Paradigm 9 {"Four Steps in Mentoring") (17/5/19)
Edmund Chan stresses the importance of not only knowing the truth in mentoring, but of applying it and reaping the benefits of application before passing it on. His famous aphorism is, "Truth doesn't change lives. Truth applied changes lives". He asks us to put in the perspiration needed to discover truth.
My first question is, "What is truth?" Broadly defined, truth is that which is in accord with objective reality. God is the ultimate reality, in the sense that He stands unchanging outside the universe He created. God made all that is 'real', both physical and spiritual. Truth is that which is consistent with His mind and character and being. Spiritual truth is present in creation (Rom 1:19-20), from which we know about His eternity, His power and His transcendent nature. Truth is supremely contained in the Scriptures (Jn 17:17) and it is to there we go to judge everything. Creation (= 'general revelation') is as valid a witness to truth as the Scriptures (= 'special revelation'), although general revelation is sufficient tor condemnation and only special revelation can save.
Is this idea of truth alone not changing lives Biblical? We looked at 3 proof texts:
1. In Matt 7:17 we have Jesus telling us not only to hear, but to do His words.
2. James 1:22-25 tells us that not 'doing' and 'hearing' only means that we are 'deceiving ourselves'. James describes this reaction as deceiving because it is easy to mistake the knowing of truth for life transformation. The Word reveals us for what we are, but when we hear and do not apply, we 'look intently' (v.23) but walk away (v.24), our ugliness unchanged. Conversely, when we apply truth, it is as if we 'persevere' (v.25) in front of the mirror of the Word and are then blessed
3. Phil 4:8-9 firstly speaks of the multifold goodnesses that we are asked to think about. Because the passage tells us 'whatever' and 'if there is anything', I believe that the passage refers to more than the Scriptures. There is a call to not only know what is good, but to transform our thought life by meditating on it. Paul then asks his readers to look at his teaching, to accept it as true, and to look at his life - his words and conduct - and then to imitate him (c.f. 1 Th 1:6, 1 Cor 4:16)
1 Th 5:12-14 gives pastoral advice about applying truth to different people in church. The role of leadership is to work (v.12a) have authority and accountability (v.12b) and to address the sin of their followers (v.12). Paul mentions 3 groups of troublesome people in church:
We raised the practical concern that it is difficult to 'admonish' people who are not overtly sinning but whose behaviour/habits are undesirable. This is harder to do as compared to with those whose sin is clear. We mentioned the importance of a relationship and spending relationship 'capital' well, although sometimes a position of authority can suffice to let us speak to the situation if needed.
We celebrated Qin Ying's birthday really late!
My first question is, "What is truth?" Broadly defined, truth is that which is in accord with objective reality. God is the ultimate reality, in the sense that He stands unchanging outside the universe He created. God made all that is 'real', both physical and spiritual. Truth is that which is consistent with His mind and character and being. Spiritual truth is present in creation (Rom 1:19-20), from which we know about His eternity, His power and His transcendent nature. Truth is supremely contained in the Scriptures (Jn 17:17) and it is to there we go to judge everything. Creation (= 'general revelation') is as valid a witness to truth as the Scriptures (= 'special revelation'), although general revelation is sufficient tor condemnation and only special revelation can save.
Is this idea of truth alone not changing lives Biblical? We looked at 3 proof texts:
1. In Matt 7:17 we have Jesus telling us not only to hear, but to do His words.
2. James 1:22-25 tells us that not 'doing' and 'hearing' only means that we are 'deceiving ourselves'. James describes this reaction as deceiving because it is easy to mistake the knowing of truth for life transformation. The Word reveals us for what we are, but when we hear and do not apply, we 'look intently' (v.23) but walk away (v.24), our ugliness unchanged. Conversely, when we apply truth, it is as if we 'persevere' (v.25) in front of the mirror of the Word and are then blessed
3. Phil 4:8-9 firstly speaks of the multifold goodnesses that we are asked to think about. Because the passage tells us 'whatever' and 'if there is anything', I believe that the passage refers to more than the Scriptures. There is a call to not only know what is good, but to transform our thought life by meditating on it. Paul then asks his readers to look at his teaching, to accept it as true, and to look at his life - his words and conduct - and then to imitate him (c.f. 1 Th 1:6, 1 Cor 4:16)
1 Th 5:12-14 gives pastoral advice about applying truth to different people in church. The role of leadership is to work (v.12a) have authority and accountability (v.12b) and to address the sin of their followers (v.12). Paul mentions 3 groups of troublesome people in church:
- the idle (Gk 'ataktos) are not merely lazy, but ill-disciplined, unruly - they do things, but useless things - things for themselves. These are to be admonished/rebuked. Their behaviour is not to be condoned.
- the faint-hearted are the fragile, timid, easily broken. These must be encouraged.
- the weak are likely not those who are physically weak, but those who are weak in faith - those whose understanding of God's word and ways is deficient (Paul alludes to the contrast between 'weak' and 'strong' in 1 Cor 8:14 in saying that the strong (like him) 'know' or grasp truths that the weak do not.
We raised the practical concern that it is difficult to 'admonish' people who are not overtly sinning but whose behaviour/habits are undesirable. This is harder to do as compared to with those whose sin is clear. We mentioned the importance of a relationship and spending relationship 'capital' well, although sometimes a position of authority can suffice to let us speak to the situation if needed.
We celebrated Qin Ying's birthday really late!
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