ADBC: 26 – Stars, Scripture And Sinners Seeking Something

Here’s the premise of the conversation.

Previously in the conversation: Ahhhhh man, you want to hear what happened previously in the conversation. I mean it. You wanna hear it. You can click here to listen to what I had to offer where I explored the matter of magic as well as the basis of hope. However good that was, though – and I do admit it was good – my brother took the level up with some in-depth intriguing work on science and particularly his beautiful outline on how justice can be served by a better model. Come on, dear reader, do yourself a favour for a change, you can get your headphones on or your speakers turned up to listen to the quality stuff – click here to listen to my brother’s brilliant work.

I really enjoyed doing the conversation in that format and hopefully, it won’t be the last time. For this time, we return to the format that established this conversation in the first place and here are some intriguing questions:

Q – You said some time ago that gaining knowledge without [the acknowledgement or fear of] God is wrong. In light of that, is it wrong for idolators and atheists to gain knowledge? Why or why not

First up, it’s a big statement for me to make on gaining knowledge. I expect some sort of blowback on that and maybe rightly so and of course, I reserve the responsibility to adjust my thoughts in the light of wisdom and correction. For the time being, however, let me outline the following in addressing this question.

There is information. There is knowledge. There is understanding. There is wisdom. All of those factors can be corrupted and exercised in what I am calling – wrong ways. For example, as I understand it from my reading of scripture, there is such a thing as earthly wisdom. This wisdom is typified by the desire to apply the blend of knowledge and understanding for self-serving purposes that often bring about dissension, decay and other unpleasant outcomes that might offer short-term pleasure or self-satisfaction but often at the cost of far greater matters.

Thus the real issue is the type of knowledge that idolators and atheists gain and the purpose for which they use it. I clearly wouldn’t stop those who reject God from knowledge – I’d want them to have all the knowledge they need to reach the conclusion of the existence of the God they reject and the need to acknowledge Him that they refuse. Other than that, what good is the knowledge they gain? It’s not wrong to gain knowledge as long as it’s used in righteous, wise and godly ways – otherwise … I’d suggest it’s wrong – for anyone.

Q – Astrology is seen by some as a natural “science” or study of the natural world and its relation to man. Some even acknowledge the one true God and believe the stars have some effect or relation to the fate of man. You said, “this needs scriptural clearance.” Why? On what basis? Why does this need scriptural clearance but something like medicine or physical healing or other mundane studies do not?

The role of scripture is important for understanding life and how things work. It is an essential reference point for me as someone who believes in God and believes God. Especially as one who believes that God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ affirming what scripture had said in relation to God’s plan. Trusting the scripture as the Word of God, the authority that holds for life makes a difference. So determining issues of life, for me as a believer, is heavily influenced and based on guidance from the holy scripture.

Physical healing is based on scripture. Quite a lot of what passes for studies today have a reference point in scripture. Even science itself has a basis on what scripture says about the wonder of the universe and how it declares God’s glory. Take that with the responsibility given to man regarding the planet there’s scope for the exploration of the methods by which the planet functions and in which we can be good stewards of what God has given us.

The last part of your question is intriguing and I’m not totally sure what you mean, so Indeed to a very large degree, everything I do needs scriptural clearance. Let me leave that statement there and wait for some … interesting responses.🙂

Q – Is there a relationship between the stars, the zodiac and the constellations, the alignment of celestial objects (including the sun and mood and the fate and/or affairs or even the personality and emotional state of man? Please provide justification for your answer.

If you asked me this question a few years ago, the answer would be swift and brutally short. Now, I have to at least work this question out a bit more.

There are people who apply a lot of what they see and experience to perceived connections of the zodiac and the arrangement and alignment of stars. The horoscope is as influential today as it has been in time past. People still claim that because they were born in that date, it had that arrangement of the stars they are therefore this star-sign and that explains their personality as well as influences what’s said about them career-wise and where their relationships are concerned.

Most of my response to that in time past has been to shrug it off as total nonsense. I do so largely because it does not cohere with the relationship with God and what He outlines as to what makes who we are and why that’s important. To me, the onus has always been on those who love their zodiac star-sign business to prove from scripture that this is a godly ordained healthy approach to determining life.

As of yet, I’ve not come across such explanations. That is to say that I’ve had no reason to rigorously explore if there is any such relationship between the stars in their arrangement and the state and affairs of humanity. If there was a compelling scriptural/godly reason to make such connections, I’d be interested in discovering that.

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Challenging questions, Hesediah, my brother, gotta tell you. These are the sort of questions that get me looking carefully at what I believe and if it’s worth believing in it. I think those are necessary processes to go through from time to time.

I have a few questions for you:

Q – What reading material would you recommend to someone who wanted to gain wisdom and why? Are there certain suggestions you have as to how to engage with that reading material?

Q – Is there a problem with the age of information that leaves people able to access such a wide range of information particularly from online sources? What checks and balances would you encourage those who asked you to put in place to guard their information intake?

Q – What do you think is the healthy purpose of humour?

We be back at the blogging, my brother. I look forward to the responses as ever! Thanks for your time.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden