November 13, 2003 Christian Integration of "Secular" Truth
Attitudes
Philippians 4:8 tells us "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." The word "whatever" in this passage is not limited to a particular context. If it is true, we should dwell on it.
| "The Good, the True and the Beautiful" are trans-contextual and should be our quest, and appropriated wherever we find it. A passion for this trinity of blessing flows from the reality of the imago Dei, and the discernment of these are a supernatural privilege of our calling. |  |
In the Christian university or in the trenches of battlefield faith, the quest for discerning "True Truth" attains. Integrity requires it. John 16:13 tells us 1"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth"; indeed He has come, and we have the gift of the Spirit and the fruit of a sound mind to discern that which is true from creation, (what is normal from God's perspective) what has been corrupted by the fall, and the means to see it refined in the fires of redemption, whereby the word burns away the impurities.
I not only contend that Calvin was scripturally correct on this point, it is a driving force of my life. This attitude is not contingent upon being a scholar or a participant in Christian Higher education., it is a vital aspect of God's basileia on earth. If the truth sets us free, seeking or "hunting and gathering " the truth makes us liberators, and is a key vocation of agents of redemption in the Kingdom of God. Man's ability to apprehend and communicate Truth was fragmented by the fall. Men made in the image of God scratch and claw at these broken fragments of truth every day, and the history of the world is the history of man's failure to apprehend Truth. It is only by the Holy Spirit that we can hope to separate the wheat from the tares of the world's truth claims.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to test "everything". I do not believe it is beyond the purview of the context to exclude "anything", especially any word from the world that carries truth claims. II Corinthians 10:5 declares "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. "
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If we are to test all things, and take every thought captive, part of our vocation is to reckon the reality of all things. This is imperative. We should have a passion for truth and a viciously critical approach to separating the falseness out of syncretistic truth claims. If there is a jot or tittle of truth in the field of personality and developmental theory, it is to be appropriated as a gift of God, accorded its worth, and used to the glory of God and the good of man. |
Salt, light and PhD Students
All Christians are to be truth lovers and lie-haters. The attitude of a PhD student in our context then should be the attitude of all lovers of truth- to critically appropriate and joyfully glean the truth wherever its fragmented pieces may lie on the landscape of the human enterprise to the glory of God. We should measure discerningly how any truth claim has been corrupted by the fall, and how it might be redeemed in the light of Christ's Truth.
I would contend that this is a real extension of true confession and repentance. Confession is agreeing with God and repentance is changing our minds about sin- all that is not done in faith (Romans 14:23). This confession extends to all areas of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, which are all operating east of Eden. Whatever we proclaim and value as truth reflects upon God's glory, and if we devalue something that is true, we cast aspersions upon Grace. There is no need to debate whether this confession pertains only to moral issues, as in a moral universe, all truth claims carry a moral component.
We are to examine ourselves . 2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith." This especially attains in regard to personality and developmental theory, which are so concerned with anthropology and which has at times been allowed to uncritically infiltrate the blood bought body of Christ.
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Humans made in the image of God are all peculiar muddy pastiches of our circumstances, environment, genetic material- clay pots- that upon investment with glory are transformed over time. The way we have been developed are a part of the potter's sovereign intent, and even when glory spills out of our cracked pots it is still glory. |
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Amos 5:15 commands us to "Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate!" A separationist attitude attempts to set oneself apart from the world, the flesh, and the devil. In fact, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise- we have supernatural spiritual armor available that is intended to protect us parapedemoi (1 Peter 1:1) while we are about the hard work of establishing justice. It is the Spirit that makes us Holy, and self-separation from the context and cultural milieu the Lord has intentionally placed us in to be salt and light just makes no sense Biblically. Salt and light must perpetually come in vital contact with and penetrate impurity, decay, error, and darkness for its effects to take place consistently and as intended by our Lord.
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High and Mighty One Most High Lord Lifted high over all the earth High and Mighty One |
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Lifted up you reign in love
In majesty above
A strong right arm of power
Accomplishes your will
In weakness’s worst hour
Lifted high over all the earth
We declare your matchless worth
A tower of power mighty and strong
The strength of the overcomer
Empowers our song
High and Mighty One
High and Mighty One
In your presence we are undone
High and Mighty One!
Anthony Foster
November 11, 2006
Light of the World
Our eyes have seen the glory
Of the majesty On High
A blazing sword is in his mouth
A fire is in His eye
His radiance is reflected
In His church till He draws nigh
He is the only light we can see by.
Light of the World
Oh glorious light
Upon the face of God
We would set our sights
We overcome the darkness
Bold and shining bright
Light of the World
Be Thou our light!
Our darkness is now driven
Far from our dawning day
Illuminate the dreary depths
Of death’s shadows and decay
Shine forth as you arise in us
Be the lamp that lights our way
Open up our eyes to see , we pray.
Light of the World
Oh glorious light
Upon the face of God
We would set our sights
We overcome the darkness
Bold and shining bright
Light of the World
Be Thou our light!
Anthony Foster
November 11, 2006
Metaphors of Integration
Discern test, prove, refine, filter
| Fuel filter on an auto Sifting flour Air filtrationAthletes eliminating errors Eating fish and leaving the bones Sieving grapes Panning for gold |
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Refining metal Distilling salt Hoeing weeds Pruning sucker shoots Cleaning game Picking up litter Editing film Spellcheck Grading papers Repairing a foundation De-scenting a skunk Cutting mold from bread Removing shells from nuts Pulling a tooth Surgery for cancer |