gideonrecon's Xanga

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thu, 15 May 2008 01:57:18 GMT

Praise GOd, I got a B in Hebrew, I was not too sure how I did on the finals...I have to find out the grades for my other classes, but thus far I know I got an A and an A-.

Taking Hebrew for summer school is a blessing...focus on Hebrew only, instead of all these classes all at once...

Got to go, talk to you all later! Didn't comment back, but will do friday...

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Mon, 12 May 2008 01:53:23 GMT

Was done with Finals, but busy since then!

Preached at an Indonesian Chinese church Saturday for their youth group, and it was a great time of fellowship and I've enjoyed talking to people whether it was the Pastor, lay leaders or the kids!

Tonight, I had to go sing for the Graduation ceremony of the Seniors for the seminary...it was really moving for me to know that these guys will be soon going to various part of the World ministering God's Word!

This upcoming Tuesday, I"m going to continue with a Summer intensive on Hebrew...

HOw are all of you doing?

FINISHED ALL MY FINALS AND PROJECTS FOR THIS SEMESTER!

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:24:57 GMT

FINISHED ALL MY FINALS AND PROJECTS FOR THIS SEMESTER!

But I go back on Tuesday and have a month of SUmmer intensive Hebrew to cram my second semester's worth of Hebrew, and then after that, two weeks of Intensive New Testament's Survey and then a year's worth of Greek after that...

But for now, I'm reading what I like: Apologetics!

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY SUNDAY SCHOOL: OBJECTIONS TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

Mon, 05 May 2008 02:31:17 GMT

This was for Church Systematic Theology Sunday school some time ago, thought I share this with you:

PART III: OBJECTIONS TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

I. INTRODUCTION: There are people who might object to systematic theology or the construction of a theological system. This is a survey of possible objections.

a. Objective: Demonstrate that the objection is either internally problematic or problematic in light of what Scripture teaches.

II. Skepticism

a. Objection stated: “We can not know any true Christian doctrine.”

b. Responses

i. Christians can know things about God and Jesus Christ

1. Otherwise, why would the Scripture say, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2Peter 1:2)?

2. The Bible recognizes that there are things that are not known by the Christian but there are also spiritual truths that can be known because they are revealed by God:

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)

SUMMARY: Systematic Theology is possible because God reveals Himself in the Bible.

ii. The epistemic tension within skepticism

1. Does the skeptic know that true Christian doctrine can not be known?

a. If so, how does he know that?

i. Did he know it because it is somehow illogical to know God?

1. How does he know that logic as he knows it would apply in the realm of theology, which for the skeptic is an unknowable realm?[1]

ii. If he does not know, then his objection is meaningless.

1. This would amount to the skeptic saying that he does not know if Christian doctrine can be known or not. If he does not know, he does not know.

SUMMARY: Skepticism knows too much or too little for its own good.

III. Post-Modernism’s Anti-‘System’

a. Objection stated: There is not and/or we should not develop a system of theology.

b. System defined: A group of doctrines that are interconnected and/or interdependent. In other words, the set of doctrines share a relationship.

c. Fragmentation as a key characteristics of Post-Modernism

i. There is a philosophical undercurrent that is popular with the mainstream culture which believes there is no unity or continuity of ideas.[2]

ii. Those who engage in Post-Modern philosophy or theology are thus highly susceptible to embrace the contradicting or the irrational.

1. For a response to this, see the portion below on Irrationalism.

iii. Often, this type of objection cast suspicion on all theological systems (as defined above) as being nothing more than man-made.

d. Response

i. The teaching about God is Systematic in God’s mind and not Man-made

1. God knows everything about himself and everything else

a. “God, therefore, has a ‘systematic’ knowledge of himself and of the world, since He knows His own plan exhaustively and since the world perfectly conforms to that plan.”[3]

i. See Job 37:16, 1John 3:20

b. Note: This is the foundation of Systematic Theology: All doctrines exist in the mind of God, and we would expect doctrines to ‘fit’:

i. These doctrines are internally coherent and not contradictory

1. All knowledge (including the laws of logic) is in Christ (Colossians 2:3) and He is not a God of disorder (1Corinthians 14:33)

ii. These thoughts have a relation of dependence with one another

1. Example: Doctrine of Justification presupposes the Justness of God, Christ propitiation of His righteousness presupposes Original Sin (Roman 5:15), etc

IV. Irrationalism

a. Objection stated: Christianity must embrace the irrational since it is in essence irrational and we must therefore reject systematic theology.

b. Response

i. Christianity is not irrational

1. In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” (Colossians 2:3-4)

2. Christians are not to embrace the irrational since it is foolish but seek wisdom instead.

a. “Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.” (Proverbs 10:14)

ii. Irrational theologies is self-refuting

1. If it is irrational, there is no need for the opposition to refute these types of theology. They are self-refuting.

a. Just pinpoint how their theologies internally negate one another.[4]

2. If it is irrational, then there is no point to accept their theology anyways or to talk to this fool.

a. “Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.” (Proverbs 23:9)

3. If it is alright to be irrational, and there is an attempt on their part to show systematic theology is irrational, they failed in rationally trying to make a case to reject rational systematic theology.

a. In essence, it’s an inconsistent, self-refuting, double standard affair.

V. Pragmatism

a. Objection stated: Systematic Theology is not useful or practical.

b. Response

i. Christianity is doctrinal

1. “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1Timothy 4:16)

ii. Doctrines have value by itself even without practical usefulness

a. “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

b. “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23)

iii. Christianity’s doctrines leads to practical living

1. Ideas have consequences

a. What you believe about reality will impact how you live in reality.

i. Example: Belief in global warming v.s contrary belief, AIDS is spread by talking vs. AIDS is spread by blood, etc

2. Likewise, doctrines have consequences in daily life

a. For example: Be self-controlled since the end is near (1Peter 4:7); Do not be sexually immoral because of God’s omnipresence (Proverbs 5:20-21)

iv. Pragmatism Problem[5]

1. How does one know what is useful?

a. Discussion of this is a discussion of values

i. Who’s value shall we use, the Bible’s, the culture’s, etc?

1. Not to answer these questions or to be agnostic about values would be very impractical in daily living

VI. Pride

a. Objection stated: Systematic Theology leads to pride.

b. Sin of intellectual elitism is real.

i. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1Chorinthians 8:1b)

c. Systematic Theology itself is not to be blamed, but the sinner is.

i. Analogy: You can not blame your robbery of a classmate on him just because he’s rich.

d. Pride: How we should not study theology

i. Repent, lest you be disgrace

1. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”(Proverbs 11:3)

ii. In session five, we will cover how Christians ought to study theology with their character.

[1] For a more thorough presenetation about the problem of the skeptic’s argument in relation to his finite basis for logic, consult with my mp3 audio lecture, “Finite Logic & The Fallacy Of Generalization”. This is an example of Presuppositional Apologetics applied.

[2] For a popular Christian discussion on this topic of the Age of Fragmentation, consult the following work:

Francis A. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? (Wheaton, Crossway Books)

Christianity is the only worldview that can reconcile the problem of discontinuity and unity through the doctrine of the Trinity. The best concise summary I found for this argument can be found in:

John Frame, Apologetics To The Glory Of God: An Introduction (Phillipsburg, Presbyterian and Reformed), 46-50.

[3] John Frame, “The Problem of Theological Paradox” in Foundations Of Christian Scholarship (Vallecito, Ross House Books), 300.

[4] For an example of this in action, see http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:kHUk4iP3fGoJ:triablogue.blogspot.com/2007/12/half-baked-science-meets-half-baked.html+anti-systematic+theology&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

[5] A good work refuting Pragmaticism is:

Greg Bahnsen, “Pragmatism, Prejudice, and Presuppositionalism” in Foundations Of Christian Scholarship (Vallecito, Ross House Books).

MIRACLE MARINE MERLIN, DIES...

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:02:00 GMT

Sgt. Merling German, a US Marine who fought for life after suffering 97 percent burns to his body from Iraq, has just died...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_re_us/obit_german

One tough Marine...

For a 22 year old to go though so much...

His website and his charity effort to help other burned Marines still remain: http://merlinsmiracles.com/index.html

THE BIG CRUNCH, and a little bit of news...

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:15:21 GMT

Here and there lately I've been remembering to pray for our military in Iraq and Afghanistan...
I know some of you guys are reading this Xanga from deployed combat zones, right now, especially you simon, know that I'm praying for your unit's safety as well...

I've been following the news alot more closely concerning Afghanistan lately...for those who wanted to know, the Marines have kicked in their Summer offense already...

But of course, I'm in school in America, safe and sound in my bed...and laptop doing school work.

Crammed with so much School work...last minutes things...This is the big crunch...I have a nearly impossible task of starting a 10 page paper on Soverignty and Prayer, and developing a 15 weeks curriculum on Prayer as part of my project. And I also have to remember to finalize my Church ministry project and turn that in!

PREACHING MARATHON...

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:05:38 GMT

Friday, I preached at a Praise Night
It was bigger than I expected, not that the number matters

I enjoy being able to preach the gospel, and I was so worried the entire time yesterday in fear about how it would go

It's about God, God is good, Way to Go JESUS!

Tonight I'm preaching for our church's youth group...
Tommorow is Sunday school, which I need to prepare for...

DON'T CRY: HOW MUCH DO YOU TREASURE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:55:32 GMT

Watch this Youtube Clip with tissues at hand, and see this boy's expression with the suprise of seeing his father return from Iraq:

Bear with me as I go on a tangent and tying this video clip in as an illustration

I have been sadden lately with what I know behind the scene of grievous sins of a Christian leader and a recent trouble at this guy's church
It leaves me wondering of what JESUS would say to this well known leader on the last day: Will the LORD say "Well done my faithful servant!" or something else?

I don't want to go through details, I don't want this xanga to be discouraging but rather to encourage, but I want you to know what's in my heart and I love this guy so much, he's been so important to me when I was a younger Christian in the Lord...

This video was encouraging for me today in light of what's going on in my saddened heart and mind...

Watching this youtube clip makes me think about God the Father and our relations to HIM;

Do we desire and love Him so much that WE WANT HIM MORE THAN ALL THINGS?WILL WE RUN TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AT JUST THE FEW GLIMPSES OF HIM IN OUR LIVES?

DO WE DESIRE TO ONE DAY BE WITH HIM IN ETERNITY WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER?

Of course, all this might seem boring and over dramatic to you if you do not FIRST KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE. And God has shown the GREATEST LOVE BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON FOR OUR SINS.

This video is heart breaking, but what a thing we can learn. Is our faith Child-like enough that we run to HIM like this kid in the video? Will our faith be genuine enough that others be moved by the Spirit into tears knowing something amazing when you run to God like this little boy?

Something so simple can be so profound: This is a lesson for me to never forget God's love and to focus on GOD even in the ministry, other wise I can fall into seeking hero worship and pride and falling away...

And of course, this requires that God's love change my life to love HIM and be transformed to RECIEVE HIS LOVE...PRAY YOUR HEARTS OUT THAT HE WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE!

MARINES THIS PAST WEEKEND

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:02:12 GMT

Been gone for a bit!

Had the Marines this weekend...Visited another unit, and got to meet a Marine who I first met five years ago in Iraq...

I've been in 5 years, 11 months...one more month and then that's it...Next month...

I've talked to Nathan, my best friend from high school who's my right hand man for everything (Ministry, etc), and I think I'm going to miss it alot when I finally check out of the Marines...

THE CHRISTIAN WAR WITHIN THE MIND

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:47:08 GMT

Hey there people, God's grace through the Believers on Xanga can save people's lives from certain death...
I've since put on protected a previous entry, but if you were following this weekend, God is good! He answered the prayers of the saints on xanga...

That is a big reason why I think I will remain on Xanga for a while...

It got me thinking in light of Xanga this Saturday,
So much of what we do, what we say, and the Sinful behavior displayed is evidence of what goes on within our hearts and mind
The root of so much problem begins with bad thoughts, whether its a lifestyle of sin or whether it is suicidal thoughts...

In some sense Christianity is intellectual (not necessarily about abstract things like how many dimension is reality, but in the sense it INVOLVES the thought life and our thinking), and the solution to our problems require an ACTIVE relationship with Christ in our hearts, soul and MIND

Our communion with Him is the GRACE and POWER we need, and more times than not our struggles need the solution of His Grace to change how we think and perceive God, ourselves and the world around us...

I like this text from Philippians 4:8. The text states,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

May God be the central focus in your life, and may things that are noble, right and lovely occupy your mind...

But you might say its impossible, that you can't, that its too hard, that your mind is filled with clutter, purposeless TV has dazed you, sin has damaged you...I feel the same, but that is WHERE THE GRACE OF GOD COME IN,

Therefore ask HIM through prayers for Him to transform your mind, DIVE DEEP in the WORD OF GOD brothers and sisters, it can transform you...

Really, in Christ transformation is not about just physical acts of "thou shall do this" and "though shall not do that",

It is about GOD LIVING INSIDE YOU TO BE ABLE TO LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU

AMEN?