Saturday, October 25, 2008
A Value System
I’ve spent a lot of time this year in political discussions that were centered on “value systems”. The definition of value systems that we were using would be something like, “A set of core values and high values that dictate a person’s beliefs and which eventually become actions. Core values are values that absolutely cannot be compromised. High values can be compromised, but not easily.” This is a very valuable tool when discussing different and polarizing topics. We were able to navigate through abortion, war, and corporate greed and yet both parties were able to walk away feeling understood and valued. Take abortion for example, it isn’t that one side wants to save babies and one side wants to kill babies. One side has a core value for the life of babies from the unseen time of conception through birth. The other has a core value for a choice in ending the pregnancy from conception to even the extreme cases of post partum/infanticide. Both sides have different values which manifest in different ways while agreeing fewer abortions would be a good thing. I don’t want to go down the abortion trail in this blog. I merely want to use this example of differing value systems, brought to light by the election season to ask, “What does God’s value system look like and how are we aligning ourselves to it?” For example to get the juices flowing, I would say we generally place a higher value on reading the bible then God does. I think we place a higher value on democracy then God does. I think we generally place a higher value on going to church then God does. I am speaking in general terms of the western church, but if I am right that this is the general value system we have in America, then what does God value more then we do and how do we need to adjust our value system? Thoughts anyone?
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5 comments:
"I would say we generally place a higher value on reading the bible then God does"
-No way. God directed that the kings of Israel read and copy down the Law so that they would know it in their hearts and follow it. He did that in spite of him actually speaking to them. How many of us could say that God actually has spoken words to us directing our daily decisions, aside from reading the Bible? God has spoken to us through his Word, and he expects us to read it, otherwise we would have limited, one way communication with Him. The only concern with my own statement is that if we read simply because "we're supposed to" without an appropriate heart, same with going to church.
I just convinced myself to read more often.....
"I think we place a higher value on democracy then God does"
10-4, its because we value our opinion more than we probably should.
BTW, first time I've seen the blog, I like it. Great idea, I don't see too many comments, is this more of a reader, not a conversation blog?
Welcome!
I love comments and interaction. I'm used to that being the norm when it comes to other blogs. I think we are still building our community and finding out what kind of blog we want to be when we grow up. Other than that, I can't say why there haven't been more comments, but they are certainly welcome! Without them I feel like Pink Floyd,
"Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home? "
Anyway, Thanks for the feedback. I'll put a little more meat on my thought on reading the Bible. Here is what I'm getting at. I think that by placing really high value on reading the bible you assume that you are developing a relationship with God when in fact they are not the same thing. You learn about God by reading the bible, but you don't necessarily know him. I think you can totally read the bible with a good heart and totally miss the boat. Consider Saul. He didn't believe that he was a homicidal maniac. He believed that he was doing God a big favor. As a Pharisee, he knew the bible by heart. He believed that up until he had an experience with God. I think that is what God values more then us reading the bible; experiences with him. I think that is what he wants and so that is what the preachers, teachers, parents should be stressing with their "flock" above the reading the word. Now, I'm not saying that the word does not have value, that would be crazy and Christian suicide. I'm just saying to value relationship(which comes through experiences and encounters) above the word. Consider Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, most of the NT church, the China church, the list goes on and on. None of them had or have access to the written word like we do, and yet all of them are heroes of the faith. On the flip side you have Pharisees, who know the word but don't know God. That is the risk you have when you value reading the bible more then other things. I hope this explains my position more.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Peace,
Jon
I've taken a few days to consider what you wrote before making a hasty reply.
"Consider Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, most of the NT church, the China church, the list goes on and on. None of them had or have access to the written word like we do, and yet all of them are heroes of the faith."- Yes, they are heroes, but how many of the people in the China Church would rejoice at having a snippet of scripture to read, memorize, devour? They hunger for the scripture to learn more about their God. I would be very careful when discussing feeling or experiencing God, because many people get worked up with emotion and think that it is God. This is why retreats for students happen yearly or semiannually, they get worked up with the feelings, but not necessarily actually knowing God. The same thing happens at Billy Graham Crusades or other outreach, evangelical typ ministries. One must be sure to look at his heart, not his feelings for a true conversion.
Concerning the OT heroes, most of them did not have scriptures to read, so really using them in any comparison to now doesn't really work in my opinion. For those who did, the kings of Israel and Judah, the good kings of Judah- Hezekiah, David, Josiah all were stewards of his law. How did they know the law but by reading it? Hhow could they keep a law they had not heard, read or seen? Surely not by their good nature. When Josiah found the book of the Law he was upset because they had not been following the Law. Once he read it, he changed Judah's ways and got them back to worshipping God. All because he had the law to read.
Ezra was a man who "had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel" Ezra 7:10. I think the point is that Ezra not only studied the law, he observed (followed) it. As with any part of worship, just doing it becuase its "what Christians do" is not what God desires. He wants us to be transformed by our worship.
Hey, sorry for the delayed response. So busy lately...Anyway, Those are all good points and I am in agreement with you on the value of the word. I also agree on the emotional hype point. I don't think that is an affective way to initiate change in a person's life. The experiences I spoke of were not emotional pep rallies, but actual times in our life where we MEET him. Where his presence is so thick and tangible you can physically feel it. Or a vision of the Lord that is so real it is like you are watching it with your own eyes, or where you really do see the Lord with your own eye and you are certain it is him. That is what I'm talking about when I say experience. And it is that thing which I'm suggesting we should have a higher value for in the church then what we do currently. (generally speaking) So, did I freak you out with that, or did I encourage you to pursue more?
No freaking out, no worries. It was good for me to think about those things. Sometimes I read and understand but don't apply things, like OT stories or how God works.
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