BOAST AND THEN BOAST SOME MORE!

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

Galatians chapter 6, verse 14; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

Why is it people love to boast? I know I boast about the Alabama Crimson Tide! But that’s different. It’s about Bama! But seriously, what makes us boast about this, that, or the other? Boasting is something that the Spirit has been planting in my heart and mind–the seed sprouted, and now it’s growing where I can see it. We want to think some things are worth boasting about; like the Crimson Tide. And herein lies the problem–what we think! Maybe even what we believe.

Now, we can either allow our believing to influence our thinking, or allow our thinking to influence our believing. And it seems that among many that it’s the latter–thinking influences believing. I’ve often wondered how those in the progressive theology group come up with what they believe–especially when it comes to sexual ethics. And it hit me this early morning. Their believing is influenced by their thinking.

Well, isn’t that OK? I mean, God gave us that ability to think; even though it frequently appears that many ignore that ability and haven’t used it in quite some time. There’s just one problem with our thinking. It’s been and continues to be influenced by sin. Everyone of us has been impacted and messed up with Adam and Eve’s choice in the Garden. Without even trying, our default mode of thinking returns back to our fallen nature. That’s the power and influence of Satan.

And this is exactly why Jesus told Nicodemus that we need to be born again (John chapter 3, verse 16). And remember how Nicodemus was thinking–thinking that was influencing what he believed. He just couldn’t wrap his believing it was necessary because his thinking was influencing his believing. It takes a completely radical transformation that only God can do in us. And for it to happen, well, that’s where faith comes into play. Faith isn’t about understanding–it’s all about trusting, even if we can’t comprehend it.

Faulty thinking is why Paul said we need to have our thinking transformed by our faith (See Romans chapter 12, verses 1 and 2). Progressive theology wants people to boast about their sexuality. But then there’s that pesky and often misunderstood Paul. But there’s no misunderstanding what he wrote to the church in Galatia. The only boasting is to be about the cross–and the cross is always about the dying. Dying to self and the world. And then, being resurrected a new person. A person where our faith influences our thinking–and not the other way around.

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WHEN HUMAN REASONING RUNS WILD! PART 2

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John chapter 14, verse 6; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

How wild does human reasoning go? I mean, is there a limit to how crazy human reasoning will go? Well, in my honest opinion, there seems to be no limit. It seems there are those who have the Nebuchadnezzar Syndrome–thinking that they are all great and powerful. Here’s another example from my former tribe (and yet another reason why they are my former tribe)!

Let’s begin at the beginning with good ol’ Fred. His reasoning dictates that there are multiple ways to heaven. Really, Fred? Your reasoning certainly is accommodating. But it’s more than accommodating–it’s giving the message that one doesn’t really need Jesus after all. I wonder how Jesus feels about that? I mean, He went through a lot to make a relationship with God both possible and available to anyone and everyone. Instead of taking several steps in showing the fallacy of your reasoning, I will give you just one reason why you’re wrong. You are stating that it was unnecessary for Jesus to die on the Cross. Fred, I hate to disappoint you and burst your fragile bubble, but it was necessary for Jesus to die.

Now, let’s look at Dorothy’s reasoning. She made a couple of statements that have as much theological soundness as a wet paper bag. First, her reasoning about what Jesus really meant when He said I am the way. (Amazing, isn’t it? That Jesus needs someone to explain what He meant!) Dorothy’s reasoning is that what Jesus meant was all about His teaching–in particular–His teaching on love. All we have to do is love. That’s what Jesus meant. Dorothy, I can’t argue or deny that we are supposed to love like Jesus. But Jesus taught more than how to love and what love looks like. Love without The Truth is mush; nothing but mush. Dorothy isn’t in Kansas anymore.

Her second statement was, well, allow me to copy and paste: The exclusivity of Jesus is certainly not my interpretation. Doesn’t sound like my Jesus.  A bit audacious and biggety, isn’t it, Dorothy? That your interpretation is the best one out there? And by your very reasoning, “your” Jesus isn’t the real Jesus. Simply because you don’t like that Jesus demands more than just loving others, doesn’t give you the liberty to create a Jesus that you like.

And last, but not least, there’s Brad. Honestly? I can’t figure out his reasoning. By Brad’s reasoning, heaven–thus eternity–isn’t revealed through the Scriptures. Gee whiz, Brad. Why do we even need to have The Bible at all? Brad’s reasoning is built around what he calls Platonic spirituality. Platonic spirituality? I had to look that one up. Here’s what I found:

Platonic spirituality suggests that instead of trying to empty the mind from unnecessary thoughts, the spiritual path to enlightenment is more akin to a return to the spiritual source.

Platonic Forms: The possibilities and limitations of the emerging organisational spirituality movement

Brad, your Platonic spirituality came from this guy named Eric Voegelin. Eric Voegelin is identified as a political philosopher. Voegelin argued that spirituality is to be understood as specific religious experiences that valorize our habits of sense-making and thinking. The definition of the word valorize is “to raise or fix the price or value by artificial means, especially by government action.” Brad, you may be content with something artificial, or even governmental. But. . .thanks, but No Thanks! Jesus doesn’t need any artificial means to establish or increase His value.

Folks, this is just a sampling of human reasoning! The prophet Jeremiah warned us about human reasoning when he declared: “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah chapter 17, verse 9; NLT) I looked up that word deceitful from the Hebrew and it means “sly, insidious, slippery”. Fred, Dorothy, and Brad certainly are slipping and sliding all over the place. Human reasoning is a slippery slope.

WHEN IT’S MISUSED!

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

As a noun, misuse means to use something (or someone for that matter) for other than its intended purpose. Forgive me if I rant a little this morning. But a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. My wife, Debbie, is a Type 2 diabetic; which means it’s not bad enough for insulin shots, but she needs medication. From morning to morning her blood sugar had been really fluctuating. So her doctor added a weekly injectable called Mounjaro. Well, the insurance company decided it’s not in their “preferred medication list”. Bad news, right? But Ozempic is, good news right? Well, when her prescription was sent in, we found out it wasn’t available. WHAT??? It seems demand is higher than supply. But here’s what really grinds my gears! The reason isn’t because there are so many Type 2 diabetics; it’s because doctors have been handing out prescriptions for Ozempic for people wanting to loose weight like Chicklets! And thus, Type 2 diabetics like Debbie, for whom Ozempic and other medications were intended for, receive this health-restoring medication! Shame on those patients. And, in the words of Gomer Pyle, shame, shame, shame on the doctors who did this!

Enough of this rant and answer your question: What does all this have to do with the Kingdom Life? I love it when y’all ask this question. It’s not just prescriptions that are misused. Unfortunately there are those who misuse the Bible. And like this misuse of Ozempic, people who need the Bible, are unable to get to The Truth found only in The Bible. Here are some of the examples of misusing The Bible:

• Using The Bible as a sledge hammer! Yes, The Word is a Sword. But a sledge hammer? Gimme a break! Some use it to bully other people by pointing out what they are doing wrong. These people are always being mean towards us sinners, forgetting they are also inclined to sin as well. And people wrongly believe that God is mad at them. And those who need that light, believe that The Bible doesn’t have what they need. The Bible isn’t for beating people down. It’s for lifting people up!
• Taking passages out of their original contexts! Usually, this is done either to prove their point or to justify themselves. The only point that The Bible makes is that we are all sinners and need Jesus to transform us.
• Using The Bible as their last resort. For some, when all else fails, let’s see what The Bible has to say. Well, The Bible is meant to be where we first seek out wisdom.
• Picking and choosing! My progressive friends have taken this misuse and turned it into a fine art. The Bible isn’t a meat and three menu where we can choose what we like. It’s an all or none Book!
• Not reading The Bible. Now here’s THE Definitive Book on life and how to fully live. But so many simply don’t take the time to read it. They are content to let someone else read and explain it for them. But that’s not how it works!
• Not letting The Bible speak for itself. And perhaps, this is the greatest misuse of all. In the political arena it’s called putting a spin! It’s allowing what others say it says, even when they are wrong. Granted, not all Scriptures are easy to understand. That’s why it takes time and devotion to God to hear what the Bible really says. There is, in spite of what seminary professors teach, a profound simplicity in The Bible. We just need to listen.

So, how should we use The Bible? The way it is designed. To hear what God has to say. To accept it, all of it, as the only Truth. To understand our true purpose. To find the sin that is holding us back. To discover how to overcome sin and the problems it creates in us and against us. To uncover how to become the person God created you to become. To see how much God loves you. And to begin to experience the Wisdom of Eternity. The Bible is our Friend, if we let it. Just let The Bible BE The Bible, God’s love letter to each and every one of us! And if what The Bible says hurts, then know it’s because we need what God and God alone will provide us.

NEUROSCIENCE IS BETTER THAN GOOD THEOLOGY!

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

2 Corinthians chapter 10, verses 3 thru 5; from the New Living Translation (NLT); emphasis mine

Some may think I am disqualified for saying anything about the United Methodist Church (UMC) because I left. If they want to think that way, feel free to do so. But I spend 66+ years in the Methodist/United Methodist Church. They had abandoned me long before I left them. And I have friends who still think it’s OK to stay in the UMC. Therefore, I am still qualified to speak into the 21st century version of the Titanic. And a recent article only affirmed that I was listening to The Holy Spirit in the choice and decision to leave the UMC.

On 8 February 2023, the United Methodist News Service shared an article by Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards titled Using Our Brains: A Proposal for General Conference. He would have the delegates for the upcoming 2024 General Conference rely on their brains rather than good solid biblical and Holy Spirit inspired theology. Well, here’s some of what Rev. Burton-Edwards wrote:

How can next year’s General Conference make good decisions about the future of The United Methodist Church? I’d like to offer a perspective and several concrete suggestions about how to make sound decisions — and feel good about them — grounded in what neuroscience and neuropsychology have been discovering over the past several decades.  There are two pairs of best practices in decision-making one can derive from this literature. One is about reducing: Reduce the number of options and stressors. The other is about building: Build consensus and satisfaction. The first two relate to how our brains are structured to help us make significant decisions about new or complicated situations (neuroscience). The second two relate to internal and external factors that can influence our ability to persevere through a difficult decision process and feel good about it when we’re done (neuropsychology).  Attending to these best practices can set up the Charlotte meeting of General Conference in 2024 to deal successfully with perhaps the most momentous decisions it will have made since the Dallas meeting in 1968 that created The United Methodist Church.

Rev Burton-Edwards

Don’t misunderstand me. I want the UMC to be healed and move forward in God’s Kingdom. It would fill me with Great Joy to see a revival break out like it has been happening at Asbury. His answer to the quagmire of the United Methodist Church is neuroscience and neuropsychology. When I read that, my brain went immediately to the Scarecrow from The Wizard Of Oz. If he only had a brain! Now, I’m not against thinking and using our brains. God knows I wish more people would! But to base the future of a church solely on the brain? And then expound that it will solve the spiritual problems and move them forward into a better future? Geez, Louise! It seems to me that brains without The Spirit is what led the UMC to this point in history.

Now, I am like an umpire or referee. I only call it like I see it. And here’s how I call it. Neuroscience and neuropsychology have become the Baal of the modern United Methodist Church. Did I offend someone? Oh, well. The Truth has a tendency to offend at times. This is one such time. To remain a United Methodist is to bow down to Baal–the Lord of neuroscience and neuropsychology, rather than The Lord Of Lords and King Of Kings. It’s replacing Jesus as the Head of the Body of Christ with the head of neuroscience.

Does anyone want to speculate on the final outcome if this madness continues? Without knowing it (but then again, maybe he did) John Wesley made this comment, and I will leave you with it:

I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.

-John Wesley-