Rest and Reflect

Jesus only ever commended the faith of two individuals: the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:21-28) and the Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13). They were NOT of the “right” church. Their “theology” was all messed up. Yet they trusted Jesus to help them.

See “The Silence of God” – by Lyle Albrecht

When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within–when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.

Quoted in a great sermon on “The Samaritan” by Pastor Dale Leamon

Deuteronomy 4:5-6
“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

Unfortunately…

Jeremiah 4:22
“For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

http://www.pmchurch.tv/site/1/docs/2007-09-15_The-Chosen-3.pdf

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (1913), page 432

In our schools the work of teaching the Scriptures to the youth is not to be left wholly with one teacher for a long series of years. The Bible teacher may be well able to present the truth, and yet it is not the best experience for the students that their study of the word of God should be directed by one man only, term after term and year after year. Different teachers should have a part in the work, even though they may not all have so full an understanding of the Scriptures. If several in our larger schools unite in the work of teaching the Scriptures, the students may thus have the benefit of the talents of several.

Why do we need a Matthew, a Mark, a Luke, a John, a Paul, and all the writers who have borne testimony in regard to the life and ministry of the Saviour? Why could not one of the disciples have written a complete record and thus have given us a connected account of Christ’s earthly life? Why does one writer bring in points that another does not mention? Why, if these points are essential, did not all these writers mention them? It is because the minds of men differ. Not all comprehend things in exactly the same way. Certain Scripture truths appeal much more strongly to the minds of some than of others.

The same principle applies to speakers. One dwells at considerable length on points that others would pass by quickly or not mention at all. The whole truth is presented more clearly by several than by one. The Gospels differ, but the records of all blend in one harmonious whole.

So today the Lord does not impress all minds in the same way. Often through unusual experiences, under special circumstances, He gives to some Bible students views of truth that others do not grasp. It is possible for the most learned teacher to fall far short of teaching all that should be taught.

It would greatly benefit our schools if regular meetings were held frequently in which all the teachers could unite in the study of the word of God. They should search the Scriptures as did the noble Bereans. They should subordinate all preconceived opinions, and taking the Bible as their lesson book, comparing scripture with scripture, they should learn what to teach their students, and how to train them for acceptable service.

Patriarchs and Prophets (1890), page 528

Says the wise man, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24. And the same lesson is taught in the New Testament by the apostle Paul: “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6, 8.

God intended that His people Israel should be light bearers to all the inhabitants of the earth. In maintaining His public worship they were bearing a testimony to the existence and sovereignty of the living God. And this worship it was their privilege to sustain, as an expression of their loyalty and their love to Him. The Lord has ordained that the diffusion of light and truth in the earth shall be dependent upon the efforts and offerings of those who are partakers of the heavenly gift. He might have made angels the ambassadors of His truth; He might have made known His will, as He proclaimed the law from Sinai, with His own voice; but in His infinite love and wisdom He called men to become colaborers with Himself, by choosing them to do this work.

In the days of Israel the tithe and freewill offerings were needed to maintain the ordinances of divine service. Should the people of God give less in this age? The principle laid down by Christ is that our offerings to God should be in proportion to the light and privileges enjoyed. “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” Luke 12:48. Said the Saviour to His disciples as He sent them forth, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8. As our blessings and privileges are increased–above all, as we have before us the unparalleled sacrifice of the glorious Son of God–should not our gratitude find expression in more abundant gifts to extend to others the message of salvation? The work of the gospel, as it widens, requires greater provision to sustain it than was called for anciently; and this makes the law of tithes and offerings of even more urgent necessity now than under the Hebrew economy. If His people were liberally to sustain His cause by their voluntary gifts, instead of resorting to unchristian and unhallowed methods to fill the treasury, God would be honored, and many more souls would be won to Christ.

The plan of Moses to raise means for the building of the tabernacle was highly successful. No urging was necessary. Nor did he employ any of the devices to which churches in our day so often resort. He made no grand feast. He did not invite the people to scenes of gaiety, dancing, and general amusement; neither did he institute lotteries, nor anything of this profane order, to obtain means to erect the tabernacle for God. The Lord directed Moses to invite the children of Israel to bring their offerings. He was to accept gifts from everyone that gave willingly, from his heart. And the offerings came in so great abundance that Moses bade the people cease bringing, for they had supplied more than could be used.

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Philippians 4:8 (TLB)

Ellen G White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p705-7

Many feel that a responsibility rests upon them to explain every seeming difficulty in the Bible in order to meet the cavils of skeptics and infidels. But in trying to explain that which they but imperfectly understand, they are in danger of confusing the minds of others in reference to points that are clear and easy to be understood. This is not our work. Nor should we lament that these difficulties exist, but accept them as permitted by the wisdom of God. It is our duty to receive His word, which is plain on every point essential to the salvation of the soul, and practice its principles in our life, teaching them to others both by precept and example. Thus it will be evident to the world that we have a connection with God and implicit confidence in His word. A life of godliness, a daily example of integrity, meekness, and unselfish love, will be a living exemplification of the teaching of God’s word, and it will be an argument in favor of the Bible which few will be able to resist. This will prove the most effectual check to the prevailing tendency to skepticism and infidelity.

…

Peter exhorts his brethren to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God’s word and discourage any further
investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative and seek to avoid discussion.

The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God’s people should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition and worship they know not what.

It is a false dichotomy often presented by those “in the faith” that one must either believe or not believe. There are 6 billion plus people on this planet and each I assure you has their own unique experiences, thoughts, assumptions and beliefs (conclusions).

There is not one right belief that we must accept or reject. Rather, we each individually construct a belief system (whether it embraces a religion or not) based upon the evidence of our life experiences.

This is not to say that we are all right (or that there is no right). There are realities that can only be discovered with greater experience. My hope for you and me is that we are open to new experience that will open our eyes to a new (and greater) reality.

Present complexity requires either:
a. Pre-existing complexity, or,
b. A system of increasing complexity

Increasing complexity requires:
a. Novelty – the formation of new features

The formation of interlocking functional complex systems require:
a. Simultaneous genesis of compatible novelties, or,
b. Mullerian two-step

The driving force for Evolution is mutation.
Though mutation has been observed, it has generally been seen to create variance.
In the majority of variants, the mutations have been deleterious.

So it begs several questions:
1. Has a favourable (advantageous) mutation ever been observed?

The effect of mutations depends on the environment in which it occurs.
For example, sickle cell Hb mutation is favourable in an environment with malaria and unfavourable otherwise.

2. Has an observed favourable mutation resulted in a novel feature?

Perhaps the best example is antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
However, such mutations have not caused one form of bacteria to “evolve” into a new form.

3. Has the evolution of a novel complex interlocking system ever been observed?

4. Has a novel complex irreducible system been carried forward to descendents of the first mutant?

If this has been observed, it lends a lot of credence to Evolution. However, given the limited data we possess that is not circumstantial (e.g. fossils) it would seem that there is insufficient evidence to conclude in favour of evolution. (Note: similarity does not imply a common source; just as statistical association does not necessarily imply causality.)

Hence, because of the limited power of mutations and natural selection, we have been forced to present a theory of origins that requires a process over billions of years.

Now, the driving force behind Intelligent Design or Creationism is a Creator God. This theory of origins does not require a lengthy period of time. There is no physical evidence able to prove or disprove the existence of God. The evidence for and against a God is moral, anthropological, metaphysical and argued on philosophical grounds. Thus, such an argument is impossible to settle with current lack of physical evidence.