Daily Archives: February 2, 2012

“The Bible Is Not Self-Help”

An article by Dr. David Wells from the Resurgence site .

Excerpt:

“If you are like me, this may not be the thing that is on your front burner. You may be thinking of your hurts, emptiness, feelings of being disconnected, broken relationships, and disappointments. These are real. But the point of studying Scripture is not therapy. Bible study is not self-help. We are not there to listen to our own voice that is crying from within. We are there to hear his voice that comes from outside our experience. And his Word is not one of many. It is the only Word that has been there from all eternity because it comes from the eternal God. God, then, is not there for our use when we need him; we are here on earth for his use. He is not there for our benefit as if he were a product; we are here for his service.”

Continue Reading at Resurgence


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Read Related:
- The Beneficial God: Modern Christianity and Its Ubiquitous Psychological Slope
- The Problem With Heart Motives
- Us Vs. Them: A Church of Religious Superiority
- Tough Love Is A Grace That Cuts Deep


Question: So About Secular Music

thepassionsoflife asked:

I started following your blog from a friend of mine, and have been intrigued by your posts. I was wondering, what are your thoughts on listening to music from artists Lady Gaga and Kanye West? They are my most favorite artists to listen to, and I think they are extremely talented and creative, but I’m not sure if listening to them is hurting my spiritual journey. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on them. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and God Bless!

Thanks for your encouragement!

Ah yes, the secular media question.  Pastor Mark Driscoll has written an epic post on this topic which I highly recommend. In a nutshell, he says we can do three things with culture: Reject, Receive, or Redeem. Some stuff must be outright rejected, some can be well received, and some stuff can have enough spiritual themes to be redeemed.

But to answer you with my convictions, I really believe this is a Romans 14 issue.  Obviously there are some movies, musicians, and literature that degrade women and endorse stupid values and have no place in the family.  But for everything else, we personally decide these matters based on our connection with God and the frequency of our hearts.  As Romans 14:22 wraps up, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”

I occasionally listen to Eminem, Gavin Degraw, Metallica, and Yellowcard, not so much because they promote “Christian values,” but because of their artistic merit and their expression of the human condition.  But I’ve lived a pre-Christ life that fell hard to dirty sins. I do find myself getting deep into secular lyrics, increasingly loving the world again, and thinking their lyrics are good ideas for life. That’s when I know there’s trouble.

Everyone has a different point of contention — mine is early, loud, and fast — BUT regardless of how strong you believe you are, the downward spiral happens quicker than you think, more often than you admit, and more internally than you’ll confess.  You must stamp 1 John 2:15-17 all over that.  I refuse to let anything drive a splinter in my love for Jesus.

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