a reply to:
Kristaok
The slander against Paul happens a lot because he is one of the most prolific writers in the Bible that exposes the agenda and modus operandi of "the
ruler of this world" (John 12:31) a.k.a. "the god of this system of things" (2 Cor 4:4) and all his human and spirit pawns (1 Tim 4:1,2), in great
detail, in a manner that can be verified by anyone who takes him and the source of his information and teachings (God), seriously on this matter. As
well as how masses of people are deceived and 'duped', so to speak, by these. Along with advice on how to prevent that from happening and not becoming
a part of the problem (usually because of believing the lies and falling for the
ir "cunning in deceptive schemes" and then spreading or
promoting them further, or covering for those described at 1 Tim 4:1,2). For example:
2 Corinthians 4:3-9
If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, among whom the god of this system of things has
blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination* [Or “light.”] of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God,
might not shine through. 5 For we are preaching, not about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6
For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge
of God by the face of Christ.
7 However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us. 8 We are hard-pressed in
every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out;* [Or possibly, “but not left in despair.”] we
are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed.
“For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome* [Or “healthful; beneficial.”] teaching, but according to their
own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled.* [Or “to tell them what they want to hear.”] They will turn
away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories.” (2 Timothy 4:3,4)
“So we should no longer be children, tossed about as by waves and carried here and there by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men,
by means of cunning in deceptive schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14)
“And stop being molded by this system of things,* [ Or “this age.”] but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to
yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
“Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition, according to the elementary
things of the world and not according to Christ;” “We have much to say about him, and it is difficult to explain, because
you have become dull
in your hearing. For although by now* [Lit., “in view of the time.”] you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you from the
beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God, and you have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who
continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young child. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those
who through use have their powers of discernment* [Or “their perceptive powers.”] trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Col 2:8;
Hebrews 5:11-14)
“However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements
and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1,2).
Knowledge (Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2)
...
Knowledge (gno'sis) is put in a very favorable light in the Christian Greek Scriptures. However, not all that men may call “knowledge” is
to be sought, because philosophies and views exist that are “falsely called ‘knowledge.’” (1Ti 6:20) ...
... Thus Paul wrote about some who were learning (taking in knowledge) “yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge [...] of truth.” (2Ti 3:6,
7)
“... having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power and from these turn away. From among these arise men who slyly work their way
into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires,
always learning and yet never able to come to an
accurate knowledge of truth.” (2Ti 3:5-7)
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the
falsely called ‘knowledge.’ By making a show of such knowledge, some have deviated from the faith.
May the undeserved kindness be with you.” (1Ti 6:20,21)
...
How does God view the “wisdom” offered by human philosophy?
1 Cor. 1:19-25: “It is written: ‘I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual men I will shove
aside.’ Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? For
since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness [as it appears to the world]
of what is preached to save those believing. . . . Because a foolish thing of God [as the world views it] is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God
[as the world may see it] is stronger than men.” (Such a viewpoint on God’s part is certainly not arbitrary or unreasonable. He has provided in
the Bible, the most widely circulated book in the world, a clear statement of his purpose. He has sent his witnesses to discuss it with all who will
listen. How foolish for any creature to think that he has wisdom greater than that of God!)
Source:
Philosophy (Reasoning From the Scriptures)
And some advice now:
“Make sure of the more important things.”—PHIL. 1:10.
“Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20,21)
“But let God be found true, even if every man be found a liar.” (Romans 3:4)
Paul also says the following concerning true Christians (disciples of Christ):
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare* [“We do not wage warfare.”
Lit., “we are not doing military service.” ...;
Lat.,
non . . . mi·li·ta'mus.] according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by
God for overturning strongly entrenched things. For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God;” (2
Cor 10:3-5)
Also not something "the ruler of this world" and all his pawns or minions would like people to be reminded of. Especially not those who like to think
of themselves as Christians but see
no issues with voting for a politician or political party that increases military expenditures and promotes
military service as a noble service to your country, and the military as a vital and necessary part of a nation, in the defense of freedom, rights,
security and even peace (as the arguments usually go, cause who doesn't
want those things).
“A careful review of all the information available goes to show that, until the time of Marcus Aurelius [121-180 C.E.], no Christian became
a soldier; and no soldier, after becoming a Christian, remained in military service.” (The Rise of Christianity, by E. W. Barnes, 1947, p.
333) “It will be seen presently that the evidence for the existence of a single Christian soldier between 60 and about 165 A.D. is exceedingly
slight; . . . up to the reign of Marcus Aurelius at least, no Christian would become a soldier after his baptism.” (The Early Church and the
World, by C. J. Cadoux, 1955, pp. 275, 276) “In the second century, Christianity . . . had affirmed the incompatibility of military service with
Christianity.” (A Short History of Rome, by G. Ferrero and C. Barbagallo, 1919, p. 382) “The behavior of the Christians was very different
from that of the Romans. . . . Since Christ had preached peace, they refused to become soldiers.” (Our World Through the Ages, by N. Platt
and M. J. Drummond, 1961, p. 125) “The first Christians thought it was wrong to fight, and would not serve in the army even when the Empire needed
soldiers.” (The New World’s Foundations in the Old, by R. and W. M. West, 1929, p. 131) “The Christians . . . shrank from public office
and military service.” (Editorial introduction to “Persecution of the Christians in Gaul, A.D. 177,” in The Great Events by Famous
Historians, edited by R. Johnson, 1905, Vol. III, p. 246) “While they [the Christians] inculcated the maxims of passive obedience, they refused
to take any active part in the civil administration or the military defence of the empire. . . . It was impossible that the Christians, without
renouncing a more sacred duty, could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes.”—The Decline and Fall of the Roman
Empire, by Edward Gibbon, Vol. I, p. 416.edit on 20-5-2024 by whereislogic because: (no reason given)