I’m partially colour-blind. I can see quite a lot of colour but I don’t see red very well at all and I can’t really tell a lot of the time whether something is green or brown. I am red-green colour blind. I have visions in my head of Steve Smith doing a take off of that one!) We live in a world of colour but what would it be like to live in a black and white world?
It seems sometimes as if some people do. For some people everything is either black or white. That is to say that for some people it seems as if EVERYTHING is either absolutely right or absolutely wrong. I need to hasten at this point to say that I am completely convinced that some things are absolutely right and some things are absolutely wrong. However, in keeping with the past few posts on this subject, I must also concede that sometimes there must be room for compromise. Now, I realize that even my use of the word ‘compromise’ will tempt some to immediately label me a ‘compromiser’ and dismiss me - those who live in a black and white world.
But maybe you will hear me out. I do realize the danger of compromise when it comes to some things and I do know that we have often compromised in areas where we should never compromise.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20
But I also realize that not everything is either black or white. Absolute ‘black and white thinking’ creates a false dilemma or a false dichotomy. It is sometimes called the ‘either-or fallacy’. This error occurs when we unnecessarily limit the possible alternatives to two – black or white.
For example, Jesus said, “He who is not with me is against me”. (Matt 12:30) He can say that and it is absolutely true because He is God in the flesh, “who cannot lie” ( Titus 1:2) and “who does not change like shifting shadows”. (James 1:17) However, if I were to make a statement like that about myself, I would be stating a fallacy. Why? Because there are times when you should agree with me because there are times when I am right. But there are also times when you should disagree with me because there are times when I will be wrong. There are times when we actually do the truth a disservice by refusing to consider more than two mutually exclusive alternatives.
This actually happens all the time in Christian circles. You have to either be a Hybelite or despise the man. You have to either be a Warrenite or campaign against him. Some Christians like to set planning and prayer against each other. They feel that planning is a business function that has no place in the church and that we are planning when we should be praying. The truth is that planning can be wrong if it becomes a substitute for prayer but that need not be the case. The two are NOT mutually exclusive and there is another option. We can do both. And so we should. To attempt to coerce people to choose between the two is to err.
When it comes to interpersonal relationships, black and white thinkers are destined for failure because they see everything from their perspective and there is no room for the possibility that the other person’s view may have some merit. It has to be either their way or your way and since they don’t see it your way, conflict is inevitable and often irresolvable. They are colour blind.
The biblical term for discernment comes from the idea of dividing. To discern is distinguish between. However, it is not always the ability to discern between absolutely right and absolutely wrong.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Tim 2:15
In the Greek text, the phrase translated ‘correctly handles’ is literally to ‘cut straight’. But this isn’t just separating truth from error, this is separating truth from truth! Biblical discernment includes the wisdom to be able to discern where there are other options. And sometimes the wisest thing you will ever discern will be in the form of a compromise.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
When Timing Is Everything
“Timing is everything”. That’s an old saying. Is it true? Not in the absolute sense. It is hyperbolic. Timing is not everything, but it can often be so important that everything else ceases to matter. For example, maybe you need to say something to your spouse and maybe you do and maybe you say exactly the right thing. BUT, maybe you picked the WRONG TIME!!!
So, are you starting to understand that, sometimes, TIMING is everything!
This relates to last week’s post, of course, about how much truth is relative in nature. Some things are absolutely true but most truth is relative.
A country song from the 70’s comes to mind. Kenny Rodgers had a lot of hits back in those days and one of the big ones was his famous ballot of Tommy Spencer, the ‘Coward of the County’ (The song even inspired a movie!). You may recall, if you are old enough, that the song contains two truths that at first glance seem to be contradictory but really aren’t. Rather it is a matter of circumstance or timing. When Tommy was 10 years old, just before dying in prison his father made him promise he would walk away from trouble when he could because of this truth – “You don’t have to fight to be a man”. Many years later, as a full grown man, Tommy finds himself in a situation that none of us would want to be in and ends up speaking this truth back to his father’s memory – “Sometimes you have to fight when you’re a man.”
I’m not a huge country music fan, but like a lot of others, I’m a sucker for a good story song for sure. And whether we agree with the logic of the situation and Tommy’s response, the point is still made and the point is valid - SOMETIMES you have to fight when you’re a man.
Another song comes to mind, and this one is not taken from someone’s imagination. It is actually taken from Scripture:
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I know that some people would say there is never a time when war is right or that hate is right. While I respect why they feel that way, I sadly disagree. As much as I wish it were not so, there is a time for hate and a time when we must fight. There is even a ‘time to kill’ as well as a ‘time to heal’.
If you’re still struggling to understand how this works, here is one of the best examples of relative truth that I have ever seen. Take a look at this passage:
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.”
Proverbs 26:4
Now, take a look at the verse which immediately follows it:
“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
Prov 26:5
Skeptics, of course, would simply say that this is typical of how the Bible contradicts itself. If that were so, however, the person who was collecting these wise sayings and putting them together would have had to have a squash for a brain.
So, how are we to view this apparent discrepancy? Quite simply like this - SOMETIMES it is best not to answer a fool, and SOMETIMES it is imperative to do so.
And this is instructive as we study the wisdom literature and particularly the book of Proverbs because proverbs are by nature ‘relative truths’. The exception is where they refer directly to God who does not change (I refer you to my previous post on September 21st). So, for example, Proverbs 3:5,6 where it promises that God will lead us as we trust Him is absolutely true. But where the proverbs address life in this ever-changing world, it’s all relative. Let the wise man take heed:
“If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.”
Prov 27:14
Sometimes, timing is everything!
So, are you starting to understand that, sometimes, TIMING is everything!
This relates to last week’s post, of course, about how much truth is relative in nature. Some things are absolutely true but most truth is relative.
A country song from the 70’s comes to mind. Kenny Rodgers had a lot of hits back in those days and one of the big ones was his famous ballot of Tommy Spencer, the ‘Coward of the County’ (The song even inspired a movie!). You may recall, if you are old enough, that the song contains two truths that at first glance seem to be contradictory but really aren’t. Rather it is a matter of circumstance or timing. When Tommy was 10 years old, just before dying in prison his father made him promise he would walk away from trouble when he could because of this truth – “You don’t have to fight to be a man”. Many years later, as a full grown man, Tommy finds himself in a situation that none of us would want to be in and ends up speaking this truth back to his father’s memory – “Sometimes you have to fight when you’re a man.”
I’m not a huge country music fan, but like a lot of others, I’m a sucker for a good story song for sure. And whether we agree with the logic of the situation and Tommy’s response, the point is still made and the point is valid - SOMETIMES you have to fight when you’re a man.
Another song comes to mind, and this one is not taken from someone’s imagination. It is actually taken from Scripture:
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I know that some people would say there is never a time when war is right or that hate is right. While I respect why they feel that way, I sadly disagree. As much as I wish it were not so, there is a time for hate and a time when we must fight. There is even a ‘time to kill’ as well as a ‘time to heal’.
If you’re still struggling to understand how this works, here is one of the best examples of relative truth that I have ever seen. Take a look at this passage:
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.”
Proverbs 26:4
Now, take a look at the verse which immediately follows it:
“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
Prov 26:5
Skeptics, of course, would simply say that this is typical of how the Bible contradicts itself. If that were so, however, the person who was collecting these wise sayings and putting them together would have had to have a squash for a brain.
So, how are we to view this apparent discrepancy? Quite simply like this - SOMETIMES it is best not to answer a fool, and SOMETIMES it is imperative to do so.
And this is instructive as we study the wisdom literature and particularly the book of Proverbs because proverbs are by nature ‘relative truths’. The exception is where they refer directly to God who does not change (I refer you to my previous post on September 21st). So, for example, Proverbs 3:5,6 where it promises that God will lead us as we trust Him is absolutely true. But where the proverbs address life in this ever-changing world, it’s all relative. Let the wise man take heed:
“If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.”
Prov 27:14
Sometimes, timing is everything!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Absolutely Not
I believe in absolute truth. Some things are absolutely true. This means that some things are true regardless of whether we are in India or America; whether it is 2011 or 1911; whether it is my life or yours.
The foundation for my belief in absolute truth is my biblical understanding of God’s unchanging nature. God has always been and always will be unchangeable (Malachi 3:6). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, matters relating to God’s character and purposes do not change. They are immutable.
I further believe that nearly all contemporary thinking goes awry because it fails to appreciate this one momentous truth. The technical term for this error is ‘relativism’. For example, relativism would claim that there can really be no right or wrong because it is always, only, dependent upon the situation – there are no absolutes. This is a grievous error.
However, in a similar way, much traditional thinking makes a grievous error when it fails to recognize the existence of relative truth. That is to say that while absolute truth exists, not all truth is absolute. In fact, most truth is not. Most truth is contingent upon the situation or the time or the individuals involved. While not all truth is relative, a lot of it is.
An example of relative truth would be that it was once true that our North American society was defined primarily by our Christian heritage. That is not so true anymore. It was relative to a day and age that is now past.
So while some things never change, most things do, and what we need to do is learn to apply the absolute unchangeable truths of Scripture in a way that recognizes and allows for the changes in society.
The unchanging God has created a changing world. And I would argue that God is about the only thing (One) who doesn’t change. While some things never change, most things do change and this too is biblical teaching.
God created time, as well as our means of marking it. The universe has a rhythm and everything and everyone is marking time. And the Bible speaks not only of time, but of ‘times’. And when the Bible uses that expression, it denotes a clear distinction between some ‘times’ and other ‘times’; or between these ‘times’ and those ‘times’.
As an example of that, the OT chronicler spoke of the men of Issachar as those who “… understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” (1Chron 12:32)
Inherent within this statement is the reality that different times call for different measures.
Nothing frustrates me more than the suggestion that we should do things the way they have always been done. That’s ludicrous! Different days and situations have their unique challenges and call for different approaches and strategies.
Someone I read many years ago said it well, even though I can’t recall who it was. They said that the world is changing and the church too must change or else become an island of irrelevance in a sea of human need.
The world is not a museum. The church shouldn’t be one either. It bothers me when people want to treat the church as if it was their own personal museum, as if it should stay the way it is because that is how they like it!!! Some people can be quite hypocritical this way. You go to their homes and they have electricity, running water, shower, phones, medicine, refrigeration … but they object when we seek to use technology in the church setting.
Furthermore, contrary to the opinions of the ‘Biblicists’ among us, it isn’t enough to know the Bible. Don’t misunderstand me on this point. Knowing the Bible is most important, but we also have to know the times. We need to know people and culture. We need to know what is going on in our world and in peoples lives. We must understand the issues. And, yes, we must understand it all, in the light of God’s Word.
According to a eulogy given by Paul Swarup, the late great theologian John Stott (1921-2011) counseled his students to ‘double learning’ which means “listening to God’s word as well as God’s world”. Said Swarup, "He urged us to hold the Bible on one hand and the newspaper on the other so we could preach relevantly and communicate the Gospel effectively to people of the world."
It is very unfortunate that we have somehow created an understanding that if something is slow, backward and out of touch, then it must be biblical!!!
Remember, the same God who said, “I am the Lord, I change not” also said, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18,19)
The foundation for my belief in absolute truth is my biblical understanding of God’s unchanging nature. God has always been and always will be unchangeable (Malachi 3:6). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So, matters relating to God’s character and purposes do not change. They are immutable.
I further believe that nearly all contemporary thinking goes awry because it fails to appreciate this one momentous truth. The technical term for this error is ‘relativism’. For example, relativism would claim that there can really be no right or wrong because it is always, only, dependent upon the situation – there are no absolutes. This is a grievous error.
However, in a similar way, much traditional thinking makes a grievous error when it fails to recognize the existence of relative truth. That is to say that while absolute truth exists, not all truth is absolute. In fact, most truth is not. Most truth is contingent upon the situation or the time or the individuals involved. While not all truth is relative, a lot of it is.
An example of relative truth would be that it was once true that our North American society was defined primarily by our Christian heritage. That is not so true anymore. It was relative to a day and age that is now past.
So while some things never change, most things do, and what we need to do is learn to apply the absolute unchangeable truths of Scripture in a way that recognizes and allows for the changes in society.
The unchanging God has created a changing world. And I would argue that God is about the only thing (One) who doesn’t change. While some things never change, most things do change and this too is biblical teaching.
God created time, as well as our means of marking it. The universe has a rhythm and everything and everyone is marking time. And the Bible speaks not only of time, but of ‘times’. And when the Bible uses that expression, it denotes a clear distinction between some ‘times’ and other ‘times’; or between these ‘times’ and those ‘times’.
As an example of that, the OT chronicler spoke of the men of Issachar as those who “… understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” (1Chron 12:32)
Inherent within this statement is the reality that different times call for different measures.
Nothing frustrates me more than the suggestion that we should do things the way they have always been done. That’s ludicrous! Different days and situations have their unique challenges and call for different approaches and strategies.
Someone I read many years ago said it well, even though I can’t recall who it was. They said that the world is changing and the church too must change or else become an island of irrelevance in a sea of human need.
The world is not a museum. The church shouldn’t be one either. It bothers me when people want to treat the church as if it was their own personal museum, as if it should stay the way it is because that is how they like it!!! Some people can be quite hypocritical this way. You go to their homes and they have electricity, running water, shower, phones, medicine, refrigeration … but they object when we seek to use technology in the church setting.
Furthermore, contrary to the opinions of the ‘Biblicists’ among us, it isn’t enough to know the Bible. Don’t misunderstand me on this point. Knowing the Bible is most important, but we also have to know the times. We need to know people and culture. We need to know what is going on in our world and in peoples lives. We must understand the issues. And, yes, we must understand it all, in the light of God’s Word.
According to a eulogy given by Paul Swarup, the late great theologian John Stott (1921-2011) counseled his students to ‘double learning’ which means “listening to God’s word as well as God’s world”. Said Swarup, "He urged us to hold the Bible on one hand and the newspaper on the other so we could preach relevantly and communicate the Gospel effectively to people of the world."
It is very unfortunate that we have somehow created an understanding that if something is slow, backward and out of touch, then it must be biblical!!!
Remember, the same God who said, “I am the Lord, I change not” also said, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18,19)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
STOP!!!
God says through the voice of the Psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psa 46:10). Have you ever wondered why or how being still is connected with knowing who God is?
This passage should speak loudly to us in the often insane busyness of so much of contemporary life. To be still is to cease activity. The Hebrew word here translated ‘be still’ comes from the term ‘raphah’. As usual, there are different shades of meaning associated with the word throughout the OT in its various forms, but it refers to something that is slack or allowed to drop. It sometimes is used of those who are disheartened or weak. When used in reference to people, it often has a negative connotation. It is not good to be a slacker or to let things drop.
So then, why would it here be issued as a command, and such an important one?
Again, this is one of those areas where truth flies on two wings. While we are called by God to be strong, we must paradoxically, recognize our weakness. We are to be responsible but the diligence God calls us to, as those made in His image, is always to be kept in perspective, for ultimately, our lives do not depend upon our own ability but upon God’s care. Jesus’ words about worry come to mind.
This is not unlike Paul’s sentiment in 2Cor 12. There Paul recounts how God spoke to him and told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” To which Paul responds, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God does not want us to excuse ourselves and neglect our obligations to be strong and to work hard and to fight the good fight. These commands are issued throughout Scripture as well. We must work hard and do our very best with each day He gives us. But, we must always make sure that we are not ‘trusting in the flesh’ but in the grace and power of God in our lives to accomplish what needs to be done. As one person put it, “Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God”.
It is also significant that the context of the entire psalm (46) describes a time in a person’s (actually a nation’s) life when they are totally overwhelmed. Certainly, it can be acknowledged that no matter how diligent and skillful and persistent we are, we are not sufficient for these things.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… Be still and know that I am God…”
Psa 46:1-3,10a
For me, the command to be still in this passage points me to a recognition. The recognition that He is God is a necessary reminder to me that I am not. And that is something that I must remind myself of continually. I need to build regular times into my schedule when I simply stop and look up.
This passage should speak loudly to us in the often insane busyness of so much of contemporary life. To be still is to cease activity. The Hebrew word here translated ‘be still’ comes from the term ‘raphah’. As usual, there are different shades of meaning associated with the word throughout the OT in its various forms, but it refers to something that is slack or allowed to drop. It sometimes is used of those who are disheartened or weak. When used in reference to people, it often has a negative connotation. It is not good to be a slacker or to let things drop.
So then, why would it here be issued as a command, and such an important one?
Again, this is one of those areas where truth flies on two wings. While we are called by God to be strong, we must paradoxically, recognize our weakness. We are to be responsible but the diligence God calls us to, as those made in His image, is always to be kept in perspective, for ultimately, our lives do not depend upon our own ability but upon God’s care. Jesus’ words about worry come to mind.
This is not unlike Paul’s sentiment in 2Cor 12. There Paul recounts how God spoke to him and told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” To which Paul responds, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
God does not want us to excuse ourselves and neglect our obligations to be strong and to work hard and to fight the good fight. These commands are issued throughout Scripture as well. We must work hard and do our very best with each day He gives us. But, we must always make sure that we are not ‘trusting in the flesh’ but in the grace and power of God in our lives to accomplish what needs to be done. As one person put it, “Personal initiative is no substitute for reliance upon God”.
It is also significant that the context of the entire psalm (46) describes a time in a person’s (actually a nation’s) life when they are totally overwhelmed. Certainly, it can be acknowledged that no matter how diligent and skillful and persistent we are, we are not sufficient for these things.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… Be still and know that I am God…”
Psa 46:1-3,10a
For me, the command to be still in this passage points me to a recognition. The recognition that He is God is a necessary reminder to me that I am not. And that is something that I must remind myself of continually. I need to build regular times into my schedule when I simply stop and look up.
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