Science vs Religion

 

Dear Gentle Reader,

As you may have already guessed by now this blog is/was not written for those who chose not to think for them selves. When I first started in the Ministry I was surprised that while the Christian belief system is based on the written Word. Few if any have ever read the "Book" of books let alone really study for themselves. Someone said to me one time "I have a bible it's right up on our bookshelf with the other good books" Duh! Gentle Reader, when you run into the average believer you may find yourself facing one who at best is a faineant (that is one who relies on others to do their thinking). I do not believe that God gave us brains that could last for 1000 years only to use 10% We are given to learn and the reason I mention science in the title of this blog is because IMHO science is the other side on man. 

That is to say science deals with the tangible (see, taste, feel, observe etc. ) While the spiritual side what we sometimes call religion is left to wither on the vine!  Religion is in actuality man trying to reach God So today we want to focus on the spiritual side and what the Bible calls:

  The Rulers Of The Kosmos

"Because not to us is the conflict against blood and flesh, but against the Rulers, against the Authorities, against the world (KOSMOS) Rulers of this darkness against the spiritual (hosts) of evil in the heavenlies"

Eph. 6:12, (From the Greek Nestle Text.)

In this verse Paul seems to be contrasting the games of the arena, where contestants were matched in flesh and blood struggles only. Our contest, on the other hand, is against sacrosanct authorities and the rulers of this darkness. Paul uses the word, KOSMOKRATOR,(Greek) lord of the world, just as it was used of the Roman Emperor (Corpus Inscriptionum, Bockhil, 5892). Paul aptly adds; "Of This Darkness." There is a real conflict in this world for the MIND of man. It is ruthless, systematic and calculating. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 has this conflict before it.

"For though in flesh we walk

Not according to the flesh do we war,-

For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly,

But mighty by God, unto a pulling down of strongholds, -

When we pull down calculations and every height that uplifteth itself against the knowledge of God, And when we bring into captivity every thought unto the obedience of The Christ."

Rotherham Emphasized Bible. (A literal translation)

Paul in Phil. 2:5 bids the Christian to have the mind of Christ. This mind is in complete opposition to this world-system and its rulers. The warfare is real and the issues are vital. There is a KOSMIC-RULER of this darkness that is spreading across the world. The conflict for the mind seems to more and more fit the pattern of the book entitled 1984 -- with the theme, "Big Brother Is Watching Over You." To capture, to enslave, to mold and to stamp out all vestiges of Christ-likenesses seem to be the intent of this struggle. It is at once a spiritual battle, a battle of ideology wherein world rulers seek to control what one is to think, believe and act. The real issues are not in flesh and blood contests, but these rulers of darkness verily know that the mind that is allowed to think upon The Christ of God, will with that thinking, be changed.

The so-called Christian religions are but an instrument in the hands of this ruler of darkness to blind the mind to the completeness and perfections of The Christ and our life in Him and His in us. Any devise used to draw one away from the centrality of Christ, even though seemingly moral and religious, is a subterfuge to destroy the preeminence of Christ. If this bulwark of true spirituality goes, rest assured, that nothing essential remains to hinder the full onslaught of the authoritarian powers that would dominate the mind of first the Christian and then of the world. Col. 2:8 has a direct bearing upon this:

"Be taking heed lest there shall be anyone leading you off as a spoil,

Through means of their philosophy, and an empty deceit, -

According to the instructions of men,

According to the first principles of the world (KOSMOS), --

And NOT according to Christ."

Rotherham

Paul warns of being made a "spoil." That this world-system is NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST. As we daily come in contact with this system we may think it to be aimless and without direction but if we will look closely a pattern will be observed along the following lines:

1. Philosophy (man's reasoning) instead of Divine Revelation.

2. Deification of man and the abnegation of God.

3. Religiously, the emphasis on ordinances and the rites of man's inventions rather than enjoining simple faith in a perfect Saviour.

4. Ancientism, a turning back to the "first principles of the KOSMOS", i.e., the order of the heavens and earth that were so very much a part of paganism, and that so minutely regulated Israel's religion. Cp. Gal. 4:3.

Christ is the answer to man's reasoning about God. Christ is the end to religion, for He fulfilled all its types and shadows. The ultimate goal of the world-system is to degrade and to get rid of -- The Christ Of God. The "Jesus" of modern-day Christianity helps to serve this goal, and this completely humanized "Jesus" inflates man's ego, hardly being distinguished from "Buddha", and having little in common with The Christ of Scripture.

And so Gentle Reader, I don't ask you to agree with me but merely 'search and see' for yourself. Perhaps you will come to say "I studied with "the Doctor"

 Love, Denis