Mere Cognition | Archive of 2023

December 2023

On medication

Over the past year or so, I've been seeing more advertisements for antidepressant medications such as Auvelity (a Wellbutrin/DXM mix) and Spravato (a ketamine-derived nasal spray). I find that particularly interesting. What most people don't know about me is that, a little over 20 years ago, I experienced long-term depression. (This was likely more me being a whiny little kid, but I digress.. the experience was real enough.) The SSRIs I tried never worked, so I used my reasoning skills and interest in neurochemistry to.. self medicate. Most of the other group of people I associated with were just dabbling recreationally but I always had a reason behind it. Anecdotally, I can vouch for some of these psychoactive and dissociative substances having short-to-medium term effects on mood and increased post-administration cognitive clarity. So it's interesting to see the medicine catch up. Two decades seems to be the average lag time. Nonetheless, this sort of thing is not a permanent...

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September 2023

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Boasting in Weakness

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ESV) 🙂

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Galatians 2:...

Part 3 of the study on Galatians, covering Galatians 2:11-21 This section of Galatians is titled in different ways - Paul's apostolic confidence, Paul confronts Peter, Paul opposes Peter... there is a significant amount of church history and theological significance to unpack from this rather short section of scripture. Grace to You has an article, entitled "Is Truth Worth Fighting for?" that talks about Paul in this way: Take the apostle Paul for example. Paul was certainly fair with his opponents in the sense that he never misrepresented what they taught or told lies about them. But Paul plainly recognized their errors for what they were and labeled them appropriately. He spoke the truth. In his everyday teaching style, Paul spoke the truth gently and with the patience of a tender father. But when circumstances warranted a stronger type of candor, Paul could speak very bluntly—sometimes even with raw sarcasm (1 Corinthians 4:8-10). Like Elijah (1 Kings 18:27), John the Baptist...

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Galatians 1:...

Part 2 of the study on Galatians, covering Galatians 1:10-2:10 In order to repudiate the rumors and false claims against him, the apostle Paul spends a significant amount of time in his letter laying out his apostolic credentials. As mentioned previously, there were agitators amongst the churches of Galatia attempting to attack not only the gospel but also the messenger. These people were generally Judaizers, or those that still considered circumcision (works) a requirement for justification, along with regarding Old Testament Levitical law binding upon Christians. Paul strikes quickly in Galatians 1:10, asking, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?" One of the charges levied against him was that he was preaching an easy form of the gospel, which required no obedience to Levitical law, only faith in Jesus as Messiah. Paul, here, is making the claim that if he were still trying to please man (for example, as he was previously in Judaism), that he would not be a...

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August 2023

Galatians 1:...

Part 1 of the study on Galatians, covering Galatians 1:1-9 Paul's letter to the Galatians begins a bit differently compared to his other letters. In Galatians 1:1-5, he dispenses with his customary longer greeting full of commendations and courtesies and gets right to the point. There's likely numerous other letters not included in scripture that begin this way - however, this one is included and we shouldn't miss even this small difference. It's apparent, by the truncated greeting, that Paul has a deep concern about what he is hearing about the churches' defection from the gospel, so his greeting becomes brief and impersonal, likely in order to not waste time. In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul drives right into the point of his letter: 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - 7not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (v.6-7) The word...

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"Every time that...

"Every time that you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith. But common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense. In fact, they are as different as the natural life and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture out with courage on the words of Jesus Christ, while the realities of your commonsense life continue to shout, 'It's all a lie'? When you are on the mountaintop, it's easy to say, 'Oh yes, I believe God can do it,' but you have to come down from the mountain to the demon-possessed valley and face the realities that scoff at your Mount-of-Transfiguration belief. Every time my theology becomes clear to my own mind, I encounter something that contradicts it. As soon as I say, 'I believe God shall supply all [my] need,' the testing of my faith begins. When my strength runs dry and my vision is blinded,...

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Intro to Galatians

I'm beginning a study through the minor epistles, starting with Galatians. Of course, the word minor here denotes length, not that they are of diminished significance compared to the rest of scripture. I do this writing for my own study but I assume there's a chance someone else might find it edifying as well. Either way, it is good preparation for eventually enrolling in the Mastermind leadership program at some point in the future. Galatians is one of the many epistles written by Paul, likely between A.D. 49-56 depending on the exact audience. The name refers to a region of the middle east in and around modern-day Turkey; based on Paul's journeys, he may be writing to the churches in southern Galatia earlier in his career or to the ethnic Galatians in the north later in his career. Regardless, the discourse was written to answer specific problems in particular churches. To better understand the epistle, some background is required. The people of Galatia were considered Gentiles,...

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On stewardship

I used to be decent at stewardship. At one point, I used to be known as the mediator. At some point I went off the rails and became cranky and obstinate, lobbing grenades from a bunker when attacked. I showed little grace and understanding of the underlying pathology causing the anger and despair, instead returning like for like. That is textbook poor stewardship and a poor example of Christ. At some point soon, when the Lord permits me, I plan to take the Mastermind leadership course. It is going to be brutal, I know. But it is necessary in order to continue to grow in my walk. https://lifeovercoffee.com/podcast/ep-66-ten-responses-friend-wont-admit-wrong/

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Mission.

Christian, you have a mission. We live within a battleground. God has not saved us simply so we can live comfortably, self-centeredly. We have been conscripted into an army - we forget that. We have a mission, to take the message of His salvation and Lordship deep into enemy territory and give the message to the lost. We are called to live, work, and yes, even play - with that mission in mind. Many of us have long deserted that mission, AWOL and living like we're simply existing and marking time in relative comfort until the Lord calls us home. Some have given up, either explicitly or subconsciously. Others have let the worldly concerns cloud our sight of the primary objective. There are a multitude of excuses. But there are no excuses. Philippians 1:27-30. Ephesians 6:10-18. Joshua 5:13-6:27. The list goes on. This theme of conflict flows straight on through the Bible, that we are in a spiritual war - and that we are to take up arms in the fight, and that our fight will not be...

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In my...

Lord, I look upon the my house In its ruin and its desolation I recognize my iniquity My rebellion against you When I would pray to turn away Yet cling to the comfort of complacency In my stubbornness you left me To teach me lessons I would not learn And the consequence is laid bare The chances you gave me Squandered at the expense of my charge O wretched, sinful man that I am! My transgression destroys the other half of my flesh I pass it on to my descendants The land groans in hatred! But you, my Lord, my savior Plucked me once out of the ways of death! Twice you have given me redemption Thrice you told me, "no, my work for you is not done" You mend my heart, you renew my mind In your mercy you restore me! Lord, I call out to you I ask for one more thing O wretched man that I am, What standing do I have to petition you When every day I stumble again Will you not hear the groaning of my heart's desire? Will you turn your face from the wrenching of my soul? Your love is boundless,...

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Lord, I look upon...

Oh Lord, I look upon your works Mighty and majestic You give wind to wings and provision to beasts You hold the earth in your heavens Give light to the stars And order to chaos. I lift my head up to you, I praise your steadfastness For you are my God, my redeemer The one who bore me out of iniquity and The one who gives me strength. Why then, oh Lord, do you suffer such iniquity, Mighty to correct me yet turn your eye from others in their wickedness? They succor themselves with their pride; They whitewash their unbelief with the word of their heart Hardened, blackened, and unwilling to obey Your precepts clear as the fresh fallen snow. Your ways are righteous; your will clear in your word You are my fortress, my witness, and my sustainer I will wait, my God and my creator; I will wait on you, for in you my hope lives freely. You are righteous in your ways, and I may not understand them But they are nonetheless your ways. So I will wait on you, for your will always be done. I come to...

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Careful Asking...

This is a repost from FB. Facebook likes to ask me what I am thinking about. This is the type of stuff I think about, and probably the reason I'm not popular at parties. Tohuwabohu - a German word, borrowed from Hebrew. Some translate it as meaning "nothingness", "void", "desolation" - words like that. However, there's other Hebrew terms for those words. Biblically, the term is likely more equivalent to "chaos". It shows up at the beginning of Genesis. Contemporarily, chaos is defined in several ways: "a state of utter confusion", "a confused mass or mixture", "the inherent unpredictability in the behavior of a complex natural system." I'm an agent of tohuwabohu in the latter sense. So are you. You think your life is ordered and comfortable. Underneath, in the fundamental world of matter that God spoke into existence, chaos reigns. Ordered chaos, but it looks like near chaos to us because it's difficult to even fathom. Everything just so, balanced on the head of a proverbial pin to...

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July 2023

I am grounded,...

I am grounded, oh, but I have wings to fly I don't use 'em, I just look up in the sky I keep them hidden bound up in a coat and tie 'Til the world is ready for a man with wings to fly And I will fly someday, I'll break these feet of clay And I'll be on my way, my way I am feeling though I do not shed a tear My eyes are dusty, though I have faced my fear of fears I am shaken by the coming on of years I am a feeling man but I cannot shed a tear But I will cry someday, I'll break these eyes of clay And I'll be on my way, my way someday I am loving though I make my bed alone I've had lovers but I have no one of my own But I could feed her from the garden I have grown I am a loving man but I make my bed alone And I will love someday, I will break this heart of clay Yeah and I'll be on my way, my way And I will love someday I'll break these feet and these eyes and this heart of clay And I'll be on my way, my way someday, someday

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On (lack of)...

Lately I've been noticing the ever-present trend of reasoning through concepts without giving much consideration to how one may be influenced by their own biases and presuppositions, coupled with a shallow investigation into the circumstances around whatever's being thought about. This is by no means new and it's extremely pervasive - it's just been highlighted in my mind as of late. Take the following hypothetical: You perform a task. The person you're performing the task for mentions that you missed something in that task. You mention that you followed all the requirements of the task, as far as you're aware. The person dismisses your statement and completes the task their own way. You opine that you can't fathom what the other person's considering as being missed. The person retorts that, of course you cannot fathom you'd make a mistake, that's the definition of a narcissist. You look like the confused guy meme, because you never said you couldn't fathom making a mistake, rather...

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Romans 7:14-15

Dr. Steven Lawson has been re-broadcasting his bible study of Romans and the current episodes have been over Romans 7. This week, he began by camping out in Romans 7:14-15, part of the section on the law and sin. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Several commentaries and study bibles tend to have different interpretations regarding exactly who Paul is referring to here, from describing a general unregenerate/regenerate person, describing the experience of Israel under the Mosaic law, to Paul describing himself. I am of the same mind as Dr. Lawson in this regard; Paul uses the pronoun I so many times in this section that in my mind, it is unmistakable that Paul is describing himself and his experiences here. Repetition in the bible is important and Paul uses I/me/my nearly 30 times in v7-20 alone. Paul is describing the conflict...

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Weird Dreams...

I've been camping out in Psalm 62 a lot lately, as a lot has been happening in the ever weird life of this cogitator... Waiting on the Lord is a must, so that's what I've been doing. Over the past few months, I've been, a) remembering more dreams than usual; b) having more recurring dreams than I ever have; c) had a mix of semi-lucid and lucid dreams, which is anomalous... usually taking control in dreams is like trying to swim in molasses - it just doesn't happen no matter how hard I push. But I remembered to write down another recurring dream. This one is writing about the setting, as it's popped up in dreams that had different subject matters. This one is about a rather normal, yet oddly laid out house. Odd. I've dreamt of this house before. From the front, house is sometimes a duplex, sometimes a regular house. Vaguely Victorian. Back yard is large and rolling with hills, maybe half acre. Tall trees, hedgerows. Lush and green. Beyond looks like rolling Appalachian forest. Meadow...

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You should be a...

Philosopher Francois de La Rochefoucauld: “Nobody deserves to be praised for goodness unless he is strong enough to be bad, for any other goodness is usually merely inertia or lack of will-power.” Psychologist Jordan B. Peterson: "You should be a monster. An absolute monster. And then you should learn how to control it." Bible, Genesis 4:7: "...And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

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Of a Dream

Tick tock goes the clock We wake up from dreams we thought Would have long ago been resolved But this one is odd It's recurring over Over the past few nights Of a divided four lane road And sodium street lights She looks like she did then, Floors upon floors up I remember this place from years before Only this is west, not east Not the same, different 4 years thence Strange I think I have freedom Of movement, of will Instead of molasses In this place We joke, we talk I embrace, you falter I insist, you resist This is resolution that does not subsist What's surprising is that it's not surprising That you would show up at this time This place, with this freedom, and Pass the test I give myself by proxy As all dreams of mine do They work things out Sorry, Clarince.

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Of The Form and...

This Lord's day eve, consider the deep things observed by physics and astronomy. We live on a very unique blue dot that's like a grain of sand in an unfathomably-sized ocean containing innumerable other grains of sand, all of which we've found so far being incapable of sustaining anything like human life. These grains of sand revolve around other glowing grains of sand, that revolve together in clusters that further flow in a delicate dance, all set in motion just so according to very precise tolerances. If even one of the many physical constants we've measured were off by just a small fraction, it's likely that there would not be the order we see amidst the constant march of entropy through time. There would be chaos. There would most likely be no us. Ponder the vastness. Ponder the probabilities. If you've performed an earnest reflection of it all, you'll be scooping up your melted brain off the floor and have a much healthier perspective of just how much we actually matter in the...

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A Detour to...

Important things in the Bible are often repeated or rephrased throughout as a means to emphasize their importance. The latter half of Ephesians 4 is no different. Ephesians 4:17-32 generally expresses similar sentiments and critiques as Romans 1 - describing the condition of Gentiles whilst in paganism. While Romans tends to look at it from God's perspective, Ephesians reiterates this same condition from a more man-centered perspective. We're exhorted to put off our old self (v.22) and put on our new self, washed in the blood of Christ and renewed by the grace of God (v.23-24). I'd like to put some extra emphasis on the latter half, verses 25-32. This is a significant problem that I have had over the years, understanding the nature of this passage and how to rightly apply it even amongst the outpouring of sinfulness in my own heart. It is a good reminder to all of us that we are to be above the pettiness that we see exhibited by the world. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood,...

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June 2023

Morning Studies

In my usual, "too gung-ho for my own good", on top of everything else I've added my church's Friday morning men's study to my list of events, along with Steven J. Lawson's Thursday morning study. The cup overfloweth. We're going through Acts in the Friday study, today's examined 1:12-26, touching on qualifications and election of church officers. We even delved into the PCA Book of Church Order and touched on lots of implications of the process. It was a pretty edifying conversation and actually bolstered my conviction that the presbyterian form of church government has a lot of good qualities that act as guard rails for everything from the local church to the top of the organizational ladder. I'm still a little iffy on the idea of covenant paedobaptism without subsequent regenerate dunking baptism - but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. May your weekend be blessed. I just brewed some Death Wish Coffee medium roast in a french press, and it looks like motor oil, just how I like...

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Romans 11:17-24

Matthew Henry: God laid righteousness to the line and judgment to the plummet, and dealt with them according to their sins. Severity is a word that sounds harshly; and I do not remember that it is any where else in scripture ascribed to God; and it is here applied to the unchurching of the Jews. God is most severe towards those that have been in profession nearest to him, if they rebel against him, Amos 3:2. Patience and privileges abused turn to the greatest wrath. Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; for of these he is here speaking, Romans 11:8. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off...

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Make Hay

Make hay, Haymaker. Your weapons are clarity and the sword of the spirit. From under your helm of salvation you will bring forth your war cry. Anchor your sabatons of peace, plant your shield of faith firmly in front. From the belt of truth pull your horn, beat your mighty fists on your breastplate of righteousness and blow a note so mighty and clear as to strike fear into the heart of your enemies, and into the heart of the enemies of God.

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Matthew 10 Hits Hard

wipes brow my study time today is a smack upside the head. Matthew chapter 10. 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Too few people grasp the gravity of verses 37-39. This should put sheer terror into everyone. Yet the scoffers scoff, believers and unbelievers alike. Voddie Baucham wasn't kidding about so many people worshipping a "sissified, needy Jesus." Verse 34 blows that concept out of the water. Yet, if you don't...

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Proverbs 16 -...

v.5 will not go unpunished. The legal terminology indicates that the judgment of God, not merely natural retribution, is involved. In the same way, there is a judicial act of God involved in the escape of the righteous from judgment. v.6 steadfast love and faithfulness. Summarizes the attitude of the wise to the Lord (3: 3; 14: 22; 20: 28). The saying is a rebuke to formal religion without true faith. v.7 please the LORD. See Eccl. 2: 26 and Eph. 5: 10. Following God’s way has reconciling and healing effects on personal relationships. v.8 A number of proverbs have this form of direct comparison using the “better ... than” formula (15: 16, 17; 16: 8, 19, 32; 17: 1, 12; 19: 1). The fear of the Lord brings its own riches. 5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. 6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. 7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes...

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What is truth?...

What is truth? This question raised by Pilate, when Jesus Christ stood trial before him, exposed his own worldview. He lived in a world in which absolute truth did not exist. I think Pilate’s voice was dismissive and filled with disdain. I imagine he sneered in mockery, angry that Christ dared to speak with truth. Though he looked straight into the face of the incarnate Truth, he could not discern it. Pilate was like so many today, a postmodernist, but one living in premodern times. What is truth? It is defined as that which conforms with fact or reality. It is genuineness, veracity, or actuality. In a word, truth is reality. It is how things actually are. Theologically, truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. Truth is the self-disclosure of God Himself. It is what it is because God declares it so and made it so. All truth must be defined in terms of God, whose very nature is truth. God the Father is “the God of truth” (Ps. 31:5;...

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Poetry: Distance...

We're safe here, she said, safe here We all must be mistaken here With miles of barren desert between Scorched by wrath, bereft of life Wind whispers lies into ears unseen Destroyer of worlds, I've become to thee That ruse has become our reality Somewhere in this static dream Calls from afar to battles unseen I hear them as a reminder of what You once were to someone given to thee Like rage upon an albatross, mocking and mocking the man of straw in me The silence frozen, cold, bereft of grace Leads us both to conclusions we dared not face Yet time has built instead of eroded Mountains we think the other thinks they can erase An errand of fools this is An errand of fools this is Rising from the ashes of the doom It took two to create Sinful beings being sinful, both ignoring Mandates given and statutes placed Harbor of ice, this frozen embrace Over cold winter's wind we can not hear it; The words and the thoughts are misplaced Riddles of riddles both understand, contextualized Yet...

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Proverbs 12 -...

The Proverbs are such a wonderful resource. Years ago, I used to read them and I had difficulty getting anything out of them. They would effectively read, to me, in this vein: "the wicked man does wicked things, but the righteous does righteous things," or, "the way of a fool is through foolish ways, but the wise are wise." See the problem here? My brain would automatically translate what it would understand and assent to intellectually, without further delving into the metaphorical similitudes. I don't really have an explanation why I would not be able to see deeper into them even with trying and praying about it. I am thankful that I can now delve deeper and perceive (at least some of) the meaty truths behind the passages. For this month, I'll focus on verses 15 and 16, regarding seeking wisdom from others and being quick to anger. I would write my own thoughts here but I don't think I can add to much to both R.C. Sproul and Matthew Henry. Verse 15 The way of a fool is right in...

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Proverbs 11

Generally, I attempt to write something regarding my Bible studies daily. Though I'm not a particularly erudite writer, it does help me to process. Sometimes, though, I get busy and can't really take that time. Even when I basically regurgitate text from commentaries, it usually takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to do my study and write something up. That's a very good use of my time but unfortunately it's not always doable. Hence, why posts vary so much. It's not necessarily a reflection of the study time, it's a reflection of the time available to comment on the study. If I have to drop something, it's going to be the writing. That being said, I only have a few things to mention today. We're now into the chapters that are the meat of the collection of Solomon's proverbs. In chapter 11, we have a few verses I'd like to highlight for this month. 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of...

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Proverbs 9 -...

In Proverbs, we often see the comparison of wisdom and folly interspersed throughout. Here, in chapter 9, it is explicit, with the first six lines describing an invitation from wisdom and the last six describing an invitation from folly, with a linking 6 line stanza that contrasts the wise and the scoffer. The Reformation Study Bible outline of Proverbs labels this chapter "The Choice of Two Ways" and it is apparent why. 1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” The number seven is seen repeated often in scripture, and it's often meant to show sufficiency or completeness. We see that wisdom has...

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So, as we have...

So, as we have our tea, I propose not only to operate on your heart so as to change your will, but also on your eyes so as to change your outlook. But wait a minute. No, I do not propose to operate at all. I myself cannot do anything of the sort. I am just mildly suggesting that you are perhaps dead, and perhaps blind, leaving you to think the matter over for yourself. If an operation is to be performed it must be performed by God Himself.

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Strength Through...

We are constantly surrounded by various forms of temptation that pick and nag at us. It can take the form of the inescapably obvious, stealthily insidious, or anywhere in between. What do we mean by temptation, though? One of the sometimes frustrating things about the English language is its sheer number of synonyms and vague definitions. Therefore, we must do a little bit of a study of terms to understand what we mean. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines temptation (n.) as, The act of tempting or the state of being tempted, especially to evil. This apparent circular definition requires us to dig further, down to the verb to tempt - to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain; to induce to do something; to try presumptuously. The adjective form, tempting, is defined as having an appeal. Looking at some of the synonyms, we see words like enticement, allurement, seduce, lure, and beguile. We can see the connotations when we look at some of the definitions of other terms -...

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Proverbs 6:6-11

Within the Proverbs, we can find many points of instruction, reproof, exhortation, and application. In Proverbs 6, Solomon addresses the sluggard - one who lives in careless idleness and does little. 6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Once again, I go to Matthew Henry for commentary: By way of instruction, v6-8. He sends him to school, for sluggards must be schooled. He is to take him to school himself, for, if the scholar will take no pains, the master must take the more; the sluggard is not willing to come to school to him (dreaming scholars will never love wakeful teachers) and therefore he has found him out...

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Proverbs 5 - On...

The Bible contains a multitude of warnings on adultery and other forms of sexual immorality. There is good reason for this; even secular sociological and psychological once acknowledged and understood the far reaching damage that can be caused by such acts, both mental and physical. Those that perform these acts are often attempting to fill a void in themselves that they do not quite understand; thus they attempt to do so through poorly-thought and unwise carnal means. 1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. 3 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; 6 she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. 7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my...

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Proverbs 4 - Wise...

I'm starting to think I should just change this study to Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs with how often I'm looking toward his words. They're pertinent however, so it seems prudent to stand on them. When the things of God are to be taught precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, not only because the things themselves are of great worth and weight, but because men's minds, at the best, are unapt to admit them and commonly prejudiced against them; and therefore Solomon, in this chapter, with a great variety of expression and a pleasant powerful flood of divine eloquence, inculcates the same things that he had pressed upon us in the foregoing chapters. Here is an earnest exhortation to the study of wisdom, that is, of true religion and godliness, borrowed from the good instructions which his father gave him, and enforced with many considerable arguments. 1 Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2 for I give you good precepts;...

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Proverbs 3 -...

The book of Proverbs begins by reiterating to us that we are to live in communion with God, with regard to his decrees and precepts. We must trust in the Lord and as Romans 8:28 reminds us, that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. I once again lean on Matthew Henry to provide exposition on the above verses from Proverbs 3. We must have a continual regard to God's providence, must own and depend upon it in all our affairs, both by faith and prayer. By faith. We must repose an entire confidence in the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, assuring ourselves of the extent of his providence to all the creatures and all their actions. We...

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Proverbs 1 - The...

Over the course of time, what I'm hoping to amass is a set of posts that address each chapter of the book of Proverbs on the day number that they share. This is somewhat of a long term project looking into applied insight and reasoning. Proverbs of Solomon The book of Proverbs in the bible is written by King Solomon, son of David, who ruled Israel betwen 971-931 B.C. I don't really think I can do it any better justice than Matthew Henry, at least as the first in a long list of ponderings on Proverbs 1. His name signifies peaceable, and the character both of his spirit and of his reign answered to it; both were peaceable. David, whose life was full of troubles, wrote a book of devotion; for is any afflicted? let him pray. Solomon, who lived quietly, wrote a book of instruction; for when the churches had rest they were edified. In times of peace we should learn ourselves, and teach others, that which in troublous times both they and we must practise. In peaceful times indeed, should...

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May 2023

Selections from...

Today has been a busy one, so thankfully, Proverbs 30's first four verses might be able to stand on their own. Verses 1-4 The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Verse 1 has some translational challenges in that it could actually be addressing two people instead of weariness; with that in mind, I do empathize with weariness. It's especially moving considering that the passage ends with an allusion to Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30: 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...

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What's in a Name?

It really is an interesting question wrapped within the mundane. In deeper historic times, people had one name, and were defined by their lineage, such as "Stephen, son of Hiram" or "Rebecca, daughter of Ephram". In the western world, this eventually morphed into given (first) names and family (last) names, with various amounts of extra middle names. For the most part, the majority of the world follows a similar pattern, with a family line name and a given identifier name in a certain order. Some cultures still follow the concept of heredity, other cultures use multiple middle names for various reasons. It all still effectively boils down to the concept of, "who are you, and who are you of?" From the very beginning, man was given the power to name. In Genesis 2:19-20, it is written: Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living...

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Proverbs 29:1

Today we look at the wisdom in Proverbs 29. He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. We are often reproved by God in ways unlooked for, unexpected, and sometimes blindly unheeded. He uses many different means, be it circumstances, people around us, situations, or even suffering. The reproof is meant for our good and to point us to the hope we have in Christ Jesus, a hope that is above all hope. Yet still we often will ignorantly of obstinately refuse to heed that reproof. God, in his omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, has His plans and purposes for timing things the way he does. We are allowed to walk in error for however long He desires due to purposes we can't necessarily fathom. His "patience", as it were, does have limits based on His plan. That "patience" can often run its course and we find our stiff necks being crushed so that we come to the end of ourselves. I use a program called E-Sword, it's a free bible study tool...

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Proverbs 28:1

For the first foray into Proverbs 28, we're going to camp in verse 1 pretty hard. The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. The wicked flee when no one pursues. What does that even mean? Wicked, at least in this sense, definitely means evil or immoral people. Why would they run away and vanish at the slightest hint of someone coming after them? Matthew Henry may tidy it up a bit: Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is. Or, put even more succinctly, Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted. This is all too true. I could probably think for mere moments and easily name at least 5 times sin made me to be...

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Proverbs 27

This continues a short study of ideas and themes from the book of Proverbs. As I read through the book of Proverbs monthly, I try to write up a short summary of 1-3 points from that day's chapter. There's not a particular formula I'm using to choose the points; it will just happen to be what might stick out to me on that particular day. You may find the text of Proverbs 27 here. Presumption of the Future Proverbs 27 contains mostly short, pithy points of wisdom. It begins, with verse 1, providing us with a wise caution against presuming that our future is guaranteed. This does not mean to not plan for the future; only that it is unwise to presume that any future we have is certain. Anything could happen to us, at any moment. We could be in a motor vehicle accident; a medical emergency could befall us; even a tree could land on our heads. We don't really know how many seconds we have left on this planet, and we should live continually in balance between future expectations and the...

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Historical...

While having an interesting conversation with someone regarding slavery, indentured servitude, and bondservantry, comparing and contrasting the concepts as practiced in Biblical times and in more recently history, I was reminded of how we often have a poor (in the erroneous sense) ability to keep an accurate view of the past. We humans are prone to an innumerable amount of error. The further removed we are from an event, the more of these errors encroach on our own views. Our understanding becomes skewed from secondary source material that does not reveal its underlying agenda. Other people in our echo chamber reinforce fabrications and falsehoods. Our ability to discern becomes dulled, to the point where we have difficulty contextualizing even primary source material. We even get to the point where we outright reject interacting with the primary source material due to numerous factors. The topic of slavery is a good example of this, as a person may refuse to even consider going...

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