The False Power of Knowledge

“let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting himself a basement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind…" Colossians 2:18

I've recently written a book by Benjamin Wicker which helped me to see how the Gnostic heresy of the first century has been rebirthed in the 21st century

The Gnostics believed that they had a divine spark of knowledge within themselves. This spark of knowledge enabled them to live in a spiritual realm, apart from common man. The apostles Paul and John continually battled against this heresy.  Man does not need a divine spark of knowledge, hidden from the rest, but rather, needs to receive the direct and clear revelation of God through Jesus Christ. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." The Truth is Jesus Christ.

The Gnostics believed that because they had this divine spark of knowledge they were completely redeemed. They now had a viewpoint which others could not see. They had knowledge which others did not possess.

In the same way, there are modern Gnostics who believe they are gifted from on high with a divine spark of knowledge. They would not use the term "divine" because they are, for all practical purposes, atheist. They neither look to nor expect a word from the Almighty. Instead, they believe that the forces of nature have so converged in the chemical makeup of their body and mind, that they are the anointed for this day.

As you make decisions about your world, go to the only source of divine knowledge available to us today – the Holy Bible. It will be "a light into your path, and a lamp unto your feet."

In His Grace –

Randy White

A Materialistic World

“In the beginning, God created…”   Genesis 1:1

Our world is dominated by one particular worldview – materialism. Materialism is the idea that matter has always existed, always will exist, and thus is all that matters. Materialism denies a transcendent (in a different realm) Creator.

We most often think of materialism in an economic sense. A "materialist" is one who "gets all he can, cans all he gets, and sits on the cam!" His behavior displays the fact that, for him, matter is what matters.

But a materialistic worldview goes beyond economics. The belief that abortion is acceptable grows out of a materialistic worldview. When life becomes a matter of chemical makeup rather than the creative work of an Almighty God, then it is not a problem to reconstitute those chemicals. In fact, all morality comes from your view on materialism. Materialists believe that right and wrong are determined based upon how one's behavior affects the matter around them. Thus, for a materialist, right and wrong can only be determined by the situation at hand.

Reject materialism! Adopt a theistic worldview that understands that a transcendent, Almighty God spoke matter into being. As the creator, he is also the sustainer. Morality is now based not on the matter at hand but on the character of the God created matter

In His Grace;

Randy White

The Cosmic Patriot

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

GK Chesterton, and amazing philosopher, theologian, author, and social commentator of England, born in 1874, used to refer to himself as a Cosmic Patriot. I love the phrase!

I love patriotic things. I feel good when I hang the flag on my front porch. There are few things better than a fireworks display along with patriotic music. Something about the love for country brings out the best in mankind. There is within us a natural desire to be patriotic. Everywhere I have ever traveled, I have found that people love their country, even when their country is far from lovable. Patriotism is a human trait.

But as Christians it is important for us to remember that we are really not citizens of any earthly nation. We are just pilgrims, passing through. Our real citizenship is in the Kingdom yet to come. Our real patriotism should be towards that Kingdom.

Years ago, we used to sing a lot of Cosmic Patriot songs. The songs are still memorable to many of us. Songs like "Onward Christian Soldiers "or "Marching to Zion."  But in these days our songs do not focus on the Kingdom to come.  Nor do our lives.

Will you join me in Mr. Chesterton in a quest to become a Cosmic Patriot?

In His Grace –

Randy White

Heavenly Father, may my focus today not be on "these things" but rather on the Kingdom that is to come. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Temporarily Best

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? Psalm 2:1

Aristotle, one of the philosophers of ancient Greece, who 300 years before Christ, had some surprising words to say about democracy. He referred to a democracy as that government in which "the majority" makes the rules, but they do it for their own personal good. His preference was not a democracy, but rather a Republic (he called it a polity), in which the majority still makes the rules, but they do it for the common good.

When the Scripture speaks about a democracy, it refers to "the peoples devising a vain thing." I'm not sure that Aristotle ever read Psalm 2, but both King David and the Greek philosopher had the same idea. I think King David and Aristotle would also agree that it's not so much who rules, but how they rule!

Because of the depravity of man, a Republic provides the safest measure towards government for the common good than any other form of government. Even in a Republic, however, the common good is often overlooked for vain things. This is the reason why republics, along with all other forms of government, rise and fall.

While a Republic may be temporarily best for our time, the good news is that One is coming will receive the nations as His inheritance (Psalm 2:8). When his kingdom is established, "then all these things shall be added unto you."

In His Grace –

Randy White

Heavenly Father, help us to do our part to make the temporary best the best it can be. But help us never lose sight that the best is yet to be! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

An upside down world

2 Corinthians 12:14  Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Several years ago Hillary Clinton, currently serving as Secretary of State, wrote a book entitled "it takes a Village." Her premise was that society joins together to raise children. While it's true that each of us have been blessed by our communities and neighborhoods, Hillary Clinton got it all wrong!

But the former First Lady really was just repeating what society has been saying for years. There is a predominant worldview that places the "village" in a predominant position. Such a worldview is fundamental to the problems that we experience in our society today. We live in a world in which the state has become the provider. Our founding fathers had no such idea. They were convinced and convicted – even willing to give their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" – that the state was the "child" and thus was the servant of "We the people."

Let me propose an alternate worldview. It is a worldview that is foundational to the Christian life, and has been the understanding of conservative generations since the days of Adam and Eve. Here is the worldview: it doesn't take a village, IT TAKES A PARENT!

Men and women have a natural desire and a supernatural command to procreate. They do this so that they can eventually build a village! In the village they will have opportunity to fully express their individuality. All the needs of the body, soul, and spirit will have opportunity for expression within the village. But remember, at the bottom of it all is the family unit.

When we turn the world upside down and create a nanny state, with the state providing for the children rather than the children providing for the state, we are in for a rough ride!

In His Grace –

Randy White

Heavenly Father, give me the vision to see the attack on the modern family.  Give me the wisdom to know how to stand in defense. In Jesus’ name! Amen.

Former Glory, Coming Glory

“They sang, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy…” Ezra 3:11-12 (NASB)


After two years of difficult work, the returned nation of Israel had been able to lay the foundation stone of the Temple of God, destroyed more than 70 years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It was a moment of joy and unequalled importance for the nation. The Temple was the center point of Jewish life. The day had been prepared for not only in construction matters but in worship matters. The choirs, orchestras, and crowds gathered in unprecedented array for this monumental event in history. Absolutely nobody there would ever forget the second month of the second year, when the foundation stone was laid. Years later, they would remember every detail.


The young rejoiced. The old men cried. They were tears of joy, no doubt, but also tears of sadness for the loss of the former Temple. The tears said, "We remember how it was." To this day, those tears are shed by the Jewish people on the ninth day of the Hebrew month Av--the day that both the first and second Temples were destroyed.


On the 9th of Av the Jews mourn, but someday the Jewish nation will once again rejoice with the construction of the third Temple. We know this Temple will be rebuilt because it plays a prominent role in the prophecies about end-times. We also know that this Temple will be desecrated by the Antichrist (in an event called the Abomination of Desolation).


The Temple was formerly a place of glory, and is a coming place of glory. The ultimate glory will come when the Son of Man comes and establishes His throne in Jerusalem. For that glory I pray!


Our Father, as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we know that its ultimate peace is found in the coming Messiah. The coming rebuilding of the Temple is exciting, but our real prayer is "Thy Kingdom come!" In Jesus' Name! Amen

Properly Placed Fear

So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening. Ezra 3:3 (NASB).

When the Hebrew nation returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the Temple, they faced local residents who had taken "squatters rights" over the 70 year period of absence.  As you can imagine, these local residents were not happy with the return of the rightful owners.  Regardless of length of absence, the ownership of the land had never been legally removed.  Having no legal basis, the only recourse for the locals was terrorism, not unlike today's situation in Israel.  The Hebrews feared the locals, who would continually be a problem in the building process (see Ezra 4:4, as well as the account of a later return in the book of Nehemiah).


In addition to their legal rights (they not only held title to the land but also had the decree of Cyrus the Great), the Hebrews had two things that helped them overcome their fear.

First, they had an internal unity among themselves.   Ezra 3:1 says "the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem."  In  Matthew 12:25 Jesus says that "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."  This is an easy concept on the surface, but in the midst of conflict it is hard to recognize that "I" might be part of the problem!  Was it Pogo who said, "We have found the enemy, and it is I!"  Groups in conflict can overcome the external enemy only when they gather together as "one man."

Second, they had an overarching desire to please God over man.  In the verses following (vv. 4-6) we are given a clear picture that the people were unified under the banner of the Lord.  Under the Lord their individual differences began to disappear and their focus became obedience to the law and the celebration of the feasts and observances of the festivals and offerings as given in the law.  In other words, they had a properly placed fear, not in the local residents but in the Lord Himself.

Were they afraid of the local residents?  Yes, they were.  But this fear was overcome by internal unity and God-directed devotion.  May it be so with us!

"Our Father, help me to see what divides me from others, place in me a desire to honor You, and give me the courage to act when I am afraid.  In Jesus' Name!  Amen."