Faith trumps all . . .

Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.― C.S. Lewis

Question: Dear Dr. Roane, will you please explain 1 Corinthians 1:25-27. I thought God expects us to use our intellect. Furthermore, it seems to me that any belief system must be logical, including Christianity.

Answer: First let us take a close look at the verses and then make some general observations with comments.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, consider  the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.… 

I don't really think Paul is downplaying using our intellectual powers to ascertain truth; rather what he is saying is that Godly faith trumps man's opinion.

Smarts, let's face it― either we have them or we don't. Some get more than others, but each of us has to live with what we have. However, in the journey of life what we do with ours is more important than what we have. Many a smart man has made a dumb decision and suffered the consequences. So, what is better to have: a lot of intelligence or a lot of wisdom? I say that in general wisdom trumps smarts any day of the week.

It is for this reason that a brilliant atheist is called a fool (Psalm 14:1); whereas, the truly wise shall become like little children to enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3). The Quaker Elton Trueblood, a favorite philosopher of mine, once wrote that:

"Early in life I realized that shallow waters are often muddied by philosophers to make them look deep." (Or words to that effect.)

And, so it is with theology. Theology is not all that hard, once you believe, and stop trying to figure it out for yourself. Belief brings clarity. Inquisitive doubt brings confusion and contradictions. If God said it, then that should be enough for any of us.

The Virgin Birth? No problem ... if you believe. The Resurrection of Jesus? No problem, if you believe. Jesus walking on water? No problem ... if you believe. Now, that is not to say that you may not gain a greater understanding when you apply syllogistic logic, reason and native intelligence to such; however, to get beyond the muddied waters, you must first believe.

It is then no wonder that Christ would say,

"All things are possible to him that can believe (Mark 9:3)."

That goes for everything. All miracles, the creation, the endless universe, the Church triumphant ... everything! Therefore, Christ message to the Church of the 21st Century is:

"[That] the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham (Galatians 3:8-9)."

Now, to the critic, I realize that the Galatians text is within the context of comparing faith with the works of the Law, but nonetheless, this does not negate the overriding principle that faith is the key to understanding what is and the channel for all spiritual blessings.

So it is with much in life. Electricity? I don't understand it; but I do believe it is there because I see the results. The Holy Spirit? I don't fully understand that either, but I do believe that His presence is real because I see the results. The choice is ours. Either we believe, or we do not. Either we trust, or we do not. The choice is ours. The consequences, however, can be dangerous if we fail to obey what we know in all likelihood to be true.

Such truth is not the end results of some syllogistic argument; nor the end-game of a highly constructed debate― thank God! Otherwise, most of us would be left behind. No, truth rest in one person― Jesus Christ; therefore, my prayer is:

Oh, that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own . . . that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:8-9)

This I say, because in all circumstances faith trumps intellectual prowess every time.

Now, I am as always yours in the Bonds of Calvary!

JimR_/

Unconditional Grace

Question: Dear Dr. Roane: What is the difference between actual grace and sanctifying grace?

Answer: Dear friend, that’s a good question. Here’s the short answer: The primary difference is one of purpose. God's sovereign grace is that all embracing grace that sustains all creation (Heb. 1:3). This we can say because everything that is, is a result of God’s grace. The word ‘grace’ comes from ‘charis’ a Greek work which means ‘gift.’ So, in a real sense the entire universe is a God given gift.

Actual grace is that grace which nudges or pushes us towards God usually through reason (Rom 2:14) and experience (1 John 5:10); however, the grace that sanctifies to justify us before God is only activated when we by faith accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior  (Gal 3:26) at which time “Our spirit bears witness with His Spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16)”.

The Bible teaches that in the spiritual realm it is God’s grace from the beginning to the end that justifies, sanctifies, and ultimately saves us. As Paul explains in Philippians 2:13:

“For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him.”

This we call sanctifying grace—or, to use other terminology, the grace that shapes us into Christ image (Rom 8:28-29) and makes us ready for Heaven.

 Trust this helps,

JimR_/

God: does He know what will happen tomorrow?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, how does God know everything. Does He know what will happen tomorrow?

Answer: I think I basically answered this question a few newsletters back when I wrote on "middle knowledge" and Molinism. Here is a slightly different shorter version.

First of all, there are two questions here: One, "How does God know everything?" And, two, "Does He know what will happen tomorrow?"

An honest question deserves an honest reply: I simply do not know how God knows everything but He does. Some feel that He lives in the eternal now, and is able to see the end from the beginning. However, seeing and knowing are two different things. You may know something without seeing it. Concepts, and one's imagination work that way. It stands to reason that there is nothing to see before there is a there there—that is, before something happens. So, there must be some other way that God knows, without seeing. Could that be that He has perfect powers of predictability? An expert billiard players is about the closes that I can come to the concept. He sees the balls as they lay before him, and he can predict which holes they will go into when he hits the cue-ball in a certain way. So, it is with God. Since He created everything, including the ways they will interact with one another, then His predictability must be perfect. Thus, He knows everything, and knows what will happen tomorrow. How? The "how" is still a mystery. Since He is God, however, He must by definition have the ability to imagine with complete knowledge of the "resultant" end before it actually happens. Beyond that, it is best to lGeave the "how" up to Him.

Having said that, however, I must reiterate with Galileo Galilei (1564-1642):

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect had intended for us to forgo their use."

Reason, logical syllogisms, and all the philosophy in the world, however, will never substitute for a Divine encounter with His Majesty on High.

Trust this helps,

JimR_/

Christian: Can a sincere Christian be an outcast?

Question: Dear Reverend Roane, will you please explain Matthew 7:21-23? It’s the “Never Knew You,” part that frightens me.

Answer: First let’s look at the verse. There are a couple of premises that standout here; so, in order to make this clear let’s look at these verses carefully.
They read:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ((NKJV)

First there is an exclusionary clause—that is, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven … This is then followed by an inclusionary clause—which is, “but he who does the will of My Father in heaven [will enter].” Then, finally a conditional clause which identifies those that will not enter—and, that is, those who “practice lawlessness.”

So, it is the lawless, not necessarily those who hold a particular nuance of theology—Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical or Charismatic; but those who practice lawlessness. So, those are the ones Jesus has in mind. Now, that is part of the answer, the other part lies in the words “never knew you.” Interestingly, the word knew here (translated from Aramaic an idiom of Hebrew, which no doubt Jesus was using) is also used in Genesis where the Bible says that “Adam knew his wife, Eve”—that is, had conjugal relations with her. They were intimately related.

So, all Christ is saying here, in brief, is that these lawless ones never committed themselves to Him as the Bride of Christ. Perhaps they had head knowledge, even really believed that He was the Son of God, but never really crossed that barrier of commitment to forsake all and follow Him. They wanted as it were a piece of the world, and a piece of Christ. It doesn’t work that way. There must be an intimately exclusive relationship. It’s all or nothing. We are the bride; He is the groom (John 3:29;Revelation 19:7).

This is what Jesus meant when he said, only those that do the will of My Father shall enter the kingdom of heaven (v. 21).

Some, however, use this verse as support for sacramental theology. Others say that only "belief" counts. Others say, "Why not both?" Others say, "Why not both, with exceptions made like Cornelius who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in tongues, prior to baptism?" When, however, you analyze the possibilities, belief is always an essential ingredient. No Christian should ever refuse to obey Christ clear commandments—to do so is to disobey.

Trust this helps,

 JimR_/

Humor: Does God have one?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, I hear some preachers say that God has a sense of humor, and that the Bible has many examples of that. What do you think?

Answer: Well, to be honest with you, right from the get go. I really don't think God has a sense of humor, nor do I see humor intentionally use in Scripture. There are some funny things that happened, but nothing that I can see that was intended as such.

Humor for the most part is relative and bound by cultural. Also, all humor that I can think of has a element of surprise; therefore, the question arises: Can anything surprise God? Also, something that is funny to an American may seem complete nonsense to, say for instance, a German or someone from China. One preacher I know found Jesus talking about a man swallowing a camel as the intentional use of humor to get a point across. To me this is just another example of an idiom used in everyday Middle Eastern culture, particularly during those days. 

So, no, I would say, they Bible is many things, but it is certainly not a book of humor. The Bible is far too serious and practical for that (Ephesians 5:4). There are places where God uses irony, sarcasm, absurdity, etc., to get his point across. But not humor for humor's sake. God has many characteristics, in my opinion, but a funny bone is not one of these.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love humor, and enjoy someone with a good sense of humor, but as far as I am concerned I don't find any use of it in the Bible. 

Let me go one step further. Jokesters in the pulpit are an annoyance, and irreverent in my opinion. The Sunday morning sermon should never become the comedy hour; however, it is in some cases. A good sermon may have a good joke in it, but it should be told to make a point and to relieve tension; however, telling a joke just to tell a joke and get people to laugh is out of place; and a joke, any joke, must have a clearly intended purpose. Comedy is something that comedians should get paid for, not preachers.

Having said all of this the pulpit is not the time to bring on the clowns, in my humble opinion.

Trust this helps, 

JimR_/

The Church: when did it begin?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, when did the Church begin? Some say at Pentecost; others when Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, "Receive the Spirit (John 20:22)"; still yet others who say that has always been around, albeit, under a different name.

Answer: Dear friend, thanks for the question. For me this is an easy one: The nascent Church began as we know it when Jesus called his first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:4-11; and John 1:29-2:2. There you will see that the establishing of the Church was a process as each was called; and in all aspects this has been true since the beginning of creation by the Lamb that was sacrificed from beginning of time itself (1 Peter 1:20).

Evidence the proof of this by reference to Revelation where the four and twenty elders are listed (c.f. Revelation 2:26-27, 5:10, 20:4; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). And, The word "church" is an anglicized translation of the Greek word "ekklesia," which is defined as an assembly or a gathering of "called out ones." It is often thought of as a building or a denomination; however, strictly speaking it is neither of these; it is simply those members who are securely in the Body of Christ from all ages past and present (Ephesians 3:1-20).

One thing is for sure, it is "God's household, is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15)."

Further, Ephesians 4: 11-13 teaches that Christ himself gave us:

. . . the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

So, from this we can rightly assume that the Church has roots, apostolic roots, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers as well as tradition to guide us into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

The following verses should also be helpful:

(1 Corinthians 3:11—one foundation)

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 

(Matthew 16:18—The confession of Peter)

"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (realm of the dead) will not overpower it." (It will not cease with either the death of Peter, or for that matter Christ himself.)

(Ephesians 2:20— a foundational principle)

[The Church] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone…". 

(1 Corinthians 3:9— We are God’s building)

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. "

(1 Peter 2:5 —we are spiritual stones, a spiritual house; a holy priesthood)

. . . you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

(1 Corinthians 3:10 —a carefully constructed building)

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it."

It is in this regard that I consider myself a restorationist rather than one of the many splinters of Protestantism.

 Trust this helps,

JimR_/

Hell: what's that all about?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, I struggle with the concept of Hell; how can a loving, merciful God send someone to a pit of fire to sizzle and burn for ever and ever without an end?

Answer: Well, that's a good question, and one we all wonder about. First of all, it should be said that any judiciary system must have consequences for breaking the law. A good and proper judiciary system is one that offers rehabilitation and remedial solutions. God, I would think, will do no less. So, we must consider on what basis our eternal destiny is decided.

Firstly, we should notice that according to the Bible: "He that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin (James 4:17)." And, further, that: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.… (1 John 1:8-9).”

We also notice that we are judged on our sins, and our sins, alone. For: "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself (Ezekiel 18:20)."

Thus, we are can therefore rest assured that God does not punish us for anyone else's sins—including Adam's, except to say that we do inherit the consequences of such sins. (As for instance with Adam, our mortality, and propensity for sin—but Adam’s sin does not send us to The Lake of Fire, only ours can do that.)

And, in line with that, we also read that:

[All] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God … (Romans 3:23; cf. Ecclesiastes 7:20)
In other words, all have sinned in one way or the other.

Further, we read that Scripture says: And the “soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20).” So, that’s the penalty.

However, we also read that: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered (Psalm 32:1; cf. John 3:16)”.

So, there is a way out. Even if sinners are punished in everlasting fire and are conscious throughout all eternity without end, God offers a solution.

Now, in regards to the sizzling and burning without end there are those who feel that no conscious human being could withstand that type of experience. To buttress that argument, they point out that the smoke of their torment (Revelation 14:11) ascends from the lake of fire for ever and ever refers not to the individuals existing for ever and ever (the ages of ages in the Greek) but that the smoke ascends for ever and ever, as a reminder, they say, of the awfulness of sin and God's judgment. Some who hold this position feel that the Lake of Fire is more like Purgatory (a place of cleansing); and others feel that the Lake of Fire is a place of total annihilation, which is elsewhere described as the second death in Scripture, which reads:

“The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8 )

The word "death" means just that "death!" they argue.  The truth is that there has been no real consensus on the doctrine, except to say that for the most part it is portrayed in the most Dantean manner as a place filled with bad popes, murderers, thieves, adulterers, and a whole array of unsavory devilish characters, including Satan himself.

The “official” doctrine of the Assemblies of God (the denomination to which I belong) is found in article 15 of the Statement of Fundamental Truths, which reads:

The Final Judgment
There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

• Matthew 25:46 [KJV/NIV]

• Mark 9:43-48 [KJV/NIV]

• Revelation 19:20 [KJV/NIV]

• Revelation 20:11-15 [KJV/NIV]

• Revelation 21:8 [KJV/NIV]

To conjecture beyond that is just simply that: conjecture. In any event it is a bad scene, and one that I would wish on no one. Fortunately, God will make that judgment.

Trust this helps, 

JimR_/

Radiance of God: what is it ?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, will you please explain what the radiance of God is? Why do some people claim that to be in His presence is like a spiritual glow? Have you seen it? Do some of the saints have it? What is your opinion?

Answer: Well, dear friend, all I can do is to answer from experience and what the Bible has to say about this phenomenon.

First of all, Moses' face we are told was so bright after talking with God that he had to shield his face from the people since they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:29-36;  2 Corinthians 3:7). Also at the Mount of Transfiguration the whole presence of Jesus glowed (Matthew 17:2); then of course there is the case of Stephen our first martyr (Acts 6:15) who had the face of an angel when he was on trial for preaching the Gospel of Christ. And, of course, there are other examples.

Now, as for myself, I have never seen such a light; although, I have seen the radiant glow on the faces of those who stay as it were close to God. Mother Teresa was one of those, and was my father-in-law, Alfred Cawston, and there are others. Not luminous, mind you, but in a radiance sense that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

No doubt about it, some people have more charisma than others. But charisma can be misleading, so we must be careful. As we do know that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So, keep in mind that all that glitters is not gold.

Trust this helps,

JimR_/

Apocrypha: Scripture or just history?

JimR_/—

God or no God?

“Our universe is self-advancing, self-igniting, self-developing, self-iterating, self-building-out & self-propelling,” from an article in the Huffington Post/Science section on “David Birnbaum Cracks the Cosmic Code.”

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, can you prove there is a God, or is everything as David Birbaum and other scientists say?

Answer: First, I must ask why you ask? If there were no God, it would be just as sensible for you to ask, "Can you prove there is a dumpydoodlefanastic?" Such a question makes absolutely no sense. So, right off the bat, you must have entertained the possibility of God. I certainly could not imagine people on every continent, from all times down through history asking if indeed there is any such things as a dumpydoodlefanastic? So, all men, everywhere, think about God as a possibility, or in some cases deny the possibility altogether. So, Anselm's argument for the existence of God goes. Not that he proves that there is a God, mind you, but that the thought is there. Now, it makes sense that if the thought is universal, then it must be based on something intuitive within the heart of man. We can't say that about a dumpydoodlefanastic, can we?

So, with Anselm's argument we can only argue that something is there, or we could not think about it or visualize it. A monk by the name of William of Ockham (c. 1287 – 1347) countered Anselm's argument with “Well said, however, you have still not proven what kind of God He is. The same could be said about a unicorn on an idyllic island way out in the Pacific somewhere that exist only in your imagination” or words to that effect.

True, I would say, but we dare not dispute there is the possibility of a horn, a horse, a body of water, and an island. Why? Because all this argument gives us is the possibility of a unicorn. Why such possibility? Because it is conceivable. Not so with a dumpydoodlefanastic. So, it goes with the argument for the existence of God. We may conceive the thought, although, it does not tell us what kind of God he is. He might just as week be a giant one-eye octopus looking being that can morph in and out of an eternity of endless creation. Sometimes he makes life pleasant and sometimes he doesn’t.

Now, to be perfectly honest, Anselm's idea of God is much more complicated than that. He argues that nothing be thought of as any greater than God. Or to quote from Anselm of Canterbury, who first developed the ontological argument, in Prosologium :

God is that, than which nothing greater can be conceived.… And [God] assuredly exists so truly, that it cannot be conceived not to exist. For, it is possible to conceive of a being which cannot be conceived not to exist; and this is greater than one which can be conceived not to exist. Hence, if that, than which nothing greater can be conceived, can be conceived not to exist, it is not that, than which nothing greater can be conceived. But this is an irreconcilable contradiction. There is, then, so truly a being than which nothing greater can be conceived to exist, that it cannot even be conceived not to exist; and this being thou art, O Lord, our God.

    
This, in my opinion, is too weighty with words, and is often misunderstood. At best it only initiates a definition with little content other than the beginning of a long line of reasoning and descriptive terms in what constitutes a essence we call God. The safest route is to say that the idea of God is presuppositional, an idea that you cannot shake. It is innate, but can be supported with evidences of history, logic and intuitiveness. 

These "evidences" do not provide absolute proof; however. They're not enough. We must have more. We must have enlightenment. Revelation, if you please, or the grace of God to believe, to trust, to walk in the light. This we call faith. Such faith is not an empty word, or just a concept. It is full of content. That is found primarily in Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Church which is the pillar and foundation of all truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

Sometime, or somewhere in our journey through life we must all decide which answer we will accept. To deny is to decide. There is no middle ground.

Trust this helps, 

JimR_/

Fake news is not news at all

"The newspaper consists of just the same number of words, whether there be any news in it or not."—Henry Fielding

Amazing isn't it, that we must listen to the same old drivel night after night to pick up what little news there is?

Words can be and most often are twisted to fit any political agenda. So, we are left with two, perhaps more, versions from which to pick the real truth. Something Francis Schaeffer once called true Truth. The idea being that truth is not something that you pick and chose from. It is either true, or it is not. Misunderstandings not withstanding. None-the-less, there is only one set of truth.

Naturally, there are interpretations, and misinterpretations. Look at a straight straw in a glass of water, and you would swear that it is bent; however, that is only an illusion. The hard fact is that we must all get past the illusion. Science doesn't lie, but it certainly is susceptible to opinion. News follows the same pattern. True Truth doesn't however. What was true yesterday is true today, and the same goes for tomorrow. One day this old world and all that boast in it shall pass away. Change is coming. When? I don't know. But, that I do know. It will change. Why? Because true Truth said so. Another way of putting that is to say "because Jesus said so (John 14:6)."

We Christian are not dummies, simply because we believe what Jesus said is ultimate truth. Someone said, well you can't prove that there is even a God. True, but you can't prove there isn't, either. So, that brings us back to square one, doesn't it? And, as I stand firmly on square one, I am confident through faith by experience that Jesus is real and can be trusted.

Someone has said, well that is fine. You can live out your truth, and I will live out mine. Interesting, and generous for them to concede on this point, but unfortunately it can and will lead to disaster. Deny that a brick wall is impenetrable, then run into it head-on, and then come back to me and tell me what you think (if you can think by then, of course).  

Now this brings me back through all the mishmash of opinion, prejudice, and just fake news or for that matter junk science. Such foolishness may gain an audience, but it will never stand the test of time. We must stick with the facts. The truth may hurt, but in the long run it will pay off (Romans 6:32).

 Let us, therefore, speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15),

JimR_/

Can we prove there is a God ?

Question:  Dear Dr. Roane, can you prove there is a God?

Answer: First, I must ask why you ask? If there were no God, it would be just as sensible for you to ask, "Can you prove there is a dumpydoodlefanastic?" Such a question makes absolutely no sense. So, right off the bat, you must have entertained the possibility of God. I certainly could not imagine people on every continent, from all times down through history asking if indeed there is any such things as a dumpydoodlefanastic? So, all men, everywhere, think about God as a possibility, or in some cases deny the possibility altogether. So, Anselm's argument for the existence of God goes. Not that he proves that there is a God, mind you, but that the thought is there. Now, it makes sense that if the thought is universal, then it must be based on something intuitive within the heart of man. We can't say that about a dumpydoodlefanastic, can we?

So, with Anselm's argument we can only argue that something is there, or we could not think about it or visualize it. A monk by the name of William of Ockham (c. 1287 – 1347) counters Anselm's argument with “Well said, however, you have still not proven what kind of God He is. The same could be said about a unicorn on an idyllic island way out in the Pacific somewhere that exist only in your imagination” or words to that effect.

True, I would say, but we dare not dispute there is the possibility of a horn, a horse, a body of water, and an island. Why? Because all this argument gives us is the possibility of a unicorn. Why such possibility? Because it is conceivable. Not so with a dumpydoodlefanastic. So, it goes with the argument for the existence of God. We may conceive the thought, although, it does not tell us what kind of God he is. He might just as week be a giant one-eye octopus looking being that can morph in and out of an eternity of endless creation. Sometimes he makes life pleasant and sometimes he doesn’t.

Such is the foolishness of philosophizing. That, however, does not take away from the fact that all men everywhere have thought of the possibility that there is a God—although some deny the thought, others (the majority) affirm it.

That’s not enough, however. We must have more. We must have enlightenment. Revelation, if you please, or the grace of God to believe, to trust, to walk in the light. This we call faith. Such faith is not an empty word, or just a concept. It is full of content. That is found primarily in Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Church which is the pillar and foundation of all truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

Sometime, or somewhere in our journey through life we must all decide which answer we will accept. To deny is to decide. There is no middle ground.

Trust this helps, 

JimR_/

What is Biblical Leadership?

Question: Dear Dr. Roane, bookstore shelves and preacher's libraries are stacked with all kinds of books on leadership--Christian and otherwise.  What in fact is Christian leadership? Will you please tell me? J.D. 

Answer: That's an excellent question, J.D. So, let me begin by saying that Christian leadership is first of all biblical leadership. For that we must take a close look at what the Bible says about leadership and mentoring.

Biblical[i] Basis for Leadership

Paul recognized that Christian leadership requires more than just good common sense, we need the mind of the Lord.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2: 14 16)

Philippians 2:1-11

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place    and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)

A Foundational Principle of Christian Leadership

“Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ … [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Phil. 2:5,6,7 (KJV)

Key Considerations

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

A Common Mindset (v-2)

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

v  Share Common Affections

o   “Having the same love”—set your affections on God!

v  One In Spirit

o   “Being one in spirit”—having the spirit of Christ.

v  A Common Mindset

o   “Being of one mind”—do just talk the talk, but walk the walk.

Work Selflessly (V-3)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

v  Forsake Worldly Ambition (v-3)

o   Super-Church Mentality

o   Lear Jets

o   Mercedes Benz

v  Forsake Conceit (v-3)

o   You’re not the King, you are a servant

o   Example: Requesting a limousine to and from Airport

Humility Required (v-4)

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

v  He was a mentor

He humbled himself. Humility takes effort.

(4:5) “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

v  Invest in Others

“In humility value others above yourselves”

v  Focus of You Ministry on Others

“Not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interest of others.”

v  Consider All Ministry A Team Effort

“Not looking to your own interest, but each of you to the interest of others.”

In other words, serve one another.

Mind of Christ (v-5)

 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

v  Leadership Is Relational Cooperation Necessary “relationships with one another”—the is no room for a loner in God’s work. We are all in it together.

v  To Lead You Must Have the Mind Of Christ.

v  Cooperation must be Godly “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”—again, these instructions rule out carnality and selfishness.” “What’s in it for me?” should never be the question.

 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage …

v  There was no arrogance in Christ. He had work to perform and he was willing to get his hands dirty doing it. Some pastors are too proud for their own good.

Servanthood Leadership (v-7)

7 rather, he made himself nothing     by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness ….

v  Service was leadership.

o   He became a servant willingly. (v-7)

o   Showing is the best mentoring tool. (v-7)

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

v  Notice: He humbled himself. Perhaps, you have heard someone say, “Oh, he/or she is just naturally a humble person. That is hardly ever the case. Christ humbled himself ~ that was an act of His will.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

v  Notice the words “Therefore God exalted him.” God waits for us to show the initiative. So, if you want success in the ministry, humble yourself. Then you will be promoted. You will be elevated in the Kingdom of God. We’re not talking about titles here. Notice every knee is not bowing to a title or a position. They bow to a name that earned the title of Lord to the glory of God the Father.

v  Notice the progression also: First he mentions that they bow in Heaven. Authority that does not affect Heaven does not affect the earth either.

 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling …

v  Leaders Work Under Authority

o   “as you have always obeyed”

v  Leaders Will Work Anonymously Without Recognition

o   “[work] in my absence”

v  Leaders Work Because They Are “Saved” Not for Their Salvation

o   “continue to work out your salvation

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

v  Leaders Are Not Self-Assertive

o   “for it is God who works in you to will and to act.”

v  Leaders Work Under Orders

o   “in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

v  Leaders Don’t Complain (v.14)

o   “Do everything without grumbling”

v  Leaders Don’t Argue

o   “Do everything without arguing”

15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.

v  Leaders Lead for A Purpose

o   “so that [they] may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)

In Conclusion

Jesus explicitly warned His disciples against engaging in the quest for position and titles (Matthew 23:8–12). He tells us, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25–28).             

^[i] Phil. 2:1-11 KJV 

 Trust this helps. 

 JimR_/

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