Burky's Blog

Have you ever heard of applied science? Because of applied science, we are enjoying all the modern inventions. Man have observed the fixed law of science and start applying it to all areas, thus discovering new inventions. (Think about it: we wouldn't have those inventions if science is actually evolving, would we?) How about doing the same method with Scriptural truths?

Plain People have done it for long time already. The Biblical verses concerning separation did not specify what area to be separated from the world. Yet, they build on those verses and apply it to every area of their lives, hence dress distinction and Biblical lifestyle.

Now I challenge you to think this way with every truth presented in the Bible. Think about verses like "I am come that you may have life and you may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b) or "the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21). Unfortunately, many Christians observe those verses, but they fit those verses to their theories that they build on other verses in the Bible. Why not treat every teachings in the Bible alike?

Here's few ideas to get your thinking rolling.

• If God and Jesus is one (John 10:30) and Jesus is our Perfect Example (1 Peter 2:21), then God is our Perfect Example. Consider that the Bible starts out with creation and then how everything is like it is today, then why don't we start with science?

• We talks about sowing and reaping. Did we notice few examples like Ishmael will be against people and they will be against him? (Genesis 16:12) Or even as simple as refusing to forgive someone would make God not forgive us? (Matthew 6:14,15) Suddenly, the whole list of examples from the Bible start popping into our head.

• If God is love (1 John 4:8) and we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27), then we are love.

• If Jesus said, "ye are gods," (John 10:34, basing on Psalms 82:6 and Isaiah 41:23) then it makes sense that we can do everything like Jesus does. (John 14:12) Also think about that God is the Creator, so that makes John 14:12 very true as it support the theory that we are creators! The law of sowing and reaping is also applicable here, hence the importance of faith with works! (Note the cycle in James 2:22 and 2 Timothy 3:13.)

• If righteous is as bold as lion (Proverbs 28:1) and we are to be the children of light (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5), that make sense that, once we learn the truth, we need no man to teach us (1 John 2:27) and also that the kingdom of God is within us (Luke 17:21). Once when you have it, you have it, and no man can move you (Proverbs 12:3) and you don't need to keep learning (2 Timothy 3:7). If Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and if He dwells within us (John 14:17; Romans 8:11), we will experience John 10:10b. That is in accordance with Romans 8:11!

• If God is the Creator and Satan is the created being, then John 1:3 is true, applicable to everything we can think of—even man-made technology. If Satan is not the creator, then all the evil we know of is the actual absence of what is good. That can explain why Titus 1:15 is true. Pornography, alcohol, and drugs then must be taking God's perfection too far, thus making it imperfect or evil. That can explain why man-made medicine have side effects, and herbal medicine aren't as specialized thus more whole and healing. Hence the importance of practicing moderation or temperance (Galatians 5:23; Philippians 4:5), because specialization and extremism is being short of being whole and perfect.

Now what about the paradoxes, even some seeming oxymoron?

• If we are to fear God (Exodus 18:21; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 2:17) and we are to love God (Matthew 22:37-40; Deuteronomy 6:5; many other verses), then what about perfect love cast out fear (1 John 4:18)? Many Christians believe that means we are to have reverential fear of God. In other words, we are to respect and be aware of God at all times.

• If we are to submit (James 4:7) and be humble (1 Peter 5:5), how would that fit to being bold as lion? We know few people that seems to be confident and so sure of themselves and they aren't always submissive. We say Jesus subject Himself to His Father, yet we observe that Jesus does not always submit to man-made laws despite of what 1 Peter 2:13 may say, or even Jesus ask us to in Matthew 23:3. (See Luke 11:37-40) And He is our Perfect Example! If we find the answer to that, then we can answer why the same God who command Isaiah to be nude for 3 years (Isaiah 20:2,3) also inspire Paul to teach us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9). Or even that Moses had Ethiopian wife when Jews are not allowed to marry the outsiders. In finding answers to all this, we can easily understand 1 Corinthians 11:16 as to mean exactly what it said, rather than trying to fit it to earlier 15 verses. Don't forget Matthew 22:37-40, especially verse 40!

Now, I gave you the foundation of how to think. Summing all these observation, we can build on them. I felt that the Bible is the only book that can make more sense, as we try to build on each teachings, using other Scriptures, and yet allowing every teachings to say exactly what it says. Why do I feel that way, even if I don't know much about other religions' authoritative teachings or sacred writings?

Thinking this way can lead you away from some traditions you are bought up in, but it can strengthen some of your convictions that you were bought up to. Don't worry, because if God is truth (Compare John 14:6 and John 10:30) and He is consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), then you can know that truth will always win, no matter what. Hence is why I felt confident that the Bible supersedes any other book or sacred writings of any other religion.

Now would you stop and think about this: if Jesus came so we can have full life, are we experiencing full life by following traditions and standards in the church we attend to? Does it make us feel quickened, fall in love with God, and make us want to obey and follow after the Spirit and stay in that way forever after? In a sense, that promises us a happy ending—here and now. Yeah, those fairy tales may end "...and they live happily ever after", but it can be true for us. Yes, even if it leads martyrdom! No longer do we need to marvel at Anabaptists or such Christians suffering and dying for their faith. We would even tolerate other's views such as celebrating Christmas or any other holiday that the Bible have no say about.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)