Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: 3 Paralyzing Theological Mindsets, and the Gospel Truths to Overcome Them

  1. #1

    3 Paralyzing Theological Mindsets, and the Gospel Truths to Overcome Them


    3 Paralyzing Theological Mindsets, and the Gospel Truths to Overcome Them
    By Michael Brown Published on July 7, 2016
    https://stream.org/three-paralyzing-...ical-mindsets/

    There is no way a professional athlete could be successful if she was convinced that her team was destined to lose. There is no way a soldier in the army could be successful if he was convinced the enemy was going to triumph. Yet many Christians labor under a similar mindset, convinced that the world will only get worse before Jesus returns, convinced that Satan will win the coming battles before the coming of the Lord.

    Not only is that attitude unhealthy and self-defeating. It is also unbiblical.

    Allow me, then, to confront three paralyzing theological mindsets.


    "The Last Great Apostasy!"

    The first mindset sees every spiritual and moral setback as evidence that we are living in the final apostasy prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24. There He said, "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:10-12).

    Like clockwork, as soon as a new, heretical teaching begins to spread, or as soon as a Christian denomination denies a fundamental doctrine, or as soon as a prominent leader falls, believers begin to say, "This is it! This is the falling away Jesus spoke of! This is the last great apostasy!" ...

    ***

    ..."So Why Bother?"

    The second paralyzing mindset believes that, because the last days will be marked by ever-increasing darkness and we are living in the last days, things in the world will only get worse, so there's no use fighting against it. This, we are told, is what Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 3:1 where he wrote, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come" (NKJV).

    But did you ever ask yourself why Paul would be warning Timothy about something that wouldn't happen for at least 2,000 years? Does this make sense? And when you read Paul's description of the last days in vv. 2-5, does it sound unique to our generation, or does it describe the state of humanity throughout the generations?

    If you have a Bible handy, read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and you'll immediately see three things: 1) Paul was giving Timothy practical instructions for his own life; 2) Paul's description of the evil of the last days applies to past generations as well as the present generation; and 3) Paul ended his exhortation by saying, "Avoid such people."...

    ***

    ...The Fatalism Trap

    The third paralyzing theological mindset believes that since everything is foreknown to God and predestined by Him, there's nothing we can do to change the future. What will be will be, and so there's no reason to rock the boat or risk our lives or make sacrifices for the gospel. Just chill! It's all going to work out the way God planned it.

    That mentality is completely foreign to the Scriptures, and whatever the Bible does teach about divine foreknowledge and predestination, it does not teach that, a mentality more akin to fatalism than to biblical thinking....


    .
    This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind, having the understanding darkened...
    (Ephesians 4:17-18)

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly...
    (Psalm 1)

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to GodismyJudge For This Useful Post:

    krystian (07-08-2016)

  3. #2
    Senior Member Tehilah Ba'Aretz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Jerusalem, Israel
    Posts
    563
    Thanked: 647
    The church needs to learn how to live a victorious lifestyle in the midst of the popularity of anti-biblical laws and communities. It is difficult to live in a lawless world and continue to obey the leading of God's Holy Spirit. It is even more difficult to live a life wholly pleasing to God without offending the servant of the Evil one. To love while being hated.

  4. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tehilah Ba'Aretz For This Useful Post:

    Cardinal TT (07-08-2016), curly sue (07-08-2016), Ezekiel 33 (07-11-2016)

  5. #3
    Senior Member Cardinal TT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    7,640
    Thanked: 5995
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by Tehilah Ba'Aretz View Post
    The church needs to learn how to live a victorious lifestyle in the midst of the popularity of anti-biblical laws and communities. It is difficult to live in a lawless world and continue to obey the leading of God's Holy Spirit. It is even more difficult to live a life wholly pleasing to God without offending the servant of the Evil one. To love while being hated.

    Agree....many of the words of Jesus will have to actually be applied if one wants to truly be a Christian

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Stop worrying about expensive repair bills with an extended service plan for your Nissan. We have warranties available for all Nissan models including the popular Nissan Altima.