Question #1:
Dear Robert,
In Leviticus it states if your neighbour sins, you are to rebuke him. If
you don't you take part in his sin. This translation is consistent with
other scriptures which say believers are obliged to warn others.
How do we know when to apply this?
For example the workplace when someone does something that isn't honest,
or you feel it is wrong. Failure to rebuke can this cost someone a
reward in heaven?
Another question in 1 Corinthians 3 the works that receive a rewards are
the works, that have been the fruit of faith? Is it the quality of these
works that count or quantity or both? The parable of the virgins, the
foolish virgins oil which wasn't full, what does their oil represent?
Yours
Response #1:
Well, for one thing, we are no longer under the Law. Secondly, the Law
is meant for believers and for their relationships with other believers
(for the most part; it usually specifies when an non-Israelite is
meant), so it's unlikely that someone engaging in criminal behavior at
work would be a believer (though not impossible) – but in that case it
certainly shouldn’t be someone you have any contact with (1Cor.5:9-11;
2Thes.3:14).
The bigger question it seems to me is whether or not what we see being
done rises to the level of needing to report it to authorities. This is
"a judgment call" and requires the application of many principles of
scripture. As I always try to point out when it comes to applying the
truth, we are responsible to apply it all, not just one verse, and it
requires the help of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and a prior level of
spiritual maturity to be able to get to the point of being "good" at
this (see the link:
"Spiritual Discernment"). So I'm not able to make a rule. A lot
depends on where WE are at in spiritual terms as much as it does
evaluating the behavior of others.
In terms of losing reward, we are rewarded for all the things we do
which rate a reward; the only way to lose reward is to lose salvation.
What "doing wrong" in this life does do is to crimp our spiritual growth
and slow down any decent production we are having, so in that sense
anything wrong impedes and lessens reward we might have otherwise
earned. Anything not done in the Spirit is burned up at the judgment
seat of Christ (1Cor.3:12-15). Quality and quantity both count, but we
can't be the judge of that in detail now. Only the Lord knows for
certain. As even Paul said,
For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1st Corinthians 4:4-5 NKJV
In the parable of the ten virgins, the oil represents faith; the five who run out are representative of believers who apostatize during the Tribulation; the ones with sufficient oil persevere until our Lord's return (here's a link on that). It is sobering to realize that only one third of believers will make it through the Tribulation to be resurrected alive at the Lord’s return, with another third being martyred but the remaining third falling away in the Great Apostasy (2Thes.2:3; cf. Matt.24:12-13).
“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8 NIV
All the more reason to make the most of the time still remaining to be
as spiritually prepared as we can be for what is coming soon.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
So because I did lots of bad things in the past, and wasted years, even
though I may be bringing forth fruit now, I can't get as good a reward
as I could have? I don't see anything from Paul's words which say that.
I see Paul talking about the quality of the work, not the quantity. The
thief on the cross did have much fruit, but what he did have was quality
as he witnessed to the sinless nature of Christ, his power to forgive
his sins and as a result his Deity. He packed a lot in a few hours.
Is it not in the power of God, to increase a person's productivity? Did
God say to Israel he would restore all that had been lost by the locusts
in the harvest? Can't God throw opportunities in front of a believer?
More than they would have?
Thanks
Response #2:
I sure wouldn't look at it that way! Our Lord tells us that whatever we
do right, even giving a cup of cold water to a fellow believer, will not
fail to get its reward (Matt.10:42). So as long as we are still on this
earth, all of our spiritual growth, progress and production will be
rewarded – just as long as we persevere in faith until the end (link:
The Judgment and Reward of the Church). We have the right and
the opportunity to keep making deposits to our heavenly thesaurus every
day!
Of course none of us is perfect. The apostle Paul is likely to be the
most highly rewarded believer in eternity (certainly top ten), but even
he did things in his past that he rightly regretted, things which, if
instead he had been following the Lord perfectly from the beginning,
would doubtless be replaced by even greater reward. But he never looked
back. Instead he was pushing forward towards the goal and trying to make
the very best of every day that is/was left. And so should we. Here are
his words.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-15 NIV
Keep fighting the fight today as long as it is called today, my friend –
you'll never regret it!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Doc, I have to be blunt with you, and I mean no ill will or insult when
I say this:
From everything I've read on your site and what you've said to me, you
seem to have this visceral denial of, and in fact seem to not be able to
fathom the idea that I just genuinely, truly am unconvinced of some of
the things you preach, no matter how you argue them, they just sincerely
make no sense to me from my own experiences and everything we can
observe in the world. Once again I may be misunderstanding like I have a
tendency to do with things you say that surprise me, but why does it
seem this way?
Response #3:
It would be almost impossible for any believer to find a ministry with
which they agree 100% of the time right from the beginning, even if that
ministry were 100% right about everything – and perhaps especially so.
Because believers come to even good ministries with baggage and kinks
and it takes time for these to be worked out. Believers with true
humility are willing to let themselves be changed by the truth and by
the Holy Spirit. And if they are willing to seek, they will be led to a
good ministry eventually if not immediately (God does test us to see if
we really are willing). I truly believe that Ichthys is just such a good
place – but it is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. What I recommend
for everyone who wants to grow is to find a place where the truth is
being taught, one they can tolerate, and then "go with the program".
Finding such places is rare, however, and it is an occupational hazard
for believers in this Laodicean age to seek out instead places where
they are told what they want to believe.
It's all about humility and willingness to learn.
For those who are trying but having a hard time at times with certain
teachings, I also usually mention what my old pastor suggested: don't
let a few bones ruin your meal of fish; put aside the bones and get on
with the "meat" so as not to waste your time and stunt your growth by
making an issue of minor things.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
[omitted]
Hey I was hoping to ask you one more quick thing: Is it possible the 2,000 years
start when the last apostle died, or when the Temple was destroyed again?
The first one actually makes some sense to me because it was a miraculous
period, so maybe it fits as part of the conjunction of the ages?
Response #4:
OK, thanks for the update. Here's hoping you can stay ahead of the game!
As to your question, those two are both seminal dates, for sure. We don't know
precisely when John, the last of the apostles, died (I have suggested 68 A.D.).
That would also sync very closely with the completion of the canon (we don't
know how long he lived after completing Revelation). We do know that the temple
was destroyed in 70 A.D. That was the definitive end of the temple rites being
abused by legalistic unbelievers (and leading believers astray as well:
the book of Hebrews; link). However, as
important as these events were, they do not even go down in the balance with the
cross and the resurrection. So I will stick with the sacrifice and raising of
our Lord Jesus Christ as being the pivot point of God's entire plan – since He
IS the plan, the logos, the Word of God incarnate (Col.1:25 in the Greek
where logos = the plan of God [not so clear in most versions]).
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Dr Luginbill,
I often hear the rapture event, described in 1 Thess 4:16-17, referred
to as the “Blessed hope”. Even my pastor has stated such. I disagree. I
think the “blessed hope” is the appearing of Jesus Christ. And I do not
think this is a distinction without a difference!
The only occurrence of the term “blessed hope” occurs in Titus 2:13
NASB 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of [b]our
great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14
It looks like to me that
ESV 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our
great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
NIV 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of
our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
In the NASB, the word “and” separates “the blessed hope” from “the
appearing of the glory…”. In the ESV and NIV, the “and” is left out. To
me, the ESV and NIV make it clear that the “blessed hope” is “the
appearing of the glory of our great God…”.
However, the NASB inserts the “and”, which means someone could argue
that the “blessed hope” is something else (like the rapture event) –
something different from “the appearing of the glory of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ.”
I don’t read Biblical languages and only know enough about translation
to know that hanging a theological point on a single conjunction not
used in all translations is likely a foolish thing to do.
Is the NASB saying the same thing as the other translations? What does
the original text actually say?
Thank you for your input!
Response #5:
When you say "rapture event", what evangelical pastors usually mean by that is some pre-Tribulation resurrection . . . which of course is not in the Bible. All a person needs to do is to read Matthew 24 carefully to see that.
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV
The trumpet here is the same trumpet as in 1st Thessalonians 4:16 so
that Paul is definitely not speaking of any resurrection before the
return of Christ. There is none.
As to what "the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ" means precisely, one thing we can say for certain
is that they do go together. As believers, we most certainly are looking
forward to being with Jesus forever (1Thes.4:17), and that is only
possible in resurrection (1Cor.15:50). As believers, our hope, what we
confidently look forward to, is eternal life.
Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope.
Romans 8:23-24a NKJV
So I would agree with you that to the extent that "hope" is meaning
"rapture" before the Tribulation so as to escape it, that hope is vain.
We who believe the Bible are looking forward to all the glories of our
eternal existence with Jesus Christ in New Jerusalem (Heb.11:10;
2Pet.3:13-14). But everything must happen in its proper order
(1Cor.15:23-24). And there is no resurrection prior to the Tribulation,
period. See the link:
"No Rapture"
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Hi Bob,
I'm very pleased to hear of your victory!....God is certainly good to
honor our request, and we are thankful that He did it without more
troubles to endure, to make a sustainable way for you going forward. Not
sure what was at stake, but we know that God is a rewarder to all who
diligently seek Him. When we ask, seek, and knock to have things open
up....you have received a good gift from Him. So, it's another "yeah"!
situation....I'm grateful that He came through for you just in time!
Got some good news yesterday. Test results came back good. Hopefully ___
will be out of the woods, and she can deal with better things than
fighting cancer. Thank you for being in this fight ....God has delivered
her....again!...more answered prayers!
My eye infection healed up good, but I haven't seen the dermatologist
Dr. yet. Hope I will get a good game plan to get some relief....it is
pretty miserable....but I'm OK dealing with it. For now, His grace is
sufficient to help me, so I am not too anxious about this....He brings
me peace regardless (Phil. 4:6-7). Like I mentioned to you before,
others are suffering far worse, so in that context my issue(s) are just
small potatoes....really small. Those other chronic pain issues are
ongoing, but manageable. I still get around really well, so it doesn't
hold me back (much). God has blessed me immensely.....so, yeah!...again!
Have a great rest of your summer, before getting back in the saddle at
the university, Bob!
In Jesus,
Response #6:
Thanks!
Glad to hear you've had some good news – and also that you are humbly
appreciative of the Lord even in those things where the news is not yet as good
as desired. That is genuine faith, and it is an encouragement for me to hear of
your faithfulness in all things.
I'm keeping you guys in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Yes siree, Bob! Thanks again for your continuing prayers. Another day
closer....a lot to look forward to....the best news ever.
Very nice weather here (76 degrees, 48% humidity)....good fare too....yellow
plums are ripe, and the blackberries are coming on too. I appreciate that we've
been spared from what some others on the globe are dealing with, whether the
weather report is clouded or not (the pictures are horrific). No need to get
into a climate change debate (some need rain, some need no rain).
Sufficient are the days for trouble (fill in the blanks.....). We just need to
keep seeking His Kingdom....Life has a lot more to offer.....a lot more than the
weather, whether one wants to believe it or not.....better days lie just over
the horizon, so "keep on the sunny side" of Life. The Son again will shine
bright and clear!...to those that love His appearing.( 2 Tim. 4:8; Isaiah 60:1).
Have a good evening, Bob! Keeping you in prayer....let me know of any special
request(s).
In Jesus,
Response #7:
I'll take your 76 / 48 over our present 98 / 69.
I heard that this is the hottest summer in 40,000 years. Still looking
for those records from 23,497 B.C.
Thanks for your great attitude, my friend!
Keeping you two and your health in my daily prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hi Bob,
Whew...98! Please stay indoors, and keep hydrated, Bob! (my hot weather tip for
the current day). As far as I can tell records seem to always be broken (whether
it's true or not?).....Finding broken records can be tough...and dates can be
pretty amusing....but it's fun to laugh at some seriously funny stuff that the
newbies are so serious about reporting.
History is a fun subject ...but, it can be a hot weather topic too...did those
angels have an archive of records dating back that far? I can forecast that they
would be the only ones who would be keeping and storing such records? That paper
must have been very durable, especially without any deacidification
treatment...... that would be quite remarkable (absent microfiche records at the
time, I suppose).
But I'm not privy to a lot of stuff, so I'll just have to put it into my "error
not found" file. That's my hot idea anyway, for what it's worth.....unless I get
to be privy to some of the newbie's record keeping. For the record, I'm a
skeptic on just about everything, except the Bible, which I find to be the most
reliable record of it all. There is plenty of evidence to sort it all out, but
the newby scientists don't like to admit there is a God, Who knows a lot more
than they do. Pride comes before a fall, and anti-gravity won't keep them from
falling into a "bad place".
I'm just biding my time (if I'm still alive here), waiting for that perfect
weather that is forecasted to come in a (hopefully fast feeling) 10 years. And
anti-gravity will be in full display. I'd much rather be caught-up than
free-falling, on that "Day".
I sure hope that the weather in your neck of the woods cools down to a more
comfortable range.
Have a good evening, Bob!
in Jesus,
Response #8:
Thanks!
Skepticism about everything except scripture is just the absence of insanity.
We do know there is some very durable paper in heaven – since our names are
written in the book of life. That's the important record (temperature being
meaningless by comparison).
Great perspective! In ten years the weather WILL be perfect. Of course, we'll
have perfect bodies that won't mind anyway.
"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17 NIV
Looking forward to that anti-gravity too! Right now for me, gravity is winning
I'm afraid.
Hope you get to feeling better soon as well, my friend! Keeping you guys in my
prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Hi Robert,
Thank you for remembering me and sending your latest installment.
I’m OK and watching eagerly about Israel situation how wonderfully stage
is being prepared for our Christ’s second coming.
Blessings
Response #9:
My pleasure, my friend.
It is indeed interesting to watch these current events. One can easily
see how quickly things could be stirred up in the Middle East into the
events the Bible describes. We believers need to stay alert and need not
get upset since we know this is all in accord with the plan of God (as
indeed everything is).
Keeping your health concerns in prayer.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Pastor Bob,
After reading your emails tonight I just wanted to let you know I’m
still with you. I have never written you with a question. Every time I
have a question I find the answer somewhere on your site. I Googled the
word Satanic back in 2008 and your Satanic Rebellion series came up as
one the first few search returns. Your work has changed my life. My
spiritual growth took off when I decided to have you as my teacher.
Thank God for leading me to you.
Response #10:
Thanks so much for this!
You definitely made my day. You have stuck with this ministry for a long time,
that is for sure!
I appreciate you, my friend.
Keep fighting the good fight of faith.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Dr L,
1) I was reading on ICHTHYS and want to make sure I understand. All of
us humans are spiritually dead before Faith. The Lord died spiritually
while alive (similar to how we previously are spiritually dead yet
physically alive?), but for Him the spiritual death was different (?).
2) And when He went down to the earth those nights/days He had already
won and was proclaiming victory, and then leading believers to heaven
(maybe not even actually entering it, just opening the passage or door),
before He was resurrected from heaven back to the physical body. (And
then later went to heaven to be seated). Is that right?
Respectfully,
Response #11:
1) the Bible doesn't use the term "spiritual death"; it just says
"death" for both of these things . . . and also for other things as
well, like physical death and eternal death (although that one is
sometimes called the second death). When I use the term "spiritual
death" to refer to our Lord, it's speaking of His being judged for our
sins in the darkness. This involved unknowable pain as He suffered for
the sins of the world. That is surely one reason why the Bible calls it
"death" (e.g., Heb.2:9; and “deaths” plural in Isaiah 53:9 for
emphasis), namely, because there is no other word/concept as powerful in
human understanding.
There is also, as you understand, the issue of separation. That is the
common point between our Lord's death and our positional death of
separation from God on account of sin. We inherit ours and it does not
incur the pain of judgment – because all of the judgment was reserved
for Jesus Christ (Rom.3:25). Hallelujah! That is how/why we are saved.
It may be a bit confusing to use the term “spiritual death”, but not
distinguishing at all would be even more confusing, I think (I did not
invent this term, but have always used it and sought to explain it when
writing about it or when asked about it as I'm doing now). Main links:
"The Spiritual Death of Christ";
"Spiritual Death" (of the human race).
2) The sequence is: a) three days in Hades/Paradise (wherein the
"victorious proclamation": 1Pet.3:19); b) the resurrection (then 40 days
on earth before ascending: Acts 1:3); c) the ascension to heaven – this
is when He lead the previously deceased believers from Paradise to the
third heaven (leading "captivity captive": Eph.4:8); d) His session and
glorification (Ps.110:1). This is all laid out in order at the link in
BB 4A: Christology, starting at
"The Descent of our Lord into Paradise" and proceeding in the order
listed here.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #12:
Hi Bob,
In the middle of a discussion about Abraham's bosom with some friends
from college.
Relevant bit:
Me: Let me put it this way. Satan's role pre-fall was warding away evil
from the presence of God. He was replaced with the four Cherubim who now
serve the same function. As shorthand, we say "sin cannot be in the
Presence of the Father". Before the ascension, even though the believers
still had fellowship with God, they were not in the presence of the
Father because the blood debt had not yet been paid. Only once it was
paid on the cross can all those who have been covered in the blood of
Christ stand directly before the Father, justified through this blood.
Not before then. If we were to rank things, I would say:
1. New heavens and new earth once all evil has been cast into the lake
of fire -- final resurrection in eternity
2. Being in the presence of the Father in the third heaven (the state of
believers post-ascension, cf. Ephesians 4)
3. Abraham's bosom (the state of believers pre-ascension)
4. The experience of believers in this broken, fallen world, who though
still marred by sin, have fellowship with God through the indwelling and
sealing of the Holy Spirit after salvation
Only in (1) and (2) are believers directly "in the presence of the
Father". And that state of affairs was only possible post-ascension.
One of my friends: “If no one prior to Jesus' death could enter the
presence of God, how were the high priests able to enter in before God
in the Holy of Holies in Solomon's temple? Would you say that the temple
was only filled by the Holy Spirit? And how would entering into the
presence of God the Holy Spirit differ positionally than entering into
the presence of God the Father in that instance?”
I came across this section on Ichthys discussing the tabernacle and its
symbolism, including the Holy of Holies. On first inspection, I didn't
see anything hitting this specific question head-on, although maybe I
missed something.
Was the Father's presence in the Holy of Holies (and the Ark generally)?
Was it a form of Christophany?
In Him,
Response #12:
This is a question I often get in various forms. God is holy. How can anything or anyone who/which is not stand in His presence?
“Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5b NKJV
On the other hand, Moses was standing in the presence of
the burning bush, speaking to the Lord Jesus representing the Father (Christophany),
the bush which burned but was not consumed being a vivid symbol of His
burning for the sins of the world. And yet Moses was not consumed.
Neither was Paul when he was taken up to the third heaven. Neither was
John in Revelation. Neither was Isaiah when he saw the Lord in his
vision. And Satan along with his angels will not be ejected from heaven
until the middle of the Tribulation (he is still appearing there to
accuse us: Rev.12:10). We know from the book of Job that the devil
attends assemblies before the Lord and even speaks with the Lord. We
know that he accuses us before the Lord all the time. On top of all
that, God is omnipresent. His absence from the world is only apparent
inasmuch as He cannot fail to be everywhere at all times.
Based upon the above, I think it is fair to say that the separation of
the Father from the corrupt and only partially restored world is
symbolic and instructional (along the lines of the purpose of the Law,
namely, to teach holiness). This regime of separation lets the devil and
everyone else know where things stand. God can do whatever He wants, but
He found it best not to allow departed believers into the third heaven
until after the victory of the cross was accomplished and completed.
Similarly, while the Spirit was poured out on a number of prominent Old
Testament believers, the Spirit was "not yet given, because Jesus was
not yet glorified" (Jn.7:39 NKJV). Again, it seemed best to the Father
to await the confirmation of the victory before beginning to divide the
spoils of victory (of which the gift of the Spirit is an important
part). Like the Law, where physical separation from things deemed unholy
could never be carried out with absolute perfection and always had a
deeper spiritual meaning, likewise in our case of actual creatures with
the image of God functioning in the plan of God, the symbolism and the
deeper meaning of separation is what is at issue, not some principle of
physics like gravity which cannot be violated. We learn from the
separation about God's holiness and our sinfulness and the plan He has
decreed which resolves that otherwise irresolvable problem in Jesus
Christ. Only through Him and His sacrifice could we ever hope to be with
God for all eternity.
Thought about this way, I don't have any problems with what scripture
teaches on these issues or with situations which might on first glance
seem to contradict some basic principle (as in your friend’s question).
God's holiness cannot be compromised, and in fact it never is and never
has been. That is the only real issue for anyone who wants to nay say.
A word about methodology. As Bible teachers, we search the scriptures to
find out what they say and what they mean. When we discover that, we
teach it. We teach the truth about all things biblical even if they
don't fit nicely into some folks theological systems. When confronted
with "apparent contradictions", 1) we remind people of the truth from
scripture; 2) we do our best to explain, to the best of our
understanding, how that the contradictions are only apparent; 3) we
never doubt what the scripture actually teaches, even if at the moment
we are at a bit of a loss on #2, confident that if we stick with what we
know is the case from the Bible, all questions will eventually be
answered and all apparent contradictions resolved; 4) and we never ever
try to build some theological system to account for the doubts of others
– let alone try to derive truth from constructed
theological systems (as most historical theologies and denominations
have been wont to do – which is what led them away from the
truth).
Hope this helps – and hope you are doing well!
Just had an article accepted for publication, so thanks much for the
prayers! Keeping you in mine daily as well, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Professor Luginbill,
While I intend to reply to the questions that I've presented on John, I
wanted to ask something separately about the perfection of God's plan. A
couple years ago (sheesh, time flies), you wrote to me:
"The main point is the genius (for want of a better word) of God. The bigger and smarter one understands Him to be, the less all this seems problematic. We really DO have choices. The cross proves that . . . in spades. Think about it. What Jesus did in dying for the least sin of all humankind cost more than the entire universe and infinitely so – and He died for every single human sin of all time. Why? He had to do so, so that we could be saved. In other words, if choice were not so important, God wouldn't have had to resolve choice (which leads to sin) by means of the most expensive thing imaginable – and actually unimaginable, that is, the death of His One and only beloved Son. So we choose, alright. But if we hadn't been able to do so, we wouldn't be the truly free-willed individuals we are. The plan is perfect, and it required both sides: our free will un-coerced and God's payment in the highest possible coin for our bad choices to be paid for, namely, the blood of Jesus Christ (i.e., His spiritual death for us on the cross). He decreed what we would do and what He had to do . . . for us to be saved."
I think I understand the main import of what you're saying when you say,
"if choice were not so important, God wouldn't have had to resolve
choice...". Could you elaborate on that, though? Are you basically
saying that if choice was not there to begin with, there would be
nothing to resolve, but because we know that Adam and Eve were created
in the image of God and had free-will, and yet sinned, choice is
something that God values and so seeks to restore (through Christ)? So
are you basically saying, "if choice were not so important [to God], God
wouldn't have set it up so that he'd have to resolve choice in the way
that He did"? In other words, God would not have set up the ultimate
sacrifice by sending His Son if he didn't value genuine free-will and
choice?
Like, Adam and Eve had the free-will choice to obey or not obey God.
When the fall happened, without God restoring the ability to choose for
Him through Christ, we would be lost.
Please correct any of my understandings. As I've written this out,
though, I've been understanding it better, so I think/hope it makes
sense.
In Him,
Response #13:
I'm not sure I understand your question, so I'll say what I need to say
and you can volley back if it's not what you were asking.
Angels and human beings are created with the image of God. That image
contains the ability to choose. Animals don't have it, but we make moral
choices all the time. We even have the ability to say, think, declare,
act as if things which are true are not true, and vice versa. That
explains Satan's rebellion. That explains most of human history. But our
ability to choose also means that we can choose for the
truth, that we can choose to obey God instead of to
resist, reject, rebel against Him and His truth.
Adam and Eve had the image of God before and after the fall. That did
not change. It is inherent in every human spirit God creates within us
when we are born.
It is a fact, observable and provable from angelic and human history,
that the result of creating creatures with the most powerful thing in
the universe, free will, the image of God, the God-given ability to make
choices for or against the Sovereign of the world and against His truth,
is that some will use, misuse, that ability to choose for themselves
instead of for Him. This is insane – from the point of view of those of
us who have chosen for God in Jesus Christ – but it is a fact. One third
of the angels did it. The vast majority of mankind have done / are doing
/ will do it. And it is only possible to do it by putting His truth, His
Word, His Logos to death . . . in one's heart. One first has to declare
and make oneself believe that what He says is not true – otherwise Satan
would never have had the confidence to rebel nor would his followers
have had the confidence to follow. Otherwise human beings would never
dare to face death without being reconciled to Him. But for those who in
their heart of hearts don't wish to serve Him but serve themselves
instead, there is a mechanism by which they are allowed to delude
themselves: the hardening of the heart (see
the link).
All this goes to demonstrate that choice, free will, the decision for or
against God is the entire reason for angelic and human history in the
first place. God wants only willing worshipers, those willing to worship
Him as He desires, "in Spirit and in truth" (Jn.4:23); those who reject
the truth are rejecting Him. The only way to sort out the willing from
the unwilling was history, the plan of God; the only way for this all to
work out was if mankind fell and then was saved (the willing) to replace
the fallen angels who were unwilling (this is all fleshed out at the
link: The Satanic Rebellion
series; and also in BB 4B: Soteriology).
There can be no eternity where we with God's image are present unless we
had a choice; there could have been no choice without paying for it
(because sin given free will was inevitable). So the initiation of the
plan of God necessitated the cross: Jesus and His sacrifice are thus the
bedrock of creation by design. None of this was accidental. None of it
was optional. God is not / was not reacting to anything. This is
precisely the way He set things up – to His great glory. What a God we
have who did what He did for us in sacrificing His beloved Son that we
might not only be created but that we might have the image of God –
without which we would not "be who we are" at all. This is love writ as
large as it can be, written in the letters of the blood of Christ.
We should all take the above to heart and do our best not only to
survive this life with faith intact but to commit to gaining as much
ground spiritually as we can: that is the way to please and glorify our
dear Lord Jesus . . . as well as to win the greatest possible rewards
for ourselves.
In Him,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Dr. Luginbill,
Okay, I think what I'm asking is how can we show that we do in fact have
free-will and choose for God after the fall? Like, I think I (unfortunately)
might be wrestling with some calvinistic points about man essentially losing the
ability to choose for God after the fall (total depravity).
Response #14:
Well, you wrote me back – not being forced to do so.
Free will is obvious. What needs to be explained is hyper-Calvinism – which
makes no earthly sense to me and has to be accepted "on faith".
Question #15:
Actually, professor, I think I can answer it now. If God wanted to give us free-will, he certainly could so long as he paid for the sin, for without Christ there is no option to choose for God.
Response #15:
That is true. God could have created us without the image of God, but
then we would be like dogs and cats – not humans (or angels), not
anything like what we are. And, being creatures of free will, there were
going to be rebellions (angels) and there were going to be failures
(humans); only Christ could pay for the latter in order to heal up the
breach created by the former.
Since God is perfect in every way, this creation we are viewing and this
plan in which we are participating had to be the one and only perfect
plan – otherwise God would not be God. So because we know He is who and
what He is, we also know that this was the only way we could exist,
begin the “we” who we are, free will creatures who would choose for Him.
Otherwise, none of this would exist or be happening, God being who and
what He is.
And again, the cross is the litmus test. We consider how ineffably
amazing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was and is in dying for the sins
of the world, and we know for certain things would not have happened
that way if there were any other way . . . and we are astounded by the
infinite love of God the Father for us and the infinite love of His Son
in dying for us.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Dr. Luginbill,
Okay sorry, last quick question. I get that God values free-will so much
that He was willing to send Jesus to die on the cross, but my question
still kinda is, since God gave Adam and Eve free-will and then they
disobeyed, why couldn't He have just condemned them right there and
then? Is the point that He just really wants worshippers that want to be
with Him all to His glory, and so He gave up His Son to make that
possible (which also meant relenting from immediate judgment)?
In Jesus,
Response #16:
God did not have to create the universe in the first place. He was under no
obligation to do so. God could have created creatures without the image of God.
He was under no obligation to give any of us free will. But as the plan of God
which is actually in play makes clear, if creatures with free will, the image of
God, the right to choose to obey or not, were created, not all would use that
image/ability/freedom to choose for Him. Rather than not creating us (or making
us all dogs and cats), God chose to do the most remarkable thing: to create us
as we are knowing full well what would happen, knowing full well this would
require our Lord's sacrifice if we were to be saved.
It's important also to note that nothing in the plan of God is reactive, even if
it looks that way sometimes to finite human beings. God being God, nothing could
possibly surprise Him. The plan of divine decrees being what it is, absolutely
everything, the smallest event, the subatomic structure of the smallest atom at
the end of the universe tens of thousands of years ago or maybe much more, could
be unknown to Him before He created it all, before He set the perfect plan in
motion. Nothing is accidental; everything that happens has been decreed. So what
happened with the rebellion of Satan and the fall of man was not unanticipated;
in fact, it was all necessary in order to bring out but the perfect result: an
eternity of blessing in a perfect world wherein only those who had chosen with
the image of God to be with Him were present. That is the hope we look forward
to, namely, the resurrection, reward and New Jerusalem . . . with us being us
(and not being cats and dogs) enjoying each other and the fellowship of our
Father and our Savior face to face forever. The only way all that was possible
was through the carrying out of the perfect plan of God. And we must never
forget that it has all been bought and paid for with the blood of Christ. There
was no other way. If there were another way, Jesus would never have had to
suffer spiritual death in the darkness for the sins of the world, a price we
cannot even begin to imagine, eclipsing in its smallest part the entirety of all
human suffering in all of history. That is how much God loves us – that He did
that for us.
For God loved the world so much that He gave [up] His only Son [unto spiritual death], [with the purpose] that everyone who believes in Him should not be lost [forever], but have eternal life [instead].
John 3:16
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Professor,
Great, I understand it now. I also realized something about God’s plan and the
glory He receives. Without His Plan and human history, His glory is in no way
manifested, and for us to get to understand God’s nature and perfection is an
incredible blessing. So God’s plan really benefits us, and not Himself, because
He is sharing His glory with other creatures.
Response #17:
Very nice!
Yes indeed: God is sharing Himself with us at the greatest cost, and we
are the beneficiaries in every way. That is grace, God’s favor,
available and forthcoming to all whom He has created for His glory
(Is.43:7; for glory, see
the link) . . . except for those who refuse His grace.
"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another."
Isaiah 48:11 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
-Good Morning Professor Luginbill-
My quest for understanding the deep and eternal truths of Sacred Scripture
continues, recently into hermeneutics. When applying the concept of “authorial
intent” to interpreting the Bible, based on your education, experience and
teaching, how much of the Bible is purposely directed only to the population of
recipients living at the time the specific verses were penned? Clearly there is
broad and trans-generational application of much of scripture, but when it comes
to the do’s and don’ts, how does one discern the “authorial intent” for us
today? Four of many examples could be:
1) Regarding water baptism and it’s historical and current mandate.
2) Observing the OT 4th commandment regarding the keeping of the Sabbath.
3) OT tithing.
To me it seems like figuring out “authorial intent” would unlock a lot of the
mystery and uncertainty?
What counsel can you offer me? I so appreciate your ministry!
Response #18:
Good to hear from you, my friend.
As to your question, while it is very true that one definitely has to take into
account the time, the culture, the language, the history of the world in which
the Bible was written, it is also true that everything written in the Bible was
written under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. Nothing in the Bible is
accidental; nothing in the Bible can be disregarded (cf. Rev.22:18-19); and it
was all meant to be – and can be – understood.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4 NKJV
That said, it is also true that we are presently under the dispensation of the Holy Spirit with all believers being indwelt by Him, gifted by Him, and with the capacity of edifying the Church of Christ through the gifts we have been given. That is to say, the "dispensation" of the truth is different now than it was (link: "Dispensations"), for example, under the Mosaic Law.
God, from antiquity communicated to our fathers in the prophets at many times and in many ways, (2) [but now] in these last days He has communicated to us in a Son, [the One] whom He has appointed heir of all things, [the One] through whom He created the universe (i.e., time-space).
Hebrews 1:1-2
The coming of our Lord, His death on our behalf and subsequent resurrection, His
ascension, session and glorification – and the gift of the Spirit which resulted
– has changed everything. Failure to understand this very basic point has been
the cause of much error in the church visible over the centuries (entire
"denominations" are founded on this mistake) . . . just as it was the cause of
the trouble in Jerusalem which occasioned the book of Hebrews (see
the link).
As to your specific points / questions:
1) Water-baptism was meant for the Jewish contemporaries of our Lord, still
under the Law, in order "to prepare a people" ready for their Messiah (Lk.1:17).
John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
Luke 3:16 NIV
There is only "one baptism" for the Church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit
(Eph.4:5). All present day water-baptism is based upon tradition, legalism, and
a complete misunderstanding of certain biblical passages (such as Matt.28:18-20
which is actually speaking of Spirit not water baptism). Unfortunately, I have
had to write a very great deal about this topic. Here is the most recent posting
which will take you to MANY more (Baptism:
Water and Spirit XI at the link).
2) This is another example of the change of dispensation. Believers today have
had the literal, ritual observance of the seventh day transformed into an
all-the-time faith-rest. This is the focus on the fourth chapter of Hebrews (I
hope to have that posted sometime this summer [now posted at the
link]). Until then, here is a link which will
give you most of the specifics and lead you to other links as well:
https://ichthys.com/mail-Sabbath Observance.htm
3) Tithing was a system of taxation for the nation of Israel only designed to
support the Levitical priesthood. We are not Israel; the temple no longer exists
and the priesthood has been replaced by our Lord the new High Priest. Tithing is
legalistic and has never been appropriate for the Church Age.
For more about dispensations, the latest posted is in the new Hebrews series,
mostly in chapter one at the
link.
Thanks for your kind words! Do feel free to write me back about any of the
above, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Thanks Bob,
Yes I sometimes think of it all as 'The New Puritanism' or 'Puritanism
2.0' (or the hand wringing society). Terrifying to think that people are
fully committed to the idea of fixing planet earth and even think
rewriting human history actually does any good!
Apparently the latest head of the drama department at the BBC, when
queried about the accuracy of their historical dramas stated boldly that
the BBC no longer make drama that truly reflect historical fact but
instead create a history that they would have preferred to have
happened. I know that this is fiction but it is chilling that people
think this is a good idea. How can we learn from past mistakes if they
are all erased? They will create a social and cultural amnesia that no
doubt will help people forget mankind's sinful past but also our
sin-filled present. It is a form of 'gaslighting' on a societal level.
Just by saying 'it never happened', does not make it so. Only God can
forgive our sins, the BBC think they can put a figleaf over the past and
all is forgiven.
Do you remember when ISIS went around destroying monuments from
antiquity? Of course I am not going to lose sleep when a pagan temple is
destroyed (because that is a good thing) but I see a parallel between
ISIS and cultural bodies such as the BBC. You know that neither are
doing this from the goodness of their kindly hearts so you have to think
"what gives?"
I have a feeling that the Antichrist will not allow a single false idol
to compete with him for the world's hearts and minds. For thousands of
years now Satan has invested time and effort to building a panoply of
false Idols and systems for people to worship. Maybe he wants to get rid
of all the idols that people worshipped him vicariously through and just
have him and his son, front and centre. Yes I agree it will be highly
syncretic, his religion, but it seems as though only direct worship of
the Beast will be allowed. I know you have discussed this already in CT
that the antichrist will not even have regard for pagan idols as well as
the obvious rejection of the true God.
Of course though, God is sovereign above all and we just need to keep on
keeping on with our spiritual growth, passing tests and entering
ministry. There is so much joy to be had in pursuing these things and
knowing there are generous rewards for doing so!
I have been pruned heavily recently Bob and I am happy to say that I can
go through most days now with the joy and peace from the Holy Spirit and
that people can see the light radiating out through me! Amen! Praise the
Lord! I am determined to wax stronger and stronger in the spirit to give
Him increasingly greater glory, Amen!
Hope you are keeping very well my friend!
In Jesus,
p.s. I was just thinking of this today about sanctification and also
about what was being discussed in today's emails about the savour of the
salt...As we are sanctified in our walk with Jesus, that means in
essence that we are getting better and better each day in that we are to
be, more and more, conformed to His image. It then also occured to me
that whilst we are doing this, everyone else ostensibly will be waxing
worse and worse, hardening their hearts to sin whilst helping the enemy
by hindering our moving forward whilst simultaneously hating us for it
(despisers of the good.) So whilst we are fervently going in one
direction, they are fervently going in the other whilst trying to drag
us there with them!
It has been a hard pill to swallow the realisation of this and now I
really see this as the war to end all wars. It can be very daunting to
think of like this but I also realise (as I said before) everything is
actually stacked in our favour (for what can mere man do to us?!) I
realise then that it really is just about trusting in the truth of this,
having faith and resting in that faith. I feel I am growing spiritually
now. I still have a long way to go I know but I am now truly living by
faith and not by sight. Amen!
Just another thing to add, that verse in Revelation about love waxing
cold because of increasing iniquity... I think I asked before whether
this was love of God or man. I think you said God but of course you
can't love man without loving God first anyway. Will people's love run
cold (apostasy) be because they are annoyed that the wicked are not
being judged immediately or because they feel the strain of doing good
whilst everyone else is being evil.. or both?
Many thanks my friend!
In Him,
Response #19:
Thanks for all these good words, wonderful insight, and encouragement. As Paul says,
For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
1st Thessalonians 3:8 NIV
Re: love waxing cold, you have it exactly right. The pressure of the
Tribulation will cause many believers to turn away from the Lord (as in
the case of the Sower’s seed sown on the rocky ground who “have no root
in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when
tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake,
immediately they stumble” (Mk.4:17 NKJV). Once believers are no longer
believers, their erstwhile agape-love for other believers will
evaporate as well.
It's been wonderful to see your progress in the Lord. As my close friend
Curt Omo of Bible Academy
recently wrote to me about some struggles I'm facing:
"Living in this world really stinks sometimes. The world provides little or no comfort and often worsens things. God is the God of all comfort and full of mercy – ready to strengthen you and is there with you through this mess. As I tell so many in my letters – Above all – Stay faithful!"
Amen to that as well!
I appreciate you in the Lord, my friend.
In Jesus
Bob L.
Question #20:
Hi Bob,
As far as Hebrews 13 goes, I suspect Paul means all authority. Not only
the synagogue but the Romans as well. I have to admit, I do submit
insofar as obeying the law and I do have confidence in them, expecting
them to do the most damaging possible. If our elected bureaucrats are
servants of God, that convinces me we are under severe punishment.
Please tell me I'm wrong.
I look forward your explanation of Hebrews 13.
On 1 Samuel, the whole chapter, I believe is instructive. If I'm to
believe the "news," Hamas has been poking Israel in the eye since almost
the beginning ('48) The three day war settled things for a brief while
and it started again. Verse 22 suggests that what Israel is doing today
is a part of a long tradition. Given modern warfare and Israel warning
civilians to evacuate, which many did not, I'm not sure what alternative
Israel had. Particularly since Hamas is reported hiding weapons in
mosques and hospitals.
The current regime here at home is giving a lot of mouth work to
supporting Israel but true to form, is doing the opposite. Given two
carrier battle groups in the Eastern Mediterranean, it will be curious
to see how this all plays out.
What is your take on this?
As an aside, Abigail must have been a gorgeous woman for David to marry
her and Nabal must have been a real challenge if Abigail left him so
easily. It makes me wonder all the more about Bathsheba. But, I
digress...
Hebrews and 1 Samuel are my real questions.
I pray all is well up there in the frigid far north and the challenges
at U of L are manageable.
In our Lord,
Response #20:
As far as Hebrews 13:17 is concerned, while there are a number of verses which
enjoin us to follow constituted authority, this particular passage is speaking
about authority within the Church. I dare say, our public officials are not
watching out for us "as those who must give account [to God]". Pastor-teachers,
elders, and anyone else in any position of authority in the Church, however, do
bear that onus. Also, Paul's rationale for the obedience he commends is that it
will be "unprofitable for you" if you don't: meaning a lesser reward and no
doubt a bigger bonfire before the judgment seat of Christ for so doing.
1st Samuel 25:22 is interesting. And of course David did NOT actually carry out
this precipitous vow which he made in a moment of anger (another reason not to
vow – or to let our anger get the better of us). Abigail's good judgment saved
her entire household on this occasion as you know from the sequel. Abigail only
left Nabal as a widow (he died of fright when he found out how close he'd come
to death). David seems to have been impressed with her character rather than her
physical beauty. She was his third wife, also, so his approach to love and
marriage was different from that of most of us today. Abigail was a special
woman, but in some ways "just another wife" to David. Bathsheba was a special
case, of course, and the cause of great trouble to David on account of his own
folly in falling into this trap of the devil, but the Lord honored the marriage
in the end: the line of the Messiah comes through her son Solomon. It's also
interesting to read 1st Kings 1:15 and following. It certainly doesn't seem that
David and Bathsheba had a close relationship in the way that some husbands and
wives who only have each other occasionally do. David loved the Lord more than
he did any human being. A good thing for us all to remember.
I love you, LORD;
you are my strength.
Psalm 18:1b NLT
Regarding contemporary events, I don't think Hamas was around until the 80's, but of course there has been a blood rivalry between Israel and her neighbors in the modern era, even before 1948 and her official founding. That hostility against Israel goes all the way back to the beginning, of course, because destroying her is one of the devil's prime objectives and always has been – and will continue to be into the Tribulation when it will come to a head. We who belong to Jesus Christ are also targets of the Satan's wrath for similar reasons.
(13) And when the dragon saw that he had been cast down to the earth, he gave chase to the woman who had born the male [child]. (14) And to the woman were given two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly into the desert to a place [prepared] for her where she is [going to be] sustained there away from the presence of the serpent for a time and times and half a time. (15) And the serpent spewed [forth] from his mouth after the woman water like a river in order to sweep her away. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had spewed [forth] from his mouth. (17) And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and he went away to make war with the rest of her seed, [even] those who are keeping the commandments of God and maintaining their testimony to Jesus.
Revelation 12:13-17
I certainly wholeheartedly agree with your analysis of the present situation and am bemused though not at all surprised by how quickly even supposed allies are abandoning the full support to Israel originally pledged. None of these people had any issues whatsoever with, e.g., the town of Mosul being systematically destroyed brick by brick in order to get at ISIS. This is absolutely analogous – except that this enemy is even more heinous and dangerous. Everything that is happening is "set up" for the Tribulation. We can't know exactly how things will play out tactically, but strategically the Lord has given us the details for how the major events will unfold during the Tribulation and that entails (in my reading of things in the CT series) support from the beast in the early days of an even greater existential threat to Israel (later, of course, as the devil's son and pawn, he attempts to annihilate her). So it does make sense for things to get worse and worse and for the enemies of Israel to become more and more united and implacable as we approach the end. We're not there yet.
And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
Matthew 24:4-7 NKJV
Fighting off a bit of a cold. Also, migrating to a new computer this week at
home as the 13 year old one is becoming a bit "twitchy" and it's always a
disaster to wait until the old one breaks completely.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the explanation. I thought Hebrews 13:17 might be an
instruction to have confidence in the current regime as God's servants.
That was a hard pill to swallow. I take all scripture seriously but
Hebrews 13 seems like a succinct guide to proper behavior.
The KJV of 1 Samuel 25:22 came mind after current news of the Gaza
adventure. (I've been reading the NIV lately which has been cleaned up
for modern sensibilities but lacks the pungency.) It appears like the US
is encouraging WWIII which is good for defense contractors now that
we've given everything away and, of course, the subsequent kickbacks
which I'm convinced is the reason for the Ukraine support. Like all
governments, none seem to care about the innocent people being killed.
When the Israelites clamored for a king in 1 Samuel 8 and the Lord told
them what kind of a king they would get, it was a very mild form of
current governments. It took centuries of practice to refine the
corruption of today's governments. But I grumble...
Thanks for your guidance and support. In you, I do have confidence.
Sorry about your cold and even sorrier about your upgrade. I'm convinced
upgrades are a curse.
In our Lord,
Response #21:
As to "confidence in the current regime as God's servants", I should point out that just because someone is called a pastor (or whatever) and is "official" in a denomination or church (or whatever), does not necessarily make him/her a servant of God. It's sad to say, but about most such nowadays the following applies:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles 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, whose end will be according to their works.
2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV
And even in the case of those who are not working for the devil, most of
those ostensibly working for the Lord aren't really doing what He wants
them to do, namely, edifying the Church of Jesus Christ.
Unlike what the RC church proclaims, believers actually do have a choice
as to what authority they place themselves under to grow spiritually.
Paul's stricture in Hebrews 13:17 assumes that the authority in question
really is "good" in terms of providing decent spiritual fare. It is to
such "servants of God" that it is beneficial for believers to respond so
as not to lose out. Anyone listening to the devil's agents or to the
lukewarm merely entertaining the lukewarm has already lost out.
As to "the U.S. encouraging", I'm afraid you have a lot more confidence
that our government is unified in its thinking, has a definite plan, and
is cleverly carrying it out. In my experience and observation and study
of history, gross stupidity and reaction to events moment by moment is
usually a much safer bet than crafty malign intent guided by a master
plan (Recent Babylon Bee headline: “US administration checks latest
polls to see if Israel still has right to exist”). Satan is behind it
all, of course, but even there we are right to find more opportunism
than "three dimensional chess" at work. This doesn't mean that the
government and its actors are not of malign intent; gross stupidity and
malign intent are not mutually exclusive. I would be very surprised if
many of them really have any clear idea of what they are doing most of
the time. We who can see clearly the horribly negative effects of their
actions are often too quick to attribute the actions which cause those
rotten consequences to some master-intelligence, but I doubt that is
actually the case – except in terms of who it is that is influencing
them to do what they do.
"It took centuries of practice to refine the corruption of today's
governments", LOL! There's a lot of truth in that. But devolution
more than evolution, I think.
Feeling a bit better today. I may make it through the week. The
contraption was late getting here and there are frustrating teething
problems so it'll be a while before I've migrated. But I’ll get
Saturday’s posting up in any case, “God helping me!”.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.