The first lesson of a series of lessons focused on Christian apologetics and philosophy. During this first lesson, I go on to explain how important our beliefs are and how those beliefs go on to affect our entire mode of being. It is essential to understand what it is that you believe as an individual in the world, and whether or not those beliefs correlate with reality and scripture. I also go on to express the dire necessity in veering from ideological possession through the practice of critical thinking and logic. Check it out here:
Let us never forget how susceptible people are to become possessed by radical ideologies that produce mass destruction. We should always remember the devastation left behind, and continue to analyze our ideas as well as others that seek to pervade our minds. If the evidence contradicts your belief system, then do not attempt to construe the evidence to fit the belief, but rather critique the belief to fit the evidence. Thoughts, love and prayers sent to all those that were affected by this tragic event 19 years ago. God bless America.
When an individual questions the ideas nested within their contemporary culture, ideas that are held near and dear among the devote followers of that culture, the individual is then committing a type of sacrilege. And it seems to be the case that in order for an individual, as well as the existing culture, to awaken to greater heights of awareness and understanding, this type of cultural sacrilege must occur, especially if the evidence is against the contemporary cultural ideas which then ultimately pressures them into extinction.
Transformation is caused by pressure within and outside an individual, I would say first from an outside idea that contradicts the individual’s own idea of reality. And then within the individual as the new improved idea strikes their consciousness, and therefore elevates their consciousness to a new level of awareness and understanding of being itself.
This same pattern of transformation can also occur within a culture, whether it be secular or religious. Typically it begins through a perceived idea that is foreign to an existing cultural idea originating within an individual that then goes out and contends with the old idea that ultimately sends shockwaves throughout the existing culture. Of course, committing such sacrilege brings with it great temporal and enduring suffering, as the first is produced at the origination and proclamation of the new idea, and with it all the opposition that comes against it. And the latter from the newfound heightened state of consciousness that brings about a heightened sense of pain and suffering that are intrinsically embedded within nature, and with it a new heightened sense of responsibility.
A prime example of such individualistic and cultural transformations can be found within the story of Adam and Eve, as well as the lives and works of the fathers of the reformation. First, the story of Adam and Eve reveals to us how an elevated consciousness transforms the individual into a creature that is more aware as well as more aware of their vulnerability to the suffering intrinsic to nature. And this transformation did not only occur within the individual, but the culture, or world as it would be, too.
Second, the fathers of the reformation challenged the old ideas embedded within the Catholic Church with their new, profoundly innovative ideas that were first ridiculed by the existing culture until that were proven verifiable by the evidence embedded within scripture and throughout nature. And with this verifiability of the new ideas, the old ideas were made extinct. This extinction of the old ideas not only transformed the individuals within the existing culture, but the culture itself as well. And with this new heightened sense of awareness came the inexplicable heightened sense of suffrage, and that of responsibility.
Each one of us possesses tremendous amounts of potential that lies dormant until activated, a type of frozen asset. The way in which we activate the dormant potential is by aiming at the highest aim, and then striving towards that aim while making manageable changes that ahere themselves to the aim in mind. Over the course of time, you will begin to activate the dormant potential within and transform into the ideal self that is set within the aim itself. Aim, strive, and transform into who you were called to be.
Several times throughout scripture we are called to be watchful, to be sober and vigilant because the devil roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Apart from the spiritual nature of the context in which these words ring true, this can also be interpreted in a more natural form in which we are called to pay attention to ourselves and our surrounding culture and society as corruption and chaos are constantly seeking to devour all. With the current trend of chaotic riots erupting throughout America and the world as a whole, it is safe to say that now, as Christians, we must pay attention, not only to the actions of the groups and the individuals that make up the groups, but the underlying ideology that possesses them.
People become possessed by ideologues when their critical thought process is impeded, which is typically due to the lack of accrued knowledge and reflective thought. People of this sort tend to go along with whatever trending idea that confronts them, and with little to no research into where the set of ideas originated or what evidence may support them, they simply follow along with the masses into the commitment and engagement of corrupted acts that manifest themselves from these sets of ideas.
How can we protect ourselves from such an ideological possession? Study and meditation seem to be the antidote in avoiding such a catastrophe. In the book of Proverbs for example, the exhortation to engage in the act of accumulating knowledge and wisdom is echoed throughout multiples times, and this accumulation of knowledge is one of the factors that help shield us from corrupted ideas.
“Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.”
Proverbs 2:9-13 NASB
Meditation, or rather that of critical thought and reflection is of equal importance as you need critical thinking skills in order to properly analysis and assess information you receive from studying. Critical thought not only helps us examine the ideas of others, but also helps us examine our own ideas. When we critically examine our own ideas about the essence and nature of being itself, we can properly form strong ideas that can ultimately stand against other ideas, especially those of a more radical nature. By examining and challenging our own thoughts and ideas, we can properly form conclusions that not only stand against others ideas, but also correlate with scripture and reality itself. In order to know what is good, we must study and then examine in correlation with scripture and reality.
“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 NASB
Thankfully, as Christians, we have a solid foundation in which to work from unlike our secular counterparts. The solidarity of scripture and the idealistic character of Christ gives us a point of reference in which to build all other ideas. Once an idea is formulated, we can then test our idea against that of scripture, and then that of reality. If our idea correlates with the whole of scripture as well as the evidence found embedded within the fabric of reality, then our idea is at least in part correct. And what do we do when we have an idea that stands against this test? We utilize it properly by revealing the evidence that leads to this conclusive idea, and yet never allow it to be the final word in our life.
Ideas come and go, and some of them are outstanding while others are of devastating proportions, such as the ideas that fueled Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mao’s China-the same ideas of which are fueling the radical groups that riot in our streets today. But at the end of the day, we should always find ourselves possessed by Christ Himself, always submitting to Him in all things. We may formulate powerfully good ideas, and yet Christ is what should possess our being.
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
ATTENTION CHRISTIAN MEN: We are not call to be passive, but rather we are called to be courageous. We are not called to succumb to the demands of secular culture, but rather we are called to be stand against it. We are not called to love whatever the Christian church deems as good, but rather we are called to understand God’s word and love what He has called us to love.
Let’s look at the examples of men in scripture to fully grasp what we are called to be like. Abraham left home and ventured into the unknown to contend with the world. Moses stood up against Pharaoh and led God’s people out of bondage. Joshua led the army of Israel to combat and defeat the evil Canaanites. David stood up against the giant, Goliath, and overcame him and proceeded forward with his victory by removing his head. Christ rebuked the radicals of His day and is returning with a sword to slay the wicked. Paul stood up and rebuked the opposition of his day.
All of these men exhibited courage, faith, heart, strength and fierceness. And all these men were led by the Holy Spirit. The question you should ask yourself-where do you stand in comparison with these legendary followers of God? Are you passive or courageous? Are you a kind pushover or someone to contend with?
More than ever we need to stand against the radical groups seeking to possess our country with their corrupted ideology, such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa. Are you ready to make a stand?
Since the proclamation of the death of God during the last part of the 19th century by the German philosopher Fredrick Nietzsche, society has descended into the depth of nihilism while various groups conjured up their own ideal to instantiate into society, all of which have failed miserably.
At this moment, we are still witnessing the efforts of radical groups try and enforce their ideals upon society, most of which are variations of the older, failed ideas. As these groups conjure up and shout out their corrupted ideology, they fail miserably to observe the true ideal set before them that was spoken by God and written down by men.
This blind ignorance is part and partial due to their own arrogance and selfish desires as well as their disregard for God Himself. And yet all one has to do is observe the teachings of both Christ and the apostles, without a bias that is, and easily conclude that Christianity by far exceeds any moral ideal that man could create.
If the same effort that the radicals put into formulating their own ideal into that of the study of the Christian mode of being, we would see a radical transformation of love, joy and peace within society. But perhaps this path is much too easy for the radical opposition and impedes their own selfish desires rather than the improvement of the lives of others?
Whatever the case, the law of God is perfect, and the great need for it to dwell within every human heart and mind throughout the globe should be the mission of each and every Christian currently inhabiting this planet. Man may conceptualize an ideal, but the perfect law of God prevails over them all.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;” Psalms 19:7 NKJV
Never be too certain with yourself as you are more than likely incorrect. Challenge your own thoughts and beliefs, always debating within yourself. Overtime of practicing this, and always following the evidence over emotions, you will develop a solid foundational belief system that will be able to contend against any ideology that challenges it. It is easier to become possessed by an ideology than it is to follow where the evidence leads as the evidence often times leads you to the place in which you least want to be.
Throughout the centuries, stemming back thousands of years, we have been conceptualizing sets of ideals that often times manifested themselves in that of heroes of old. As far back as 3,000 BC in ancient Sumeria and Egypt we see this conceptualization manifest itself through heroic figures such as Gilgamesh, Marduk, and Osiris.
Even today we see these same types of conceptualizations manifesting themselves in fictionist characters such as Superman, Iron Man, Captian Marvel, and the like. And yet all of these conceptualized heroes possess one or more form of weakness that hinders them from becoming the full manifestation of the ultimate ideal.
Within the context of Christianity we see this conceptualization of the ultimate ideal not only manifest itself within the literary work of the gospels, but physically present itself in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in real time. The character of Christ presented no weaknesses, and exhibited perfect balance throughout His life on earth.
Christ was as gentle as a lamb, and yet as courageous as a lion. He was seen as a humble servant, and yet also as a divine warrior. He graciously forgave sinners, and yet condemned sin. He would not bruise a reed and was filled with love, and yet He overcomes the evil one.
If there were to be any hero typology that humankind were to seek, if any ideal in which they sought to emulate; Christ is the hero and the ultimate ideal. Be gentle and yet courageous. Be a servant to all, and yet a soldier for Christ. Be gracious to all, and yet veer from sin. Be filled with love, and yet fight the good fight.
Michael Thacker 