Don’t Change Your Mind

Over Your Popcorn!

Warren E. Berkley

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“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thess. 2:13 (ESV)

            We live in a visually centered culture.  We are watching televisions, computer screens, phone screens and tablet devices several hours daily. And in this media-heavy climate,  the movie industry has discovered new and exciting ways to market their products through services like Netflex, Redbox, cable on-demand services, etc. – all in addition to the traditional theatre venue.

            It has occurred to me, we may need this simple reminder: movies are generally not objective and reliable sources of history, and should not ever be allowed to compete with the authority of the word of God.

            Brokeback Mountain should not change your mind about sexuality; The Da Vinci Code offers nothing of substance against the authenticity of the gospels; Erin Brockovich didn’t cause most of us to stop using public water; Wall Street did little to change the economic system. Remember, while movie makers may have certain designs and agendas to change your mind, let the viewer beware. Movies are generally not objective, reliable sources of history. However entertaining they may be, they should never be allowed to compete with the authority of the word of God.

            It is true, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest may heighten our concern about mental institutions; A Beautiful Mind takes us to a new level of awareness of Schizophrenia, and Rain Man may well spark a better understanding of Autism. The movie Courageous was refreshing to those of us who hold honesty and fidelity in high esteem and take delight when those virtues are exemplified, especially when so many movies celebrate the opposites. But even when movies are thought-provoking, beware of changing your mind over your popcorn!

            Movies are often produced and delivered, to create sympathy for the primary character or set of characters. One of the basic ingredients of a successful movie is, a strong character who is not understood and struggles against odds and adversaries. We get on the side of the protagonist and may feel strong disfavor toward the adversaries. That’s exactly the audience outcome that is within the purpose of the producers. That sympathy we feel must never become the basis for changing our beliefs or practices, particularly when you consider – God has given us his word in written form. And, “when you read,” you understand what you ought to believe and do before God (Eph. 3:4).

FOUR ATTITUDES TOWARD TRUTH

(1 Kings 22)

Kevin Kay

John Dryden:  “Truth is the foundation of all knowledge and the cement of all societies.”

Solomon:  “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding”  (Pr. 23:23).

Truth is absolutely indispensable to our relationships with both God and man.  Nothing can take its place!  Everything that can be done must be done to secure and safeguard the truth.  The man who would be God’s servant is admonished to:  (1) call upon Jehovah in truth (Psa. 145:18); (2) serve Jehovah in truth (1 Sam. 12:24); (3) walk before Jehovah in truth (Psa. 86:11); and (4) worship Jehovah in truth (Jn. 4:23-24).

Our service to God and our relationship with Him must be founded upon truth, because truth is an inherent characteristic of deity.  Jehovah is a God of truth (Psa. 31:5).  Jesus is the very epitome of truth (Jn. 14:6).  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (Jn. 15:26).  Our service to God and our relationship with Him must be based upon the word of God, because it is the word of truth (Jn. 17:17).  Now, I’ve said all this to emphasize the fact that our attitude toward truth is of supreme importance.  In a letter to Anthony Collins, Esq., John Locke said, “To love truth for truth’s sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues.”  (Oct. 29, 1703).

There is a true story preserved in 1 Kings 22 that illustrates four different attitudes toward truth.  Four principle characters play their respective roles in this drama:  Ahab, the wicked king of Israel; Jehoshaphat, the good king of Judah; the 400 prophets of Israel; and Micaiah, the son of Imlah.  They each manifest a different attitude toward the truth and provide a mirror to help us look at our own attitude toward truth.  If you are familiar with this story, you know that Ahab wanted to attack Ramoth-Gilead to recover this city of refuge from the Syrians.  He asked Jehoshaphat to become his ally and he agreed.  The 400 prophets of Israel assured Ahab that he would be victorious.  However, when Micaiah was consulted, he prophesied Ahab’s defeat and death.  If you are not familiar with this story, let me encourage you to read it in its entirety (1 Ki. 22:1-40) before proceeding. Continue reading “Four Attitudes Toward Truth” →

The Power of the Non-verbal

From My Notes on Ezekiel

Warren E. Berkley

Studying the book of Ezekiel and teaching a survey class through the book a few years ago, many “secondary lessons” have come to my attention. One is the power of the nonverbal.

In addition to visions, allegories, indictments and judgment passages, one method of communication was symbolic actions or enactments. Ezekiel was told to go through certain actions; to act out or dramatize various things in front of the people. These actions, though often accompanied by words, become examples of how powerful the nonverbal is. {See examples in Ezek. 3:22-27; 4:1-3; 4:9-17; 24:15-24].

While nobody today lives in the time of the Jewish exile and nobody today is called to do exactly what the prophet did, there is a “secondary lesson” concerning the power of the nonverbal.

While Christians are charged to speak the truth, we are likewise charged to live out that truth in all our behavior. We communicate not only through words but deeds. People see how we live, in addition to hearing what we say.

Therefore, all our self-examination should take into sober account not only what we speak but what we do. One must accompany the other and both must be in submission to God’s authority. In fact, this is so important – it becomes critical for us to realize that what we say may have little impact, if what we do contradicts it! Some people who have very little Bible knowledge, nevertheless can spot a hypocrite at some distance.

Or as James once said, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty,” (Jas. 2:12).

I will soon begin teaching the gospel of John at Laurel Heights. 

To accompany those classes, I’m doing 3-4 min. audio podcasts. The first one is up now, accessible at this link: Gospel of John Podcasts.

Tomorrow’s post here will introduce by son, Herb, as a regular contributor.

Jerusalem’s Shame

Zeph. 3:1-4

Within the books of prophecy the Bible reader is able to see clearly the problems God had with His people, often called “Jerusalem” (often described with the feminine “she.”)

The word of the Lord came to these men, and they were charged with telling God’s people why they were headed for trouble. Here’s one example:

“Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God. Her officials are roaring lions, her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are arrogant; they are treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.”

This doesn’t read like a “chamber of commerce” publicity blurb does it. Almost as bad as ancient Sodom, you wouldn’t want to live there or move your family in. This is a place where oppression, rebellion and pride lived. Even the religion of this place was corrupt and profane. And the government officials were like roaring, hungry lions who went on the attack in the evenings with such ferocity, there was nothing left the next day. This is why the people were in such trouble, and headed for destruction.

But in the middle of this, look carefully for a single phrase that spells out the core issue: “She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God.” Yes, that was the foundational problem. They had abandoned God. When God is abandoned, the people suffer multiple consequences generated by sin, even before the eternal outcome.

This should cause us to think, how do we draw near to God? Let us assume we want to be closer to Him and live far away from the corruption and sin of ancient Jerusalem. How do we draw near to God?

• Read His Word
• Obey Him
• Join with others who obey Him
• Pray without ceasing
• Worship in spirit and truth
• Use God’s Word to examine and adjust your attitude
• Be willing to stand corrected by the Word

 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded,” (Jas. 4:8).

From the Preceptor Archives

Had An Attitude Crash?

Warren E. Berkley

Have you ever had an attitude crash? Here’s what I mean. Things build up. You begin the day not feeling well, then everything that happens seems to make you feel worse. You keep doing what you have to do, but there is the ugly mess growing inside you with every additional pressure and stressful event. It may be compared to having a bucket inside you. The bucket can contain only so much junk, then it happens. You have an attitude crash which may express itself in an explosion of vile language, treating someone with conspicuous coldness, violence, indifference to someone trying to get your attention, a rash statement or insult, or just walking away from your present responsibility. This could be called an attitude crash. I don’t believe there are very many people who can claim they’ve never had one. What kind of Bible teaching might be applied to this common problem?

1. I need to understand at the beginning of every day – the devil wants my attitude to crash. He will attempt to maneuver and seduce me into this, because he knows it will achieve his aim, which is to pull me away from God and into sin. It will help for me to get up everyday knowing I have such an enemy, and watch for his wiles. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Pet. 5:8,9).
2. I need to realize that the closer I stay to God, the less likely such a crash will occur. I stay close to my God through prayer, Bible reading and study, meditation and good association with His people. If I worship with the saints on a regular basis, that will help. In that collective worship I need to be sincere, involved and reverent. As I grow in diligence and participation with God and His will, I actively prevent an attitude crash. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” (Psa. 119:11).
3. My great spiritual leader never had an attitude crash! Jesus “committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth … when He was reviled, [He] did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” If I am a Christian, He is “the Shepherd and Overseer of [my] soul,” (see 1 Pet. 2:22-25). It is amazing! Under all the pressure of ridicule, violence, illegal trials, false accusations and then a painful death – He “did not revile in return!” He is our example, our leader and the overseer of our souls.
4. As I read and study the New Testament, I am warned to monitor my attitude constantly. I am to “be renewed in the spirit of [my] mind, and … put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” I am taught to be angry but “do not sin,” neither “let the sun go down on [my] wrath, nor give place to the devil.” In this same passage: “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” And “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you,” (see Eph. 4:23-32).
5. I do not have to sin! “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it,” (1 Cor. 10:13).
6. The love described in 1 Cor. 13:4-7 is another preventive measure I can take. If I suffer long; if I’m kind, not envious and not puffed up, this behavior keeps me from an attitude crash. If I refrain from rude behavior, avoid provocation and think no evil, this helps keep my heart pure and calm. If I have decided not to rejoice in iniquity, but to rejoice in the truth, these are the qualities that keep me from the crash. Watch out! Don’t surrender to an attitude crash.

Book Review by Warren Berkley

THE JOY OF GROWING OLD IN CHRIST

by Dee Bowman

It seems necessary to say, I’ve known Dee Bowman and consider him a close friend and mentor going back about 45 years. We first met in Arkansas where Dee came to hold meetings (early 70s). While I am younger than Dee, we knew – in those early days – we would get older. We just didn’t talk about it. It is different now. I’m reading and talking about it. Dee is writing about it in his new book, THE JOY OF GROWING OLD IN CHRIST (Available through Florida College Bookstore).

This is not a typical recital of all the foibles of aging; not a primer on how to navigate the Medicare system; not a denunciation of young people or exaltation of senior wisdom. This is classic Dee Bowman truth from Scripture that encourages and equips us to think of aging with righteous values and hope in view.

“Joy” is in the title and in the book, page after page, for senior saints to grasp and for junior saints to appreciate and develop in the present.

Here are some samples:

Your light doesn’t change because of advancing years. You still have an influence, and in some instances a greater opportunity to let it shine for the good of others. It would be a sad thing – indeed, if your light were allowed to dim when it could still shine.

[From the back cover] – Thus, this book They Joy Growing Old in Christ, has come into being. He maintains that growing old can be a joyful experience for every Christian who will accept it with a willing mind. He writes of the joy that comes from being in Christ; the joy of a married couple as they grow old together; of continuing to grow in knowledge of God’s word; of going on, enduring and finishing well (and much more). As you read it, you will be stirred by a fresh perspective on serving the Lord toward the end of life’s day.

Dee cites examples of real people; provides rich exposition of Scripture; applies principles of wisdom and in all of this, he is urging us to be looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. I highly recommend this book for everybody. Young People! Read it now, before the silver cord begins to snap.

Berksblog Update – In a few days, my son, Herb, will begin contributing material on a periodic basis.

(Dee Bowman from a ’99 issue of Christianity Magazine)

FOUR THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. Who you are (Galatians 3:26).

2. Why you are here. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

3. Where you’re going (Joshua 23:14).

4. What to expect (Hebrews 6:19–20).

Source: Bowman, D. (1999). That’s Life. Christianity Magazine, 16(2), 24.

Am I the Problem?

1 Kings 18:17, 21:20, 22:8

by Drew Nelson

[Originally published in Expository Files 21.12, Dec. 2014]

Ahab was a bad man and an even worse king. The author of Kings stresses that his wickedness was not just undesirable, but worse than every Israelite king before him. “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord…to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). He built and worshipped idols, married the evil Jezebel, and led Israel further away from God than they had ever been before. Yet these were just the beginning of Ahab’s issues. At the root of Ahab’s impiety was a hard heart that refused to evaluate himself or listen to godly counsel. Ahab never asked himself, “am I the problem?”

Because of the king’s wickedness, the prophet Elijah told Ahab that there would be a multi-year drought. When they met again Ahab jeered Elijah, “is it you, you troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah set him straight, telling him, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have…because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals” (v18). Ahab blamed Israel’s trouble on Elijah, never considering his own culpability.

After Jezebel’s conspiracy against Naboth to acquire his vineyard and Ahab’s complicity, Elijah approached Ahab again. This time Ahab wryly asked Elijah, “have you found me, O my enemy?” (1 Kings 21:20a). Again, Elijah set him straight, saying, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord” (v20b). Ahab considered God’s prophet to be his enemy, never considering his own evil heart.

After Jehoshaphat insisted on a prophet that was not a “yes man”, Ahab replied, “there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord…but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). Ahab never considered why all the prophecies concerning him were evil. Never did he wonder, “perhaps the prophecies about me are evil because I am evil.” Ahab constantly blamed his problems on everyone but himself.

Ahab’s shirking still plagues mankind. He continually assumed that everyone but him was the issue. Bad things were happening all around him, but he could only blame Elijah. Never did he stop and ask, “am I the problem? Maybe I have something to do with all this trouble that constantly surrounds me.”

Have you ever known anyone like this? Imagine a man who is involved in multiple traffic accidents each year. Police officers know him by sight because they pull him over so often. Everywhere this man drives people honk and yell at him. And this is the conclusion the man comes to: “why are all these other people such terrible drivers? The police are out to get me!” Every accident is the other driver’s fault in his telling. Never does he stop and ask, “am I the problem?” He never even entertains the thought the he might be the terrible driver.

It is easy to recognize this problem in others. But will we recognize it in ourselves? When we are in constant conflict with people or feel like we are being continually persecuted, our first question ought to be, “am I the problem?” If conflict and controversy have been the story of my life, that probably says more about me than everyone else (it did with Ahab). Humility, honesty, and self-evaluation are in order—all things Ahab never practiced. Conflicts among brethren would be very short-lived (non-existent?) if all parties asked themselves, “am I the problem?”

Silent Speech?

Dee Bowman

There’s such a thing, I think, as “silent speech.” We can say things without ever saying a word. Don’t we often say, “that says something about him” when not a word was uttered? May I suggest some things you can say without a podium or a soapbox?

Say something to others by how you speak. If you speak with a clean tongue at all times and on all matters, you say something about yourself. A filthy mouth bespeaks a foolish heart.

Say something to others by what you wear. Sloppy dress suggests something about you. Provocative clothing says something, too. And so does proper attire. Clothing speaks.

Say something to others by how you act. Everybody wants a good time, but when fun goes ballistic and restraint goes out the window, it speaks volumes about who and what you are.

Say something to others by your choice of associates. Stay long enough with the wrong people and you’ll become like them. Stay with good folks and you’ll be influenced their good manners. Who you’re with speaks considerably to what you’ve chosen to be.

Say something to others by where you go. If you go places where evil is king, it says you don’t care. If you’re the only one on your block who attends worship services on Lord’s Day, it says to your neighbors that you want to worship Him, to recommend Him, to follow him. If you don’t ever attend it says you’re like everybody else, you don’t care to be there.

Need I say more?