Over the past few weeks, we have been investigating the Ship of the Kingdom diagram (below) , a
visual illustration of the “sphere sovereignty theology” of Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper was a pre-WWI, Dutch theologian who also became Prime Minister of Holland..
This diagram beautifully pictures God the Father crowning Jesus as King of kings at the Ascension, and then seating Him at His right hand as ruler over the whole earth. Ten days later, at Pentecost, Jesus then DELEGATED THAT RULE TO US, living here on the earth. We are, right now, wherever we are and with whomever we speak, extending that rule as His Vice-Regents, naturally, spontaneously and unconsciously (NSU). God has given us the tools, or weapons, of our families, churches and the civil government to do so.
This delegation is represented in the diagram by vertical lines and authenticating Scripture verses. The horizontal lines that make up the hull of the ship are the way each of these three, independent spheres relate to each other.
In the past several blog postings, we have looked carefully at FAMILY and CHURCH and how we employ each in the ruling task. That leaves the CIVIL GOVERNMENT. Before we tackle that weapon and see what the Bible tells us about how we will use it, I think there are some ideas that will be helpful to understand.
I know that what I am about to share on this topic will be controversial to many sincere, committed believers who love Jesus, just as other ideas I have discussed in these postings have been. We may have strong differences of opinion, and I readily accept that fact. I really appreciate that you are sticking with me on this journey thus far. Some old friends haven’t!
As we investigate that weapon and see what the Bible tells us about how we will use the civil government, I think these are some ideas that will be helpful to understand. Therefore, I want to investigate the implications of the title of this posting: “The Sin of Certainty.” As I have often shared, I am, by nature, a card-carrying, charter member of the pharisaical, know-it-all club, certain that I am always right in all disagreements.
However, one day several years ago, a good friend introduced me to a book by theologian Peter Enns, with a title that perfectly describes me—“The Sin of Certainty!” He wrote it after teaching at one of the country’s leading seminaries for some 15 years. At some point, I imagine he must have realized that he was representative of the faculty—smugly certain that they were teaching there what was the absolutely perfect Word of God! At any rate, he has been teaching at Eastern University, a Christian college in Pennsylvania, since 2012.
As I read his book, I realized it describes my spontaneous attitude in biblical discussions; I think I am always right!. As a result of this realization, I have found myself adopting a new perspective, which I hope is now being expressed in these blog postings: “Based on what I think God has told me in my heart, I currently believe this to be true. He may lead me in a different direction at a later time.”
Interestingly, I think it is not just the Pharisees like me that are susceptible to the sin of certainty. I believe there are three personality types, and all three are equally vulnerable, but they are not as easily recognized as the Pharisee type. The other two are equally guilty—the 1.) Wanna-be Pharisee and 2.) the Rebel. The Wanna-be Pharisee says, “I never measure up to God’s standard, and He always wants me to do better. He is never pleased with me just like I am.” The Rebel says, “Ain’t nobody telling me nothin’. I’ll do just what I damn well please!” All three of these personality types can be CERTAIN they are right and nobody can convince them otherwise!
The three-step foundation in last week’s posting illustrates my current understanding of “Walking by Faith;” i.e., “Walking in the Spirit,” which is the solution to the sin of certainty: 1.) Become as a “little child” who always believes what my Daddy (God) tells me in my heart, 2) Walk transparently, “in the light,” with my fellow believers as to my sin, rejoicing in my full and final forgiveness. 3.) Do so together with them in a participatory and not observational church.
I love to conclude these postings, because the conclusions always include a big-picture look at the forest of God’s eternal purpose for man—ruling over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28)! Today we are combining this “walking by faith” as a little child in last week’s blog, with this week’s expose of the “sin of certainty!” As we learn to be consistent in this walk of faith, we are an unstoppable force in our ruling task!
