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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Opus 2021-139: Foolish or Faithful

How many people read the Bible in an attitude of superstition and how many read it as the word of God?  What strange tangent is my mind going on now?

So often we hear the Bible quoted as if reciting the verse is some talisman to ward off evil.  They roll off the tongue.  They sound so good.  But when people say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheth me,” they do so completely out of context and give it a false meaning.  They like to tell us “God is love”, which is true, but they do so having no idea what love means.  This is extra distorted if they have been watching Hallmark movies.

Superstition is the manipulation of the words and objects of power to gain control in life.  You knock on wood to keep bad luck at bay.  I remember one guy telling me if I would put some money in an envelop, write some phrase on the front and send it to his favorite ministry, I would get ten times as much back.  Superstition in people who think they are Christians is attempts to manipulate God like He is some cosmic vending machine that hands out prizes if you bump it just right.

The Bible is a document that only has real meaning when brought to life by the Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of a believer.  This is why it tells us that “they” will not understand.  Reading the Bible is not a matter of finding a verse that verifies our presuppositions but a call to find the truth that God wants to share with us at this time.

In this time of uncertainty we need to stop being superstitious and start learning truth.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

  1. Well said. As for Hallmark, They used to basically be a Christian company. I remember them taking a slow fall from the wagon about 50 years ago, though many would think it more recent.

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    1. Like so many, JC Penny, Walmart, Chic-fil-a, etc., when the next generation steps up to the plate Satan has a hay-day. I am guessing that the transition from cards to film was one key point.

      Grace and peace

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.