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DIE SEWE VLAKKE VAN MORELE ONTWIKKELING

DIE SEWE VLAKKE VAN MORELE ONTWIKKELING

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VLAK 1 – Beloning en straf

Reg en verkeerd word bepaal deur elkeen wat die mag het om te regeer deur dreigement van straf en hoop op beloning. Genade (versuim om te straf) word deur ander op hierdie vlak as swakheid beskou, as beginselloosheid. Dit is die vlak waarop antieke Israel as slawe in Egipte gewerk het. Hulle het gedoen wat die slawedrywers beveel het om straf te vermy.

Mense op vlak een dring daarop aan dat God sy krag gebruik om die onberouvolle goddeloses te martel en dood te maak, soos bewys is toe hy die eerste getuienis oor homself bevestig het om Israel te regeer deur strafdade op die Egiptiese gode toe te pas, en deur magtige, skouspelagtige wonderwerke gedemonstreer het dat die Egiptiese gode hoegenaamd nie gode is nie.

Hierdie vlak van denke is so primitief dat dit nie eers ‘n brein vereis nie; die denke is heeltemal opsy gesit. Diere, plante en selfs bakterieë kan gekondisioneer word om pynlike stimuli te vermy en te groei na lonende stimuli. Dit is Satan se doelwit om die mensdom te verminder tot “redelose diere en wesens van instink” wat op vlak een werk.

Tevredenheidsteorie (Satisfaction Theory) van die versoening stem die beste ooreen met Vlak Een-denke, wat soos volg opgesom is: God het gesê moenie iets doen nie, maar wanneer ons ongehoorsaam is en doen wat God verbied het, onteer en beledig dit hom. Daarom reageer hy in sy geregtigheid met woedende wraak om die ongehoorsame tereg te stel om sy verontwaardiging te bevredig. Maar toe tree Jesus tussen God en mens in om die mensdom se plaasvervanger te word. God het dus nie die mens doodgemaak nie, maar sy Seun doodgemaak in ons plek en is nou tevrede dat sy eer en geregtigheid bewaar word.


 
VLAK 2 – Ruilhandel

Reg en verkeerd word bepaal deur ‘n billike ooreenkoms tussen twee partye, ook bekend as quid pro quo – “Ek sal iets vir jou doen as jy iets vir my doen”. Op hierdie vlak is wraak ‘n morele plig. Mense wat kwaad doen, moet met ewe veel pyn en lyding terugbetaal word, met ander woorde, “‘n oog vir ‘n oog en ‘n tand vir ‘n tand.” Om nie pyn en lyding terug te gee nie, is as immoreel beskou. Dit was eertydse Israel wat by Sinai gesê het, toe die wet die eerste keer gelees is, “Alles wat die Here gesê het, dit sal ons doen.”

Losprysteorie (Ransom Theory) van versoening stem die beste ooreen met Vlak Twee-denke, wat soos volg opgesom is: Omdat die aarde en die mensdom nou die wettige eiendom van Satan is en onder sy beheer, het die duiwel wettige regte op hierdie aarde en die lewens van die afstammelinge van Adam en Eva. Daarom het God ‘n ooreenkoms met die duiwel aangegaan om die lewe van Christus te verruil vir die lewens van die res van die mensdom.


 
VLAK 3 – Sosiale ooreenstemming

Reg en verkeerd word bepaal deur gemeenskapskonsensus, byvoorbeeld wanneer ‘n kind sê: “Maar al die ander mense doen dit.” Reg word as reg beskou deur die goedkeuring van gelykes.

Dit was antieke Israel toe hulle konings wou hê. Al die ander nasies het konings gehad, so dit moet reg wees, daarom het Israel daarop aangedring om konings te hê.

Regeringsteorie (Governmental Theory) van die versoening stem die beste ooreen met Vlak Drie-denke, wat soos volg opgesom is: Iemand moet die prys betaal sodat almal oortuig kan word dat God regverdig en reg is om sonde en sondaars te hanteer deur martelende straf toe te dien. Daardie iemand is Jesus, want hy is die enigste een wat daardie prys kan betaal om die mensdom vry te spreek.


 
VLAK 4 – Wet en orde

Reg en verkeerd word bepaal deur ‘n gekodifiseerde stelsel van reëls, onpartydige regters, opgelegde strawwe, en respek vir gesag. Reg is om ‘n behoorlike betaling of beloning vir goeie werk te kry, en verbieding en strafopgelegging vir die oortreding van die reëls. Gesagsfigure is selde bevraagteken, “Hy moet reg wees, want hy is die President, die Regter, die Pous, God, ens.”

Dit was antieke Israel in die tyd van Christus – “ons het ‘n wet!” het hulle verkondig, terwyl hulle probeer het om Jesus te stenig vir genesing op die Sabbat. Dit is ‘n groot deel van ons moderne wêreld, met sy gekodifiseerde wette, howe, aanklaers, regters, juries en opgelegde reëls. Gesag op hierdie vlak berus in die geforseerde druk van die staat om diegene wat van die gevestigde wette afwyk, te straf. Op hierdie vlak moet polisie-agentskappe en wetstoepassers die bevolking monitor, op soek na oortredings van die wet om gestandaardiseerde strawwe op te lê.

Strafvervangingsteorie (Penal Substitution Theory) van die versoening stem die naaste ooreen met Vlak Vier-denke, wat soos volg opgesom is: Jesus het gesterf om die wetlike straf te betaal wat die wet vereis en wat deur die hemelse regter opgelê is. Die wet moet nagekom word. Die mens het die wet oortree, dus vereis geregtigheid die oplegging van die regte straf. Iemand moet tereggestel word om die wettige boete te betaal. Jesus het ons plaasvervanger geword en is in ons plek tereggestel deur God die Vader (as die regverdige regter) om daardie boete te betaal. Sodoende word die integriteit van die wet gehandhaaf en sondaars kan vergewe word, maar slegs as hulle aanspraak maak op die wettige betaling wat Jesus gemaak het.


 
VLAK 5 – Liefde vir ander

Reg word bepaal deur te doen wat in die beste belang van ander is, om te besef dat mense waarde het in wie hulle is, ongeag die reëls. Verkeerd word bepaal, nie deur ‘n kontrolelys van reëls nie, maar deur nie te doen wat eintlik nuttig en voordelig vir ‘n ander is nie.

Jesus het dit getoon toe hy melaatses aangeraak het, met vroue gepraat het, met belastinginvorderaars gesosialiseer het, en op die Sabbat genees het. Die Fariseërs, wat op vlak vier en laer werk, wou Hom stenig omdat hy die wet oortree het.

 Morele invloedteorie (Moral Influence Theory) van die versoening stem die naaste ooreen met Vlak Vyf-denke, wat soos volg opgesom is: Sonde het ons van God geskei en ons harte verdorwe, sodat ons God nie langer vertrou het nie, maar God het ons te liefgehad om ons te laat gaan, so Christus se dood was die middel om ons te bereik met sy liefde en herstel ons om op Hom te vertrou.


 
VLAK 6 – Beginselgebaseerde lewe

Reg is om te verstaan hoe die ontwerpprotokolle en beginsels waarop lewe gebou is, funksioneer en intelligent te kies om in harmonie daarmee te leef. Reg is nie iets doen omdat ‘n reël sê om dit te doen nie, maar omdat dit verstaan word hoe dit in werklikheid werk.

Dit was hoe Jesus God se karakter van liefde uitgeleef het in alles wat Hy gedoen het, en ook die Apostels na Pinkster. Dit word verstaan dat God sê wat reg is omdat dit reg is, want dis die manier hoe dinge werklik funksioneer. Dit is nie reg bloot omdat God dit gesê het nie.

Samevatting en Christus as Oorwinnaar Teorieë (Recapitulation and Christus Victor Theories) oor die versoening stem die beste ooreen met Vlak Ses denke, wat soos volg opgesom word: Christus se lewe, dood en opstanding word verstaan as die enigste manier om reg te stel wat sonde aan God se skepping gedoen het. Toe die mensdom gesondig het, het die toestand van die mensdom verander, wat dit uit harmonie met God en sy plan vir die lewe geplaas het. Die mensdom is nou in slawerny gehou deur hul eie toestand van sondigheid (vleeslike natuur), hul terminale toestand (dood), en die leuens oor God wat deur Satan vertel word. Christus het gekom om hierdie drie magte te breek en te herstel wat sonde aan hierdie skepping gedoen het. So “het hy wat geen sonde geken het nie, vir ons sonde geword, sodat ons die geregtigheid van God kan word.” 2 Kor 5:21.


 
VLAK 7 – Begrypende Vriend van God

Diegene op hierdie vlak het nie net liefde vir God en ander nie (Vlak 5), verstaan nie net God se ontwerp protokolle vir die lewe nie (Vlak 6), maar verstaan ook God se doelstellings en kies intelligent om saam te werk om hul rol in Sy doelwitte te vervul.

Jesus het in Johannes 15:15 vir sy dissipels gesê: “Ek noem julle nie meer diensknegte nie, omdat die dienskneg nie weet wat sy heer doen nie. Maar ek het julle vriende genoem, omdat ek alles wat ek van my Vader gehoor het Ek aan julle bekend gemaak het.”

Mense op hierdie vlak verstaan die waarheid omtrent God se karakter van liefde, Sy natuur en ontwerp vir die lewe, die oorsprong van die bose, die aard van sonde, die wapens van Satan, die oorspronklike doel vir die skepping van die mensdom, die val van die mensdom in sonde, God se werking deur die menslike geskiedenis, die doel van die Kruis, en die uiteindelike reiniging van die heelal van sonde. Jesus het op hierdie vlak gefunksioneer, net soos almal wat gereed is vir verheerliking wanneer Jesus weer kom.

Genesende Plaasvervangingsrealiteit (Healing Substitution Reality) stem die beste ooreen met Vlak Sewe denke, wat soos volg opgesom word: Die verlossingsplan word verstaan as ‘n dieper en breër bedoeling as net die verlossing van die menslike spesie. Beide vlak vyf en ses is waar: God se karakter van liefde is verkeerd voorgestel, Sy metodes van waarheid, liefde en vryheid is nie ten volle begryp nie, God het dus ‘n groter doel gehad as net die redding van die mensdom; Hy was ook besig om die ongevalle wesens in lojaliteit aan Sy ontwerpmetodes en karakter van liefde vas te maak.

 

 

 

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Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, 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 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

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 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon 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 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 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

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.