I am preparing a series of posts which I will title “Why Everyone is Wrong About Something! Including Me.”
This ought to set off some Fireworks for the Fourth of July!
My purpose is to challenge each of us, including myself, to dig deeper into the Bible in an effort to understand it better.
Our Lord Jesus Christ left as His command the directive to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
I have long thought that there is nothing in the Bible that I have found so far in my study and reading that suggests that we must pass a test in Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, Biblical Hermeneutics, or Apologetics in order to qualify to enter heaven or be saved.
I am reminded of a blind lady in Spartanburg, South Carolina, who asked me to come to her home to conduct a meeting for the children in the Projects who lived around her. She wanted me to teach them the gospel. The children loved to sing the songs they had learned to sing in Sunday school. After the meeting, I stayed longer to enjoy fellowship with Mrs. White. I read to her from her Bible. She appreciated that for she had no one else to read the Bible to her.
I fully expect to see Mrs. White in eternity and anticipate more fellowship with her and many others I have had the pleasure of sharing the Gospel with.
This happened many years ago. At the time, the Mayor of Spartanburg specifically requested that the small group of us who came each Sunday to work with the children to keep doing so, even though all others during those extremely difficult times were asked not to do so anymore because of the building racial tensions.
The culture was much different then. Mrs. White and other residents in the Projects were almost upset when I came to the door and knocked first before entering. They expected me to just come in! That must have been an aspect of Southern hospitality.
And so, as I continue this series, I hope all of you will understand that it is not my intent at all to attack any person or faith. It is my intent to challenge myself and all of you with some very interesting yet likely mistaken views I have encountered.
I listen very carefully to those who may disagree with me. I frequently state that if your evidence proves me wrong, I am willing to be corrected and will change my mind. I think all of us need to develop this attitude.
Just yesterday, I began reading a book I have in my Logos Bible software library that is about discipleship. Among many helpful things I am reading in this book, a key principle is that to connect meaningfully with others we must demonstrate that we care about them personally. They must be encouraged by us in such a way that they become delighted when they see us. The book delves into a more modern approach to right-and-left brain factors that impact continued spiritual growth. The book answers the question: why do some believers begin strong and show great initial spiritual growth but fail to continue after eight years or so, while others continue this growth unabated? The authors suggest that the Church at large has focused upon “left-brain” things like Bible study, theology, logic, and the like while failing to excite consistently the “right-brain” which is what triggers the “left-brain’s” motivation, excitement, and commitment about spiritual things. My oldest son sent me a link about a church that is currently applying these principles. I watched the video, saw the reference to this book, and discovered I have it in my Logos library.