Freedom In Christ Church - Garden's Guest

The Historical Basis of the Lie

By George Pogue, Jr.
(Excerpts from Dr. Greg Boyd – Is God To Blame?)

After last month’s exposition of “The Foundational Lie” presented in the Garden of Eden by Lucifer, the father of lies, it seems fitting to discuss how and when this lie catapulted itself throughout the entire world. To refresh our memories from last month’s article, we defined the lie as – God taking any part in the willing, allowing or planning of horrific, catastrophic or painful events (such as sickness) to teach humanity. Contrary to popular belief this lie was not the Gospel – “Good News” message that Christ was preaching during His life here on the earth. Nor was it the first hand account that His disciples took and shared with the world. So when did it all begin? It’s time for a history lesson……
As you may recall during Christ’s time, the Roman Empire was the dominant world power. However, it took nearly 300 years before the first Christian Roman Emperor came on the scene – Emperor Constantine. Constantine became the first recorded, world leader to spread the Christian message including the lie as defined previously. During Constantine’s reign he declared Christianity both the official and mandatory religion of the Roman Empire. Christian proselytizing hit the masses, often with force. It was “become a Christian or lose your life during this reign” and Constantine felt he was going forth with God’s blessing.
The contributions of the Greco-Roman poets, theologians, composers, and historians, although steeped in their own philosophies, intermingled with religion and the lie. Their fashionable inspirations were recorded, shared, and spread throughout the civilized world, as Romans acquired new territories and people groups making converts as they conquered.
Many of these works and theological perspectives heavily saturated with the lie continue to influence and shape our thinking today; translated currently as, “The Blueprint Worldview”. This viewpoint is based on the assumption that there is a specific divine reason for every event that takes place and has been taught by some of the church’s chief theologians.
The popular works of historical figures such as: Plato, Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin, William Foster Lloyd, William Cowper, and Karolina Sandell deeply influenced the Protestant Reformation. Their songs, teachings, writings and poems have transcended time and continue to carry a great deal of weight in modern church theology and made the lie a headliner in the mainline churches. These works embraced the notion that nothing ever thwarts the will of God, and that even the most horrendous events and evil deeds are in line with God’s sovereign will.
According to the well-admired John Calvin (an influential French theologian and pastor), God’s “secret plan” – His divine blueprint – is unfolding in every event of our life. Nothing happens by chance or simply because people willed it to happen. The final explanation for every specific event is “God willed it so.”
Many who subscribe to the “Blueprint Worldview” do so without question, that is, until tragedy strikes close to home. When their grandchild dies suddenly, when their spouse is killed tragically, when their child is lost, “the divine plan” loses its luster. Many miraculously press on drawing strength from the counsel of others, encouraging them with the promise that all things work together for good to those that love God (paraphrase of Romans 8:28). Others however, rebel against God wholeheartedly, or at the very least, rebel in their perception of God.
The “Blueprint Worldview” is pervasive in church tradition and influences the thinking of Christians and non-Christians even today. The double edged sword of this stance is that although some may find solace and comfort, others out there are wounded and searching for truth.
Many have been conditioned to accept that suffering and calamity are coming to us from our Father in Heaven, rather than discern that these are the works of the enemy, as outlined so clearly by Christ in John 10:10. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, to kill and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Yet, even more disconcerting is that many others have been led to believe that suffering and calamity (tests, trials and tribulations) will bring them closer to God. Based on John 10:10 as previously cited, how can we confuse stealing our loved ones, killing fellow believers, and destroying lives will somehow bring us closer to fellowship with a “loving Father”? No wonder so many are hurting and confused.
The “Blueprint Worldview” even more importantly lacks consistency and is not compatible with the picture of God that we get from Jesus Christ. If our picture of God is solely focused on Christ, as it should be, then we must see God as fighting evil and not willing it to happen.
If we lack an accurate understanding of God’s character, we will be timid in our approach to His throne; feeling insecure in our ability to gain access and uncertain if He will hear and grant our requests. The scripture however, clearly details this access in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in a time of need.” This scripture does not leave any room for doubt and unbelief concerning the relationship we share with God. Rather than uncovering a set in stone, divine, secret plan, instead we find a Father waiting for us to approach His throne, so that we can actually receive help and mercy in our time of need.
Rest assured my friends, when we see Jesus Christ, we see God. When we see Jesus Christ, we see our Advocate and Mediator, before the Father. In Him, we have complete confidence, knowing God’s divine character and purpose, i.e. His will. So unless we have some reason to think otherwise, we can safely assume that whatever appears inconsistent with the character and purposes of God as revealed in Jesus Christ ultimately comes from agents who oppose God.
God’s express written will for us, is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and is outlined in Hebrews 1:3. This scripture states that Jesus is the express image of God. In Acts 10:38 we see that Paul proclaims, that Jesus of Nazareth, was anointed by God and with the Holy Spirit and with power, He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. It seems evident that sickness, disease, calamity and suffering are not in God’s divine, sovereign will, for His children. Ah, the lie is beginning to crumble! Stay with us next month for more on this topic.