(A few friends and I are reading this book together. Each week we are reading one chapter. On Fridays, I am posting my comments, then giving them the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
Chapter 2
In chapter 2, the author brought out reasons "why discernment is a particularly difficult skill to exercise in our day and our culture." Here are thoughts that stood out to me:
- He said many Christians wish they could live in a "bubble" that would protect them from false teaching. I think he is right- we want something easy that will take the difficulty, the WORK out of things. It is easier to just follow someone else's rules rather than digging into the Bible and seeing what God says on an issue.
- If discernment were just an intellectual exercise, it would be easier. However, he brought out that division naturally follows discernment. Often that division will put us at odds with other people. I was reminded that working to be discerning means that not everyone will agree with/be pleased with my decisions.
- When an author mentions The Lord of the Rings series, he gets points in my book. When an author mentions The Chronicles of Narnia series, he gets points in my book. When an author references both in the same chapter, I am definitely on his bandwagon!!
- He used the Jehovah's Witnesses translation of John 1:1 to talk about how Satan can use little things to deceive. He said, "It is the difference between beautiful truth and gross error." In my mind, beautiful truth is at one end of the spectrum and gross error is on the other end. His statement made me rethink and I realized that just a slight deviation from the truth can be gross error. By it being "close" to truth, it seems harmless. By being something other than truth, it is very dangerous!
-He gave four cultural hinderances to discernment: secular worldview, low view of Scripture, low view of Theology, and low view of God. To me, they tie into each other so much. For example: if a person has a high view of Scripture, it will change his worldview, his view of theology, and his view of God!
- He said that the worldview around us "refuses to delineate an antithesis between good and evil." I am willing to go a step farther. The secular worldview in many instances call good evil and evil good.
- In thinking about the section on worldview, I thought again about how easy it is just to go with the flow. Unless we are consciously seeking God, we will naturally adapt the thinking of the people around us. May God help us to see where we have assimilated the world's thinking and to think Biblically! (I guess I'm saying, may God give us discernment!)
- In regards to people's view of Scripture, it seems he was describing a type of dichotomy that exists. We reverence the Bible in regards to theological concepts, but we essentially deny its sufficiency for practical lives. We don't allow God's Word to affect us where the rubber meets the road.
- "Theology is increasingly portrayed as the realm of fundamentalists- dangerous adherents to Christianity whose fanaticism makes others suspicious and distrustful." This is completely off his point, but stay with me. I don't know if you guys would classify yourselves as fundamentalists, but I think most evangelicals would put us in that category (whether we want to be or not). It is sad to me how we are viewed, but I realize there have been enough problems in our type of groups that the individuals (us) are judged by the perception of the group. We can't change the whole perception of a group, but may we do our part!
- One thing I disagreed with how it was stated: "We cannot have right theology if we are not systematic." I agree that studying theology systematically helps us to thoroughly examine each topic and the relationships between topics. However, I think a person can have a correct theology without necessarily studying it "systematically."
- "God's holiness lies at the very heart of the need for discernment." If my view of God is low, I see less of a difference between Him and me, and therefore less of a problem with the wrong in my life. I appreciated his connecting discernment and God's holiness.
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 1
Discussion on Chapter 3
Proclaiming God's Word to others is not just an activity for pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. It is the responsibility and privilege of everyone who has been saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
In II Timothy 4:2, Paul instructs Timothy to preach or proclaim the Word. In the surrounding verses, I find several compelling reasons we must do this as well.
1. We must proclaim God's Word because it makes us wise unto salvation. 3:15
- Knowing how to be saved from his sin is the single most important piece of knowledge a person can have. This knowledge can be gained in a number of books. However, every book that shares this knowledge has the same source- the Bible. Paul said that the Scriptures made Timothy "wise unto salvation." Since God's Word is our source of information about the salvation of souls, we must be sharing it, the Word, with others. In the 21st century, people have a lot of sources of information: television, the internet, magazines, movies, radio, books, other people. Most of these sources do not present God's Word. Will we do our part in sharing it with them and thereby allow them to hear the truth about salvation?
2. We must proclaim God's Word because God gave it. 3:16a
- When we hear some information that sounds dubious, we often will say, "Consider the source." The accuracy of information is often measured by the validity of the source. In the passage, Paul states that Scripture is given by inspiration of God. The source of the Bible is not the human authors who penned the words. The source of the Bible is Almighty God himself. I know that my God is without flaw, therefore I am confident that the Word that He has given is completely reliable. As we talk to others about salvation or any other spiritual topic, our validity is only as good as our source. If God's Word is our source, we can confidently proclaim the truth knowing it is God's Word, not ours.
3. We must proclaim God's Word because it is beneficial to man. 3:16b-17
- I believe God's primary purpose in giving His Word was to reveal Himself to us, not simply to help man live his life. However, the accompanying truths are unquestionably a benefit. Paul wrote that the Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. He said that God's Word applied to a man's life will result in that man being complete and prepared for good works. I think everyone would agree that doing something for someone else is very rewarding. We enjoy sharing helpful information and doing helpful things. By instructing about salvation and giving principles about every aspect of life, God's Word has the potential to aid others, yet noone will be benefited unless they hear it. The only way they will hear it is if we will proclaim it.
Which of these reasons to share God's Word do you find the most compelling?
(A few friends and I are reading this book together. Each week we are reading one chapter. On Fridays, I am posting my comments, then giving them the opportunity to add their thoughts as well. If you would like to join us or simply find out more about the book, you can read about it here.)
Note to my fellow readers: By this being the first time I've done something like this, I have no idea whether I will follow some kind of pattern or if I will organize my posts differently from week to week. As of right now, I simply plan to share what was a challenge to me and add a few simple comments. I look forward to whatever input you may have as well.
Introduction
- I thought the opening story about the counterfeit money was fascinating . . . even if I didn't think it tied in with his introduction very well!
- "In this book I hope to show that discernment is a discipline." This helped me to think of discernment as something that I can grow in, something to be developed, and not just something I either have or don't have.
- "[This book] is written for all those who believe that it is the duty of every Christian to think biblically about all areas of life so that they might act biblically in all areas of life." I think we often don't act biblically because of the work it takes to think through things and see how God's Word applies to the situation. I want to be the type of man that does things because of a biblical reason!
- "We may learn to discern truth from error, good from bad, better from best." He is right- discernment touches a variety of types of decisions. I hadn't thought of it that way before.
Chapter 1
- He discusses Solomon's recognition of his need for discernment. While reading this section, I thought of you guys, my friends. I know I need discernment in the decisions I face. However, I recognize that each of you has areas of responsibility that I do not have and challenges that I do not face. It is my desire that the Lord use this book to help each of us to discern the mind of the Lord in the responsibilities He has given us.
- I thought he nailed it: "An age when many consider spiritual immaturity a mark of authenticity, and when people associate doubt with humility and assurance with pride." I feel he has his fingers on the pulse of many believers.
- When discussing spiritual immaturity being a reason for lack of discernment, he used the illustration of children- how they will put anything into their mouth when they are little. He said, "Only with maturity will children learn that what looks good may not truly be good. . . . immature believers are prone to sample anything." For us as men, as believers, as preachers of the Gospel- there are a lot of things out there that look good. May God give us the wisdom to look past appearances and to understand what is good and what is not. A "sample" of one bad thing may not kill us, but we will not grow if we have that habit of "sampling" things that are unhealthy.
- The thought that lack of discernment is characteristic of an unbeliever was a challenge to me. It should be true of them, for they do not have Christ. It should NOT be true of me, one who has been bought by the precious blood of Christ.
- He quoted J. C. Ryle on the ways that the Gospel can be spoiled- by substitution, addition, interposition, disproportion, and confused and contradictory directions. He then wrote, "Discernment, then, is not an end in itself. Rather, discernment is the means to a far greater and nobler end." This helped me see my need for discernment as I attempt to share the Gospel. Moldova, Canada, and the United States have their share of those spoiling the Gospel- may the Lord help us not add to it!
- I thought his "Key Thought" section at the end was a very good summary of the chapter. It condensed what he said in the preceding paragraphs and gave a good review. I hope he continues it throughout the book.
I've had my say, what say you?
Discussion on Chapter 2
