The 'paradox' is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality 'ought to be'.
- Richard Feynman
Quickstart Guide
The following summary information is offered for those interested in seeing just how far the rabbit whole goes in regards to Churchianity vs. Biblical Christianity. As with any field, the depth of study depends on the interest of the student. Nevertheless, even a passing familiarity with Quantum Christianity requires grasping a few foundational concepts.
Those beginning to understand the vital role developing Christian maturity plays in pleasing God by escaping unprecedented levels of ubiquitous temptation and deception may be interested in an overview of the journey before them. While not everyone's path is the same, it may be of value to identify certain waypoints many will wish to consider.
With the failings of modern Christianity are well-documented here and elsewhere, Prophetic Christian will want to develop the necessary skills to appropriately perceive and respond to the crisis/opportunity before us. To that end we suggest proficiency in some or all of the following necessary tools for genuine Biblical interpretation:
- Reverence enough to let scripture say what it means and mean what it says.
- Faith enough to energize one's imagination without going off the deep end.
- Curiosity enough to examine epic verses and poke around original languages.
- Humility enough to remember who your betters are.
- Honesty enough to recognize and respond to our extreme need for God.
- Desperation enough to ask, seek and knock until insight and/or empowerment is given.
- Love enough to find ways to reveal, rather than conceal, difficult truths.
Individual and group response to this short list primarily depends on the following factors:
1. Level of concern: Human interest tend towards issues associated with the most immediate and/or greatest pleasure or pain, first in regards to ourselves and then others. Levels of Christian concern largely depend on our willingness to read and recall Scripture as it is written rather than choosing to omit hundreds if not thousands of verses challenging Churchianity's status quo. Equally important is the development and continual exercise of imaginative empathy. The ability to immerse oneself in the past, present and future human suffering or exaltation described in the Bible is a crucial component in allowing the reader to mentally and emotionally comprehend the passage. Honesty in "Scripturally rendering" a scene allows a fuller understanding of risk/benefit associated with various levels of rebellion verse obedience.
2. Appropriate response: Filtering through tens of thousands of thoughts a day, we select those upon which dwell. A percentage of theses will be discussed. Some of these will merit research and further evaluation... A fraction of thoughts will translate into actions. Depending on a variety of factors, our actions or lack thereof, will either fit or fail the test of appropriateness. In regards to Biblical Christianity issues of appropriate response include but hardly limited to:
- Honesty in regards to the human condition
- Recognizing the challenges of modern life
- Appreciation of Jesus’ warning, “To whom much is given much is required”
- Discerning the real gospel and Christ
- Identifying faith vs presumption
- Understanding “What must I do to be saved?”
- Serious Bible study
- Accurately interpreting Scripture
- Diligently seeking God
- Being the Church (rather than merely attending)
- Discipleship and holiness
- Evangelism and intercession
- Confronting abortion and it’s effect on the church
- Understanding the times and seasons
- Comprehending the context of Scripture
Two habits from the above list create a foundation for authentic Christianity. These are:
1. Diligently seeking God: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
2. Judging with righteous judgment: "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24 NKJV)
The crucial role of just these two directives cannot be overstated. In fact, without the implementing of both these principals, millions if not billions of Bible readers do so unprepared to fully grasp the incredible context of Scripture. Much less accurately discern and appropriately respond to the critical challenges presented by the times and seasons in which we live.
One of Biblical Christianity’s major goals is unity in essentials without otherwise demanding uniformity. Nevertheless, growing in discernment requires being “careful how you hear” while learning to “judge with righteous judgment” a process that sometimes causes division.
QC’s goal is to minimize unnecessary division by answering the following questions:
1. How important is doctrinal orthodoxy, correctly interpreting Biblical meaning and emphasis? Scripture places a premium on our growing in an accurate understanding of God as revealed in the Bible. Hundreds, if not thousands, of verses explicitly and implicitly underscore the directive that we diligently seek and serve our Creator.
2. What means are best employed to honestly evaluate a given set of beliefs against the teaching of Scripture? The old criticism is true that one can argue just about any point of view by selectively picking from among the Bibles over 31,000 verses. Even so, the honest reader and researcher will find Scripture’s major tenants easily understood by persons without advanced degrees or resorting to the study of ancient languages. While insightful commentaries and sermons are useful and readily available in the Google age, the Bible itself is it’s own best tutor.
3. Given the potentially wide scope of topics covered by Bible passages, are certain tenants more important than others? If so, which? While all the time tested rules for Biblical interpretation are helpful, QC has created the Rule of Emphasis as a simple tool to help discover which teaching(s) upon which the Bible itself places added emphases.
4. Are such critiques encouraged or even required by Scripture? A number of passages reinforce the need for learning to rightly interpret the Bible as well as growing in the ability to correctly evaluate the quality of teaching and behavior inside and outside of the established church. The same Jesus who warned about misjudging to the point of condemnation also warned against failing to discern truth, a directive repeatedly reinforced by Paul and all New Testament authors.
5. Is this line of questioning by nature unnecessarily divisive? Like most truth, spiritual truth is not a matter of consensus. Though by nature hidden, God’s word is designed to reveal it. While narrow, the road to heaven is not meant to be a solitary one as repeated reinforced by Scripture exemplified in the Lord’s Prayer’s use of the plural phrase “our Father.” When studied and shared in love, unity in essentials (see Rule of Emphasis) still allows for great diversity and inclusivity regarding less vital points.
6. What practical benefits might be hoped for from this kind of reasoning? The principal goal of Christianity is reconciliation. Reconciling God to man and man to God as well as mankind to itself individually and corporately. While no easy task, any progress in these areas is well worth the effort.
7. Is spiritual truth primarily subjective? Given the manner and nature of human existence, spiritual truth while itself objective is primarily subjectively discerned. Even the objective teaching of Scripture must be subjectively interpreted and applied. Still, as previously mentioned, while there may be “many Christs” there can only be “one True” thus it greatly behooves us to do our due diligence in formulating and living out a Christian world view as close to that of the Bible’s as possible.
8. Is spiritual truth primarily personal? Verses such as “the kingdom of God is within you” highlight the fact that many aspects of Christianity are designed to be personal, often on the deepest of levels. Others, as in the case of discipleship, find there fullest expression among the fellowship of believers. Others still, such as that pertaining to evangelism, are intended for public discourse and debate. Finally, as in the case of the prophetic, spiritual truth is meant to reprove conduct and should all else fail warn of impending judgment on a large scale.
9. Is genuine spiritual growth a journey or destination? Both, yet more the former than latter. Wile many can pin point an event that seemed to kickstart the process of religious enlightenment, others less so. In either case spiritual life, like it’s physical counterpart, is a journey often filled with important waypoints.
10. To what degree, if any, are we responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of others? From beginning to end, Christianity is an open enrollment expression of the eternal God embracing mortal man. The costly incarnation and ministry, crucifixion followed by Christ’s resurrection and ascension, intercession and imminent return is not only Divinity “seeking and saving that which was lost” but a model for those who would follow as Christ-ians.
Sadly most modern believers would rather simply embrace the concept of “peace, peace” even “when there is no peace” than diligent discern the difference between the story we tell ourselves and the hard truth of Scripture. This long standing tradition among the people of God is warned against by such notables as Ezekiel and Jeremiah:
- “Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash…” Ezekiel 13:10 NIV
- “Everyone’s after the dishonest dollar, little people and big people alike. Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken—shattered!—and they put on Band-Aids, Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine’! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage? No, they have no shame. They don’t even know how to blush. There’s no hope for them. They’ve hit bottom and there’s no getting up. As far as I’m concerned, they’re finished. God has spoken.” Jeremiah 6:13-15 MSG
In the case of “good old church goin’ folk” the reason for the disconnect from both Scripture and reality is an often well meant yet foundational mistake regarding to whom, how and why the “exceedingly great and precious promises of God” belong. By and large believers today are taught to view Biblical warnings and conditions through the rose colored lens of presuposing they possess the promises of God. Unfortunately, as is too often the case, Scripture teaches the exact opposite. The promises of God are received and kept not by presumption but by heeding the Bible’s warnings and conditions.
The current permissive mindset is the result of Churchianity being caught in the dangerous riptide of the original sin of entitlement popularized by various forms of Me-ism. Billions have and continue to reason, “surely modern Christians enjoy favor and forgiveness through the love and mercy of God, not to mention the costly atonement of Christ.” While having a ring of truth, such a vast over simplification of Scripture omits the clear and concise instruction of at least half the Old and New Testaments, including such unpopular topics as conditional salvation and additions to faith, presumption and the fear of God to name just a few.
So how does the average church attendee so often reverse the emphasis of Scripture? Through Biblical illiteracy and the auspice of “cheep grace.” A graphical representation of such inversion might look like this:
QC Examples
We invite everyone to consider some or all of QC’s topics and articles, modern psalms and proverbs (most of which are included in our Quantum Christianity Library). Those interest in a more complete study, along with accessing the hundreds of links available on Godblog.net, may wish to consider the following two examples of QC Biblical thought and commentary.
1. Contemporary Worship: Hundreds of millions enjoy obeying the Bible’s command to “worship the Lord.” So much so, that in light of the fact that the average church attender can’t recite 5-10 Scripture’s in a row (with the possible exception of the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23) but know the lyrics of all their favorite songs, inappropriate Christian music has become the default teacher of doctrine throughout modern Christianity. Yet how Biblically correct is the vast majority of Christian music?
Take a moment to listen to and consider one of the better recent releases by Natalie Grant entitled “Your Great Name.” Admirable on many levels here’s QC’s Facebook review:
- Many of Jesus's teachings on prayer suggest a kind of quantum response. On the one hand, it often sounds as if answers are to be expected immediately. On the other, what need would there be for such parables as "the Persistant Widow" and the "Friend At Midnight" or His encouragement to ask (and keep asking), seek (and keep seeking), knock (and keep knocking) - (verb tense) if a struggle were not involved? Those choosing to prevail with man and circumstance, the devil and even God understand that intercession is a lifestyle. As serious spiritual athletes, we must constantly increase the level of our discipline and training to compete successfully. A diet of healthy Scriptural study and strategic praise is also key. Many of today's worship songs are doctrinally inaccurate or simply too little light in the loafers for prophetic Christians. Even so, there are scores of songs that might serve not only as praise but prayer. A perfect example is "Your Great Name." Pretty good as is, it's even better when simply changing the emphasis from a declaration to a prayer. Example: since we know billions remain lost and unsaved instead of "Lost are saved, find their way at the sound of your great name" changing the lyrics to "Let the lost be saved..." The same can be done throughout, thus combining the power of honest worship with strategic prayer creating an excellent weapon to add to our intercession arsenal.
In fact, today’s Christian worship leaders and recording artists are producing the most intimate worship music in history while at the same time the vast majority of Christians stop and pray less than 5 minutes a day.
Take even the revered hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Originally composed in mid to late 1800’s it’s words have been rightly and reverently sung by and provided inspiration to hundreds of millions. What most fail to appreciate is that its premise and title are taken from Lamentations 3, without question one of the harshest chapters in all of Scripture, written as a lament and even complaint by Jeremiah the “weeping prophet.” Modernized in the Message version just the first few verses tell a shocking tale:
- “Im the man who has seen trouble, trouble coming from the lash of God’s anger. He took me by the hand and walked me into pitch-black darkness. Yes, he’s given me the back of his hand over and over and over again. He turned me into a scarecrow of skin and bones, then broke the bones. He hemmed me in, ganged up on me, poured on the trouble and hard times. He locked me up in deep darkness, like a corpse nailed inside a coffin. He shuts me in so I’ll never get out, manacles my hands, shackles my feet. Even when I cry out and plead for help, he locks up my prayers and throws away the key. He sets up blockades with quarried limestone. He’s got me cornered. He’s a prowling bear tracking me down, a lion in hiding ready to pounce. He knocked me from the path and ripped me to pieces. When he finished, there was nothing left of me. He took out his bow and arrows and used me for target practice. He shot me in the stomach with arrows from his quiver. Everyone took me for a joke, made me the butt of their mocking ballads. He forced rotten, stinking food down my throat, bloated me with vile drinks. He ground my face into the gravel. He pounded me into the mud. I gave up on life altogether. I’ve forgotten what the good life is like. I said to myself, “This is it. I’m finished. God is a lost cause.” Lamentations 3:1-18 The Message
For examples of both old and new Quantum Christian worship see the lyrics of Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is our God” and such great contemporary selections as Sons Of Korah’s rendition of Psalm 51. Put to the right music, the word’s of David’s response to his murder of Uriah and heinous betrayal of the family of Ahithophel his greatest spiritual advisor by committing adultery with his granddaughter Bathsheba, may be just what the doctor ordered for our situation. That along with Psalm 121 and 13 by Brian Doerksen.
2. Wholehearted Discipleship: The New Testament authors are all extremely interesting reads. Even more so when silhouetted against their mention in the gospels. While beautifully orchestrated, each seems to have a unique tonal quality. Of the major players, the apostle John is certainly the most quantum disciple/Apostle. Known as John “the beloved” he’s arguable given the greatest revelation of the love of God. Of the twelve and even the three comprising the inner circle, the “disciple whom Jesus loved” seemed most intimate with the Lord. Famous for penning John 3:16, and the “love epistles” he was also singled out to care for Christ’s own mother by Jesus from the cross. Equally astonishing is that this same John receives the greatest revelation of the wrath of God to be found in Scripture. His Book of Revelation contains the most expansive view of sixty different events comprising the coming Great Tribulation.
In John’s example of wholehearted discipleship we find the lofty goal of Quantum Christianity. Filled with all, rather than half or less, of the counsel of God, John acknowledges and accepts the privilege and responsibility to embrace both the “white and black keys.” Trusting in the fairness and goodness of God, he along with all the New Testament greats, were the embodiment of spiritual wisdom and maturity. Both virtues desperately needed in the growing darkness of this late hour, as Jude, the Lord’s half brother reminds:
- “But remember, dear friends, that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: “In the last days there will be people who don’t take these things seriously anymore. They’ll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts.” These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There’s nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit! But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven. And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes.” Jude 1:17-25 The Message
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