Abraham's Four Surrenders, D. L Moody, Men of the Bible

 Abram/Abraham

Abram’s 1^st Surrender: to go, leave Ur of the Chaldeans and travel to Haran and then Cannan. Abram forsook all the false gods of Ur to follow the true God of heaven and earth (Josh 24:2).

Abram’s brother (Nahor & wife Milcah) remained in Ur, worshipping the false gods of the city. His father Terah traveled to Syria, Haran, and died there before they continue the trip to Cannan.

Abram goes down to Egypt because of the famine and lies about Sarai. The famine ends and they return to Cannan. They return to near Bethel and Abram uses the altar he built before to worship Yahveh. Both he and Lot are rich and have numerous animals and servants.

Abram’s 2^nd Surrender: Abram lets Lot pick first. Abram’s humility is rewarded by God’s expanding promise of giving Abram and his decedents, the Jews, all the land of Israel and Jordan and beyond forever. Abram was able, by faith, to see the big picture. Lot walked by sight. Lot follows his sight, picking the well water lands and starts a process of many bad decisions that lead to the death of his wife and incest with his daughters. Moody makes the point, if it was not for the NT (Heb 11), we would not expect to see Lot in heaven. He protects the angels from the perverted mob, and he obeys the word of God from the angels, and he did not look back. Abram prayed for Yahveh to spare the righteous in the city, and God sent His messengers to rescue Lot’s family. But the first chastisement of God upon Lot was to be robbed and taken captive by the four kings that defeated the 5 armies, that included Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram, who was afraid of the men of Egypt, defeats these four kings with 318 men and some Canaanite allies from Hebron. He rises to the occasion and is operating by faith more than fear. Abram is blessed by Melchizedek, the priest-king of Jerusalem.

Abram’s 3^rd Surrender: Avoidance of appearance of evil. Not letting it be said, ‘Abram is rich because he was paid well by the king of Sodom.’ He refused the wages of perversion. An illustration of this was when Oral Roberts was hiding in the tower to collect funds from widows’ retirements accounts and the dog tracks funding. He said, God will kill me if I don’t meet the deadline. A Charismatic ministry to the homeless in Houston Texas, Trinity Foundation, seeking to help some of those widows in TX that lost their homes in sending their nest eggs to Oral Roberts, did the investigation on Robert Tilton that Diana Sawyer reported on ABC along with Larry Lee, and one other prosperity preachers living off funds sent to his ministry for orphans in Hati. Trinity wanted to prevent more widows from becoming homeless. Tilton went to jail. Abram would not take funds from the wicked king of Sodom.

Abram met with the Prince of Peace and the Prince of this world. He does not lie here. He makes the right choice. Read Moody, Men of the Bible, pg. 11, second paragraph to pg. 12.

Does God’s word say, “do not fear” to anyone else in the Bible? It is said numerous times in both OT and NT, in both the Mosaic covenant and the New Covenant. It is often a command. (See below)

Moody. “We find that Abram was constantly surrendering his own selfish interest and trusting God.” What can we learn from his example of controlling fear with faith and replacing worry with worship?

Which descendant (seed) of Abram is in view, in Gen 12, when God says, “And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed?” and in Gen 22:18 “in your seed all nations of the earth will be blessed?” It is Jesus the Messiah! See Matt 1:2, 16; Luke 3:23, 34; Gal 3:8, 15-16, 19, 29; Rom 1:1-7; Gen 3:15.

Abram listens to Sari and takes on Hagar as a second wife/concubine and Ismael is born. God continues to purse Abram. He changes both names, Abraham and Sarah. Hagar causes household division and then runs away. The Angel of Yahveh finds her and sends her back to Abraham’s house. She is to submit to Sarah. Abraham wants to move on with the promise of the Messianic line through his son Ishmael. Yahveh says: “No.” This is going to be a legitimate birth with your current wife, but a miraculous birth. (Also, a type of the Messiah.) Isaac will be the heir through whom the Messiah comes.

Gen 21:1-12. Abraham has a dilemma because of his sin. He does the hard thing and sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Of course, both Sarah and Abraham knew this would cause problems when they chose the wrong path. Sarah admits it here. The Angel of the Yahveh shows up again. God in providence leads Hagar to a well and the 14-year-old boy and her survive and live in the desert just north of Egypt. Abimelech enters into a covenant with Abraham. He lied to this man about Sarah as his sister. A lie he committed a second time. So, now they work out a covenant of peace. Abram has to swear before this pagan king will trust him. Then comes the final surrender.

Abraham’s 4^th Surrender: Give up your only legitimate son, the Messiah’s ancestor.

Gen 22: 1-8

Moody puts himself in Abraham’s sandals and notes that he probably could not have eaten or slept during this hard covenantal test. Abraham had passed some tests and failed others. This is the supreme covenantal test. Do we love anything more than God? Was Isaac an idol? Abraham, following his faith, obeyed God and prepared to sacrifice his son. He trusted God would keep His promise and that this might involve the first resurrection from the dead. The angel of Yahveh called to him, Abraham, Abraham. Any time you see a double name in the Bible, it signifies a close personal relationship. Jesus said, Martha, Martha,” which reveals a kind tone and close friendship. It is done about a dozen in the Bible. We will see in a moment Isaac is a type of Christ. God gave this test before the Messiah was born so we could see the parallels. God will never ask a person to do this again.

Gen 22:12-18

The Dome of the Rock is built over top this stone altar now on the temple mound in Jerusalem. Mt. Moriah slopes down and you can see the base of it at the north wall of the city. When one goes out the Damascus Gate, to the right, down the road, on your left is the rock call Golgotha, the place of the skull [Latin: Calvary = Cranium] across the Damascus highway is the wall and the base of Mt. Moriah. It is possible that the three crosses were along the road in-between Moriah and Golgotha. 4,000 years ago, [Abraham’s time] Golgotha could have been connected to Moriah. It is only about 60’ apart.

The ram was not the only sacrifice that Yahveh provided for Abraham and Isaac. Yeshua’s cross-work was also completed at the base of Moriah, but also outside of the camp, as prophesied. The parallel language in John 3:16 “Only Son” should alert us that Isaac and especially the ram are types of the Messiah to come who is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father images always need biblical clarification. Don’t back-read our human fathers’ characteristics to God like Martin Luther did for years. We have the same temptation. God the Father is our model, we are not His model. He is light and love, not just sternness. But He is always holy, and we are only holy sometimes in practice. That is why God provided the sacrifice for us like he did for Abraham, the lying, former idol worshiping adulterer. He was saved by grace like we are saved by grace. God chased down this sinner. He left the 99 and went after the 1 sheep.

 Do not Fear in the Bible

Gen 15:1, 21:17, 26:24, 46:3; Exd 14:13, 20:20; Num 14:9, 21:34; Deut 1:17, 21, 29, 3:2, 22, 7:17-18, 18:22, 20:1-3, 31:6-8; Josh 1:2-9, 8:1, 10:8, 25,11:6; Judg 6:10, 23; 1 Sam 12:20; 2 Kngs 6:16, 17:35, 37, 38, 19:6; 1 Chrn 22:13, 28:20; 2 Chrn 20:15, 17, 2 Chrn 32:7; Neh 4:14; Psa 3:2, 27:3, 46:2, 56:4, 11, 78:53, 91:1-14, 112:7-8, 118:6; Prov 3:24-26; Isa 7:4, 8:11-12, 10:24, 12:2, 35:4, 37:6,  40:9, 41:10, 13-14, 43:1-5, 44:2, 8, 51:7-15, 54:4-8, 14-15; Jer 1:8, 10:5-7, 17:7-8, 23:4, 30:10-11, 42:11-12, 46:27-28, 51:45-48; Lam 3:56-57; Ezek 3:9, 34:26-31; Dan 10:12, 19; Zep 3:16;  Joel 2:20-25; Hag 2:4-5; Zech 8:12-15; Matt 6:25-34, 10:26-31, 14:27, 17:5-9, 28:5, 10; Mar 5:36, 6:50,  Luke 1:13, 30, 2:10, 5:10; 8:50, 12:4-9, 20-34; Jhn 6:20, 12:15, 42-43; Acts 18:9-10, 27:24; Rom 8:15; Phil 4:6; Heb 11:23, 13:6; 1 Pet 3:13-15, 1 Jhn 4:14-18; Rev 1:17, 2:9-11, 21:7-8  

 

 

 

 

R.J Rushdoony's The Mythology of Science

 

J.R. Rushdoony, in his book, The Mythology of Science, [1] evaluated the thinking process of many in the scientific community. His purpose in this work is to expose the intentions of modern science to be those of magic because of its desire for absolute control of history and ethics. Darwinian macro-evolution is merely a religious foundation for the humanistic presuppositions of these individuals and is not a scientific conclusion based on the scientific method of discovery. The scientific Man is the new god of modern man and is to be the controller and determiner of all human destiny.

These assertions by the author, however, are not made to discredit science when it is true science. Nevertheless, since science has left its Christian root as a tool of a believer in Christ to exercise his/her dominion under God, it now embraces a myth. The myth is that science itself has the ‘magical’ power to control the universe.

It is this student’s opinion, after studying this work, that Dr. Rushdoony adequately proves each of his assertions with careful reasoning and well-documented sources from modern scientists and proponents of evolution trained in other fields. Moreover, he exposes many of the claims and logically lays out the results of embracing the religion of Darwinian Evolution.

Rushdoony begins by giving evidence that modern science lacks objectivity. Thus, it is a religious hope based on the ever-changing man-made conclusions. Numerous scientists, whose underlying presuppositions are philosophically classical humanism, will accept contradictions, fraud, and even absurdities as unquestionable truth. [2]

Darwinian Evolution is a religious choice. The fixed order of the universe gives the student of science two choices. There is either a sovereign God or there is sovereign Nature. Therefore, Darwinian macro-evolution is “a revolt from the sovereign and all-sufficient God who by His predestining will and eternal counsel brought all things to pass.” [3] Therefore, Darwinian scientific socialism offers to bring the utopia here on earth for which men long to experience. Since, in their view, God does not exist, there is no such thing as a moral law or a fixed ethical standard. Thus, science should take control of the world through economics, medicine, government, and education.

Modern evolutionary based scientists are now concerned with the “scientific predestination of man.” [4] Through genetics, modern Darwinian scientists can ‘foreordain’ future generations. Without biblical ethics as a guide, they can seek to change things from eye color to sexual organs with no restrictions provided by their religion of Darwinian evolution. Likewise, there are no limits in mixing or changing species since all species evolved from each other according to their authoritative text, Origin of the Species.

Rushdoony postulates that the Darwinian evolutionists are often operating on principles and assumptions that are borrowed from Christianity. Based on their worldview, they have no right to do so. If this world is here by mere chance, then all facts are meaningless. This would include the so-called facts of macro-evolution. The scientist needs intelligent, special organized creation for his/her job to have meaning. Thus, the Darwinian scientific person wants to explore a universe with cause and effect and natural laws, yet only without the God of the Bible. The design of life on earth is not what a rational person would expect if it were merely the product of Father Time, Mother Nature, and Lady Luck (mathematical chance). Despite the evidence of design, many scientists choose the religion of Darwinian Evolution, with Man alone as sovereign. Likewise, man can now control the evolutionary process, making man autonomous and ultimate. [5] Hence, science is seeking to overcome death, time, and history. Darwinian evolutionary scientists have already started a program to control life, minds, man, and society.

Therefore, the debate between those who believe in the Bible and contemporary Darwinian evolutionary science is a religious controversy. Being unaffected by the facts, the Darwinian evolutionists defend their position with great emotion because they believe in their position as a matter of conviction (Nothing plus time plus chance equals everything). These individuals optimistically hope to bring paradise to earth, as they believe all things are possible for the contemporary scientific community.

Dr. Rushdoony’s book comprises twelve chapters and four appendices. There are a few weaknesses in this work. Unfortunately, the transition between several of the chapters took away from the overall flow of this thesis and sub-themes of this work. Likewise, his appendices are so vital for the documentation of his postulates, it may have been better to include some of them in the existing chapters. He does not use any charts or tables to communicate his evidence, yet he effectively used verbal illustrations to give the reader a mental picture portraying his points.

On the positive side, the theme of this book was carefully emphasized and supported in each chapter. Modern man is a practical atheist so that he/she can be free from God’s law and to be his/her own sovereign ruler. The author’s thesis was clearly asserted and documented throughout the book. The readability may have been slightly diminished by the large number of quotes. However, these were necessary to document each of his assertions.

For example, Rushdoony shows that Darwinian macro-evolution is a religion that is emotionally defended regardless of the scientific facts by quoting Louis Leakey. This Darwinian was digging in the dirt in Africa with only the aid of his human eyes. He was not in a laboratory. No age testing had occurred. His only equipment was a spade, a strainer, and a brush. Rushdoony notes, “Louis Leaky . . . described his discovery . . . of a bit of a skull and two teeth in these words: ‘We knelt together to examine the treasure . . .  and almost cried with sheer joy. For years people had been telling us that we’d better stop looking, but I felt deep down that it had to be there.’” [6] Dr. Rushdoony comments concerning this that “the scientist Leakey knows what he had found before he had examined it. He worked by faith, and he accepted his findings as ‘proof’ on sight. Second, the intense emotionalism and joy sounds more like a revival experience than a scientific analysis.” [7] Rushdoony analysis of these words is brilliant. They are kneeling in the field. Emotions are so riveting that they are almost in tears. They know this is what they have been searching for to prove Darwinian macro-evolution by mere eyesight. No radio-carbon dating had occurred. No geological layer analysis had been completed. But they had this strong feeling that a piece of a skull and two teeth would be all the proof they needed. This sounds like an eyewitness account of one of Finney’s revival meetings in the 1800s rather than a careful application of the scientific method. This new religion of Darwinian macro-evolution produces joy, emotional exhilaration, and almost tears as the congregants kneel in adoration. Rushdoony’s quote of Leaky proved his assertion.

Dr. Rushdoony’s reasoning through the facts discovered was superb. He had been well trained in logical analysis. His clear thinking is the most convincing characteristic of this book. Thankfully, he not only constructively critiques the claims of some modern scientists, but also offers biblical answers to their claims through this work. An open-minded skeptic of Christianity that reads this work would be challenged to questions some claims of the proponents of the religion of Darwinian evolution. But they would also be encouraged to submit to the sovereign God who created the universe and rules it as the Lord of all. Moreover, Rushdoony’s objectivity and calm but firm tone of this work add to this book’s ability to communicate truth to one willing to examine the facts.

The format and thesis of this work are carefully outlined by this gifted author. The overall layout was an effective tool in supporting and effectively communicating the major thrust of this work.

The Mythology of Science has significantly influenced this student’s views regarding the theoretical model of Darwinian macro-evolution and the importance of logic and critical thinking. This book and author have a way of challenging the reader to go beyond superficial answers and to carefully examine his/her presuppositions that are used to reach logical conclusions. Rushdoony’s book is a valuable contribution for those considering the theoretical models available to explain the origin of the earth, living things, and the universe. Hopefully, it will be back in print soon so that it is available to more students who are willing to examine these matters logically. [It is back in print!] The facts reveal that both theoretical models for the origin of the universe are faith based religious systems that are contrary to each other. Both could be wrong, but both cannot be true, since they are polar opposites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End Notes

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[1] Rushdoony, J.R. The Mythology of Science (Nutley, New Jersey: Craig Press), 1968 (128 pages).

[2] This system accepts that the end justifies the means, might make right, and the survival of the fittest. The commandment to not bear false witness is not included in their religion.

[3] Rushdoony, J.R. The Mythology of Science (Nutley, New Jersey: Craig Press), 1968, p 9.

[4] Ibid., p 32.

[5] We saw this atheistic evolutionary science ethics illustrated in Nazi Germany when the scientists used Jewish human beings for medical experimentation. When man is sovereign, ethics can be decided first by the votes of society, and then by the elite ruling class scientists who will decide right and wrong apart from God’s standard for their nation.

[6] Ibid., p 85.

[7] Ibid.