The Foundations

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning?

Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Isaiah 40:21

   Much of contemporary thought is human-centered. This phenomenon can be observed not only in secular circles, however, wherein such ontology is a given. Such a manner of thinking is pervasive cross-denominationally in Christian culture as well, and the fruits have been evident both in the secular world and within the church herself. This is vexing and may prove demoralizing if we allow it to, but it is not surprising. It has been told us that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”⁽¹⁾ Moreover, our Lord Himself spoke of this, saying that “many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”⁽²⁾ Nevertheless, it needn’t be argued that to despair, to grieve, or to rage against your brother on account of this is folly.

   However, the fact remains: harlotry is evident within the walls of churches throughout the world, manifesting itself in slogans, strategies, and in the general cultural milieu of modern Christianity. In particularly baleful cases, it is propagated with intention by nefarious presbyters – wolves in sheep’s skin who deceive cunningly out of avarice. In most cases, however, ever so more tragically, it is accidental – produced not by malice but by confusion: rooted in doctrinal inconsistencies at the foundational level effected by cultural currents. To state it plainly, what I am saying is that doctrines are oft built over preconceived notions and ideas that arise from culture (what a person hears and sees from their childhood) rather than careful exegesis of scripture and dissection of ideas. The very foundations are taken for granted. These foundations being derived from decontextualized aphorisms and unsubstantiated sentiments, the result is a leaning tower of theological thought.

   In this series of essays, by analysis and explication, I will elucidate the primary metaphysical truths that have been told us from the foundations of the earth. I charge those who read me with honest introspection – do not allow your thinking to enter grooves that exist within your mind concerning these things, but by earnest application and discernment engage with me in an open-eyed exploration and a wrestling with the text of scripture.

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,

And all flesh shall see it together;

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Isaiah 40:5

1: 2 Timothy 4:3-4

2: Matthew 24:10-12