In the quest of learning how to learn better, I come across terms that carry with them an ideology. When I study a word I practice etymology: the tracing of a word’s origin and development.
While tracing the modern development of a word’s ideology I focus on how my habit of thinking about the word and the word’s ideology is incorrect. I ask myself where my mind needs renewed because my thinking is contrary to Holy Scripture.
I now apply three examples. Progressivism is about reform and individuality. Pluralism is about explaining truth in more than one way. Relativism is about truth differing according to each person.
My practice of progressive individuality is lonely. Despite any attempt of unilateral reform, I can never run away from my sinful self on my own terms. Fortunately Jesus came to me then blessed me with the Holy Spirit. Now I am transformed with a renewing of my mind so I can know the good and perfect will of my Father in heaven. Simply put, my Father wants me to love the only true, triune God with all my heart and mind. With the power of the Holy Spirit I also love others.
Loving others is pointing to Jesus. There is no way to explain truth other than pointing to Jesus. After all Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth.” Any thinking of mine which includes pluralism is contrary to the Bible. Jesus is the singular way.
Any thinking of mine which includes relativism is contrary to the Bible. I cannot create truth or debate truth. What is solely relative to salvation is stated in Romans 10:9 – “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Bible centered thinking keeps me in the faith given to me. Whatever thinking I come up with on my own or adopt from the world is sin. “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. Praise Jesus for coming to me, a sinner.
With God on my side I do not have to conform to this world. In my next blog entry I will provide three more examples: cynicism, intellectualism, and legalism.
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