Conversations About Theology

By far, my favorite subject to discuss is theology, especially in regard to the Bible. I enjoy a good conversation in the exchanging of ideas and thoughts with someone who has a desire to put the truth at the forefront of all learning and has devoted their lives to searching the Scripture. In one of my past employment experiences I was a supervisor of about fifteen people. Sometimes these people would come to me and ask a question about the Bible. I would enjoy these questions and would often do my best to answer them. One of them eventually confessed that everyone usually asked these questions just so that they could get out of work! Well, they were successful in their endeavors because this was one subject I rarely avoided. People often say we should not discuss “religion,” especially in the work place, but I believe that this subject should be discussed more than any other. People are willing to discuss sports, movies, or their social activities but they shy completely away from the eternal things of God. Of course it is not wrong to discuss other things in life, but it is foolish if this is all there is to life. Some people who claim to have little time for learning about Jesus seem to find the time for other, less important things around us. What is more discouraging to my heart is that this is often true about Christians as much as anyone else. We should all want to talk about our wonderful savior. In my experience I have discovered that when surrounded by other believers in a church function or fellowship meeting, everyone wants to discuss anything except theology. I have noticed that sometimes when the conversation does move toward the subject of God, people like to tell shallow stories or share some elaborate experience they have had, which is usually nothing more than their imagination as they attribute to God things that we know Scripture does not. It is difficult to find other people who want to discuss the heart and soul of Biblical doctrine, and who do so with an open mind about what God is teaching through His living Word. To a degree I sympathize with some people because they probably do not want to engage in a debate because they realize that passions can often rise when discussing the Bible. (I will say more about debating later.) While I can understand the desire to avoid controversy, I also think there are other reasons people avoid these discussions. Some simply do not want to hear or be confronted with the truth. They have become content with a god they have created in their own minds who allows them to live they way they want to live. Some feel very inadequate to engage in such a conversation, but this should be the best reason to talk about the Bible. Others think they know all there is to know and therefore do not believe they can learn anymore. These are the ones who usually dominate the conversation with all their so-called knowledge, yet the whole time they are revealing their own ignorance. The Bible speaks of this: ”A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly” (Proverbs 12:23) and ”Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28). I remember well when my father taught me that we can sometimes learn a lot more by listening than by speaking.

Recently my father was speaking to me about submission to the Word of God. His words spoke to my heart. When we discuss the Word of God, and we should do so often, the attitude of all of us should be just that, submit to what it says. Here is what the Bible says about this subject found in the book of James:

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.

In one of our recent articles, we pointed out that while we believe in Jesus, we should also believe Jesus. Submitting to the Word of God means that it is our final authority on all matters. This should be our attitude of heart, desiring to submit to what God is telling us through the Scriptures. When we discuss the things of God, our focus should never be upon what we want the Bible to say and therefore try to convince others to that effect. Instead, we should look for and adhere to what the Bible actually has to say. One of the greatest of admonishments from our Lord Jesus is to listen, and allow what He is saying to be received into our hearts and minds. He says this to all of the seven Churches in the book of Revelation and says it often in the Gospel accounts, “Listen…” One of the idioms that some versions translate literally is “let these words sink into your ears”. In the book of Proverbs God also beseeches us to listen to what He is saying. To have a heart of rebellion toward the things of God is not only foolish, it is a disgrace. We should listen to what the Scriptures are telling us.

We are faced with an overwhelming amount of false teachings in this world, often under the guise of Christendom. Even in what are often considered to be good, sound, biblical, conservative, Churches, we have false teachings. This is not always done with intent, but rather is based largely upon ignorance by those who are too slothful to consider what the Bible actually says. Many rely primarily upon what is considered the normal, traditional teachings of their denomination and they are unwilling to submit to what the truth is. Some are too concerned with their own image within the operations of their “Church” or of what they believe “Christianity” should be, as opposed to what the Bible teaches it is. Their mission is to set up a place to worship that will fit the desires of those who attend, and to keep with their idea of that image, without a desire to know whether that image fits the teachings within in the Word of God.

When it comes to engaging in a discussion of what the Bible teaches, Paul was right in asking the question, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Gal 4:16)” Today, people are often considered wrong for trying to discuss the Bible. Too many people feel that a discussion of who won the football game is better suited for conversation rather than discussing the things of God. We should all have a desire to talk about the Lord with a heart of submission toward what is the truth, and ultimately to what the Bible teaches.

While many avoid talking about the Bible at all, there are those who seem to love the confrontations that come from debating the Bible. Certainly, there are times when certain things should be debated, but it should always be done without losing our temper. We should always discuss these things with kindness and love in our hearts.

Acts 18:27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate ,proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

I can appreciate a well organized, formal debate between people with different ideas, as long as they have one goal – discovering the truth by learning what the Bible actually says. There are times when confronting people with the truth can show them how foolish their arguments are. The way we debate should always be with the utmost kindness, gentleness, and with respect. It should never be harsh and cold hearted. We should not be simply trying to prove we are right and they are wrong! This was certainly not the attitude of those sharing the truth in the Bible. Our focus should always be to see what the Bible says, and then submit to it. Some people desire to do nothing but debate, and this can get old very fast. As I stated in the beginning, I love discussing the Bible, but for some people it is much more than this. To them it becomes a time to prove how much they know. They do not want to discuss things, they want to argue, and usually (though not always), they are speaking in ignorance for their arguments are based upon error to begin with.

While there are many individuals who are argumentative, there are organizations that teach their followers to have this attitude. One group that serves as a good example of this are the Jehovah's Witnesses. This organization is a cult and I say that without a moment of hesitation. Any organization that is set on undermining the deity of the Savior Jesus Christ (and this organization does) is certainly not Christian. Their whole presentation is rooted in deceit. They twist the Scripture, taking passages completely and grossly out of context, to fit their distorted view of a god they want to believe in. They are trained to debate, and they are very good at doing just that. They are taught to have an answer against every clear teaching of the Bible. They have even resorted to re-translating the Scripture, editing it several times, to fit their religion, when instead they should fit their religion to the Scripture. They have failed to have an attitude of submission toward what the Bible teaches.

The Bible says: ”But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15). This passage certainly should be applied when dealing with the Jehovah's Witnesses. When these people come to your door, it is good to be prepared to defend your faith and have the knowledge of the Bible to speak the truth. It is doubtful that they will change their minds on the doorstep of your home, but the name of Jesus should be exalted and defended. I relish any opportunity to share the gospel to anyone who even appears to be listening, as I know it is the power of God unto Salvation (Rom 1:16). I consider all who are a part of this organization to be without Christ and in need of Him. They need to hear the gospel like every other lost person.

But when is it enough? Sometimes it is best to end futile arguments and move on. Leave what was spoken in God’s hands and believe that He is in control. He said that His word would never return void, and it is sharper than any two edged sword (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12). I am deeply saddened when someone disdains Jesus, especially when they do so under the disguise of authority, leadership, and religion. I want to lift up His deity and name with the same teachings and feelings of Paul found in Philippians chapter two. But sometimes we must quit, understanding that our efforts can only go so far. Here is what Paul said:

Titus 3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. ESV

If all a person wants to do is argue over issues without ever having the intention of learning, growing, and submitting in the faith of God – move on. The King James version of the Bible calls such people heretics and these types of people should be shown the truth. However, when it becomes ineffectual; stop. We certainly should not be looking for contention, though sometimes that will happen (Acts 15:39). We should not be rude. We should be careful in our discernment and always be ready to give a defense with gentleness, praying that others will be willing to submit to the truth found in God's Word. When people are confronted with the plain truth and still reject it in favor of following their own view, it then becomes apparent that they are unwilling to submit to God’s truth. This is a sad thing.

Sometimes in life we find ourselves close to someone who has been deceived by the lures of false religions such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, Catholicism, Pentecostalism, and so on. These people may be a very close to us and play an important role in our lives, such as co-workers or friends, but sometimes they are our own family members – even our spouses. Despite our many efforts, they seem so unwilling to look to the truth of the Scripture. These people are closest to our hearts and it is difficult for us to watch them being deceived in a way which will ultimately lead them to spend eternity separated from God in hell. The Bible says we should live our lives in a way which will cause others to observe a difference in our lives. When the opportunities avail themselves to discuss the Scripture, do your best to know the Scriptures so you can give them the right answers. As we pray for our loved ones, remember that God desires for them to come to the truth more than we do. There is only so much we can do in these situations. When an individual does not desire to submit to the Word of God alone, that is ultimately their decision – no matter how wrong they are. We cannot blame ourselves for their choices. We should just continue to keep them in our prayers, praying for more opportunities to speak the truth in love.

We should all listen and submit to the words of the Bible, submit to the truth it contains, and be willing to discuss the Scripture without hesitation. Jesus should not just be number one in our lives, with everything else falling second, third and so on. He is our lives in every way. He is the one who gave His life for us; let us learn more about who He is. We can start by opening the Word of God with a sincere desire to learn the truth it contains. When we do this, His love for us will be known in a way that surpasses all human understanding, and our lives will be filled with peace and wisdom to live each and every day to its fullest.

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The Sick Need A Physician

A famous argument in the Christian community for supporting the use of medication to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other behavioral disorders is that Jesus told us that the sick need a doctor. Since doctors today treat mental health, they believe we are then free to turn to them about these issues. We must look closely at what Jesus actually said and the context in which he stated it.

The question is not whether or not a sick person should seek medical attention. Jesus certainly did confirm that the sick need a physician. What we should be asking ourself is whether or not people with behavioral disorders are really “sick.” Look at what Jesus said:

Luke 5:29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor , but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

The theme of this passage is not when and why we should see a physician. While Jesus did say that the sick need a doctor, he did so to explain a spiritual matter. His words were used as an analogy, to explain to them why he was sitting with sinners. As a sick person, not a healthy person needs physical healing; a sinner, not a righteous man needs spiritual healing. The theme of this passage is not a mandate to trust any doctor with matters both physical and mental, but to show how sinners need salvation. While the context does not make the statement any less true, it does help to clarify whether or not Jesus intended for us to use this statement to support the “medical” treatment of “mental” illnesses.

We must remember that psychology is a relatively new field and is defined as the science of the mind and behavior. The fact that the medical community has embraced this field as part of their own can cause confusion for those who do not understand how these things are diagnosed. Even though your doctor has diagnosed you with depression his diagnosis is based upon the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). Your “disease” is classified as a mental illness, not a physical one. They are assessing and diagnosing your behavior, not performing any medical tests or procedures. Did Jesus tell us that those with behavioral problems need a doctor, certainly he did not. Remember exactly what he said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

While every behavioral problem is not a direct result of sin, many of them are. Some obvious ones which can be found in the DSM IV are alcoholism (now often referred to as alcohol dependency or alcohol abuse), Kleptomania (failure to resist impulses to steal), the various sexual disorders such as Hypoactive Sexual Disorder and Voyeurism, rage (Intermittent Explosive Disorder) and various others. The same manual that says depression is a disease also excuses away these behaviors as though they are not choices but illnesses. They do not call them sin, while the Bible does. Jesus came to bring sinners to repentance, and that includes those whom the world calls “sick.” Jesus would not tell the drunkard, the thief or the sexually immoral to see a doctor. The Bible clearly calls these things sin.

Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness , orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This passage is then followed by telling us what things are evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. The sinners without the Spirit will have the previous characteristics, believers with the Spirit should have these.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Yet the world says that to lack these things are a sign of sickness not a sign of lacking the Spirit. If a person lacks joy it is not because they are not walking in the Spirit but because they have a disease called “Depression”. They claim that if a person cannot find peace they are suffering from “Anxiety.” If you are not patient you must have an “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” If you lack self-control you could be “Obsessive Compulsive” or have “Oppositional Defiance Disorder.” You could be labeled in many different ways, these are merely examples. The world has a disease for every bad behavior. The world never calls such things sin and does not look to God for answers. The Bible addresses all of them and says that the Spirit, not the medical community, has the cure.

Think for just a minute about what it means if doctors were right, and sins were diseases. What if enough psychotherapy and medical treatment could bring true peace, joy, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What does that say about God? If even non-Christians can experience these things, then there is no need for us to have the Spirit. If the acts of “sickness” rather than the “sinful nature” causes man to misbehave, then why does God call it sin? If God is right and it is sin, not sickness, then man, including professional medical doctors, must be wrong on this issue. However, if your doctor is right and man cannot help himself, but needs medication and therapy to get better, then God is wrong. Are we really ready to call God a liar? I think not.

Jesus clearly stated that the sick need a physician and we do not disagree. If there is something biologically wrong with you that a physician can see, test and cure then you should see a physician. Sometimes a true “medical” condition can cause you to feel depression like symptoms, and it is always important to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing a person to feel down or fatigued. However, if you are suffering from a behavioral problem, a “mind” problem, you need to seek the Lord and find out how He can help you overcome.

The Word “Mental”means “of or relating to the mind.” Mental Illness, therefore, literally means an illness of the mind. As we have said many times, our minds are not a part of our physical being. The Bible tells us that as Christians we must renew our minds, not seek medical treatment for them. The Scripture speaks about how we must renew our minds in Christ, prepare our minds for action, set our minds on heavenly things, and tells us how the peace of God can guard our minds. In each of these passages there is some reference to how this will affect our behavior.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

We must prepare our minds for action. We are responsible for getting our minds prepared. We are also told to be self-controlled, refrain from following evil desires, and to be holy. These are choices that we are responsible for. We are instructed to prepare our minds, something that, according the Word of God is something that every Christian must do, and therefore must be capable of doing.

Col 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Here we are instructed to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. What is a depressed or anxious mind doing? They are setting their minds on the things that are depressing them and making them anxious. Those are earthly things! We must set our minds on things above. This is an instruction from the Lord.

Again, our mind is addressed in relation to our behavior. We should set our mind on things above rather than on the earthly things it was focused on before we were saved. When we are Christians we are to put off the old and put on the new. Our minds are changed! We should no longer be feeding our earthly nature. Our earthly minds are full of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language. Our earthly nature was full of sexual immorality, lust, evil desires, greed and lies. We took that off when we were saved and put on Christ. Our minds must be set on things above, being renewed in the knowledge of our savior.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds if we rejoice and are not anxious and come to Him in prayer. We are told to rejoice and not be anxious because we have the option to choose. If God says that our hearts and minds will be guarded by peace then surely He means it. God says that his peace will guard our minds, not that we should seek a doctor concerning it! (Our article Peace - Putting it into Practice explores this passage in greater detail.)

Eph 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Here is yet another passage that speaks about our minds and its affect on our behavior. Now that we are saved we must put off our old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. Now we must be made new in the attitude of our minds and put on the new self. Our old self was corrupt our new self has a renewed mind. Because of the renewing of our minds we should no longer lie, sin in our anger, steal, curse, be bitter, be enraged, brawl, or slander. We should put off every form of malice and instead be kind, compassionate and forgiving. These are the behaviors of a person with a renewed mind. Only Christ can renew our minds.

So yes, the sick need a physician, but our “mental” problems (mind problems) need to be addressed Scripturally. We need to renew our minds in Christ not drug our minds with chemicals. We need to put on the new self, not seek therapy trying to cure the old one. We need to take responsibility for our actions and realize that we are sinners in need of repentance, not a sick person in need of a physician.

Here at Guided By Truth we are dedicated to sharing the truth from the Scripture and exposing the errors of false teachings. Psychology has not only infiltrated our medical community granting acceptance as Scientific even when it is not, it has also embedded itself within the church. We have addressed this topic in many other articles and also offer links to other organizations who help expose these truths.

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