EL NEUMONAL Y EL FENOMENAL

ES IMPOSIBLE CONOCER EL MUNDO NEUMONAL MEDIANTE EL FENOMENAL (EMANUEL KANT)

Por muchos años la fe en Dios y los argumentos reforzados por Thomas de Aquino que de alguna forma habían sido casi impenetrables, sufren un descrédito desde que llegó la masiva obra de Kant; Crítica de la razón pura.  En esta obra, el autor pone en evidencia lo que hasta ese momento era intocable. En los círculos de derecho, Kant es una fuente casi de erudición y siempre nos instan a “idolatrar” su enorme contribución en materia penal. Soy completamente consciente de que Kant es un antes y un después en este campo y que su razonamiento crítico es envidiable para todo abogado, sin mencionar que el derecho le respeta y le contempla dentro de la formación integral de profesionales como una entidad aprobada e infalible. Lo que el derecho ha olvidado es que Kant no realizó su obra de crítica a la razón pura con fines jurídicos exclusivamente.  Es más, la razón principal de toda su carrera era la teología y de ahí otras ramas como; la filosofía, psicología y el derecho, sacan muy buen provecho de su trabajo. Emanuel Kant no fue un ateo, ni siquiera alcanzó a ser deísta, sino que abiertamente aceptaba creer en Dios.  Él era de la corriente la cual conocemos como razonamiento natural. Esto le llevó a dividir básicamente su posición en dos: 1) El mundo neumonal (el asalto de los espíritus) y 2) el mundo fenomenal (aquello que sí se puede percibir mediante los sentidos). Para el primer enunciado, Kant observó tres importantes componentes: A) Dios, B) uno mismo y C) esencias. En otras palabras, él se está refiriendo con esto a la realidad metafísica de las cosas que están más allá de la habilidad de nuestros sentidos para percibir.  Así que él no cuestiona la existencia de Dios como tal, pero lo coloca dentro del asalto neumonal y por lo tanto le da el derecho de formular una pregunta epistemológica; ¿Podemos conocer algo acerca de Dios mediante un rebusco científico? Kant concluye con enfático NO. Precisamente, su respuesta es la raíz de nuestra discusión en esta ocasión. Su tesis se sostiene en bases de lo fenomenal; es decir en palabras más sencillas significa que usted y yo solo podemos conocer todo aquello que se pueda percibir con los sentidos y de lo demás no hay manera científica concreta para probarlo.  Con todo él sugirió que debíamos vivir como si existiera Dios por una cuestión de ética y moral significativa. Entonces de manera implícita Kant está sugiriendo a Dios como el estándar inequívoco de toda moral, hecho del cual los ateos continúan teniendo conflicto sin haber   desestimado la evidencia de forma adecuada. fenomenal

Enfocados en nuestra proposición el apóstol Pablo afirma en Romanos 1:20 lo contrario a lo que Kant sostiene.  El texto sin vacilar afirma que lo invisible de Dios y su poder se han hecho claramente visibles desde la creación del mundo. Entonces basados en esta premisa la cual es verdadera, toda la línea argumentativa de Kant se cae a pedazos. En teología hablamos de la revelación universal (podemos conocer a Dios mediante la creación) y la revelación específica (aparte de eso él ha comunicado su voluntad de forma escrita y expresa dándose así mismo a conocer). Por lo que el uso del vocablo griego καθοράω (katoráo) que significa discernir, discriminar o hacer notorio, es verdaderamente trascendental siendo incluso la única ocasión donde podemos leer esa palabra en todo el Nuevo Testamento, sugiriendo el final de un proceso de escrutinio habiendo llegado a una conclusión inequívoca.

El respetado hermano James B. Coffman comenta sobre este texto lo siguiente, él dice:

El argumento de Pablo es que las cosas invisibles pueden ser “vistas” por la mente. Las cosas que se hacen, es decir, todos los objetos creados, son las cosas que permiten a la mente comprender lo que el ojo no natural puede ver, es decir, el poder y la divinidad de Dios. Esto se convierte, por lo tanto, en una impresionante referencia a la demostración teleológica de la existencia de Dios. El mismo hecho de que algo haya sido hecho es prueba cierta de que hubo un hacedor. Se ha puesto de moda en algunos sectores ridiculizar el argumento teleológico de la existencia de Dios, pero los autores inspirados no dudaron en usarlo. “Porque toda casa es edificada por alguno; pero el que edificó todas las cosas es Dios” (Hebreos 3:4), es un ejemplo de ello; y la apelación de Pablo a este argumento en este contexto indicó su máxima confianza en él.

No hay otra forma, en honor a la racionalidad más clara de concluir que estar en acuerdo con Coffman. Las falencias en la posición de Kant son obvias al comparar la inerrancia de las escrituras a través de los siglos.  En otras palabras, si Kant miente, no podemos estar seguros, pero de que la Biblia siempre ha expresado la verdad para ello la evidencia es abrumadora. Aunque la posición de Kant sobre la moral fue un poco ambigua, otros le critican.  Basta analizar las palabras de C.S. Lewis quien fuertemente crítica las ideas de moralidad de Kant en las que el hombre solo hará las cosas cuando así lo desee: “Sin embargo, en contra de Kant se encuentra la verdad obvia, señalada por Aristóteles, de que cuanto más virtuoso se vuelve un hombre, más disfruta de las acciones virtuosas”.

Como siempre lo mejor se reserva para el final y por eso debo traer a colación el hecho de que Kant ignoró la evidencia más grande que prueba la falsedad de su posición la cual sostiene que no puedes conocer nada del mundo Espiritual mediante nuestros sentidos naturales. Juan el apóstol dice que Dios se volvió carne (Jn.1:1) y además de eso, logramos contemplar su gloria (Jn.1:14). Cada pasaje donde Jesús se asocia así mismo con Dios, identificándose como divino, constituye un pesado ladrillo que entierra más profundamente cada vez la idea de Kant. Los pasajes son muchos; yo y el Padre uno somos” (Jn.10:30), “…el que me ha visto a mí ha visto al Padre” (Jn.14:9), todas las cosas fueron hechas por medio de él (Col.1:15), “quien honra al hijo también honra al Padre” (Jn.5:23).  Quizás estos ejemplos sean suficientes para mostrar que el Dios invisible, fue hecho visible en el Jesús histórico, del cual tenemos registro fidedigno de su existencia real.

En algunas universidades, principalmente en cursos filosóficos, elevan a Kant como un gigante indestructible, e intentan humillar al teísmo. Sin embargo cada estudiante es quien debe tener una mente crítica, viva y que permita examinar todo lo que escuche tal como lo hacían aquellos hombres nobles en Hechos 17. Expresamente sabemos que Kant vino y se fue, pero quien ha conocido a Jesucristo sabrá que él nunca se irá, sino que permanece fiel (2Tim.2:13).

Referencias

1.     Lewis, C.S. (1940) The problem of pain. Glasgow: Collins.

2.     Coffman, James Burton. (1983-1999). “Commentary on Romans 1″. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”: University Press, Abilene, Texas.

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The Decline of the American Church

The Decline of the American Church

The church in America will continue to decline until elders, preachers, and church leaders realize that the “consumer model” does not work–and is not what God intended. Freefall Efforts Decline

It is not about what programs a church can offer a visiting family. It is about being a real church family that desperately wants to care for one another and reach out to the lost.

Rather than worrying about the “numbers” (which we proudly display in bulletins and on attendance boards) and “programs,” congregations need to focus on the spiritual health of their members and reaching out to the lost.

We need to invest time and energy into building stronger Christian families who are equipped for spiritual battle.

We have a bunch of “big” congregations that are spiritually sick or dying–but as long as the calendar is full and the numbers are there, no changes are made.

And the decline continues…

 

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“Walk By Faith”

“Walk By Faith”

The apostles Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This is our situation as we are at home in the body and absent from the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6). What does this mean? We live our lives by trusting in the words of Christ since we don’t see Him directly. walk by faith

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We must hear the word of God to have faith. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Notice that without faith we cannot please God. Therefore, without a word from God, we cannot please God. This is why it is critically important that we do everything by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17).

We must have a word from God to walk by faith and to be pleasing to God. Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about being pleasing to God. He said, “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2). From this verse we learn that 1) we can please God; 2) we please God by walking according to the commandments the apostles gave us, 3) outside of receiving the commandments of the apostles, we cannot say that we are pleasing God.

We must have a word from God to please Him.

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Accusation Against an Elder

Accusation Against an Elder

I Timothy is a letter in which the Apostle Paul writes the evangelist Timothy covering many topics.  As Paul rounds into the portion of the letter identified as chapter 5, he provides a number of instructions regarding both the male and female Christian.  The focus of this article comes in verse 19: “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.”  This verse has been frequently abused and sadly by elders who do not want to be questioned or disagreed with by others.  What does the verse mean?  Can a Christian disagree with an elder?  Can a Christian tell an elder he is in sin?  Finally, can a Christian say anything in opposition to what a preacher or elder has said or done publicly?

Over the years, I know of two different elderships who have utilized this verse to state that someone had made an accusation against them.  In both circumstances, an individual approached an elder privately.  With the first case, the individual informed the elder that he knew that he had told a lie and had done so before the entire congregation.  In the second case, two elders were individually and privately informed that the Christian disagreed with a decision that had been made regarding the congregation.  In neither instance did the individual desire to take the actions further out of concern for the disruption of peace in the congregation and fear of potential division that might arise.  As mentioned, however, the elders declared this was making an accusation against them without witnesses and therefore was sinful.  Is this what Paul meant when he wrote Timothy?

The apostle Paul was a Hebrew Christian, an Israelite, a Pharisee.  His nation operated under the Law of Moses and though Christ freed Israel from the Law, their knowledge (and Paul’s specifically) of how to deal with “legal” issues was strong.  From their time spent in the wilderness forward, this is what they were taught: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.“ (Deuteronomy 19:15)  What Paul shares with Timothy is not the Law of Moses, but the reality that the principle is the same.  If you are going to tell others a man has done something wrong and are seeking to publicly make a stand against him, then you need to have other witnesses.  Those with the power to punish the man (the congregation) cannot do this by one witness alone.  They need to be certain and if they take the word of only one man, not only may he be wrong, but the accused may see their reputation ruined.  Note: this is not a private issue Paul and Timothy are discussing.  The issue is a public one where a public remedy is being sought out.  Therefore, in neither of our two cases mentioned where an individual approached individual elders to express his concern privately would the situations appropriately apply to I Timothy 5:19.  That the elderships did not know this should be of great concern seeing that the qualifications to be an elder include the fact that they should not be novices with the scriptures (I Timothy 3:6) and they should be strong enough to rebuke those contradicting the scriptures (Titus 1:9).

Can a Christian disagree with an elder or tell Him he is in sin?  Yes.  They can certainly do so in regard to opinion issues such as discussed in Romans 14.  What about scriptural interpretation?  Let me answer this with some questions.  Do elders ever disagree with one another?  Yes.  Are they inspired by the Holy Spirit and therefore infallible with doctrinal teaching?  No.  We know Christians can make accusations against elders or Paul would not have given Timothy a process for doing so.  I greatly appreciate the Berean Jews checking to see if the things the apostle Paul said were the truth (Acts 17:11), certainly, we can do so for elders today.  Elders are not “special” case Christians.  Matthew 18:15-18 covers dealing with their sins as it does everyone else’s.  Additional scriptures in regard to this include 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:15, James 5:20 and Jude 1:23.

Finally, can a Christian say anything in opposition to what a preacher or elder has said or done publicly?  Yes.  When a preacher or elder does anything, people watch and listen.  These are men who are very visible before a congregation and hopefully in the community.  I Corinthians 12 does a great job of breaking down the importance of everyone in the Body of Christ. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”  We all have the responsibility to care for one another.  We have a greater responsibility than the Berean Jews to validate what has been taught and discuss it.  Again, today, no one is inspired.  We can look at scripture and say, I don’t think that man’s interpretation is correct.  And if it is important enough and he will listen, we can approach him like Aquila and Priscilla and teach him the way more perfectly.  When we do so, we rely upon the authority of the scriptures and what they say.  We rely upon the authority of the gospel, not fallible man.

Elders are men who are to provide proper leadership to the Church in both behavior and scriptural knowledge.  Sometimes, they are mistaken.  Sometimes, they behave poorly.  They require the same care and compassion that you would give any other brother.  Paul tells Timothy in regard to the older (elder), “encourage him as a father”.  Follow the pattern God has given in regard to dealing with brothers and sisters and their opinions or error.  However, do not fear disagreement.  Do not fear correcting privately or publicly when necessary.  If approaching an elder privately, you can do so as you would any other Christian.  If you are indeed going to make an accusation in a public manner seeking possible discipline against an elder as Paul instructs Timothy about, then bring your witnesses and make the accusation.

 

 

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There is a Time to Speak…

There is a Time to Speak

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “…a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; …”

Over the last couple of years, I heard it asserted that if a Christian brother or sister refuses to have a biblical discussion with another Christian who desires to speak with them, they are in sin.   This is a foolish blanket assertion that no mature Christian should be trying to establish.  Unfortunately, brothers and sisters have been disfellowshipped by this belief.  Christians have been shamed, harassed, and broken down into sleepless nights, stress, and tears by it.  Division has occurred over it. speak

Let us understand that communication is very important to develop strong, healthy relationships. Consider the following article I wrote previously regarding 10 Tips to Improve Communication.   How would we be able to develop a relationship with God if we could not hear of Him (I Corinthians 1:18-21, Romans 10:17)? Without communication our encouragement to others would be extinguished (I Thessalonians 5:11).  Communication engages the proclamation of the Word, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.  Communication can encompass accusation, concern, love, discussion, revelation, reconciliation, and abandonment (Matthew 18:15-20).  Communication should not be minimized as not important.

Communication needs to also be guided BY ALL PARTIES with self-control and characterized by the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).  The first characteristic listed, “love”, has in itself a very important trait.  “Love does not seek its own / Does not insist on its own way” (I Corinthians 13:5).  Should anyone be exposed to someone endlessly until they are forced to state they agree or were wrong?  Unity is important, but it is unlikely to come with the lack of kindness in a “communicate now, according to my rules, over anything we disagree about” type attitude.  Any communicator, preacher, elder, that thinks everyone is going to or has to agree with them all the time about everything in regard to the Bible is mistaken.  Hebrews 12:14 – “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”  Sometimes, communication expresses itself best, by being silent.  It is in silence where peace can be found.  Proverbs 17:27-28 – “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

The last verse mentioned brings us directly to the assertion that: if a Christian brother or sister refuses to have a biblical discussion with another who desires to have the discussion, they are in sin.  The Bible acknowledges that there are times it is good to close your mouth.  That is part of wisdom.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, identifies there is a time for everything under the sun. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.  The apostles shared the gospel to Jew and gentile. Sometimes, those people were done hearing what was being said.  Did the apostles keep on beating a dead horse?  No.  Matthew 10:14, “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” Of course, this can be done from the side of the listener as well.  I know a preacher who called another demanding to address a spiritual issue with him.  He would not reason with or listen to the preacher he called.  Ultimately, the preacher who had received the call had to hang up.  Christians do not have to be held hostage to someone who is unreasonable and continually harassing them, demanding they communicate, and showing a lack of courtesy.  Sometimes, the listener just gives up, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6).  The Bible is very clear that sometimes silence is acceptable.  It is not sin. Proverbs 10:19  “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”  Proverbs 26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.” Proverbs 21:9 “It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”  Proverbs 17:14 “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”

Finally, it is important to address this issue with some common sense as Jesus provides an example of in Matthew 22:23-33.  It is common sense to understand that sometimes someone does not want to speak to you face to face.  Perhaps you have a temper.  Perhaps that person is a female and they have had an abusive husband or family member and they do not want to speak to you face to face.  Perhaps the person would prefer documentation, time to think about what was said before they respond, time to research what was said to see if it was true (Acts 17:11)?  Have you ever had children?  A typical day for a parent of a small child sounds like “why, why, why, why”.  Eventually, the parent sends the child outside or off to play in a room for a little while. Why?  Because they have other more important things to do.  Many people have busy lives and if they know that a conversation is going to be extensive, ongoing or even unreasonable, they are not going to continue to carve large amounts of time out of their life for it – especially if they have heard the other side detail their thoughts already.  Common sense dictates that some information is none of someone’s business.  I know a family who was publicly ostracized by a former eldership, because the family did not want to discuss with them the beliefs of their new congregation.  Books could be written about why someone does not have to sit down and have a conversation with someone else every time they desire to do so.  Not having a conversation every time someone wants to do so is not a sin.

Are there passages in scripture that encourage communication? Yes.  There are also passages which provide a clear message that talking is not always encouraged or necessary.  Wisdom understands that time in the hearts of God’s faithful brings many answers, changes of heart, and peace.  Wisdom understands that pressuring or forcing yourself upon others will more than not bring about the opposite reaction that you are trying to achieve.  Someone isn’t necessarily in sin if they refuse to talk to you.  Certainly, they are not in sin if the issue is that you want to force the mode of communication upon them.  However, your behavior may very well be the reason they do not want to communicate with you and you may find yourself in sin or creating division if you continue pushing yourself upon them.

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