“Experiences in life can carry a stern warning or a “wake-up call”, but just because we can connect some dots or learn something in the process does not merit the situation to have to take-on the “spiritual voodoo hyperbole” of “it happened for a reason.”
I just quoted myself. Is that allowed? Yep that is a quote from an article I wrote January 24, 2012 titled “Everything happens for a reason”. (I’d like to suggest this article for your enjoyment once again on our website at GospelRevolution.com under the tab, “Articles.”) On a following Powercast “connecting dots” was elaborated on and I want to address it again.
It is obvious when someone says they connected the dots, that it is basically a benign statement. What if “connecting the dots” leads to forced thought? Free thinking and forced thought simply are not compatible. Therefore connecting the dots in many circumstances may not be so benign.
Astrology is totally based on connecting the dots. Think about it. Some one person drew lines between the stars and came up with twelve different sign of the Zodiac. Even though billions of stars are out there only 9,006 stars are said to be visible in the night sky at any given time. Less than 250 stars make up the “connected dots” or the twelve signs.
Several years ago while looking up to the sky to see how many I could find, I wondered, who drew these lines that I must now look at the stars and see just where I fit in? To see what my and others characteristics and traits are? Yes, even predict the future and what my day will be like today!!
Forced thought leads to false beliefs. We see this at work in modern Christianity, where, wrested out of its context, one verse is taken from here, and another from some other place, then all placed together in a mash-up designed to support some theology or other. Biblical scholars call this ‘proof-texting’; it is, in fact, nothing more than joining the dots in such a way as will support someone’s particular biased belief system.
For about 2,000 years since the Zodiac was introduced to people. Forced thought is what astrology has contributed to the human race. Why can’t you come up with your own lines drawn between the choice of over 9,000 visible stars – your own definitions and characteristics?
As far as the gospel of peace and the gospel of grace is concerned, it has no need for anyone to connect the dots. It is not written in the stars. It is written in language. In fact the Hebrew alphabet is made up of pictographs as is the Chinese language. One letter can be read as a letter, a number or a subject. It is really rather straight forward – no dots to connect at all.
During my stay in the word of faith movement my entire doctrine was based on “connecting the dots” Wow … did THAT get wild! However, based on the lines I drew between verses and concepts, viola! Proof beyond a doubt!
With the gospel there is a story, “the testimony of God”, not man’s but God’s. It is laid out in the law, psalms and prophets and then the story is analyzed with amazing precision by Paul. Pointing out the “pictures” as he goes. The first and the last Adam, Moses and Jesus, the new creation, on and on Paul points to the already clearly defined picture. In fact, God took great care to use picture after picture (scholars call them types and shadows), to predict in unusual detail, His plan in advance.
The gospel is very easy to understand my friends. Just read the story and look at the pictures. We are still learning and growing. Keep looking at the amazingly perfect and beautiful picture. Gods testimony.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:1
Much love,
Michael