Prominent Women of God’s Grace

Clothed in Humility: 

Consecrated and Competent New Testament Women.

Foreword: Generally speaking, I have avoided reproducing sermons on this blog. In this case - I am retiring a sermon outline that seems to resonate in the hearts of my students, or so some have said. Many student-pastors, and pastors too, overlook the importance of their marriage relationship as a ministry team to the Lord's glory... Such a mistake has dire consequences for all... May this simple outline challenge stronger spiritual teamwork through increased mutual respect. DrMSBsr

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1 Peter 3:5 “For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. … 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…”

—- 5:5b “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (nasv)

MARY, the mother treasuring and pondering God’s grace. Luke 1:38; 2:18-19, 51
From Mary’s first mention until the last mention of her in Acts 1:14, she lived a life that represented the inner strength and dignity found in those women who have demonstrated a humble and unchanged trust in God.

Mary’s commitment to the Word and will of God is clear from her determination to be truly available to God. Her life was as example of a life clothed with simple and honest obedience. Romans 15:2 “Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”

LYDIA, the responsive and faithful business woman of Philippi. Acts 16:12-15 13 “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into   my house and stay.' And she prevailed upon us."

Lydia, the first European convert to Christ, was already a Gentile convert to Judaism. She had the business woman's enthusiasm and mental acumen. Lydia responded to Truth by committing her heart and life to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior and to immediately begin serving Christ.

PRISCILLA, the spouse who served Truth at her husband’s side. Acts 18:2, 18, 26.
“Apollos, the  Alexandrian by birth, … acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Priscilla, an Asian Jew, the wife of Aquila served together as a couple and a spiritual-team of life-long co-workers of the Apostle Paul. Her knowledge of New Testament Truth was used of the Lord together with her husband to disciple the famed Apollos in “the way of God more accurately.” [Their service is a beautiful example to the many Christian couples who are serving the Lord together.]

EUNICE, a mother serving as a generational conduit of sincere faith. 2 Timothy 1:5
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

A daughter of a Jewess that married a gentile. She accepted Christ as her Savior in Acts 14:6-7 at Lystra. Known for her family ministry as a witness to and discipler of her son, Timothy. She serves history as an example of  a mother’s mission to her children. 1 Cor. 7:14 “The unbelieving husband comes under Christian influence by union with his christian wife, and the unbelieving wife is influenced by her union with her Christian husband. Otherwise their children would be left outside any direct Christian influence or spiritual preparation for faith in God.“ (Free Translation from the Greek- drMSBsr)

The Mission of Motherhood:
 Today’s families live under unprecedented financial pressures, daily stresses and emotional exhaustion! The disintegration of the Christian home , the loss of commitment to the church and the disrespect for authority in society: government and schools is the result. The prayers, consistent example and encouragement of mothers is desperately needed! Husbands that live considerately, respectfully and as co-heirs (1 Peter 3:7) together with godly wives can form a spiritual team with such wives and they together will bless their children and strengthen all those who see their faith in Christ.

NAVIGATING SOME INTERESTING LIFE-SEAS: "UNKNOWN KNOWNS" & BIBLICAL REVELATION

NAVIGATING SOME INTERESTING LIFE-SEAS: "UNKNOWN KNOWNS" & BIBLICAL REVELATION



The secular influences, so dominant, in our time give us little choice than to accept a growing isolation and further estrangement from this world... all to be expected, really. Dr. Francis Schaeffer - of years past - warned - few listened.



Visit: www.TheSchaefferFoundation.com

40 Days, 40 Years or 40 Seasons - the Buffets Unique Journey

THE BUFFET'S 40 SEASONS

 by Dr. Marc S. Blackwell Sr.

Howard, Warren and their Grandson "HWB" tackle the problem of "food insecurity" by setting-out to empower an army of poor farmers to feed the world. The book will give you forty stories to encourage you to focus on taking forty years of your own. The book suggests some new "chances" to rethink your own degree of optimism amidst a world that seems preoccupied with the negative in this troubled world.  (SEE: Buffet, G. Howard, Forty Chances, Finding Hope in a Hungry World, New York, Simon & Schuster, 2013)

Most remember Pastor Rick Warren who dazelled much of Christianity with his "40 days" and now we have another 'Warren' and his Son, Howard G. (The Buffets) who are busy sharing their ideas of facing one of this world's greatest challenges ...  serious  Food Insecurity.

The Book "40 Chances" sets-out to share their motivation and thinking for accomplishing their goal of using 3 Billion Dollars for the good of 3 Billion needy people. Howard Buffet believes a lesson he learned from farming is the path to take.

All farmers, according to him, can plan to have about 40 seasons to grow and improve on their crops and their productivity. The Buffets with Grandson "HWB," in tow, are committed to use the own 40 productive years in a unique journey ... a philanthropic "trek" to discover and include new approaches to ease the

The Buffet plan actually came from a speaker who came to their central Illinois farm town to teach a farming course... The essence of his opening motivational thoughts were that we should not focus on the day to day tasks and the month to month processes or even the year to year cycle of work but rather to look to farming from the first time you climbed into the tractor and the day you hand your acreage over to your son or daughter. Even with good health you can probably only expect about 40 seasons to plant your crop and to adjust to the challenges along the way and "hope for the best.  It is enough time to learn to do well. But it's not forever."

Then, the speaker explained the goal was to help these farmers to use these remaining "chances" or seasons to the best of their ability ...using the best tools, best advice on using them... so you can make the most of the time you have left... 

"Forty doesn't seem like a bunch!" -- Buffett thought: "There is no time to waste. I started thinking a little different about farming, but I also realized that this idea applied to a lot more than farming."

Paul the Apostle, under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote Timothy saying "The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things." (2 Tim. 2:6-7).

Paul also advised the Ephesians church... "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph. 5:15-17)

What two primary lessons do you see in Paul's counsel to each one of us? I'd be interested to open some dialogue. I wonder, even if we understand these things, if our children understand? 

How much time (or how many seasons) do you seriously imagine that you might have?  

James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." 

James 4:13 "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." nkjv

drMSBsr

ARE YOU PRAYING FOR YOUR CHURCH LEADERSHIP?

PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH LEADERSHIP? 

Could there be a serious need for congregational and personal prayer for RENEWED leadership that is enabled to set a renewed spiritual pace and to regain our New Testament vision for missionary outreach? 

Allow me to think back a hundred years into the history of the early Evangelical "Fundamentalists" churches. We tend to forget that these churches grew and multiplied around a "missionary based strategy." This missionary strategy, they believed, was founded in (among other texts) those specific Biblical Principles that are found in Philippians 4:14 "Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account." 

The key words and central strategic missionary concepts of Philippians 4 follow: 

(1.) One does well to share; 

(2.) Financial dependency or "neediness" of a missionary is a God ordained 'affliction.' This God ordained affliction is meant to be 'healed' (or resolved) by local churches ... through their collective and repetitive financial giving; 

(3.) the focus of giving is not on the gift as much as the opportunity to invest and experience increase to the local church's account. 

In summary, it was believed that churches that supported missionaries would be blessed for first giving themselves to the care of these evangelists or missionary couples. They believed Philippians 4 and 2 Corinthians 8 that their sacrificial giving and their faithful gifts could be used of the Lord like the 'loaves and the fishes' to spread the Gospel.

Seems there is a real need for prayer for our church leaders to 

lead and set the pace and regain the vision. 

Some eighty years ago, worldwide economic depression came , hard times for families resulted and even another World War added to the potential of missionary disruption! Against all these difficulties missionaries continued to be sent forth. After WWII thousands of missionaries - once Allied Soldiers - took up the banner of Worldwide missions in the thousands. Congregations sacrificed for World Missionary Outreach. These Evangelical-Fundamental congregations were convinced that their selflessness along with their personal and collective financial sacrifices were directly linked to their collective spiritual growth and their numerical congregational growth. 

Seems there is a need for prayer for our church leaders to 

lead and set the pace and regain the vision. 

Today, regrettably, financial depression and recession have become the influence to lead many congregations to be fearful. Pastors have often failed to challenge the faithful to greater sacrifice. Pastors have often chosen to sympathise with their brethren by finding logical rationale for cutting back in our giving and many pastors feel they must empathize with those struggling. One wants to understand the situation but more importantly we must stay true to the Word of God not our emotional reactions. The cost is a shrinking church... you would, of course, be understood if you mistook my reference to "shrinking" as a reference to finances and attendance. But forgive me, if I seem arrogant or unfeeling, when I suggest that what is in fact "shrinking" is the spiritual accounts of pastors, local church congregations or in other words their membership.  

It is interesting, that many churches I visit are convinced that they must "cut back" or place their missionary budget in a "holding pattern" (i.e. - or not increasing funding and not adding missionaries). In every one of these churches - where missionary support income is decreasing or where the church budget is losing funds - another parallell reaction is taking place among many church members. 

Church members, (individuals and families), are reacting by independently re-allocating their giving and determinedly supporting missionaries privately. 

Some missionaries simply focus on individuals now that they recognize the church's budget committee and missionary committee are agreed that the only answer is to "cut back" the giving. The collective body of believers - the congregation - looses the blessing promised in Philippians 4:17. Those family units that are replacing the "lost vision" with their own "passion" for supporting those taking the Gospel to the lost world may well experience blessings but it comes at the cost of the congregation. It is clear in the New Testament that the core concept of Christianity is not individuality but congregational unity and cooperation. 

Seems there is a need for prayer for our church leaders to

 lead and set the pace and regain the vision. 

drMSBsr

Gracious Words ... Spiritual communication!

Sharing Grace. 

A Biblical Counselling Course for Every Christian.

by 

Dr. Marc S. Blackwell, Sr.

Learning to craft your faith in such a way that you can respond, communicate and live-out the life-changing truths of God’s Word as a witness to those around you. Transforming others through a testimony of the transforming power of God's grace is an important part of the Christian life! As we encourage or counsel others to look to God's grace we will see that the Word of God is a powerful tool for shaping, remaking and transforming lives.

Introductory Session No. I.  Considering how “Chara” ~  Joy can be used as a means to Outreach or spiritual counsel. “...Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,  you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressable and full of glory.”1 Peter 1:8 (nasv)

Introductory Session No. II.  Considering how “Chairo” ~  Rejoicing can be used to encourage a more effective witness of Christianity and its claims to those around us... at home, work or play. “But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.” 1 Peter 4:13

Introductory Session No. III. Considering how “Charis ~  Grace can be used to strengthen others lives through the simple truths we share along with our life-testimony. “...Testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” 1 Peter 5:12

INTRODUCTION: Words of Grace
This course is more of a “workshop” for discussion opportunities than a traditional classroom situation.  We seek to learn together!

Our goal is to learn how we may craft our faith in such a way that we can respond, communicate and live-out the life-changing truths of God’s Word as witnesses to those around us!

 There are three Greek words - all three come from the same language-family - that I hope to use to influence or discussions.

The three words are all found in the First General Letter to the churches by Peter: ‘chara, chiro and charis. The last of these three words is known the best since it is the common Greek word used for our, often used, word … ‘grace.’ If I am not seeing too much in these differences or choices, then, our focus on these aspects of grace can encourage a better witness and a stronger framework from which to offer sound spiritual encouragement or Biblical council.

The emphasis I find in each of these words, at least in this specific context, is:

I. "CHARA" - the communication of spiritual joy {1 Peter 1:8] "And though you have not seen Him, you love Him and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

1.) WORDS OF LIFE. Christ's Words do give life, genuine and eternal life! John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23.
     John 17:13 "But now I come to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My JOY made full in themselves." (See also Matthew 4:4)

2.) RELATIONSHIP FORMING. 1 John 1:3-4 with John 15:11 speak clearly and strongly regarding the Lord's message having the power to form New Relationships between us and Him and between or among each believer. These newly created, built and sustained relationships are more than "normal." "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full." John 15:11 (Also see: John 10:10)    

3.) ACTION PLANNING: "SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS" PSALM 100:2
     Consider: Proverbs 22:17-21 with Psalms 17:1-9;  18:17-19  and  James 4:7

4.) WORD: SELECTION EXERCISES

II. CHAIRO - the practice of rejoicing under pressure{1 Peter 4:13]
   
  1.)THE FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING.
                  2.)COMMUNICATING HOPE AMIDST PRESSURE.

III. CHARIS - the unwavering commitment to testify of God’s grace
{1 Peter 5:12]

1.) THE UNCOMPLICATED CHARACTER OF GRACE TEACHINGS.

2.) THE EXALTED REQUIREMENTS OF GRACE TEACHINGS.

3.) THE DIVINE ENABLEMENT OF GRACE TEACHINGS.

THE SUMMARISED FAMILY.

The marriage that meets to plan, pray and participate together stays together. The family that thoughtfully serves, shares and in simplicity lives with honestly soars together.

Honest communication with God and one-another leads to a marriage that stays happily together. By meeting to plan (weekly) how to honour God with our collective lives and activities our relationship moves away from the self-centredness (James 3:13-18) that destroys us. 

Couples meeting to pray for the 'grace of life' (1 Pet. 3:1-7) for their relationship (1 Pet. 3:8-12; Heb. 10:23-25) will also recognise the importance of their local church if they are to bless others and grow in unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind. We usually know how to play together but we often fail to develop the 'skill sets' required to participate together! 

Regretfully, we as couples, families or churches often marginalize those members of our 'team' that are the "less" talented, but we forget that those less 'gifted' are no less essential for Christian marriages, families and congregations that want to operate as Biblical "informed." (1Cor. 12:1, 11, 12-26). 

The family that thoughtfully serves, shares and in simplicity lives [with honesty] ... soars together.

If your family is thoughtfully committed to love Christ, to obey His Word and to share the message of salvation with others; then, your conscious choice to "abide" in Christ will take your life-walk off (1 Jn 2:5-6; 15-17) of 'the things of the world.' By thoughtful service the care for needy, for physically or emotionally challenged believers we build hearts of selflessness and kindness. 

To share the blessings that God has entrusted to us, we are to share our time, our talents and our tithe or benevolence in a trustworthy way. To accomplish this, we need to see that we are privileged to be "stewards" (1 Cor 4:1-2), or caretakers, of God's blessings. Then, through this "stewardship" of life our marriage and family will grow spiritually and solid Christlike leadership will develop in the husband, wife and children.

To manifest the Truth (2 Cor. 4:1-7) we live-out our lives in simplicity and now through these simple and sincere lives [that are transparent or honest] ... Our faith & trust in Christ's care, results in a unique Christian peace and contentedness (Heb. 13:1-8) and encourages others to trust the Lord. Now, our lives -- so lived, are used of God to make obvious how God's Truth changes, edifies and encourages. Then we all soar to new human, spiritual and individual heights together. 

A REQUEST...
Once you look-up the Scripture References included in the text above... drop me a line and share your own thoughts, please! Your input will help me with my next blog. 
drMSBsr

Understanding the Mayan Calendar, 

 its origin, meaning, and any possible "threat." 

  Dr. Marc S. Blackwell, Snr. 

During the process of Judie and I planting our first new congregation - in the late 1960s,  a couple, Rick and Jodi Dougherty, who were  attending the new "church plant," encouraged me to work on my Spanish 'language skills' as "preparation for making some combined missionary and exploration trips" ... to the Yucatan. All of this was the result of a Castilian Christian missionary, Brother Enrique, who was ministering in Campeche, Mexico. Enrique had visited Sarasota looking for assistance for his efforts to build a Christian Camp near Muna, Yucatan.   

We agreed to take an initial 10 day trip to Merida, Muna and to investigate the possibilities of ministering in the Yucatan through the Christian Camp, Evangelism and Church Planting.  Other ministry and exploration trips followed during the early 70s. Our wives also joined us on one of our trips in 1971 and all of this led to a growing interest in the Maya as a people group, their history and the archaeology surrounding that history. I was especially interested in the Mayan Calendars that we "discovered" and studied - as a sort of 'side-hobby.' 

Now in 2012 an interest in those Calendars has been especially revived by the “New Agers,” looking for astrological phenomena and signs. These "New Agers" and self-proclaimed “wild-eyed doomsday” spiritualists messengers claim that (for whatever fanatical reason) that according to them ... the Mayan Calendar could be a warning that the earth is somehow “running out of time” or that when the long count cycle of the Mayan Calendar ends (21 December 2012) the world will either end or possibly enter an astrological new age some have called the “Age of Aquarius.”  

The Maya Calendar originates from the Central American region of Mexico. My own knowledge is limited to those discoveries in the Mexican state of Yucatán, and, of course the Calendar was also found in some of Mexico’s other States, such as Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas, the Maya people - approximating one million* people still speak their historic language. * In the 1860’s this figure was reported by Stephens as only around 600,000 Yucateks. This low figure was due to the 16th Century Spanish Invasion, the introduction of European diseases and the ultimate enslavement of the Mayan Nation. The pre-Spanish invasion numbers may have been as many as three million Mayans. drMSBsr   ¿Puede hablar la lengua Maya?   Spanish = ¿Qué dijo usted?    Maya = Ba'ax ka wa'alik? English = What did you say?Spanish =  ¿Cómo estás?  Maya =  B'ix a bè-el? English =  How are you? Spanish = Muy bien, muchas gracias. Maya = Jach ma'alob'.  English = Very good.  

As far as I understand the matter: The Mayan calendar consists of interrelated cycles or “counts” of different lengths. The larger count is a lunar based 260 day cycle called the Tzol-kin and this, when combined with a 365 day solar year cycle is called the Ha-ab that together form a cycle called the Maya calendar round. Then, smaller cycles of 13 days and 20 days completed the Mayan Calendar.  The oldest known Mayan Calendar was developed back in the 5th century BC.  Many aspects of the calendar are still in use in some areas of Central America, especially in Guatemala. The earliest reference to time by a Maya Calendar refers to date of their calendar’s "point of a  beginning" - 3114 BC . 

According to the deciphered hieroglyphics of La Corona's history references to the year 2012 commemorates a royal visit to La Corona (which the ancient Maya called Saknikte’) by the ruler Yuknoom Yich’aak K’ahk’ from the great Maya capital of Calakmul on Jan. 29, 696 A.D. In the text, he calls himself the "13 K’atun lord" -- the king who presided over and celebrated and important Mayan calendar ending, 13 K’atun calendar cycle, in the year 692. In order to vaunt himself even further and place his reign into an eternal setting, Yuknoom Yich’aak K’ahk, the Maya king of Calakmul, projected himself forward in time to when the next higher period of the Maya calendar would reach the same 13 number on 21 December 2012. (References and further details available by request.) 

Even though the fanatics claim the world ends when the Mayan calendar finishes its 13th Bak-tun ( or 13th cycle)"... one must ask if the end of a Bak’tun" ever predicting to be the end the world? No. These "prophecies" and "warnings" are nothing more than today’s “New Agers" and other fear mongers and naive’ end-of-the-world “prophets”getting carried away with their fanatical imaginary beliefs.  Qualified Archaeologists assure us that the Mayan Calendar's "end" or the "end" of this 13th cycle simply flows into the next Bak'tun - which “resets” and the Calendar restarts.  More importantly, these "New Ager" beliefs deny the truth of God’s Word.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1 (Amplified Bible) “BUT AS to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you. 2  For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night. 3  When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. 4  But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5  For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. 6  Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect). 7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8  But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9  For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 10  Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ’s appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life." 

 Those who believe in a cyclical concept of history accept the idea that life and history are all a part of an endless circle of repetition. Life repeats itself continuously and returns or circles back around cycle after cycle. We need to answer this question:  “Does the history of mankind really go anywhere specific or is it just a series of random and repetitious and thus, meaningless events ?”  Some people optimistically “hope against hope” that somehow our modern intellectual and scientific advancements will yield results that will bring life to a more useful and successful level. But, many others remain fearful and their doubt about life or history leads them to a emotionally emptiness and feelings of hopelessness.   

 Generally speaking, the cyclical view of the aeons (or ages) was accepted in popular pantheistic cultures and is the basis of their many imaginative mythical conceptions of history.  For example: The Greeks, especially the Pythagoreans and Stoics (Acts 17) followed these ideas of ‘eternal returns.’ China was one of the oldest of these societies and they used this to establish their cyclical dynasties. In Ancient Egyptian and Modern Indian Hindu philosophies; history, itself, has no ultimate meaning but only allows some ‘existential value’ for a limited time - as in the single life span of the individual. In the Islamic mind, their emirates were to be governed around these patterns and processes. The cyclical concept is nothing more than a speculative theory of history and holds to a so-called “hope” of endlessness or eternal repetition. Such cyclical theories give no meaning to history or to the life of individuals - according to these theories life has no meaning beyond self-expression, itself. (Also consider the realities of Romans 1:18-26) 

 In the time of the Apostles and Early Church Fathers the Gnostics’ looked to their “Aeons” for hope to break free and somehow ascend through these forces of fatalism that they feared so much. All of these people hoped to achieve (somehow) a “higher level” of mystical consciousness. Some believe that they can transcend this cyclical reality by various mystical means, possibly via a “realignment” through some sort of “mystical connect” or “mystical harmony” with what they call the “natural order of the universe.”   

Many others try to ‘transcend,’ their inner self in a desperate effort to break free from this life of illogic and mundane repetition. Nonetheless, this cyclical concept of history consistently removes all of the individual’s personal responsibility and there is now way to achieve any real value in one’s own decisions. In the cyclical theory of life, reality simply disappears into a fatalistic inner emotional “dream world” of emptiness and meaninglessness! All real and personal significance is lost in this eternal “rat race” of so-called cyclical history. 

Only a"linear" plan is revealed in Biblical Scriptures - as God's plan for mankind. 

 To take this subject a bit further allow me to suggest a question or two that we need to be answering ...  First, Is God even in control of the unexpected or the unforeseen moments in history and in our lives? Allow me to reply by asking a second question .... another one of life’s most common questions - a question being asked by so many today: Is life just chance, chaos and confusion? or is it more? Another way to ask this question would be: “Is life really little more than random chance experiences, unsustainable chaotic events or senseless social confusion?”  

 As a student of the History of Christian theology, there is yet another way for me to ask this same question: “Does the history of man kind really go anywhere specific or is it just a series of random and repetitious and thus, meaningless events?”  Some people attempt a reply by optimistically looking to a “hope against hope,” or in other words, that somehow our modern intellectual and scientific advancements will yield results that will bring life to a more useful and successful level.  But, many others remain fearful and their doubt about life or history leads them to a emotionally emptiness and feelings of hopelessness.   Berkoff, Hendriquez, Christ, the Meaning of History, "Our generation is strangled by fear, fear for man, for his future and for the direction in which we are driven against our will and desire. And out of this comes a cry of illumination concerning the meaning of the existence of mankind and concerning the goal to which we are directed. It is a cry for an answer to the old question of the meaning of history." 

In further response let us look into .... 

THE LINEAR CONCEPT OF HISTORY, 

 or rather: “The Providential Linear Revelation of History.” 

 Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (KJV) 

Genesis 1 portrays time as linear and the events occur successively2 within it.  “YỒWM” (Heb.) or “Day”  is connected with the sovereignty of God, God existed before ‘eternity’ began (Psalm 90:4, Isaiah 43:13; Daniel 7:9), God created time (Genesis 1:1) and time is under His control - Psalm 74:16.. Note: Man must recognise the sovereignty of God over time by conforming. Exodus 20:11; 31:17. 

God assured the regularity of Time - Genesis 8:22 and Col. 1:17; God will suspend time - oneday in the future. Zechariah 14:7. But, God has a personal interest in time and human events - Genesis 24:55; 26:33.  “YỒWM” the Hebrew word for “Day” was not originally a time period divided by hours but by natural phenomena (Genesis 43:6; 15:12l 18:1; Exodus 18:13).  The day sometimes begins in evening - Esther 4:16 and sometimes with morning: Deuteronomy 28:66-67. History, then, has meaning and history is not cyclical. Man is meant to prove the worth of his life in the time God gives us - a  obviously linear period of time-life.  

“The Day” introduces events with particular importance in the history of “the day” as a word related to his salvation (See: Numbers 15:23 and Deuteronomy 4:32). “The day” is a time of repentance - Psalm 95:7. “The day” is a time of salvation - Psalm 118:24. “The day” is the time of His Incarnation - Psalm 2:7 (Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5).  In these periods of time - “YỒWM” - we are given opportunity to repent of our sin, accept God’s Grace and submit to His inner sanctifying work by His Spirit and all of this unlocks our potential as His believers and His servants. The “day of the Lord” is used eschatologically, as well. 

“YỒWM” is used 2,355 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. In Daniel 2:28 “YỒWM” refers to “the Latter Days.”  I have referred to God’s revelation of eternal knowledge as a “Providential Linear Revelation of History.”  The Eternal God, in a self-revelation of His Triunity, has sovereignly created and continues accomplishing (Colossians 1:16-20) His own purposes through (generally unseen or providential) acts4 of grace that are influencing the series of natural and human events. These events allow for human freedom and for many truly supernatural events, or Divine interventions, in carrying out the Divine plan in history.  

 Through the revelation of the Scriptures we are given a “window” into Providential history. We need to remember, God alone is truly autonomous! No one and no created thing, (other than the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible) can be truly or totally autonomous! 

Due to mankind’s sinfulness nothing short of faith or trust in God’s redemption in Christ Jesus could reinstitute the original relationship God had in mind for mankind. 

Reconciliation to God is at the core of the Christian view of life. Though the Bible’s ‘true Truth’ is not “exhaustive truth” - it is the complete and unified truth that is necessary for us to understand our meaning or significance in life, in space and time or in other words in ‘linear” history.  In the case of Biblical or “Providential Linear Revelation of History” God is both personal and infinite and is already (eternally) “there.”  

The linear flow of Providential history is revealed in Scripture in a noncontradictory way.  Dr. Francis Schaeffer once pointed out, that: “The gods of the East are infinite by definition, in the sense that they encompass all — the evil as well as the good — but they are not personal.  The gods of the West were personal, but they were very limited. The Teutonic, the Roman and the Greek gods were all the same — personal but not infinite.”   

 The Christian God, the God of the Bible, is personal-infinite God.” Neither chance, not necessity, nor genetic engineering can explain the Christian God’s gift of salvation, of human worth and  of future life eternal in the New Heaven and New Earth.  No cycle here and no fatalism or determinism but a loving God redeeming a free and faithful remnant from a lost and rebellious society - and all of this amidst a line-of-time and space sovereignly overseen by a loving and just God. Efforts at “hijacking” the Linear Concept of History from the Judeo-Christian heritage has taken place any number of times. 

The Nineteenth Century’s period of “Enlightenment” introduced the belief that idealistic progress or social evolution had led the world through “stages” of human history: From savagery, to slavery, to freedom, to education, to cultural progress, to scientific advance, to personal peace, and collective prosperity.   Then the atheistic-existential view of history tried to “hijack” the Christian linear concept of history. They claimed that history was only “a meaningless line” (though not a series of cyclical repetitions,) yet just “a line of activities and personalities that was started by accident and without any end in mind.  

 Atheism became frustrated with rationalism’s efforts to explain life. In the name of so-called “science” atheists decided that all natural causes must be under the influence of a dominant and uniform force - in other words they just declared that “nature” must be “deterministic.”  Such a non-rational view of “linear history” has left it pessimistic. Determinism’s only “hope” is in a non-rational man living for himself and fighting for his own territory either in or somewhere on this “line” of life (- i.e.on a continuum of the atheist’s own imaginary and “hi-jacked” view of linear history.  

 We should mention there is another grouping out there, as well. These just live in irrational hope, founded in their imaginary interpretations of their own experience. These folks just follow their own “mystical irrational ‘other’ sort of god.” Most of these people feel no guilt when they “hi-jack’ the language of Christianity (or really just any sort of spiritual and religious words) - “leaping into the dark” and hoping for some meaning to life, but this is simply not to be!  

God has declared through His Word that Hope - all hope is in Christ Jesus, the Lord!