Are you a pragmatist, utilitarian, humanist or Christian?
Are you a pragmatist?
Utilitarian?
Humanist?
Or are you a Christian?
prag·ma·tism
noun
1. theory/doctrine that the meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in its immediate, observable, practical consequences.
2. (Philosophy)
a. the doctrine that the content of a concept consists only in its practical applicability
b. the doctrine that truth consists not in correspondence with the facts but in successful coherence with experience.
u·til·i·tar·i·an·ism
noun
1. The belief
that the value of a thing
or an action
is determined by its utility
(the quality or condition of being useful)
2. The ethical theory that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
hu·man·ism
noun
1. (Philosophy) the denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity; the rejection of religion in favour of a belief in the advancement of humanity by its own efforts
2. (Philosophy) a philosophical position that stresses the autonomy of human reason in contradistinction to the revelation of God through His divine authority in the Holy Scriptures.
Humanism declares
that the end of all being
is the happiness of man.
Christianity declares that the chief end of man is to glorify God & enjoy HIM forever.
"That God in all things may be glorified."
~ 1 Pet. 4:11
"Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God."
~ l Cor. 10:31
Thomas Watson answers the questions "What is it to glorify God?' & 'Why must we glorify God?':
Glorifying God consists in four things:
1. Appreciation,
2. Adoration,
3. Affection,
4. Subjection.
This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.
Why must we glorify God?
1. Because He gives us our being. Psalm 100:3, "It is He that made us." What kindness is it in God to give us our life! We draw our breath from Him; and as life, so all the comforts of life are from Him. If all we receive is from His bounty, is it not reasonable we should glorify Him? Should we not live TO Him, seeing we live BY Him? Rom. 11:36, "For of Him, and through Him, are all things." All we have is of His fulness, all we have is through His free grace; and therefore to Him should be all. It follows, therefore, "To Him be glory for ever." God is not our Benefactor only, but our Founder.
2. Because God has made all things for His own glory. Prov. 16:4. "The Lord hath made all things for Himself:" that is, "for His glory." God will have glory out of everything. He will have glory out of the wicked. If they will not give Him glory, He will get glory upon them. Exod. 14:17. "I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh." But especially has He made the godly for His glory; Isa. 43:21, "This people have I formed for Myself, and they shall shew forth My praise."
It is true, they cannot add to His glory,
but they may exalt it;
they cannot raise Him in heaven,
but they may raise Him in the esteem of others here.
God has adopted the saints into His family, and made them a royal priesthood, that they should show forth the praise of Him who hath called them, I Pet. 2:9.
3. Because the glory of God has intrinsic value and excellence; it transcends the thoughts of men, and the tongues of angels. His glory is His treasure...God's glory is worth more than heaven, and worth more than the salvation of all men's souls. Better kingdoms be thrown down, better men and angels be annihilated, than God should lose one jewel of His crown, one beam of His glory.
---
So, I ask you,
are you a
pragmatist,
ultiltarian,
humanist
or are you a CHRISTIAN?
In light of the question I posed, many ask about our biblo-centric, Christo-centric approach to ministry. Our desire is, first and foremost, to bring glory to Jesus, rather than the more popular pragamatic, man/woman-centered humanistic approach to 'ministry' and 'mission'. We are often asked whether our Law & gospel/Word-centered mission at the killing places (and beyond) is "effective":
Is it effective?
God's Word/Law/Testimony is our primary tool for witnessing. So, let us see what the Bible declares about itself:
God's Word is alive (living), active, quick, dividing, a DISCERNER of the thoughts & intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word is trustworthy, convinces, converts, comforts, condemns, gives grace to the humble & humbles the proud. (Ps 111:7)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word of God is perfect, converting the soul, enlightens the eyes, makes the foolish wise, shows the sinner what is in her heart. (Psalm 18:30;19:7-8)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word of God brings faith to the faithless, is a light in the darkness, exposes guilt, speaks to the conscience, & reveals truth. (Rom 10:17;Ps 119:105;John 17:17)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word is God-inspired, Spirit-breathed, profitable for teaching, doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, to perfect the man & woman of God & equip them for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
Now, I ask you once again,
How's that for "effective"?
Utilitarian?
Humanist?
Or are you a Christian?
prag·ma·tism
noun
1. theory/doctrine that the meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in its immediate, observable, practical consequences.
2. (Philosophy)
a. the doctrine that the content of a concept consists only in its practical applicability
b. the doctrine that truth consists not in correspondence with the facts but in successful coherence with experience.
u·til·i·tar·i·an·ism
noun
1. The belief
that the value of a thing
or an action
is determined by its utility
(the quality or condition of being useful)
2. The ethical theory that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
hu·man·ism
noun
1. (Philosophy) the denial of any power or moral value superior to that of humanity; the rejection of religion in favour of a belief in the advancement of humanity by its own efforts
2. (Philosophy) a philosophical position that stresses the autonomy of human reason in contradistinction to the revelation of God through His divine authority in the Holy Scriptures.
Humanism declares
that the end of all being
is the happiness of man.
Christianity declares that the chief end of man is to glorify God & enjoy HIM forever.
"That God in all things may be glorified."
~ 1 Pet. 4:11
"Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do all to the glory of God."
~ l Cor. 10:31
Thomas Watson answers the questions "What is it to glorify God?' & 'Why must we glorify God?':
Glorifying God consists in four things:
1. Appreciation,
2. Adoration,
3. Affection,
4. Subjection.
This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.
Why must we glorify God?
1. Because He gives us our being. Psalm 100:3, "It is He that made us." What kindness is it in God to give us our life! We draw our breath from Him; and as life, so all the comforts of life are from Him. If all we receive is from His bounty, is it not reasonable we should glorify Him? Should we not live TO Him, seeing we live BY Him? Rom. 11:36, "For of Him, and through Him, are all things." All we have is of His fulness, all we have is through His free grace; and therefore to Him should be all. It follows, therefore, "To Him be glory for ever." God is not our Benefactor only, but our Founder.
2. Because God has made all things for His own glory. Prov. 16:4. "The Lord hath made all things for Himself:" that is, "for His glory." God will have glory out of everything. He will have glory out of the wicked. If they will not give Him glory, He will get glory upon them. Exod. 14:17. "I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh." But especially has He made the godly for His glory; Isa. 43:21, "This people have I formed for Myself, and they shall shew forth My praise."
It is true, they cannot add to His glory,
but they may exalt it;
they cannot raise Him in heaven,
but they may raise Him in the esteem of others here.
God has adopted the saints into His family, and made them a royal priesthood, that they should show forth the praise of Him who hath called them, I Pet. 2:9.
3. Because the glory of God has intrinsic value and excellence; it transcends the thoughts of men, and the tongues of angels. His glory is His treasure...God's glory is worth more than heaven, and worth more than the salvation of all men's souls. Better kingdoms be thrown down, better men and angels be annihilated, than God should lose one jewel of His crown, one beam of His glory.
---
So, I ask you,
are you a
pragmatist,
ultiltarian,
humanist
or are you a CHRISTIAN?
In light of the question I posed, many ask about our biblo-centric, Christo-centric approach to ministry. Our desire is, first and foremost, to bring glory to Jesus, rather than the more popular pragamatic, man/woman-centered humanistic approach to 'ministry' and 'mission'. We are often asked whether our Law & gospel/Word-centered mission at the killing places (and beyond) is "effective":
Is it effective?
God's Word/Law/Testimony is our primary tool for witnessing. So, let us see what the Bible declares about itself:
God's Word is alive (living), active, quick, dividing, a DISCERNER of the thoughts & intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word is trustworthy, convinces, converts, comforts, condemns, gives grace to the humble & humbles the proud. (Ps 111:7)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word of God is perfect, converting the soul, enlightens the eyes, makes the foolish wise, shows the sinner what is in her heart. (Psalm 18:30;19:7-8)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word of God brings faith to the faithless, is a light in the darkness, exposes guilt, speaks to the conscience, & reveals truth. (Rom 10:17;Ps 119:105;John 17:17)
How's that for "effective"?
The Word is God-inspired, Spirit-breathed, profitable for teaching, doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, to perfect the man & woman of God & equip them for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
Now, I ask you once again,
How's that for "effective"?
No comments:
Post a Comment