SSTeacher;6534232:
Would you mind clarifying your question by giving two examples of “spiritual truth” that conflict with each other?
Cordially,
Mick
Gladly
(1) The JW come knocking on your door. Now you might let them in and chat or blow them off. But how do you verify that what they are proposing is incorrect.
(2) You visit my church where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are practiced and encouraged. Then you read “Charismatic Confusion” by John MacArthur where he claims they have been abolished and all of us are woefully deceived. What is the process you use to embrace the one and reject the other (cited because I went through this a while back).
Thanks for the clarification.
I venture to suggest that there are two parallel journeys. One is the conceptual or intellectual journey and the other is the life application.
I think that the life application for the Christian is such that it cannot be “proved” since it’s simply the manifestation of a Christian’s faith and some Christians have greater faith than others. If one is just starting out I think the life application ought to begin with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Just before Saint Paul cautioned the Thessalonians to examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good he counseled them to pray without ceasing. No reason given – just do it. That’s the Christian life application. One simply does these things because they are pleasing to God. I daresay it’s probably correct to assume that normal people do not naturally want to pray, fast, or give to those who are in need. So if you find the whole of your being rising up in protest and wanting to demand, “Why should I?” I think you can be fairly certain you’re on the right track. Once you get on track the goal is to increase the frequency and intensity – and never tire of doing that which is good.
As far as the intellectual journey goes I guess one begins by identifying and examining one’s presuppositions. In your case, it seems as if your starting point is one of many ideas that Saint Paul posited to the Thessalonians. I suppose you might ask yourself why you’ve decided upon that as your starting point and consider why you didn’t start with something Jesus said (cf. Matthew 4:17)? But wherever it is one chooses as the starting point the goal is to “know thyself” as Plato put it. I imagine for most of us that’s a lifelong endeavor. I think the human capacity for self–delusion based upon, pride, greed, and selfishness is probably beyond measure.
Concepts and ideas and proofs of sundry doctrines certainly have their place but it’s all too easy to let them become the whole picture. It is in my view entirely unnecessary to have to nail down every single issue in order to be able to “prove” the righteousness of one’s conceptual position. What use is it to be able to explain the Hypostatic Union and the importance of the
filioque yet have no practical knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self–control?
John MacArthur has never knocked on my door but I generally engage Jehovah’s Witnesses and Latter–day Saints in conversation when they arrive because I enjoy talking about what I believe. They are always courteous and pleasant and I’m happy to give them credit for always maintaining their composure. We never agree, of course – but then life’s like that in every single area of human activity, isn’t it?
God bless you on your journey.
In Christ,
Mick
