Are You Underwhelmed, Overwhelmed, or Just Whelmed?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Baptism, Church, Commitment, Romans
Many years ago, a friend of mine and I went to another church to hear a visiting preacher they had brought in to speak for about a week’s worth of services. After the sermon and services were over, and we were back in the privacy of the car, I wryly asked, “Well, what did you think of the sermon?” I’ll never forget his matter-of-fact reply, “I was underwhelmed,” he said. I expected some sort of answer like that, which is why I waited until we were in the car to ask, but I didn’t expect that particular one! “Underwhelmed” was a word which I had never heard, but immediately added to my vocabulary because it so appropriately fit. I too had been underwhelmed by the lesson! Though nothing said was overtly unscriptural, the points being made lacked real relevancy, and were produced with a blustering passion and zeal which was therefore misguided, and thus fell flat. James and I were both underwhelmed. But this got me to thinking…
Electronic Bibles
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Psalms
Many years ago there was a minor controversy, being promulgated by some at least, over which version of the Bible Christians should use. A preacher from another congregation, in an apparent attempt to engage me in the squabble, asked me what I thought (which can be dangerous, as some of you know). I responded with something along these lines, “Well, I just try to get our folks to pick one and read it!” I still feel that way. Oh sure, I have my favorite translation, and others I like, and some for which I don’t particularly care, but the lack of Bible reading is a much bigger problem than which one is read!
Hearing Well
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories:
Recently, a friend of mine said of a mutual acquaintance of ours, “He doesn’t hear well, and he doesn’t listen well either.” This statement was a commentary on both the man’s physical difficulties with hearing, and his attitudinal difficulties with listening. More personally, another friend of mine quotes me as having said to him on multiple occasions (at least as he tells it), “You have vastly over-estimated my interest in this subject.” So I apparently have the same problem as the first fellow- we don’t always listen well!
Walking Circumspectly: Squirrels, Snakes, and Boards
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Commitment, Faith, Ephesians
Ephesians 5:15(KJV), “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…” I’m not a big fan of the King James Version of the Bible. My preference away from it has more to do with its antiquated language than perceived inaccuracies of translation. But in this particular verse (and a few others also for different reasons), I actually prefer it over the more modern-language versions because of its use of the word circumspectly. None of the other major translations utilize this particular word; they instead generally use words which convey the idea of “walking carefully”- which is OK, I guess, but not as good as it could be. Let me explain further...
Spiritual “Tunnel Vision”
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Faith, Obedience, Salvation, Numbers, John, Romans, James
What is commonly called “Tunnel Vision” is more specifically “Kalnienk Vision.” The condition refers to a restriction of one’s field of vision, but with the retention of central vision; i.e. as if looking through a tunnel. Though it can have many different causes, the most common culprit is the consistent restriction of the field of vision, which causes the eyes to be “trained” to only focus on the specific area in which one is looking. For instance, if you looked through a periscope for long periods of time, or wore a welding helmet, diving mask, or something else which only allowed you to see the area or objects immediately in front of you, tunnel vision could easily occur. The result would be that you would only be able to “see” those things at which you specifically looked or directed your attention. It is a dangerous condition physically, but can be spiritually devastating.
“Settling” to Resolve a Conflict of Conscience
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Commitment, Fidelity, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians
Though it is not exactly how the dictionary defines it, we sometimes use the word “settle” as a verb meaning to resolve by lowering standards. Unfortunately, perhaps the most common usage of the word in this way has to do with choosing a mate.
Is “Tolerance” a Modern Virtue or a Fatal Flaw?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Apostasy, Fidelity, 1 Corinthians, Revelation
Our society, in general, has become very tolerant- perhaps too much so. Generally, “tolerance”is an attitude of sympathy or indulgence toward opposing views. It necessarily also includes patience, forbearance, endurance, and longsuffering. The New Testament certainly requires all who would be godly to be patient, kind, and tolerant of views and practices they do not share, cf. Romans 14:1 – 15:3. But possessing and cultivating a spirit of forbearance is something very different from encouraging and allowing the lines between “right” and “wrong” to be altered!
God’s Eraser
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Apostasy, Fidelity, Revelation
There are several passages in the Old and New Testaments that mention a “book” in which God records the names of those who will inherit eternal life. Now I realize, and I’m sure you do also, that God does not suffer the memory lapses that cause us to have to write things down to prevent forgetting them! God is omniscient (all-knowing), and thus does not have such human maladies with which to contend. So, why is there this book?
What Saves Us?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Salvation
In Acts 2:37, when confronted with the truth that Jesus was indeed the Christ, and the realization of their sins came full-force upon them, the assembled audience asked the most important question anyone can ask regarding salvation, “What shall we do?” Note they didn’t ask “What shall we believe?” or “What shall we feel?” or even “What shall we experience?” No, they asked, “What shall we do?” Even these yet unpardoned murderers of the Messiah understood that salvation required activity on
“Circumlocution”
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Matthew, Galatians
“Circumlocution” is a word with which I am familiar, but is certainly not from the part of my vocabulary I typically use! Nonetheless, I am reminded of the proverb of Solomon (Proverbs 25:11) about using the “right” word in the “right” way and at the “right” time. He wrote, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” I’m not claiming that “circumlocution” is that “right” word, or that this is necessarily the “right” time or way to produce the effect of apples of gold in settings of silver either. But I do think “circumlocution” is a word we need to consider...