ADBC: 09 – Basis for Rule and What’s With The Good News?

This is a further entry in the ongoing blog conversation with my thoughtful and insightful brother, David. Here’s the premise.

Previously in the conversation: All I did was ask David a question about football players feeling the need to take a knee. That’s all I did. And David took that question and … well, seriously you have to read it for yourself. Do yourself that favour. Take the time out to read that answer and you’ll see why words like ‘remarkable’ and ‘uncompromising’ are understatements. That’s not all, of course. I asked him about meritocracy and if you check that answer out, you have got to check yourself as well to see where you stand. The piece de resistance was the ‘small’ list of video sources that he checks out. You know the score by now – this whole thing is a conversation and the point is that we’re built up by it. So read it. Then take a break from it. Then get a drink and have another read of it. Then chuckle to yourself and share it with a couple of the people you know who like reading stuff too. 

Have you read it yet? I gotta presume you have and take your word for it. Right, now that you’ve had a go at that and enjoyed it even more than I did – and I enjoyed it a lot – you’d have noticed that he had some questions for me to explore:

Q: You are a christian. I hold views that make me opposed to christian doctrine. If you cherish your views, believing that others should have them because of their universal importance, to what extent should you try to encourage the mind of someone else to change who doesn’t hold your views? To what extent do you believe in evangelism, active or passive?

I can be a real pedant at times. So for example, in this case, I don’t ‘try’ anything. It is my responsibility to encourage the minds of everyone – whether they hold my views or not to consider them in the hope that they will accept them. For it’s not about convincing people about an argument – it’s making a presentation of who Jesus is and hoping that people will consider Him for themselves. Now there is something to that, so if people are closed to wanting to hear about that or refuse it, mock it and ridicule it, then there’s no point as the wisdom goes of throwing pearls to swine. The deal of being a follower of Jesus is that this essentially makes you four things – a member of the family of God and the Body of Christ, a minister of the Lord Jesus, a messenger of the gospel and a missionary of the Kingdom. Being a messenger of the gospel essentially means I see evangelism as something that should be the norm in the life of every believer. It’s something I hold to because following Jesus is with the hope that He lives through you by His Spirit. If He does that then you’ll want what matters to Him and what matters to Him is people knowing about the good news. After all, if it’s good news to you, it shouldn’t take much to share it with others. (True story, I thought I’d have to write more in answer to that question, but it’s that straightforward now that I write it.)

Q: Does political and legal authority in the modern secular world have a basis in truth? Please explain your answer.

What a loaded question. Have you noticed how loaded that question is? I noticed it. That question is loaded. And here’s what I mean by loaded. First of all, we have those terms – ‘political and legal authority’ and before I have the chance to drink that in then there’s the phrase, ‘modern secular world’ and then there’s the kicker to it all ‘basis in truth’. I mean, I could just refer this question back to my brother and ask him for definitions on all of those especially in the context in which we live. I could do that – and the beauty of this conversation is if David isn’t satisfied with the response he can always turn around and ask it again clarifying what he’s looking for. As you guessed, that means I’m giving this question a go with an answer.

First of all, let me give you a hint at the implications of this question. If authority in the world today has no basis in truth there’s every reason to suggest that such authority in essence is illegitimate. Now, that doesn’t have to mean much to you now, because even if it is illegitimate, it’s still operating and does so in a manner that assumes that word – authority.

Now allow me to delve into this question from my view on scripture and how I read that into the world in which we live. My reading of the historical narrative in scripture is that there are different kingdoms in different regions. The authority in the vast majority of them did not necessarily rely on the truths revealed by God. The vast majority of the kingdoms did not look to honour the God of Creation in how they operated. Yet God allowed them to exist and there is sufficient reading of biblical scope to suggest that God allows them to continue – they rise and they fall. Interestingly as I read the book of Daniel at the moment, many of the empires and kingdoms are clearly built to establish dominance over others in a beastly kinda manner. The imagery of them as beasts isn’t just about their symbols of representation, it does go into how they’re not really about ruling in a way that reflects how they’re made in God’s image to live righteously. All of that to say in a real way each and every expression of political and legal authority is not founded on a basis of the truth as revealed by the Creator God. He allows them and still expects them to operate in righteousness, but however much He desires that, it’s not something that will necessarily always take place. In a way, as I read it at this time, subject to further insight – the only political and legal authority that is based on truth is the political and legal authority of the Kingdom of God. Everything else is built on something very man-centred and a focus that does not acknowledge the ultimate rule of God other than in a few isolated exceptional incidents that more or less prove the rule. It’s interesting that this question is based on the modern secular world, it’s applicable in any day or age in terms of if they have a basis in truth. I look at the governments of the world and don’t see any based on the truth that matters to God. Whatever claims they make to having ‘Judaeo-Christian origins’ and whatever they say about the role of Christians in them, from the era of Empire to the modern era of capitulation to corporate interests, the real truth of their basis is not really in the truth. That legitimacy issue will come about, as I see it, in the culmination of all things when all the kingdoms of this age will come to an end to be totally replaced by that righteous rule of God.

Q: What video or audio channels do you recommend?

Ah. Now there’s a question. As you know just because I watch a channel doesn’t mean I’d recommend it. Also good timing in asking me about it because I’ve got back into podcasts. I used to be into podcasts in a very big way, I was so sad that I came to it so late because there was so much available to listen to that I enjoyed thoroughly. It’s fair to say that over the last year or so my podcast intake took a slump. Nothing, in particular, triggered it, but just the way I went about my media content intake habits. Anyway, you didn’t ask for that, you asked for my recommendations and so after some consideration here are ones that I would recommend based on my tastes.

Video Channel Recommendations:

Athletic Interest – I commend this channel for the insights it gives into how elements of the sports business operate. Videos are not that long (usually under 15 minutes), doesn’t mess about and just informs and entertains delightfully.

The Bible Project – The videos introduce biblical themes and overviews on the books of the Bible in a manner I find very accessible. It’s not about always agreeing with what’s being expressed, but at least it presents things in a way to stir interest in the Bible.

Body Project – True story, I need to keep fit. I’ve had fluctuating periods of success where that’s concerned physically. Lately, this channel has been helpful in getting into it and having something gradual to use to help with that.

Crash Course – There is another way of getting information about an approach to history and other educational subjects. Crash Course is something I’ve enjoyed a lot for things on history in particular. I like John Green’s weaving of humour and intellect. I know Crash Course is a lot more than John Green – but his history of the world and America were a good watch.

David Pawson – One of the most influential Bible teachers of my life. Though he died last year, the material on the YouTube channel is always worth checking. It’s worth it as much for the process of the man in the word as well as the content.

Free Bible Commentary – Bob Utley is another influential Bible teacher that I’ve come across in more recent times. The guy’s delivery is just brilliant in terms of that accent. More than that, though, as educated and studied as he is, he makes the effort to convey the teaching in a way that can be related as much as possible.

Ryan George – Back in the day I loved a lot of good comedy. What’s funny is a matter of taste, my taste is as such that I don’t really come across that much in the way of good comedy. This guy, though. This guy whether it’s on his own channel or with his Pitch Meetings on the Screen Rants channel makes me laugh. It’s good comedy.

Spoken Gospel – I am well up for presentations of the Bible being read and presented creatively. This is one of those that does a great job of that. It’s one of those channels that inspires reading the word for myself as well as encouraging others to get in there as well.

The Beat by Allen Parr – How do we engage with some issues in the Bible and some of the issues that take place in culture? I have not really come across that many engaging video channels that cover those issues. This one is one of those that I have thought to be a worthwhile resource to consider.

The Deeper Journey with Frank Viola – As you’re aware, one of the key instructions given by Jesus was to seek His Kingdom first. One of the things that I’ve noted about Frank Viola over the years reading his material is that he certainly is all about Kingdom first and I appreciate the content on this channel.

WrestleTalk – Pro-wrestling. There was a time when I’d be keen to watch all the action where that was concerned. Then it got … different. Appealed to a different audience. Yet this channel has presenters who entertainingly provide updates, so I don’t have to waste two or three hours of my life watching the actual product and be entertained by the review of the product.

Audio Channel Recommendations:

The Columbo Podcast – Man alive, I have so much to be grateful for when it comes to this podcast. I really wasn’t aware of the podcast world until I came across this one. Two blokes spending the best part of an hour and longer talking about a passion. I liked Columbo a lot – one of my favourite television programmes. This podcast took the interest to a whole other level of fascination and the conversation was rich.

Encounter Podcast – I love anything that helps me in my desire to encounter God. This podcast is such a wonderful resource to help us do that. Prayerful, word focused and so great at encouraging whatever it takes to clear and focus the mind on what matters in life and use that to motivate the journey.

Church Planter Podcast – I was looking for a resource to help me appreciate elements to consider when it comes to the nature of the church from the basics going forward. I came across this one and heard the conversations that took place. Real, rugged, with humour, with the Word, solid and challenging in equal measure.

Ask Pastor John – Of all the influences I’ve noted on here, the one that goes back in my life is John Piper. I heard this guy for the first time back in the old century – that’s how long it’s been that I’ve taken this guy’s teaching seriously. He gives the kind of counsel with the answers to the questions that maybe not many will get the chance to listen to and it’s grounded in his approach to the word and how Jesus should be the focus of life.

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Well, my brother, that’s my take on the questions you asked. If you want to respond or engage with those points, you know you can do so.  As you do that, however, answer me these, please, David:

Q – Britain is said to be a party-based democracy. What do you perceive to be the problems with that approach to ruling an area?

Q – We are told by a variety of sources that there is a climate crisis. What are your thoughts on that agenda?

Q – Entertainment and leisure are tools used to get people to stop thinking and acting on the things that matter. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer

In the meantime, thanks for this opportunity dear brother, thanks

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden