Really, What Do You Think?
From Emperors to Popes continued...
Today’s Verse and Thought
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect…“(Romans 12:2).
By the late 1600s, the Protestant Reformation brought about new denominations, and Catholicism had greatly changed from its original doctrine.
When we understand God’s true unchanging character, seen throughout the entire Scriptures, and couple that with the simple gospel of holiness, loyalty to God Most High, faith, repentance, power of the Holy Spirit, and the grace that Jesus and the Apostles taught, we can then begin to recognize what part of any Church’s doctrine may be “traditions of men”, rather than Scriptural truth. No tradition should ever be contrary to Scripture. And without understanding what is going on in the Bible, we are subject to believing error.
As we get closer to the return of Christ, Satan will use the church, disguising his lies as “Christian” and even co-opting “good sounding words” - like love, truth, nature, and justice. And Christians everywhere are falling into his dark trap.
We need to sharpen our minds, or be swallowed up by Satan’s stealth manipulations disguised as “good”. The Church needs to wake up and courageously examine what we believe and then start living it as if we do believe it.
The more you live your Christian faith, the harder it will be to “fit in” to our current world. If you are truly living for Christ, you are going to be an outcast from the world.
The Battle for the Mind
If we only listen to teachers within our own denominations, we are in an echo chamber. We may think something is Biblical, but it may not be; it might be something church leaders decided at some point should be part of a particular denomination’s teachings to support and sustain their own church system, ideas, and power structure.
“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”(2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Many church traditions are built on Biblical truths, just as the disciples spoke of in Thessalonians and other books. But some teachings aren’t. And some are cultural reactions, rather than gospel truth.
One funny example of this from our culture is an old saying that was popularized by Benjamin Franklin, “God helps those who help themselves.”
Many people will actually quote this little ditty as Scripture. This is the exact opposite of what God teaches. In fact, God’s power shows up best when we can’t help ourselves. When we are helpless, God is glorified. When we think we can do something apart from God, that’s just pride.
“When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”(Matthew 9:36).
So as Paul said, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”(2 Corinthians 11:30).
What we think and believe is critical
Our mind is where we formulate our beliefs. It’s why psychology is a powerful weapon. It shows how our minds work, and then how they can be manipulated. Our mind is where the demonic realm first attacks. And because Satan knows what we think will directly influence what we believe - and ultimately how we act, he can control us. He is on the warpath for our mind.
The war of mental manipulation has been perfected over the years to such a degree, that we now know how to actually influence or “program” the mind and break the mind.
Psychology, as a formal field of study, began to emerge in the late 19th century. The “founding of psychology” is often attributed to Wilhelm Wundt, a German psychologist who established the first experimental psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879 …a distinct “scientific discipline” focused on the study of human behavior and mental processes.
By discerning psychological tools of deception and manipulation, we can become wiser in our actions and beliefs. This is true both inside and outside the church. Discernment helps us guard against falling prey to manipulative tactics from those who may want to exploit us. It may be used as a tactic to simply get you to vote for a candidate; buy a product; change behaviors like anger management; or it may be something much more nefarious.
“I became curious about whether my own institution had been involved in these disturbing programs. I learned that Mayo Clinic researchers, including many psychiatrists, had conducted extensive research on deep brain stimulation, hypnosis, and psychedelic drugs — all of which the CIA attempted to exploit for their mind control programs.”(STAT news).
The Catholic Mind
“How long, O simple [naive] ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”(Proverbs 1:22).
Catholicism teaches that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). This includes the capacity for rational thought, intellect, and free will. The mind, therefore, is seen as a gift from God and is meant to be used in pursuit of truth, understanding, and moral discernment.
The Catholic Church encourages the use of reason and intellect in matters of faith. St. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent theologian in Catholic tradition, emphasized the harmony between faith and reason. But how do Catholics form their beliefs?
The Catholic laity were traditionally not encouraged to study Scripture, theology, or philosophy. They, instead were taught to study the Catechism and the teachings of the Church.
The Catholic Church began encouraging the laity to read the Bible more actively and directly in the late 1900s, particularly following the Second Vatican Council which took place from 1962 to 1965.
Vatican II emphasized greater participation of the laity in the life of the Church, including reading and studying Scripture. This shift marked a departure from earlier practices where access to and interpretation of the Bible were often controlled by the Pope, bishops, priests, and scholars.
Catechesis is a “form of religious instruction that typically involves a recitation of information in oral form.”(source).
For Bible study, the Catholic Church will use a particular book or document known as a “catechism,” which contains a summary of Catholic doctrine, typically in a Q and A format. This echo method of reciting and responding, was designed to lead to memorization of doctrine, but not exactly learning correct theology.
Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the Bible regularly. However, if asked how often they read Scripture, the answer would be different. Practicing Catholics know they read and hear Scripture at every Mass. Many also recognize that basic prayers Catholics say, such as the Our Father and the Hail Mary, are scriptural. But for most Catholics, the Scripture they hear and read is not from the Bible. It is from a worship aid in the pew (source).
(Someone please give me the “Scriptural” basis for praying to Mary - I really can’t find it).
Teaching the mind
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of promoting and building educational institutions. Catholic teaching emphasizes the ethical and culturally relevant use of our minds. This includes promoting social justice, respecting human dignity, and applying moral principles in our decision-making. The mind is viewed as a tool for discerning good from evil and for contributing to the common good of society.
Catholicism teaches the unity of body and soul in the human person. The mind is integrated with the body and emotions. This holistic view of human nature encourages Catholics to care for their mental health and to develop virtues such as prudence, wisdom, and understanding.
Catholic spirituality includes practices that engage the mind, such as contemplative prayer, meditation on Scripture, and theological reflection. These practices aim to deepen one's relationship with God and to integrate faith with everyday life
The Protestant Mind
Protestants generally uphold the authority of the Bible as the primary source of religious truth and guidance. They emphasize the importance of studying Scripture with the use of reason and intellect to discern its meaning and application to life.
Many Protestant denominations emphasize salvation by faith alone (sola fide), which highlights the role of the mind in understanding and accepting the gospel message. Intellectual engagement with theological concepts, such as justification, sanctification, and redemption, is often encouraged.
From the Reformation, Protestantism has placed a strong emphasis on education and intellectual inquiry. Many Protestant denominations have established universities, seminaries, and schools that promote academic excellence alongside spiritual formation. The Protestant work ethic also values excellence, diligence, discipline, and intellectual pursuit in whatever you do.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”(Colossians 3:23).
Unlike Catholicism, which emphasizes the “interpretive authority” of the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Pope and Church doctrine), Protestantism generally encourages each individual to study Scripture for themselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This promotes personal engagement of the mind in biblical study and theological reflection.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”(John 16:13).
While emphasizing faith, Protestant traditions also recognize the importance of reason and philosophy in understanding theological concepts and engaging with contemporary issues. Many Protestant theologians draw from philosophical traditions to articulate their beliefs and address theological questions.
In Protestant educational institutions and intellectual circles, there is often an emphasis on integrating faith with learning in various academic disciplines. This involves exploring how Christian beliefs intersect with fields such as science, history, ethics, and social sciences.
It's important to note that Protestantism encompasses a wide range of theological perspectives and denominational traditions, from more “conservative” churches adhering to Apostolic teaching, to the widely increasing “liberal” churches that see Scripture as more of a suggestion, and is metaphorical rather than literal, opening the door to any kind of interpretation one would like to believe.
Liberal churches tend to support progressive stances on social justice issues, such as “love is love,” the role of nature, LGBTQ+ rights, self-described identity, and reproductive “rights.” Conservative Christian groups hold to more literal Biblical views.
“The mind is the devils playground.” John Locke
As we move into the history of the church in the Colonies, and all the religious ideas found in the New World, we will begin to understand why some believed that America would become heaven on earth and how men created groups that, even today, may be manipulating you and you don’t even know it.
To be continued…
Today’s Question
Verses to Explore
“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them…”(Proverbs 1:32).
“O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.”(Proverbs 8:5)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”(James 1:5).
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves…”(Matthew 10:16).
Today’s Prayer
Father today I pray for wisdom. Help us Lord to set aside all of our biases and traditions so that we can hold them up to your Word. I know that we can be confused by interpretations, but the more we know You, the better we are able to understand things that are from You. I pray that we are truly wise as serpents but innocent as doves. The world is full of deception and it is growing every day. liars are everywhere, even sadly, in your churches. Father God help us to have victory over this evil. We are weak, and you are strong. We need you to act on our behalf, but also to show the world that YOU are God. I pray for a great third awakening in our country. I pray that evil is fully exposed. I pray that many will fall because of your hand of true justice. And I pray for your people that they see that your truth is what keeps us safe in a world that will be judged. Thank you Father for declaring your glory and letting us witness your mighty hand of victory. Help us to live holy lives that glorify you. We patiently wait for You. May all honor and glory be yours alone. Amen❤️
Coming to the American Colonies (source).
