Good Fruit From Evil Trees: Part II

 Christian Thinkers and the Millstatt Forum

 In Good Fruit From Evil Trees: Part 1, the foundations of psychology were discussed with reference to Sigmund Freud and others. As stated by an admirer of Freud:

About society and how to "fix it", Freud believed that it was necessary for, "...the application of psychological principles in raising and educating children...parents and teachers would have to undergo a psychological re-education before they could be effective agents of reason and truth."(2)

Freud's philosophy of life, "Knowledge through science", his "world-view" and his ideas to restructure society through re-education has not been void of duplication or adherents. Recently the word "Weltanschauung" was connected to a group involved in what is called the Millstatt Forum. (http://www.millstatt.org).

The Millstatt Forum was formed by Pro Universitate, and has been promoted through well-known churches such as Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.

In a pamphlet promoting the event, the following information was included: "In the Renaissance, the church was increasingly identified with the secular state and culture. The church's corrupt lifestyle was no model of Christian living..."

The Body of Christ is not corrupt. People following and valuing man's institutions and thoughts over God's are being disobedient to God. He says that if we love Him we will obey His commandments. If the so-called "physical church" being referred to, was then, and is now becoming secular, it is because those in it do not necessarily love God. Rather, they love the world and all that is in it.

No "weltanschuaang" (Christian world view) was taught"? Didn't Christ command the world-view that we were to adhere to--go into the world and "preach the Gospel"? 

What they are saying is that their intent is to create a "world view" from a "Christian" standpoint. It is for scientists and those who are considered "really smart" and "well educated" in the secular world. These are the people who they think will understand these ideas and will be able to use them to change society, as opposed to the ignorant masses who will be unable to comprehend them. If these elite thinkers accept the "Christian ideas", they will then try to educate the masses in terms they can eventually (?) grasp.

If the "elite" or "intelligentsia" as they are being referred to, looked to Greek philosophers over the Bible, they rejected God, His word, and salvation. Science and technological advancements will not be acceptable excuses for that rejection when we all meet Jesus Christ face to face. Each person is going to be held responsible for his or her choices in life. If they choose to think that man's opinions were, or are, more important than what God has to say, God will deal with them appropriately.

"... Thus the intelligentsia turned humanistic, and the church became irrelevant." [Bold emphasis mine]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation has always been available to anyone who chooses it. Individuals like Darwin and many others rejected God as a "viable solution" to life, eternity and so on. The 'church' did not become irrelevant to the "intelligentsia". God, faith, sin and salvation became irrelevant to them, as it did and does to many others that view those things as unnecessary, old-fashioned, or wrong. They committed their lives to sinful and rebellious undertakings, wanting to control their own "destiny" and serve the "god within."

Since God is not a respecter of persons, "the elite" are only elite in their own minds and in the minds of those that view certain people as being better than others, intellectually or otherwise.

Timothy 5: 21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

The criteria being upheld by the "Christians" in the Millstatt Forum is that they evaluate you according to where they think you stand in the academic community. They judge whether there is approval or could be approval of your ideas, actions or thoughts in the various secular arenas of thought.

The Millstatt Forum was, "...conceived as a tool for developing Christian thought, particularly in the areas of science and society..."

The Bible has already developed the thoughts we are to rely on. There is nothing in society that cannot be weighed to the Word of God, and it is unnecessary to look to secular thought in order to enter into areas to discuss or debate about. We're to hold to the things of God and avoid "babblings".

The pamphlet goes on:

"Today we are again living in a post-Christian era, the result of Christianity having lost its influence on our society. A century of neglect in the application of Christian thought to developments in science, technology and society has led to a dearth of practical Christian alternatives to secular practice. It is this lack of Christian input into our world which the Millstatt Forum seeks to reverse. We consider education and thus the provision of a body of Christian thought to be the first step towards such a reversal. "

In order for there to be a post-Christian era, there would have to have been a Christian era. There has never been a Christian era or time when Christianity was the "norm" and accepted way of life. The Bible is clear that if we love Christ we will be hated by the world. To suggest otherwise is contrary to scriptures and historic fact. 

The neglect is not because religious people haven't been spewing forth their opinions and ideas--simply look at "Christian Bookstores". The neglect has been in seeking wisdom and knowledge from God himself though his Word, and sharing those things with others. The neglect has been the lack of thought and focus on the things of eternity rather than the debates and discussions of the things of this world.

The Forums conferences are held, "on relevant and controversial topics in science and society today... The Millstatt Forum organises a major symposium on a specific topic relevant to "Science and Christianity" or "Society and Christianity" once a year."

Would the "relevant and controversial topics" include such topics as: Creation versus Evolution, Cloning, Abortion, Born Homosexual or Choice, Rock music versus Christian Rock? 

For example, these people are going to come up with 'Christian thought' on "Creation" or Creation versus Evolution and present it to the secular world with the expectation that the "elite" in the secular world accept it. Their acceptance of that "thought" would then lead to the idea that it would be accepted and taught in schools. That would eventually cause social acceptance of this "philosophy" as an alternative to evolution, or at least an option the "intellectuals" should consider as viable, if not scientifically provable. 

In other words, Christian thinkers are looking for secular men to approve of their Christian thoughts and ideas, and hence change society.

What Christian thought will be put forward by these "leading thinkers"? Will they be "Contemporary" thoughts that are permeating the church buildings with the ecumenical movement's compromise to Biblical truth???

The Millstatt Forum sets the following goals to:

• provide the necessary background information for understanding this century's knowledge explosion.

That background comes from a rejection of Christ while still trying to become "god" and control life and death. That "knowledge explosion" does not include the foundations of God.

• foster the application of Christian belief to this knowledge with a view to developing a theoretical framework of Christian thought

The Bible says this:

There are no "theories" in God's word. It is all truth. Faith does not require humanistic approval or research in order for something to be embraced as true. In fact, if you have to have "man's" proof or acceptance regarding such things as creation, then you are not living by faith. The secular world will never understand faith; they always want "proof" of the idea or thought and will always miss out on God's gift of faith. They prefer their philosophy of knowledge through science.

The information regarding the Forum goes on to say that their goals also include:

• encourage the practical application of this Christian framework in society and science
• disseminate this knowledge, both theoretical and practical - e.g. by publishing the conference proceedings.
  The target population for the Millstatt Forum consists of professionals, academics, intellectuals, students and other people interested in shaping their society from a Christian perspective... "

Dominionist and Reconstructionist beliefs are being promoted within the religious realm. That means, many believe that Christ cannot, or will not return, until Christian thought or Christian leaders in general, dominate society. Jesus said the world would reject us, and in the last days many would fall away from the faith. To suggest that the world will now accept true Biblical attitudes, with a desire that they be applied on social or spiritual issues is contrary to Gods word. The only way these ideas will become mainstream and acceptable to unbelievers is if they are not really Biblical. It cannot be both ways.

Jesus said we were to be in the world, not of it. We are to seek the things of Christ.

 According to Millstatt Forum website and promotional information, "the church is ineffective and decaying; ordinary people have limited access to Christian thought; for the intelligentsia Christianity is irrelevant, having failed to address the exponential growth of scientific thought and technology and Christianity is often anti-intellectual and has allowed the spheres of social influence (universities, science, media) to pass by default to domination by non-Christian ideas."

"...the church is ineffective and decaying; ordinary people have limited access to Christian thought..."?

The only way any person has limited access to Christian thought is if they fail to read their Bible. Christian thought --so called--comes from Christ. The intelligentsia are simply sinners who think they can solve life, death and eternity through "scientific knowledge". They choose to reject God and the salvation found only in Christ. They believe that there are individuals that have greater knowledge than the average person and that these "gifted" people should be revered, admired and followed. The people involved in the Millstatt Forum, while claiming to be Christians, have forgotten what Christ said regarding thinking of ones self more highly than we ought. Jesus made it clear that those that think they are superior over others will become the servants of all.

Christianity often anti-intellectual? Does this mean that people who believe God aren't viewed as overly intelligent in the scientific or secular arena? How do those that believe they have the inside track to "knowledge" regarding life or academics view Christians? All Christians belong to God, who holds all wisdom and knowledge and promises. If we seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we will find it in Him. Many appear to be lacking knowledge in important issues, simply because they lack the very "light" that comes from God.

These people also see Christianity as failing to deal with the issues involved in scientific thought and technology. On the contrary though, the Bible deals with all these issues. We are never to put man's thought over the wisdom that comes only from God through His word. When people start to put forth the Bible and all it's wisdom as just another option to choose from, they are undermining God's word.  If we truly understand what the Bible is saying we know that there is only one choice to give us life and by not stating this firmly to other people we are leading them astray.

 The Millstatt Forum believes that, "The western world is originally the child of Christian thought, and its history is filled with Christian influence. Many great universities and hospitals were established by Christians. Constitutional limited government resulted from the application of Judeo-Christian principles. The scientific revolution was led by Christian scientists such as Newton and Faraday. The arts were contributed to by believers such as Bach and Milton. Even those not in accord with Christian theology were profoundly influenced by Christian society and the Christian world view."

Although many believe that nations like the United States and Canada had their foundations in Christianity and the leadership were exemplary Christians, that is not true. Many in leadership, politics, the arts and community were, and are, involved in various factions of Freemasonry or the Illuminatti, Scottish Rite and so on.

One must question their statement; "The scientific revolution was led by Christian scientists such as Newton..."

Newton was not the Christian man many think him to be. He was religious, but was also heavily involved in Hermetic alchemy [magic and trying to turn base metals into gold; find the elixir of life-so they could live indefinitely] and the Sacred Craft. He was involved in numerology and other occult practices.

Newton was a well-known Rosicrucian, eventually becoming the "Grand Helmsman of the Priory Notre Dame de Sion."(3) He esteemed Noah more than Moses as the ultimate source of esoteric wisdom. (4) Newton denied the trinity and questioned the Divinity of Jesus. (5) He was in agreement with the Cathars and supported them in their beliefs which "stressed the supremacy of 'gnosis', or direct knowledge, over faith."(6) Sir Isaac Newton also doubted the authenticity of the New Testament. (7)

Newton was also reported to have been supportive of a group called the Socinians, a religious group who believed that Jesus was divine by office rather than by nature. They and Newton were reportedly Arian in nature (the doctrine of Arius of Alexandria,4^th c.; who taught that Jesus was not of the same substance as God the Father.).

Newton's "theories" came from ancient beliefs connected with the Egyptian priesthood and Jewish mysticism. [Acts 7:22 suggests Moses was totally involved and adept in the Egyptian priesthood which involved magic, spells, etc. before he fled Egypt--hence the occult reasons for clinging to various ideas regarding God's call on his life and the miracles being simply the magic of a High priest]. Sir Isaac Newton was not the devout "Christian" that people would like us to believe he was.

 At the website Biblical Beginnings in Canaan, there is a link to an article called "Moses and the Egyptian Priesthood". In it, it is stated, "The Egyptians concealed mysteries that were above the capacity of the common herd under the veil of religious rites and hieroglyphic symbols."

In other words, the Egyptians believed that the ordinary folk could never hope to comprehend what they "understood" because of their "knowledge". How like the thinking of the Millstatt Forum," The invited speakers at these symposia will be leading thinkers in their fields. The symposia will be deliberately interdisciplinary in order to ensure an integrated, high quality understanding of the topic chosen...."

The "ordinary" folk will be unable to understand these topics that purport to be deep and yet very relevant to Biblical truth? There are no hidden mysteries in Gods word that only a select few will be able to comprehend.

Proponents of the Forum believe the Reformation was used to deal with the lack of Christian thought in science and with the "intellectuals".
"Luther and the reformers were guided by God to reverse this trend. They perceived that education was the root of the problem. In response they: •made the Bible, spiritual and intellectual discussion available to everyone through translation, books, preaching, schools, journals, pamphlets, etc 

•promoted development of contemporary Christian thought by debate, institutions of higher learning, and quality publishing..."

As another "lay person" states, "Discussion, interpretation and application of secular information by Christian thinkers does not develop Christian thought! There is one Voice, and the thought was already developed!!!" The wisdom and knowledge we are to seek is found only in God.

 Contemporary Christian thought through debate? Doesn't that imply that the thoughts and things of God have changed over the years and that it is only through these leading thinkers that we will be able to glean any understanding of what God says in His word about each topic? Topics which in many cases are from the occult, and rather than calling it that, offering "Christian" ideas that might fit the mold.

Education has been used to provide secular humanist ideas a place to be perpetuated, promoted and increased by the "intellectuals" of society. They reject God. To suggest walking alongside as one of many alternative philosophies of life is placing Christianity in a place to be weighed by these same people to see if it measures to their "scientific knowledge". Faith will not be considered a viable solution--that simply becomes superstition, and for many, Christianity becomes very narrow and intolerant.

 Freud's' "Knowledge through science", means that they will not accept information that could be based on that "superstition". That means they will not accept Christ, which is the only issue that needs to be asserted as necessary for people to understand-- being an "intellectual" will not keep one from going to hell. Christ himself says that what He taught will be rejected by those that do not love Him. What makes these "thinkers" above Christ, or believe that this does not apply to them, or that the world will accept them?

"...•promoted development of contemporary Christian thought by debate, institutions of higher learning, and quality publishing.."

Debate???? Romans 1:28-32 "Avoid debates...."
Institutions of higher learning -- There is one school of Christ and it is not a college or university and His Truth is not open for debate. It is not one of many options or philosophies of life---it is the only way.

•encouraged and developed Christian participation in all areas of society, including medicine, commerce, civic life, charity, the arts, etc."

Christian participation in all areas of society -- We know that we cannot participate as partners with the unsaved world. Nor can we expect our beliefs on any issue to be accepted as positive in the world. Nor should we expect our beliefs to be embraced by non-believers as something they want to adhere to or uphold unless, God draws them to himself, and they repent and accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

 Those involved in the Millstat Forum believe that education is the key to changing society through the application of their "Christian theories" and ideas. " The conferences will provide top quality and up-to-date information from expert and quality speakers. There will be discussion, interpretation, and application of this information by Christian thinkers. This will all be done with an eye to developing a concrete and authoritative Christian body of thought on the topic. The proceedings of each forum will be published to make its contents more widely available."

One of many serious problems with this is that these "thinkers" may or may not be sound in doctrine, or true believers. Certainly the term "Christian" has almost become a misnomer. It encases any and all that say they believe in God or Jesus. It encompasses the most liberal, worldly thinking, to the most rigid thinking, and they are not compatible.

A review of the various speakers' names and credentials leads one to think that perhaps they are indeed liberal, ecumenical, and holding to philosophies that are permeating the physical churches. These are just some of the issues which are causing many to fall away from the Truth. 

The Millstat Forum seems to believe that we need an "elite" group of "Christian thinkers" to develop ideas or theories on issues. Is it Biblical to depend on this self-proclaimed 'elite group' to provide understanding or have them present "contemporary" positions on issues that should then be embraced as truth by Christians?

If we do accept their contemporary judgments and thoughts as all truth for all Christians, despite what the Bible may say, what then? What seems to be taking place then would be called "opinion by consensus" in the secular world. Many also call it truth by consensus, but it rarely involves truth, but rather, consensus to agree to an opinion that most can live with, even if they don't really agree. People are conditioned to be willing to set aside their beliefs and convictions in order to 'agree to disagree.'

Agreeing to disagree to obtain consensus on an issue is not only dishonest, it compromises the very things a person says they believe. Truth, honesty, sincerity...

All these things become non-effect when agreement with men overrides commitment to truth and the purity of all in God's word. Good fruit never comes from compromise of truth, nor does it come from liberality or worldly thought or commitment to unification with ecumenical minded men. It definitely does not abide in those that look for approval or acceptance from men of the world.

God never fails to provide understanding, knowledge and wisdom on any issue. It comes from seeking Him, knowing Him and reading His word. While it is profitable to discuss issues with other believers, to depend on them to discern truth on matters for us, or to speak for us, would be wrong in these perilous times.

Furthermore, while God speaks of it being wise to seek counsel from others on various things, there is no implication that those others are considered to be the "academically elite." It could be said that any wisdom a person has to offer would not come from academic knowledge, but rather from true submission and obedience to God. Their counsel will be in the wisdom and knowledge that comes from that dependence on God, not on worldly academics.

Simply claiming to be under the heading of Christian, does not make one belong to God. What a person believes, upholds and states will show who and what they are really about, and where their "fruit" comes from. Like so many other organizations today, the Millstatt Forum is trying to align truth with lies, and ultimately leading people away from Truth.

If we have knowledge of nothing else, we must understand that all wisdom and knowledge that is worthwhile, and the things that are important to be focused on are the things found in God's inerrant word, the Bible. Knowledge that comes from those who do not belong to God, cannot become good, simply because someone puts a "Christian" slant on it.

Matthew 7:15-16 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"

2 Timothy 3: 13-17 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

All Scripture Quotes from the Authorized King James Bible

Footnotes:

1. A Primer of Freudian Psychology, pg. 20, Calvin S. Hall

2. A Primer of Freudian Psychology, pg. 21, Calvin S. Hall

3.Bloodline of the Holy Grail, page 323-324, Laurence Gardiner; also noted in Holy Blood, Holy Grail, pages 455-458

4-7. Holy Blood, Holy Grail, pages 455-458, Baigent, Leigh, Lincoln. [Noted resources for these passages--Digot, P. Notre-Dame-de-Sion,p.8.; Fedie, Le Comte de Razes,p.119; Birch, Life of Robert Boyle, p 274; Manuel, Portrait of Isaac Newton; Dobbs, Foundations of Newton's Alchemy. ]

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen. All Scripture King James Version unless otherwise stated.

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