February 10, 2008
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The more I try, the worse it gets Definitions - Dualism is a term that originated in Greek philosophy (Plato) and was adopted into Christianity by Augustine after the time of Christ. Dualism is a worldview that holds spiritual and natural entities as separate. Typically, dualism views the spirit world as good and physical world as evil. Although this is not a Biblical view of God’s creation, dualism did indeed survive through the centuries via Augustine, Luther and Calvin to reside, to some degree, in your and my present theology. Dualism logically leads us toward doctrines of human depravity and original sin which in turn necessitated infant baptism (also promoted by Augustine). Since your body is in the natural it would be viewed as evil in many ways. That's why culture viewed sex (even in marriage) in a negative light for centuries. Can you see how dualism could erode your self-worth? We might miss God's perspective; that we are a pearl of great price, a treasure, and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (Eph 2:18).Harold wrote an excellent book entitled Escaping Dualism that we recommend. His book entitled Precious In His Sight also provides a balanced and Biblical view on the nature of man apart from the dualism worldview. We have links to both books on our recommendation page. This newsletter won't answer all your questions, but these two books are very helpful. Briefly, the dualism worldview can be misleading because not everything spiritual is good (demons for example). The new age movement is premised on a belief that anything spiritual is safe while the Bible specifically forbids many “spiritual activities – witchcraft, consulting the dead, etc.
On the natural side, a belief that everything in the natural is bad, corrupt or carnal is also misleading and unscriptural. God created the earth and said it was good. He also created you in His image and that was good. Good and evil exist in the natural world, in the spiritual world, and in people; religious dualism isn’t a particularly helpful grid to discern the difference. Consequences of Dualism – We’ve all tried to discipline ourselves to change and we’ve all shared Paul’s experience in Romans 7.
Heart’s desire vs. selfish ambition – Dualism leads us to believe that all of our soulish desires are carnal and that only spiritual direction from God received through our spirit is good. It’s not true. My desires must be discerned – they may be good or not so good. However, I was created in God’s image and he writes His desires on my heart (Heb 8:10). Scripturally, I would fully expect to find most of God’s will already written on my heart. As I grow in Christ it gets easier to discern good from evil, and I trust my heart more to mirror the mind of Christ, the will of God. There was a time that I automatically resisted every desire of my own heart. Now, I expect those desires to reflect God’s own heart. I still discern them to be sure, but now my worldview is that I’m God’s friend, a player in building the Kingdom. I feel God celebrating my desires and accomplishments with me. I am naturally inclined to desire his purposes. Wealth vs. Poverty – Dualism describes spiritual things as good; natural as bad. An atheist would gravitate toward materialism. He doesn’t believe in God or spiritual things, so his worldview is built around the present and whatever comforts he can find in this life. A theist (believer in God) would naturally place a premium on spiritual things and the afterlife, and try to distance himself from materialism. Historically the church has placed value on asceticism, monasticism, and poverty as trademarks of spirituality. I may believe God wants me to have wealth (I’m personally convinced he does, in concert with my calling as a King). However, my faith may be mixed with my heritage in dualism. Why would my attempts at starting businesses or making investments fail? My Romans 7 experience, “try hard and get nowhere” is because my worldview has roots in a system that portrayed wealth as materialistic, unspiritual and opposed by God. On the surface I want to succeed but at a deeper level I may be subconsciously working against myself to stay poor and please God – consistent with my inherited Dualism worldview. I have to change my theology to realize that wealth, although natural, is the practical (and holy) means of conducting ministry and building the Kingdom. Plus, I’m God’s kid and he loves to bless me. Here’s the goal of our conferences: We simply try to take away the last vestige of poverty so our faith for God’s blessing is no longer double-minded. Health vs. sickness – We’ve all experienced the same Romans 7 struggle in praying for the sick. Here’s part of the problem. Our dualistic roots cause us to view our bodies (and to a degree, ourselves) as carnal. There would seem to be an obvious connection between devaluing or even loathing our bodies and anorexia, bulimia, for example – basically the erosion of our ability to exercise faith for health and healing from any sickness. If disease strikes, we add to that rather negative view of our bodies a prayer that curses a particular ailment, trying to take authority over sickness and invoke God’s word. We often fail, however, because our faith is dualistic; it is mixed with a belief that my body is carnal – the source of many evil desires and practices. I want to be healed and I believe that God wants to heal me; I see the promises in the Bible. Yet, at a deeper level, I don’t feel deserving… more “try hard and get nowhere” because my faith is double-minded. Scripturally, my physical body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I may need to remove the curse of dualism and change my theology to be healed.
Another ramification of dualism is the belief that God’s healing can only come through a spiritual miracle. Our healing may be a spiritual encounter. It could also be a natural, dietary adjustment, or a medical intervention, or the result of regular exercise. Don’t limit God to one dimension to receive your healing. God calls your body a temple - take care of it.
Have you ever noticed that some people are naturally excited to pursue their heart’s desires? They seem to attract God’s favor on their health, family, finances and work. Good things happen all the time. Even if something goes wrong, they rise to the surface and increase even more. That’s you! That's what God has already intended and made available for you. You can access that "favored status" any time you're ready. First you have to stop viewing yourself as a "loser" and see that God has already made you a "winner." View yourself the way God does: you are valuable. Dream big. Your first step is to see yourself already having God's favor - because you do. You are easily within reach of your goal. When this transition happens you'll know it. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. When your hopes become substance then you will know good things are on the way. You'll know you're going to make it... not only survive, but prosper and minister your victory to others.
Love, John & Sue (are dancing - Join us) ... with Linda You're invited into the vision to release Kings; communicate the message, make the money, and do the mission.
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