Colliding Opinions

Sometimes stating the obvious in a creative way helps to reinforce truth. With that said, I heard this line the other day, "arrogance mixed with ignorance will and can bring forth a man that don't really understand but claims he does - and that's not good."

This line is found in a song entitled "Dippity Doin." Ha.

But John Reuben (author and artist of the song) in the midst of a silly song makes a solid point. The world is loaded with people who think a great deal of their own opinion, as if it were the only one with validity, all the while being ignorant, sometimes willfully, of the counter argument.

Opinions are a funny thing. We all have them and we all think ours is right. Of course we have to be honest and admit that we are often persuaded by the strong opinion of another. Once this happens we become a supporter and propagator of that, now shared, belief.

Is homosexuality genetic or a choice? It's a choice. Romans chapter 1 verses 18-32 makes this abundantly clear. Verses 26 and 27 key in on the subject at hand. This is not an "obscure passage" as our President Obama has called it - a rather weird and undermining statement to make - but rather in the opening of the Apostle Paul's most systematic and in depth letter to the church of God. [see also Leviticus 18, 20 and 1Corinthians 6:9. And for a incredibly thorough defense from the perspective of Scripture see "The Master's Seminary Journal" volume 19, Number 2, Fall 2008]

I have yet to talk to someone who says that it is genetic who actually has done any research. I have read the opinion of some scientists who have researched the issue but I have never talked to a common person who has actually checked in to these things with depth. Instead people just say, "it's genetic." or "it has been proven." But once I have pushed the issue by saying, "I am sorry I was unaware of that study, would you be willing to show it to me?" we arrive at a awkward moment of silence.

[now there have been studies where the data supports the idea but in every single one I have discovered their has been researcher bias - ex. the researcher was gay himself or has been actively involved in supporting the belief before ever conducting the study. Obviously such a researcher is not being inductive in their pursuit but rather arriving at a convenient truth.]

Obviously I have my opinion on the subject which is that it is a choice that one makes for how they want to live. I hardly think that it is a "I think I am going to be gay today" type of decision but rather a choice like a drug addicted bum makes. By this I mean that our man (the drug addicted bum), we'll call him Bob, did not wake up one day and say, "You know I think I would like to be a drug addicted bum today."

No. Very few would do this. But nonetheless our streets are loaded with men such as Bob. Bob did not mean to make this choice and in fact if he could change things he would. But did Bob make the series of choices that has landed him in the horrible condition we find him in today? OF course.

I am sad for Bob. But Bob is reaping what he has sown. This concept transfers over to the one who chooses homosexuality as a lifestyle. A person doesn't just decide to be gay any more than Bob decided to be what he is. One makes a series of choices that first leads them into a dangerous moral position. Once there the person begins to make dangerous choices (that of course do not seem to be big choices at the time). Decisions reinforced by the people present and in a conducive environment (Romans 1:32). Once a person strays into the open moral field they become prey for the wicked (Proverbs 4:14-15, 7:6-23, 9:13-18).

Proverbs reveals this painful process of reaping and sowing vividly throughout and rather pointed in the first nine chapters. It discusses the fact that the wayward (fools) will not receive a lightening bolt from heaven when they practice evil but will rather be given over to their desires and in turn what they want will ensnare and enslave them - and they will call themselves "addicted" to a pursuit that they once called pleasurable (Proverbs 5:22, 1:10-19).

Why does this happen? Because, again, as Proverbs reveals, it is a divine ordinance from the throne of the Creator. Reap - Sow (Galatians 6:7). You will reap what you have sown. Herein lies some added strength to argument - it reflects reality as we see it.

To shift the defense of my opinion I would say that speaking from a scientific, evolutionary standpoint (a point of view that I do not personally hold), if homosexuality is a genetic manifestation it is indeed a dangerous one. If our uber ancient ancestors had this strand of genetic information that told them to desire the same gender then our species would have logically been wiped out. We would have ceased to breed and thus become extinct. (Now today with modern scientific advancement we can find away around this through artificial insemination - but doesn't that description already tell you that something is not functioning in its proper manner, "artificial.")

My point is, if it is genetic then it is a dangerous genetic mutation for the survival of the species. Not only that but if natural selection is the key mechanism of evolution in the survival of the fittest then you would have to agree that the 'homosexual gene' is swimming in the entirely opposite direction of the overall goal to prolong the species. Natural selection by nature would need to "breed this out" of the gene pool.

That said, I do not hold to evolution or its logical conclusion in regard to homosexuality as a genetic variant. It is a choice than a man or woman makes albeit not necessarily an active "I am going to be gay today" choice but a personal, moral decision nonetheless.

A natural question raised by this might be: Am I mad at homosexuals or am I homo-phobic?

No more so than that of a man like our guy Bob. On one hand I am worried for them, knowing that God has given them over to their deviation and knowing that He will judge them (Ecclesiastes 12:14, 3:17, 11:9; Psalm 1:5; Hebrews 4:13, 9:27, Matthew 12:36; 2Peter 3:7; Revelation 20:11-13). And on the other hand I stand am encouraged to see the truth of Scripture validated by the repercussion that sinners endure.

Anger does come into the equation as I see people thumbing their noses at the divine order of God. But my anger is to be laid at the feet of my Father because He said (1) that our anger does not bring about the righteousness that He desires (James 1:20) and (2) vengeance is His (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). So any anger I have is a moot point in my inter-personal dealings. I would never personally commit violence or condone violence done to homosexuals - nor should any Christian.

And as far as being afraid of the gay community (homo-phobic), this is a rather ridiculous accusation to make to the Christian who is commanded to fear God alone.

It may seem that I have drifted from the original thesis of this post, but I assure you, I have not. We all have opinions, mine being thus established. Some opinions cannot stand the test of scrutiny and others can. And if it stands then the stated opinion gains validity and momentum among the wise. (Fools by contrast do not care if their argument falls apart under investigation, they just cling to their point of view in arrogance, being self deceived.)

On the issue of homosexuality opinions are heated. Most people have chosen to just line up behind some loud mouth and remain contentedly in the shadow of that seemingly knowledgeable individual. Most don't want to rock the boat nor do they want to dig under the surface of an issue. And honestly most people line up behind whoever is winning at the time - good ol bandwagon thinking happens in more than just sports. This heated subject simply illustrates the point that we often have strong opinions (arrogance) on many things even when we have not really sought out the truth (ignorance). "Arrogance mixed with ignorance will and can bring forth a man that don't really understand but claims he does - and you know what that's not good." Reuben is right - that's not good. It is very dangerous.

Over the ages the observer of history can watch the best opinions of the mightiest of our kin simply fall apart. Be that Socrates, Plato, Kant, Freud, Darwin, or even Newton - many of the ideas propagated by these men have diminished or disintegrated over time.

> The philosophers have notoriously dismantled the beliefs of those who came before them only to have the same done to them in due course of time.

> Freudian Psychology has fallen on hard times is now merely among the plethora of schools of psychological thought and practice.

> Darwin has had nearly all of his ideas modified beyond recognition and even his warnings of the possible weaknesses and failures of his system flatly ignored - an example being the belief in the simplicity of the cell.

> Newtonian physics being outdated by Einstein is mind boggling to me considering it is in the concrete world of mathematics.

Things like this ought to reinforce that the opinions of mankind can only be taken so far. Opinions have always been changed and always will be subject to whimsy and cultural manipulation. This is why when I give my opinion regarding homosexuality I must root it in the Bible or else it stays among the field of fickle, worldly opinions. You can take or leave my quasi scientific evaluation of the subject. The use of science is of little weight compared to what God says. My "scientific opinion" you might call it, may be easily proven wrong, but what the Bible says has never been changed and will never be moved.

Watching the opinions of great historical figures fall by the wayside ought reinforce how meager our ideas and concepts really are. It ought to make us humble in our opinions and in the sharing of our views.

But does it?

Consider the voices in our media clamoring for attention - with ever increasing shock and vehemence. People go about getting you to listen to their opinion in different ways to be sure - consider the difference between Jon Stewart and Rush Limbaugh! They all have their tactics and they all gather a certain type of audience but do you really think their opinion is going to stand the test of time? You think where Socrates and Freud failed that Jon Stewart will win out? Come on.

Mankind is left to grope around in the dark if not for a divine opinion. If not for a divine opinion then morality and ethics are determined via strength and numbers. Whoever cries out the loudest and throws the biggest fit wins out.

Is this the best we can arrive at? Is this all the more we can conclude, that our opinions are set to wash away like so many sand castles when the next generation or world power rises up to call the shots?

Maybe. But I think you know better than that. I think you know there is a God and that when you close your eyes in death life will still go on. I think you know there is more to this life than what is seen. And since there is a God and "He is not Silent" (Francis Schaeffer) we would do well to pay attention to Him.

It is only logical that if God has spoken then all other opinions are meaningless. If God has an opinion then all other opinions are reduced to idle chatter and nonsense by comparative standard.

Find God's opinion, divorce yourself from your own and ignore the chatter of others. Hone in on what He says, learn it, cling to it and live by it. Therein you may stand with confidence against the colliding opinions from our present day, from ages past, and from the age to come.

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

Ephesians 6:14 "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm ..."

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2 Peter 1:3 "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."

2 Peter 1:19-21 "so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. "

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Lost

by b.e. Gilley

(please forgive me, this is late night scribble and thus i know it has errors. i will set out to clean it up someday. maybe.)

a sheep doesn't know he's lost. at least not until he gets in trouble.

but i don't want to presume to know the mind of a sheep. maybe he does know he's lost out there all by himself but he just doesn't care. he is out there having a good ol time munching on that cherished chunk of grass that he discovered and if he knows that the rest of the gang split ship a while back he doesn't show any signs of it.

so we have these 2 options:

1. lost and alone and doesn't know it

or

2. alone and doesn't care

either way he's in trouble. and either description reminds me of human nature. we too often find ourselves oblivious to the dangers we are in until we realize we are in a heap of trouble. I know that i have had this happen to me on a number of occasions and the eye opening moment is a rather sickening feeling. it is the moment where reaping what you have sown is manifested right in front of you.

Examples: the father realizing his son is just like him, the brother seeing the dangerous place he has brought his little sibling into, the police breaking down the door on the embezzler, the gambler finding there is no money left in the savings account - the list can go on endlessly.

its a fascinating thing though to watch how, even in moments like these when we are rescued we want to take credit.

When i was young in the Lord, i used to think that i went out and found the shepherd. but thats not how it works is it? the sheep is out there in some precarious position, wide eyed and panic stricken. he has no hope of getting out of his predicament.

So, in comes the shepherd. He sees his lost one. He comes along, reaches down to that poor, helpless fella hanging out there on that edge. He reels that little fur ball in, puts him on his shoulders and takes him home.

What roll did the sheep play in the process of his rescuing? all he did was get lost. The shepherd did all the work.

If i understand the gospel of Jesus Christ correctly, this pictures the salvation He offers marvelously. We are dead in our sins, enemies of God, under the wrath of God and darkened in out understanding, callous in our conscience, and self serving in our hearts. We are lost, every last stinking one of us and sadly most people don't know it and the others don't care that they are lost. (on this subject read Ephesians for proof texts galore)

It is so heartbreaking to talk to a person who has no thought beyond tomorrow. How hard it is to talk with someone who simply lives for the party, the high, the next thing with no thought about the grave. How hard it is to listen to a person who knows there is more to life than this ridiculous materialism but doesn't care to dig beyond the superficial nature of things. And speaking to a person who is lost and doesn't know it certainly fits the "talking to a brick wall" cliche.

[this brings up a side issue of the goal of evangelism: what are we trying to achieve? well to me i have always thought that we attempt get people lost and when they are good and lost we try to get them to look up. this is the evangelistic value of Ecclesiastes which so eloquently expresses the inconsistencies and frustrations of life "under the sun."

what do you do with the fact that money dies with you or is inherited by a fool? what do you do with that fact that the idiot and the wise man die alike? what hope is there for a person when they have grown old - is youth really the best there is? is eating and drinking and being merry all we can hope for in this life?

a person may not thank you for exposing their dream to nothing more than the pursuit of wind and vanity but until they think their aspirations through to their logical conclusions it may be impossible to convince them that they are truly lost.

just to illustrate, think of a benevolent doctor. he works, strives and sacrifices to help others. he gives of himself in foreign lands to people who cannot pay him and heals people til he is weary. But so what. So you heal some guy for a week or month - they are just going to get anther disease. They are still going to go the way of all earth and return to the dust. You are only delaying the inevitable. You will increase their quality of life, hopefully, but that is the end. Not only this but when you can never reach all the sick people. and you will even be resented for choosing one person over another. and you will be sewed by the family of a guy you tried to save. it's a bit depressing when you look at it like this.

and this is a humanistic world view, this is the world view that we are told is vastly superior to a Biblical perspective. And what is this awful perspective that the Bible gives? While it shares many themes from what was stated above it tells you why this is so and what the ultimate solution is and that your actions as a faithful doctor (in this scenario) are not bound to this world but are hugely important, eternally important, to a God who will deal with all these things in minute detail. what a lame way to understand the world right?

this is a powerful subject to discuss with someone to thinks that have a plan, who thinks they have life all figured out - without ever having factored God into the equation.

The evangelist is simply trying to bring a proud person to a place of humility and to take a humble person to the right source for answers.]

Now in all of this it would be a rather absurd thing if while being carried back to the safe pasture of the shepherd, the sheep was thinking to himself, "good thing I am the best baaaa-er in my herd or that shepherd would never have found me." Ridiculous. Was is the volume level of the sheep that sent the shepherd out looking? Was is the power of his little voice that stirred the mind of the shepherd to even think to look for that lost one? In truth the bellow of the sheep was of little value until the shepherd was nearly upon him. No, all the real work belongs to the shepherd. All the steps along the way that made the difference he owned. He had the heart, the love, the care, the ability and the strength to deliver - not the sheep. so really all that the sheep contributed was panic.

The vacuum breaks down this morning. So i do my manly duty and set out to the task of fixing it. my 3 year old decides to help. "Let's work dad" he says with great resolve. And he does carry himself along with a great deal of busyness. But in all his activity how much did he actually contribute to the fixing of the vacuum? Zero or less than zero because when he was done i had to clean up what he was fixing. Now when the machine was all put back together and running again what does Isaac say? "We did it dad!" and gives me a high five, walking away feeling that he has accomplished something today.

It is all a very cute scene. He made me smile often during his "helping." Even recalling the image makes me smile. He was fun to have with me. But let's make sure not to blow it out of proportion - he didn't actually contribute to the fixing process.

God steps in and delivers those who recognize that have no hope and have nothing that they can contribute to their own deliverance. Yahweh specializes in this. Just as it is in our nature to wander and get lost so it is in His nature to seek and save that which is lost.

Understanding my condition before Him magnifies the epic nature of God. When i see me for what i really am it serves to move my heart to praise and wonder toward a God who defies logic and reason with His sweeping mercy and grace. He intervenes, He saves, He does all the work.

His salvation glorifies Him and rescues me. Life is good. I'm going to bed.

fence dwellers

by brian e. gilley
[this is an addition to the "He never lets go" post]

In a world of flakes and half committed individuals the resolute person stands out like a princess in a pig pen. I truly believe that the uncommitted think they are experiencing the best of both worlds when in fact it is closer to the truth to say that are missing everything. They are like a jr high boy at the school dance too afraid to get on the floor for fear of being made fun of and too afraid to leave for fear that he might miss out on something. Yeah, he’s alive but he isn’t living. He’s paralyzed, paralyzed by fears from within and without. The uncommitted just hang out on the fence, vacillating back and forth waiting for who knows what.

The uncommitted think that somehow, by straddling the fence they will not be caught by the perils of the “big” sins nor will they be smothered by stifling religion. They think they will avoid the pain that blatant sinners find and they will escape the boring grind of Christendom. They think they have found the loophole in the system. They think they have found a way around God and His rules.

A lazy Bible reader might not have paid attention to the fact that God has already spoken against this particular brand of sin. Against this very same backdrop Isaiah writes and breaths judgment, as does Malachi. They boldly proclaimed God’s message to people who were partially committed and partial in their allegiance to the LORD. And yet the people of the day thought they were “ok” because they still followed the external expectations of the Law. But they missed the point entirely and for this they found judgment.

God’s chief instruction to them was to love Him with all that they were. The ceremonies and rituals were only there to give an external expression to the internal reality of their lives – they were meant to give outward display to their love of God over and against all else. Rituals don’t save; they never have. But you knew that and that is not the subject I meant to write about today.

To get to the point, if you read these prophets you will discover that, as a fence dweller, you don’t find a loophole – you find condemnation.

You find condemnation because you are in fact a very committed person.
- refuse to commit to a girl > committed to being single
- refuse to have deep conversation and discussion > committed to the superficial
- refuse the wisdom of God > committed to your own wisdom (or those you like)
- etc…
The uncommitted are quite committed, but only unto themselves. You = god. You rule and govern and God doesn’t. God calls that idolatry.

I say all this because I spent most of my years hanging out on the fence. It’s not that I never return to the sidelines; it’s just that now when I recognize it I amend my ways. I don’t mean to shame anyone. I do mean to rebuke a mindset that is destructive and incredibly pervasive in our culture today. I say it this harshly because it seems that some things can be put in no other way. Some messages need to be hard.

Don’t miss the point; don’t waste your life: Choose you this day whom you will serve, if Yahweh is God then serve Him. Anything else is wholly unfitting. And a life half lived is no real life at all.

The God who does as He pleases

by Dan Souther

How Perfectly God knows how to deal with us! Time and time again through my life this is shown to be true. We are weak, arrogant sinners and God knows it better than we do. Thankfully He faithfully deals with us and brings us along to maturity.

Joe Cornelius has the young adults starting up in Daniel and he told us to read it twice before tomorrow. Every time I go through the first few chapters I am always amazed at the way God deals with Nebuchadnezzar. He takes a pagan man, the most powerful person in the world, the ruler of the greatest kingdom this world has yet seen, and humbles that man to recognize that He, the God of Israel, is the Most High God who rules over the realm of mankind.

God began by making Himself known through Daniel revealing and interpreting Neb's first dream in a supernatural way, God told Daniel what was in Neb's mind!! Neb respond with,

Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.

Then, when Neb gets out of place and creates a huge golden statue (only the head was gold Neb…) and Hananiah Mishael and Azariah (why are children not taught the Hebrew names?) refuse to bow down. Neb gets furious, tells them, "…what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" and throws them into the furnace. When he sees they're not burnt up, and in fact there are four men (didn't I throw three in?) Neb responds,

…there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.

Then my favorite, Neb has another dream, and of course the pagan magicians aren't worth anything, so Daniel interprets his dream. Neb is going to be turned into a beast for 7 years, until he recognizes that God is the one who sets up kings and can take the least of men and make them great. Daniel pleads with Neb to humble himself and repent so that this might not come upon him, but…. 1 year later Neb exalts himself and God immediately speaks to him and drives him away from men.

A peice of what God told him before,

seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.

Neb's response after,

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

It is fascinating to look at how God dealt with Nebuchadnezzar, and it makes Proverbs 21:1 all the more vivid in my mind.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.

It is not a difficult thing for God, He is truly the Most High God, who does as He pleases

He Never Lets Go

As a boy I often thought I could straddle the fence between my friends at school and my friends at church. I thought I could live in both worlds and as long as I could keep those worlds separate then all would be just superb. I thought I could live in both worlds half way and that no one would notice.

As I got older it became harder and harder to keep my two worlds apart. My balance on the fence I was straddling became nearly impossible at times. I knew the day was coming fast when I would have to decide. Or at least that is how the conversation played out in my head. The reality was that all along I had already made a choice. I had already decided on the route that I would choose. I thought I could turn to God whenever I wanted.

What a shame. What a depressing shame it all is. Ah, what a loser. But, “forgetting what lines behind” we press on.

You know, I really thought I found the way around the system. I thought I could fool everyone. And I nearly did. However, in all my calculating, in all my planning, I forgot God.

I devised my plans without weighing God into the equation. I was one who thought I could live as I wished and come to God whenever I felt like it. And I tried to come to God on a number of occasions, like after a stirring sermon or a fiery church camp experience. But those were just the man-made efforts of a person who had a guilty conscience. I was not repentant. I was only remorseful. I wanted a clean slate, I wanted to feel clean again. But soon after I would return to things I truly loved, like the pig to his mire.

Now then, what has actually changed in my life? Other than the basic outward trappings and what could be understood as façade – what radical transformation has occurred?

I still sin, I still run after foolish things – but not for long. My love and allegiance changed. Instead of returning to the mire with the pigs I come running home to my Father. I can never stay gone for long, His hold is too strong and I can’t break free. To my unspeakable joy, He owns me and I cannot break free. He never lets me get that far before coming out to find me, just like the shepherd He says He is.

I don’t claim to be arriving at super spirituality or to be above you in my piousness – I just claim that my God loves me, and He refuses to let go. Praise His name, He won’t let me go.

I know that tomorrow I may bury my parents, my wife or my sons. I know that I will face depression, sorrow and pain but I don’t face these things alone - He is now factored into every equation.

My friend, you serve a living God, doesn’t that make a difference? In your trial have you failed to factor the Almighty, living God into the equation?

Take heart, be strong, steadfast, immovable in the grace that He has granted. And remember “a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” (Proverbs 24:26) And why is it that we keep rising?

Cause He picks us up, He never lets go.

Birthdays and Gifts

I turned 32 yesterday. Can't say that I feel any different. Just a bit more aware of how fast life is moving.
The youth group and others came over. We ate cake, sat around, chatted, beat up an Optimus Prime pinata, played cheap harmonicas and opened a couple gifts.

The best gift I received was orchestrated by my wife. It was a book she named "Lessons Learned from Brian." She compiled letters from the youth group, past and present. It was/is wonderful.
Thank you. It made an old man* cry.

*32 in youth ministry years is like 104 in normal people years