(07/01/2016) Once We Know Better?

The gulf between sacred and secular knowledge is in view, today, along with the idea of “progress” by shifts in language, and Scripture as an appearance of divinity.  One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (Singapore)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:

Isn't it suspicious that stuff that Christians took LITERALLY from the Bible for 1000s of years, becomes figurative once we know better??

Isn't it quite odd that stuff that Christians took LITERALLY from the Bible for 1000s of years, becomes figurative once we know better?
Just one example, in the ancient world people thought the HEART was responsible for thoughts and emotions. The Bible repeatedly says this. The Bible NEVER says the brain has anything to do with it. The Bible ONLY claims it is from the heart. So naturally, for a 1000+ years Christians literally thought the heart was responsible. Now that we know it isn't, suddenly the Bible is figurative on this point.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:  Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  (2nd Peter 3:  1-13, King James Version, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Guided By Divine Truth (06/20/2016); Sacred Knowledge and Christ (05/16/2016); On Transmitting Sacred Truth (05/06/2016); Divine Meanings and Values? (03/31/2016); Revelation and The Cross (03/27/2016); In Times of Progress? (12/21/2015);  Religion And Moral Progress? (10/23/2015)

“Anonymous”, for mature Christian believers, there is no replacement or substitute for correct sacred knowledge that permits communion, exchange, interaction, proper reverence, and fruitful relationship with divinity.  Sacred knowledge is itself a spirit substance from the makeup of Deity, and a manifestation of GOD.  Thus, inseparable aspects of divinity are imparted through the Scriptures that include faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.  Those who are “born again” must gradually “grow up again,” and acquire the divine perspective revealed and shared for spiritual maturity:  Believers also must apprehend the active presence of GOD appearing within thousands of lives through thousands of events over the course of thousands of years.

Secular knowledge is often developed and disseminated driven by the animal aspects of human character and its many base motives (e.g., consumerism, covetousness, fear, greed, grudges, materialism, pride, and even self-destruction).  As a result, the outcomes and products of increased information proliferate human error; endorse spiritual ignorance; prolong a lower quality of life for mankind experienced as an exaggerated focus upon death, the weakening of commitment, honor, personal integrity, and trust; and increase the sense of continual imprisonment within cycles of despair and frustration.  Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:

(1.)  Ecclesiastes 1:  14-18, King James Version (KJV):  14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.  15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight:  and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.  16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem:  yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.  17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly:  I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.  18 For in much wisdom is much grief:  and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

(2.)  2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV:  1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(3.)  Daniel 12:  2-4, KJV:  2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:  many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  2nd Timothy 3:  13-17, KJV:  13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC