Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Whole Plan of God - Part 4 Warefare vs. Blueprint


Theological Worldview: Warfare vs. Blueprint

Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International.

The Warfare Worldview, which predominated the first 1500 years of the church's history is this:  God gave authority for ruling this planet to man when He created Adam and Eve.  That authority was usurped by Satan, when man sinned.  So, Satan is now the 'ruler' of this world.  1Jn5.19 says, "The whole world lies under the sway (influence) of the wicked one."  Therefore, the world is getting worse, not better.  Sin, sickness, selfishness, war, deterioration are all characteristics of a world run by the evil one.  Into this darkness comes the light.  The Kingdom of God is now advancing in the face of opposition and evil. (Matt. 11.12).  It's with this conflict in mind, that Jesus gave us kingdom authority.  "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."  This theological worldview saw the kingdoms in conflict, with the Kingdom of God advancing against darkness, sin and evil that permeates the world.  This also explains why we need the power of the Holy Spirit as we battle the ruler of this world.  
But, from about 1500 that began to shift.  In response to the philosophers of the Renaissance, a Blueprint Theological Worldview began to emerge.  Calvin, who was trained as a lawyer, began to stress the "sovereignty of God" over everything.  He writes in his 'Institutes' about Divine Providence. His argument goes like this:  God created everything, therefore He owns everything, and He governs everything He owns.  This might be a good philosophical argument that seems logical, but its not necessarily what the Bible says.  (We will deal with the "Sovereignty of God" in a later chapter).
This Blueprint Worldview ends up trying to explain and defend evil and catastrophies as "God's plan".  The 1900s, often referred to as the 'Century of War' saw 500,000,000 people killed in war and ethnic cleansing.  From that to the killing of 26 (20 children) in Newtown, CT, we are hard pressed to defend what everyone know is terrible and evil as the plan of God.  
This shift, influenced by philosophy, also represented a shift toward a knowledge based, doctrinal approach to Christianity.  One is trained for 'ministry' by studying and comprehending doctrines, rather than being transformed by contact with the Master.  One can now be a "theologian" and not be saved, or even believe the Bible is God's word.  These things ought not to be.  
I would like you to see this in light of the bigger picture.  That picture is the "Battle for Truth".  We saw the importance of truth in scriptures like Jn. 18.37, 1Tim. 3.15, and Zech. 8.3 that let us know that part of why Jesus came was to bear witness to the truth, and that the church He established in the pillar and ground of truth in the world today.  But, there are also a number of other scriptures that warn us to watch out for deception.  2Cor. 11.13-15 says, "For such are false apostle, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostle of Christ.  And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness..."  We can understand then, the admonition in Eph. 6.11-12 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies."
There is a spiritual battle going on between God's truth and the deception of the enemy, and it has been through out history.  
In Daniel 10.10-21 we see two principalities actually named.  They stand against the purpose of God and His Kingdom.  They are called the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece.  I don't think this refers to human beings, as they fought against and hindered the messenger of God, and are opposed to His Kingdom plans.  I think these represent two principalities that are part of the 'rulers of the darkness'.   What are they?  I think the Prince of Persia represent Religion and the Prince of Greece represents Philosophy.  I will explain why I think this.  When Daniel was written Israel was captive in Babylon.  This was for a period of 70 years, which scholars tell us, was from about 600 - 530 B.C.  In this time frame every major religion, except one, was established or written down.  While God's people were held captive, something was happening in the heavenlies.  Both Buddism and Confucianism we established at this time.  Hinduism and Shitoism, which were older, were codified in this time frame.  Islam is the one that came later, around 600 A.D., but is from a visit by an 'angel' in Persia.  Religion is a counterfeit that fights against the truth of the Kingdom, and is something that Jesus hated. In Jn. 8.44  Jesus, speaking to the religious pharisees, says, " You are of your father, the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The Prince of Greece, which was to come after this period, represents Philosophy.  We have seen that the Renaissance was a return to pre-christian greek philosophy.  Col. 2.4,8 says, "Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words... Beware lest anyone cheat you (take you captive) through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."  This greek philosophy became the foundation to much of western culture. Our scientific worldview goes back to Aristotle.  The belief that man is master of his own destiny and is basically good, flies in the face of Biblical truth. This emphasis of philosophy eventually led to the philosophy of evolution, that removes God from the picture altogether.  I think that there is a demonic principality behind both Religion and Philosophy and are set against the truth of the Kingdom of God.
The conclusion is this; Religion led to a external, rules oriented "Christianity" that says man can better himself through self-effort, and Philosophy led to a knowledge based "Christianity" rather than the heart transformation that comes from a relationship based Christianity.  
A friend of mine was raised in a church, where you got 'saved' by going through a class of doctrines and beliefs, and, if you passed, you could then join the church, and you were 'saved'.  Theology has become more about doctrine and knowledge, that can be tested at Seminary, than about relationship with the King, and submission to His Lordship.  I hope you are getting a revelation of why we must fight for the truth and authority of the Word of God.  Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  There is an enemy that doesn't want people to be free, and whose weapons are deception, distortion, and counterfeit.  Jesus in the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him.  

Thursday, June 13, 2013


The Whole Plan of God pt 3
Living by Hearing God's Voice



Russ and Mary Doty are based in Denver, where they serve on the eldership of Redemption City Church as well as the Ephesians 4 Team of New Covenant Ministries International. 


Since the restoration of God's original plan was a progressive revelation, we see that the O.T. points toward the N. T.  For example, the sacrificial system points toward the cross and Jesus' sacrificial death for our sins.  The tabernacle points toward relationship and the presence of God.  We see the curtain in the temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where God's presence dwelt, torn in two from the top to the bottom.  God Himself tore it, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, and making the way for us to come into His presence.  In the same way, possessing the land points toward the Kingdom.  Rom. 15.4 tells us that the things written before are for our benefit.  Jesus says in Matt. 5. 17-19, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."  In other words, the Old Testament still has much to teach us of God and His kingdom.  It was not a mistake that God made, that we should throw out.  We need a whole Bible theology; with that in mind turn with me to Deut. 8.1-3. "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers.  And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.  So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."  
This seems to say that God led the Israelites in the wilderness to "make them know" something that He considered incredibly important.  40 years to make them learn one thing really.  Man lives by hearing God's voice.  I think this points toward the Kingdom and lets us know that the Kingdom advances by hearing God's voice.  Not by human initiated good works.  Not by religious rules.  Not by planning and strategy, but by hearing God's voice.  Remember, partnership was His idea.  He has chosen to work with us, and through us.  This partnership was not man's idea.  God never intended us to do it on our own.  He always wanted us to walk with Him, to hear Him and work with Him.  He didn't expect us to have learned enough, or gained enough experience that we can do this kingdom thing on our own.  He always intended us to be dependent on Him.  
We see this same attitude in Jesus.  Jn. 5.19, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself (His own initiative), but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does the Son also does in like manner." 5.30, "I can of Myself do nothing..."  8.28, "...and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things."  12.49, "For I have not spoken on My own authority (initiative); but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command what I should say and what I should speak."  14.10, "The words that I speak to you I so not speak on My own authority (initiative)..."  Jesus didn't do what He did because He had a good plan, or because He studied well, but He walked in relationship with the Father.  He says of us, that "My sheep hear my voice..."
This seems to be such a key theme and emphasis of the Kingdom, yet is sadly lost in much of the church.  I grew up in a fundamental evangelical church, that taught that God has spoken in His word, the Bible.  If anyone said that they heard God's voice, we would look for the men in the white coats to come with strait jackets.  Yet, we would declare strongly that we were a "Bible believing" church.  In spite of believing the Bible, we had no place for the Holy Spirit, except as an academic doctrine of something experienced by the early church.  Don't talk of relationship; of hearing God's voice; of intimacy with the Living God.  Somehow much of the church has moved away from the relationship God intended to religious rules and self improvement.  How did we get there? How did the church go from relationship, epitomized by hearing God's voice, to a place of principles, doctrines and academia?  I am glad you asked.
From about 300 A.D. to about 1400 or 1500 A.D. the Catholic Church took on more and more authority in the culture, until the authority of the Pope and therefore the church became the strongest authority.  People who didn't toe the line were excommunicated and could not do business or even live.  This authority led to abuse (absolute power corrupts absolutely) even leading to the Inquisition.  The last few hundred years of this time period are call the Dark Ages.  About 1400 - 1500 we see a breaking away of this abusive authority.  In the north of Europe we have the Reformation; which was a returning to the authority of scripture.  This is epitomized by Martin Luther's stance when on trial.  "Show me from scripture... here I stand, I can do no other."  But, at the same time, in the south of Europe began what we now call the Renaissance.  Rather than a return to scripture this was a revival of classic philosophy.  The philosophy of Plato and Aristotle led to a scientific rationalism.  This wasn't an isolated thought here and there, but in a few years Neo-platonism permeated most of Europe.  In addition, the Moors captured North Africa and southern Spain, but their influence was very widespread.  They accept neo-platonism and made huge advances in math and science.  This philosophical worldview had such an influence that Thomas Aquinas attempts to make a rational appeal to Christianity, and begins, what latter came to be called Scholasticism.  Scholasticism was trying to reconcile Christian theology with philosophy, especially that of Aristotle and Neo-platonism. This trend has continued for 500 years.  While knowledge can be tested with an exam, relationship must bear fruit.  Colleges and Seminaries leaned more and more on teaching doctrines and theology, rather than producing disciples.  Christianity has come to be seen more as a system of doctrines and beliefs, than knowing Jesus and walking with Him.  This also brought about a major theological worldview shift.  That shift was from a Warfare Worldview to a Blueprint Worldview.