Outline: A Godly Leader Takes Initiative

Note: This is the third installment in our series on biblical leadership.

 

A Godly Leader Takes Initiative

Selected Verse

Establish the need: Are you a person that takes initiative?

 

Purpose: Today we shall three points so that we would desire to take initiative as a Christian and foundation to be a godly leader.

• The importance of taking initiative
• The example of taking initiative
• How to cultivate taking initiative

 

Quick Comments about meaning of taking initiative:

• The dictionary’s first definition: “the ability to use your judgment to make decisions and do things without needing to be told what to do.”[1]
• The dictionary’s second definition: “the ability to judge what needs to be done and take action, esp. without suggestion from other people.”[2]

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How Not to Handle Bible Contradictions: Denying the Law of Non-Contradiction

 

I was asked by a reader to share my thoughts on an article titled “Does Scripture Contain Contradictions?” in which the author suggests the way to deal with the charge that the Bible contain contradictions is to say “the biblical authors were not constrained by the contemporary issue of contradiction” and he developed this in a way that I don’t think is helpful.

Ironically he cites two Bible contradictions to prove his point.  These I will deal with later as part of my ongoing series responding to alleged Bible contradictions.  But for now I want to examine analytically the reasoning of his own view.

His statement is as follows:

Aristotle offered the clearest formulation of what has come to be known as the Law of Noncontradiction: “The most certain of all basic principles is that contradictory propositions are not true simultaneously” (Metaphysics 4.6.1011b 13-14). In other words, Aristotle asserted that opposite statements cannot both be correct at the same time. This Greek philosophical idea remains foundational to modern Western thought, but the ancient writers of Israel’s Scriptures were not beholden to the Law of Noncontradiction. When today’s readers identify what they deem to be contradictions in the Bible, such instances can either trouble the believer or galvanize the critic. However, to apply the notion of “contradiction” to the biblical text constitutes a basic misunderstanding of an ancient Jewish worldview in which opposite assertions could coexist. Although it is difficult for modern minds to conceive of such a worldview, the biblical authors were not constrained by the contemporary issue of contradiction.

After the writer defined the law of non-contradiction as “opposite statements cannot both be correct at the same time” he said “the ancient writers of Israel’s Scriptures were not beholden to the Law of Noncontradiction.” Later in the end of the paragraph he also said “the biblical authors were not constrained by the contemporary issue of contradiction.”  In both quotes it is interesting the guy wrote the quote in bold.

Here’s my response:

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Review: Parenting First Aid

 

Marty Machowski.  Parenting First Aid.  Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, September 24, 2018. 240 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Are you a parent look for a Bible devotional concerning applications with parenting or maybe you are not a parent but you are looking for a devotional to give as a gift to a friend who is a Christian parent?  If this describes you I recommend this book.  I got this book since I know the publisher New Growth Press typically publish biblical and practical Christian living resources and this book definitely didn’t disappoint and is like the other titles they have: edifying, biblical and saturated with practical applications.  The author himself acknowledge how he himself is weak and really need God’s help for parenting through God’s Word and hence the title of this book as “Parenting First Aid.”  I appreciated the humility and vulnerability while reminding the readers to focus on God and being empowered by the Word of God and the Gospel.

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The Church during the days of Corona Virus: Talk to Someone Isolated Because of the Virus

Our “This Sunday” series will be another a Corona Virus edition.  For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Talk to Someone Isolated Because of the Virus.

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Blogging Anniversary: 14 Years Ago

WordPress tells me that yesterday it was my 14th year anniversary of when I started blogging on WordPress.  It’s also been 882 straight days of back to back daily post!

I didn’t think I would be blogging this long when I first started it.  Actually I thought I was the least active member of this blog Veritas Domain back then.

 

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Review: Rivals Unto Death: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr

A weekend leisure reading review…because sometimes Pastors also need a break from heavy theological reading!

 

Rick Beyer. Rivals Unto Death: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr New York, NY: Hachette Book Group, February 21st 2017. 224.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Reading this book made me realize that the current heated American political scene during election is nothing new, that it has had its crazy moments and its up and downs.  This book is about the animosity and competition between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr which most American remember with the duel between these two men that were involved with American politics that result in the death of one after the duel.  But rather than focus only on the duel the book looks at both men’s lives and the comparison and contrast between the two of them and how their lives culminated to that unfortunate duel.

I thought the author did a good job comparing and contrasting Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.  This book is a look at not only the biographical details of both men but also how their paths cross pathed or orbited near one another over the decades. I really enjoyed learning about both men’s upbringing and also their military career during the War of Independence.  I thought it was interesting to see how both men were similar in how they were driven, talented and energetic both as officers in the Contintental Army and later in their New York law practice.  Yet there were differences between them including their deposition and also how people perceived them.

Overall in my opinion the author did an excellent job in giving us facts and attempted to be fair.  There was a sense that later in their politics the book gives you the details of both men’s concerns with the political direction of the country.  Yet their concern seem to be the reaction of coming to the opposite conclusion of their upbringing: Alexander Hamilton who grew up poor was concerned about the tyranny of the masses while Aaron Burr who grew up in an affluent household was suspicious of the few rich elites in the political process.  The book goes over the scandals of both men while also putting the over the top rhetoric of the political discourse in the context of that being how it was during their time.  Sadly with many factors being set it led us to an event where because of honor Hamilton and Burr faced each other in a duel and one would be killed.  In one of history’s dispute of what happened that day with the duel which debate linger to today, Hamilton was killed and Burr ended up being quite hated.

Fascinating read and it lead me to put current American politics in perspective and to also pray that our country’s election process would not undermine the republic.

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Moving Far Away for Good Education and appreciating the Holy Spirit as Teacher

Have you noticed that for good education people will travel far?

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Bible Contradiction? Who hardened the Pharaoh’s heart?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who hardened the Pharaoh’s heart?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

God did.

“The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.” (Exodus 4:21)

“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 7:3)

“Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” (Exodus 7:13)

“And the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.” (Exodus 9:12)

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have [a]hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may [b]perform these signs of Mine among them” (Exodus 10:1)

“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.” (Exodus 10:20)

“But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go.” (Exodus 10:27)

“Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” (Exodus 11:10)

“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.” (Exodus 14:4)

“The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly.” (Exodus 14:8)

“Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”” (Exodus 14:18)

The Pharaoh did.

“But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” (Exodus 8:15)

“But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.” (Exodus 8:32)

“But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the [a]thunder had ceased, he sinned again and [b]hardened his heart, he and his servants.” (Exodus 9:34)

“Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had severely dealt with them, did they not allow [a]the people to go, and they departed?” (1 Samuel 6:6)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Outline: A Godly Leader is Trustworthy

Note: This is the second installment in our series on biblical leadership.  Check out our first outline “Why Godly Leadership matters.”

A Godly Leader is Trustworthy

Selected Verse

Establish the need: Do you see the importance of being trustworthy in your own life?

 

Purpose: Today we shall three points so that we would desire to be trustworthy as a foundation to be a godly Christian and godly leader.

• The importance of being trustworthy
• The example of trustworthy leaders
• How to cultivate trustworthiness

Quick Comments about meaning of being trustworthy:

• Being trustworthy involves having integrity and honesty.
• Trustworthy is people knowing and trusting you for your character of being honest

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Third Week of September 2020 Presuppositional Apologetics Round Up

Here are links related to Presuppositional apologetics gathered between September 15th-21st, 2020.

1.) Donation for the new Bahnsen Project.

2.)Bible Contradiction? How many of Pahathmoab, Jeshua, and Joab’s offspring returned from Babylon?

3.) Van Til and Analogical Knowledge

4.) Cave to the Cross Ep. 90 – Tactics – Steamrollers

5.) Don’t Waste Your Bible Contradiction

6.) How To Argue For Prophecy Fulfillment

7.) Historical Science and Secular Rescuing Devices

8.) Apologetics Studio’s Response to World Mission Society Church of God

 

Missed the last round up?  Check out the re-blogged post from a friend

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The Irony of the Cross and Christian Ethnic Unity

In historical context, the Roman Cross was a tool of cruel capital punishment.

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The Church during the days of Corona Virus: Pray for small businesses

Our “This Sunday” series will be another a Corona Virus edition.  For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Pray for small businesses.

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Review: Batman: Year Two 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

A weekend leisure reading review…because sometimes Pastors also need a break from heavy theological reading!  For more on blog on comments check out our “Collection of Posts: Superheroes, Comics and Worldview Series.”

 

Mike Barr.  Batman: Year Two 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, November 28th 2017. 176 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Want to read some fun old school (late 80s/early 90s) Batman adventures?  This title volume might be for you!  Having read some of the recent volumes of Batman from the new Rebirth series I felt I needed a break from things “new” and maybe explore some just good old fashion Batman fight against crime and villain.  I’m happy to say this work delivered!

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Apologetics Studio’s Response to World Mission Society Church of God

Have you had an encounter with the World Mission Society Church of God?  You might not recognize the name but then again you might have encountered them since they are better known as the “Mother God cult.”  If you have met them you will know this group which is unbiblical is very aggressive to reach out to people for converts.

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Bible Contradiction? How many of Pahathmoab, Jeshua, and Joab’s offspring returned from Babylon?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many of Pahathmoab, Jeshua, and Joab’s offspring returned from Babylon?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

2812

“the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812;” (Ezra 2:6)

2818

“the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818;” (Nehemiah 7:11)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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