Cross Referencing

What bugs me about this commentary is the judgments made within its arguments. In economics we would call them normative statements. This ought not be. That should not be. They are value judgments. It's obnoxious (which is also a judgement).

This video is very emotional. I have no issue with emotions, except when they are used manipulatively to persuade an audience to not use their minds.

If a human has any feeling perception at all they would be aware of the effect of kindness and compassion. In the program I was in, Avatar, they argued that men had turned off their ability to feel thus making their service necessary. It annoys me because I am aware of the value of feeling but does it trump thinking? Some might argue that it does, but their ability to make that argument comes from their developed reasoning skill using their mind. If they convey that information thoroughly in feel they technically would say nothing, but without language, how would they establish meaning for their action?

What is action without meaning? Where does intention come from except from an understanding of what is valuable? Does one know or does one learn what is helpful and kind?
How does one understand unless one is taught how?


Proverbs 22:6
King James Version (KJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


I'm not a scholar. I cannot pretend to be an expert. I do, however, have a tidbit of knowledge - a very tiny tinny fragment of the whole; But I am moving toward the parameter, the truth, as much as I know how.

Therefore, I am questioning those who claim that thought is futile and are discouraging of reason in favor of feeling. I am thus extremely wary of those who make normative statements and argue on the basis of emotion.

Furthermore, I've been contemplating the difference between a pure motive though it be criticized as selfish versus a wicked motive though it is praised as selfless.
I have been taught the difference involves a belief in the salvation of Christ through his action on the cross and by his resurrection from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is through this event he redeemed those who were lost in trespasses and sin (Ephesians 2:1-5).
It is because of this belief in redemption that we are free to live from each ones heart because it has been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17).


I speak on the authority of this book, but how does what I say carry water in the world when they do not recognize the weight of those words? Not only do they not acknowledge its authority, they mock it with disdain and profanity. I am also guilty of that, so what is the cure?
Faith?
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)
Hope?
Hope in the completion of the work he performed on the cross.
Love?
God is love (1 John 4:8).


So what now?
How so?
What is the answer?

Take every thought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Let no one look down on you. (1 Timothy 4:12)

Put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11)

Be of good cheer. (John 16:33)

Cast all your cares on him (1 Peter 5:7) and let the peace of God which transcends understanding guard your heart and mind in Christ (Philippians 4:7) 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart my soul and strength. (Luke 10:27)

Finally, I'll leave you with food for thought. 

Romans 5:12-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


1 Timothy 4:1-5
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.