Debates and arguments?

My first experience with a ‘flood’ happened on the second floor of our townhouse in a complex called (no kidding) “The Summit.” It was the morning after a heavy rain. I got out of bed and when my bare feet hit the carpet, it splashed!

Turned out that the driving rain pushed in through an improperly sealed window flashing and put two inches of water on our top story bedroom floor. After ripping up the carpet, an industrial vacuum cleaner and a few fans dried up the mess.

This bit of water is nothing compared to flood losses around the world. My sister lives in a town that had water up to the roof in its downtown area and water covering the houses in one subdivision. Many Asian lands and other place are hit by monsoon rains that devastate communities, never mind the tsunamis that destroy lives and properties.

This morning I read the promise God made after the great flood in Noah’s time. He said He would never again destroy the whole earth with water and the rainbow was our sign of that promise. My thoughts went to the denials concerning this flood. Historians argue that it never happened even though many ancient cultures tell flood stories. The Bible’s veracity again is questioned. Was this a real event or not?

The flood is not the only thing that is debated. During the New Testament times, two religious groups disagreed about other things said in the Word of God. When Paul was mobbed by a crowd, he actually used this to sidetrack his accusers . . .  

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. (Acts 23:6–8)

This debate caused division just as the flood debate does. Add to the mix the Creation story and other biblical accounts and humanity seems bent on finding reasons to doubt anything God says.

Many who believe the Word of God can produce evidence that supports its history and specific details, but that old adage comes into play: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Jesus knew the main reason people rejected His Word. It was not about evidence, scientific proof, reasoning or needing to be convinced by facts. Instead, it was simply, “I will not have this man rule over me.” They didn’t want Jesus telling them what to do for the same reason they disobeyed God throughout their history. He said to them . . .

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)

They were interested only in appearing righteous, in having the power that went with being religious leaders. They were not interested in doing the important things that God asked of them. Debating the reality of biblical statements was a smokescreen, their attempt to cover the reality of their sinful hearts.

It is risky to say this, and perhaps not always true, but from what I see in the NT, the human heart will go to great lengths to avoid giving up sin or even admitting it exists. Arguing about the reality of the flood, the virgin birth, the dying and resurrection of the Messiah, the existence of angels, and so on, are side issues. Jesus nails the real problem:

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:17–20)

Jesus, I do not like bright light either, at least the kind that exposes the sinfulness of my heart. However, there is another kind of light that is precious. John wrote about it also:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5–7)

The song says, “Shine Jesus shine” asking You to fill the earth with the Father’s glory, the light that transforms our lives. Thank You for faith that knows Your word is true — all of it, from that incredible flood story through OT history to the wonder of Your appearance and all NT events. Arguing is pointless.

Illumination comes from the Holy Spirit . . .

Today’s devotional reading logs in as a pro-hyper-Calvinism vs. Arminianism, a debate that has gone on for centuries. Theologians cannot agree even though supporters on each side think their view is the correct view. I prefer to read devotionally rather than gnaw away at an issue that divides and look for something God wants me to understand and apply to my life.

For this, the last five verses in the reading did just that. While there are differing ways to interpret these words, in their context they speak to our human problem of not wanting to listen to God and the eventual judgment on those who persist in exalting themselves instead of the Lord:

“At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” (Matthew 11:25–30)

God calls those who understand them “little children” and I’m thinking why does He do that? Is it because little children know how to live in carefree dependence? When loved and cared for by parents who are wise and kind, these little ones are not burdened by anything too weighty for them. They know not to pick up something too heavy or stress over things beyond their understanding. For them, life is mostly play.

For many, we ‘out-grow’ childhood and begin to question things, gripe about life’s perplexities and discomforts, and are never satisfied. We get suborn about change and refuse to go back to the that child-like faith that carries very light burdens.

This is a choice. To take the yoke with Jesus means trusting Him as I would trust a loving parent. As a child, I never worried about anything. I’m to live in Christ the same way. He knows all the answers and takes care of everything. I don’t have to know or carry more than I can handle. He carries all the burdens that are too heavy for me. Also, He can reveal or not reveal; I don’t have to try to figure out the tough stuff with my tiny brain. If it is for me to know, He will show me.

Not only that, I’ve learned that when God reveals a truth, I do not need to ‘prove it’ to others, or debate it, or argue my point. I used to think I could convince others by rhetoric, but know better, mostly because God has shown me that my arguments are usually evidence that my source of whatever point I’m trying to make does not come from the Spirit of God, but from my flawed human reasoning. When God says something, I don’t have to prove it, just quietly believe it and obey what He wants me to do.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You always declared truth without getting into any “I touched you last” debates. You knew what was from Your Father. That was enough for You. You lived like a child depending on his parents and carried only the burdens You were given. In that frame of mind, You could deal with everything that came at You, including the challenges of the Pharisees, who by the way, never could get the best of You. You not only gave them wise and simple answers to their ‘difficult’ questions, but also realized there is no point in debating or that insisting other people have the same knowledge that You have. It comes through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, and because that is what they needed, You joyfully didn’t bother with any debates.