2 Peter 1 is one of the great passages ever penned about epistemology. The Stanford Dictionary of Philosophy defines Epistemology this way:

Defined narrowly, epistemology is the study of knowledge and justified belief. Understood more broadly, epistemology is about issues having to do with the creation and dissemination of knowledge. – Stanford Dictionary of Philosophy

It’s the study of how you know what you know. And this is the big deal when I speak to people – especially those outside of churches. College students in particular want to know how it is that I know what I know. Atheists who study the Bible with me online [and there are quite a few] always ask about epistemology.

This issue has become increasingly important to people because of the rise of sophistry in our world. I guess that’s a second big word for today, sophistry. You see, what we call “post-modern” is actually a failed “pre-modern” way of thinking rooted in sophistry.

Here’s my simple way of exposing the bottom line in sophist/post-modern thinking [if one can call it thinking]:

Premise: There is no such thing as absolute truth.

Corollary: There is no such thing as virtue.

Result: We should scoff at anything that claims to be virtuous or absolutely true.

As you can see, sophistry – which is the dominant worldview in much of our culture – believes that there is no such thing as truth or virtue. Epistemology thus becomes a worthless practice of chasing after the wind because there is no knowable, reasonable truth that can lead to goodness.

Of course, many people have an inkling that this isn’t correct. They understand that the very concept of no absolute truth is itself an absolute, making the whole concept of post-modernism laughably illogical. And in 10^th grade world history classes across America every student pretends to read a few lines written by Plato about a guy named Socrates. 2500 years ago Socrates was the one who put a stake in the heart of sophistry, proving that it is nonsense.

In his book The Consequences of Ideas, R.C. Sproul summarizes Socrates’ arguments:

Socrates realized that the death of truth would mean the death of virtue, and that the death of virtue would spell the death of civilization. Without truth and virtue the only possible outcome is barbarianism…[Socrates proved] that knowledge and virtue are inseparable – so much so that virtue could be defined as right knowledge. Right thinking and right doing can be distinguished from each other, but they can never be separated. – R.C. Sproul, The Consequences of Ideas

Socrates exposed how every person in every discussion in every situation in every time & place actually believes in absolutes. Everyone believes in absolutes. A few well-placed questions always expose bedrock of belief in some particular absolutes and virtues.

Knowing this, Peter calls us to a reasonable and trustworthy epistemology – one based on the words of God. He calls us to the only really sound repository of virtue, reminding people that, “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” [2 Peter 1:19 ESV]

Arete

Peter uses the word ἀρετή [arête] in 2 Peter 1:5 – a rich and fascinating word we translate “virtue.” It describes excellence in achievement and was applied to a dizzying array of arenas in Greco-Roman life including eminence in finances, feats of arms, and politics. However, the basic idea of moral excellence was always the heart of arete. At its core through the centuries, the word meant virtue.

Perhaps it is thus no surprise that arete and its meaning came under direct attack from revisionists. Such attacks are not merely a modern phenomenon. Virtue is always under revisionist attack – always has been & will be until Jesus returns. Yet even this side of heaven, the revisionists who want to change virtue away from absolute truth always and eventually fail.

2300 years ago, the city-state of Sparta worked very hard to redefine arete. They determined to shift the idea away from anymoral excellence and reduce arete to mean only military prowess. The Spartans horribly enslaved many peoples and called it “virtue.” The same nonsense occurred in the American old South, where slavery was seen as “virtuous.” It represented wrongheaded, creepy nonsense, but seemed nonetheless unstoppable. Sparta & the Confederacy appeared ascendant and unassailable.

Of course, such mis-castings of virtue continue to concern and even cow those who know truth in our age. For example, the US Supreme Court just allowed a circuit decision to stand – a choice that makes it a supposed virtue in many states for people of the same sex to live together in a state that society now calls “marriage.” God’s Word doesn’t waver on this nonsense. The Bible is quite clear that homosexual behavior is sin and that marriage is the union of one man & one woman for life. Yet, that biblical virtue is now being declared outdated and not in tune with the new definitions of arete. The City of Houston has even subpoenaed pastors’ sermons in a brazen attempt at intimidation designed to enforce their new revision of morality.

Please do not be unhorsed by all this. Remember that these seemingly-unstoppable re-definers will be defeated. Sparta was whipped by a truly virtuous Greek hero named Epaminondas. [He is an amazing leader worthy of your time to study.] Within a few years of Sparta’s defeat, arete had gone back to its real & full meaning of moral excellence. And the same thing occurred in this country. Within a few generations after the fall of the South, virtue was no longer tainted by the idea of slavery.

Therefore, those who know the absolute truth must not panic. The people who warp word meanings don’t last. Arete always comes back to its full value. Christian, do not be afraid of living virtuously and lovingly speaking out about virtue. Those who attack you are doomed because everyone who tries to change virtue will be defeated.

With wings like eagles

I recently referenced Isaiah 40 in a lesson and received a great note in response. The note contained a link to Karen Ehrman’s blog post from May 15, 2014. I was so blessed by the story that I want to share it with you.

Karen Ehrman

“What Candace Cameron Bure’s Waltz Teaches Us About God”

This season on Dancing With The Stars, former Full House child star Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner) is a participant. Since she and I have become friends in the past few years by speaking at conferences and doing online ministry together, I have followed the show this season. Ok. More than followed. I’ve become a totally obsessed fan. Haven’t missed an episode.

I get updates from Candace about how rehearsal is going. This past week I knew she was dancing a Viennese waltz and then a jazz number. When she and partner Mark Ballas took the floor to perform their waltz, I put down my pita chips and hummus and riveted my eyes to the screen.

She looked gorgeous. And elegant. The dance started out well. But then a slight misstep caused her to momentarily lose her place.

She continued on. It became evident that Mark was speaking to her as they whirled and twirled around the dance floor in sync, attempting to complete the number. When the song ended and they made their way over to chat with the show’s host Tom Bergeron, Candace was visibly upset with herself. The judges pointed out that she indeed had momentarily lost her place but that they were proud of the fact that she kept on dancing.

After the judges’ comments on the number and before they revealed their scores, Tom asked Mark a question. He wanted to know just what he was saying to Candace as they were waltzing their way to the end of the routine.

Mark replied, “I’ve got you. It’s okay. Right leg. Left leg. Stretch. Turn around. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. Love you. Love you. Love you. We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it.”

I know his chant of encouragement was for Candace during the dance, but later that evening, I couldn’t get Mark’s words off of my mind.

When immersed in the great dance of life, sometimes I forget my place. My feet get tangled. My mind goes blank. Bewildered, I continue on, although I’m totally uncertain just what to do next.

While I rehearse life’s scenarios over and over again, surmising just how they will turn out once the music starts, sometimes life’s dance doesn’t always go just as planned. I’m guessing it is the same with you at times. Maybe?

We vow to have a loving and loyal marriage, but then domestic disputes happen. We say and do things that we had not intended. Our marriage drifts off course and we aren’t sure what to do to get back in step with our spouse.

We purpose to be an intentional parent. To raise our children to be loving and respectful. Children that would make any parent proud. But then one of them makes a bad choice. A really bad choice. So we beat ourselves up emotionally over and over again, wrongly surmising that we are our child’s choices. Though the music keeps blaring, we can’t seem to put one foot in front of the other. We are just too discouraged with our poor parenting skills.

Or maybe we ourselves choose poorly. Irrationally. Even immorally. We want to stop the conductor and abandon the dance. We’ve messed up far too much to go on.

It is then that the Lord gently takes our hand, pulls us in close, and with loving reassurance whispers sweetly to our soul…“I’ve got you. It’s okay.”

But Lord. I just can’t…

“Yes you can. Follow Me now. Right leg. Left leg.”

But I’ve messed up big time…

“Stretch.”

Lord, that stretch hurt…..

“Yes it did. Now turn around.”

You mean repent?

“Yes. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. I love you. Just keep your eyes on me. Listen only to My voice. Follow me.”

When it came time for Mark and Candace’s second dance, she danced with a confidence that earned her and Mark their best scores of the season including two perfect 10s. All because she forgot her past, changed her ways and allowed her teacher to get her back on course.

As we waltz through life and something happens to cause us to stumble, it is never too late to listen to the Master’s loving words to us as he gently and graciously consoles, corrects and restores. Can you hear Him now? He is gently whispering to you….

“We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it. Just keep listening to Me my love. And dance on.”

A larger percentage

Recently, I wrote the following section of a Bible study:

The light of God’s glory reflects off the marble walls of our lives. This allows the world to see the King’s residence. Being citizens of the kingdom, we live according to a different agenda – a kingdom agenda. This changes much about how we live. Most of us have lived out this ideal very imperfectly, but that can change! God has given us His Word and Spirit that allow us to experience it much more powerfully.

In response, I received the following note. I hope that it will encourage and convict you as it has me:

Wayne, as I read these words, I developed a tic in my right eye. I’ve learned that this means I’m hearing something I don’t want to hear. The Holy Spirit convicted me that I’ve willingly dedicated a % of my life to Him, but I’ve reserved a larger % for myself. I have asked for forgiveness and by His power to dedicate all to His glory. Please pray for me. Thank you. Don’t back off from such conviction. 

a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:11-14 NASB)

Children’s books often say it best

Teaching on the next section of Colossians 3, I also received a letter that claimed that Mark Hall & Matthew West had summarized the idea in a picture book for children. Based on the Casting Crowns song City on a Hill, their poetry reads:

“Did you hear of the city on the hill?”

Said one old man to the other.

It once shined bright and would be shining still,

But they all started turning on each other.

You see, the poets thought

The dancers were shallow…

And the soldiers thought

The poets were weak.

And the elders saw

The young ones as foolish…

And the rich man never

Heard the poor man speak.

Each one thought they knew better,

But they were different by design.

Instead of standing strong together,

They let their differences divide.

And one by one, they ran away,

With their made up minds, to leave it all behind.

And the light began to fade, in the city on the hill,

And the world is searching still.

It is the rhythm of the dancers

That gives the poets life.

It is the spirit of the poets

That gives the soldiers strength to fight.

It is the fire of the young ones;

It is the wisdom of the old.

It is the story of the poor man

That’s needing to be told.

One by one, we can return to stay,

With made up minds, leave our differences behind.

And the light will lead the way to the city on the hill,

Come home…the Father’s calling still.

Love enough to share

Jesus quoted Leviticus 19 and declared it the second commandment, which coupled with the first charge – to love the Lord with one’s all – summarizes the entire Old Testament.

One of the most important ways to love our neighbors is to share the good news of God’s salvation in Jesus. We do this in many ways, not the least of which occurs at church. In fact, I was blessed to see four souls trust Christ just last Sunday!

One method for relating God’s love is the mega-gathering. Fascinatingly, these are neither outdated nor ineffective. In fact, I have recently seen that whole new populations are interested in attending a huge, world-class concert and having a chance to think through the claims of Jesus.

We have an opportunity to engage in just such a great event on Sunday night, October 5. That evening, many folks around North Texas will be going en masse to a Harvest Crusade at the American Airlines Center (AAC) in Dallas.

I encourage all who live in my region to start right now thinking of people you want to invite … people who need to hear the good news of Jesus, the light of the world. Pray for them. Then invite them. Then bring them with you on October 5.

For more information, visit: HARVEST DALLAS

Awesome example

A pastor friend in California recently shared this story that happened in the lead up to the Harvest event at a packed Anaheim Stadium in California:

One of our folks prayed for every neighbor name on his list.God then prompted him to go and tell his neighbors, “I prayed for you.”

One of those neighbors opened his heart and shared some of his struggles.The Christian shared that he struggles with many of the same things.Then came the question: “Well how do you do it? How do you make it?”

“JESUS, JESUS, JESUS is the answer. He is not only the HOW, but the WHO, WHAT, and WHY!”

This neighbor then went on to share that he’d decided years ago church wasn’t for him because there were just so many hypocrites. The Christian understood, and the two talked more. When asked specifically about his church, the praying neighbor said, “We preach Jesus. We’re all sinners, but God loves us. He doesn’t love our sin, but He sure loves us.”  

The same neighbor who’d just said church wasn’t for him announced, “I’m coming to your church.” 

Why the change? Because God answers prayers. Because God loves us so much, He sent us Jesus.Press on praying neighbors, because God is faithful to use you!