Friday, November 13, 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Indicators of a Functional Human Being in Christ
Here are some indicators or Components of a Spiritual-Personal Health of a human being who is in Christ:
A personal relationship with Christ evidenced by submission to the Authority of Scripture and the Holy Spirit, a lifestyle that has origination in the spiritual principles of the Kingdom, obedience to divine command and functional connectivity to fellow believers.
A set of attitudes, motivations and desires that have been purified from the contamination of self and that are driven by the Will of God and the promotion of the wellbeing of others – rooted in the wisdom that your personal wellbeing is directly connected to the wellbeing of others.
A psychology (mindset, identity, attitude and emotions) that is powered by faith in God and that is devoid of a sense of right to life but one that is fully given to the ideal of living for Christ, one whose Identity does not originate in material wellbeing but in Christ – a psychology that is driven by the core issue of development in the Nature of Christ in the midst of (good and bad) situations, conditions and circumstances of life and one that understands that success in life is firstly in the possession of the Nature of Christ before it becomes a material reality.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Launching a New Book: The Vision of Church as a Global Kingdom Civilization
Friday, June 24, 2011
Church as a System of Education, Part 5
The Fall and the development of erroneous Knowledge Systems
Genesis 3:6-7
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NIV
2 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. NIV
Ephesians 4:14
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. NIV
1 Timothy 4:1
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. NIV
The fall was not primarily “religious” but it represented a movement away from the knowledge system of God. Man shifted from God’s knowledge system to one rooted in the philosophy of self. Within this new framework of development of knowledge, the thing that mattered was man’s own opinion and not God’s definition.
Acts 17:27
27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. NIV
The basic duty of man is to seek God – to seek God’s knowledge systems and use these in the administration of human life. The “seeking” is itself not a religious exercise primarily but a search for truth and a search for authentic knowledge to administrate various spheres of human life, namely social life, economic, politics etc. To be a believer is to commit yourself to this search, hence the scripture refers to us as the disciples of Christ (Matt 28:19-20).
At the fall, a new knowledge system entered human heart, one based on the philosophy of self. So therefore to be deceived is to look at life through the lenses of self.
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned- NIV
At the fall, sin entered into the system of life (the world) that God had created.
The word sin (hamartia in Gr.): missing the true end and scope of our lives. An offense in relation to God with emphasis on guilt. Aberration from the truth, error. Aberration from a prescribed law or rule of duty.
The word sin defines a process of moving away from correct knowledge systems of God (the law of God). This is knowledge that pertains to personal life, relational and community life as well as systems of life (politics, economics). To sin is to deviate from the set laws of human life as reflected in human conscience and in the Word of God.
Sin is both an act and a state
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned- NIV
John 1:29
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! NIV
Sin is not only evil behaviour or actions but also the very state of human life. Sin reflects itself in the very structure and arrangement of human life. It reflects itself in how we see and define human life. When the perspective of man is not consistent with the perspective of God then you already have sin. Jesus came to take away the sin of the world. The “sin of the world” defines the general state of life that is erroneous in relation to God’s definitions and knowledge systems. The “sin of the world” speaks into the very arrangement of human life – i.e. families, communities, economics, politics etc.
So at the fall, man rebelled and chose to develop his own knowledge systems based on the principle of self. This is true across the spheres of human life. It is the principle of self that destroys marriages. It is the principle of self that cripples leadership in nations. It is the principle of self that governs the international realm, reflected in such statements as nations don’t have friends but interests. It is the principle of self that destroys young people’s relationship with parents. Racism, nationalism, tribalism and xenophobia are all rooted in this same principle of self.
Economic philosophies and doctrines like capitalism, laissez faire1, survival of the fittest, free market systems2 and liberalism are all rooted in the principle and philosophy of self. This principle basically entered into the entire system of human life (the world - Rom 5:12) and crippled all of life; this is why the world is the way it is today. Christ came to show us correct original design and patterns of human life through the Cross.
Genesis 3:6-7
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NIV
Romans 10:3
3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. NIV
The word “righteousness” is not fundamentally a religious word. It’s a word that describes the definitions, standards and laws set by an authority (e.g. a king) that the objects of that authority need to conform to and align with. The word applies more appropriately in contexts of governance; e.g. one is being righteous if one abides by the laws of his nation – essentially, righteousness defines how people see life. Righteousness contains a collection of definitions, standards and laws that must be understood and obeyed. Righteousness is therefore expressed and understood through knowledge (or doctrine).
The phrase, “their own righteousness” in Romans 10:3 means that man has been progressively developing his own knowledge systems and doctrines on various issues of life: religion, economics, politics and social life. The Kingdom of God comes not to simply give man religion but to provide a complete doctrine of human life. Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. NIV
Acts 14:16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. NIV
The phrase, “God let the nations go their own way”, means there was an original knowledge system that governed human life.
Acts 17:26
26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. NIV
According to Acts 17:26, nations were made – and since nations were made, they too are under command. Those leading these nations have responsibility over God’s entities. The description, “King of kings and the Lord of lords” actually reveals the political supremacy of God over all political and governance systems of man.
Humanity and Nations deviated from the prescribed law by developing their systems of life. These are systems like culture, politics, economics etc.
Acts 17:26
26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. NIV
Acts 14:16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. NIV
Nations developed knowledge systems outside of the set framework of God:
1 Peter 1:18-19
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. NIV
Colossians 2:8
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. NIV
Colossians 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: NIV
God commands repentance back to His knowledge systems:
Acts 17:30-31
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." NIV
Even though God let man and nations go their own way (develop their own doctrines and knowledge systems), He now commands repentance – a change back to His knowledge systems.
Apostles are sent to proclaim correct knowledge systems to nations:
Acts 26:17-19
17 I will rescue you [Paul] from your own people and from the Gentiles [ethnos: nations]. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
19 "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. NIV
God is sending a Reformation generation to restore all things:
Matthew 17: 11 Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. NIV
Restore (apokathistemi in Gr.): to reconstitute in health or organisation. To put back into a former state, restore, reform, applied to the reformation brought about by the preaching and ministry of John the Baptist.
Luke 11:49
49 Because of this, God in his wisdom said, 'I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.' NIV
Matthew 23:34
34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. NIV
Hebrews 9:10
10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
NIV
Heb 9:10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. NKJV
Reformation (diorthosis in Gr.): to correct and amend, to straighten thoroughly; rectification, to put things in their correct arrangement; the coming of a better order of things.
The church is God’s plan to redeem and reform humanity back to the original knowledge systems of human life:
Isaiah 2:2-4
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore. NIV
Isaiah 42:1-3
1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations. NIV
Isaiah 60:1-3
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. NIV
Isaiah 14:24-27
24 The LORD Almighty has sworn,
"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,
and as I have purposed, so it will stand.
25 I will crush the Assyrian in my land;
on my mountains I will trample him down.
His yoke will be taken from my people,
and his burden removed from their shoulders."
26 This is the plan determined for the whole world;
this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? NIV
Revelation 21:24
24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. NIV
God will judge all false systems of human life:
Haggai 2:7
7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. NIV
Revelation 19:15
15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword [i.e the Word of God: His knowledge system] with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. NIV
2 Thessalonians 2:8
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth [Declaration of God’s truth] and destroy by the splendor of his coming. NIV
Notes
1. Leissez fairre: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights. a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice and action (Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laissez-faire). Individualism is the fundamental issue behind this doctrine, and the kingdom of God is opposed to all forms of individualism. This is but one example of something that appears to be just an innocent piece of knowledge and doctrine in the area of economics and yet is fundamentally flawed when viewed under the light of the doctrine of the kingdom of God. So therefore the kingdom of God is not only opposed by false religions but essentially by false knowledge systems, whether these come from economics, politics etc. is not an issue. What this says is that, like Daniel, the Disciples of Christ must go through the education systems of the world and yet still maintain God and the kingdom as the primary source of knowledge (Dan 1:17). They must walk in the philosophy that says, ‘God is true and every man is a liar’ (Rom 3:4).
2. Free market systems: in opposing free market systems, the writer does not subscribe to communistic doctrines either as these are equally wrong knowledge systems. The kingdom of God is a system of individual creativity and productivity (Gen 2:15) expressed in a regulated environment (Gen 2:16&17), where ‘common good’ is the underlying objective of the people (Acts 4:32-35). Every gift is given for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). This is one fundamental principle in the doctrine and ideology of the kingdom of God.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Church as a System of Education, Part 4
Christ is our Knowledge System
Ephesians 4:13
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV
God has ordained a definitive developmental process for the Church to be built by the five building resources (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher) until it reaches unity in the knowledge of Christ. We are therefore defining mature positions where the church is not being fed by the world system as the scripture demands in Eph 4:14, ‘then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming’(NIV). This is a position where the church is the one feeding the world system with knowledge and wisdom as the prophets declared; ‘many people shall come to Zion to be taught’ (Isa 2:3). ‘Nations and Kings shall come to our light’ (Isa 60:3).
Paul declares that Christ is our Knowledge System:
…in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:1-3).
I tell you this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments…so then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him…see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:4-8).
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18&19).
Definitions
Here are some important definitions we have looked at so far:
· The word “educate” is defined as: ‘to impart knowledge by formal instruction to a pupil; to teach; to improve or develop a person’.
· The word “education” is defined as: ‘the act or process of acquiring knowledge, especially systematically during childhood or adolescence; the knowledge or training acquired by this process; the act or process of imparting knowledge, especially at a school, college or university’ (Collins Dictionary).
· Education is a process of formal instruction in a particular knowledge system and wisdom. This is what the Lord had in mind when He commissioned us to go and make disciples of nations (Matt 28:18-20).
· The word “knowledge” used in Col 2:3 is the Greek word “gnosis” and it means: “knowledge; science”.
Here is how the word “knowledge” is defined in other dictionaries:
· Knowledge is the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind. Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge.
· Knowledge is the body of truths or facts accumulated in the course of time. Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knowledge.
· I define Knowledge as the body of truths, principles and definitions that shape human consciousness and understanding.
Knowledge, Creation & the Fall
John 1:1-2
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. NIV
John 4:24
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
NIV
John 1:14
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. NIV
The God who is Spirit (i.e. who cannot be seen and touched by means of mortality) existed in the beginning as the Word (logos: a system of reasoning) – i.e. the divine nature can be understood through a structured process of knowledge accumulation (the Word) and not through spooky spirituality. The very same God who is Spirit created and produced a well-structured ecosystem in accordance with His nature (Rom 1:20). Not only so, God made a well-structured human body after His spiritual nature (Gen 1:26, Gen 2:7, John 1:3).
Genesis 1:26
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." NIV
Genesis 2:7
7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. NIV
1 Corinthians 12:18
18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. NIV
It is clear from the scriptures above that the creation of the human body was not a random haphazard process but there was design to it. The basis of the design was the very nature of God just as it says, “in our image, in our likeness”. The ecosystem in general, the human body and all other elements of creation are the basis of scientific knowledge known to men. You therefore cannot separate scientific knowledge from spiritual truth because God is the genesis of creation and therefore of all scientific knowledge, which is based on creation (matter).
Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. NIV
It is clear also that when God made creation, His intent was that man would discover principles and laws that govern creation. It is these principles and laws that we call Science today. We call them “science” because they are systematic and orderly and can be observed and understood by the human mind. Everything in creation was deliberate, just as Paul declares in 1 Cor 12:18.
Genesis 2:15-17
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Matthew 19:4-6
4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." NIV
The creation of man was not without a release of knowledge system by God to provide a context and parameter for human existence. Matt 19:4&5 says, “the Creator made and said…” God did not leave man to define life for himself. There were a set of commands that spoke into the consciousness of man concerning life. The word “commanded” used in Gen 2:16 means “to constitute”. The idea of this word is therefore not to simply release a set of instructions and laws but to literally shape one’s consciousness and life orientation. As far back as Genesis 4, God was already warning man about sin (Gen 4:6-7). If there was sin then there was knowledge because “sin” defines a process of deviation from the prescribed law – the prescribed knowledge system. There was capacity in Cain to see that killing his brother was evil and constituted foreign behaviour in as far as the knowledge of God was concerned. So therefore it is clear that man had a knowledge system (doctrine) that regulated his behaviour and existence. The knowledge system was a set of truths, principles and definitions that God had released to man in the form of a command. The speaking of God did not simply give religious experience but resourced man for correct living in the earth. The speaking of God constituted a knowledge system for man. It was through this same knowledge system that man would derive and develop his value system, definitions of life, standards, judgements, culture and ideology. Today when God speaks, it merely amounts to a religious-spiritual encounter and not something that can speak into the nature of existence of man in the earth.
Deuteronomy 29:29
29 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. NIV
It is clear in Deut 29:29 that the speaking of God is the progressive accumulation of a knowledge system for the generations; it is not a sermon for a particular Sunday. It therefore needs to be administered in a particular way and be recorded properly.
The Fall
The Fall of man as recorded in Genesis 3 was nothing but the corruption of the knowledge system of God in the mind and heart of man.
Genesis 3:1-7
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NIV
Genesis 3 is not some “Sunday school imaginary story” but it’s reality. The metaphors that are used are meant to give us an idea and sight into key principles and positions that led to the fall (we will not get into that now). Throughout the scriptures, the serpent is a metaphor for Satan – who is a created and fallen spirit.
Genesis 3:1
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" NIV
The fundamental issue in the fall of man is the issue of man deviating from the knowledge system of God. Satan confronted the set knowledge systems of God, “Did God really say?” Initially, man did not fall by declaring hatred towards or by believing in the non-existence of God. Essentially, the fall was not a departure from or rejection of religion (Cain is a good example of this) but the fall was a rejection of the knowledge system of God and therefore the rejection of the government of God because God governs human life through His knowledge system (law). A new knowledge system entered human heart and mind – a knowledge system based on the philosophy of self. Look at all of the knowledge systems that have been embraced by man over time – cultural, economic etc. they are all defined by the core reality of self.
1 John 2:15-16
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. NIV
A new knowledge system entered human heart, one based on the philosophy of self.
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
1 I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. NIV
The word says, “Eve was seduced”. The word “seduced” defines a crafty act. How did Satan (the serpent) deceive Eve? He deceived Eve by corrupting the knowledge system of God in her heart and mind. The word “deceived” is put alongside the word “led astray” in 2 Cor 11:3. The serpent proposed a new knowledge system based on the philosophy of self, “your eyes will be opened and you will know” the serpent said (Gen 3:4). So therefore to advance the kingdom of God in the 21st century, we do not only have to fight false Christs and theological heresy but more importantly knowledge systems of the world that are fundamentally different from the knowledge systems of the Kingdom of God. To advance the Kingdom we have to fight Capitalism in people’s minds. Therefore any building within church that focuses solely on theological heresy and “false Christs” without confronting the knowledge systems of the world that subtly govern people’s life orientation, is still ineffective and deficient.
Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
NIV
Genesis 3:6-7
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. NIV
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned- NIV
The fall brought sin and death. Man consumed a forbidden knowledge system based on the core reality of self and therefore died. Essentially, the principle of death is that nothing that’s built by man (through the principles of self) can be sustained in life and so therefore nothing that’s built by man has lasting impact – since the day of Gen 3:6 till today, the flowers of the field have been falling. It is only when man decides to go back to the knowledge system of God (through salvation in Christ) that he regains the ability to build systems of life that are stable and sustainable.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Church as a System of Education, Part 3
The previous articles dealt with the whole issue of Church having to be established as a System of Education in the earth. I defined education not simply as a process of getting specialised training in a particular field of study or profession but as a process of formal instruction in a particular wisdom or knowledge system. We saw that the scripture is given for human development (2 Tim 3:16-17). Scripture is able to make us wise in the affairs of life (2 Tim 3:14-15).
We also looked at the example of the City of Athens and it’s Ephebic College. We saw how ancient civilisations built their citizens. We saw Moses being schooled inside of Egypt (Acts 7:22). The world system has obviously lost all of these systems and approaches to human and citizenship development, simply because all systems built through human strength will eventually collapse. The prophet says, ‘all men are like grass, and all their glory is like flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of God blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever’, Isa 40:6-8.
The glory of men or the majestic systems that humans build by their own strength & wisdom are likened to the flowers of the field that eventually fall after sometime. The prophet gives an explanation here of why the flowers fall – that this goes beyond natural-rational explanations. The flowers fall because the breath of God blows on them. So God has blown on the glorious civilisations and systems men. This is not only spiritual truth but it’s also a historical fact. Consider the glorious Zulu kingdom, Egypt, Rome etc. the list is endless.
We have a perspective from God in Genesis 11 – here God frustrated the building of the Tower of Babel by confusing - the language of builders. This prophetic reality is still behind the globalisation processes today – the language (perspectives and interests) of the builders of globalisation is confused so that they cannot produce a coherent and stable world system.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven? At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens”. The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire, Heb 12:25-29.
Hag 2:6 "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
Hag 2:7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts.
God is actively and progressively shaking the civilisations and systems of man by blowing on them. The breath of God represents His speaking (His Word). The word says that “the universe (age) was formed at the command of God”, Heb 11:3. The word “command” here is the word “rhema” which defines “the current speaking of God”. So when God speaks a word into the earth, there are reactions that take place beyond the sphere of church. When God speaks a word, political, economic and social systems get affected. It is up to the Church to see and interpret divine processes of its times. God changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning (Dan 2:21). God does not only effect changes in the political, socio-economic systems but He also gives an understanding of what is taking place. Daniel is proclaiming this in the context of the interpretation of the dream of King Nebuchadnezzer.
So therefore God is blowing by His breath (His Word). This breath is “shaking” or effecting decay in the systems of man and growth and development in the systems of the Kingdom of God (it’s a dual process). Note that the systems of man can also be church systems that are not built according to the design of God. And the systems of the kingdom of God can be business organisations that are built according to the design of God. That is, systems of Kingdom of God do not necessarily constitute everything called “church”. The voice of God is blowing on the flowers of the field. Humanity is slowly losing its glory. All systems of man built in rebellion to God’s Sovereignty and command are collapsing. The future of mortality is decay. Men are destroying their own systems because there is a deeper and a higher reality at play than just natural-rational processes.
In the midst of all of this we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (a system that can never collapse). This kingdom is a complete system of life, superior than the decaying systems of men. It is in this context that God is awakening church and positioning it as a “chief mountain exalted above the hills” (i.e. exalted above the systems of men, Isa 2:2-3). It is for this reason that God is saying to us that Church’s responsibility does not begin and end with religion. Church is not a religious institution but it is an institution of human development. We are now confronting definitions of church that came either from Satan through his servants or ignorant preachers, who did not know the “whole counsel” of God.
God is positioning Church as a Teacher of Nations
Isa 2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Isa 2:2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.
Isa 2:3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Rev 12:5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
Both in Isaiah 2 and Revelation 12, we see God positioning the Church as a Teacher of Nations; a system that effects human development. The word “rule” used in Rev 12:5 is the word that means “to shepherd”. It’s the same word that is used to define the function of the pastor in a church community.
So therefore there is prophetic significance in the collapse of the systems of men or the systems of nations. The breath of God is effecting decay in the systems of man and development in the systems of the Kingdom of God. The Church must now engage in its God ordained developmental path in the area of becoming a system of education that effects human development unto perfection in Christ.
Christ is our Knowledge System
…in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:1-3).
I tell you this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments…so then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him…see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:4-8).
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18&19).
Becoming a system of education requires that we consider Christ as our knowledge system. Christ is the source and basis of our knowledge. We do not worship knowledge but Christ. We are not Gnostics and we do not subscribe to Gnosticism – that is, a mere worship of knowledge without proper connection to the One who is the source of knowledge.
Christ is the source and basis of our knowledge – not just “religious knowledge” but all knowledge. In the Kingdom of God, there are no different segments of knowledge but there is “one knowledge” – just as the word talks about “one Body, one Spirit, one Hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:1-6. There is no scientific knowledge, economic knowledge, accounting knowledge etc. There is “one knowledge”. Christ is the Source of all true authentic knowledge revealed by God to men, whether through means of study, prayer, scientific discovery etc. knowledge is knowledge. It is for this reason that the Bible takes principles from Law, nature, science etc. in establishing the truths of God. Consider these scriptures concerning Christ:
Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Heb 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Col 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
If earthly-visible things (i.e. matter) were made through Christ (as stated in the scriptures above) then the (authentic and accurate) principles and laws that define matter (as known, for example, in the scientific field) are first and foremost spiritual. The laws of human body and other elements of creation that man has researched are first and foremost spiritual before they are scientific. This is why Paul talks about the principles and laws of the human body to explain the principles of Christ in 1 Cor 12. The science of human body is not supreme but rather God conceived this science through the principles of Christ, hence it says “let us make man in our image, in our likeness” (Gen 1:26). The principles and laws that make creation hold together come directly from the nature of Christ (Rom 1:20, Col 1:16-17). The laws of the ecosystem are first and foremost spiritual. Such laws cannot therefore be in conflict with the Word of God, which is supreme over all knowledge systems of man.
Definitions
The word “knowledge” used in Col 2:3 is the Greek word “gnosis” and it means: “knowledge; science”. The word ‘gnosis’ is related to the word “Gnostic” or “Gnosticism”. This is the cultic movement that formed from the faith that leaders like Apostle John had to confront in 1 John 4. It’s important to state that the word “gnosis” is in itself pure and used often in the scripture by Paul to define “knowledge”.
Here is how the word “knowledge” is defined in other dictionaries:
Knowledge is the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind.
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knowledge.
Knowledge is the body of truths or facts accumulated in the course of time. Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/knowledge.
Here is how I define knowledge:
Knowledge is the body of truths, principles and definitions that shape human consciousness and understanding.
Knowledge has power to shape the very essence of human life. It provides lenses through which a human views the world.
The acquiring of knowledge is a process that involves the mind, heart and conscience. So therefore knowledge acquisition is a deeply spiritual process. We often talk of revelation in church. Revelation is real acquiring of knowledge through the illumination or enlightening of the conscience, heart and min by the Holy Spirit. You actually literally see and conceptualise truth.
Heb 8:10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
God here defines a process of impartation and acquisition of knowledge through the means of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge is at the centre of our spiritual development.
So Christ is our knowledge – He is the collection of truths, principles and definitions that shape the very essence of our being. To be “in Christ” is therefore not just a shallow-religious experience.
Christ is our Knowledge System (cont…)
Knowledge is the body of truths, principles and definitions that shape human consciousness and understanding – the Bible is a record of the knowledge of the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke of “the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven…” (Matt 13:11).
I tell you this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments…so then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him…see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Col 2:4-8).
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18&19).
In Col 2:4-8 and 1 Pet 1:18&19, Paul puts Christ not simply against other religious systems but against the knowledge systems of man that seek to define the very essence of life. We are therefore warned not to simply move away from idolatry locked up in the traditions and cultural systems we have been redeemed from but to move away from the very knowledge systems & positions that these cultural systems advocate. There are definitions of life that are locked up in the traditions of man that we need to be able to discern and move away from. Such traditions may speak and define manhood, womanhood, family, marriage, parenting, business etc. All systems of man – it does not matter how complicated and advanced they look, are inherently deficient and faulty. Whether these come from the so-called “first worlds” or “third worlds”, it does not matter. “English traditions & culture” are inherently faulty. Zulu traditions & culture are inherently faulty. It is because of these traditions and cultural systems that the world is in a state it is in today. Peter warns that there are cultural definitions that get handed down to men through generational succession that we have to be aware of and move away from in order to step fully into our salvation in Christ – meaning that our salvation is not only an internal and character transformation but it’s also a systemic migration. We have been redeemed not simply from “sin” but also from cultural systems and definitions. No one must take us captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.
The word “philosophy” used in Col 2:8 is the Greek word “philosophia” and it’s made up of two words, “philos” (to befriend someone or something, to love, to be fond of) and “sophia” (wisdom, insight etc.). The word therefore means: ‘the love of wisdom’. A philosopher is “one who loves wisdom”.
So when Paul says we must guard that no one deceives us by “shallow philosophy”, he is not simply referring to philosophy as in a field of study in University but he is referring to a knowledge system – any knowledge system that opposes Christ. The word actually also teaches that Christ is our wisdom (sophia), Col 2:3, 1 Cor 1:30 – Christ is our philosophy! So therefore the philosophy Paul is referring to can be definitions and principles coming from any tradition or cultural system, Zulu, English, Black, White etc.
…the Church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim 3:15).
As far as God is concerned, other civilisations and cultural systems can deviate from certain positions but not so the Church. We are defined as a pillar and foundation of the truth. We are the system from which correct, valid and authentic definitions of life come.
The breath of God is blowing, the flowers of the field are falling and a true civilisation is emerging in power, knowledge, glory and honour. This is what the prophets called “the desire of nations”.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Church as a System of Education, Part2
We are looking at the issue of establishing Church as a System of Education. I use the word “education” here not in a narrow sense of schooling for academic qualification in a particular profession or field. The word “educate” is defined as: ‘to impart knowledge by formal instruction to a pupil; to teach; to improve or develop a person’. The word “education” is defined as: ‘the act or process of acquiring knowledge, especially systematically during childhood or adolescence; the knowledge or training acquired by this process; the act or process of imparting knowledge, especially at a school, college or university’ (Collins Dictionary).
So when the scripture says “Moses was educated” in Acts 7:22, the idea is not necessarily one where he qualified in a particular field or profession, e.g. as a Lawyer, Doctor, Accountant etc. Moses was educated in the wisdom (knowledge system, values, ideology) of the Egyptians. It was common practice for ancient civilisations to educate their people in their knowledge system – this is what produced civilisations after all.
Athens and the Ephebic College
It was common practice for ancient civilisations to educate and train their citizens in order to produce a certain kind of society and therefore a certain kind of civilisation. So there is something called citizenship education, which is important for building a nation – a nation is built through education and not simply through certification. Civilisations are built through education and not through certification.
History tells us that there was a way Athenians educated their citizenship. Athenians had an Ephebic College where they trained their young men. It was through this system of education that these young men were incorporated and or integrated into society. Upon finishing their College programme, they would make an oath to commit themselves to certain standards and values.
The word “ephebe” is a Greek word for an adolescent age group or a social status…Though the word can simply refer to the adolescent age of young men of training age, its main use is for the members, exclusively from that age group, of an official institution (ephebeia) that saw to building them into citizens, but especially training them as soldiers, sometimes already sent into the field…
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephebos#In_Greece.
The word "Ephebian" comes from the Greek word "ephebe" (epi-, at, upon; hebe-,early manhood). In ancient Athens (335 B.C.), an ephebe was a young citizen undergoing physical and military training. In order to be admitted to citizenship, every legitimate son of pure Athenian parentage who had reached the age of eighteen had to be enrolled in the Ephebic college and undergo its two year course of rigorous training in the in military and civic duties and activities.
At the end of the first year the Ephebians gave a display of their skill in military tactics and drills before the citizens of Athens in the state theatre. At the close of this display there was presented to each Ephebian a spear and a shield. These state-given arms were regarded as sacred and to throw them away in battle flight was almost an act of sacrilege. After receiving the arms, the Ephebians took their oath of allegiance. http://www.ephebian.com/
The Ephebic Oath was an oath sworn by young men of Classical Athens upon induction into the Ephebic College, graduation from which was required to attain status as citizens.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephebic_Oath.
The Ephebic Oath: ‘I will not bring dishonour on my sacred arms nor will I abandon my comrade wherever I shall be stationed. I will defend the rights of gods and men and will not leave my country smaller, when I die, but greater and better, so far as I am able by myself and with the help of all. I will respect the rulers of the time duly and the existing ordinances duly and all others which may be established in the future. And if anyone seeks to destroy the ordinances I will oppose him so far as I am able by myself and with the help of all. I will honor the cults of my fathers. Witnesses to this shall be the gods Agraulus, Hestia, Enyo, Enyalius, Ares, Athena the Warrior, Zeus, Thallo, Auxo, Hegemone, Heracles, and the boundaries of my native land, wheat, barley, vines, olive-trees, fig-trees...’
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephebic_Oath.
Ephebic Oath from the Ephebian website: "We will never bring disgrace to this, our city, by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks; we will fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many; we will revere and obey the city's laws and do our best to incite a like respect in those above us who are prone to annul or set them at naught; we will strive unceasingly to quicken the public sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this city, not only not less, but far greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."
Source: http://www.ephebian.com/oath.htm.
The city of Athens was obviously given to pursuit and development of knowledge systems, just as Egypt was and other civilizations. This historical fact is reflected also in Acts 17.
When Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogues with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him…all of the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas. Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens…” (read Acts 17:16-34).
The Athenians were obviously given to knowledge, and God would use this same hunger for knowledge and truth to redeem some of them as we see in Acts 17:34. Paul reasoned with them. The word “reason” is the Greek word “dialegomai” related to the English word “dialogue”. This method of teaching is used to allow students to exchange thoughts with the teacher, in the process, the teacher gets to see and adjust knowledge and thought patterns of the students. Not all truth can be transmitted or imparted through monologue teaching. Some truth is best delivered through dialogue. It was common for Paul and the Lord Jesus to use this method of teaching, see Acts 18:4, Matt 16:13.
Education vs. Certification
It is clear then that ancient civilizations had the whole issue of education correctly – even though they did not have the correct knowledge system, which can only be found in Christ “the mystery of God…in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:2-3). We now find ourselves in this Capitalistic Age which has also affected our concept of education. Education (in this capitalistic age) has been largely reduced to certification in order to produce human resource for the economy. We produce Accountants, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers etc. who are not necessarily or always educated in a particular wisdom or knowledge system. This Capitalistic Age does not appreciate the process and time to produce a developed-functional human in the earth but seeks quick processes to feed the greedy economic systems of nations. So that education is primarily seen in the context of “professionalization” of society in order to feed the needs of this global economic system.
This has not left the Church unaffected. This “quick fix” mentality has affected the Church over the years so that we spend more time, effort and energy in mobilising numbers and less time in developing people to become not just faithful-tithe paying members of our churches but functional humans in the earth that God can use to advance His global purpose.
Church as a System of Education – What has God said?
Let us look at some scriptures that indicate an emphasis on teaching and education in the heart of God:
- An elder must be able to teach, 1 Tim 3:1-2.
- You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men…teach the older women… Titus 2:1-3.
- They (older women) can train the younger women… Tit 2:4.
- Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it, Prov 22:6.
- Teach them to your children and to their children, Duet 4:9…talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up, Duet 11:19.
- For I have known him (Abraham) in order that he may command his children and his household after him…(in the Hebrew, the word “command” means to constitute and so by implication involves teaching).
- We have much to say about this (i.e. about Christ), but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn, Heb 5:11. This is one scripture that shows that spiritual development is directly connected to one’s learning process. Whenever we think that we are growing in Christ or in the faith, without growing in knowledge, then we have been fooled.
All these and many other scriptures indicate that God has designated Church to be a broad system of education that develops people not just in religion but into a correct system of life. Everybody must be taught, including older men and women. Leadership of Church must excel in the area of teaching. Inside of this, the family clearly becomes a system of training of the next generation, according to the scriptures.
Making Disciples
Then Jesus came to them and said, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”, Matt 28:18-20.
The phrase “make disciples” in verse 19 or “teach” (in other Bible translations) means ‘to make one a student or pupil; to enroll as a scholar; to instruct; to teach’. A disciple is a learner, a student and a scholar of the faith.
It continues in verse 20 by saying, “teaching them to observe all things”. The word “teach” here is the word didasko in Greek and it means to shape the mind and the will of the learner.
The phrase “make disciple” clearly does not define random sermonisation but a structured-progressive instruction in the knowledge of Christ – with the understanding that Christ is not just a religious figure but a correct form of human life; the image of human life (Col 1:15, Gen 1:26). This means that there are definite areas of human development and functionality that all believers (redeemed humans) must be taught in.
The commission to make disciples is a commission to establish systems of learning in order to produce a certain kind of a human in the earth.
We have to reinstate a system of learning in the church!
