Thursday, January 9, 2014

Never Ending Bias – Part Three

 

Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

Continuing this discussion on the never-ending bias against God issue from the last post, Sproul explains that secular humanists maintain their rebellion against God believing that authentic human existence is characterized by a freedom that can only be maintained apart from “heteronomy” (subjection to something or someone else; especially: a lack of moral freedom or self-governing). Thus, authentic materialistic existentialism, with its view of autonomous human freedom, inevitably places itself willfully in direct opposition to God and Christianity. Its understanding of man makes the God-hypothesis of classic theism untenable. Of course, no one can refute the argument that the sovereignty of God and the autonomy of man are irreconcilable polar opposites. Not least is the question whether one can be autonomous simply because they declare themselves to be. That is what is really going on here because, ultimately, man can be completely autonomous only if, indeed, there is no God. The fact that man is a volitional being, a being with freedom of choice and a will of his own, is indeed critical to his being a human and not a thing, a subject and not an object. But must volition be raised to the level of autonomy to be regarded as free? Is it possible that we could possess free will and still be under the rule of God? Full autonomy belongs to the Creator. In the beginning, God places man in a garden paradise. Man’s role is not that of a slave with no freedom or authority, but of one who is given dominion over the earth. Man functions as God’s vassal being over all creation. Freedom is his, but with one restriction placed upon him: Man is free and responsible, but he is responsible to the law of God. The devil raised a distorted question about the limits imposed upon Adam and Eve, mocking the Devine command, questioning the integrity of God, and suggesting that it was unworthy of God to so restrict his creatures. The distortion in Genesis 3:1-6 implies the notion that without autonomy there is no freedom. The irony of humanism is that it originates from the promise of a serpent. Humanism was not invented by man, but by a snake, who suggested that the quest for autonomy might be a good idea. And he still does today and people buy the lie (“You will not surely die… you will be like God”), but die and never are gods.

Psalm 2:1-5Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath.”

Why the hostility? They despise the reign and rule of God, for it restricts their perceived freedom. Look around today; is this not what you see in the intolerant attacks on Christianity and the Bible? Again, the goal is autonomy and Sin without Hell to pay. The rule of God is regarded as ropes and chains binding them and keeping them from unbridled pursuance of their sinful desires. They set themselves against the sovereignty of Lord God in pure revolution, but the One who sits on the throne in the Kingdom of Heaven laughs, but His laugher turns to anger for acts of rebellion against His sovereign authority. Creator God does not look to the populace to advise or consent, and punishes with poetic justice. His punishment is in kind. The quest with never-ending bias for godless autonomy produces not liberation, but loss of freedom. Lord God exists and God’s word is truth. Fallen man is in bondage, a slave to his own passions. Jesus located human slavery in the bondage of the self to its own sinfully evil desires. The paradox is this: When one seeks to rebel from God, they gain only bondage and darkness. When one becomes a slave of righteousness to God, they become free in the presence of the Lord's light. Liberty is found in obedience to God. Redemption of sin, forgiveness of sin, and salvation from sin that leads to true liberty comes only through believing and accepting the free gift of Jesus Christ; the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen!

John 8:31-36 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Trust in God.
 In Christ, Brian

3 comments:

child of God said...

Amen! Powerful and true. Thanks for all the work you have been putting into your posts.
Blessings,
<><

Brian Ray Todd said...

Thank you Child of God. Over the years, I have found it critically important to know why people think the way they do, do the things that they do, and why. It has always bothered me when I have not been told the truth, or a half-truth, because I want all the information in order to make a good logical decision. Both sides of the story and the arguments for and against, Pros and Cons, whys and why not's are needed. So I want the same for others. Looking at the root problem, instead of the symptoms of any issue allows to treat the difficulty properly and mindfully.Even on controversial issue of the day. This helps in our own knowledge, spiritual growth and Christian witness to others. The objective is self-improvement, the saving of souls and the glorification of the Lord God. The truth is powerful. Praise and glory to God.

Anonymous said...

I've been saying for so very long that this is indeed a war against God himself. We are in a cultural war and have been in one for decades and it is now starting to really boil. Bill