Deception is Birthed
There is no more serious matter than when deception becomes
so ingrained in one’s thinking that it assumes the posture and place of genuine
reality. This is the outcome when one relies
so totally upon his or her own mental content and process that there is little
room for outside interference and thus intervention. 
Most certainly mental-intellectual function is comprised of
at least two separate but related elements. First
there is the content—those things one learns and/or experiences.
Such is than gathered into a set or sets of data or facts.
Second, there is the process or how one acts upon the content.A breakdown in either area, if left unchecked will result in the most dire of outcomes. Pushed out to its eventual ends, that breakdown will result in one who is so deceived that the “false” has become the “genuine” and the "genuine" then becomes the "false."
Falsehood Leads Away From the Genuine
Said another way, this is the condition of the person who has come to believe a “falsehood” so thoroughly and deeply that it has gained a measure of control over that person’s life. Thus there is no volitional capability to question the content or processes of that belief. Such belief then assumes the great power of reality. Now to be sure it may not be genuine reality but it assumes the posture of the genuine and the power thereof.
What is the outcome? Right
and correct belief has the power to lead to greater and deeper insights into
reality. Wrong and incorrect belief has
the power to lead into greater and deeper deception and in doing so leads one
away from genuine truth.
Exclusive Truth
However, at this point an interesting dynamic begins to
unfold. It is that of superior exclusive
truth. That is to say the one caught in
this trap begins to make exclusive truth claims to the point that such a person may even
claim superior understanding(s) that are not available to others.
Illogical Logic Then Isolates
As the process continues to deepen, such an one begins to invest much in such “false” reality that it becomes logical. Now it may not be logical to others but it is to that person. The outcome is that person becomes isolated in their illogical notions. However, once again the process does not end there but continues on.
That “truth,” as false as it is has becomes so real that it
now is the paradigm, through which life is viewed. An attendant outcome is that the one who
holds such “false” reality can no longer see nor embrace genuine truth. Thus there is no challenge and therefore
nothing to hold at bay, the ever deepening decent into deception.
A Sobering Warning to All
While this is not the sum of all the Apostle Paul had to say
on the matter in Romans 1, it certainly is a part of that of which he wrote as
directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Such
a warning is not limited to those who reject the notion of God but to all who
deal in that which is not genuine. Thus
it should be a sobering warning to all. 
Doctrine yes, dogma no, is what I'm hearing you say, Ch Robbins. I was asked once if I knew whether I held the truth, from a theological standpoint. I said yes. To say no would've meant the capacity to be "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes," Ephesians 4:14. The Christian faith, yes, I can know it to be true. Protestant faith--yes, I can know it to be true. Calvinism, to be more specific--yes, this I believe, and I see locking arms with others in like faith to be a virtuous thing, not a thing to curse. The entire truth of God, or "exclusive truth," no, of course not, and I appreciate you making this point! There are mysteries and nuances within my faith that I do not understand and can gain clarity on. I am not closed to new teaching and iron sharpening iron as it were. But radical thoughts--no, error is not to be embraced, but rather refuted and rejected at every turn.
ReplyDeleteGood words Don, as someone once said, "Dogmatism kills" and most certainly when there is a mystery one dare not get too dogmatic. One day we will know but until then mysteries are excellent opportunities for one to trust. Be safe.
DeleteThere are numerous errors in the bible. Many contradictions and falacies....some laughable, some so horrific that it's a wonder why anyone of today would believe in such religions.
ReplyDeleteThere have been thousands of gods. Your atheism toward the others is simply perhaps that you were not indoctrinated to believe in them.
Paul's so called "warning" is hypocritically applied. He need only look at the mirror of his own deception.
You have read into the post, matters not present! Where in the posting do I speak to the matter of Scripture and religion? This is a much, much broader issue. In fact, to limit it to religion is to deflect it away in order not to be challenged by the principles presented. Deflection in no way diminishes the points made.
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