Paul's Passing Thoughts

More and more, I concur with the Psalmist (119):

33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,

that I may follow it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread,

for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!

In your righteousness preserve my life.

I have been on a focused endeavor for almost five years to understand the history and doctrine of New Calvinism, and have learned many other valuable things along the way. In regard to what has been found, it is extremely relevant because of New Calvinism’s source. The Scriptures are clear, unbelievers don’t have the ability to “rediscover the gospel” if it gets lost, and the Scriptures further indicate that such a loss is never going to happen to begin with. So, I feel strongly that the research has yielded a strong argument against all the rage of our day.

I have met special people along the way as well. Cindy Kunsman and her friends supplied me with some vital information for volume one of The Truth About New Calvinism. Actually, their residual information leftover from their primary focus doubled the strength of my argument. Naturally then, I have visited her blog (http://undermuchgrace.blogspot.com) and done some poking around. First, I found her blog to be a cut above many blogs that annoy me; i.e., information that focuses on symptoms. In the realm of New Calvinism, an example would be a 3000 word post on all the evidence that New Calvinism is worldly—documenting all the details of how they fashion their conferences/rock concerts and so forth. Another annoyance is comments like, “New Calvinism is a diverse and broad movement encompassing many different ideas.” No it isn’t, and that kind of information is what has enabled the movement to spread because nothing can stick that would aid in identifying it. People write stuff like that because their information lacks research and they don’t want to commit to definitive statements. This kind of half pregnant analysis only helps the enemy.

Kunsman’s blog surpasses all of those weaknesses, but initially invoked the following thoughts: information overload; cataloging every spiritual abuse known to mankind; cataloging every feeling felt by every kind of victim known to mankind, etc. But one memory sparked by the information led to another, and soon, I had a lengthy catalog in my own mind—a catalog of my life and the life of others that I have encountered over the years. So don’t miss this point: the catalog can be the one that forms our life, or it can be an information catalog that we are using. I have counseled women who were depressed because they couldn’t breastfeed their baby and were told they were failures as a mother accordingly. Is that spiritual abuse? Damn right it is. Should we prevent such things? Absolutely.  I have also encountered a wide range of problems that come from the homeschool movement and “Christian school” movement. I’m not saying these things are bad, I’m saying that driving a car without information can turn out badly. In fact, I recently confronted the principle of a Christian school when I found out my stepson was being formally counseled at the school without me and Susan’s knowledge or permission.  When I met with the principle, my protest confounded him because they are more educated than I am. The meeting did not end well, but we certainly had an understanding in its conclusion.

Discernment blog, discernment blog, everywhere a discernment blog. Why? Because as Christians, we love the truth, and we are in a truth war.  In the last days, unbelievers will follow after every fallacy because they were not given a love for the truth and will refuse to love the truth (2Thessalonians 2:10). As Christians, we are called to partake in a relentless war against EVERY thought in ourselves and others that rises up against the knowledge of God (2Corinthians 10:5). Information overload? We haven’t even scratched the surface.

Thirdly, Our work is never done because our adversary has been perfecting his craft since the very day he spoke the following question clothed in rhetorical garb: “Has God really said….?” To the kingdom of darkness, information overload is an oxymoron.  It is operation chaos on steroids as the mode of operation.

Fourthly, the gospel is at stake. Lost people live in spiritual darkness, but that doesn’t mean they respect silliness. And don’t forget, the law of God written on their heart has some effect on their thinking (Romans 2:14-16). When they see us living out Psalms 119:33-40, it inflames their conscience because of the law written on their hearts. And for crying out loud, why would we not think that the law written on our hearts would not be inflamed by our salvation and an accompanied love for it? Can we not hear this passion in the Psalm that I opened this post with?  In our day, there is a movement for every thought, and the Bible promises that these movements  will be wrapped in things that sound logical, good, and exciting. A lot of truth not excluded, that’s why cupbearers still have employment today.

Any movement looks good initially—it must—or it wouldn’t become a movement. Knowing the history and sources of movements is very valuable information. Why? Will, for one reason, it often prevents you from spending several months investigating and fellowshipping with who knows what!  Look folks, a particular leader of our day has been looking really good to me. Now that I know the basic philosophy of his ministry and its source, quickly obtained and substantiated through Kunsman’s blog,  I know how to listen to him, and therefore ascertain whether or not his biblical jargon is leading me closer to the truth, or an alternative truth that will dissillumine my witness, love of God, love for others, and personal peace/joy. I am not willing to sacrifice those things at the altar of another man’s ego, agenda, or desires. When I hear a biblical phrase, word, term, or concept, is the propagator conveying the same truth as the Holy Spirit intends? Normally, it could take months and a thousand questions to know for sure. That is why discernment ministries like Under Much Grace supply a tremendous service to the church.

Fifthly, the Bible makes it absolutely clear that the last age will be marked by disinformation. When the disciples asked Jesus what the sign of His coming would be, His first words were, “Be not deceived,” We live in an age where even the goodness of the gospel is the primary tool for deception. A prime example is Michael R. Emlet’s “CrossTalk” which uses a play on words to put forth the idea that every verse of Scripture is about justification. Getting the cliff notes on movements and organizations saves us from fishing in unproductive bodies of water while preventing mercury-like contamination to the body.

We live in an information age; either way, you will have lots of it. It can work for you, or against you. Get your information from sources that focus on history and core distinctives, not symptoms. It will help you use your time better to defend the truth, love the truth, proclaim the truth, experience the truth, learn the truth, and apply the truth.

paul