Illogic - Propaganda Techniques

Universal Statements

universal statements include words like:
(in the positive) all, every, always, everyone
(in the negative) none, nothing, no one, never, ever

to be true, a universal statement must be valid
for the entire set at all times
(i.e. all dogs are mammals)

however, in illogic and propaganda
universal statements are frequently used invalidly
(i.e. every person always wants to do what is right)
(i.e. no person ever wants to do what is wrong)

recognize when inappropriate universal statements are used

unless the entire premise you are presenting
can be proven with a certainty
avoid using universal statements in your premise

do speak the universal statements that God states
(i.e. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)

This Will Characterize a Christian

(remember: I am growing toward Christian maturity - and this is one of the excellent things I am blessed to pursue)

sincerity (as in Rm 12:9; etc.) (see below)

unfeigned, genuine, real, and true

without hypocrisy - without being play acted, phony, or pretend

using no disguise, mask, concealment, or hidden agendas (selfish motives)

sincerity should describe...
my love  (Rm 12:9; 2 Cor 6:6; 1 Pt 1:22)
my faith  (1 Tim 1:5; 2 Tim 1:5)
the wisdom from above that I use (it is without hypocrisy)  (Js 3:17)

Because Jesus is God...

His goings forth are from
the days of eternity.
(Micah 5:2)

He is the Word,
Who was in the beginning,
Who was with God,
and Who was [and is] God.
(Jn 1:1)

He is the Creator of all things
and He created everything for Himself.
(Jn 1:3; Col 1:16)

Blessings - Benedictions

A Blessing or Benediction...

asks or pronounces good things
upon or for someone

it is well speaking
(bene [as in beneficial] = well + diction = speaking)

simple:
a prayer aloud or written out - done by anyone
for or over someone else (family, friends, etc.)
asking God's blessing to be upon them
asking His help and care for them
in general, and on special occasions
(marriage, births, when embarking on long trips, new jobs, etc.)

formal:
a pronouncement - usually by clergy
for or over the congregation
at the end of public worship, and on other occasions
invoking God's Name (asking God to put His Name) upon His people
asking His blessing on His people
(for grace, mercy, faith, unity, protection, comfort, etc.)

usual formula: 'May the Lord...' (do this for you)

~

(expanded)

sample of constructed blessings - benedictions using the Scriptures:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Pt 1:2)

May the God of our salvation keep you steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58)

May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all people. (1 Ths 3:12a)

May the God of all grace, Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Pt 5:10)

(the Aaronic blessing used by the priests in the OT - Num 6:24-26)
The LORD bless you, and keep you,
The LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you,
The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.

Biblical Dynamic at Work

(rehearse the top portion)

God's Word is...

inspired (God-breathed)

living (alive)

active (powerful and effective)

sharper than any two-edged sword
(piercing, cutting to the quick, laying open)

performing its work in me (the believer)

accomplishing what God desires

~

(expanded)

note: these are from 2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12; 1 Ths 2:13b; Is 55:11

As We Follow Jesus...

Obeying the Truth

there are truths in the Bible
that are not clear-cut commands of God
that are to be believed and acted upon

a. we read God's Word (come to know what He says)

b. we affirm the truth we read, agree with it (yes, that is the truth)

c. God and His Word have their effect on us (working in us, renewing our mind, transforming us)

d. we ACT upon what we now know - we obey the truth

~

(expanded)

sample from an actual instance many years ago: our (still young and very new to the business world) son flew to L.A. for a business trip

the 'what if's...' hit - the mind games of things that haven't happened, but that could happen (treacherous L.A. traffic, people out to harm others, accident-injury-illness, etc.)

truth: God is sovereign
(note: there is no specific command in this truth)

challenge: obey this truth

we reminded ourselves...
God is sovereign and our son lives in God's sovereign hands
God has ordained all the days our son will have on this earth
(so he will have every one of them he's been given - without any doubt)
God is in complete control of all things that touch our son
God is good, and kind, and He is love
and all He chooses for our son (the good - the hard - every iota)
is what is perfect and tailored for him
and what will bring glory to God
(making the LORD more accurately known so He is praised and celebrated)

we obey this truth by...
believing God is sovereign and acting upon it (we trust God and rest in Him)

Theological Terms-Concepts

Bibliology

perspicuity (note: it is 'per spi cuity' - not per pis cuity)

claritas Scripturae = clarity (of) Scripture

a quality of the Scriptures - not a quality of the reader

the Bible is plain, intelligible, clear, having clarity, understandable

~

(expanded)

important principles associated with the perspicuity of the Bible:

the Bible is God's 'voice' on earth
...therefore, it is God speaking directly to each person
...therefore, no ecclesiastical group or person is God's voice on earth

the Bible is sufficient to lead a person to Christ
...therefore, no person is essential to lead someone to Christ
...therefore, individual persons can come to Christ through reading the Bible themselves

the Bible is not too hard for a lay person to understand on their own
...therefore, someone 'with authority' is not essential to interpret it for them

the Bible does have some passages that are hard to understand
...therefore, the believer has the Holy Spirit to illuminate these to them
...therefore, the Bible is its own interpreter: clear passages interpret less clear passages
...therefore, the believer is to personally study and rightly divide God's Word
...therefore, God gifts some in Christ's Body to aid a believer's understanding

note: if a person habitually cannot understand the Bible (the things of the Spirit of God) it might be because they are still a natural man - not yet spiritual / spiritually alive, born again (1 Cor 2:14; Jn 3:3)

Bible School at Home

(new series - Bible School at Home)

(remember these things that can help, encourage, and instruct others)

Introduction to Bible School at Home

doing Bible school at home...
can be much less expensive than a typical Bible college
needs little or no driving or commuting time
allows you to study at your own pace
(faster or slower than the typical class setting)

it can give you an excellent biblical education
through personal study
with your pastor-elders' oversight and guidance

it's as simple as...
using a Bible and notebook and pen (or pc files)
and a reliable church (or pastor's) library

or as enriched as...
building a personal library of excellent Bible study helps
using appropriate course work available online
using materials from reputable ministries

Bible School at home affords the time and atmosphere to...
come to know the Lord intimately
saturate yourself in His Word (the Bible)
organize and use a life-long Bible study notes system
(to give future accessibility and retrievability of the notes)
get ample hands-on Bible application opportunities
become better equipped to serve God and others
become better prepared for specialized training
(at a seminary, ministry, mission field)

Gospel Presentations

(new series - Gospel Presentations)

Saved By God's Grace

But God,
being rich in mercy,
because of His great love
with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved),

and raised us up with Him,
and seated us with Him in the heavenly places,
in Christ Jesus,
in order that in the ages to come
He might show the surpassing riches of His grace
in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works,
that no one should boast.

(Eph 2:4-9)

Christian Skills

Statements of Faith

these are succinct writings that express important beliefs

usually covering key areas of systematic theology

reputable churches and ministries will have one and make it easily available

learn to ask for a statement of faith and learn how to check it out

~

(expanded)

some important things to look for in a statement of faith:

- the Bible is the authoritative source of all information about God and salvation
- belief in the one true and living God (as the Bible reveals God)
- God is a trinity of three separate, equal, eternally existing Persons
(Father, Son - Jesus, Holy Spirit)
- the full deity and humanity of Jesus
- salvation by grace through faith

(for an example see: these are our beliefs)

things that may be of interest, that are not usually a statement of faith:

- a vision statement (what their goals are)
- core values (what their purpose is)
- by-laws (how their church or ministry is run)
- ministries list (areas they offer or specialize in)

note: churches and ministries that refuse
to make their statement of faith easily available
should be considered suspect
(do ask if they are working on one, or are revising one -
but if they refuse to draw one up and make it available
find another church / ministry to associate with)

note: become equipped to discern aberrant beliefs
that deviate from solid Christian theology