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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.

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Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

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 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 14

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

Anonymous

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA