Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
NUWE WYN IN OU WYNSAKKE

NUWE WYN IN OU WYNSAKKE

Onlangs het ek ‘n e-pos ontvang van ‘n vriend wat so ‘n kragtige insig gehad het oor die spesifieke onderwerp dat ek toestemming gevra het om dit as ‘n blog op ons webwerf te plaas. Ek hoop jy vind dit net so vol impak soos ek. – Dr. J


Kwessies van vroueverordening en komitees wat nakoming en toepassing opvolg laat sommige van ons dink dat donkerder kragte vandag in die kerk aan die werk is.

Ek het gevind dat sekulêre denkrigtings dikwels waardevol is wanneer hulle probeer om die onderliggende dinamika van die menslike toestand te verstaan – selfs met betrekking tot godsdienstige en teologiese kwessies. Ek sal verwys na die Spiral Dynamics-denkrigting, afkomstig van Claire Graves en toe verfyn deur Don Beck en Christopher Cowan.

In hul baanbrekers werk, Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change, beskryf Beck en Cowan die verskil tussen die omskrywing – wat denkstyl / wêreldbeskouing / bestuurstelselvoorkeur is en die inhoud – die werklike waardes / norme / missie van ‘n individu of groep.

Die Vloot (Marine Corps) en georganiseerde misdaadgroepe deel byvoorbeeld dieselfde omskrywing: Lojaliteit, bevel en beheer, duidelik gedefinieerde gedragsnorme en straf vir oortreding, goed gedefinieerde hiërargie en besluitnemingsregte, afgedwingde reëls van betrokkenheid, ensovoorts.

Kyk nou na die groot verskil in die inhoud – die missies en waardes van die twee organisasies.

Die spanning in die kerk vandag word vermoedelik gewortel in onenigheid oor die inhoud (leerstelling, norme en praktyke). Ek stel egter voor dat die wortel van die spanning baie dieper gaan en eintlik oor die omhulsel gaan.

Die Christendom se omhulsel het baie min verander sedert Konstantyn die jong teologie in ‘n slim politieke skuif gekoöpteer het. Hy het die bestuursbenadering van keiserlike Rome (wat eeue lank baie goed gewerk het) gevolg en daardie omhulsel met Christelike teologie gevul; hy het die heidense metafisika vervang met vars, nuwe Christelike teologie.

Maar die nuwe teologie is besmet deur die ou omhulsel – fundamenteel verander (vervals) – sodat dit suksesvol binne die keiserlike ingesteldheid gehou kon word. Die belofte van Christus se boodskap aan die wêreld, in die vorm van Christelike teologie, is versuur omdat dit binne ‘n menslike wêreldbeskouing gehou is.

In Spiral Dynamics-taal is die keiserlike bestuursomhulsel wat deur Konstantyn hergebruik is, in hul diagram as rooi / BLOU gekodeer: outoritêr, hiërargies, gebaseer op die oppergesag van die reg, selfdienend en selfbeskermend. Klem is gelê op gedrags reg en verkeerd, groepnorme, nakoming en straf, die menslike behoefte aan geregtigheid, en ‘n fokus op die sigbare (hand) in plaas van die onsigbare (hart).

Jesus het die metafoor om ‘n ou wynsak met nuwe wyn te vul gebruik, iets wat die mense van sy tyd duidelik geweet het om te vermy. Nuwe wyn gaan voort om te fermenteer, en ‘n nuwe wynsak sal rek om die druk wat deur die koolstofdioksied geproduseer word, te akkommodeer. Die nuwe wynsak neem ‘n spesifieke vorm aan as gevolg van die veroudering van die nuwe wyn.

Nuwe wyn, geplaas in ‘n ou wynsak wat een keer gestrek en verhard het, sal die ou sak laat bars en die wyn mors. Of die nuwe wyn sal met bakterieë besmet word en in asyn verander.

Jesus het sy toehoorders probeer kry om die onvermydelike uitkoms te begryp om waarlik nuwe lig in ‘n “ou denke” houer te plaas. En hy het ‘n goeie voorbeeld van ‘n hergebruikte wynsak tot sy beskikking gehad: die teokrasie van die Joodse regeringstelsel – grootliks selfdienend, selfbeskermend, outoritêr en hiërargies; dit wil sê ‘n regsbestuursmodel.

Die rede waarom die metafoor van die wynsakke so kragtig is, is dat ons baie moeilik die probleem raaksien: ons menslike neiging om die regeringstelsel wat ons gebruik om in hierdie gevalle wêreld te oorleef, aan God toe te skryf.

Die oppergesag van die reg is die doeltreffendste bestuurstelsel wat ooit ontwikkel is. Maar die probleem is dat hierdie aanpassing godslasterlik is. Dit werk, maar dit is ook van hierdie wêreld en ‘n direkte gevolg van ons sondige toestand en die magte van chaos wat ons in die gesig staar. Hierdie ou wynsak, gevorm deur die menslike behoefte aan outoritêre regering in reaksie op oorlewing-van-die-sterkste-dinamika, is nie deel van God se ontwerp nie, soos duidelik geïllustreer in die lewe van Christus.

Baie prys die Hervorming en prys die nuwe wyn. Martin Luther het ‘n gedeelte van die ou wyn van Katolieke teologie en norme uitgegooi, maar omdat hy voortgegaan het om die ou Rooms-Katolieke omhulsel te gebruik, het hy die nuwe wyn met die ou besmet. Protestantse teologie is vervals deur kontak met die ou wynsak.

Ons Adventiste is tevrede dat ons kerkstigters ‘n gedeelte van die ou wyn uit die hooflyn Protestantse teologie gegooi en dit met nuwe wyn vervang het. Maar die nuwe wyn, wat in die opgewondenheid van die Ontwaking uitgedruk is, is ook besmet deur die ou wynsak te gebruik, wat van heidense Rome oorgedra is.

En ons boodskap aan die wêreld is nog nie werklik nuwe wyn nie, en dit ruik na asyn. Dit alles is te danke aan die gebruik van die ou houer – om God na ons beeld te skep, te glo dat God se bestuur van die heelal menslike bestuurstelsels weerspieël wat ontstaan het as gevolg van ons sondige toestand.

Die oppergesag van die reg het vir een doel ontwikkel: groepsoorlewing. Deur konflik en chaos binne die groep te demp, word die groep versterk teen eksterne eksistensiële bedreigings. En as sodanig, wanneer intergroepkonflik toeneem, word daar van diegene wat leiersposisies gegee word, verwag om ‘n swaar hand te gebruik, “tot voordeel van die organisasie.” Klink dit bekend?

Hoe sal ‘n nuwe wynsak moet lyk om die nuwe wyn te hou waarna Jesus verwys het? Dink aan die Goeie Nuus sonder die besoedeling van die Romeinse wynsak. Dit is moeilik vir ons om voor te stel, want ‘n menslike regeringstelsel vir ‘n godsdienstige organisasie wat gevorm is deur die fermentasie van werklik nuwe lig het nog nooit bestaan nie, behalwe vir ‘n kort tydjie gedurende die lewe van Christus en moontlik die baie vroeë kerk.

In sy begrip van die werklikheid het Christus verby die wêreldse bruikbaarheid van menslike bestuurstelsels gebaseer op groepsoorlewing gesien. Hy waardeer die vordering van die individu en die waarde van die individu bo die integriteit en veiligheid van die stelsel. Hy het verstaan, as gevolg van sy goddelike perspektief, dat aardse groepsukses en oorlewing tydelik was en nie belangrik was in vergelyking met die genesing van die individuele karakter nie.

Hy was ‘n uitgesproke kritikus van die gebruik van dwang deur diegene in gesagsposisies wat gefokus is op gedrag, ooreenstemming en groepnorme. En dit was omdat hierdie reëls/norme/beleide/afdwingings ontwikkel het om die stelsel en die gemeenskap te beskerm, eerder as uit besorgdheid oor die geestelike gesondheid en welstand van die individu. Jesus was ook berug daarvoor dat hy nie die Joodse regsteokrasie nagekom het nie.

Ons het nog nie ‘n nuwe wynsak sien opduik wat die Goeie Nuus suksesvol sal hou en beskerm, terwyl fermentasie en volwassenheid voltooi word nie. Daardie omhulsel, gebaseer op die lewe van Christus, sal nie lyk soos die bekende koninkryk-van-die-mens-omhulsel, wat elke historiese teokrasie en alle suksesvolle hedendaagse denominasies aangeneem het nie. Wanneer ons na God verwys as koning, heer, regter of heerser, versterk ons ons verstandelike model van ‘n god wat na ons beeld geskep is.

Die ware koninkryk-van-God-houer (wynsak) op hierdie aarde sal vorm aanneem op grond van die gisting en invloed van werklik nuwe wyn. Daardie vorm van bestuur, wêreldbeskouing, leierskap en organisatoriese ontwerp sal na vore kom op grond van die lewende en aktiewe aard van die nuwe wyn.

Om dit te laat gebeur, moet Christus se lewe die patroon vir die regeringstelsel wees. En die ewige welsyn van die individu moet altyd swaarder weeg as die waargenome bedreigings vir die integriteit en veiligheid van die stelsel. As hierdie beginsel nie in die vorm van die omhulsel weerspieël word nie, is ons bestem om ‘n ou wynsak te gebruik om die goeie nuus na die wêreld te dra. Dit was en sal uiteindelik nutteloos wees.

Deur Mike M.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA