Absolutes: the unchangeable.

Benjamin Franklin was an elder statesman, a philosopher of sorts, somewhat of a comic, a prolific wordsmith, but not much of a theologian. In one writing he said the only certainties in life are death and taxes. It was probably humorous in the avenues of change our founders traveled in forming our democratic republic. And, his cohort of rebellious framers certainly knew his jest. Even people in that generation knew that everything related to this earth or human ways change in a non-static universe. Sure, life then wasn't the fast, complicated treadmill of the twenty-first century world. It was changing however. They weren't exponential times. Still, change was happening. His two certainties may have supplied some comic relief to those charting a new course under the critical eyes of British officials and troops.

Even then, our theologians and pastors would have known the true absolutes of life, those limited realities that have been unchanging in human history. Though limited in number, they would have preached the unchanging truths about the nature of our Triune God, his inerrant Word, and his redemptive work in this world. For the sake of this space, I have assembled some of the Scriptures that affirm these never changing absolutes. Make note---

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40: 8, ESV

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 3: 6, ESV

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the

things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4: 18, ESV

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the

unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,so that by two

unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for

refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.We have

this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place

behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having

become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrew 6: 17-20, ESV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13: 8, ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of

lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1: 17, ESV

Understand that these are just samples of the biblical references about the character of our Triune God, his revelation in Scripture, and his work in redeeming sinful humanity. They are realities that are eternal and unchanging in a universe that is constantly in motion. They are the absolutes that rule his creation, even in exponential times. While we are caught in the velocity, complexity, and mobility of the world around us, theses absolutes are sure, certain, and unchanging.

The truth of Hebrews 6: 17-20, printed above, provides one of the sure guides to navigating change. God revealed to the anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews a truth to enable us humans to find traction in a fast, complex world. This author assured all the readers in history that God's promise and oath to Abraham would be an "anchor of the soul", a firm and eternal solid grasp for living in a world of change. The absolute certainty of God's character and work in our lives provides us an anchor to keep us from being swept away in the currents of change.

These are certainly times of enormous change. Covid 19 has introduced dramatic changes in our lifestyles and expectations. Even more, the collision of values that have become obvious in our racial, political, economic, educational, and everyday lives have multiplied the uncertainties that confront all of us on a daily basis. We all could use an "anchor of the soul" to keep us steady in a world of immense change. My prayer, every single day, if for a spiritual revival that will give us the hope promised by God in that Hebrews passage. You see, the things of God are the only unchangeables, the absolutes to guide us when change overwhelms our human systems. God is our only unchanging reality, our "anchor of the soul"

Be blessed, And join me in that prayer.

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Exponential times.

It's a common theme in this space, exponential times. What is the lure that has hooked my attention over the past couple of years? It's not that complicated. My love for and belief in the local church has me wondering why so many evangelical congregations are in the doldrums. The answer to that one seems mysterious and perplexing. It's a point of discussion and debate among cultural observers, at denominational levels, in local churches, and at the coffee shop down the street. In my personal study there are many possible reasons for the lack of church spiritual influence in our culture. Primary among them is the reluctance of spiritual leaders to acknowledge the impact of exponential times on our diverse population.

Exponential isn't a terribly difficult concept to understand. Basically it is a word expressing exaggerated circumstances. You know, bigger, faster, more plenteous, rising and expanding, rampant, aggressive, and many other synonymous terms. There is a more specific mathematical explanation, but I'll leave that to be educated professors over in the math department. Applied to culture as a whole, exponential times are those occasioned by the technological advances of everyday life. Data engineering, program interfaces, platforms, networks, and infrastructure are no longer the secret language of the techie world. Our children and grandchildren move through this stuff with ease. We experience these marvels at the checkout counter, in communication, and virtually every area of daily life. They have altered almost everything we do.

Observers affirm that exponential times are characterized by three primary traits: velocity, complexity, and mobility. Everything today is faster, more complicated, and on the move more than in previous times. Yes, Covid 19 has been a temporary reprieve in some regards.. Still, in the last decade or two people have had to make major life adjustments to remain functional participants in even every day activities. And, they are hard in the older generational cohorts---the builders and boomers among us. Some of us have made these transitions, even at an elementary level. Others have not. The speed, sophistication, and movement have left many people and organizations trying to exist in this new world relying on our old world systems.

Understanding the times is a significant Biblical theme. To be effective in our mission to make disciples of all nations we must grasp change as one of those rapid, perplexing, and transitioning life dynamics. If we are to exercise spiritual influence in a world like this one we must at the least know what is happening around us. To ignore them is to disconnect ourselves from those caught in the often frantic whirlwind of change. Several Scripture passages address this issue---

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.

1 Chronicles 12: 32, ESV

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why

do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Luke 12: 56, ESV

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Timothy 2: 7, ESV

Look at what is before your eyes.

2 Corinthians 10:7, ESV

Understanding these exponential times is perhaps more important today than any period in my seventy years. Recent events, including Covid 19 and the killing of George Floyd have ramped up cultural and spiritual change. Many Christian denominations, congregations, and spiritual leaders are functioning in exponential times with dated and worn approaches to mission. I am always drawn to the Word God gave to prophet Isaiah---

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a

new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the

wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43: 18-19, ESV

This does not mean abandoning the absolutes of faith. That will be the topic tomorrow. God is forever doing a new thing, and we must understand it and embrace his provision in these exponential times.

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The bigger picture.

The death of George Floyd is a tragic and regrettable episode in our history. It wasn't, however, the reason for the protests and destructive forces unleashed in our American cities and among our populations. It was, perhaps, the occasion of them. The actual cause was much deeper than one single event or circumstance. It was brewed in our own national history and seeped in years of disappointment, resentment, suspicion, and the ever present blame game. This big picture depicts a nation at odds---colliding world-views, ignition points of diversity, and a lack of discernment among our people groups.

Several realities form the admixture of circumstances and events that color this big picture---

1. The combative agendas of our political organizations. In my forty-nine years as a voter I have never seen the levels of disparity in the platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties. Today those party distinctions have been broadened to liberal or progressive systems against a conservative one, the left and the right. It was quite obvious in our most recent primary elections, candidates who did not promote their party affiliation, fearing being labeled. From our founding fathers we learned their contrasts early on. Today they are stark opposites. The big picture right now is a reflection of these colliding values.
   

2. A biased main stream media system. We cannot argue the left leaning, more progressive leanings of the media elite. This bias is evident in television programming, the advertising fare that supports our media outlets, an obvious double standard in portraying government and legislative action, the use of prominent citizens to validate and promote their agendas, the selective reporting of data in the print media, the publication of fake news, and many other prejudices used to influence our citizens. The media shapes and defines the big picture with urgency.
   

3. Special interest groups and people that shape public opinion. Underneath this big picture are wealthy, influential people and factions that fund their preferences and ideals. Today we read about George Soros, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, The Alliance Defending Freedom, the Faith and Freedom Coalition, well-known Hollywood personalities, elected officials, and many groups with strong political agendas. A few influential people and groups are contributors to our current big picture.
   

4. A basically uninformed population. Sadly, even in the information age, most Americans are uninformed about government, politics, voting, the workings of Congress, the economic flutter of exponential times, the life realities in our minority populations, abandonment of our historical Judeo-Christian ideals, the loss of traditional family values, and many other decisive changes in our culture. Uninformed citizens open the doors to advancing this big picture.
   

5. The de-emphasizing of "we the people" as a guiding principle. Another sad truth is that the majority of our citizens believe that they are powerless to affect decisions made by the power brokers at every level of American life. This is most evident in the small percentage of Americans who exercise their right to vote, 56.7 % in the 2016 Presidential election.
   

As in most cases, there are many other hard facts about the big picture in the United States right now. Up front I know my shallow grasp of political thought and cultural dynamics. Truth is, the big picture today is of a divided nation, a nation at odds. The death of George Floyd occasioned protests, riots, destruction of personal and business properties, killing of police officers, and many other evidences of our differences.

The solution? My Christian worldview compels me to the prayer closet. My personal prayers right now are for wisdom and discernment in our population, to understand the times and possess the will to influence them.

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, ESV

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5: 21, ESV

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, ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good

understanding. His praise endures forever!

Psalm 111: 10, ESV

Yes, this big picture can be changed. Not in the halls of Congress, the main stream media, or even in the courts. It's in the prayer closets and worship centers of people of faith. Will you join me?

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