CHRISTIA Digest - 12 May (2/5)
Mark Drake
There are 12 messages totalling 713 lines in this issue.
Topics in this special issue:
1. CHANNELING CRAZE
2. Announcement: UPDATE FROM CHRISTIAN TEENS - May 10, 1998
3. Announcement: May Edition of Snippets
4. What does it mean to "beleive" (2)
5. new list
6. Garmenthem
7. BIO: Gregory of Nazianzus (Philokalia)
8. Announcement: UPDATE FROM AGAPE
9. Drug issues
10. Opposing persecution of Christians
11. Book discussion: Finding God - Chap 2 summary (part 2)
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Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:35:30 -0700
From: Samuele Bacchiocchi <sam...@peter.cs.andrews.edu>
Subject: CHANNELING CRAZE
THE CHANNELLING CRAZE
Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D., Prof. of Theology, Andrrews University
A PERSONAL NOTE: The belief in conscious life after death is popularized
today especially by the channelling craze of the New Age Movement. An
important aspect of this movement is the alleged communication with
departed human and extra-human intelligences. This phenomenon is known as
"channeling," but it has been rightly called "Spiritism New Age Style."
I have examined this phenomenon in my latest research and found it
to be an effective means used by the Evil One to perpetrate the old lie
"You shall not die" (Gen 3:4). I am posting here few paragraph, but I
would be glad to email the whole chapter to anyone interested. Feel free
to contact me at: sam...@andrews.edu You can also access my research in
my web page: http://www.andrews.edu./~samuele
Defining the New Age Movement is not easy, because it represents a
network of organizations and individuals who share common values and a
common vision. These values are derived from Eastern/occult mysticism and a
pantheistic world view according to which all share in the One who is God.
They envision a coming "new age" of peace and mass enlightment, known as
the "Age of Aquarius."
New Agers may differ on when and how the New Age begins, but they
all agree that they can hasten the new order by becoming involved in the
political, economic, social, and spiritual life. According to some social
analysts, the New Age Movement has become a major cultural trend of our
time. Elliot Miller defines it as "a third major social force vying with
traditional Judeo-Christian religion and secular humanism for cultural
dominance."
For the New Agers, the ultimate reality is a pantheistic God
manifested as an impersonal, infinite consciousness, and force. Human
beings are part of the divine consciousness and are separated from God only
in their own consciousness. By means of specific techniques, like
meditation, chanting, ecstatic dancing, and sensory deprivations, New Agers
seek to experience oneness with God. Thus, salvation for the New Ager is
equated with self-realization through special spiritual techniques.
An important aspect of the New Age Movement is the alleged
communication with departed human and extra-human intelligences. Spiritism
has played a part historically in virtually all forms of paganism. Those
who have allowed spirits to use their bodies in this way have been called a
variety of names, including 'shaman,' 'witch doctor,' 'medicine man,'
'oracle,' 'fortune-teller,' and 'seer.' In our culture, the common term has
been 'medium,' but in recent years is has been largely abandoned in favor
of 'channel' or 'channeler,' reflecting, in part, a desire to break free
from negative stereotypes that have come to be associated with mediums over
the years.
A "channeler" is essentially a person who claims to be the
recipient of teachings and wisdom from the great spirits of the past. The
channeling business is booming in all the major American cities. According
to the Los Angeles Times, in a decade the number of known professional
channelers in Los Angeles has increased from two to over one thousand.
This is compelling channelers to employ Madison Avenue psychology to sell
their services.
An advertisement by Taryn Krive, a popular channeler, gives a good
idea of the services they provide: "Through Taryn, a number of Spirit
Guides bring forth their teachings and messages. They will answer your
questions regarding this life and other lives. They will help you identify
your life lessons and unblock your highest potential for living and loving.
. . . Meet your Spirit Guides. Learn to recall your past lives and release
their influences from the present. Develop your channeling abilities
(conscious channeling, automatic writing, trance channeling)."
The person who has played a leading role in promoting the New Age
Movement, especially channeling, is the famous actress Shirley Maclaine.
Her books have sold over five million copies. The Out on a Limb
mini-series sparked an unprecedented interest in channeling. MacLaine
takes seriously her role as the chief evangelist of the New Age. Following
her TV mini-series, she held two-day, nationwide seminars called
"Connecting with the Higher Self." Later she used the proceeds from the
seminars to establish a 300 acre spiritual center near Pueblo, Colorado.
The purpose of the center is to provide a trusted place where people can
communicate with higher Spirits.
An important factor which has contributed to the success of the New
Age is its claim to connect people not only with their deceased loved ones,
but also with the Great Spirits of the past. As parapsychologist and
channel Alan Vaughan points out: "The thrill, the immediacy of that contact
with another consciousness, may be the driving force behind the phenomenal
growth of the practice of channeling."
Death as Transition to Higher Existence. Communicating with the
spirits of the dead is based on the belief that death is not the end of
life, but merely a transition to a higher plane of existence which makes it
possible in time to reincarnate either on earth or elsewhere. Virginia
Essene, who claims to be speaking as a channel for "Jesus," states: "Death
is an automatic and nearly immediate entrance into a greater sphere of
learning, growth, and service to which you are well-accustomed already.
You simply live at that higher level of purpose, joy and understanding."
In many ways, the New Age's view of death as the immediate entrance
into a higher sphere of living reflects the traditional Christian belief in
the conscious survival of the soul at death. Both beliefs can be traced
back to the first lie uttered by the serpent in the Garden of Eden: "You
will not die" (Gen 3:4). This lie has lived on through the centuries with
devastating effects on both Christian and non-Christian religions.
In his penetrating analysis of the New Age Movement, Elliot Miller
keenly observes: "It has been rightly noted by many Christian observers
that the core New Age/channeling doctrines, 'You can be as God,' and 'You
shall not die,' were first uttered by the serpent in the Garden of Eden
(Gen 3:4-5). Embraced then, this 'gospel' produced all of the world's
misery. Embraced now, it will make all that God has done in Christ to
remedy the situation of no avail to the individual in question."
Miller is right in noting that the belief in innate immortality
promoted by the New Age today makes of no avail Christ's provision of
salvation, since people think they already have the resources to enter into
a higher level of existence after death. Unfortunately, Miller fails to
realize that the success of the New Age in promoting such a belief is
largely due to the traditional Christian dualistic view of human nature.
Christians who believe that the body is mortal and the soul immortal have
no major difficulty in accepting the New Age view of death as the
transition into a higher sphere of living. After all, the latter largely
corresponds to the belief in the conscious existence of the saints' souls
in the bliss of Paradise.
Conclusion. The preceding survey shows how Satan's lie, "You shall
not die" (Gen 3:4) has lived on in different forms throughout human history
until our time. While during the Middle Ages, belief in the afterlife was
promoted through literary and artistic, superstitious representations of
the bliss of the saints and the torments of the sinners, today such a
belief is propagated in a more sophisticated way through mediums, psychics,
"scientific" research into near-death experiences, and New Age channeling
with the spirits of the past. Satan's methods have changed, but his
objective is still the same: make people believe the lie that no matter
what they do they will not die but become like gods by living for ever.
Our only protection against such a deception is through a clear
understanding of what the Bible teaches about the nature of death and the
state of the dead. To these questions we now turn our attention.
Christian regards
Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,
Professor of Theology and Church History, Andrews University
4990 Appian Way
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Phone (616) 471-2915 Fax (616) 471-4013
E-mail sam...@andrews.edu
10255...@compuserve.com
WWW HOMEPAGE: http://www.andrews.edu./~samuele
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:35:44 -0700
From: christiant...@miningco.com
Subject: Announcement: UPDATE FROM CHRISTIAN TEENS - May 10, 1998
This week promises to be an exciting week! Christian Teens has been going
for a whole year! And we are excited about it!
Today I put together some new link listings:
Go to:
http://christianteens.miningco.com/msub10.htm for links to Christian
Businesses on the Internet. You can purchase christian music (CDs, tapes,
and videos) right over the Internet, as well as Christian Clothing.
http://christianteens.miningco.com/msub11.htm has a list of Christian
Radio stations that you can listen to over the Internet using RealAudio!
Look forward to our 1 Year Birthday Party!!!
Brandon
christiant...@miningco.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:35:55 -0700
From: Mark Loaney <ma...@oranasoft.com.au>
Subject: Announcement: May Edition of Snippets
Just a short note to let you all know that the latest issue of snippets has hit
the web. Check it out at my web page below and let me know what you think. Or
if you have something you would like to contribute, I'd love to hear from you.
In Christ,
Mark
http://www.oranasoft.com.au/snippets
Have fun...:-),
Mark Loaney
_____________________________________________________________
Managing Director Mobile: 041-8631327
OranaSoft Work: 02-68814287
10 Jacqueline Dr web: http://www.oranasoft.com.au/
Dubbo, 2830, NSW e-mail: mlo...@tpgi.com.au
Australia
_____________________________________________________________
Check out my web pages for a copy of the Cost Control / Recovery
System from OranaSoft. A complete copy is available to download
from the site. Documentation for the program is also online.
Also at http://www.oranasoft.com.au/dcc is a copy of engineering documents
that I have developed for Dubbo City Council mainly Stormwater and Traffic.
Finally, at http://www.oranasoft.com.au/snippets there is an online copy of
every
edition of Snippets that I have produced for the Dubbo Baptist Church.
_____________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:36:03 -0700
From: Harold Kupp <hk...@harborside.com>
Subject: What does it mean to "beleive"
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE?
Many are teaching "BELIEVE AND YOU ARE SAVED", as
if we had only to accept the fact that Jesus was the Son of
God and died for our sins, in order to be "saved" forever.
Because of this terrible deception, the definition of the
word "believe" has become so important that no man dare
define it. There is only one safe source for the definition
of what it means "to believe", - THE BIBLE ITSELF. The truth
may be found in this verse:
"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life;
BUT HE THAT OBEYETH NOT* THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE,
but the wrath of God abideth on him."
John 3:36 ASV
* Here the KJV reads "believeth not" from the Greek
"Apeitheo". However, in 1 Peter 2:7 the KJV translates
"Apeitheo" as "disobedient". To disobey is to disbelieve.
John's statement proves that only those who obey truly
believe:
IF: He who BELIEVES has eternal life.
AND: He who DOES NOT OBEY shall not see life.
THEN: He who DOES NOT OBEY does not BELIEVE.
For it is clear that he who shall not see life, does not have
eternal life.
Therefore, only those who obey the Son are true believers
with a faith that saves. We may be disobedient or we may be
a believer, but not both. If we do not obey the Son we shall
not see life.
The Son said:
"If thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments." Mat 19:17
"If ye love me,
keep my commandments." John 14:15
Do not be deceived, Jesus means the Ten Commandments. It was
He who spoke the law to His people at Mount Sinai. It was by
His hand that the Law was carved into stone as a symbol of
its eternal character. You may be sure that Jesus has not
changed his mind or His Law, for the author of Hebrews declared:
"Jesus Christ
the same yesterday,
and today, and forever." Heb 13:8
It is God's purpose that we conquer our sin nature so that we
may be "without spot or wrinkle.". The book of Revelation
clearly teaches THAT THOSE WHO OVERCOME ARE THOSE WHO
KEEP GOD'S COMMANDMENTS. It was Jesus Christ Himself, the
"Alpha and Omega" who was speaking directly to the churches -
(People who were already baptized believers.) - when he said
this:
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the TREE
OF LIFE." Revelation 2:7
Again the "Alpha and Omega" speaks:
"Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may
have right to the TREE OF LIFE." Revelation 22:14
Those who have committed themselves to do his commandments
"MAY HAVE RIGHT to the tree of life", but only when they
have "overcome" are they given "TO EAT of the tree of life.".
(Tree of life = Eternal life, see Genesis 3:22 KJV)
May God bless you as you walk that narrow path that leads to
eternal life . . .
Harold Kupp
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:36:10 -0700
From: Marti Scheeringa <is...@juno.com>
Subject: new list
Garmenthem is a new list designed to be a safe place for victims of abuse
either by a church, people in the church, parents, siblings, peers,
neighbors,
spouses or strangers. It has been formed to give people a safe place to
gather to weep together as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to receive
healing through the gift of His children. All are welcome. Due to the
nature of the list, anonymous posts are welcome. You can set up a
free email account at several different locations on the WEB. to find
one of these servers, just go to a web browser, and type in "free email".
To subscribe to the list, send the message
subscribe garmenthem <your name>
to this address:
list...@home.ease.lsoft.com
Run well,
Marti
_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:36:21 -0700
From: Marti g Scheeringa <mar...@juno.com>
Subject: Garmenthem
Garmenthem is a new list designed to be a safe place for victims of abuse
either by a church, people in the church, parents, siblings, peers,
neighbors,
spouses or strangers. It has been formed to give people a safe place to
gather to weep together as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to receive
healing through the gift of His children. All are welcome. Due to the
nature of the list, anonymous posts are welcome. You can set up a
free email account at several different locations on the WEB. to find
one of these servers, just go to a web browser, and type in "free email".
To subscribe to the list, send the message
subscribe garmenthem <your name>
to this address:
list...@home.ease.lsoft.com
Run well,
Marti
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:36:31 -0700
From: John Carter <jca...@feist.com>
Subject: Re: BIO: Gregory of Nazianzus (Philokalia)
> GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS, BISHOP AND THEOLOGIAN (9 MAY 389)
> He and Basil
> compiled an anthology, called the PHILOKALIA, of the works of the
> great (but somewhat erratic) Alexandrian theologian, philosopher,
> and scholar of the previous century, Origen.
The Greek Philokalia that one hears about generally or finds under that
title in a bookstore is not the anthology of Origen's works but a
collection of the writings of the Fathers. It was compiled in the 18th
Century by Macarius of Corinth and Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain.
Later, Bishop Theophan the Recluse translated it into Russian. English
translations are most often taken from the Russian.
It is referred to in the popular book, _The Way of a Pilgrim_. It is
this later book I would direct people to read first ... to get an
introduction to the Jesus Prayer. Besides being good spiritual food,
it's a good (true) story and not so ponderous a reading as the
Philokalia. Once one's appetite is thereby whetted, there is more
chance of actually persevering through a reading of the Philokalia.
(Great writings are useless unless we actually read them ... with our
goal being to feed our hunger for God's presence.) As one encounters
the examples of how prayer transformed these lives, an appetite is
sometimes engendered within ourselves for practicing and persevering at
this humble prayer taken from Jesus' example of the man who left the
temple justified.
According to the forward in the popular subset of that collection called
_Writings from the Philokalia on Prayer of the Heart_, the Philokalia
"shows the way to awaken attention and consciousness, and to develop
them; it provides the means for acquiring the quickest and most
effective conditions for training in what the Fathers, who reached the
highest levels, called the art of arts and the science of sciences,
leading a man towards the highest perfection open to him."
"The most effective form of that art of arts and science of sciences is
manifested as the practice of the Prayer of Jesus, to use its
traditional name."
"The primordial condition and absolute necessity is to know oneself. To
gain this knowledge the beginner must learn to be alive to the
many-sided possibilities of the ego; and he must eliminate all
obstacles, personal as well as external, to acquire the best conditions
for success. Silence and quiet are indispensable for concentration."
"Practice of the Jesus Prayer is the traditional fulfillment of the
injunction of the Apostle Paul to 'pray always'; it has nothing to do
with the mysticism which is the heritage of pagan ancestry. This latter
appeared in the first two centuries in the Gnostic movement, but was
readily rejected by the clear insight of the Fathers, and had no further
significant development in Eastern Christianity."
Put in my own terms, an important dimension of the Philokalia bears
witness to the Prayer of the Heart practiced by the Fathers of the
Church. Perseverance at the mindful repetition of this prayer is for
the practice of obedience and pursuit of poverty of spirit. It is not
to develop occult powers such as astral traveling or other prideful
imaginings. You have heard it said, "desire the fruits of the Spirit"
but the way to these is not direct. Nobody obtains humility by seeking
humility. Rather, you seek your heart's true desire which is our Lord
... and by grace you respond to God's love with love and a result is
humility. Seek God's presence for the spiritual gifts are thereby
enlivened. Seek God's Kingdom, for when His law is established in your
heart, the fruits of His Spirit will be manifested.
Pax,
John
+++
"God's grace in man (which is already present, already granted), and the
gift of the Holy Spirit which is vouchsafed to a faithful soul, proceeds
with much contention, with much endurance, and longsuffering, and
temptations and trials."
[Saint Macarius of Egypt]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 09:36:42 -0700
From: christiant...@miningco.com
Subject: Announcement: UPDATE FROM AGAPE
Hey - Just thought I would let you know - AGAPE is going great! We heard
from Newsboys, Third Day, Plankeye, and Insyders tonite! Things are going
great and the weather so far is great!! Tommorow I will interview All Star
United, Lost and Found, and Skillet!
Pray for great things to happen.
Brandon!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 16:43:43 GMT
From: Anton Hein <ah...@xs4all.nl>
Subject: Re: Drug issues
On Mon, 11 May 1998 18:13:02 -0400, you, Roland McCormick <rcor...@ATCON.COM>,
wrote:
>It does seem to me though that you have to distinguish between those who use
>drugs and those who sell them. Those who use them need to be saved from
>their addiction; those who sell them need to be stopped in some way.
I agree. That is part of the Dutch program. Only the coffee shops are allowed
to sell, and the quantities they have on hand are strictly controlled.
Home growing is allowed, in personal quantities only (i.e. don't grow 300 plants
in your attic, but five or six plants in your yard or on the kitchen sill are
OK).
> My own
>guess would be that most of those in prison are there for selling drugs -
>they are part of that large throng of people in society trying to make a
>buck who don't care how they do it.
Guessed wrong. Part of the problem with California's 3-strikes law is that it
has filled its jails with drug users instead of with the consistently violent,
unrehabilitated criminials the law was intended for.
That's one reason who so many private companies have gotten into the prison
business. It's one of California's fastest growing industries (and, to complete
that sick cycle, you can even buy stock in their stockades.)
Anton
--
CMR's Apologetics Index: http://www.xs4all.nl/~ahein/apologetics.html
Apologetics Resources for Research and Ministry
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 13:12:21 EDT
From: Marty Helgesen <MN...@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Opposing persecution of Christians
The New York Times for Tuesday, May 12, has an Op.-Ed. column by
A. M. Rosenthal about H.R. 2431, the Freedom From Religious
Persecution act of 1998. He reports that it is scheduled for a
House vote on Thursday. Here are the first three paragraphs of
the column:
For almost two years now, the House of Representatives has
been the center of a struggle to answer a simple question about
the meaning and purpose of America:
Should the U.S. extend some help to Christians and members
of other religions in countries where they are sorely persecuted,
or should Americans rally to protect the persecuting governments
from penalty?
On Thursday a bill is scheduled for a House vote that poses
the question. It presents America's minimum duty, to identify
crimes of hard-core religious persecution and to refuse U.S.
money for loans and non-humanitarian aid to countries that use
torture, arrest, murder or government of religion to persecute
Christians.
He goes on to discuss the coalition of liberals, conservatives,
Protestants, Catholics, Jews, workers' unions, student groups,
etc. who support the bill, and the opposition from the Clinton
White House and businesses that do business with the countries
guilty of these crimes. He concludes with these remarks:
The lobbies for the persecutors have been propagandizing
the House for months. If you wish to put America's heart where
its human rights mouth is, say so now in a call or E-mail to
your representative.
Last week Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad, Pakistan, died of
a bullet to the head. Pakistan says he killed himself. Pakistani
Catholics and Ms. Shea, who talked with him hours before his death,
believe he was murdered, for defending Christians sentenced to
execution for "blasphemy" against Islam. When thousands of
Pakistanis turned out to mourn him, police fired into them, and
Christian houses were burned.
This column is dedicated to the Bishop, and so is the bill
coming to vote.
If you have Web access you can get full information about the
bill at http://thomas.loc.gov/ You can identify your representative,
if you don't already know his name, and send e-mail to him by
going to Project Vote Smart at http://www.vote-smart.org/
The Ms. Shea mentioned in the column is Nina Shea, an authority on
religious persecution, particularly the persecution of Christians.
I recommend her book _In the Lion's Den: A Shocking Account of
Persecution and Martyrdom of Christians Today and How We Should
Respond_.
Marty Helgesen
Bitnet: mnhcc@cunyvm Internet: mn...@cunyvm.cuny.edu
"A sneer is a distortion of the face that reflects a worse
distortion of the soul." -- F. J. Sheed
Support H.R. 1748 Anti-Spam bill. For further information see
http://www.cauce.org/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 16:08:06 EDT
From: HonkyTonkR <Honky...@aol.com>
Subject: Re: What does it mean to "beleive"
In a message dated 98-05-12 12:36:28 EDT, hk...@harborside.com writes:
<<
Do not be deceived, Jesus means the Ten Commandments. It was
He who spoke the law to His people at Mount Sinai. It was by
His hand that the Law was carved into stone as a symbol of
its eternal character. You may be sure that Jesus has not
changed his mind or His Law, for the author of Hebrews declared:
"Jesus Christ
the same yesterday,
and today, and forever." Heb 13:8 >>
How do you explain the passage about the adulteress woman ? The Bible says
she was caught "in the very act". She had clearly broken the commandment. But
Jesus said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". When those who
had sought to stone her left, Jesus said, "Where art thou accusers"? And she
replied, "I have none, Lord". Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go
and sin no more". Wasnt Jesus without sin ?? If the law is of so much
priority, why didnt HE stone her ?
And what of the rich young ruler who asked "What must I do to inherit
eternal life"? Jesus said simply, "keep the commandments". And the young man
replied, "This have I done from my youth up". Then Jesus said," If thou wilt
be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast and give unto the poor". And the
young man walked away sad. Apparently, in that case, keeping the commandments
wasnt enough because it was done with the wrong spirit.
No matter how hard we try, we will never be good enough to fulfill the law.
"For by grace are ye saved, and that not of works, lest any man should boast".
Michael G.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 16:56:50 -0500
From: Roy Jacobsen <rjac...@GPS.com>
Subject: Book discussion: Finding God - Chap 2 summary (part 2)
Chapter 2 summary concluded...
Notice that Enoch (as recorded in Jude) warns against harsh words spoken
against God. Crabb says that "Perhaps nothing makes us grumble quite
like personal suffering which seems clearly unjust and to which God
seems indifferent."
When we see someone going through suffering, it seems that all too
often, we "subscribe to the theology of Job's comforters." "To get God
to give you what you want, Job's friends said, present your case before
God, live as you should, repent of all evil, and God 'will rouse himself
on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place.' (Job 8:6)"
We think we can maneuver God to get what we want. "Even if your hard
circumstances will not change, you can accept yourself and enjoy who you
are." However, the peace of God that passes all understanding does _not_
mean pleasant circumstances, nor does it mean having a satisfying sense
of our own value and worth. "God's peace belongs to those who have
confidence in his goodness even when life is tough and their self-esteem
is low."
Crabb says: "Jude called people who "change the grace of our God 'into a
license for immorality' (Jude 4) "godless men.' Do not think of
godlessness and immorality as only the obvious sins like adultery,
cheating, or drunkenness. Whenever we place a higher priority on solving
our problems than on pursuing God, we are immoral."
God is good. Our circumstances have nothing to do with that fact.
Back to Enoch. Jude says he is the "seventh from Adam." Remember that
there are two lines coming from Adam: one from Seth and one from Cain.
Enoch was in Seth's line. Crabb began to think that he might learn
something of what it means to "walk with God" by contrasting Enoch with
the one who was seventh from Adam through Cain--Lamech.
Lamech was the first recorded polygamist, and his boast (Gen 4:23) seems
to indicate that he was committed to getting his own way. He seems
focused on maximizing his well-being at any cost. This tendency was
passed down from his ancestor Cain--Jude calls it "the way of Cain."
When God announced Cain's punishment for killing his brother, that he
would be "a restless wanderer on the earth," Cain's response was not
repentance, but complaining. "My punishment is more than I can bear."
(Gen 4:13) He quickly proceeded to start a family and _build a city_. He
was going to make himself as comfortable as he could, regardless of what
God had said was his fate.
So in Lamech, the way of Cain was perpetuated. "I will build my :city! I
want my pleasures now." Enoch, consistent with the godly line of Seth,
had this attitude: "I will build God's kingdom! And trust God to one day
build a city for me to enjoy."
Crabb says we mustn't think that God never eases our burdens, relieves
our suffering or solves our problems. "But because his love is an
intelligent live rooted in what he knows is best for us, he provides us
with something more interesting to live for than ourselves. He catches
us up in the supernatural reality of living for an eternal kingdom."
So, are we merely living? Are we building our cities, arranging for our
own well-being to the best of our abilities? Or are we walking with God?
Administrivia: The plan is to discuss one chapter a week. The discussion
is open to all comers. You don't need to have read the book, but it is
highly recommended. _Finding God_ by Dr. Larry Crabb is published by
Zondervan; ISBN 0310205441. For those who don't have a copy, I will post
some notes on the chapter under discussion.
Questions about the discussion should be addressed directly to me;
rjac...@gps.com. Comments about the book should go to CHRISTIA with
"Book discussion: Finding God" in the subject line.
God speed,
Roy
Roy M. Jacobsen
Editor
Great Plains Software
rjac...@gps.com
"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to
resemble a nail." --Abraham Maslow
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End of CHRISTIA Digest - 12 May 1998 - Special issue
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Mark