My friend from California has tagged me for a book meme. This one is actually very easy! "Here's how it works: I am supposed to pick up the nearest book with at least 123 pages, turn to the 123rd page, find the 5th sentence, and then post the three sentences immediately after that. "
Right now I am surrounded by books. This is fun. The nearest one is To the One Who Conquers by Sam Storms. Let's see page 123:
"Because such 'words' from God are direct and immediate, and can't be explained by appeal to what one knows by natural means, they are falsely perceived as carrying greater authority than the inspired text itself. Or it is revelation that allegedly provides a superior and formerly unknown interpretation of Scripture that makes it possible to circumvent or at least treat with casual disdain the Bible's doctrinal precepts and ethical commands."
"A person with a 'Jezebel spirit' is one who appeals to his or her 'spirituality' to rationalize or again, at minimum, to overlook sensuality."
Interesting quote.
*I am sure none of you mind looking at a book!
3 comments:
It is an easy meme, and kind of fun, otherwise I wouldn't have perpetuated it.
Okay, here's something interesting. I was reading a book by John MacArthur last night, one I just started actually, and your quote sounds startlingly similar to what I just read:
"The mystic disdains rational understanding and seeks truth instead through the feelings, the imagination, personal visions, inner voices, private illumination, or other purely subjective means. Objective truth becomes practically superfluous. Mystical experiences are therefore self-authenticating; that is, they are not subject to any form of objective verification. They are unique to the person who experiences them. Since they do not arise from or depend upon any rational process, they are invulnerable to any refutation by rational means....'The practical result of all this is that it is nearly impossible to reason with any convinced mystic. Such people are generally beyond the reach of reason'. Mysticism is antethetical to discernment." (from Reckless faith; sub-quote from Arthur L. Johnson)
I experienced this first-hand, when a woman told me God had spoken to her in an audible voice. The words she had heard were biblically unsound. When I asked her to clarify the scriptural basis for what she heard she silenced me saying I couldn't possible understand, because God doesn't speak to me audibly.
A mystic can only be verified by the Word of God, or by subsequent experience that substantiates his or hers claims. We learned a great deal about this through J. Edwards. Which was an awesome book, and how I met you. I wonder what Challies will choose next? I mentioned The City of God by Augustine. Lynn
Edwards has had a huge impact on me every time I've read him. This book was so helpful to me, and more relevant than I could have imagined. I loved the reading group, and made at least two new friends as a direct result, you being the most recent. I'm not certain I'll have time to participate in the next one, though I will if I can.
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