Today’s Thought Postmodern Contemplations G. Ward

“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” Galatians 5:7-9

Today I pursued my annual physical examination. I awakened, prepared to dispel a militant stance of the gospel as a result in watching a televangelist mix truth with deception so very early in the morning. Then I arrived at the doctor’s office whereby he exclaimed, “Mr. Ward, I believe it’s time for your annual prostate exam!” First, why was he so enthusiastic? Second, why didn’t he dim the lights and turn on some soft music? Third, my militancy has been reduced to softer, kinder, expressions…

My question on today concerns our grandparents and those inhabitants of third world nations. You’ve heard about them haven’t you? Well apparently quite a large percentage of televangelists have not. Most are busy with narcissistic words that exacerbate a notion that Holy God exists to establish Americans in better health and more favor that would lead to more money. Immediately, charismatics want to refer to me as a heretic when I insist on proper context from the Apostle John’s letter found in 3 John: 2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”

The Apostle clearly was encouraging Brother Gaius in the perpetuation of disseminating “Truth” (Jn.14:6). Moreover, this congratulation was synonymous with a blessing that would help keep him healthy in doing so and would include the necessary provisions to exact the message of the cross.

Our grandparents were perhaps new immigrants to this land, others, slaves unto it, would absolutely marvel at such a school of thought. They understood Holy God as timeless (The Ancient of Days). This new theology for them would have arrived a century or more too late. What about our third world friends? They just want some clean drinking water. Their stomachs are inflamed with poisons because they're drinking from the same troughs as the animals excrete in, and their food rations are so minimal that their bone structures are altogether too vivid, revealing severe malnourishment. Here come the charismatics in great denial by saying, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. Unlike a snake, humans don’t philanthropically undergird a metamorphosis in their giving. If you don’t give now, you probably won’t give in future terms (even if Holy God drops bundles of currency from the sky)! The over-riding question is, when the Hebrew writer declares “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8), does that ever imply His changing according to the modernity presented?

 Happy Wednesday!