service I attended was a high liturgy service. Everything was scripted except for the sermon the priest gave. This was different for me because I grew up in a church where the worship service was very simple. We sang psalms a cappella, had an offering, listened to a sermon and prayed a lot. I found the worship services I attended in Ireland to be unique and special. There is a place in the church for having high liturgy, but that's not the point of this post.<br />
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A good friend of mine, <a href="http://ethantharrison.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ethan Harrison,</a> also went with me to Ireland. We decided to celebrate Lent since it was being emphasized by the church we were attending. I knew absolutely nothing about Lent. I think I thought it was a practice that Roman Catholics thought you had to do otherwise you'd go to hell or something though I don't think I'm sure about what I thought.<br />
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I did it because I thought it would be helpful, still do.<br />
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Since that spring, I have participated in Lent by giving up something in my life. Other students at Taylor University also followed the practice so it we were sacrificing things together. We weren't disciplining our lives alone, it was in the context of the body.<br />
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<b>A Tension </b><br />
Since graduating from Taylor, I am still celebrating Lent. More so now then when I was at Taylor, I've noticed there is a bit of tension between my denomination and the practice of Lent. Those who went before me (The Scottish Covenanters), disagreed with the Roman Catholic Church's stance on things like Lent. They saw it as unnecessary and unhelpful. (And the Anglican Church...) They went as far as dying so they didn't have to follow traditions like Lent.<br />
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So now here is me, about 300ish years later practicing Lent in a denomination that has a history of not being a fan of Lent. (And other such practices.) I know why, but I want to think that I can celebrate Lent in good conscience.<br />
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<b>There is a Difference</b><br />
A major difference between me today and the Covenanters back then was that I'm not persecuted for my beliefs. No organization is telling me I have to celebrate Lent and is going to get an army, walk over to my apartment and make me. More importantly, I don't connect Lent with salvation, as have many. No work makes me a better person, much less makes me acceptable to God.<br />
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The Covenanters saw Lent as being connected with "works salvation." Hence, we ought not celebrate it. I agree that there is the danger of believing Lent is a work that is meritorious when the truth is that nothing makes us good except the work of Jesus Christ. It was a good thing to get rid of all the pomp and circumstance surrounding worship.<br />
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So if one sees Lent as a practice that will bring about this belief in their lives then by all means don't celebrate Lent. This is true for any practice one participates in to bring about spiritual growth. All disciplines in the Christian life must be understood as not meritorious. If a practice does bring about that belief, the individual who is in danger ought to stop.<br />
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<b>Disciplines of the Christian Life can all be seen as Meritorious </b><br />
On the other hand, just because a practice has been seen as meritorious to some, doesn't mean it is seen as meritorious by all. In 300ish years people may become extremely critical of the discipline of Bible memorization because people began to think that the quantity of scriptures you memorized equaled to the amount of righteousness in your soul. Just because this came about, it doesn't make Bible memorization a forbidden practice. Paul says that all things are lawful for me but not all things are beneficial. (1 Corinthians 6:12) The question for all disciplines is whether they will beneficial, Lent included.<br />
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I have the freedom to celebrate Lent, and I have the freedom not to celebrate Lent. I celebrate Lent because it helps my spiritual life. Once it doesn't, I'm going to stop. Likewise, no one should celebrate Lent if it is not helpful to them.<br />
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<b>Summary</b><br />
So, should protestants celebrate Lent? That depends on whether it will help protestants or not. For some it will and others it won't. Recognize that salvation does not come from not following Lent and not from following Lent. Salvation is found only in Christ, Lent has nothing to do with it. This is true for all discipling the Christian takes part in. </div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-27476610893551901912013-02-16T14:26:00.003-05:002013-02-16T14:26:57.385-05:00How Many Things can Change in a Year?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have gone through a lot of changes in the past year. Part of the transition from a college student to a young professional is that changes don't come cycles. They occur randomly, quickly and sometimes you don't even notice them.<br />
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With working so much now, I haven't had time to reflect on how my life has changed. Here is a summary of the changes:<br />
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<b>Philosophy</b><br />
1. Thomas Aquinas "solves" the mind-body problem.<br />
-Okay, not really but what I'm reading right now is doing a lot of good for me in thinking through this problem.<br />
2. It's hard being a philosopher around people who don't know much about philosophy.<br />
-Sometimes you say things that are taken as "you're using reason vs. the Bible so you're a bad person." Though is probably a poor generalization.<br />
3. Education has no good philosophical foundation outside of pragmatism.<br />
-Western education was based on Christianity supplement by Plato and Aristotle. Since that foundation was removed in the early 20th century, pragmatism is the foundation. I really don't like pragmatism because it doesn't answer some very important questions confronting educators today.<br />
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<b>Education </b><br />
1. It's really hard to be a teacher.<br />
-I mean really hard, and I'm at a good school that supports my work.<br />
2. I don't know history like I thought I did.<br />
-I stink at pronouncing names of dead people.<br />
3. Educators who use data and measurable outcomes are awesome.<br />
-Because they change the lives of students for the better.<br />
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<b>Politics </b><br />
1. President Obama was elected again.<br />
2. The Republican Party is now crippled like the Democrats were after the Civil War. (though, I think I'm wrong on this point.)<br />
3. I continue to dislike the Tea Party. (not much of a change...)<br />
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<b>Triathlons </b><br />
1. I qualified for the 2013 Olympic Distance Triathlon National Championship in August.<br />
-Pretty exited.<br />
2. I got a friend to do a triathlon.<br />
3. I am having knee problems. My knee won't stop hurting!<br />
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<b>Life </b><br />
1. I moved out of my parents place and into my own place.<br />
2. I am living without the internet. (Hence, I'm at a coffee shop right now.)<br />
3. I am starting to like Shakespeare.<br />
4. Last semester I lead two Bible studies, was the assistant XC coach at school, was in a book club and was discipling a young man.<br />
-So I got really tired.<br />
5. I got really tired.<br />
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<b>Theology </b><br />
1. Reading Thomas Aquinas is awesome.<br />
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2. Reading 10 chapters of the Bible every day is very awesome.</div>
3. I really look forward to Sundays. (Not just because I don't have school.) </div>
David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-18908109444462610992012-02-20T16:55:00.001-05:002012-02-20T16:55:06.424-05:00What is Doping?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is the first post on a <a href="http://davidpulliam.blogspot.com/2012/02/lance-armstrong-and-doping.html" target="_blank">series on doping</a> and cycling. I'm hoping to explain doping and cycling in a way that non-cyclists and non-scientists can understand.<br />
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So, what is doping? The short common answer is that it is the use of performance-enhancing drugs to make you a better athlete. This definition is quite broad. It could include caffeine and recovery drinks. Under this definition, better equipment could be considered doping if you dop the "drug" part. Obviously using caffeine or using a really nice bike is not doping. So this is a BAD definition of doping. We need something more specific.<br />
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<b>Enter the WADA</b><br />
The organization that organizes the rules for what is considered doping and not doping is the WADA. (World Anti-Doping Agency) They are the governing body for cycling. If a cyclist gets in trouble for doping, it's because of the rules set up by the WADA. In 2003, the WADA published a set of rules and regulations on doping to govern the world of sports, including cycling. They have really <a href="http://list.wada-ama.org/" target="_blank">long lists</a> for what is completely prohibited, prohibited in competition and prohibited in particular sports.<br />
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Doping, according to the <a href="http://www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-The-Code/WADA_Anti-Doping_CODE_2009_EN.pdf" target="_blank">WADA</a>, is "the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations set forth." So if you break one of the rules set up by the WADA, then you are doping.<br />
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<b>That's Dumb, Why? </b><br />
The natural question to ask would be, why have these rules? Who cares if someone uses this method or that drug to help them bike faster? The answer is that it can kill you so this makes it unfair to other opponents. The reason being, if you dope and are able to get an extra edge then in order to keep up with you, your opponents also have to start doping. This wouldn't be a problem if it didn't mean that in order to compete then athletes would be putting their lives at stake. We don't want to do that. Making a sport unnecessarily dangerous is wrong. Rules should create limits that keep athletes away from unnecessary risks, doping being one of them.<br />
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In sum, doping is simply breaking the rules set up by the WADA.<br />
</div>David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-85097189032019226792012-02-15T17:48:00.000-05:002012-02-15T17:50:45.508-05:00Young Men are like Cain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/16/1675/62F1D00Z/art-print/marc-chagall-la-bible-cain-et-abel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/16/1675/62F1D00Z/art-print/marc-chagall-la-bible-cain-et-abel.jpg" width="243" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">In Genesis 4, the story of Cain and Abel is recounted. The two brothers offered up sacrifices to God. God accepted Abel's but rejects Cain's. Cain became angry that God didn't accept his and jealous that Abel's was accepted. God warned Cain, "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (ESV)</span></div>
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Cain was in a tight spot. He failed to please God and was angry that he didn't. Specifically he was angry that his brother did well. As a result, Cain murdered his brother.<br />
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Many young men are in Cain's position. We are just starting out in life, taking the first steps outside of college and working on our own. A bunch of us have offered poor offerings to God while in college. We've given him our video games, sports, movies, foolish relationships and worst of all sin as ways of glorifying Him. God has no regard for these things.<br />
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Now, we're at point where we can get mad at God for not accepting our works. As a result we can reject the church, shirk our holy responsibilities and walk deeper into sin. The deeper a young man walks in sin, the closer he gets to murdering his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In the least, he greatly hurts them.<br />
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God warned Cain that sin was crouching at his door. Likewise, sin is crouching at our door. Our lives are unacceptable to God. Sin wants us to take its path.<br />
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The question before young men today is whether we will rule over sin or will we be like Cain?</div>David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627004547764164264.post-55526997751689426512012-02-14T22:13:00.000-05:002012-02-14T22:16:00.771-05:00Lance Armstrong and Doping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You may have noticed that Lance Armstrong has <a href="http://ironman.com/profiles/shawn-skene-gauges-some-reaction-to-lance-armstrong-competing-at-ironman-events-in-2012?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ironman%2Ftopstories+%28Ironman.com+Top+Stories%29#axzz1mPoKbk00">entered
BACK</a> into triathlon. He recently placed 2nd at 70.3 IRONMAN Panama. He
is also going to be racing in some other 70.3 Ironmans through the year. The guy can't stay away from competition.<br />
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More importantly you may have noticed at the federal
government ended its investigation on Armstrong's cycling team that won seven
Tour De Frances in seven years.. The decision came as a surprise to many in the
cycling community. It was also conveniently announced the Friday before the
Super Bowl. </div>
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Armstrong himself was relived that the investigation is over. The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203315804577209511653273618.html">investigation</a> was
made up of the Food and Drug Administration, the FBI and the U.S. Postal
Service. There was talk that it was possible Armstrong was going to be charged
at some point with mail fraud, drug distribution, money laundering and/or
witness tampering. </div>
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Note, it is not illegal to dope in the United States. It is
illegal to do the things stated above and often cyclists will do the above in
order to hide their illegal activities. (It is breaking WADA rules to
dope.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now the WADA is asking the federal government to turn over
their <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/story/2012-02-07/wada-wants-information-from-armstrong-probe/52997660/1">findings</a> so
the U.S. anti-doping agency to continue it's own investigation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Many things about cycling are confusing. Doping is one of
those confusing parts. It's very sad with what has happened to cycling in the
last five years with now two Tour De France winners stripped of the yellow
jersey. It's important to see why doping is so rampant in cycling as opposed to
say basketball or hockey. </div>
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Over the next week or so, I'll be writing a series of
posts that will help explain this sad and painful part of cycling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>David Pulliamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06956491409719443335noreply@blogger.com0