Foundational Principles (Part One)

The foundation for the Temple of Diana was built upon a marsh in Ephesus (present day Turkey). Today, only one pillar remains standing from the 127 original pillars.

In contrast to the short lived foundations of that pagan temple, Jesus said that anyone who "hears these words of Mine [Jesus], and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock." (Matthew 7.24)

There is one principle that Jesus lays out in this passage which most people continually fall over and wreck their lives with. This principle is as sure as the law of gravity, and just as devastating. This principle can account for all divorce, depression, and every kind of sorrow. Even when a person experiences the best that this life has to offer, if he violates this principle, it will catch up to him in the end.

The principle is this: No servant can serve two masters. (Luke 16.13)

It is the principle which logically corresponds to the first commandment, You shall have no gods before me. (Exodus 20.3). No man has the right to put anything before God.

We violate this principle in an untold number of ways. And when we violate it, we might not even realize we are doing it. Hence, the cycle of ruin continues.

Christians, and Atheists alike violate this principle. Both, the Atheist and the Christian who does not practice the commands of Christ, is coming from the exact same worldview... acting as if God did not exist. For the Christian, consider the cycles of sin which debilitated the Israelites and kept them from enjoying complete occupation of the Promised Land in the book of Judges. For the Atheist, I must ask you to keep reading until I can make my proof that Atheists and Christians who do not follow the commands of Christ, are coming from the exact same worldview.

Lastly, whatever provides your source of authority is the object of your worship. If you, an Atheist, say that science is your source of authority, then by definition you will view life from a particular perspective which will resemble (losely):

• Nominalism in the metaphysical
• Atheism in the theological
• Materialism in the cosmological
• Biologism (and evolution) in the anthropological
• Empiricism in the epistemological
• Utilitarianism in the ethical
• Positivism in the legal

If you follow your worldview consistently, then the outcomes will resemble these perspectives. The Christian who does not act upon God's word, is coming from your same worldview... and there are many!

The Church In Sync

The American church has become the whipping boy. Pagan belief prevails, and Barak sits on the throne. Why? It is NOT because the world has been so successful. It is not because they offer better answers. Can we not learn from biblical history, let alone, European history, and American history? Nope… we never learn. Judgment starts in the house of God (1 Peter 4.17).

In what ways is your household different than that of the humanistic environment of the day? How is the culture of your home any different than any moral pagan that you know? Our art, music, fast food, little league, church clubs, etc. are in sync with the world. Syncretism is “[the] reconciliation of different beliefs” (Latin root), or “union of communities” (Greek root). In short, syncretism is to look just like the world. The church adapts their philosophies of life and sprinkles some “Jesus” sugar on it. The church then becomes absolutely irrelevant (Matthew 5.13).

Look at the culture of your home. Dare I say, Dads, look at what your daughter is wearing? How is her clothing any different than her pagan friends? The fact that you cry, “Legalist!” illustrates my point. Does God speak to clothing issues? Should she be looking the same, speaking the same, acting the same, going to the same places? If that is not syncretism, you will have to tell me what is. Is it only when she begins having sex that we will admit, “Ok, the world has influenced her.” She has had a worldview that arises out of 17 magazine and we thought nothing of it… all we can think of is… “Don’t be a legalist…” How sad! The Midianites (the Atheists of today’s public schools) say, “get up in them hills, Christians!” We don’t want your silly Christian shows. Why have a Christian substitute try to imitate the world, when our artists do it better. You have nothing for us. Just be quiet.” (Judges 6.1-2)

Dads, repent of being caught up in a culture of vanity. Who cares if the Cardinals are in the super bowl! Why do you blame your child’s lack of spirituality on God? Look around you and take responsibility for their spiritual training! There are no guarantees concerning the salvation of our children. But, if they reject Christ, may it not be because we did not exhaust every resource possible to pass on the covenant of Christ to them.

Why Family Culture Must Be Long Term (Multigenerational)

As a youth minister is seemed the focus was upon getting teens "saved." I should have stepped back and asked, "What does the Word say?"

The Bible clearly outlines that the covenant with God is passed on multigenerationally, and through families (Genesis 18.18-19). Fathers must lead. If dad is not on deck (The captain of the ship), he is teaching and training irresponsibility. He is breading rebellion against God's commands. He cannot hope to send his child to the pagan schools of humanism, and then to a "fun" youth minister and expect anything less than to raise a secular humanist.

Judges 2.10 speaks of a generation in this situation. After God had commanded them to set up memorial stones to remind their children of God's miraculous deliverances, there arose a generation who did not know the Lord. If they failed, in an era without little league, Internet, x-box, etc. etc. how much more intentional should we be?

If the culture (sights, sounds, smells, art work, conversations) of your house is not tied to the excellencies of Christ, it WILL be tied to the shallowness (or perversity) of the prevailing culture of the day.

We study history by digging up art, artifacts, manuscript fragments, etc. If they were to dig up your house 300 years from now to find out about the culture of your house... our your face book page, what would they discover?

Perspective Suitor Questions

I recognize my responsibility as a dad, to protect my daughters in the area of transition toward marraige. I really do not relish the idea of giving them to a complete knuckle head... worse yet, some abusive, self-oriented, worthless, 2-bit, punk-of-a-man who will trample on that which I have spent years investing in. So, I prayed through a list of important questions that I want to ask this young "Knight in shining armor" to see if he really is a knight, or a dweeb.

I certainly need all the collective wisdom that I can get, so please add to, or provide perspective to the already listed questions...

Suitor Questions

1. What is your understanding of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Bible?
2. What is your understanding of Man, Man's problem, Man's solution?
3. What is your understanding of Man's purpose on Earth?
4. How are you (and will you) go about practically fulfilling that purpose as a husband and father?
5. How do children fit into the picture?
6. What is your perspective on the role of the in-laws?
7. What is your understanding of debt? How much debt do you have?
8. How do you deal with conflict?
9. What does it mean to "Sanctify your wife," and how is that done practically?
10. How would you discipline your children? Take me through a scenerio.
11. What are your top 3: Heroes, Books, Songs, Movies
12. Have you EVER looked at pornography?
13. Lets schedule a project with you, me, Gabe, and Micah together (maybe a 40 mile swim, hike, shooting outing)
14. Do a family project with us.
15. We need to do a project with your family.
16. Do you have your parents blessing... when can I talk to your dad?

Obviously, this would take a little bit of time, but isn't that the point. Some may say, "Goodness... if that is the case, forget it mister..." To which I say good! This is bare minimum stuff... These are things that a man of God is hungry for anyway! If this weeds out the "riff-raff," so much the better, you are not worthy of a Proverb 31 woman.

As far as the answers for the above questions, yes, I have Scriptural answers packed and ready to disciple this young man. I don't expect that he will be ready with "all the right answers." I will start with his character, and be ready to disciple him... and any father should. We live in an age with a severe lack of male leadership. To expect a young man to be perfect misses the point. To expect him to have character and be teachable is closer to reality. But to post the answers... I am not giving him that chance! I want to know his thoughts FIRST :)